a view of a valley with trees and mountains in the background
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Turkey holiday

Travel tips, best time to visit & highlights for your Turkey holiday in Europe

Turkey unites East and West like no other country. All-inclusive resorts on the Riviera, the magical scenery of Cappadocia, the splendor of Istanbul between two continents, and unbeatable prices make Turkey a perennial favorite.

Capital

Ankara

Language

Turkish

Currency

Turkish Lira (₺)

Time zone

UTC+3

Flight time from DE

approx. 3–3.5 hours

Entry requirements

Identity card/passport

All travel facts for Turkey: tipping, plugs, customs, emergency numbers →

Which hotels in Turkey are recommended?

Selected hotels and holiday accommodations in Turkey — with images, reviews, and direct booking links with our partners.

What are the highlights of Turkey?

The best-known highlights of Turkey include Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya & Side, Pamukkale, Ephesus.

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Istanbul

Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, and Bosphorus – a city on two continents.

2

Cappadocia

Fairy chimneys, underground cities, and hot air balloon rides at sunrise.

3

Antalya & Side

Dreamy all-inclusive resorts, long beaches, and ancient ruins.

4

Pamukkale

Snow-white travertine terraces with warm thermal water – a natural wonder.

5

Ephesus

One of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world – the Library of Celsus impresses.

Hotels in Turkey

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Reise-SIM für Turkey

Prepaid-SIM mit Datenvolumen für Turkey. Einfach einlegen und sofort lossurfen – keine Roaming-Gebühren.

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Reiseversicherung abschließen

Rundum-Schutz ab 9,90 € auf TravelSecure.de

Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

When is the best time to visit Turkey?

The best time to visit Turkey is May–October (coast), April–June, September–November (Istanbul). In summer: 30–38°C. In winter: 5–15°C.

Recommended travel time

May–October (coast), April–June, September–November (Istanbul)

Summer

30–38°C

Winter

5–15°C

How much does a holiday in Turkey cost?

A holiday in Turkey costs roughly 30–50€ per person per day (excluding flights) on a budget, 50–100€ mid-range and 100–200€ for luxury travel.

Average cost per person per day (excluding flight)

Budget

30–50€

Hostel, street food, public transport

Mid-range

50–100€

Hotel, restaurant, excursions

Luxury

100–200€

Boutique hotel, fine dining

How long is the flight from Germany to Turkey?

From Germany you reach Turkey in approx. 3–3.5 hours.

What travel tips are there for Turkey?

Insider knowledge to make your holiday better.

All-inclusive in Turkey is often unbeatable in price

Bargaining at the bazaar is expected and part of the experience

Dolmuş minibuses are cheap and connect all coastal towns

Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia should be booked in advance

Turkish tea is offered everywhere – never decline!

What do people eat in Turkey?

Typical dishes in Turkey are Kebab, Lahmacun, Börek, Baklava, Manti, Turkish tea.

These dishes you must try!

Kebab
Lahmacun
Börek
Baklava
Manti
Turkish tea

Which regions and places in Turkey are worth visiting?

44 regions, cities and highlights in Turkey

Cities

a view of a valley with trees and mountains in the background

Adana

Adana is the fifth largest city in Turkey and is located in the fertile Cukurova plain along the Seyhan River. The city is especially famous as the Kebab capital of Turkey — the …

KebabRomanMosque

Alacati

Alacati is the charming coastal town of the Turkish Aegean and has transformed from a sleepy fishing village to the trendiest lifestyle travel destination in Turkey. The …

windsurfkitesurfstone houses
Rural village nestled in rolling hills under a cloudy sky.

Belek

Belek is the undisputed golf and luxury capital of the Turkish Riviera. Located about 30 kilometers east of Antalya, this former fishing village has developed into one of the most …

GolfAll-InclusiveBeach

Bursa

Bursa is the fourth largest city in Turkey with over 3 million inhabitants and is located at the foot of the 2,543-meter-high Uludag Mountains, just 150 km south of Istanbul. As …

OttomansIskenderSki

Çeşme

Çeşme is the Saint-Tropez of Turkey – an elegant seaside resort at the westernmost tip of the Turkish Aegean coast, considered the trendiest beach destination in the country by …

WindsurfingAlaçatıAegean

Didim

Didim on the Turkish Aegean coast is a hidden gem that is no longer a secret among German and British expatriates. The small town combines one of the most beautiful sandy beaches …

BeachAltınkumAntiquity
a large group of buildings

Diyarbakir

Diyarbakir is the unofficial capital of the Kurdish Southeast of Turkey and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The metropolis on the upper reaches of …

UNESCOCity WallsKurdish

Eskişehir

Eskişehir — the "Student City of Turkey" — is one of the liveliest, most modern, and surprising cities in Anatolia. The university city with over 100,000 students combines Ottoman …

ArchitectureStudent CityGondola

Gaziantep

Gaziantep, often referred to simply as Antep, is the gastronomic capital of Turkey and has been a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy since 2015. The city in southeastern Turkey, …

GastronomyUNESCOBaklava
brown rock formation under blue sky during daytime

Göreme

Göreme in the heart of Cappadocia is one of the most surreal places on Earth — a landscape that looks as if a sculptor has shaped it from tuff stone. The famous fairy chimneys, …

