Turkey Sailing Tours & Trip Packages

Turkey Sailing Tours & Trips

423 Turkey trips. Tours from 98 tour companies. 729 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

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Sailing
Premium Turkey & the Caucasus
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Antalya, Blue Mosque, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Gallipoli Peninsula, Georgia, Istanbul, Konya, Narikala Fortress , Pamukkale, Selcuk, Tbilisi, Troy, Yerevan

Highlights

  • Get to the heart of Turkey and the Caucasus’s with experienced local leaders – enjoy guided city tours, stroll the ancient streets of Ephesus, learn the secrets of Troy, marvel at Baku’s diverse architecture, explore Tbilisi’s winding narrow streets, and uncover the history of ancient Yerevan.
  • Enjoy Feature Stays in Cappadocia, with elegantly decorated rooms carved from stone, and at the foot of the Tsiv-Gombori mountains, with unforgettable views of the Alazani Valley.
  • Uncover the real Turkey during Exclusive Experiences, including a cooking class with a celebrated chef, visit to an empowering carpet weaving cooperative, cruise around the southern coast, and traditional dinner at a local’s home in Cappadocia
  • Visit the Tserovani Refugee Settlement in Georgia during an Exclusive Experience, where you will visit a jewellery making workshop aimed at providing employment to displaced women within the camp, create a piece yourself and learn about the issues surrounding long-term displacement.
  • Marvel at ancient wonders and otherworldly sights, from the Cotton Castle of Pamukkale and psychedelic rockscapes of Cappadocia to the open-air archaeological museum of Qobustan in Azerbaijan and the magnificent cave town of Vardzia in Georgia.

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Religious

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

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Sail & Swim: Turkey 2024
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By Topdeck
premier
4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Why we love them
Their trips perfectly balance epic experiences and free time for exploring in the most popular backpacking destinations.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Fethiye

Highlights

  • Welcome cocktail on arrival
  • BBQ dinners (subject to weather, sea and mooring position)
  • Orientation walk of Marmaris with Trip Leader
  • Walking tour of Fethiye with Trip Leader

Themes

Small Ship Cruise, Sailing

What travelers are saying

"Best Tour Guide every so helpful an always switched on, best part was enjoying Long Drinks on the ferry Keep up the great work"

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Istanbul and 4 Days long Blue Cruise in Bodrum
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5/5 Excellent
73 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Istanbul

Highlights

  • Istanbul food tour
  • Istanbul old city tour
  • Bodrum to Bodrum Blue Cruise

Themes

Small Ship Cruise, Sailing

What travelers are saying

"Despite the rain, the private and guided Istanbul food tour was terrific, engaging and delicious. The best part of the tour was our guide Furkan, who was so knowledgeable, about food and history and just a nice guy who was fun to be with. It felt like spending a day with a good friend showing us around Istanbul. All the places he took us were great, and the food was the top quality. We sampled cheese, clotted cream, menemen, Turkish pepperoni, kokorec, stuffed mussels, and a huge variety of authentic Turkish cuisines and kunefe dessert. The tour was my highlight of 10 days trip in Turkey. I highly recommend booking this tour early in your stay so you can use your knowledge for the time you are in Istanbul."

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Aegean Mosaic Cruise
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Athens, Delos, Istanbul

Highlights

  • Visit the seaport town of Canakkale
  • Visit Mykonos town, reaching one of its famous beaches
  • Visit the old settlements of Alexandria Troa and of Assos
  • Visit the archaeological ruins of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, unearthed here in the 19th century
  • Excursion which will include the Akrotiri excavations, the Museum and the Villages. The tour will end in Oia on time to enjoy Oia's world famous sunset

