Turkey (TR)
Turkey is a transcontinental nation straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait, uniting 85 million people under a rich civilisational heritage stretching from the ancient Hittites and Romans to the Byzantine Empire and Ottoman Empire.
Country Profile
Everything you need to know before you arrive.
Turkey is a transcontinental nation straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait, uniting 85 million people under a rich civilisational heritage stretching from the ancient Hittites and Romans to the Byzantine Empire and Ottoman Empire. Istanbul — the only city in the world to span two continents — is one of Earth's great metropolises: a dynamic, chaotic, endlessly fascinating blend of ancient mosques, modern rooftop bars, Bosphorus ferry views, and one of the world's most vibrant food cultures. For expats in 2026, Turkey offers extraordinary lifestyle value — world-class cuisine, warm hospitality, a booming startup scene, stunning coastlines, and a cost of living that, measured in EUR or USD, places it among the most affordable developed-world destinations. The Turkish government's highly accessible citizenship-by-investment programme (USD 400,000 real estate) has made Turkey the world's most popular investment immigration destination.
Climate
March–May: 10–20°C in Istanbul and the west; warmer in Antalya (20–26°C). Istanbul spring is beautiful — mild, with occasional rain and the city at its greenest. Tulip Festival (Lale Festivali) in Istanbul in April. Shoulder season for tourism. Cappadocia and Central Anatolia still cool (5–15°C).
June–August: Istanbul 25–33°C; Aegean and Mediterranean coast 28–38°C (Bodrum, Antalya, Fethiye). Peak tourist season on coasts. Ankara and interior very hot (30–38°C) but dry. Black Sea coast (Trabzon) more moderate and humid. Avoid driving in peak summer midday heat in the south. Istanbul can be very humid.
September–November: Excellent weather throughout Turkey. Istanbul 15–25°C. Coasts warm through October (28°C sea temperatures). Cappadocia stunning autumn colours. Best season for hiking in Lycia and the Taurus mountains. November brings rain to Istanbul and the west coast.
December–February: Istanbul 4–10°C — grey, rainy, occasional snow. Eastern Anatolia and Erzurum extremely cold (−20°C) with heavy snow (great ski resorts). Ankara −5 to 5°C. Mediterranean coast mild (12–16°C) — Antalya is popular for winter sun. The Black Sea region wet and cool. Istanbul rarely gets significant snow but when it does the city grinds to a halt.
Demographics
Religion
Social Culture & Etiquette
Handshake is standard in business and formal settings. Between close friends, cheek-kissing (one or two kisses) is common — wait for the other person to initiate. Men may embrace with back-pats among friends. "Merhaba" (hello), "Günaydın" (good morning), "İyi günler" (good day) are standard. Showing respect to elders is important — often addressed as "Abi" (older brother), "Abla" (older sister), "Amca" (uncle), "Hala" (aunt) as terms of respectful address for strangers.
Punctuality in Turkey is flexible — "Turkish time" (Türk saati) refers to arriving 15–30 minutes late, which is socially acceptable in social settings. Business meetings in international companies typically run on time. Government offices and medical appointments: be punctual. Social invitations: 20–30 minutes late is normal and often expected. Avoid arriving too early.
Turkey is diverse — Istanbul and coastal resort towns dress casually and fashionably (even revealing beach wear on coasts). In more conservative towns and rural areas, modest dress shows respect. For mosque visits: women must cover head, shoulders and knees; men must remove shoes. Business dress is smart-casual to formal depending on sector. Religious festivals: dress more conservatively out of respect.
- ✕ Insulting the Turkish nation, flag, or Atatürk is a criminal offence under Turkish Penal Code Articles 299 and 301 — even posting on social media. Foreign nationals have been prosecuted. Exercise extreme caution with any political commentary.
- ✕ Pointing the sole of your foot towards someone is rude — keep feet flat when sitting.
- ✕ Do not take photographs of military installations, soldiers, or security forces — this can lead to serious legal trouble.
- ✕ Avoid discussing the Kurdish issue, the 1915 Armenian events (Genocide), or Cyprus disputes — these are deeply sensitive topics that can derail relationships and have legal implications.
- ✕ During Ramadan (Ramazan): eating, drinking, or smoking in public in conservative areas during daylight hours is disrespectful — even for non-Muslims.
- ✕ Do not refuse tea when offered in a business or social setting — declining repeatedly is impolite. Accept the çay and drink at least a little.
- ✓ Hospitality (misafirperverlik) is a core Turkish value — if invited to someone's home, expect to be overfed and over-hosted. Bring a gift (baklava, chocolates, flowers). Remove shoes at the door.
- ✓ Age hierarchy: elders are respected and deferred to. Stand when an elder enters the room. Address people by title (Bay/Bayan + surname, or Bey/Hanım after first name, e.g., "Mehmet Bey").
- ✓ Tea culture: business relationships are built over çay. Deals happen over tea. Never rush through tea — use it as a relationship-building tool.
- ✓ Bargaining (pazarlık) is expected in bazaars and for some services (taxis without meters, carpet shops, market stalls) — but not in regular shops, restaurants, or supermarkets.
- ✓ Friday is the holy day for Muslims — some businesses may close for Friday midday prayers (Cuma namazı), especially in more conservative towns.
- ✓ Turkish family culture is very close-knit — family events (weddings, circumcision ceremonies, bayrams) are important occasions. If invited, attend.
🍽️ Traditional Food & Drink
Turkey is the homeland of kebap in dozens of regional varieties: döner (meat on a vertical rotisserie), şiş (skewered grilled meat), Adana (spicy minced lamb on a flat skewer), İskender (döner over bread with tomato sauce and yoghurt). A cornerstone of Turkish cuisine.
An array of small plates served at the start of a meal — especially with rakı. Classic mezes: haydari (thick yoghurt with herbs), patlıcan salatası (smoky aubergine salad), sigara böreği (fried cheese pastry rolls), deniz börülcesi (sea beans), cacık (yoghurt with cucumber and mint), and hummus. Sharing culture at its finest.
Layered flaky pastry (yufka) filled with white cheese and parsley, minced meat and onion, or spinach. Baked or fried. Su böreği (water börek) is a classic Istanbul style — boiled, then baked in layers. Available at börekçi shops from early morning. A staple breakfast food.
Layers of thin pastry filled with chopped pistachios or walnuts, drenched in sugar syrup or honey. Gaziantep baklava (fıstıklı) is considered the finest and has EU-protected geographical indication. Served in small squares — intensely sweet and indulgent.
A grilled fresh fish sandwich — typically mackerel (uskumru) on bread with onion, lettuce, and lemon — sold from boats near the Galata Bridge in Istanbul. Cheap, delicious, and an iconic Istanbul street food experience.
Often called "Turkish pizza" — thin crispy dough spread with spiced minced meat, onion, and tomato, baked and served with fresh parsley, lemon, and pomegranate molasses. Roll it up and eat on the go. Available at lahmacun restaurants throughout Turkey.
A boat-shaped flatbread topped with various fillings: mixed cheese (kaşarlı), minced meat (kıymalı), egg and pastırma (cured beef). Cooked in a wood-fire oven. Turkey's answer to pizza — different in shape and character but equally satisfying.
Grilled or pan-fried meatballs made from minced lamb and beef, mixed with breadcrumbs, onion, and spices. Every region has its own style: İzmir köfte, Tekirdağ köfte, Akçaabat köfte. A restaurant staple and home cooking classic.
Tiny Turkish dumplings filled with spiced minced lamb, served with garlic yoghurt and paprika butter. Considered the national pasta dish. Kayseri manti is the most celebrated regional variety — the dumplings should be small enough to fit 40 on a spoon (a saying goes).
Sesame-encrusted circular bread rings sold by street vendors (simitçi) throughout Turkey. Eaten for breakfast with tea and white cheese. As central to Turkish morning culture as the croissant is to Paris. Cheap (TRY 10–15) and delicious.
The national drink — black tea brewed in a double-boiler (çaydanlık) and served in tulip-shaped glass cups with sugar. Turkey is the world's highest per-capita tea consumer. Offered everywhere: in shops, at meetings, by the roadside. Refusing tea is mildly rude. Rize (Black Sea coast) produces Turkey's best tea.
Finely ground coffee simmered in a small copper pot (cezve) with water and sugar. Served unfiltered in small cups — do not stir the grounds. Thick, intense, and ceremonially important. A cup of Turkish coffee has a memory of forty years (Turkish proverb). Also used for fortune telling (tasseography) after drinking.
Turkey's national alcoholic drink — anise-flavoured spirit (similar to ouzo or pastis), diluted with water which turns it milky white ("lion's milk" / aslan sütü). Drunk slowly over long mezes dinners with fish. Essential to the meyhane (traditional tavern) culture. Produced by Tekel/Yeni Rakı. Not halal — secular Turks drink it; religious Turks do not.
