Is Turkey Safe for Travellers?

“Is Turkey safe to travel in 2023?” is one of the most talked-about topics amongst travellers these days. Well to answer that, we must understand the underlying causes that have resulted in questioning Turkey’s safety.

Turkey has experienced certain tensions in recent years which has left travellers concerned about their safety. Although the situation has calmed down from what it was earlier, it is important to do your bit of research to get insights into the current situation and then take your decision accordingly.

You need not worry about spending days researching on “Is Turkey Safe to Travel in 2022?” because I have all the information you need to know before planning to visit Turkey. I am going to cover all the causes and safety inhibitions you might have about travelling to Turkey in this blog.

Here are my top ten tips for staying safe while travelling in Turkey. Pin it to your board on Pinterest for later reference

Is Turkey Safe for Travellers- Safety level from Moderate to High

Turkey is one country that is truly multicultural in many aspects. Being a trans-continental destination, Turkey has an array of diverse landscapes, divine cuisines, ancient history, versatile culture, beautiful views and incredible shopping experiences.

Turkey is one of the most popular holiday destinations for all tourists the sole reason being that it is traditional enough to sustain the essence of their Turkish culture and modern enough to be interesting for visitors.

You will find most travellers talking about the welcoming nature and hospitality of Turkish people. Having extensively backpacked in Turkey, I will agree that the hospitality here is definitely exceptional. Travellers here are treated like messengers of God. Not only is Turkey an amiable country, but also is a safe place to consider for travelling. Although no place on the entire Earth is as safe as Heaven would be, Turkey is definitely a relatively safe option to choose. 

Now before you start planning your Turkish holiday,  let us, deep-dive, into the “Is Turkey Safe” conversation and understand the same from a broader perspective.

Here is a brief overview of what comes ahead:

Why Should You Trust My Words on Turkey’s safety?

Before discussing the points above, you must be wondering who am I to tell you about is Turkey safe or not? And more importantly, why should you trust my words? So, let’s talk about that first.

Turkey has been on my wanderlust bucket list ever since I began watching the Turkish series. During my summer vacations, I decided to go for a student exchange program via AIESEC to Turkey and spent a total of 6 weeks in this beautiful country. You can read more about my backpacking trip to Turkey here.

So, coming back to the point on why should you rely on my experience and words on “How Safe is Turkey?

My parents were sceptical about my safety in Turkey and so was I. We did a lot of research on “Is Turkey Safe to Travel?” and finally our decision about me travelling to Turkey came out as affirmative.

Having lived for 6 weeks in the country with a local Turkish host family and having tried all sorts of Turkish cuisines, visiting various other cities in the country and commuting via all modes of public transport during the day as well as overnight journeys, I believe you can trust me with my insights and information on the same.

Why is Turkey Considered Unsafe?

The reasons why Turkey is perceived to be unsafe are plenty and we are going to cover most of them in this article. Being a Muslim country people already apprehend Turkey to be stereotyped and orthodox in many ways.

There have been many issues recently mainly involving terrorist attacks. Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport (2016) is one incident that has instilled a sense of fear in the minds of all travellers. Followed by the Istanbul nightclub shooting in the year 2017 and the Syrian conflicts have made the situation in Turkey even more tense.

Apart from this, one of the reasons why Turkey is considered unsafe by many is because of the fact that it shares its borders with countries like Syria, Iraq and Iran which are highly prone to tensions.

Keeping all these scenarios in mind, any traveller is bound to have second thoughts on visiting Turkey. Having said that, it is important to stay aware of the present scenario. Here is a hands-down complete guide that will assist you in clearing all your doubts and apprehensions about the safety of travellers in Turkey and having a great stay in this incredible country.

Is it Safe to Holiday in Turkey at the moment?

Turkey is one destination that should not be missed out on just because of unfound apprehensions. Turkey, to be precise was ranked 8^th in the list of top 10 most popular destinations in the world which attracted one of the highest numbers of international tourist arrivals in the year 2017. You can imagine how crazy people are about exploring Turkey.

