These Are The Things Tourists Should Never Do In Turkey Ever

Turkey is a country that has everything to offer, from beautiful beaches to ancient ruins, idyllic villages to modern skyscrapers, and so much more. However, before you book your trip, make sure to jot down these tips of things that you should probably avoid altogether.

Enter a mosque dressed scantily

Turkey’s historic mosques, such as the Blue Mosque or Yeni Cami, are not only a touristic attraction but also a place where the pious come to pray. As such, it’s always a good idea to show your respect by not dressing like you’re about to head to a club. Make sure to keep a cardigan at hand to cover your arms and shoulders, and avoid wearing short shorts or a mini skirt on that particular day. You’ll feel much more comfortable blending in with modest attire than sticking out as the clueless tourist.

Ride a taxi without a logo

Only go shopping at malls

Coming to Turkey to shop at stores you can probably find in your hometown is a pretty wasteful thing to do, considering all of the cities have amazing bazaars. From the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul to the Kemeraltı Bazaar in Izmir, you’ll be able to find beautiful handmade and traditional arts and crafts, clothing, and accessories that are much more unique than any of the name brands found at malls.

Visit while you’re on a diet

Turkish food is amazing, and you really shouldn’t visit while you’re on a diet, painfully avoiding almost every sumptuous dish that comes your way. From hearty kebabs to fresh seafood, fantastic candies and milk desserts to delicious meze, you’ll want to try a little bit of everything without feeling guilty. Make sure to visit Turkey during a time when you’re not watching your weight so that you can try Turkish cuisine’s multitudinous creations.

Focus solely on the touristic areas

When people visit Istanbul, locals always advise them to get out of Sultanahmet and see the rest of the city. This tip rings true for the rest of Turkey as well, where there is so much more to see outside the usual touristic haunts. Spend a day or two seeing the major sights, but make sure to do your research and discover areas that are more local and have something authentic to offer so that you can have a truly memorable experience of Turkey.

Expect drivers to abide by traffic rules

Turkish drivers are probably some of the worst in the world, and you have to be very careful in every situation, whether you’re renting a car or crossing the street. Make sure to always pay attention to cars and expect drivers not to abide by the rules as is expected in your home country. You’ll have to practice a lot of patience if you do decide to drive in Turkey, especially in a large city such as Istanbul where you’ll most likely get stuck in traffic.

Show off your wealth

There are only a few areas in Turkey where you can comfortably show off your wealth, such as the rich neighborhoods in larger cities (think Istanbul or Ankara). However, it’s better to avoid showing off your money in smaller more conservative cities and especially in rural areas because this will automatically make you stick out, which may cause you to become an easy target. The best rule is to blend in as much as possible.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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