Turkey

Turkey straddles the Bosphorus at the hinge of continents—Europe meets Asia in geographic fact, where civilizations have collided, merged, and flourished for millennia. Hittites and Greeks, Persians and Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans—each leaving layers that archaeology still uncovers.

The modern republic, founded by Atatürk in 1923, positions itself as both secular and Muslim, European and Middle Eastern. That tension—productive and sometimes fractious—gives Turkey its distinctive energy.

Record-Breaking 2024

Turkey achieved exceptional tourism performance:

- 52.6 million international arrivals (+7% vs 2023) - $61.1 billion revenue (+18.3% YoY—historic high) - 16.8% above 2019 pre-pandemic peak (45M) - Istanbul: 18.6 million visitors (#1 entry point) - Antalya: 15.9 million visitors - 2025 target: 65 million visitors

Top Source Markets 2024

Peak Months 2024

July: 7.33 million visitors (highest).

August: 6.83 million.

September: 6.05 million.

15 million inhabitants across two continents—Byzantine churches became Ottoman mosques, Golden Horn witnessed 2,500 years of human ambition.

Sultanahmet (Historic Peninsula)

Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya): 6th-century Byzantine church, mosque since 2020. Dome larger than any for a thousand years. Non-Muslims may enter outside prayer times.

Blue Mosque: Ottoman architecture's peak. Six minarets, cascading domes, blue Iznik tiles.

Topkapi Palace: Ottoman sultans' residence for four centuries. Treasury, Harem.

Grand Bazaar: Over 4,000 shops across 61 streets—one of world's oldest covered markets.

The Bosphorus

Ferry rides between continents cost pennies. Strategic waterway explains why empires fought here.

Modern Districts

Beyoğlu: Istiklal Avenue, galleries, nightlife.

Kadıköy: Asian side local flavor.

Istanbul 2024 Stats

18.6 million international visitors (+7% vs 2023).

35.3% of Turkey's total arrivals.

Top markets: Russia (~2M), Germany (1.42M), USA (967K).

121.88 million airport passengers (combined IST + SAW).

Central Anatolia's strangest landscape—volcanic tuff carved into fairy chimneys, rock-cut churches with Byzantine frescoes, underground cities.

Highlights

Hot air balloons: Dawn launches over Göreme—$200-400 but unforgettable.

Göreme Open Air Museum: Rock-cut churches with Byzantine frescoes.

Underground cities: Derinkuyu, Kaymakli—descending multiple levels.

Valley hiking: Rose Valley, Pigeon Valley, Ihlara Valley.

Towns: Ürgüp, Uçhisar, Avanos.

Aegean/Mediterranean

Ephesus: Best-preserved Roman city—Library of Celsus, Great Theater, Terrace Houses.

Bodrum: Turkey's St. Tropez—Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, Crusader castle, yachts.

Antalya: Turkish Riviera—15.9M visitors 2024. Beach resorts, Roman ruins (Perge, Aspendos, Side).

Fethiye/Turquoise Coast: Sailing, Kayaköy ghost town, Lycian Way hiking.

Beyond Standards

Pamukkale: White travertine terraces, ancient Hierapolis.

Eastern Turkey: Kurdish culture, Mount Ararat (5,137m), Mardin's architecture.

Safranbolu: UNESCO Ottoman houses.

Visa-Free Since January 2024

Simply arrive with passport—as easy as Western Europe.

Airports

Istanbul Airport (IST): Main international hub (opened 2019). Direct US flights.

Sabiha Gökçen (SAW): Asian side, budget carriers.

Transport

Domestic flights: Turkish Airlines, Pegasus—cheap, frequent.

High-speed trains: Ankara-Istanbul and other routes.

Buses: Comfortable long-distance network.

Dolmuş: Shared minibuses for local transport.

IstanbulKart: Essential for city transit.

Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY), ~32-35 per USD. Volatile—check current rates. ATMs widespread.

Budget: $50-70/day.

Mid-range: $100-200/day.

Turkish cuisine ranks among world's great traditions:

Kebabs: Döner, şiş, adana, urfa, iskender—dozens of regional variations.

Meze: Small dishes—hummus, cacık, patlıcan salatası.

