Turkey Travel guide

The Turkey, the land of the two continents, attracts millions of tourists. Regardless of whether you are looking for a city break, a beach holiday or an active holiday – you will surely find what you are looking for in Turkey.

Discover the cities of Antalya, Istanbul or Izmir and convince yourself of the country’s cultural diversity. Warm temperatures, the finest beaches and the crystal clear sea also invite bathing holidaymakers to visit. Spend a great time on the Turkish Riviera or visit the Turkish Aegean Sea. The delicious Turkish cuisine rounds off your trip to Turkey.

In my free travel guide you will find all the important information you need for your Turkey vacation. Starting with the climate, over the most beautiful cities and beaches to the most important sights, here you will find everything you need to know. Be inspired by the pictures and look forward to an unforgettable time!

Information about Turkey

• Location: in the south-east of Europe and in the north-west of Asia
• Continent: 97% is on the Asian and only about 3% on the European continent
• Capital: Ankara with 5.4 million inhabitants (as of 2017)
• Official language: Turkish
• Borders: Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Syria
• Population: 80,810,525 (as of 2017)
• Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY)
• Member of the Council of Europe
• Time difference Turkey: +1
• You can find everything you need to know about the current situation in Turkey here: Turkey travel advice

Climate and weather in Turkey

Due to the size of the country, different climatic conditions also exist in different parts of Turkey. The climatic zones of Turkey can be divided into the following five regions: Mediterranean region, Anatolia, Aegean region, Black Sea region and the Marmara region.

The Mediterranean region is located in the southern part of Turkey and awaits you with a Mediterranean climate. Hot and dry summers with many hours of sunshine invite you to a wonderful beach and bathing holiday in Turkey. The coastal strip in western Turkey, the Aegean region, also offers you a Mediterranean climate. You can experience wonderful summers and mild, rainy winters here. Let yourself sizzle in the sun and refresh yourself in the cool, sparkling sea. In the north of Turkey is the Marmara region, in which maritime climate prevails. The maritime climate is characterized by warm summers and cold winters. If you visit the region in winter, you can even be surprised by snow on the coast. The region with the highest rainfall in Turkey is the Black Sea region. Located on the Black Sea, rain falls here more often and you should have an umbrella in your luggage when traveling outside the summer months. The climate here is called oceanic. The Anatolia region lies inland and has different climates depending on the altitude. Most of this region has a continental climate, while Southeast Anatolia has a steppe climate prevails. Continental climates include very hot summers with daily temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, but also very cold winters that are accompanied by frosty temperatures. Characteristics of the steppe climate are very hot temperatures and little to no precipitation in the summer months.

As you can already see, it is difficult to determine the best travel time for Turkey. Depending on which region you are in, you can expect a different climate and thus weather. The months June to October are particularly suitable for a beach holiday on the coasts. Hot temperatures and many hours of sunshine create optimal conditions for a relaxed trip to Turkey. It is best to plan city trips in spring and autumn. Mild temperatures and fewer tourists make this travel time particularly attractive for a sightseeing trip.

Turkey tips

• Arrival by plane: The flight time from Austria to Turkey is between 2 and 3 hours, depending on the take-off and landing point. The most famous international airports in Turkey are the Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul, the Antalya International Airport in Antalya and the Essenboga International Airport in Ankara
• Arrival by car : tedious and expensive, transit through Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia and Bulgaria, duration: over 16 hours pure travel time (Vienna – Istanbul)
• Austrian departure airports with direct flights: Vienna, Salzburg and others
• Airlines: Turkish Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Pegasus and many more
• Entry & Visa : To enter Turkey you need a passport that is valid for at least six months. As an Austrian, you need a tourist visa to enter the country for a stay that is shorter than 90 days. This can be extended if necessary.
• Tip :

• • in restaurants: approx. 10% of the invoice amount
  • for porters: approx. € 1 per piece of luggage (TRY 5)
  • for taxi drivers: round up to an appropriate amount
  • for tour guides: approx. 3-4 € (16-21 TRY)

• Tap water : You should not drink tap water in Turkey as it could be contaminated
• If you want to rent a rental car, you’re in luck: there is right-hand traffic in Turkey too
• Import regulations for luxury goods such as tobacco products and alcohol: e.g. a maximum of 200 cigarettes and 1 liter of spirits free of charge (further information at the customs office )
• Important telephone numbers : Police: 133; Rescue: 144; Austrian Embassy: (0090 312) 405 51 90