Turkey

Turkey – a country with a diverse and fascinating history. At different times, it was ruled by Greeks, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, and finally the Ottoman sultans, whose reign lasted until the early 20th century. Today, the country operates as a parliamentary democracy. All these events have left their mark on the architecture and traditions of the locals. Here, Arab and European cultures blend in an amazing way — and it’s incredibly exciting to explore this mix.

Today, Turkey is one of the most popular tourist destinations. There are leisure options for every taste. In its cities, you'll find impressive man-made and natural attractions, comfortable accommodations, and clean beaches with golden sand. The variety can be a bit overwhelming — but don’t worry, we’ll help you find and book a tour to Turkey online. This way, you won’t have to spend your time searching or going to an office — the KOMPAS Touroperator team will offer the best ideas.

A few official facts

Capital: Ankara

Official language: Turkish

Currency: Turkish lira

Religion: Islam, Christianity, Judaism

Online Tour Search and Booking: Why Buy a Tour to Turkey?

The development of tourism in the country began in the 1950s. That’s when a school for hotel management training was opened. Over time, the authorities realized that this industry could significantly boost the economy. And within just a few decades, Turkey developed world-class tourism. It now has everything necessary for comfortable and diverse vacations — with options for various budgets. Even the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t critically affect Turkey’s tourism sector. Let’s look at the main reasons to vacation here.

Go on a trip to:

• Relax by the sea. Many beaches have earned the Blue Flag eco-label. Almost year-round sunshine, distance from polluting industries, and breathtaking landscapes make the seaside experience even more enjoyable.

• Explore ancient landmarks. This is another great reason to book a tour to Turkey. Here, you can literally touch history — with weekend tours to the ruins of ancient cities like Troy, Ephesus, and the historical parts of Istanbul, Cappadocia, Hierapolis, and others.

• Enjoy active recreation. Love water activities? Go diving, rafting, water skiing, or explore the coastline from a yacht. Prefer land? Try climbing, horseback riding, jeep safaris, paragliding, tennis, or golf. And that’s not even the full list of amazing things to do!

• Meet the locals. Turkish people are very kind and welcoming. They’re always happy to help and greet guests with a smile.

These aren’t the only reasons to visit this country. Foodies will love the local cuisine, filled with unique dishes and sweets. Traditional spa procedures will help you relax and rejuvenate. At KOMPAS, we’ll help you pick a tour based on your preferences.

✔️ Types of Entertainment by Region

Different regions focus on different types of activities. We group them as follows:

• For active vacations: Kemer, Kusadasi, Marmaris, Fethiye, and Alanya
• For wellness holidays: Cesme, Bursa, and Pamukkale
• For exciting excursions: Istanbul, Troy, Pamukkale, Ephesus, and Cappadocia
• For skiing: Palandoken, Sarikamis, and Uludag
• For great beaches: Antalya, Kemer, Belek, Side, Alanya, Marmaris, and Bodrum

✔️ Climate and Seasons

The country’s location supports year-round tourism. Mountains and multiple seas create diverse climates — ranging from mountainous to continental to subtropical. Thanks to this, you can go skiing in Palandoken in April-May or relax by the Mediterranean in Antalya. Beach season starts in April on the Mediterranean and in June on the Aegean. Some 5-star hotels are open year-round, so you can come anytime to enjoy the sea air and fun activities.

✔️ Currency

The national currency is the Turkish lira. The exchange rate is unstable, so we recommend tracking the best rates and exchanging small amounts at a time. It's also useful to have small bills for tips. That said, dollars and euros are widely accepted. You can exchange money at banks, hotels, exchange offices, and post offices.

✔️ Major Holidays

Turkey celebrates a mix of official and unofficial, secular and religious holidays. Here are a few major ones:

• New Year’s Day – January 1. Celebrated in all hotels, with locals joining in the fun to some extent.
• National Sovereignty and Children's Day – April 23. Inspired by a speech from Kemal Atatürk, who said that children are the future of humanity. On this day, children symbolically take government positions and discuss family-related reforms.
• Labour and Solidarity Day – May 1. Celebrated like in many other countries.
• Youth and Sports Day – May 19. Also established by Atatürk after his 1919 speech urging youth to unite against Allied forces.
• Republic Day – October 29. The main national holiday. If you're here, visit Antalya for a colorful celebration and an immersive cultural experience.
• Atatürk Memorial Day – November 10. The first president of the Turkish Republic is honored with a nationwide moment of silence in the morning. Traffic stops and drivers sound their horns in remembrance.

✔️ Healthcare

Medical services in Turkey are paid, so it's advisable to use your health insurance. If you go to a hospital on a paid basis, make sure to inform your insurance provider to get reimbursed later. 

✔️ Useful Tips

To stay comfortable and avoid unpleasant surprises:

• Don’t carry important documents around. Keep them in the hotel safe. Carry printed or digital copies instead — this can solve many issues if needed.
• Check-out time is usually before 12:00 PM. Check-in typically starts after 2:00 PM. You may be able to pay for early check-in or late check-out, but treat early service as a courtesy, not a given.
• Clarify visa details with your KOMPAS Touroperator representative or check the VISA section. Turkey has a simplified visa regime with many countries, so often no visa is needed. However, make sure to get travel insurance before your trip.
• Drink bottled water. Tap water is clean but heavily chlorinated in most places.
• Take off your shoes when entering a mosque. Women should cover their heads, shoulders, and wear modest clothing. Men should also avoid wearing overly revealing clothes in religious buildings.
• Do not photograph Turkish women in traditional clothing or take photos of locals without permission. Islam discourages images of people.
• Do not drink alcohol on the street. This may cause trouble, as alcohol is forbidden in Islam. But don’t worry — you can enjoy a glass of wine at tourist-friendly restaurants.
• Avoid calling Istanbul “Constantinople” and don’t compare Turkey to Greece in front of locals — relations are tense. Also, avoid jokes or negative remarks about Kemal Atatürk — he’s a revered figure in Turkey.