Introducing Turkey
Turkey might be the world’s most contested country. Its landscape is dotted with battlegrounds, ruined castles and the palaces of great empires. This is the land where Alexander the Great slashed the Gordion Knot, where Achilles battled the Trojans in Homer’s Iliad, and where the Ottoman Empire fought battles that would shape the world. History buffs can immerse themselves in marvels and mementos stretching back to the dawn of civilisation.
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Then again, if you want to simply unwind, spend an afternoon being pampered at a hamam, or let the warm waters off the Mediterranean coast lap at your toes. Adventure lovers can head east to Nemrut Daği National Park. Bon vivants need look no further than İstanbul, where the markets and bars are among the most stylish and atmospheric, and the mod Ottoman cuisine rates as the tastiest, in the world.
The country’s tumultuous history has left a deep legacy. People who’ve never had to suffer for an idea or fight for a patch of land can be overwhelmed by the passion of ordinary Turks for their country. But for ordinary Turks that passion finds its outlet, not in martial ardour, but in simple pleasures: family, food, music, football, and friendship. Turks have an inspiring ability to keep things in perspective, to get on with everyday life and to have a bloody good time in the process. Sharing their joy in the simple things is a highlight for every visitor.
Treat Turkey as that most quintessential of Turkish dishes, the meze, a table piled high with scrumptious treats. Throw away the menu, order a plate of everything and feast till you can’t go on. Afiyet olsun!
Ready to go? Our recommended tours make it easy:
- Discover the best of Turkey in 15 days
- Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar: see Istanbul in a day
Last updated: Jan 18, 2012
Tips & articles
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Travelling blind
26 January 2012
This remarkable story, originally published in Lonely Planet Magazine, takes us into the world of Tony Giles, who travels around...
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Master the art of cooking like a local
19 January 2012
One of the best souvenirs you can bring back from a trip is some tasty dishes to share with your...
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Calling the caf-fiends: great coffee spots
19 January 2012
It inspires passion, opinion and addiction. It’s the world’s second most valuable commodity (after petroleum), and it will almost certainly...
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Top cities in Turkey
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Turkey
Things to do
- All things to do (1,416)
- Activities (134)
- Entertainment (216)
- Restaurants (446)
- Shopping (132)
- Sights (443)
- Tours (45)
Make it happen
Our Top Picks For Turkey
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1 İstanbul
Visit Topkapî Palace, the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofya. Haggle like mad in the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar. Float along the Bosphorus. And that's just for starters
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2 Safranbolu
Pause to admire an unspoilt Ottoman townscape, then stay in Ottoman style in a restored wooden house
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3 Pergamum
Visit the Acropolis and Asclepion and wonder at the staggering temains of a once-great Anatolian Kingdom
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4 Gallipoli Peninsula
Wander the Anzac battlefields, at once poignant and peaceful
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5 Ephesus
Marvel at the most extensive remains of a Roman city complete with a 25,000-seat theatre
Fast Facts about Turkey
- Popular hangover cure:
İşkembe (tripe) soup
- Home of the tulip:
the flower originated in Turkey and grew popular during the Ottoman Empire, when it was exported to Europe
- Favourite fast-food chain:
Simit Sarayı, which sells the country’s much-loved simit (sesame-encrusted bread ring) to thousands of customers every day
- Head of state:
President Abdullah Gul
- Population:
76.8 million
- Tallest man:
Sultan Kosen, measuring 8ft 1in (2.47m) - the world's tallest man
- Average number of sexual partners in a lifetime:
14; according to a Durex Global Sex Survey, Turkey is the world's 'most virile nation'
- Telling taches:
Turks claim to be able to detect someone’s political affiliations from the shape of their moustache.
- Currency:
What's the Turkish lira worth today?
Our favourite Turkey Blogs (beta)
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Junk Food +1,300 Chefs + Edirne-Style Liver + Maya Food Entrepreneurs
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 6 February 2012
By Kimberly Strathearn, KF 16 Although you will find many familiar fast food restaurants in Turkey, I have never understood why they are popular. Turkish food is just too darn good. When I first started living in Turkey in 1998, there was very little western fast food, very little packaged junk food, and very little [...]
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Five Surprisingly Romantic Cities
Blog: Landlopers - 6 February 2012
Some cities you expect to be romantic; Paris has made billions of dollars on that premise alone. Other cities surprise you though with their ability to charm and to help create those special romantic moments between you and your loved one. Here are some of...Copyright LandLopers All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.
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Turkish Food - Camel Sausage
Blog: Turkey's For Life - 5 February 2012
Today was the 2nd Karaçulha Camel Wrestling Festival, just up the road from where we live. With just a 10 TL entrance fee and proceeds going towards the local school, we would have been negligent not to go again. Last year, we entered the 'arena' (read 'spare land') with trepidation and a little excitement at being able to witness an Aegean Turkish tradition we had never before seen.