Hot Air BalloonUNESCOCaves

Kayseri

Kayseri is one of the oldest cities in Anatolia and the economic gateway to Cappadocia. The city lies at the foot of the extinct volcano Erciyes (3,917 m), whose snow-capped …

CappadociaSkiingSeljuks

Kemer

Kemer is the jewel of the Turkish Riviera, where the mighty foothills of the Taurus Mountains meet the turquoise Mediterranean Sea. Located just 40 kilometers southwest of …

BeachMountainsTaurus Mountains

Konya

Konya is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the spiritual center of Turkey. The city in the Central Anatolian plateau is inextricably linked to the …

RumiDervishesSeljuks

Kuşadası

Kuşadası – the "Bird Island" – is one of the liveliest coastal towns on the Turkish Aegean and the most important cruise port in the eastern Mediterranean. The city owes its name …

EphesusCruiseAegean

Manavgat

Manavgat is the green heart of the Turkish Riviera – a lively small town on the river of the same name, known primarily for its wide, roaring waterfall and as a gateway to the …

waterfallSidenature

Ölüdeniz

Ölüdeniz on the Turkish Lycian Coast boasts one of the most photographed beaches in the world with its legendary Blue Lagoon. The unreal turquoise water of the protected lagoon, …

blue-lagoonparaglidingbeach
Altstadt von Istanbul mit Hagia Sophia und Blauer Moschee vom Wasser aus

Istanbul

Istanbul, the only metropolis in the world that spans two continents, is an overwhelming Gesamtkunstwerk of Byzantine splendor, Ottoman grandeur, and vibrant modernity. Located on …

CultureHistoryBazaar

Antalya

Antalya, the jewel of the Turkish Riviera, combines two thousand years of history with modern beach holidays against the dramatic backdrop of the Taurus Mountains. The old town …

BeachAll-InclusiveOld Town

Bodrum

Bodrum, the ancient Halicarnassus on the Turkish Aegean coast, combines millennia-old history with Mediterranean lifestyle and a legendary nightlife. The Castle of St. Peter, an …

NightlifeAegeanLuxury
Seaside promenade with city buildings and distant hills.

Izmir

Izmir, the third largest city in Turkey, is a cosmopolitan metropolis on the Aegean Sea, captivating visitors with its Mediterranean flair, vibrant cultural scene, and relaxed …

CityAegeanAntiquity
A stop sign that is on the side of a building

Ankara

Ankara, the capital of Turkey, is overlooked by most travelers in favor of Istanbul — unjustly so. The city, with over five million inhabitants, is the political and cultural …

CapitalHistoryCulture
green trees beside body of water during daytime

Fethiye

Fethiye on the Turkish Lycian Coast is a dream destination that uniquely combines spectacular nature, ancient history, and Turkish hospitality. The absolute highlight is the Blue …

NatureBoat toursAntiquity
A dry riverbed runs through a town with hills behind.

Kaş

Kaş is a picturesque artists' village on the Lycian coast that has retained its original charm, while other Turkish seaside resorts have long been overwhelmed by mass tourism. The …

DivingBohemianAncient
a view of a beach with a building in the background

Alanya

Alanya spectacularly crowns a rocky peninsula on the Turkish Riviera, combining a 2,000-year history with the amenities of a modern seaside resort. The Seljuk fortress from the …

BeachAll-InclusiveFortress

Side

Side on the Turkish Riviera is a fascinating interplay of ancient history and modern beach enjoyment. The old town is located on a narrow peninsula that was once one of the most …

AncientBeachFamily

Dalyan

Dalyan is a sleepy riverside village in southwestern Turkey that has preserved its authentic charm and delights nature lovers with a unique combination of ancient heritage, …

NatureTurtlesRiver

Marmaris

Marmaris is located at one of the most beautiful natural harbors of the Turkish Aegean, surrounded by densely forested hills and crystal-clear waters. The city is a popular …

NightlifeBeachSailing
a landscape with trees and buildings

Trabzon

Trabzon, the secret capital of the Turkish Black Sea coast, boasts a history of over 2,700 years and was once a significant trading hub on the Silk Road known as Trapezunt. The …

Black SeaMonasteryHistory

Package holiday to Turkey

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Complete guide for Turkey

Regions, attractions, food, routes, costs & practical tips — all in one digital guide.

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Suitable for:BeachAll-InclusiveCultureBudgetHistory

Ready for Turkey?

Plan your Turkey holiday now with our free tools.

How do I plan a holiday in Turkey?

Turkey is one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe, offering Beach, All-Inclusive, Culture and much more. The best time to visit Turkey is May–October (coast), April–June, September–November (Istanbul), when the weather is ideal for exploration and relaxation. With a daily budget starting from 30–50€ (Budget) to 100–200€ (Luxury), Turkey is suitable for various travel budgets.

From the capital Ankara, Turkey can be excellently explored. The official language is Turkish, and the currency is Turkish Lira (₺). From Germany, you can reach Turkey in approx. 3–3.5 hours. Whether you want to try culinary highlights like Kebab, Lahmacun, Börek, visit top attractions, or simply enjoy the atmosphere: Turkey has something for every type of traveller.

Use our free travel tools to prepare your Turkey holiday perfectly. With the holiday finder, you can discover if Turkey is the right destination for you. The budget calculator helps you plan costs realistically, and with the packing list, you won't forget anything.

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