Pide: Turkish pizza. Lahmacun: Thin meat flatbread.

Breakfast: An event—cheeses, olives, eggs, honey, bread.

Sweets: Baklava, künefe—sugar shock.

Drinks: Turkish coffee and çay (tea)—offered constantly, refusal may offend.

Security: State Department notes terrorism concerns; major tourist areas maintain high security. Avoid Syrian border region.

Political protests: May occur—avoid demonstrations.

Mosques: Cover shoulders/knees; women cover hair. Alcohol widely available.

Bargaining: Expected in bazaars, not modern shops.

Scams: Be wary of "helpful" strangers leading to shops.

LGBTQ+: Legal but not widely accepted; discretion advised.

1. No visa needed since January 2024—just show up 2. IstanbulKart essential for city transport 3. Book Cappadocia balloon in advance 4. Learn basic Turkish for goodwill 5. Dress modestly at mosques 6. Bargain in bazaars, fixed prices elsewhere 7. Accept tea offers—refusal can offend 8. Check TRY exchange rates—volatile currency

Turkey's 52.6 million visitors in 2024—generating a record $61.1 billion revenue—confirms the nation's emergence as a global tourism powerhouse. The 16.8% growth above pre-pandemic levels and Istanbul's 18.6 million arrivals demonstrate enduring appeal despite regional complexities.

The January 2024 visa elimination for Americans simplified access dramatically. Now you simply arrive with passport and discover one of the world's most rewarding destinations—Byzantine mosaics and Ottoman domes, Cappadocia's fairy chimneys and Mediterranean beaches, kebabs and bazaars.

Where else can you ferry between continents for pennies, float over fairy chimneys at dawn, and dine on cuisine perfected over centuries—all at extraordinary value? Turkey's hinge position between East and West creates something unique: accessible yet exotic, modern yet ancient, European yet distinctly its own.

Key Trends: 52.6M visitors 2024 (+7%), $61.1B RECORD revenue (+18.3%). 16.8% above 2019 peak! Istanbul 18.6M, Antalya 15.9M. 2025 target: 65M. Visa-free since Jan 2024 (90 days). Lira volatility = extraordinary value. Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Mediterranean coast. 21 UNESCO sites. Best Apr-May, Sep-Oct.

Last updated: December 2025

Turkey has 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

Turkish cuisine bridges continents—Ottoman palace dishes, Anatolian home cooking, and the meze culture of sharing.

Kebab

Grilled Meat

Turkey's gift to world cuisine—countless regional variations.

Ingredients: 500g lamb or beef, minced or cubed, For adana: fat, red pepper, sumac, Lavash bread, Grilled vegetables, Yogurt, sumac onions.

Preparation: Fore şiş: cube meat, marinate, skewer. For adana: mix mince with fat and spices, mold on wide skewer. Grill over charcoal. Then serve on lavash with vegetables. Finally, add yogurt and onions with sumac.

💡 Adana kebab needs fat (20-30%)—lean meat makes dry kebabs.

İmam Bayıldı

Stuffed Eggplant

Eggplant stuffed with tomatoes and onions—'the imam fainted' from delight.

Ingredients: 2 small eggplants, 2 onions, sliced, 4 tomatoes, diced, Garlic, parsley, Olive oil (lots), Sugar, salt.

Preparation: Partially peel eggplants in stripes. After that, slit lengthwise, salt, rest. Fry onions in olive oil until soft. Then add tomatoes, garlic, cook down. Stuff eggplants with mixture. Bake with water and more oil.

💡 The name means 'the imam fainted'—from pleasure, or from cost of oil!

Baklava

Layered Pastry

Layers of filo, nuts, and syrup—Ottoman sweet perfection.

Ingredients: 1 pack filo pastry, 300g walnuts or pistachios, chopped, 200g butter, melted, For syrup: sugar, water, lemon, rose water.

Preparation: Layer filo, brushing each with butter. After that, add nut layer halfway. Continu layering filo with butter. Then cut into diamonds before baking. Bake until golden. To finish, pour cold syrup over hot baklava.

💡 Cut before baking, syrup cold on hot pastry—never reverse.