My stay in Turkey was phenomenal, and by phenomenal I literally mean it in terms of everything. From exploring offbeat Turkey to getting the best accommodation, hunting for some really good places to eat, visiting the famous landmarks and monuments, roaming and shopping around the enchanting Bazaars of Turkey, commuting via the public transport- everything was super comfortable and most importantly extremely safe. People in Turkey are extremely welcoming and will go their way out to help you with all that you need.

Apart from this, the present situation in Turkey is now well. But having said that it is always advisable to be cautious and stay vigilant while you are travelling, just like you would in any other country!

3 Reasons to Visit Turkey Right Now!

There are plenty of reasons to add to why you should visit Turkey but here’s a list of our top 3 reasons why you should visit Turkey.

I am sure by now you must have acknowledged the fact of how vital is Tourism to Turkey. The grand opening of the new airport is a signal to welcome tourists from all over the globe to come and experience the Turkish way of hospitality. Their friendly and welcoming nature signifies they want you to come and be their guest. The Lira hitting a major low in the global market is just another cherry on the cake for all you travellers. Their entire economy like that of the Emirate Dubai is majorly run by the revenue earned through tourism.

So “Is Turkey Safe to Travel in 2023?” well I believe that these entire factors make 2023

the best time to visit Turkey for all travellers. It would be a shame not to visit the country because of a trivial few reasons and miss out on the huge variety of experiences it has to offer you.

Is Turkey Safe for a Family Trip? Safety Tips & Concerns 

People in Turkey are much attached to their families, values, culture and traditions. You will find that many people still stay with their grandparents and have a joint family. Hence people here are used to seeing families around them.

Travelling to Turkey with your kids will cost you much less than you think there are many discounts for kids or sometimes even no charges for them.

 Avoid these when travelling with small kids:

• As far as travelling is concerned, I would not recommend the tram as it is too crowded at peak hours and you might not even get any space to stand to leave aside to breathe. Hence trams are a BIG NO if you have small kids as they might get lost in the crowd. Apart from that, all other modes of transport are safe.
• Also, avoid going to the Bazars during peak hours to avoid the rush as it gets difficult to shop with your kids around and they might get lost in the crowd.  Preferably choose the morning hours for souvenir shopping in the markets of Turkey.

There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to accommodation and tours whilst you are travelling with family. There are even family discounts on tours and dinners. You can consider visiting beaches, museums, islands, malls, mosques, chapels, hot air balloon rides, zoos, aquariums and theme parks while travelling with your kids.

You can consider some of these great budget and kid-friendly tours:

• Istanbul Bosphorus Boat Tour– A 90 minute Bosphorus boat tour through the Bosphorus Strait, where you can enjoy the beautiful views of the orient and the Occident at the same time. 

•  Day trip from Istanbul covering Buyukada and Heybeliada Islands – This is a pretty good deal considering that it lasts for about 7 hours, they provide a guide, take care of transportation and lunch. 
• Full-day Cappadocia tour – A day trip to different marvels of Cappadocia at a very nominal price. You will be covering Goreme National Park, Underground City, Pigeon Valley etc. Includes transportation and lunch.

• All-Inclusive Boat Trip from Alanya – A river cruise on a double-decker wooden boat with the scenery of the picturesque coastline of Alanya. This tour goes for about 6 hours and includes lunch and drinks.

• Family Pirate Ship from Belek– Take your child for a boat trip to enjoy the day spend with pirates playing with music while you relax on the boat.

So, Is Turkey Safe for a Family Trip? Absolutely YES!

The bazaars can get really crowded during peak hours. So you have to be extra careful if you are visiting the markets with your kids. In that case, I would suggest going shopping in the morning. That’s me having a great time shopping in the different markets in Turkey.

Is Turkey Safe for a Couple’s Trip or Honeymoon?

