Turkey holidays

All your questions about entry requirements, visas, passports or health information are answered on our Travel Advice page.

Flights from the UK to Turkey take between three hours and 45 minutes and four hours, depending on which airport you fly from.

Turkey is two hours ahead of the UK – so when it’s 9am here, it’s 11am there.

The Dalaman region on Turkey’s south-west coast – known as the Turquoise Coast – is home to Olu Deniz Beach and the famous Blue Lagoon, making it a great pick for fly-and-flop holidays.

The currency of Turkey is the Lira. However, if you run out, many shops and restaurants in the more touristy areas will accept the euro.

If you want exclusive sun-and-sand time, the best time to visit Turkey is in July and August when the temperatures soar into the 30s. For a more explorer-friendly climate, try visiting in April or May when it’s cooler.

Turkey uses the European-style two-pin plug sockets (type C and F). You'll need to bring a European travel adapter to use UK electrical appliances.

Some of the most popular include Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman, and Izmir. Each offers its own unique blend of beaches, history, and local culture.

Turkey's must-see attractions include the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, the ancient ruins of Ephesus, the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, and the unique landscapes of Cappadocia with its famous hot air balloon rides.

English is commonly spoken in major tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants. However, in more rural areas or smaller towns, English may be limited, so learning a few basic Turkish phrases can be helpful.

The Antalya region is excellent for family holidays in Turkey, offering a perfect blend of beautiful beaches, family-friendly resorts, and attractions. Antalya features numerous All Inclusive hotels with kids' clubs, waterparks, and entertainment. The Dalaman region is another great option, particularly around Marmaris and Icmeler, with calm waters and plenty of family activities. Side – in the Antalya region – combines beach time with fascinating ancient ruins that children can explore.

The best time to visit Turkey depends on what you're looking for. For beach holidays, July and August offer temperatures soaring into the 30s with minimal rainfall. Spring and autumn provide milder temperatures around 20-25°C – ideal for exploring ancient sites and cities. Winter’s cooler and rain’s more likely along the coast, but it’s a great time for visiting Istanbul with fewer crowds or enjoying ski resorts in eastern Turkey.

All your questions about entry requirements, visas, passports or health information are answered on our Travel Advice page.

Credit and debit cards – especially Visa and Mastercard – are widely accepted in Turkey, in hotels, restaurants, larger shops and tourist areas. However, smaller establishments, local markets and rural areas may only accept cash. It’s advisable to carry some Turkish lira on you.

Turkey is generally considered affordable for tourists, especially when compared to western European destinations. Your holiday in Turkey can be quite budget-friendly due to the favourable exchange rate between major currencies and the Turkish lira. Accommodation ranges from budget hostels to luxury resorts, with mid-range options offering good value. Street food and local restaurants are inexpensive, while tourist-oriented establishments charge more. Public transport is affordable and entrance fees to historical sites are reasonable. Shopping can be economical, especially in local markets where bargaining is expected.

Currently, Turkey does not impose a specific tourist tax like some European countries do. When staying at hotels or resorts, the price you pay typically includes all applicable taxes.

For the most current and accurate health information regarding travel to Turkey, please refer to our Travel Advice page.

Turkey's classification for travel insurance varies between providers.

For a week in Turkey, your budget will vary based on your travel style. Budget travellers can manage on approximately £200 to £300 per week – 2,800 to 4,200 Turkish lira – excluding accommodation, to cover basic meals, public transport, and some attractions. Mid-range travellers should budget around £350 to £550 per week – 4,900 to 7,700 lira – for better restaurants, occasional taxis, and more activities. Luxury travellers are likely to need over £700 – 9,800 lira – per week for fine dining, private tours, and premium experiences. If you're staying at an All Inclusive resort, you'll need significantly less. Around £100 to £200 – 1,400-2,800 lira – for tips, souvenirs and activities outside the resort should be plenty.

The cost of dining in Turkey varies widely depending on the type of establishment. In local restaurants – lokantas – you can enjoy a simple meal for around 150 to 250 Turkish lira, which is approximately £3.50 to £6. Mid-range restaurants typically charge 300 to 500 Turkish lira per person for a meal with a drink, which is around £7 to £12. Street food options like kebabs or pide – Turkish pizza – are even more affordable, usually costing between 80 and 150 Turkish lira, which is around £2 to £3.50. Prices in tourist areas and upscale restaurants in cities like Istanbul or Antalya will be higher than in less touristy locations.

Tipping is customary in Turkey, but not mandatory. It's appreciated for good service across various sectors of the tourism industry. The practice is more common in tourist areas than in smaller local establishments.

Yes, alcohol is legally available in Turkey.

Turkey has a diverse dress code that varies by region and setting. In tourist areas and major cities like Istanbul and Bodrum, western-style clothing is common. For beach resorts, standard beachwear is perfectly acceptable. In general, comfortable, lightweight clothing is recommended during summer months, with layers for cooler evenings. When visiting mosques, both men and women should dress modestly. Women should cover their heads, shoulders, and knees, and wear clothing that isn't tight-fitting. Men should wear long trousers rather than shorts. Many major mosques provide appropriate coverings for visitors if needed.

Side is perfect for combining history and beach time, with ancient Roman ruins right next to golden sands. Bodrum Peninsula offers stunning beaches alongside the Castle of St. Peter and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. Fethiye features beautiful beaches near the ancient Lycian rock tombs and Tlos ruins.

A day trip to Cappadocia from coastal resorts like Antalya or Bodrum is technically possible but not recommended due to the significant distance. Cappadocia is located in central Turkey, approximately 550km from Antalya and even further from other coastal areas. Most tour operators offer overnight packages rather than single-day excursions.

For a romantic holiday in Turkey, consider Kalkan on the Turquoise Coast, known for its intimate atmosphere, boutique hotels, and candlelit rooftop restaurants overlooking the Mediterranean. Alternatively, Bodrum offers upscale resorts with private beaches and stunning sunset views, while Antalya combines beautiful beaches with historic charm. And for a unique experience, Cappadocia provides magical hot air balloon rides over its otherworldly landscape.

It's generally not recommended to drink tap water in Turkey. While the water is chlorinated and may be safe in some areas, most locals and visitors prefer to drink bottled water. Hotels and restaurants typically serve bottled water, which is widely available and inexpensive throughout the country. If you're staying in self-catering accommodation, use bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth.

Yes, Turkey is very vegetarian-friendly. Traditional Turkish cuisine features many vegetarian dishes naturally. Look for mezze, like hummus, dolma – better known as stuffed vine leaves – patlıcan salatası – a type of eggplant salad – and çig kofte, which are bulgur wheat patties. Main dishes include various vegetable stews, borek – a type of savoury pastry – gozleme – a variety of stuffed flatbread – and imam bayıldı, which is stuffed eggplant. Most Turkish restaurants offer plenty of vegetarian options.

Turkey offers a rich culinary heritage with must-try dishes including kebabs, pide, which is Turkish pizza, lahmacun – a thin meat-topped flatbread – kofte meatballs, mantı – dumplings – and baklava for dessert. Don't miss trying Turkish cuisine like menemen – Turkish-style scrambled eggs – gozleme – a variety of stuffed flatbread – and a traditional Turkish breakfast spread with olives, cheese, honey, and simit.

Yes, it's advisable to bring mosquito repellent when visiting Turkey, especially if you're traveling during the summer months or staying near coastal areas, lakes, or rivers. Mosquitoes are most active during dawn and dusk, so having repellent handy for evening outings in popular Turkish destinations is recommended.