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We particularly wanted to do this trip because of the abundance of wildlife we expected to encounter and selected this ship because they offered the kayaking experience. Overall, the weather was very good. Most people seemed like minded and were there for the adventurous experience. Accommodations Review They upgraded our cabin and we were very pleased with the amount of space and the amenities in the room. We appreciated the twin windows and being able to see humpbacks diving from our cabin. It was kept very clean and it was a treat to have our bed turned down with chocolates on the pillow each night. Meals Review We liked the variety and the quality of the food. There was always something new to try. The dining room staff was very professional and personable. Crew & Guides Review Solon was our Principal Trip Leader. He was incredibly professional and it seemed like he was constantly working to maximize the encounters with wildlife and scenery, taking advantage of all the weather opportunities and going to places that they don't often go. He worked very closely with the captain who was very accommodating and caring about us having a memorable voyage. Aymie and Andrew were our kayak guides. We went out to kayak 10 different times and were able to get to know both of them well. They worked hard to keep us safe and well informed. They made sure that we didn't miss out on any land excursions. We've had quite a few kayak guides over the years that we've paddled and we loved these two. Marla was the marine biologist aboard the ship. She was very enthusiastic and had a passion for marine mammals that was infectious. We loved listening to her presentations and looked forward to hearing her voice on the PA saying that there was another whale sighting. Colin, the geologist aboard the ship, was very knowledgeable and able to make difficult subjects understandable to the passengers. Itinerary Review The trip far, far, far, far, far, far exceeded our expectations. I had one "far" in the sentence when we left South Georgia Island after seeing 250,000 King Penguins at St. Andrews Point and added the second when we saw blue whales on two different days. The third "far" was added when we saw hundreds of whales for 6 hours along the iceberg, A68a. I added another "far" when we kayaked for over an hour with humpbacks all around and another "far" when minke whales were all around the kayaks the next day. The last "far" was added the day we didn't paddle since a leopard seal was all around the kayaks and then an orca came close. We had so many incredible experiences that we could never experience all of them in the same trip again. The guides told us that the close encounters that we had didn't happen very often and that we were very lucky that they all happened on our trip. The only thing that we didn't like was portions of the Drake Passage when it was a tad rough, but that experience gives us something to talk about. Transportation Review We made our transportation arrangements through another travel agency. Traveler Advice Make sure that you take sea sickness meds. Take advantage of every opportunity to see wildlife."

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Turkey Luxury Tour Origins Of Civilization
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Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Antalya, Blue Mosque, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Istanbul, Taurus Mountain, Topkapi Palace

Highlights

  • Explore the enormous Temple of Apollo at Didyma.
  • Experience hot-air balloon flight
  • Visit Goreme Open Air Museum
  • Discover Ephesus, the largest Greco-Roman site in the world
  • Explore Taurus Mountains
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Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise, Sailing

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Turkey Luxury Travel Turkish Adventure
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Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Antalya, Blue Mosque, Ephesus, Istanbul, Topkapi Palace

Highlights

  • Visit Myra and see impressive rock tombs
  • Explore enormous Temple of Apollo at Didyma
  • Enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus, and visit Taksim Square—one of the highest points in Istanbul
  • Explore Ephesus, the largest Greco-Roman site
  • Discover Istanbul
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Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Sailing

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Turkey Blue Cruises - 14 Days
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4.8/5 Excellent
64 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Antalya, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Istanbul

Highlights

  • This is 14 days package to UNESCO Sites of Turkey
  • Join Full-Day Guided Tours to Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus, Antalya and Fethiye
  • Enjoy sailing to Turquoise bays of Mediterranean
  • Get chance to swim in crystal clear waters where Blue meets to Green.

Themes

Cultural, Sailing

What travelers are saying

"We enjoyed the sites. Our guide Riza and driver are very professional. Very informative. The lunches were good as well."

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Turkey Blue Cruises - 18 Days
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4.8/5 Excellent
64 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Antalya, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Istanbul

Highlights

  • This is 18 days package to UNESCO Sites of Turkey
  • Join Full-Day Guided Tours to Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Antalya and Fethiye
  • Enjoy sailing to Turquoise bays of Mediterranean
  • Get chance to swim in crystal clear waters where Blue meets to Green.

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, Sailing

What travelers are saying

"We enjoyed the sites. Our guide Riza and driver are very professional. Very informative. The lunches were good as well."

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Highlights of Turkey
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Antalya, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Istanbul, Kusadasi, Pamukkale

Highlights

  • Discover ancient history and monuments of the Ottoman empire
  • Visit the Roman city of Ephesus
  • See the limestone cascades and thermal springs at Pamukkale
  • Discover one of the best-preserved theatres of the ancient world, Aspendos
  • Enjoy an optional hot-air balloon ride over the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia

Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"Discover Costa Rica is a great itinerary, covering varied habitats around the country and staying 2 nights each at 6 centres. Their birdwatching specials are led by local experts who really know their stuff."

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Best of Turkey (Summer)
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By Trafalgar
preferred
4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
Their travelers enjoy 24/7 travel expertise and dedicated service throughout the trips - everything is taken care of.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
  • 13 Breakfast (B)
  • 6 Dinner (D)
  • 1 Be My Guest (BMG)
  • 2 Regional Dinner (RD)
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Themes

Cultural, Education / Learning

What travelers are saying

"Wonderful tour! Visited beautiful places! Learned a lot and made new friends!"