Absolutely yes! Turkey is one romantic destination with a blend of Europe and Asia all together in one place. If you can’t afford a honeymoon trip to Paris, consider Cappadocia, Pammukale and Istanbul for a budget-friendly and safe romantic getaway.

Honeymoons are all about pictures with great views and spending time with your partner. Turkey has one of the best-curated honeymoon packages for couples that include candlelight dinners under the stars at the roof of the cave hotels of Cappadocia and beautiful views of the Blue Mosque and Istanbul city.

Consider opting for the following things while travelling with your partner. I am sure you would love these:

If not all, do consider going for at least three of the above-mentioned experiences. Cappadocia and Istanbul are the two most romantic getaways and honeymoon destinations in Turkey. The Galata tower in Istanbul is in fact famous for love birds and is more of a lover’s point than a tourist attraction.

I spotted so many young couples while I visited the Galata Tower. I am sure you wouldn’t be disappointed with what Turkey has to offer to couples.

So, Is Turkey Safe for a Couple’s Trip? Absolutely YES!

Is Turkey Safe for a Trip with Friends?

As it is said that “the more the merrier”, a group tour to Turkey is an absolutely amazing idea. If you are planning your spinster’s and bachelor’s party somewhere abroad, do consider the cities of Bodrum and Marmaris.

Bodrum and Marmaris are the hot spots for young people who are looking for some crazy party destinations and great nightlife. They are surrounded by sea and are all about bars, discs, clubbing, foam parties, great music and crazy light systems.

I personally haven’t been to these two places but while I was at the airport there was a group of friends who had their college reunion at these two places and all throughout my journey from Istanbul to Mumbai all I heard was their stories about the fantastic experience they had at these two places. So much so that I regretted not being able to see these two places while my stay in Turkey.

So, Is Turkey Safe for a Trip with Friends? Absolutely YES!

Is Turkey Safe for a Solo Trip – What do you need to be aware of?

I guess, nobody’s better suited to answer this question than me. Travelling solo is one of the most daunting and challenging yet one of the most awakening and liberating experiences once you accomplish it.

I am sure that every traveller aspires to strike off their wish to travel solo before they turn 30. I was lucky enough to go backpacking in Turkey at the tender age of 18.

Talking about travelling solo, it is very important to have a really good experience when you are travelling alone for the first time or else the nightmares of a bad solo trip always haunt you for a lifetime. Let’s face it, having a bad experience in a country, not our home is something nobody wishes for especially while travelling solo. A bad experience might lead to you giving up on travelling itself and never being able to muster the courage to travel solo again in life. Hence the destination to travel solo must be wisely chosen.

Turkey, I strongly feel is one of the best places that start with if you’re planning to go for a solo trip. But is Turkey safe for a solo trip? Yes, it definitely is, and you can vouch for me for that!

I did overnight bus journeys and even dozed off to sleep at times, but my luggage was safe at all times. Being a student, it was very convenient for me to just show my student id card and avail of the student discount at many places all over Turkey. I stayed with 3 host families at 3 different locations and all of them welcomed me with warm hearts.

All modes of transport were extremely safe. Everyone was ready to help me while I was searching for various things and places. In and out my solo trip to Turkey was a life-changing and one of the most memorable life experiences I have ever witnessed.

Even in an offbeat place like Eskisehir, I was able to travel around confidently and without facing any troubles.

13 Safety Tips for those travelling solo in Turkey:

1. Learn to say “No” whenever required.
2. Keep your cash in different places.
3. Ask people to tell you when your station arrives.
4. Always try to stay with a local or host family over a hotel to get a better understanding of the places.
5. Keep your bag in front while you are in crowded places.
6. Avoid travelling alone in a taxi.
7. Consider visiting Eskisehir, Istanbul, Pammukale, Antalya and Cappadocia for a safe trip.
8. Be in public places only.
9. Don’t roam around the Taksim Square in Istanbul till late.
10. Consider travelling via trams, metros, buses, trains and minivans that carry more passengers.
11. Carry a pepper spray
12. Don’t be roaming around till midnight.
13. Simply ignore people and walk past those who try to indulge in unnecessary conversations with you by saying “No, thank you”.

