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Türkiye

From the Bosphorus to the Mediterranean coast, from Aegean bays to the heart of Anatolia: explore Türkiye with living city guides. Live now: Istanbul, Antalya, Muğla, Ankara, Aydın, Bursa, Denizli, Gaziantep, Hatay, Izmir, Konya, Nevşehir, Sakarya, and Trabzon. More cities are on the way.

live cities
14
Michelin restaurants
112
provinces on the map
81
languages
5
Explore the citiesMichelin restaurants
Istanbul15°Antalya18°Muğla12°Ankara9°Aydın17°Bursa12°Denizli15°Gaziantep16°Hatay20°Izmir18°Konya10°Nevşehir10°Sakarya12°Trabzon15°

Right now in Türkiye

Local timelocal time

Quick facts

  • Currency: Turkish lira (₺)· Today €1 = 55.13 ₺
  • Language: Turkish
  • Time: UTC+3
  • Calling code: +90
  • Emergency: 112
  • Plugs: C / F · 230 V
  • Driving: on the right
  • Tap water: bottled advised
Things to see

Must-see places

Cities

Cities

+67 more cities
Country

What's in this guide

Welcome to Türkiye, a country that spans two continents and welcomes millions of visitors every year. Whether you are here for a long weekend, a beach holiday or a new life as an expat, Citiveo helps you find your way with local picks, practical tips and reviews from people who have actually been there. Our guides are live for İstanbul, where Europe meets Asia across the Bosphorus; Antalya, the gateway to the Turkish Riviera; and Muğla, home to Bodrum and a coastline of bays and marinas. More cities are on the way. On this page you will find the essentials for any trip: getting around, paying and tax-free shopping, getting your phone online, local customs, health and emergencies, and where to check visa rules. Facts that change often are flagged and dated, with a link to the official source so you can double-check before you travel.

Things to see

This season

Collection

Featured collections

Michelin restaurants112

In Istanbul (85)In Muğla (27)See all →

UNESCO World Heritage24

In Ankara (2)In Aydın (1)In Bursa (7)In Denizli (1)In Izmir (4)In Konya (2)In Nevşehir (7)

Must-see places46

In Ankara (6)In Aydın (4)In Bursa (9)In Denizli (2)In Gaziantep (2)In Hatay (5)In Izmir (3)In Konya (3)In Nevşehir (6)In Sakarya (3)In Trabzon (3)

Local flavours276

In Istanbul (4)In Antalya (13)In Muğla (23)In Ankara (16)In Aydın (12)In Bursa (15)In Denizli (9)In Gaziantep (106)In Hatay (14)In Izmir (27)In Konya (6)In Nevşehir (7)In Sakarya (16)In Trabzon (8)

Beaches231

In Istanbul (25)In Antalya (46)In Muğla (34)In Ankara (1)In Aydın (42)In Bursa (5)In Hatay (2)In Izmir (68)In Sakarya (4)In Trabzon (4)

Museums350

In Istanbul (96)In Antalya (18)In Muğla (8)In Ankara (60)In Aydın (14)In Bursa (32)In Denizli (5)In Gaziantep (15)In Hatay (4)In Izmir (49)In Konya (20)In Nevşehir (15)In Sakarya (6)In Trabzon (8)

Most visited127

In Istanbul (68)In Antalya (32)In Muğla (21)In Izmir (4)In Sakarya (2)
Events

Upcoming events

The next 30 days in the live cities

Next public holiday: Republic Day eve (half day) · October 28, 2026

All public holidays (12)
  • Republic Day eve (half day)October 28, 2026 · from 13:00
  • Republic DayOctober 29, 2026
  • New Year's DayJanuary 1, 2027
  • Eid al-FitrMarch 8, 2027 – March 11, 2027
  • National Sovereignty and Children's DayApril 23, 2027
  • Labour and Solidarity DayMay 1, 2027
  • Eid al-AdhaMay 15, 2027 – May 19, 2027
  • Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports DayMay 19, 2027
  • Democracy and National Unity DayJuly 15, 2027
  • Victory DayAugust 30, 2027
  • Republic Day eve (half day)October 28, 2027 · from 13:00
  • Republic DayOctober 29, 2027
Eat & drink

Local flavours and products

Local products of the live cities — geographical indications first, with their badge

