Turkey travel guide
Turkey travel guide: Istanbul, Cappadocia, and the route between
Turkey delivers one of the world’s deepest cultural circuits – Istanbul’s Byzantine-Ottoman layers and Cappadocia’s surreal volcanic landscape make for the perfect 7-10 day trip. Currency volatility keeps it exceptional value.
Destinations we cover in Turkey
Country overview
Turkey is mediterranean-temperate on the coast, continental inland, arid in central Anatolia (Cappadocia). E-Visa required for most Western travelers (~$50, online, 5 min).
- Language
- Turkish. English common in Istanbul and Cappadocia tourist areas; limited elsewhere.
- Currency
- Turkish Lira (TRY). Use ATMs for best rates; avoid airport currency exchanges.
- Best time to visit
- April-June and September-October are sweet spots. Cappadocia balloon flights highest success rate in these months; Istanbul most comfortable then.
- Trip highlights
- Hagia Sophia + Blue Mosque + Topkapi in Istanbul, balloon flights + cave hotels + Goreme valleys in Cappadocia.