Apart from these Turkey is pretty much safe a place to consider travelling solo. They respect travellers, especially females. Turkish people will leave no stone unturned to help you out despite not knowing English very well. I certainly believe that Turkey should be on your list of the top three safest places for solo trips.

So, Is Turkey Safe for a Solo Trip? Absolutely YES!

Learn to say “NO”. If you aren’t interested in buying things or dislike being approached by strangers offering you schemes, just turn it down with a polite No. Here’s a flirtatious Shopkeeper in Grand bazaar trying to lure us to buy things.

Is Turkey Safe for an All-Girls Trip?

On my exchange, we were 3 girls who decided to do an all-girls trip to the city of Istanbul to ring in my birthday and it was a super comfortable journey for all three of us. We did not face any such hindrances being females.

Firstly, men in Turkey respect women and you would find them addressing you as “Abla” which literally means an elder sister. They are extremely polite to females. But there are certain things you should keep in mind while you are a female travelling solo or in a group, check out the table below to ensure extra security and safety.

• Try wearing sunglasses to avoid eye contact.
• Dress appropriately (not very conservatively but yes slightly).
• Simply ignore any sort of catcalling.
• Do not fall for the sugary words of the shopkeepers who will try to sell you everything at the bazaars.
• Wear a scarf over your head while visiting a mosque.
• Be at public places only.
• Avoid going to areas known for clubs, pubs and bars.
• Carry a pepper spray if required.
• Don’t be roaming around till midnight.

I hope that these tips might help you in having a safer all-girls trip to Turkey. If you are stuck up with something or facing any problem feel free to ask the local people around you to help you out with the same. I can assure you that your requests won’t be turned down by them.

So, Is Turkey Safe for an All Girls Trip? Absolutely YES!

Turkey is as safe as it gets if for an all-girl gang trying to explore the country. Here I am out for a picnic with my girl gang at a park in Eskisehir

Is Turkey Safe if you are using Public Transportation?

The public transport system in Turkey is truly wonderful and extremely safe. Overnight journey in buses has been really comfortable and stress-free.

While you are in Istanbul, all you need to have is a balance in your “Istanbul Kart” and everything else is then hassle-free. You can use this card for commuting via trams, buses, metros and ferries but not taxis. Trams and metros are the best way to get to the main locations.

Istanbul Kart is like a multi-utility public transportation boarding pass. You can buy Istanbul Kart at major transit stops such as the airport, Sultanahmet, and Eminönü. You need to pay a non-refundable 10 TL fee for the card.

If you are staying in Istanbul for more days, I suggest you get an Istanbul Welcome Card Classic that is valid for 5 days and has a lot of benefits including concessions on public transport, activities and free rides. 

Ferries, oh my god I loved them. During your stay in Istanbul, experiencing a ferry is a must. Eminonu is one station right on the banks of the Bosphorus River that receives huge traffic in terms of commuters and travellers who wish to visit the Prince Islands. It’s a beautiful ride around the city of Istanbul which gives you a breathtaking view of both sides of the trans-continental country of Turkey – the Asian and the European. You can use your “Istanbul Kart” to pay for your rides on the Ferry; it’s just around 3TL only.

The taxis also go by meter, yet I would suggest avoiding them if you are alone or unless it is the only possible option available at that point in time.

So, all modes of transport in Turkey are quite safe enough to be relied upon by travellers. If you’re looking out for which bus company to choose for intercity transport, I would highly recommend going ahead with “Kamil Koc” bus services. I say so because I travelled to various cities in Turkey using the same bus service- it’s very easy, comfortable and affordable.

So, Is Turkey Safe for using transportation? YES!

