Merhaba! Yep, that’s how you say Hello in Turkish.
Turkey is the most beautiful country in the world. There, I have finally said it! It has everything and even more than what you can imagine. Of course there are mountains, beaches, old towns and all the stuff that makes any country gorgeous – but Turkey is MORE than that. Turkey’s beauty is otherworldly and will make you fall hopelessly in love.
I’m sure you must have heard the phrase “East meets West” because it has been used for MANY places. But hey, Turkey fits this description more than every other place because it is geographically part Asia and part Europe.
Is it Safe to Travel to Turkey as a Solo Woman Traveler?
I traveled to Turkey as a solo female traveler in July 2016. Many people warned me before my visit about Turkish men and warned me about the safety. Honestly, I didn’t face any issue and didn’t receive uncomfortable vibes or unwanted attention from any men. On the other hand, I met many helpful men and women in Turkey almost everyday.
I can’t forget the 20 something man who was concerned about my safety in Denzili airport because the flight was late. He made sure I sat in the right coach for Pamukkale and spoke to the driver.
I will never forget a sweet natured shopkeeper in mid 40s that I met in Istanbul who asked me to relax, take a break and gave me two bottles of chilled water from his shop when I was searching for my hostel in the peak of mid day hotel. This same man helped me the next day when I was stranded in Istanbul during the military coup in 2016.
Yes, I was stuck in Turkey during that horrible time in July 2016 but it was just for 1-2 days. I will never forget the amount of help that I received from the locals – my hostel guy, the locals around us, my ex colleagues who lived in Istanbul, the overworked staff of Turkish Airlines and more.
Even after all this, I’d still say Turkey isn’t unsafe even for solo women travelers. But hey, you should check the situation before visiting and read travel advisory posted by your embassy.
Visa for Turkey
I applied for an eVisa for Turkey, which is available for citizens of many countries. You can check the below link for more details about the visa process for your nationality.
Here are all my travel blog posts about Turkey.
Turkey Travel Tips (from a local): 15 Things to Know Before Visiting
Turkey travel tips has been written our Europe content specialist – Alara Benlier, who is originally from Turkey. This post has been further expanded by the editor. Turkey is historical, vibrant, and is insanely beautiful. This country that's twice the size...
The Ultimate Turkey Itinerary 10 Days – Top Places to Visit
The ultimate 10 day Turkey itinerary for first timers Is it Asia or Europe? Turkey is both - the best of two continents in just one country. At first it may appear that Turkey mostly suits cultural travelers. After all, it sits on the cusp of both Europe and...
How to Spend 3 Days in Istanbul [Itinerary], Turkey
Epic sunsets, distant sounds of Namaaz, spectacular minarets and adorable cats – this is Istanbul, one of the most exotic cities of Europe or Asia. East meets West is such a cliché but no other destination fits this description as perfectly as Istanbul. There is an...
Pamukkale in Turkey – Spectacular Travertine Thermal Pools [+ Hierapolis]
The first time I came across a picture of Pamukkale was when I was in college. I remember staring at this picture for a long time because I had never seen anything like it. There were enormous white formations and blue thermal pools with people in them – wow! I...
10 Beautiful Spots in Cappadocia that are Instagram Worthy [ Turkey ]
“Can you tell me the EXACT location of this photo?” Yup, that's the most frequently asked question when people see my Cappadocia pictures. In fact, this question comes to me so often that I decided the easiest thing to do would be to just write a post about my...
Why Cappadocia in Turkey is the Most Magical Place on Earth
Exactly a year ago, I visited a place called Cappadocia in Turkey. This place is so picturesque and full of magic, that words are not enough to describe the beauty. Yes, that’s one of the reasons why I never ended up writing about Cappadocia, but I have finally...
Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia, Turkey – Magical Flight of Dreams
There is something magical about floating in a hot air balloon and looking at the world through the eyes of a bird. Everything looks tiny, calm and attainable. The world feels like an easier place to live from up above. There are many amazing places all over the world...
Sleeping in a Cave Hotel in Cappadocia – Ottoman Cave Suites, Göreme, Turkey
Fancy a trip to Mars but can’t afford it? Cappadocia is your answer. Cappadocia in Turkey is the land of unusual rock formations that have further been carved into underground cities, churches and cave houses. Some of these rock formations look like mushrooms (or...
Being Stranded in Istanbul During the Military Coup, Turkey
They said it is unsafe and they said I should not visit it. “It” in this case is Istanbul and there was no way I was going to cancel my ticket. Did I just prove them wrong? I smiled to myself as I walked around Istanbul’s Sultanahmet Square. I was glad I was here! I...