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Turkey: See & Experience Almost it ALL in 10 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours
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By Charlie The Traveler
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Why we love them
Travelers report that traveling with CharlieTheTraveler is a life-changing experience, in the best possible way.
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Bodrum, Cappadocia, Dalaman, Fethiye, Goreme, Kusadasi, Oludeniz, Pamukkale, Selcuk

Highlights

  • Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Cappadocia’s Cave Dwellings
  • Having a Traditional Dinner Inside a Native’s Home
  • Experiencing a Traditional Turkish Bath
  • Bathe in the Natural Limestone Pools of Pamukkale
  • An All-Day Boat Cruise Around the Turkish Riviera
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Themes

Culinary & Wine, Cultural, Education / Learning, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays, Nature & Wildlife, Relaxing Retreats, Photography

What travelers are saying

"Thank you guys for setting up this trip. We spent 7 days in Palawan and Coron island and enjoyed every day. The remote coordinator worked very well for us through Whatsup, and the daily itineraries were exactly what we expected. Not too much and not too short. We recommend this tour for every one who wants to explore these locations"

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A Taste of Turkey - Istanbul to Cappadocia
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4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Cappadocia, Ephesus, Goreme, Goreme Open Air Museum, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Konya, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Pergamum, Selcuk

Highlights

  • Discover the classic highlights of Turkey alongside a variety of tasty regional specialties
  • From the grandeur of Istanbul through the Marmara and Aegean to stunning Cappadocia
  • A variety of cuisine, world-class Greco-Roman sites and Pamukkale's travertine terraces

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"The trip itinerary was well thought through with the right balance of challenging walks, rest time, cultural activities and time to socialise. Joao, our guide, was exceptional. He really took on board any feedback and made sure we had the best time. The scenery in Madeira surpassed my expectations. I would recommend this trip to anyone wanting an active weeks’ holiday."

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Turkey Explored
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Ankara, Antalya, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Fethiye, Goreme, Istanbul, Pamukkale

Highlights

  • Explore the continent-straddling metropolis of Istanbul, and step back in time to when it was Constantinople with the backstreets of the Grand Bazaar and at the Hagia Sophia.
  • Reflect on battles fought and lives lost with a moving visit to the Gallipoli Peninsula, a serene stretch of coastline where it's now hard to picture the horrors of war.
  • Spend two days exploring the cliffside waterfalls, cobblestone alleyways and ancient ruins of Antalya, a city on the Mediterranean Coast.
  • You'll dig into local Turkish delicacies like the famous wet burgers, enjoy a local lunch at a traditional Aspava and get your taste buds tingling with a borek tasting.
  • Discover UNESCO world heritage site - Hattusas Ancient Site - known for its well-preserved temples and royal residences.

Themes

High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

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11 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected. We are displaying some similar trips.
My selections:
Sailing

Turkey Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
729  Reviews
See all Turkey tour reviews
Excellent
251
Great
63
Average
3
Disappointing
1
Terrible
0
A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Highlights of Turkey

Wonderful introduction to this huge and beautiful country. Ancient history, beautiful coastlines, Turkish Baths, friendly people, gorgeous food The Wow moment was t...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Turkey review

We visited all the places that we booked the trip to see and our excellent guide Ali also took us to a number of smaller less well known places. Although some of t...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Great mix!

This trip is a great mix of man-made and nature-made. If you like ruins and nature it's an amazing trip! The scenery was great, you can't get bored and the ruins i...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

A varied tour...history,culture,swimming,great food...what more could you want!

This was our ninth Exodus tour and it didn’t disappoint. We saw so much in 2weeks..Gallipoli,Cannukale, Pammukale,Ephesus,Troy,Antalya and Kas, Capadoccia........t...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

A great trip!

Overall, the trip was wonderful! It was my first time doing a trip where we covered so many kilometres which made it tiring, but I expected that at the outset. Som...