For intercity transport, I would highly recommend going with “Kamil Koc” bus services. It’s very easy, comfortable and affordable.

Is Turkey safe to eat?

The food that you will get to taste in Turkey is divine! It’s another level of gastronomical experience that you will encounter. Being a vegetarian in Turkey, I couldn’t try all sorts of their delectable dishes but even in the vegetarian category the variety of dishes were plentiful. Turkish cuisines are stomach filling and extremely delicious.

I still haven’t got over the mouth-watering sweets called the “Turkish Lokum” till now. Even imagining it right now makes me drool. It tastes so heavenly!

All places in Turkey are quite safe to eat, just avoid going to shady places and prefer eating at known joints or eateries where you can see the public around.

As far as the street food is concerned in Turkey, the stalls are quite hygienic and they tend to always pack the items properly along with a napkin or tissue paper. But in case you are still sceptical about having street food and an upset stomach the next morning, simply avoid it.

Some items you should definitely taste in Turkey are…

• Turkish lokum (Turkish delight)
• Menemen (Turkish omelette)
• Turkish ice cream (don-durum)
• Gozleme (stuffed bread)
• Pide (a type of stuffed bread)
• Ayran (Buttermilk)
• Baklava (sweet)
• Dolma / Sarma (rice rolled in leaves)
• Kebaps (kebabs)
• Simit (sesame bread)
• Borek (cheesy spring rolls)
• Sutlac (milk-based dessert)

Try them and tell me you loved them! 

So, Is Turkey Safe when it comes to food? YES!

Turkey is another level of gastronomical experience. Do try the Sun-dried fruits and lokum when in Turkey. They are delicious and are available everywhere.

Is Istanbul safe for travellers?

The Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) has itself declared Istanbul city to be safe to visit for travellers now. But it is definitely required for travellers to stay alert at all times and be aware of pick-pocketing and scams which are very common amongst the major cities in Turkey, especially in Istanbul.

I visited Istanbul on my 19^th birthday and my entire trip was hassle-free. Right from travelling overnight to the city in a local bus company, to finding accommodation, shopping experience, visiting the famous tourist’s attractions and getting vegetarian food- everything was absolutely easy and safe.

Although I am not a late-night person, on my birthday, I wanted to explore the Taksim square at night and celebrate my birthday there. Luckily, we could witness a Turkish concert the very same day and an amazing flea market too. However, I didn’t find the place to be really safe at night. Not that I landed up in any trouble, but something inside me didn’t feel good about staying there till late.

There were people outside the clubs who were offering me and my other exchange friends free drinks and to join them and I just didn’t like the look on their faces. They seemed welcoming but not in a good sense I would say. Being alone in the country I didn’t want to take any risk and hence listened to my gut and trusted my instincts. We immediately took a cab and got back to our respective homestays. Apart from this I never felt unsafe even for a single second in Istanbul.

Despite the fact that Taksim Square and the Istiklal Street next to it are one of the most popular destinations for shopping amongst tourists and is surrounded by luxurious 5-star hotels, I would not suggest wandering at these two places at midnight if you are travelling all alone. Simply because these areas are too crowded and have witnessed many protests and terrorist attempts for attacks.

Feel free to ignore the earlier advice if you are travelling in a big group. Try staying at the main attractions and watch your belongings at all times if you are travelling at night.

So, Is Turkey Safe for Travellers? YES!

I would not suggest you wander Taksim Square and Istiklal Street at midnight if you are travelling alone. This is because they are too crowded and have witnessed many protests and terrorist attempts for an attack. These are the  Light paintings being sold at Taksim square.

Is Turkey Safe with Respect to Various Cities?

The entire of Turkey is not safe. Not that all areas are unsafe but certain areas in Turkey must be left untouched to avoid any sort of problems while travelling. Anything near the Syrian border is an area prone to tensions. Also, cities like Diyarbakir, Mardin, and Antakya must not be visited.

This is a list of a few cities you can consider safe for visiting.

