To know the immensity of the Turkish country both in places and in culture, it is important that you know some basic questions. Therefore, we bring you these 5 tips for traveling to Turkey.
When we want to make a trip, no matter where it is, it is important to plan it and look for some tips to know in advance the important information we need about the destination and not find surprises. Therefore, we bring you these tips for traveling to Turkey.
This country is wonderful, with a very rich culture and incredible places to discover. Pay attention to these tips to enjoy your stay there to the fullest and really get the most out of it.
Places to visit, how to get around in Turkey, what requirements you need to enter… we tell you that and more about this country, which has a mixture of East and West that makes it unique.
1. What to see in Turkey
To travel somewhere, we first need to know a little about what it has to offer. As we said, Turkey is a country with an important culture and Eastern and Western influence. This same reason made, in part, that it has fantastic places to visit.
First, we have to mention Istanbul, a historic city shared by Asia and Europe and which is very important in industry, commerce, culture, and tourism.
In Istanbul, you can not miss visiting the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, or taking a cruise on the Bosphorus. This is just to mention a few places, but the list is long.
On the other hand, Pergamum and Ephesus are fascinating ancient Greek cities; Pamukkale is a natural paradise that has white pools in the form of terraces located on the side of a hill; Antalya is a city where modernity and antiquity meet, with beautiful beaches and Roman ruins.
Finally – although there are many more places to see in Turkey – you cannot miss Cappadocia (image above), the famous characteristic place for its “fairy chimneys”, which are tall rock formations grouped in the shape of a cone. Have you seen the well-known postcards of hot air balloons in Turkey? Well, that fantastic place is Cappadocia.
2. How to get around in Turkey
If you plan to stay in Istanbul, you should know that public transport is quite complete and accessible in economic terms – buses, trains and trams. In addition, you have the option of renting a car or taking a taxi, especially when it is late and public transport stops circulating.
There are private buses that cover the big cities and towns well. Let’s not forget the so-called dolmus, some minibusses that stop at the little towns until they reach their destination. This option is excellent if you want to tour several places.
3. Borders
Turkey is one of the most liberal countries in the East, but it has difficulties on its borders. For this reason, the border provinces with Syria and the crossing into that country should be avoided; the border provinces with Iraq and its crossing, as well as some provinces and cities in the southeast and east of Turkey, such as Batman, Siirt, Diyarbakir, Van, Tunceli, Erzurum or Ardahan.
The reason for this warning is that some of the countries with which Turkey borders frequently suffer from wars or armed conflicts. If you are sure you want to know some of the provinces or cities near the borders, we recommend that you find out everything you need to know about them beforehand.
4. Documentation to enter the country, vaccinations, and insurance
You should always carry your national identity document with you and, as a general rule, your passport as well. Regarding the visa, depending on where you live you will need one to enter the country or not. Until now, Spain and several Latin American countries do not need a visa for a stay of fewer than 90 days.
If you need to stay longer or if your country requires a visa, yes or yes, the Turkish embassy or consulate in your country can help you clear up doubts and process the visa if you require it.
As for vaccines, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that no mandatory vaccines are needed to enter the territory, although some are recommended, such as: typhoid, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, polio, TDaP —tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough—, MMR or influenza, according to Passport Health.
In the face of current illnesses, consult what you need to ensure your health and that of others. It is also recommended to have travel insurance to avoid high costs in case you need medical assistance.
5. Personal safety
One of the essential tips for traveling to Turkey has to do with your safety. It is a beautiful country with friendly and hospitable people, but strangers should not be trusted. Beware of scams in taxis, markets and other sellers, as they will often want to overcharge you.
On the other hand, there are usually no big robberies, but you do have to be careful with personal items such as bags or backpacks. To prevent theft, keep an eye on your belongings. After all, no place in the world is crime free!
To get the best possible experience, you should travel as confidently as you can, be it to Turkey or anywhere else. Here we bring you tips to travel to Turkey that are very important but do not forget to investigate more, especially in official sources.
You always have to take precautions but, apart from the requirements, the updated information about the place and the trip planning, the only thing left is to enjoy! Organizing a trip to Turkey is worth it because it is a wonderful country, where you can see incredible places with a rich culture.
Tags: ideas for traveling to turkey, tips for traveling to turkey
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