Turkey Basics for International Visitors

Turkey is placed on crossroads between Europe and Asia, Turkey is fascinating country. Country was a someplace for Antic Greeks since 756 B.C, afterward, Persians and Romans thought classical era, In the 11th century, Turkish nomads from Anatolian part, gradually conquered all of Asia Minor, Ottoman Empire conquered Istanbul and exerted influence over of the much of Mediterranean world and bring Islam to southeast Europe. Ottoman Empire fell in 1918, Turkish Republic established after world war II, with the great work of Ataturk, Turkey today transformed in vibrant, modern and secular state.

Basics

Capital of Turkey is Ankara with the population of 4.8 million

Major Cities:

Istanbul with 15 million population
Ankara with 4.3 million population
Izmir with 3 million population
Bursa with 3.6 million population
Antalya with 2.4 million population

Climate in Turkey

Turkey is located between the temperate and subtropical climate zones. As a result of Turkey's geographical location and landforms, its climate has led to the formation of different climate types. Thrace climate average is 13.2 Celsius degrees. The majority of precipitation falls in the spring and autumn seasons.

This type of climate is seen in the Mediterranean, Aegean and southern Marmara. However, the characteristics of the Mediterranean climate seen in Marmara are harsher. Summers are hot and dry, winters are mild and rainy. Average heat is 16 Celsius degrees.

In Istanbul, summer term is 28 Celsius in average, and 10 Celsius in Winter term.
In Bodrum, summer term is 28 Celsius in average, and 15 Celsius in Winter term.
In Antalya, summer term is 30 Celicus in average, and 18 Celsius in Winter term.

Visa Requirements:

Visitors are able to visit Turkey with the e-visa that could be obtained on the internet platform. Citizens of countries that have an e-visa agreement with Turkey may apply and get the visa online. For more information on the e-visa for Turkey, see https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/. E-visa is only for touristic purposes and does not work for working and stunted visa application as well as medical visa. Visitors can apply for the visa through the Turkish Consulate, for this type of application it is advisable to prepare necessary documents and meet application criteria. We suggest you to begin the application one month before your travel date. To check the list of countries which are required to have visa please visit the link https://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa .

Money:

Due to its advantageous geographical position, Turkey is lively throughout all seasons, a vibrant destination that brings together tourists from different places of the world. Turkey attracts more than 25 million tourists annually. Visitors can use us dollars in some of vocational areas, but we recommend to exchange your currency or use credit or bank card. Turkey accepts most of the currency transfers and payment network processor.

Airlines Serving Turkey:

Istanbul Airport is awarded as Best Airport in Europe and 17th ACI Europe Awarded organized by the international airport council. Thanks to proactive measures taken awarded consecutively by prestigious institutions and thanks to its proactive measures taken during the period in which the whole world was going through a major challenge with Covid-19 pandemic.

You can find a high range of airlines that fly to Turkey:

Lufthansa
British Airways
Aeroflot
Finnair
KLM
China Southern Airlines
Emirates
Air France
Qatar Airways
Scandinavian Airlines
Turkish Airlines
Smartwings Poland
Laudamotion
Ryanair
Norwegian Air Shuttle
Ural Airlines
Easyjet
Condor Flugdienst and other flight providers.


Turkey Calling Code:

Turkey international calling code is +90, visitors who would like to call Turkey from United States of America must deal [11] +90 (Number of phone).

Embessies in Turkey:

U.S Embassy in Istanbul
Poligon Mahallesi, Sarıyer Caddesi No:75 İstinye 344460 Sarıyer - Istanbul / Turkey
+90 212 335 90 00
Request form:
https://tr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/contact-acs-istanbul/

Consulate General of Germany
İnönü Caddesi, No 10, 34437, Gumussuyu, Turkey.
+90 212 249 99 20
info@istanbul.diplo.de

The all list of Embassy in Turkey and Turkish Embassies in foreign countries are listed at the follow link: https://www.embassypages.com/turkey

Places to visit in Turkey:

Turkey has a great history of civilization on this geographical area, Ancient Greek Civilization, Roman Empire, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires builded historical and architectural legacy that must be seen on the arrival to Turkey.

There are some of top places you should visit whether it would be touristic or medical visit to Turkey.

1- Hagia Sophia, Built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537 CE, it is renewed as the Byzantine Empire’s greatest architectural project and has remained the world’s largest church for almost 1.000 years.

2- Ephesus city, currently located in the Izmir city is one of the most complete cities of antiquity in the Mediterranean region, this is the place to experience what life must have been like during the golden age of the Roman Empire.

3- The Basilica Cistern was constructed in the Byzantine period for Justinianus I in 527-565 ages. This is one of the biggest underground water reservoir in the world, where used 336 marble columns and 2 of them supported with the Medusa Gorgona heads which attracts tourists.

4- Galata Tower is located in Beyoglu district, built in 1348 with Romanesque style as ‘Tower of Christ’. This construction was highest building in Constantinople at 66,9 m. And used for spotting the fires in the city. Galata tower restoration was made in 1960’s and tower opened to public, building included in World Heritage temporary list in Turkey by UNESCO in 2013.

5- Grand Bazaar is one of favorite touristic places, located in walled city of Istanbul, builded in 1456, is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, 61 covered streets and 4.000 shops. Grand Bazaar is listed No:1 tourist attraction with 91.250.000 annual visitors.

6- Dolmabahçe Palace, located in the coastal area of Beşiktaş, builded during the period of Sultan Abdulmecit, after the sea was filled in the 16th century, coastal area where was maritime ceremonies and anchoring place for navy ships, called Dolmabahce which is mean filled garden. The influence of the trend of renewal and modernization of 19th century reflected on the palace construction.

https://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/en/home-page

Conclusion:

Turkey has significant historical and cultural heritage within modernized structure of the cities, makes Turkey one of preferred countries for tourism. With the developed healthcare structure, accredited hospitals and experienced medical staff is one of the leading destination in medical tourism and thermal tourism. People have a good chance to combine their travels with the medical needs, or find special medical treatment packages with opportunity to discover the city as well. E-Visa application will ease the process of traveling, there is a long list of countries that are exempt of visa requirement. Patient who should have a medical visa, could do their application with the supported documents which can be required from accredited medical tourism agencies or hospitals. Turkey has Mediterranean climate will be a good choice for people who would like to feel 4 seasons, hot, dry summers and cool winters. Turkey is close to European and MEA countries, with at max 4 hours, visitors can arrive to Turkey for their interest, whether it is touristic, medical or business.