Turkey: Istanbul, Cappadocia and the Sea — Where to Go and What to Try

Istanbul: a city on two continents

Istanbul sits in both Europe and Asia, with the Bosphorus flowing between them. In the old Sultanahmet district, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace, once home to the Ottoman sultans, stand side by side. From here it's a short walk to the Grand Bazaar — one of the oldest covered markets in the world — and to the Spice Bazaar, piled high with spices, dried fruit and Turkish delight.

You don't need to book a cruise to see the city from the water: an ordinary city ferry across the Bosphorus is one of the best outings in Istanbul. Cross over to Kadıköy on the Asian shore, with its street markets, little coffee shops and a completely different, calmer pace. At sunset, head up the Galata Tower or find any terrace overlooking the water.

Cappadocia: fairy-tale rocks and hot-air balloons

In the heart of the country lies Cappadocia, a land of whimsical stone “chimneys”, cave churches and underground cities. Its most famous experience is the sunrise, when dozens of hot-air balloons rise over the valleys at once. Book your flight in advance — and if you'd rather not climb into the basket, the sunrise is just as beautiful from the ground.

Stay in a cave hotel in Göreme or one of the neighbouring villages. By day, wander through valleys with evocative names, visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum and descend into the underground cities where entire communities once took shelter.

The coast: from Antalya to the Aegean

The Mediterranean coast means long beaches, pines right down to the water and mountains on the horizon. In Antalya, take a stroll through the old town of Kaleiçi with its narrow lanes and harbour. Nature lovers will adore the area around Fethiye and Kaş: the Ölüdeniz lagoon, bays reached by boat, and stretches of the Lycian Way, one of the most beautiful hiking routes in the country.

On the Aegean coast you'll find Bodrum with its white houses and yachts, and near İzmir, Ephesus — one of the most impressive ancient cities in the Mediterranean. If you have time to spare, stop by Pamukkale: snow-white travertine terraces filled with warm water, with the ruins of ancient Hierapolis right above them.

What to try

Turkish cuisine is a reason to visit in its own right. Start with a proper Turkish breakfast: cheeses, olives, tomatoes and cucumbers, eggs, honey with kaymak and fresh bread, all served at once across the whole table.

• Simit — a sesame-crusted bread ring sold on every corner.
• Kebabs and pide — a boat-shaped Turkish dough with a filling.
• Meze — small dishes that open the evening meal.
• Gözleme — thin flatbreads with cheese, herbs or potato.
• Baklava and Turkish delight — with tea or as a gift to take home.
• Tea in tulip-shaped glasses and thick Turkish coffee.

Good to know before you go

Turkish people are famously hospitable, and a few simple rules will help you feel at ease.

• Haggling is expected at the bazaars — calmly and with a smile.
• Enter mosques in clothing that covers your shoulders and knees; women cover their heads, and shoes come off at the entrance. During prayer, it's best to wait outside.
• In a taxi, make sure the meter is on, or use a taxi app.
• Tipping in cafés and restaurants is customary and always appreciated.
• Summers on the coast are hot: plan walks for the morning and evening, and save the middle of the day for the sea and the shade.

Staying connected

In Turkey you need the internet literally from the moment you step off the plane: to call a taxi or transfer, open a map, translate a menu or show your hotel booking. You can install your eSIM at home over Wi-Fi, so after landing you won't have to hunt for a SIM card at the airport or stand in queues. When a plan's validity begins is shown on the checkout page before you pay: for some plans it starts at the first connection in the destination country, for others on installation or right after purchase. Your main number stays in your phone, and calls and messages to it keep arriving as usual, under your carrier's terms.