Türkiye, from Istanbul to the eastern mountains.
Here is what you need to know.
A practical guide to all 81 provinces: World Heritage sites, local food, transport, emergency numbers and the details that make a trip easier.
Photo: Hunanuk · CC0
Seven regions, one country
Türkiye changes character with every horizon: Aegean olive groves, Black Sea forests, Cappadocian valleys and the old stone cities of Mesopotamia.
Marmara
Istanbul, the Dardanelles, early Ottoman Bursa and quiet Sea of Marmara towns.
Aegean
Ancient Ionian cities, olive oil, Alaçatı stone houses and the turquoise Aegean coast.
Mediterranean
The Lycian coast, Antalya's old harbour, Taurus mountains and long summer beaches.
Central Anatolia
Cappadocia, Konya's Seljuk heritage, Ankara and the wide Anatolian steppe.
Black Sea
Tea gardens, hazelnut villages, Sumela Monastery and forests that run to the sea.
Eastern Anatolia
Mount Ararat, Lake Van, Ani and high plateaus with long, snowy winters.
Southeastern Anatolia
Göbeklitepe, Mardin's honey-coloured stone, Gaziantep's kitchens and the Tigris.
Places most people start with
These are the places that come up again and again on first trips. They are popular for a reason, and each province guide also shows quieter alternatives.
UNESCO İstanbul
Ağva · Balat · Büyükada
UNESCO Nevşehir
Asmalı Konak · Ürgüp Müzesi · Tokalı Kilise
UNESCO Antalya
Simena · Kekova · Etenna
UNESCO İzmir
Birgi · Bornova · Çandarlı
UNESCO Muğla
Göcek · Güllük · Dalyan
UNESCO Şanlıurfa
Halfeti · Ulu Camii · Balıklıgöl
Mardin
Beyazsu · Surur Hanı · Gurs Vadisi
Coast Trabzon
Taşhan · Uzungöl · Bedesten
Places most people start with
Choose how many days you have and what you want to see. The planner suggests a realistic route you can change.
3 days Istanbul
Istanbul is the only city that has been capital of three empires. You can see Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman layers within a short walk, then take a ferry to Asia.
2 days Cappadocia (Nevşehir)
A surreal landscape of fairy chimneys, cave churches, underground cities and hot-air balloons.
3 days Antalya and the Lycian Coast
A mix of Roman ruins, turquoise water, pine-covered mountains and small coastal towns.
UNESCO sites and what they mean
Türkiye has 22 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Some are famous, others are small and easy to miss. Each entry explains why the site matters and how to visit it.
1985 Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia
2015 Ephesus
1987 Nemrut Dağ
1988 Hierapolis-Pamukkale
2018 Göbekli Tepe
1985 Historic Areas of Istanbul
What to eat, region by region
Turkish food changes with the landscape. Breakfast is a spread, lunch is often quick, and dinner is long. These are the dishes and habits worth looking for.
Mountains, lakes and the outdoors
Türkiye is not only a beach destination. You can ski in the morning, walk part of the Lycian Way in the afternoon, or spend a day on a Black Sea plateau.
Practical information
Emergency numbers, transport, money, health, etiquette and the questions visitors ask most often.
Visa & entry
Passports, e-Visa, length of stay and customs.
Getting around
Air, rail, coach, car, ferries and city transport.
Money & costs
Lira, cards, ATMs, tipping and realistic budgets.
Health & safety
Pharmacies, hospitals, insurance, heat and earthquakes.
Culture & etiquette
Greetings, mosques, dress, hospitality and Ramadan.
Emergency numbers
112, 155, 156, 110, 177, 176 and what to say.
Internet & power
SIM cards, eSIM, Wi-Fi and Type C/F plugs.
Accessibility
Step-free museums, cobblestones and transport.
Browse the guide by topic
This page collects the main sections: provinces, places, museums, agencies, guides, history, emergency numbers and practical information. Use it when you know what you need and want to go straight there.
Places
An index of 3,537 places from the Culture Portal: ruins, mosques, villages, springs and viewpoints. Find a name, then open the province guide to plan the visit.
Museums
Forty-six museums and sites with official opening times and contact details, plus 407 more from the Culture Portal. Start with the verified list, then search the wider index.
Guides
A good guide explains what you are looking at and helps you use your time well. Tourist guides in Türkiye are licensed, and the licence is easy to check.
Numbers
Save these numbers before you travel. In an emergency, call 112 first if you are unsure.
History
Türkiye has been home to many civilizations. This short history explains the main periods and shows where you can still see them.
Culture
Türkiye's culture is a layered story of Anatolian civilisations, Ottoman and Republican history, regional food, crafts, music and everyday hospitality. This guide introduces the habits and stories behind the places you will visit.
Plan a route that fits your time
Choose how many days you have and what you want to see. The planner suggests a realistic route you can change.
Common questions
Do I need a visa for Türkiye?
What is the best time to visit?
Is Türkiye safe for tourists?
What currency should I use?
Use the guide offline
Install the site as an app on your phone. It opens full screen, keeps saved pages available and works when the signal is weak.