For extraordinary range in one country. Turkey straddles Europe and Asia and layers Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history beneath teeming cities, surreal landscapes, classical ruins and a long, warm coast. In a single trip you can explore imperial Istanbul, balloon over Cappadocia's fairy chimneys and swim in the Mediterranean, all wrapped in famous hospitality and some of the world's best food.

When is the best time to visit Turkey?

Spring and autumn, roughly April to June and September to October, are best across most of the country, with warm, settled weather and reliable conditions for Cappadocia's balloons. Summer is hot and the peak beach season on the coast; winter is cool and quieter, atmospheric in Istanbul and lovely under snow in Cappadocia, though balloon flights are cancelled more often.

How long do you need in Turkey?

A week covers the two essentials well, three or four days in Istanbul and two or three in Cappadocia, linked by a short flight. Ten days to two weeks lets you add the Aegean or Mediterranean coast, Ephesus or Pamukkale without rushing. The country is large, so internal flights save time, and a focused route beats trying to see everything at once.

Is Istanbul or Cappadocia better?

They are very different and best combined rather than chosen between. Istanbul is a vast, historic metropolis of monuments, markets and nightlife across two continents; Cappadocia is a quiet, surreal landscape of cave hotels and dawn balloons. Most trips do both, a few days in the city and a couple of nights in the valleys, an hour's flight apart, for the fullest picture of the country.

How do you get around Turkey?

Internal flights are the easy way to cover long distances, cheap, frequent and centred on Istanbul's two airports; an hour links the city with Cappadocia. Within cities, trams, metros and the Bosphorus ferries in Istanbul are efficient and walkable. For the coasts, valleys and ruins, a hired car, private transfers or guided tours give the most flexibility between the main centres.

Is Turkey a good destination for food?

Among the world's great cuisines. Expect mezze, fresh seafood and grilled meats, pides and lahmacun, simit from street carts, and regional Anatolian specialities, layered with herbs, yoghurt, nuts and spice. Turkish breakfasts are a feast in themselves, the tea and coffee are institutions, and the wine regions are increasingly good. Eating well is one of the real pleasures of any trip here.

Boutique Hotels in Turkey - Heritage & Cave Hotels

Where to Go

Most first trips centre on two places, and for good reason. Istanbul is the obvious start: the only city spanning two continents, capital of three empires, where the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar sit within walking distance and the Bosphorus runs through the middle. It deserves several days and a willingness to wander its neighbourhoods, from the historic peninsula to the boutiques of Nişantaşı. From there, most travellers fly an hour east to Cappadocia, the dreamlike valley country of central Anatolia, where soft volcanic rock has been carved into fairy chimneys, cave churches and underground cities, and hundreds of hot-air balloons rise over the valleys at dawn. Within Cappadocia, the towns and villages each have their own feel, the lively centre of Göreme, the high views of Uçhisar, and the quieter, wine-town character of Ürgüp and nearby Ortahisar.

Beyond the Highlights

Turkey has much more for those with time. The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, the so-called Turquoise Coast, string together beaches, yachting harbours and classical sites; the ruins of Ephesus are among the best-preserved in the ancient world; and the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, the vineyards of the Aegean and the wild mountains of the east all repay deeper exploration. For a focused trip, though, Istanbul and Cappadocia together give the fullest sense of the country in the least time.

When to Go

Spring and autumn, roughly April to June and September to October, are the sweet spot across most of the country, with warm, settled weather and the most reliable conditions for Cappadocia's balloons. Summer is hot, especially inland and on the coast, which is peak beach season; winter is cool and quieter, atmospheric in Istanbul and beautiful under snow in Cappadocia, though with more balloon cancellations.

Getting the Most From a Trip

Because Turkey is large and varied, it favours a clear route over trying to do everything. The classic first trip pairs Istanbul with Cappadocia, a few days in the city and a couple of nights in the valleys, linked by a short flight, which together capture both the urban and the otherworldly sides of the country. With more time, the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts add beaches, ruins and sailing, usually reached on a separate leg, while returning visitors often go deeper into one region rather than spreading thin. Distances are real, so internal flights and a focused itinerary make the most of a trip, and a hired car or private driver helps for the coastlines and ruins between the main centres.