What is the best time to visit Turkey?

The best time to visit Turkey depends on your priorities. Many travellers visit year-round, though spring and autumn typically offer pleasant weather and smaller crowds at popular attractions like Hagia Sophia. Check weather patterns for Asia before booking.

What currency does Turkey use?

Turkey uses the Turkish lira (₺). Exchange at banks or airports, and withdraw from ATMs with your debit card. Credit cards are accepted in most tourist areas.

What food should I try in Turkey?

Kebab is one of Turkey's most iconic dishes. Other must-try foods include Baklava and Börek. Eat where locals eat for the best experience.

How many countries can visit Turkey visa-free?

94 countries can enter Turkey without a visa, typically for up to 90 days. 11 more get a visa on arrival. Check the full list and your specific requirements above.

Is Turkey safe for tourists?

Turkey is generally safe for tourists with normal precautions. As in any country, stay aware of your surroundings, avoid displaying expensive items, and use registered transport. Check current government travel advisories before your trip.

Turkey

Turkey, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a country mainly located in Anatolia in…

Capital

Ankara

Language

Turkish

Currency

Turkish lira (₺)

Population

85.7M

Timezone

UTC+03:00

Visa-free access

94 countries

Travelling to Turkey

Turkey, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a country mainly located in Anatolia in West Asia, with a smaller part called East Thrace in Southeast Europe..

Turkey is located in Western Asia, Asia. The capital is Ankara, and the official language is Turkish. The local currency is the Turkish lira (₺). With a population of 85.7M, Turkey is one of the larger country in Asia.

Turkey offers visa-free entry to 94 countries, with most stays allowed for up to 90 days. 11 nationalities can get a visa on arrival. 10 more can apply for an eVisa online. The remaining 83 passport holders need to apply at an embassy.

Top places to visit in Turkey

Hagia Sophia

A 6th-century architectural pivot point where the massive 31-metre dome rests on four pendentives; a feat that redefined Byzantine engineering; the interior turns amber at 4 pm when the western clerestory windows catch the low sun; illuminating Islamic calligraphy discs alongside golden Christian mosaics; the scent of ancient dust and damp stone remains trapped within the soaring nave; which is large enough to swallow Notre-Dame whole.

Ephesus

The Mediterranean's premier Roman city is anchored by the 2nd-century Library of Celsus and its two-storey composite facade; the sun-bleached limestone of the Curetes Way still bears the ruts of ancient chariot wheels; visit the Terrace Houses at midday when the modern protective canopy filters the Aegean sun into soft light; revealing the precise; intact mosaics of the Roman elite; the air smells of wild thyme and heat.

Cappadocia

A surreal landscape of fairy chimneys and troglodyte dwellings carved into soft volcanic tuff over millennia; the honeycombed rock face of the 10th-century monastic complex holds vibrant Byzantine frescoes shielded from light; rise at 5 am to witness 150 hot air balloons ascend as the first light turns the rose-hued basalt valleys to deep terracotta; the silence of the high-altitude drift is broken only by the intermittent roar of burners.

Pamukkale

A cascading staircase of snow-white travertine terraces formed by mineral-rich thermal springs saturated with calcium carbonate; the site is capped by the 2nd-century BC ruins of Hierapolis; walk barefoot along the designated travertine path at sunset when the mineral pools reflect a violet sky; the water is a constant 35°C and the calcium crust feels like sun-warmed chalk underfoot; the surrounding valley remains emerald-green.

Topkapı Palace

The primary residence of Ottoman Sultans for 400 years features the 16th-century İznik tiles of the Harem and the tile-clad Pavilion of the Holy Relics; the architecture dictates a rigid ceremonial progression through four courtyards; walk the outer terrace at dawn to watch the Bosphorus currents churn against the Seraglio Point while the first call to prayer echoes off the ramparts; the air carries the scent of sea salt and pine.

Mount Nemrut

A 1st-century BC hierotheseion where 10-metre tall seated statues of gods guard the tumulus of King Antiochus I at 2;134 metres elevation; the colossal stone heads; severed by earthquakes; now sit on the gravel terraces; reach the Eastern Terrace an hour before dawn to witness the sunrise ignite the limestone features into a deep orange; the air is thin; biting; and perfectly still against the backdrop of the Taurus Mountains.

See all 20 places in Turkey →

What to eat in Turkey

Turkish Breakfast (Kahvaltı)

breakfast

Explore all Turkey dishes →

Turkey visa requirements

Visa-free

Visa on arrival

eVisa / eTA

Visa required

Countries that can visit Turkey visa-free

94 countries can enter without a visa, usually for up to 90 days.

Europe

Asia

United Arab Emirates90d

Americas

Africa

Oceania

Visa on arrival in Turkey

11 countries can get a visa at the airport. Bring your passport, a photo, and cash for the fee.

Oceania

Australia

eVisa and eTA for Turkey

10 countries can apply online before travelling. Processing typically takes 1–7 business days.

Asia

China

Americas

Mexico

Africa

South Africa

Before you go to Turkey

🛂

Passport validity

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay. Turkey immigration may refuse entry otherwise.

✈️

Proof of onward travel

Carry a return or onward flight ticket. Airlines and border officers may ask to see it before allowing you to board or enter.

📋

Visa on arrival

If arriving on a visa on arrival, bring passport photos and cash for the fee. Processing takes 15–60 minutes at immigration.

💱

Currency: Turkish lira

The local currency is ₺. Exchange major currencies at the airport or city banks. ATMs are widely available in urban areas.

🗣️

Language: Turkish

Turkish is the primary language. English is spoken in tourist areas and major cities.

🔌

Power & connectivity

Check Turkey's plug type and voltage before packing. Buy a local SIM card at the airport for affordable data.

Power plug guide →SIM card guide →

🛂

Check your visa for Turkey

Select your passport for an instant result.

🗺️

Turkey 7-day itinerary

AI-generated day-by-day travel plan.

📍

Explore Turkey

20 places, 7 dishes, and more.

More Asia travel guides

Popular destinations

FAQ · Turkey

Turkey — your questions

It depends on your passport. 94 countries can enter Turkey visa-free. 11 more get a visa on arrival. 10 can apply for an eVisa online. Everyone else needs an embassy visa. Use the WorldCurio visa checker for your specific passport.