• Istanbul
• Cappadocia
• Eskisehir
• Ankara
• Antalya
• Denizli
• Bodrum
• Izmir
• Marmara

An infamous and unexplored city like that of Eskisehir, I believe is certainly a less vulnerable place as far as attacks are concerned. It is very much safe for travellers to visit and is quite affordable since the local shopkeepers don’t see tourists visiting their city often. Hence all goods are priced fairly and no traveller will be looted when it comes to shopping souvenirs in Eskisehir.

Eskisehir is one city that I found to be the safest amongst all other cities I visited in Turkey. And I certainly have reasons to justify the same to you. Here is a diagram for why I consider Eskisehir to be safer than other cities.

15 Turkey Safety Tips Every Traveler should know

Turkey is one of the most favourite tourist destinations. No wonder why it gets huge numbers of tourists each year. The country ensures a warm welcome and hassle-free holiday for all visitors. However, it is important to have some safety measures in your mind at all times to protect you from landing up in any sort of scam in Turkey.

To assist you with the same, I have a list of tips to travel safely in Turkey:

1. Don’t indulge in unnecessary conversations: You will feel elated at first to have so many people talking to you in Turkey owing to their friendly nature. But do keep in mind to not talk to strangers who try to unnecessarily indulge you in meaningless conversations.
2. Always keep some coins: In Turkey, you have got to pay a Lira for using any public toilets. Hence always keep the change ready so that you don’t have to roam around asking for it from strangers. Carry your own toilet paper because you might possibly not find it in public toilets.
3. Be aware of scams around the bazaars: You will find many people trying to sell you perfumes or cosmetics outside the Bazaars at extremely low prices. Totally AVOID them. They are selling nothing but FAKE products.
4. Stay in public places: Avoid areas where you don’t expect to see tourists or other people. Turkey is relatively safer when you are in public places.
5. Dress appropriately (although not very conservatively): Turkey is liberal yet conservative at times too. Istanbul is one place which is very much like Europe but other cities aren’t. So, make sure you dress respectfully. If you are worried about what to wear in Turkey, you should definitely read another of my blogs.
6. Always bargain: One thing I learnt during my stay in Turkey was that “The first price is never the final price”. Make sure that you always bargain while you are in Turkey, the amount of self-satisfaction you will gain while shopping here is truly wonderful.
7. Carry a scarf: You might happen to visit a few mosques whilst you stay in Turkey, being a female, it is required that you cover your head and wear respectful clothes before entering the mosque. Although scarves and cover-up abayas are available everywhere outside the mosques, it is advisable to carry your own.
8. Don’t keep all your cash in one place: Make sure that you keep your cash at different places. Just don’t tell them how rich you are.
9. Don’t disrespect their nation and culture: Turkish people are extremely patriotic so much so that you will find the flag of their country almost everywhere. Hence make sure you do not say or do something that intends to disrespect their culture or the consequences might get severe.
10. Watch what you photograph: Photography at some places is prohibited. So, don’t try to take pictures at such places or you might land into some trouble. You will find no photography signs inside the mosques and at the shops selling Turkish Lamps. But sometimes the shopkeeper allows you to take pictures of the lamps if you intend to buy something from their shops. Also, don’t attempt to take photos or videos of sensitive military facilities.
11. Don’t reveal your identity: Turkish shopkeepers and street sellers are very smart. They have skilled the art of guessing which country you are from by your dressing sense, looks, accent, hair and eye colour. Once they know you are from Europe, U.A.E or U.S.A., you are definitely going to be charged double or even triple the price of the product.
12. Learn to say “No”: The shopkeepers will try to persuade you to buy from their shops in all ways possible. They might even try to flirt with you, simply ignore their sugar-coated words and say a “No” and just walk away if you don’t wish to buy anything.
13. Watch out for people selling tickets: While you are travelling to different cities within Turkey, make sure you buy your tickets for the buses or trains from authentic bus or train service providers only. Don’t buy it from people selling individual tickets outside.
14. Stay Alert and away from trouble: Always be alert to your surroundings and remain vigilant in crowded places. Also, stay away and don’t be a part of any sort of protests
15. Avoid PDAs: Although most cities in Turkey are quite liberal, many parts are still a little conservative. Avoid any public displays of affection that invite unwelcome attention.