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Turkey Tour Selection Trips

  • Consider how much time you have for your vacation to Turkey. Look for tours that focus on the highlights of Turkey in one week. Or, spend a couple weeks or more seeing all the country has to offer. If you have up to a month, combine a Turkey tour with visits to other Eastern European countries.
  • You could easily spend an entire week touring Istanbul, one of the world’s most fascinating cities, so don’t dismiss that option.
  • Consider making Istanbul a starting point for a Black Sea cruise and spending a few extra days there before your voyage; most cruise lines or tour operators can arrange it
  • For the most comfortable temperatures, plan to visit Turkey in the spring. Autumn is also quite comfortable, but summers can be quite hot.
  • Think about what activities you’d like to participate in on your Turkey vacation. Are you hoping to see the natural wonders of the country? Look for a tour that spends a considerable amount of time in Cappadocia. More interested in ancient sites, architecture and culture? Focus on Istanbul.
  • Don’t shy away from solo trips and women-only tours of Turkey. The country is welcoming to all manner of traveler and locals are eager to show off their culture. Pay attention to local customs and traditions and pepper your guide with questions to have the best possible experience.
  • You won’t regret booking a tour that includes Cappadocia, one of Turkey’s most remarkable sites. Plan for three days in order to see the highlights. Hike to your heart’s content, take a hot-air balloon rise at dawn (a must-do in cappadocia) and explore mysterious caves.
  • First time in Turkey? Look for a small-group tour that visits Turkey’s top destinations, including Istanbul, Cappadocia, Konya, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Antalya. You may need as few as 8 days to cover these best-of-Turkey attractions, but you may want to consider taking two weeks to slow down the pace a bit.
  • As in much of the Middle East, touts and salesmen can be overly persistent and annoying to people they perceive as tourists. A good local guide should be able to shoo them away -- an excellent reason to take a guided trip to Turkey.

Additional details

Turkish Currency

Here’s the lowdown on the currency in Turkey. 

The currency in Turkey is the Türk Lirası (Turkish lira; ₺). You can expect to pay about ₺7–12 for a beer, ₺50 and up for a flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia, ₺40 for a fish and meze meal and ₺35 for a boating day trip.

A hot-air balloon ride in Cappadocia (a must-do activity in Turkey) runs about €160–175. Many Turkey tour operators will factor these costs into your package rate.

The lira is available in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 notes, as well as coins from 1 to 50 kuruş, plus a coin for 1 lira. If you’re planning to visit the markets, keep a stock of coins and smaller notes for low-priced items - the vendors often do not have correct change. 

ATMS are available throughout Turkey and most business in metropolitan and heavily visited areas accept credit and debit cards. 

Hoping to bargain at the bazaar? The vendors are used to haggling, but you may want to ask your Turkey tour guide for local customs. There’s a fine art to bargaining, particularly for higher-priced items in upscale shops. Typically, there is some back and forth and ultimately, a price is agreed upon. It’s not considered good manners to haggle over the price and then change your mind and not purchase anything at the end. 

When you’re bargaining at a Turkish market, take your time, be polite and consider buying several items at once, paying in cash or using a strong currency. 

Best Time to Visit Turkey 

For pleasant weather for your Turkey vacation, the most optimal months to visit are April, May, September and October. You’ll miss the oppressive heat of mid-summer, making sightseeing at ancient ruins more comfortable - although if you’re focusing on a seaside tour of Eastern Europe, you may welcome the high temperatures.

Turkish tour operators often cite May as a particularly good month to visit for its warm, but not overly hot temperatures, making visits to Ephesus and other sites with little shade more pleasant.

After October, the temperature drops and it can be off puttingly cold from about November through March, particularly in the interior of the country. Then again, if you’re hoping to beat the crowds during your Turkey tour, then aim for the winter months. 

Is Turkey Safe to Visit?

There’s no yes or no answer to the question of Turkey’s safety for tourists. The political climate can be unstable and the news has opened the world’s eyes to the Syrian conflict and the ensuing terrorist attacks in Turkey. While the security of the country has been compromised at times, travelers can still tour Turkey comfortably with reputable tour operators, who will always have your safety and wellbeing top of mind. 

When you are considering a tour to Turkey, stay abreast of the latest news and government-issued travel warnings. For example, it is not advised to travel within 10 kilometers of the Syrian border and certain cities and regions are considered off limits, including the city of Diyarbakir, and the provinces of Sirnak, Mardin, Sanliurfa, Gaziantep, Kilis, Hatay, Tunceli and Hakari, where most of the terrorist attacks have occured. 

If you’re keen to visit Turkey, but aren’t sure if it’s worth the cost and effort to tour a country with an unpredictable political climate, consider purchasing travel insurance. That way, you can choose a tour company for your Turkey tour, make the arrangements, figure out what you want to see and do, and then - if disaster strikes - you won’t have lost your entire investment. 