Istanbul

+2 more products

Antalya

+10 more products

Muğla

+20 more products

Ankara

+9 more products

Aydın

+6 more products

Bursa

+8 more products

Denizli

+1 more product

Gaziantep

+100 more products

Hatay

+6 more products

Izmir

+22 more products

Konya

Nevşehir

+1 more product

Sakarya

+10 more products

Trabzon

+5 more products
Things to see

When to go

Right now: ideal for Ankara, Aydın, Bursa, Denizli, Gaziantep, Hatay, Izmir, Konya

When to go
CitiesJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepthis monthOctNovDec
AnkaraJanuary: Fine — Quiet and affordableFebruary: Fine — Quiet and affordableMarch: Fine — Balanced — lively but manageableApril: Best — The best time to comeMay: Best — The best time to comeJune: Best — The best time to comeJuly: Fine — Balanced — lively but manageableAugust: Fine — Balanced — lively but manageableSeptember: Best — The best time to comeOctober: Best — The best time to comeNovember: Fine — Balanced — lively but manageableDecember: Fine — Quiet and affordable
AydınJanuary: Fine — Quiet and affordableFebruary: Fine — Quiet and affordableMarch: Fine — Balanced — lively but manageableApril: Best — The best time to comeMay: Best — The best time to comeJune: Busy — Busy, but worth itJuly: Busy — Very hot — plan your days around itAugust: Busy — Very hot — plan your days around itSeptember: Fine — Balanced — lively but manageableOctober: Best — The best time to comeNovember: Fine — Balanced — lively but manageableDecember: Fine — Quiet and affordable
BursaJanuary: Busy — Busy, but worth itFebruary: Busy — Busy, but worth itMarch: Fine — Balanced — lively but manageableApril: Best — The best time to comeMay: Best — The best time to comeJune: Best — The best time to comeJuly: Fine — Balanced — lively but manageableAugust: Fine — Balanced — lively but manageableSeptember: Best — The best time to comeOctober: Best — The best time to comeNovember: Fine — Balanced — lively but manageableDecember: Fine — Balanced — lively but manageable
DenizliJanuary: Fine — Quiet and affordableFebruary: Fine — Quiet and affordableMarch: Fine — Balanced — lively but manageableApril: Best — The best time to comeMay: Best — The best time to comeJune: Busy — Busy, but worth itJuly: Busy — Very hot — plan your days around itAugust: Busy — Very hot — plan your days around itSeptember: Best — The best time to comeOctober: Best — The best time to comeNovember: Fine — Balanced — lively but manageableDecember: Fine — Quiet and affordable
GaziantepJanuary: Fine — Quiet and affordableFebruary: Fine — Quiet and affordableMarch: Fine — Quiet and affordableApril: Best — The best time to comeMay: Best — The best time to comeJune: Fine — Balanced — lively but manageableJuly: Busy — Very hot — plan your days around itAugust: Busy — Very hot — plan your days around itSeptember: Fine — Balanced — lively but manageableOctober: Best — The best time to comeNovember: Fine — Balanced — lively but manageableDecember: Fine — Quiet and affordable

When to go, for every city →

Practical

Practical information

  • Getting around

    Distances are long, so most travellers mix domestic flights with intercity coaches. Frequent flights link İstanbul's two airports with Antalya and with Muğla's Milas-Bodrum and Dalaman airports. Coaches leave from each city's otogar and are comfortable and frequent. High-speed YHT trains run on Ankara-centred lines to İstanbul, Eskişehir, Konya and Sivas; there is no passenger rail to Antalya or Bodrum. In town, use İstanbulkart in İstanbul, AntalyaKart in Antalya (contactless bank cards also work on buses and trams) and Muğla Kent Kart in Muğla.

    Airports: Istanbul · Antalya · Muğla · Ankara · Bursa · Gaziantep · Hatay · Konya

    Public transport: Istanbul · Antalya · Muğla · Ankara · Aydın · Bursa · Denizli · Gaziantep · Hatay · Izmir · Konya · Nevşehir · Sakarya · Trabzon

  • Money and tax-free shopping

    Changes often — check before you travel

    The currency is the Turkish lira (₺). Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere and contactless is common; carry some cash for markets, small vendors and tips. If a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, choosing lira usually gets a better rate. Non-residents can reclaim VAT on goods bought in shops showing a tax-free sign: ask for the form, keep the invoice, take the goods out of the country within three months and have the form stamped at customs before you leave.

