Roavina

Country guide

Türkiye

A photograph of Türkiye
Photograph · Benh LIEU SONG · CC BY-SA 4.0

Türkiye is 783,562 km² across 81 provinces, most of it Anatolia in West Asia with East Thrace on the European side of the straits. It has three coasts to choose between — the Black Sea to the north, the Aegean to the west, the Mediterranean to the south — and an interior plateau that behaves like a different country in winter. Istanbul is the largest city and the economic centre, Ankara the capital and the second-largest, and the December 2025 population of 86,092,168 is weighted heavily to the west. A first trip is usually Istanbul and one coast; the plateau is the second trip.

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information
Language spoken
Turkish
The official language of the Republic of Turkiye
Dialling code
+90
The international dialling code for Turkiye
Currency
Turkish lira (₺, TRY)
The official currency; one lira is divided into 100 kurus
Emergency number
112
One number for ambulance, fire and police
Plug type
European two-pin · 220 V
The national living guide records 220 V and European-style two-pin plugs
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified national source in the dataset

Planning a visit

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: seasonal closure recorded
  5. May: seasonal closure recorded
  6. June: seasonal closure recorded
  7. July: seasonal closure recorded
  8. August: seasonal closure recorded
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded — this month
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded
  12. December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

Filter the list

514 places match
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Category

Historic monuments 379 Museums 84 Places of worship 51 Nature sites 0 Viewpoints 0 Food and drink 0 Markets and shopping 0 Entertainment 0 Nightlife 0 Family attractions 0 Art and culture 0 Activities 0

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 432 1 to 2 hours 77 Half a day or more 5

Interests

History 514 Art 60 Museums 93 Nature 93 Sea and beach 66 Viewpoints 27
  1. White Valley
    501 45 min

    White Valley

    White Valley, also called Ak Vadi, is a Cappadocian landscape experienced as a walking route rather than a single enclosed attraction.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
    • Nevşehir
  2. Yarenli Dede Türbesi
    502 45 min

    Yarenli Dede Türbesi

    Yarenli Dede Türbesi is a named türbe, or tomb, in the rural Gördes area of Manisa Province.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
    • Manisa
  3. Yogurtcu Citadel
    503 45 min

    Yogurtcu Citadel

    Sosandra Kalesi

    Sosandra Kalesi, also known as Yoğurtçu Kalesi, is a ruined hilltop fortress near Uzunburun Mahallesi in Yunusemre district. The castle occupies a rocky natural rise outside Manisa, making its setting central to understanding the site.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
    • Manisa
  4. Zelve Zelve
    504 45 min

    Zelve

    Zelve is an open-air archaeological site in Cappadocia, spread across three valleys on the steep northern slopes of Aktepe. The former settlement combines dramatic tuff formations with rock-cut religious and domestic spaces.

    • Notable
    • Historic monument
    • Nevşehir
  5. Arif Sarıca Mansion Arif Sarıca Mansion
    505 45 min

    Arif Sarıca Mansion

    Arif Sarıca Köşkü

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Istanbul
  8. Mimar Sinan Mosque Mimar Sinan Mosque
    508 30 min

    Mimar Sinan Mosque

    Mimar Sinan Camii

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Istanbul
  11. Kısıklı Mosque Kısıklı Mosque
    511 30 min

    Kısıklı Mosque

    Kısıklı Abdullahağa Camii

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Istanbul
  14. Pazar Mosque Pazar Mosque
    514 30 min

    Pazar Mosque

    Pazar Camii

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Manisa

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Türkiye be?

Ten to fourteen days allows about four days in İstanbul and at least three around Antalya when coastal archaeology is included. Cappadocia needs its own regional stay, and a one-way coastal route is more workable than returning to the same city each night.

What entry documents are needed for Türkiye?

Türkiye's visa position varies by passport and purpose. Verify the rule through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, when eligible, use only the official e-Visa service rather than an intermediary.

What is the best way to travel around Türkiye?

İstanbul's two airports and Antalya are the principal gateways for this itinerary. Domestic flights cover long cross-country legs, coaches serve many city pairs, and high-speed rail is most useful on the İstanbul-Ankara axis rather than as a universal substitute.

When is a practical time to visit Türkiye?

April to May and September to October are broad choices for combining İstanbul with the Mediterranean coast. Cappadocia nights, inland heat, and Antalya's coastal conditions differ, so confirm weather for each overnight base.

What money and payment basics apply in Türkiye?

Türkiye uses the Turkish lira (TRY). Keep lira available for smaller transport and market transactions even when cards are accepted, and review the displayed amount in TRY before agreeing to any card conversion.

What practical safety details should I save for Türkiye?

Dial 112 for emergencies in Türkiye. Electricity is 230 V through Type C and F sockets; tap-water safety is not recorded here, so obtain current local advice at each stop.