Here are a few ideas for staying safe during your Turkey trip

  • Don’t go near any political gatherings or protests and watch the news before and during your tour to be aware of current or developing situations. 
  • Don’t dress in a particularly flashy way or throw cash around. Keep valuables in a safe in your hotel room and wear a money belt.
  • Learn a few Turkish phrases in case you need to ask for directions or need assistance in some way. 
  • Stay with your group tour as much as possible, whether you’re taking a day trip to Ephesus or a multi-day adventure. 
  • Don’t walk alone at night. 
  • Don’t speak ill of the Turkish government - it’s considered a crime. 
  • Be aware that scammers are out there - do a little advance research to see what travelers to Turkey and other Eastern European countries have been experiencing in the weeks before your tour.

What to Pack for a Trip to Turkey 

So you’re taking a tour in Turkey? Lucky you! This captivating land of eastern and western culture, history, art, geography, nature and cuisine is brimming with memorable moments.

To be the most comfortable, here are the top items to pack while you’re traveling in Turkey:

  • Clothing that covers your shoulders and, in more urban areas, your knees (in more rural areas or when traveling on public transit, wear full-length clothing) 
  • A headscarf for visiting mosques (though not required, you will draw less attention to yourself if one is worn)
  • A packable daypack for day trips
  • Hat
  • Walking shoes and casual sandals or flipflops 
  • Layers - the climate can change quite drastically depending on what region of Turkey you are touring 
  • Swimsuit
  • A reusable water bottle 
  • Hand sanitizer and mediation for indigestion 
  • Lightweight scarf or pashmina 
  • Tour operator information, written out in English and Turkish, if possible
  • A Turkish phrasebook or app for your smartphone
  • Power adaptors for your electronics
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug spray 
  • Headlamp 

Your Turkey tour operator can offer valuable advice on other essentials to pack depending on the region you’ll be visiting and the activities you’ll be doing. Take the time to pick their brains before departure from home so you can arrive with everything you need to fully enjoy your vacation in Turkey. 

Common Turkish Phrases

It’s such a welcome and polite gesture to learn a few important phrases in the local language of your tour destination. Try these Turkish phrases during your tour:

Günaydın: Good morning

Tünaydin: Good afternoon 

Tanıştığıma memnun oldum: Pleased to meet you 

Hoş geldiniz: welcome 

Buyurun: please 

Teşekkür ederim: thank you 

Afiyet olsun: may it be good for you, or enjoy your meal

Allah Allah: good Lord, oh my goodness, etc. 

Nasılsın?: How are you?

Özür dilerim: I'm sorry

Güle güle: Goodbye

Evet: yes

Hayir: no

Do’s and Don’ts for Traveling to Turkey

Make the most of your guided tour with these top Turkey travel tips: 

  1. Dress appropriately for a Muslim country. This means that when traveling in Turkey, women should keep their shoulders and knees covered and, when visiting a mosque, consider wearing a headscarf. (Friday is a day of prayer, so do not plan to visit a mosque on that day.)

  2. Be respectful of Ramadan. If you’re touring Turkey during the Islmaic month of fasting, avoid public dining out of respect to devout Muslims. 

  3. Don’t trash talk the government. Seriously. It’s considered a crime to speak ill of Atatürk, the founding father of the Turkish Republic, the government, the Turkish flag and the military.  

  4. Bargain away! The vendors of Turkish bazaars love to haggle over prices, so as long as you do so politely and with good humor, you can have fun with it and feel like a Turkish local. 

  5. Don’t photograph people without permission. Ask your Turkey tour operator about where it’s ok to take a photo and what is forbidden, both in terms of local residents and certain historical and religious sights.

  6. Eat all the Turkish food. Come hungry and try everything! Expect large portions and enjoy the indulgence. Try Köfte meatballs, lamb skewers, Manti dumplings and so much more.

  7. Keep the PDAs … well, private. Public displays of affection are frowned upon throughout Turkey. 

  8. Visit a Turkish bath (a hammam).

  9. Don’t refuse a cup of tea or a gift. The Turkish people are incredibly hospitable and will feel slighted, and justly so, if you turn down a gift. 

  10. Speaking of hospitality, you’ll find that the Turks love to socialize with travelers visiting their country, so take this opportunity to experience a real slice of local life. 

  11. Learn a few phrases in the local language.

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