Turkey is an underrated country that has a lot to offer to visitors.
From ancient ruins to unique fairy chimneys, to beautiful coastal towns, you can find a diverse landscape in Turkey, making it a good choice for most travelers.
If it is your first time in Turkey, then I am sure you might be a little apprehensive about visiting.
Well, it is always a good idea to note the dos and don’ts of a new country to make your trip successful. This way, you can avoid getting scammed here.
Are you traveling to Turkey for the first time? Then, read on to know what not to do in Turkey along with some essential tips!
- Ignoring the Dress Codes
Although Turkey is a predominantly Muslim country, it has evolved over the years. As a result, it has become the norm to wear dresses, shorts, skirts, and more here.
However, you need to be aware of your surroundings when dressing up.
Cities with lots of tourists such as Istanbul, Antalya, Fethiye, etc. are more casual and don’t mind modern attire. You can even wear bikinis and swim shorts at the beaches here.
But other parts of Turkey such as the central region and Konya are still conservative. This is why you must dress modestly here.
As a general rule, it is best to wear knee-length skirts, dresses, and shorts. Always make sure to cover your shoulders and chest, especially when you are planning to go inside a mosque.
Remove your shoes when entering a mosque and ladies should cover their hair as well.
- Expecting that Hot Air Balloons Will Fly Daily in Cappadocia
If you are planning a trip to Turkey, then I am sure you are going to take the hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia as well.
But what a lot of tourists fail to remember is that hot air balloon rides are weather-dependent. The authorities wish to make sure everyone is safe during the hot air balloon flight.
This is why each evening, the local aviation association monitors the weather for the next day and notifies the company if they are allowed to fly or not.
If you really wish to tick this off your list, then keep 2-3 days for Cappadocia.
If your hot air balloon ride gets canceled, you will get automatically rescheduled for the next day. So, staying an extra day will be helpful for you.
- Buying Items Without Bargaining First
Since Turkey was a major stop on the Silk Road, many of the traditional trade route elements are still present here, i.e., ornate bazaars and haggling.
There are lots of amazing things to shop in Turkey such as lamps, handmade rags, tea sets, ceramics, and more. And the best part is that you haggle with the shopkeepers to get the best price for it.
Haggling is quite common in Turkey and isn’t considered rude. This is why most shopkeepers jack up the price as bargaining is expected here.
To bargain, get an idea of the price and start from half of the price quoted to reach a middle ground.
Do remember that you should bargain only if you are really planning to buy the item and not for fun.
Also, bargaining is acceptable in local bazaars and markets only. Don’t expect to bargain on products in shopping malls and regular shops in Turkey.
- Count Calories While Visiting Turkey
I understand that you might have a strict food routine to manage your diet but it would be a shame if you don’t try the delicious Turkish food.
So, don’t count calories and eat heartily when you are here.
Trust me, you don’t want to miss the delicacies like kebabs, Gozleme, lahmacun, pide, and more here.
Plus, you have to try the Baklava and the Turkish Delights that are famous all over Turkey!
- Get Into a Cab without a Logo
Sadly, there are plenty of reports of tourists getting scammed by unlicensed drivers in Turkey. This is why it is important that you take only yellow cabs with the proper logo.
Unmarked taxis don’t have taximeters that calculate the trip cost properly. As a result, these taxi drivers charge an absurd amount of money for even a short distance.
You can use Uber or BiTaksi to book a cab as that would be more reliable at this cost. Personally, I recommend you use public transport in main tourist areas such as Antalya and Istanbul.
- Take Pictures of People without Consent
In the present world, it has become quite the norm to take photos of people and places without prior permission but this won’t work in Turkey.
Since the country takes its security seriously, you will find Tourist Police and Army officials at most places and it is forbidden to take their photos due to security reasons.
Also, don’t photograph Turkish women in traditional attire without their consent. It is impolite to do so.
If you wish to take a photograph of someone, make sure to ask them before you do so.
- Using Your Left Hand
In Turkish culture, the left hand is considered disrespectful for a few actions. This is why it is important to pay heed to which hand you use while interacting with the locals.
For handshakes, giving, and receiving items, always use your right hand as it is considered impolite and disrespectful to use your left hand.
When you are eating in a traditional setting as well, the left hand is considered less clean. So, make sure to pass the food with your right hand.
Most importantly, when visiting religious sites such as mosques, always use the right hand for donations and religious activities.
- Refuse Tea Invitations by the Locals
One of the things that I noticed about Turkey is that locals drink a lot of tea here and offer it to most people who meet them.
So, whether you are dining at a local restaurant or buying souvenirs from a shop, you are most likely to be offered a cup of Çay (Turkish tea) with them.
And it is impolite to refuse it. During my trip, we were offered Turkish tea several times a day and we always were gracious enough to accept it and chat with the locals.
Offering tea is a sign of hospitality in Turkey so refusing it is considered disrespectful.
If you cannot drink more tea, you can put your teaspoon on top of the cup to indicate that you are done with your share.
But trust me, once you taste Turkish tea, you will have a hard time resisting it anyway.
- Not Booking Your Accommodations and Activities in Advance
More than 50 million tourists visit Turkey every year which is why most tours and accommodations get booked early.
This is why it is a good idea to book your accommodations and flights as soon as you know your travel dates. This way, you can get the best accommodations at a good price. If you leave things for the last, you might end up paying more for your stay.
Similarly for the tours as well.
Check with a few tour companies beforehand so that you don’t end up paying for a private taxi in the end because all the tours got sold out.
- Spend All Your Time in Istanbul
Many people plan their entire trip around Turkey and forget to include other charming cities and towns in this country.
But Turkey is much more than Istanbul. This is why you should plan a trip duration that allows you to cover more of this beautiful country.
For a glimpse of the fairy chimneys, caves, and underground cities, include Cappadocia in your itinerary. If you love beaches and spending time in the water, then the waterfalls of Antalya are calling you.
Fethiye is best for island life while Ephesus is the best way to delve into the diverse history of this country.
Yes, Istanbul is beautiful and home to lots of amazing attractions but there is much more for you to see in Turkey.
If you want to book a trip with Travel LYKKE, then use my code ‘RACHITA‘ to get a discount on your next vacation.
For any queries, you can reach out to holidays@lykke.travel
About the Author – Rachita Saxena is an IT Engineer turned full-time travel blogger who left her job in 2018. Since then, she has traveled to over 20+ countries including Seychelles, Turkey, Jordan, and more. Over the years, she has worked with multiple tourism companies to share travel experiences with her followers. She is a qualified PAD Rescue Diver and has explored quite a bit of the underwater world. You can follow her journey on different social media platforms and her website MeanderWander.
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