What should i pack for istanbul

If you have a great pair of hiking sandals and you are packing for Turkey in the summer, your sandals can do double duty, but most people are going to want comfortable shoes for walking and trekking. If you are visiting Turkey in Spring, Summer or Fall, you are probably going to want sandals for the Turkish beaches or when you visit Pamukkale.

Sandals are great for everyday wear in Turkey in the summer, but the uneven streets and cobblestones make it really easy to break one trust me, I did it. Thankfully, there are plenty of places to shop in Turkey and I was able to hit a mall in Istanbul and replace them very cheaply! Turkey is a muslim country and while beachwear is acceptable at beaches and pools, modest dress is expected in the rest of the country, whether summer or winter.

Leave your short shorts and short dresses for the beach resorts only and pack breathable and flowing fabrics or linen shirts to cover shoulders and arms when visiting most cities in the country. The basic principle is the less skin the better.

Even fully covered, some women can attract unwanted attention, that is just the unfortunate part of being a woman in certain countries and maybe even your home country , but dressing modestly is not just about keeping unwanted attention at bay. Modest dress is important to respect the local culture of the country you visit. My goal is always to look like a local. It does not always work when I am carrying a suitcase, but blending in like a local is always my best advice. Women do not show off their bodies in modest countries, and it took me a long time to wrap my head around that as a woman.

Longer shorts and t shirts will be seen in large cities like Istanbul and Izmir and in the hot summer months in a group of tourists you will not likely stand out. However you would not see a local in shorts. I try and balance my own comfort sometimes it is HOT!!! While it is not my place to judge or try and educate people on my travels, I have learned that fitting with with local norms is usually the best advice to give women traveling in culturally different countries than their own.

The Travertine pools of Pamukkale are loaded with bikini clad tourists doing their best instagram pose! But wore a bikini in the pools and the swimming pool. Men can get away with shorts and tshirts in a lot of places. If you are wanting to know how to dress in Turkey to look like a local, you will notice that most local men will be in long pants almost all of the time. Beach resorts and towns will find men shirtless and enjoying the water, but for the most part, long pants are the norm, even in summer.

Feel free to wear shorts, but note that when visiting religious sites, you should have pants and shirts with sleeves. Long shorts will be allowed in some places, but best to be on the safe side and if you plan to visit any mosques, just wear pants. Bring sunglasses and a hat when visiting in the summer.

Shorts and Tshirts are going to be ok in most places! Your summer Turkey daypack should have a hat and sunglasses as there is little shade in many places in Turkey. When venturing out for the day, here are some things you should pack in your daypack when visiting Turkey. I get a lot of questions about packing for Turkey as well as practical advice for traveling in the country!

I have put together some advice to help you with your visit. Planes, Trains and Automobiles is the short answer! There are lots of small airports to fly from Istanbul. I found it hard to fly from small city to small city however. It was much more practical to book a bus ticket from the local stations!

They were VERY cheap. Even cheaper, is taking the train! Most do not have reserved seating, so if that is a big issue for you, the bus might be a better bet! Mainstream media makes almost everywhere in the world seem dangerous. As a female traveling with two small children, I never felt unsafe in the country.

There is a small security force that is visable in Istanbul, but they are not intimidating and offer assistance if needed if they understand you.

Yes and No! No, currently Turkey is not a part of the EU but has been increasing its efforts for many years to gain membership. Since it is not a member it does not use the Euro as its primary currency but instead uses the Turkish Lira. However, as Turkey is closely linked with Europe, Euros are accepted by many vendors. Is tipping required in Turkey? Turkish bathhouse Hammam : You will want to tip your bathhouse attendant before you leave.

Hotels: Tip lira for hotel staff depending on their role. Tip when being helped with your luggage, room service, laundry, etc. Taxi: Tipping taxi drivers is not required, though most people simply round up their fare. If the driver helps you carry your luggage it is polite to give a tip. Turkey is relatively inexpensive to visit. That said, you can comfortably experience Turkey on either a high or low budget! Istanbul and Ankara will be pricier than smaller cities, and beach towns tend to be more expensive.

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Home to the legendary city of Troy, Turkey has historic cultural ties to the ancient Greek, Persian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. The metropolitan city of Istanbul perfectly blends remnants of the past with the modern world. Make sure you bring a power outlet adapter that you can use while in Turkey. Turkey operates on volts 50 Hz with round-prong European-style plugs that fit into recessed wall sockets. Be sure to avoid using high voltage electronics while in Turkey. Every traveler needs a great daypack.

Packing cubes will change your whole packing game. A good jacket makes all the difference while traveling. Whether you need an extra layer on a chilly summer night or you want to bundle up in the winter, you can never go wrong packing a lightweight jacket.

A small, portable charger can be an absolute lifesaver when traveling. Be sure to bring at least one nice outfit for exploring Istanbul by night. Both cute and practical, a wide brim hat is not only a fashionable accessory but it can help to shield your face from the sun, which is essential in Turkey, especially during summer.

If you plan to enter mosques or holy sites while visiting Turkey, come prepared with a long skirt. A quick-dry towel is an absolute essential when traveling. You will definitely want to bring a swimsuit with you to Turkey!

When in Turkey you absolutely must have a pashmina shawl or scarf as part of your daily wardrobe. For the most part, Turkey is considered to be a secular country where you can wear what you like.

Turks in the big cities are very fashion forward. All items link to Amazon. How to dress for different activities in Turkey — Click to expand Beaches — As Turkey is a largely secular country, bikinis and western-style swimsuits are the norm when visiting the beach.

The spring and autumn are the most mild, with frequent rain and cool or balmy days. During the spring and fall, it can be hot one day and cold the next, and the weather can change suddenly during the day or from part of the city to another. Bring cold weather clothes, including warm coats, sweaters, hats, scarves and gloves for the winter. In the summer, lightweight, breathable clothes are the most comfortable in the oppressive heat.

Light colors are most comfortable in the hot sun, and a wide-brimmed hat helps keep the sun off your face. In spring and fall, plan to wear a few layers to shed or pile on as the weather changes. A waterproof hooded jacket is useful in case of sudden rain, and a windbreaker is nice to have in the cold, blustery breezes coming off the Bosporus.

A lot of your time in Istanbul is likely to be spent walking around, so comfortable, broken-in shoes are a must. Open-toed shoes are acceptable for men and women in the summer, as are athletic shoes and smart casual shoes. In the winter, sturdy boots are often easier to get around in when the sidewalks are icy or wet.

High-heeled shoes can be challenging because many of Istanbul's sidewalks are uneven, cobbled or poorly paved, which makes it easy to misstep or twist an ankle. Bring some flip flops if you plan to use a hamam Turkish bath or hotel pool, or you might be expected to wear used sandals provided by the management. Although most of Istanbul isn't very conservative, local dress is influenced by Islamic tradition.