Apart from this, it is advisable to know some basic Turkish words and phrases to assist you to have a safe trip in Turkey. Here is a list for you of the same.

I would suggest carrying a diary where these words are jotted down or probably even a printout of the same would do. If at all you still have a problem figuring out things in Turkey, you can happily pester the locals with your questions and they will assist you in the happiest manner possible. Turkish people are true patriots; they love their culture and their language a lot. When I managed to speak to them in my half-broken Turkish, they were startled at first and then later were even happier to help me out.

10 Must Carry Things for a Safe Trip to Turkey

If you are planning to head to Turkey anytime soon and you are wondering what to pack for your trip, I have curated a list of the top 10 must carry things for a safe trip to Turkey.

• Sunscreen
• Hat/Cap
• Scarf
• Toilet Paper
• Modest Clothes
• Swimsuit
• Flip flops
• Comfortable shoes
• Shopping Bag
• Cash either in Dollars or Euros

I hope that you have a safe and comfortable trip to Turkey. Depending on the weather you can take either winter wear or summer wear. If you need a complete packing list for Turkey for different places and weather, do take a look at this blog, I wrote.

People in Turkey are very warm and welcoming towards their guests. Turkish hospitality is definitely a cornerstone of Turkish culture. On my visit, I stayed with a host family. These are some of the amazing Turkish dishes prepared by my host family for me. Isn’t that sweet!

Behaviour of Locals towards Visitors

I can assure you that once you have visited Turkey, you’ll surely make friends for a lifetime. Such is the amicable nature of the local people towards the tourists. Turkish hospitality is definitely a cornerstone of Turkish culture. You will not find hosts as friendly, warm and welcoming as them in any country on the face of Earth. I can vouch for that!

Despite receiving mass tourism, Turkish people have still kept their cultural values and traditions of treating tourists as the guests of God alive. They will go out of their way to assist you in every possible way they can.

During my stay in Turkey, I lived with a Turkish host family in the beautiful city of Eskisehir. Before this, I was sceptical about how might my host family be like? What if they don’t like me? What if they don’t talk to me? What if they are not friendly? All my inhibitions were put to an end on the very first night I arrived. They were waiting for me with open arms and broad smiles.

During my entire stay at Eskisehir, they took me out for Ramadan dinners, picnics, and made me meet their friends, relatives and colleagues despite having a hectic schedule as both of them were working. Knowing that I am a vegetarian my host family made an entire vegetarian 7-course meal just for me! In less than a month, I knew I had found my second family. They gave me an insight into their culture and were keen to know about the city where I came from and what traditions we follow.

Turkish people are so far the best people I have ever met. They are inquisitive to know about you and at the same time they are extremely patriotic and love their own culture, they’ll not miss a chance to show you how beautiful Turkey is in all aspects. While you are in Turkey, make sure you make some Turkish friends and everything you need help with will be taken care of by them.

Honestly speaking Turkey is one beautiful destination that is not to be missed out on just because of what has happened in the past would be a sheer loss. It had and is always has been welcoming tourists and now after the opening of the new airport will be welcoming even more travellers it has ever welcomed. All that you need to take care of is just the scams and avoid the areas near the Syrian borders which have already been discussed in this article. Apart from that everything else is simply smooth. Turkey is such a great destination offering you all sorts of experiences and different landscapes. Hence not heading to Turkey this year and in the years coming would definitely not be considered a wise decision.

All you need to do is just pack your bags, get your tickets, visa and travel insurance done and fly to this beautiful destination.

Have a Safe Trip to Turkey!

Happy Wayfaring 🙂