Turkey: Istanbul, Cappadocia and the coast

Turkey sits between Europe and Asia and has layers of history, great food and varied scenery.

Highlights

• Istanbul: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar. Take a ferry on the Bosphorus. It is cheap and scenic.
• Cappadocia: fairy chimney rock formations, cave hotels and underground cities. Hot-air balloon flights at sunrise are the highlight. They depend on the weather, so allow two or three mornings.
• Ephesus and the Aegean coast: well-preserved ancient Greek and Roman ruins, and pretty towns such as Selcuk and Izmir.
• Pamukkale: white terraces and ancient hot springs.
• Turquoise Coast: beaches and boat trips near Antalya, Fethiye and Kas.

When to go

April to May and September to October have mild weather. Summer is hot, especially inland, but fine for swimming. Winter can be cold and snowy in Cappadocia and Istanbul, and it is quiet and cheaper.

Getting around

• Istanbul has trams, metros and ferries. Get a rechargeable transport card.
• Comfortable long-distance buses link most towns, and domestic flights are often cheap on long routes.
• In Cappadocia, a rental car, tour or bike helps you cover the sights.

Culture and etiquette

• Cover shoulders and knees and take off your shoes in mosques. Women usually carry a scarf for their head. Avoid visiting during prayer times.
• Tea is offered freely. Accept it with a smile.
• Bargaining is common in bazaars, but not in shops with fixed prices.

Spend less

• Eat at local lokanta restaurants with daily set dishes, and try street food such as simit, a sesame bread ring.
• Stay in small guesthouses or pensions, which often include a big breakfast.
• Check museum fees and passes for the sights you plan to see, because the rules for foreign visitors have changed.
• Pay in the local currency. Its value moves a lot, so check rates before you go.

Before you go

Check entry rules and any e-visa for your passport. Watch for common scams, such as a friendly stranger who invites you to an overpriced bar, or a shoe-shiner who drops a brush.