A cold, slightly salted yoghurt drink — blended yoghurt, water, and salt. Ubiquitous at restaurants alongside kebap. Refreshing in summer heat and an important source of calcium. Available at every fast food restaurant, petrol station, and market. National drink alongside rakı and çay.
A hot winter drink made from dried orchid tuber powder (or its substitute), milk, and cinnamon. Thick, creamy, warming. Sold by vendors in winter throughout Istanbul. A completely unique drink that tastes like no other beverage. Genuine salep (from orchids) is rare and expensive — most commercial salep uses alternatives.
A sour, fermented turnip juice (şalgam = turnip) popular in Adana and southern Turkey — often drunk alongside Adana kebap or rakı. An acquired taste — sour, earthy, and tangy. A regional specialty beloved in the south but still available bottled across Turkey.
📍 Tourist Highlights
Built as a cathedral in 537 CE, converted to a mosque in 1453, a museum 1934–2020, and re-converted to a mosque in 2020. One of the world's greatest buildings — the 55-metre dome was the largest in the world for nearly 1,000 years. Open to visitors outside prayer times. Modest dress required.
The Ottoman Empire's administrative heart for 400 years (1465–1856). Houses priceless collections: Ottoman jewels (including the Spoonmaker's Diamond and Topkapı Dagger), Chinese porcelain, Islamic relics including the Prophet's mantle and sword, and the famous Harem. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Otherworldly volcanic landscape carved by millennia of erosion into fairy chimneys, cave churches, and underground cities. Hot air balloon rides at dawn (one of the world's iconic travel experiences), cave hotels, and the Göreme Open Air Museum. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Snow-white terraced calcium carbonate pools (travertines) formed by thermal springs — cascading shelves filled with turquoise water create an ethereal landscape. Adjacent ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis include a remarkably preserved amphitheatre. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world — the former Roman capital of Asia with a 25,000-seat amphitheatre, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), and marble-paved streets. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of the world's oldest and largest covered markets — over 4,000 shops across 61 covered streets, established in 1461. Jewellery, leather, carpets, spices, ceramics, and more. A sensory labyrinth. Arrive early, bargain confidently, and budget generously.
Istanbul's historic peninsula containing the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque), Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, the Hippodrome, the Basilica Cistern, and the Archaeological Museum — all within walking distance. The most concentrated collection of world-class monuments in any city district.
A mountaintop sanctuary of colossal stone heads — the tomb of King Antiochus I of Commagene (62–38 BCE), topped with 8–10 metre statues of gods and kings. Most famous at sunrise when the giant heads catch the first light. A remote and haunting experience.
Turkey's most glamorous coastal town — white-washed houses, an ancient castle (Bodrum Castle / St. Peter's), trendy beach clubs, sailing, and a thriving expat and digital nomad scene. Bodrum Peninsula has Turkey's most upmarket beach communities (Göltürkbükü, Yalıkavak, Türkbükü).
Turkey's highest peak at 5,137 metres — a dormant volcano and a sacred symbol of Armenian culture and national identity. Traditionally identified as the resting place of Noah's Ark. Climbing requires a permit. Dramatic snow-capped profile visible from eastern Turkey and Armenia.
📖 Brief History
Turkey's territory has been home to civilisation for over 10,000 years — Göbekli Tepe (c.9600 BCE) is the world's oldest known monumental structure. The Hittite Empire (1600–1180 BCE) and later the Phrygians, Lydians, Greeks, and Persians all left deep marks. The region became part of Alexander the Great's empire, then Rome, then the Byzantine Empire — with Constantinople (modern Istanbul) serving as the eastern Roman capital from 330 CE until 1453. The Ottoman Empire, founded by Osman I around 1299, grew to become one of history's most powerful states, at its peak controlling territories from Morocco to the Persian Gulf and from Vienna to Yemen. The empire's decline across the 19th century culminated in its collapse after WWI and the 1919–1923 War of Independence led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The Republic of Turkey was proclaimed on 29 October 1923. Atatürk's secular modernisation programme — adopting the Latin alphabet, Gregorian calendar, European legal codes, and women's suffrage — fundamentally transformed Turkish society. Turkey joined NATO in 1952, applied for EU membership in 1987 (candidate since 1999), but accession talks are effectively frozen. Since 2002, Turkey has been governed by the AKP party; Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been the dominant political figure, serving as Prime Minister (2003–2014) then President. Turkey survived a coup attempt in July 2016. The 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake (magnitude 7.8) killed over 50,000 people and devastated southeast Turkey. Erdoğan was re-elected President in May 2023.