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Turkey

Sipping the best coffee I’ve had in months in one of the many open-air cafe’s in Istanbul, the faint smell of cigarette smoke in the air, sun-bathing cats lounging nearby– it’s easy to see how this foodie-foward city skyrocketed in popularity in recent decades. But the rest of Turkey is equally as magnificent. & nothing like I had expected.

You can’t capture the essence of Turkey in a single paragraph. For starters, Turkey is huge and each region is as different as an entirely new country. The Turquoise coast, as the name suggests, offers some of the most jaw-dropping coastal vistas and multi-day hikes to isolated idyllic beaches. Anatolia is the cultural capital of Turkey- where much of the exquisite cuisine and traditional handicrafts hail from. Cappadocia, with all its Instagram fame, is much more than colorful hot air balloons.

Turkey is far too diverse and geographically large to explore fully in one single trip. & after a month in the country, we barely made a dent in just the Western half. We hope to explore the rugged and more off-the-beaten-path destinations scattered throughout the Eastern mountains of Turkey in the near future. Because no trip to the country can truly be called complete without it.

Turkey Travel Guide

Recommended Destinations: Antalya, Kas, Olympos, Fethiye, Lycian Way, Selçuk, Istanbul, Pamukkale, Goreme (Cappadocia).

Minimum Recommended Trip Length: 3-4 weeks for the highlights of Turkey.

One Bucketlist Item You Cannot Miss: 

Hiking the Lycian Trail along the Turquoise Coast.

Things to Consider Before You Go: Turkey is a predominately Muslim country. Although all major cities and much of the west coast is very European and you are free to wear whatever you please, women should come prepared with a long skirt & headscarf to visit the many mosques. Also if you find yourself in Turkey for Ramadan it can be hard to find restaurants open during the daytime when traveling in remote regions of Eastern Turkey. If your itinerary is focused on Istanbul/ Turquoise Coast you won’t have any problem.

Visa Information

Turkey requires US citizens apply for an E-Visa at least 3 days prior to arrival or wait in line to get a Visa on Arrival in all major airports. Visa on Arrival cost $30 USD. Expect to pay slightly more for the convenience of an E-Visa.

Estimated Backpacker Budget

On a Shoestring: $25/day 

Flashpacker: $40/day 

Backpacker Luxury: $60/day

Keep in mind these are backpacker budgets. On a shoestring expect to be eating street food, sleeping in hostel beds, & skipping the more expensive tourist attractions. Backpacker Luxury opts for private rooms, eats mostly in restaurants, and splurges on activities. Flashpackers are the middle ground & often do a mixture of both.  

Turkey is perfect for travelers looking for stunning seaside hikes, delicious food, ancient ruins, & idyllic beaches.

Turkey Blog Posts