    Source: Revenue Administration of Türkiye (GİB) · September 2026

  • Phone and internet

    Changes often — check before you travel

    According to BTK, the telecoms regulator, a phone brought from abroad can be used on a Turkish line for 120 days without registration; after that, a device whose IMEI has not been registered is cut off from the network. Registration is done via e-Devlet or an operator store and involves a substantial fee. For short visits, a prepaid tourist line from Turkcell, Vodafone or Türk Telekom (bring your passport) or a travel eSIM is usually simplest. Free Wi-Fi is common in hotels and cafés.

    Source: BTK · September 2026

  • Culture and etiquette

    A few words of Turkish win smiles: "Merhaba" (hello) and "Teşekkürler" (thank you). Handshakes are normal; with someone of the opposite sex, let them offer first. In mosques, take off your shoes, cover shoulders and knees, and women cover their hair; avoid prayer times, especially Friday midday. Bargaining is expected in bazaars and markets, not in shops with price tags. During Ramadan many people fast from dawn to sunset; eating in public is fine, but a little discretion is appreciated.

  • Health and emergencies

    Dial 112 for ambulance, police or fire; the call is free. Pharmacists (look for the red "E" sign) can help with minor problems. At night and on Sundays one duty pharmacy (nöbetçi eczane) stays open in each area; its address is posted in every pharmacy window. Public hospitals are affordable but can be crowded; private hospitals, common in tourist areas, are quicker and many have international patient desks. Travel health insurance is strongly recommended.

    Pharmacies on duty: Istanbul · Antalya · Muğla · Izmir · Nevşehir · Trabzon

  • Visa

    Changes often — check before you travel

    Entry rules depend on your nationality and passport type: some visitors are visa-exempt for short stays, some can get an e-Visa online and others must apply at a Turkish consulate. The e-Visa covers tourism and business trips only, not work or study. Check your case on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and apply only through the official evisa.gov.tr. The ministry advises that your passport be valid for at least six months from your arrival date.

    Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye · September 2026

Information checked on September 25, 2026

Practical

Frequently asked questions

Is tipping expected in Türkiye?

Tipping is entirely voluntary. Under a January 2026 rule, restaurants and cafés may not add mandatory service, cover or table charges, so your bill should list only what you ordered. If you enjoyed the service, leaving around 5–10% in restaurants is common, and rounding up a taxi fare is a nice gesture.

Can I drink the tap water?

Mains water is treated by the municipal utilities, but because of old pipes in some buildings and the chlorine taste, most people drink bottled or filtered water. Tap water is fine for brushing teeth and cooking, and bottled water is cheap and sold everywhere.

Are cards accepted everywhere?

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops, most taxis and museums, and contactless is common. Carry cash for market stalls, small kiosks and some minibuses. If asked whether to pay in your home currency, choose lira. ATMs are everywhere; check your own bank's foreign transaction fees before you go.

Are restaurants open during Ramadan?

In big cities and tourist areas most restaurants stay open all day. In more conservative neighbourhoods some eateries close during daylight or change their hours. Restaurants fill up quickly at iftar, the sunset meal, so booking ahead is wise. Ramadan moves about 11 days earlier each year.

Can I visit mosques, and what should I wear?

Yes, most mosques welcome visitors outside prayer times. Wear clothes that cover shoulders and knees; women cover their hair with a scarf. Shoes come off at the entrance. Large mosques usually lend coverings. Keep your voice low, don't walk in front of people praying, and check the rules before taking photos.

Which card do I need for public transport?

In İstanbul, İstanbulkart works on the metro, trams, buses, metrobus, Marmaray and city ferries; buy and top it up at station machines, or pay by QR code with the İstanbulkart Mobil app. In Antalya use AntalyaKart or a contactless bank card, and in Muğla the Muğla Kent Kart.

Do I need to register my foreign phone?

For a typical holiday, usually not. According to BTK, a phone brought from abroad can be used on a Turkish line for 120 days without registration. If you stay longer, you must register its IMEI via e-Devlet or an operator store and pay a fee. Rules can change, so check the official MCKS page.

How does tax-free shopping work?

If you don't live in Türkiye, ask for a refund form when buying in shops with a tax-free sign, and keep the invoice. The goods must leave the country within three months. At the airport, before check-in, show the goods, invoice and passport at customs to get the form stamped, then collect your refund from the refund operator's desk. Handling fees may be deducted.

Photographs on this page: Arthur Shuraev, cnrdmroglu, Engin Akyurt, Fatma Avcı, Hülya Ermiş Belek, Mikhail Nilov, Murat Halıcı, Mustafa Akkuş, neslihan ໒꒱, Nuh Köstekli, orijinal frame, Sayefotograf, yavuz pancareken · Pexels

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