Türkiye Travel Guide 2026: Istanbul, Cappadocia, the Coast and Where to Go

The essentials, updated for 2026

Entering Türkiye

Visa-free or e-VisaMany nationalities can visit without a visa; others need an e-Visa before travelling. Check your passport on the official site, evisa.gov.tr, and apply only there, as other sites charge extra.

Hagia Sophia, foreign visitors

€25For the visitor route through the upper galleries, where the Byzantine mosaics are. The ground floor is a working mosque, used by worshippers.

Topkapı Palace

Closed TuesdaysThe Harem needs a combined ticket. Arrive at opening time in summer, when queues build quickly.

Balloon flights, Cappadocia

Weather permittingFlights are often cancelled for wind, especially in winter. Book for your first morning so there is time to fly on a later day.

Money

Turkish lira (TRY)Lira prices change often, and some big sights price tickets in euros. Cards are widely accepted; carry some cash for small shops and markets.

Plugs and mosques

Type C/F, 230 VRound two-pin European plugs. In mosques, cover shoulders and knees, women cover their hair, and everyone removes their shoes.

Where to go

Two continents

Istanbul

Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace in the old city, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market, and ferries across the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia.

Plan at least three or four days

Turkish museums (official) ↗

Bosphorus cruise with audio guide →Partner link

Rock valleys

Cappadocia

Valleys of eroded rock columns around Göreme, cave churches with painted walls, underground cities, and the dawn balloon flights the region is known for.

Fly to Kayseri or Nevşehir from Istanbul

Cappadocia on Go Türkiye ↗

Balloon flight with hotel transfers →Partner link

Roman ruins

Ephesus

One of the best-preserved Roman cities in the Mediterranean, with the Library of Celsus and a great theatre. Selçuk is the nearest town, and İzmir the nearest airport.

Go early in summer; there is little shade

Go Türkiye ↗

White terraces

Pamukkale

White mineral terraces filled with warm water, with the ruins of the Roman spa town of Hierapolis on the hill above. Visitors walk the terraces barefoot.

Often combined with Ephesus on a two-day trip

Go Türkiye ↗

Beaches and coves

Antalya and the Turquoise Coast

Antalya's old harbour, and west along the coast the small towns of Kaş and Fethiye, boat trips to quiet coves, and the long-distance Lycian Way footpath.

Antalya has one of Türkiye's busiest airports

Go Türkiye ↗

Aegean resort

Bodrum

A harbour town with a castle, whitewashed houses and a busy summer scene, and quieter villages and beaches around the peninsula.

Busiest from June to September

Go Türkiye ↗

When to go

Spring and autumn suit most trips; summer is for the beaches.

Spring and autumn

April to June and September to October are the best months for Istanbul, Cappadocia and the ruins.
The sea stays warm enough to swim on the south coast well into October.
Istanbul's tulips are in flower in April.

Summer and winter

July and August are hot and busy, best spent on the coast.
Winter is cool and wet in Istanbul and snowy in Cappadocia, with fewer visitors.
Balloon flights are cancelled more often in winter because of the weather.

What to pack

Pack for hot days at the ruins, cold balloon mornings and visits to mosques.