• Istanbul, Apr-May, Sep
• Aegean, Mar-Jun, Sep
• Cappadocia, May, Sep-Oct
• Eastern Anatolia, Mar-Jun, Sep
• Mediterranean, Apr, Sep-Oct

The European Health Card is NOT valid in Turkey. Health is public, but also semi-public and private. In case of moving temporarily, it is recommended to take out private health insurance. In case of emergency, contact the Spanish embassy or consulate.

No vaccinations are required to travel to Turkey. However, it is advisable to be up-to-date with vaccinations against tetanus, hepatitis, polio and typhoid. Ask your doctor if in doubt.

* Regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, we will not have problems carrying out the pcr in the country of origin or on the way back if we have it.

To drive in Turkey you need an international driving license, passport and car papers and insurance policy; In case of driving a car that is not your property, bring a power of attorney with you. Turkey has an extensive network of roads and highways in good condition. You drive on the right hand side, as in Spain. Buses are usually a fast and efficient means of transport. Trains are slow. If you have a driving license, you can circulate temporarily without problem. (+ info: comoconduciren.com/turquia.php)

Electric current: 230V 50 Hz (as in Spain). The inputs of the plugs are also like those of our country.

In relation to Spain it is an hour ahead. Standard time: UTC / GMT +2 hours. In summer, clocks go forward one hour

600 cigarettes, 200g of tobacco, 2kg of coffee, tea, chocolates or sweets, 1 liter of alcohol, 2 liters of wine or beer, 600ml of different types of perfume, 1 camera with 5 reels, 1 camcorder with 10 tapes, portable, mobile. There is no currency limit. Souvenirs / gifts worth up to € 430 (€ 150 for children under 15 years old).

Euros, British pounds, Japanese yen, and US dollars are the easiest exchange currencies to exchange. Exchange offices do not charge commission, offer a lower rate than banks and are located in tourist and market areas, where the best rates are usually found, as well as in some post offices (PTT), shops and hotels. The Turkish lira is weak against Western currencies, so Turkey is likely to get a better exchange rate than anywhere else. The lira loses value outside of Turkey, so it is advisable to spend all the money before leaving for our country.

ATMs dispense Turkish liras, on occasion they also dispense in euros and US dollars to Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus and Maestro users. You have to look for their logos on the machines, present in most localities and, which usually offer instructions in several languages, including English. If you are going to move around rural towns, we recommend that you stock up on money at the ATMs in large cities and, we always recommend carrying reserve money in case the ATM swallows the CARD since it is usually difficult to recover it, because those who They are operated by franchises and not by the banks themselves.

Although Turkey is by no means a dangerous country, caution is always advised, especially when traveling alone.

Safety in Turkey is not a priority: potholes in sidewalks are not fixed, cliffs are not fenced, seat belts are not always on, lifeguards on beaches are scarce and dolmus (minibus) drivers take curves while they return the change.

The two areas to be more careful are Istanbul, where scams of various kinds occur, and southeastern Anatolia, where for 30 years there has been a conflict between the Turkish state and the PKK (Workers' Party of Kurdistan). The conflict did not end until 2013. Peace talks stopped, and the civil war in neighboring Syria has complicated the situation, but both sides are committed to finding a solution. Although fighting resumes, PKK attacks often take place far from tourist routes, in remote and mountainous areas of southeastern Anatolia. If the traveler is going to visit the area, he must first inquire about the situation.

Laws against humiliation, defamation and insults to Atatürk, the Turkish flag, the Turkish people and the Turkish republic are taken very seriously. Making disparaging remarks, even in a heated argument, can be enough to land a foreigner in jail.

At sunrise, you will have the opportunity to fly over this city of fairies and tales, famous for its beautiful landscapes. The trip aboard a hot air balloon is one of those experiences that is remembered for a lifetime. During all this time, you will be able to contemplate, under the dim light of dawn and, from a bird's eye view, spectacular rock formations, fairy chimneys, lunar landscapes and a whimsical nature. Set out on an unforgettable adventure and experience for yourself how when the balloon rises it produces a great sense of peace, only interrupted by the murmur of gas lighters. Happy flight!

Mainly by plane, although you can also reserve cars or circuits with transport included (cruises, buses, trains).

The main international airports are located in Western Turkey. That said, we find:

Ankara airport

Antalya airport

Bodrum airport

Dalaman airport

Istanbul Atatürk Airport

Tel.: 0090 (212) 465 30 00

Fax.: 0090 (212) 465 35 47

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport

Tel.: 0090 (212) 585 50 00

Fax.: 0090 (212) 585 51 14

The telephone code to call Turkey from abroad is 0090 (+90). You can find phone booths throughout the country. To use them you have to obtain magnetic cards (Telefon Karti) that you will find in post offices and kiosks. In all hotels you can make international calls, although it is advisable to ask the rates before calling as they change depending on the hotel. The prepaid cards used in the booths, the "Kontörlu kart", can be obtained at post offices and newsstands. A 100 TRY card allows you to talk for 50 minutes to telephones and 10 minutes to mobile telephones.

TOURIST POLICE

Turizm Sube Müdürlügü, Yerebatan Caddesi, 6, Sultanahmet

Tel.: 0090 (212) 527 45 03

Tel.: 0090 (212) 528 53 69

Tourist information: 170

Ambulance: 112

Private ambulance: 0212 2470781

Police: 155 Jandarma (Rural Police): 156

Firefighters: 110

Istanbul airport international arrivals information: Tel.:+90 (212) 6630793

Embassy of Spain in Ankara:

Tel.:0090 (312) 438 03 92 / 0090 (312) 440 21 69 / 0090 (312) 440 17 96

Istanbul Regional Office

Süleyman Seba Cad., 7, Besiktas

Tel.: 0090 (212) 258 77 60

Fax: 0090 (212) 258 77 23

Karaköy Limani Yolcu Salonu Içi, Karaköy

Tel.: 0090 (212) 249 57 76

Sirkeci Turizm Danisma Müdürlügü

Tel. 0090 (212) 518 18 01

Fax: 0090 (212) 518 12 79

Atatürk Airport, Yesilköy

Tel.: 0090 (212) 465 30 00

Fax: 0090 (212) 465 35 47

Sabiha Airport, Gökçen

Tel.: 0090 (216) 585 50 00

Fax: 0090 (216) 585 51 14

It requires personal documentation in order (Passport or DNI). Nowadays obtaining the visa is easier than ever: enter www.evisa.gov.tr and in a few steps obtain the visa in the simplest and most effective way, having a validity for stays of up to 90 days without the need to queue . Most citizens of Western countries do NOT need a visa or can buy it on arrival at the airport (from € 15). If you have not previously obtained the virtual visa, you can obtain a sticker that is acquired when you arrive at the airport or border post. This is valid for 90 days. In many cases 180 days. When leaving Turkey after 3 months in a row you cannot re-enter for 3 months. The price of the visa varies. No photography is needed.

Import taxes must be paid for items over € 1500.

TURKISH CURRENCY

The Turkish currency is the Turkish lirasi (the Turkish lira; TRY). There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200, and coins of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 kurus and one pound. Today, the Turkish lira is a stable currency, however, in previous years after a few years of high inflation a new anti-inflation Turkish lira was created; the traveler must be attentive in case someone tries to give him old Kurus, this Turkish lira is no longer valid although if he goes to the Ziraat bank they will exchange it for modern lira. Because hyperinflation put many zeros in its lira, today you can find prices of 10TRY that the clerk asks you for 10,000,000 TRY. If we go to a bazaar to buy, try to wear loose since the lack of change is very common.

Visa and MasterCard / Euro Cards are usually accepted in hotels, shops and restaurants, not in pensions and restaurants located outside the main tourist areas and urban centers. Amex tend to have more acceptance among luxurious establishments.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Government of Spain recommends traveling with caution to Turkey.

The border provinces with Syria and the border crossing with Syria, the border provinces with Iraq (Sirnak and Hakkari) and the border crossing with Iraq, as well as some provinces of the southeast / east of Turkey: Batman, Siirt , Mardin, Diyarbakir, Tunceli, Van, Erzurum and Ardahan.

Before traveling to Turkey, it is advisable to consult the travel recommendations at:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation

Coins and other objects offered by vendors in historical sites such as Ephesus and Pergamum should not be bought, as they are committing a crime that can be punishable by jail. Also, the vendors are likely in cahoots with the local cops.

Shiner

In Sultanahmet, Istanbul, if a shoe shine walking towards the traveler drops his brush, he should not pick it up, as he will insist on giving him a “free” cleaning and then try to charge him.

In the height of summer, mosquitoes are a problem even in Istanbul and can turn a seaside vacation into a nightmare. Some hotel rooms have mosquito nets and / or electric anti-mosquito devices, although it never hurts to bring repellent.

The world famous beaches of Turkey are an ideal combination of sun, sand and blue waters. The must-sees are the beauties of the Mediterranean and the Aegean, such as Kaputas, a tiny cove with impressive shoals near Kalkan, and Patara, the longest in the country. Many of the best plajlar (beaches) in the Mediterranean are found on the Lycian Route and in others, activities such as windsurfing are offered in Alaçati and Akyaka. There are also less crowded ones, such as those on the Aegean islands of Gökçeada and Bozcaada.