Turkey, Europe

A simmering, magical, melting pot of culture, history and landscapes, Turkey is a feast for those searching for a holiday that can span centuries of history, exhilarating activities, breath-taking landscapes and dip into the warm Med – all in one day. Its unique geographical setting between Asia and Europe, combined with history of great Empires risen and fallen, leaves any visitor with glorious patchwork quilt of stories woven with history and culture – although this could just be due to the extraordinary strength of the coffee that is served up with a smile at every turn…...

While the majority of visitors flock here for the sublime Aegean and Mediterranean beaches, there is so much more to discover here. The extraordinary number of ancient Civilisations: Romans, Ottomans, Byzantines, Greeks, each have each left an indelible mark on the landscapes. Istanbul continues to be a multi-cultural delight, begun long ago by its position on the Silk Route and the traders who liked it so much, they stayed.

The spectacular archaeological remains of temples, cities and harbours sit glittering on their UNESCO World Heritage lists; think romantic Byzantine churches, Ottoman Mosques and Roman aqueducts and the beautiful classical cities of Ephesus or Pergamon. Or discover the myriad of landscapes; from fairy-tale Cappadocia, with its magical valleys and rock formations, to olive groves fringing the Aegean, to mountain-ringed lakes, to the jutting peninsulas of the coast and the sparkling Mediterranean views.

This backdrop is the perfect starting point for the myriad of activities on offer here. Blessed with a coastline that borders the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, it’s all on offer, from diving to sea kayaking to kite and windsurfing in the turquoise seas. Moving inland, the terrain is perfect for activity adventures; think white water rafting, horse riding, mountain biking, paragliding or even hot air ballooning over the otherworldly rock formations of Cappadocia.

Turkey offers excellent value in money compared with many of the traditional ‘fly and flop’ beach destinations. Combine this with the eclectic history, culture, landscapes and the warm hospitality that has been issued to weary travellers across centuries and you have the kind of holiday that leaves you enriched, restored and wondering why you haven’t been before.

When to go

Istanbul is at its best during May to October but bear in mind this is also when everyone else will visit too. The beach resorts on the Aegean, Mediterranean and Marmara coasts have beautiful mild winters and hot summers, peak season is June to September, although the heat can be a little oppressive. The shoulder months of May, June, September and October are cooler and less busy so best for visiting the array of ancient sites. The Anatolian regions are snowy and cold in the winter and hot and dry in the summer.

travel essentials

Flights: Turkish Airlines, BA and Easy Jet operate flights to Turkey. Istanbul is the main airport or there is Antalya with flights year-round from UK airports. Dalaman is smaller but well served by the budget airlines during peak season while BA runs 4 weekly flights from Gatwick.

Time Zone: GMT+3

Health: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey/health

FCO travel advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey