The middle eastern kingdom of Turkey is a timeless maze of volcanic hideouts, ancient cities and royally approved beaches. There are a million reasons why someone would want to visit this vibrant paradise, as this country offers the best of a city break and a beach escape, without spoiling its organic landscape or sacrificing its richly historical monuments. Whatever your reasons for visiting this beautiful land, you can browse thousands of accommodation options, from holiday apartments in Istanbul, to beachfront villas in Antalya, and everywhere in between.
Find an apartment rental for your holiday in Turkey
It is no surprise that so many of us choose to visit Turkey, whether you want to lose yourself in the capital of Ankara or the colourful streets of Istanbul, or you would rather bathe on the Mediterranean shores of Antalya and enjoy the lights after dusk in Bodrum, there are endless experiences just waiting to be lived out in this eastern jewel. Though sleep might be the last thing on your mind while holidaying in Turkey, you will still need to recharge eventually. Secure a property which is as unique as this diverse country by booking a property which is perfect for number of people in your party, and price bracket through TripAdvisor or Airbnb today.
When to visit?
The best time to visit Turkey is between April and May, and September to late October, when both the Aegean and the Mediterranean coasts are less busy with holidaymakers, and you avoid the peak summer heat, which can feel overbearing, especially if you are planning on walking around the cities or volcanic parks.
How to get there
The easiest way to reach Turkey is to fly, as airports around the country such as London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol, who all offer direct flights to various airports in Turkey. The most popular routes from UK airports include flights to Istanbul, Antalya, Izmir, Bodrum and Dalaman, which takes approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes, depending on which area you have chosen.
If you would prefer to visit without flying, it is still possible to reach Turkey by rail from London, which, despite taking three days, is an excellent opportunity to observe Europe in its entirety. Though there are numerous different routes you can travel from London to Istanbul, we would recommend a holiday apartment in Budapestso that you can relax and immerse yourself in authentic Hungarian beauty, before continuing to Istanbul station.
Turkish food and culture tips
Bringing out the most exquisite flavours in Ottoman cuisine, Turkish food uses seasonings and spices in their restaurants and home cooking, meaning you will never go hungry when you reserve a self-catered apartment rental in Turkey. If spicy food is not always your thing, then you will still find something to fuel your Turkish adventures, as the simple, yet nonetheless, tasty ingredients such as yoghurt, pieces of bread and olive oil are cooked up and served up around the country.
If you are staying in one of Turkey's large cities, be sure to dig into a flavourful doner kebab, as believe it or not, this takeaway favourite was born in Turkey. This is a risk, however, as we can't promise that any kebab will ever taste as good when you get back home!
Turkish culture derives from both eastern and western influences, and this culture has evolved to perfection over the centuries. Turkey has only been a republic since 1923, meaning much of the art, literature and architecture visible today is from the Ottoman era, right back to the ancient Roman period. One way of taking in the vast number of ancient monuments across the country could be to rent a car, and leave your holiday villa early to take in another mystical Turkish location.
Turkey: an endless beach haven
For sun chasers and beach bathers, there is no more perfect destination for a seaside escape than Turkey. Reserve a beach front holiday villa in Antalya, where you can wake up in a bedroom with a view of the emerald Mediterranean sea fringe along resorts white sandy shores, before spending your days, or weeks, surrounded by Antalya's ancient ruins, and making the most of the traditional Turkish spas which make up this coastal utopia.
If you want to split your time between the relaxing at the beach and learning more about Turkey' fascinating history, then look no further than a holiday villa with a swimming pool in Bodrum, yet another southern seaside paradise which is the home to the ancient ruins of Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, which is so impressive, it has been labelled as one of the seven wonders of the world.
The beautiful Turkish beaches do not end at these two popular tourist destinations, as the country is brimming with quaint fishing towns along its beryl coastline. To discover an authentic Turkish seaside experience, reserve a traditional holiday home in Kalkan where you you can dine in the quaint seafood restaurants which are tucked in the cobbled streets behind the shoreline.
Adventure in Turkey
Turkey may already have a reputation as one of the best destinations to choose a beach retreat or a city-break unlike any other, but that doesn't mean that this diverse country is lacking something for those who visit with a craving for adventure. Begin by choosing a traditional chalet near the resort of Göynük, where you are only a short hop for the Lycian Way, a captivating hike which stretches across the limestone peaks of Lycia, and offers panoramic views across the Mediterranean along the way.
When looking for an adventure which the whole family can enjoy, then look no further than Turkey's west coast, or The Turkish Riviera, as it is otherwise labelled. The fishing village of Kas is the ideal place to secure a family-friendly holiday home with a garden, where you can wake up along an exciting cycling path which covers some of the countries most beautiful lakes and abandoned roads.
If you are visiting Turkey for some adventure along its volcanic region, then be sure to find accommodation in Cappadocia which is, quite literally in the middle of a formally active volcano. When the volcano erupted millions of years ago, the formation of this dramatic landscape began, creating rock formations which are now described by the locals as ‘fairy chimneys'. No matter how long your stay, be sure to leave time in your Turkish schedule to visit this rocky region, and witness the power of the eruption for yourself!
Turkey's cities, where the east meet the west
Think of a city break in Turkey, and you will probably think probably think of Istanbul first. Famous as the city where the east meets the west, Istanbul merges the spirit of two continents to create a fusion of eastern flavours and architecture, while understanding and catering to Western culture. Reserve a luxury holiday apartment in Istanbul, then get ready to be captivated by the mystical attractions of this surreal urban maze. Begin by marvelling at the impressive Aya Sofya, which after a long history, is now a museum of undeniable beauty. Istanbul's striking architecture is not limited to this landmark, however, as your journey through the historic metropolis continues, you will fall into the rainbow-kissed palace of Topkap? Palace, before picking up some souvenirs in the most desired disorganised setting on the planet, the Grand Bazaar.
Despite the global status of Istanbul, the capital of Turkey is Ankara, the cosmopolitan sister who sits east of historic Istanbul. Ankara is crawling with museums, opera houses and ballet theatres, meaning it is the perfect location to secure a room in a traditional townhouse if you are looking for your Turkish culture fix.