You might want to find out what the protest is about, but it’s not safe. Don’t go into someone’s house you don’t know, and don’t accept a lift from a stranger. These are all common sense rules regarding solo female travel in Turkey, but when you’re carried away with the novelty of a situation, it’s easy to forget them. If you head to a mosque, you’ll need to dress modestly and cover your head. You never know if you’ll spot a beautiful mosque that you want to explore, so keep a scarf in your bag just in case. However, just beyond these areas, quaint villages offer a glimpse into the ‘real’ Türkiye, close enough to the familiar grounds of tourism, like those near Marmaris.
Mosque Etiquette
Try not to discuss politics in a public place as the locals in Turkey often have strong political views and can get offended. Also, you must know that Turkish people dearly love and respect the first President of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, so can be sensitive when discussing him. If you’re a foodie and would like to learn about Turkish Cuisine from a local – go for this food tour. A lot of tours accept Euros as well, especially in Cappadocia. You can pay by card in most places but you will definitely also need cash for public transport, street vendors, etc.
Keep An Eye On The Turkish News
The vibe here is similar to Ayvalık (#11) – the town is filled with quaint cobblestone streets and charming whitewashed stone houses with colourful shutters and balconies. The nearest city to Ani is Kars (#18) which offers a range of accommodation options. From Kars there is a public minibus to Ani that leaves from Gazi Ahmet Muhtar Pasha Viaggi in Turchia Mansion at 9.00am and returns from Ani at 12.45pm. The journey takes about 45 minutes, giving you about three hours to explore the ruins. Walking around Ani is eerie and sad – the remains of churches, mosques, temples and palaces are dotted all over the desolate landscape and it’s hard to imagine a thriving city once being here.
Travel to Cappadocia to see the rock-carved churches and monasteries at Göreme. Just make sure your insurance covers you for the experiences you are planning to do during your adventures. For example, if you want to take a hot air balloon ride or try out some water sports you should check in the small print that you are covered for all eventualities. You will find that even hotels in Istanbul sell them, as well as shops and kiosks at the airport when you land.
Safety Concerns In Turkey (türkiye)
Cappadocia’s surreal landscape of weirdly eroded rock formations looks like something straight out of a fairytale. Entire towns have been carved out of the soft rock – houses, churches, castles and all – and spending a night in a cave hotel here is an unmissable experience. Wake early the next day to float above the “fairy chimneys” in a hot-air balloon, easily one of the most fun things to do in Türkiye. The 1930s saw the building become deconsecrated and turned into a museum for tourists to visit. The first and second time I went to Istanbul getting inside was fairly easy and visiting was a really pleasant experience. Having said that, there is a good range of budget and mid-range hotels and a lot of low-cost local street food to enjoy.
Turkish citizens are required to always carry an ID with them, and you should always carry a photo ID with your permanent residence noted with you. Turkey’s eVisa system is easy to use and only takes a couple of minutes to get your visa. Although visas are also available upon arrival, the eVisa system is faster, and offered at a better price. Sometimes you will be quoted a fee without the seller noting the currency. You may think it’s in Turkish Lira, but then find out it’s US Dollars or Euros. Although Turkey (Türkiye) is relatively safe, civil unrest, due to the political situation, and terrorism can occur at any time.
To help you plan the rest of your trip, here are the top places to visit in Türkiye. We call it a day and return to our hotel to enjoy our traditional dinner in Şirince Village. At the end of the day, we will enjoy our first dinner at our favorite restaurant by the sea located on the old historic customs building. If your schedule allows, we encourage you to travel in the shoulder season (April-May, September-November) for several reasons. It helps reduce the environmental impact of this area, avoids over-tourism, and rewards you with more tranquil site visits. Spring and fall offer the best balance of pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
Ankara, the capital of Turkey, attracts many travellers on around the country tours. Presenting an informative look into the history of Turkey, the main attraction is Anitkabir, the mausoleum of the Turkish Republic founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Its impressive record as the most visited place in Turkey reached an all-time high in 2018 as millions of visitors flocked to the former capital. Most tourists visit European Istanbul to explore Byzantine and Ottoman attractions like the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and Blue Mosque in the UNESCO Sultan Ahmed area. Hiç Lokanta, a restaurant in Urla with a Michelin Green Star, organizes cooking classes for visitors who are interested in local gastronomy.
You might not know that Cappadocia isn’t close, so you can still head there and enjoy the beautiful scenery even when the weather is freezing and the snow is falling. Turkey is a safe country, and provided you listen to advice, e.g., the advice we gave before about not going close to the Syrian border; you’re more than fine. Thanks to a very high-quality long-distance bus network, traveling around Turkey is straightforward, meaning you can go from place to place relatively cheaply. Çannakale, located on the shores of the Dardanelles, offers a gateway to ancient Troy and the historic Gallipoli Peninsula. History buffs will be enthralled by the remnants of the ancient city of Troy, where the famous Trojan War unfolded. The Gallipoli Battlefields, a poignant reminder of World War I, is a solemn but essential stop for those interested in history.