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Turkey (Inland)
Inland Turkey feels like stepping into a fairy tale, especially in the landscapes of Cappadocia. You can wake up early to ride a hot air balloon over towering rock chimneys or explore ancient underground cities. It is a truly unique region to explore.
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Summary
Did you know?
Underground Cities – Derinkuyu hides a massive multi-level subterranean city carved deep into volcanic rock that could shelter 20,000 people.
Overview
Months
May, June, July, August, September
Vacation type
Couple, Family, Mountains
Expenses
Over 200€, <200€, <150€, <100€, 0-50€
Temperature
10-20°C, 20-25°C
Rainfall
0-50mm, 50-100mm
Safety
Medium
Continent
Europe, Asia, Middle East
Currency
Turkish lira
Languages
Turkish
Currency Converter
When to visit
The best time to travel through inland and eastern Turkey is during spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). Inland Turkey has an extreme continental climate with burning summers and freezing winters. Spring and autumn bring mild daytime temperatures and comfortable weather for exploring ancient rock valleys, stone citadels, and vast high-altitude lakes.
Summer (July to August) is dry and clear, but temperatures in southern Mesopotamian plains around Şanlıurfa and Mardin easily exceed 40°C.
Winter (November to March) is bitterly cold; the eastern highlands around Erzurum and Kars are blanketed under deep snow for months, making it great for winter train journeys and skiing, but tough for road trips.
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Plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Climate Data
Peak Season: May to June / September to October (Spring and Autumn)
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 8 to 10 hours.
Rain Frequency: 4 to 7 days per month.
Rainy Hours per Day: 1 to 2 hours.
Intensity: Light afternoon showers or quick thunderstorms.
Duration: Brief showers that clear up fast, leaving crisp, clear air and great visibility across the valleys.
Off-Peak Season: November to March (Winter)
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 3 to 5 hours.
Rain Frequency: 10 to 15 days per month (mostly snow).
Rainy Hours per Day: 3 to 5 hours.
Intensity: Heavy snowstorms in the east and biting continental frosts across Central Anatolia.
Duration: Sub-zero temperatures and snow cover can last continuously for weeks in high-elevation regions.
Climate Chart
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Data Source: Global Historical Climatology Network
ClimateCharts.net
Weather, Crowds and Costs
Per one person
Tourist Season: May-June / September-October
Budget Vacation ($30-50/day)
Accommodation: $12-22/night (dorm beds, basic family-run cave pensions).
Food: $8-14/day (street pide, local lentil soups, regional kebab wraps).
Activities: $5-10/day (hiking open valleys, public museum entries).
Transportation: $5-10/day (local municipal buses, shared rural minibuses).
Other Costs: $3/day (mineral water, hot black tea).
Mid-Range Vacation ($75-150/day)
Accommodation: $40-85/night (authentic carved stone cave suites, restored old mansions).
Food: $18-35/day (traditional pottery kebabs, meze platters, local wines).
Activities: $20-45/day (underground city tickets, archaeological site tours).
Transportation: $15-30/day (compact car rental, intercity express trains).
Other Costs: $5/day (coffee, tips).
Luxury Vacation ($250-650+/day)
Accommodation: $150-450+/night (high-end luxury cave hotels with private plunge pools, historic palace stays).
Food: $50-100/day (fine Anatolian cuisine, private wine tastings).
Activities: $150-300+/day (hot air balloon flights, private archaeological guides).
Transportation: $60-120/day (private chauffeured vans, domestic flights).
Other Costs: $20+/day (handcrafted ceramics, spa visits).
Off-Peak Season: November-March (Winter)
Budget Vacation ($22-40/day)
Accommodation: $10-16/night (discounted guesthouses, budget hotels).
Food: $7-12/day (neighborhood bakeries, soup kitchens).
Activities: $3-6/day (indoor archaeological museums).
Transportation: $5-8/day (discounted city buses, regular trains).
Other Costs: $3/day (hot salep, tea).
Mid-Range Vacation ($55-110/day)
Accommodation: $28-55/night (discounted boutique cave rooms with underfloor heating).
Food: $14-25/day (cozy indoor grill houses, stews).
Activities: $10-20/day (ski passes in Erzurum, historic citadel entries).
Transportation: $12-22/day (winter-equipped car rentals).
Other Costs: $5/day (warm layers, hand warmers).
Luxury Vacation ($160-380+/day)
Accommodation: $90-220+/night (luxury ski resorts, upscale boutique suites).
Food: $35-75/day (hotel dining, traditional multi-course dinners).
Activities: $40-90/day (private ski coaching, guided fortress tours).
Transportation: $35-70/day (private 4WD transfers).
Other Costs: $15/day (spa treatments).
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You can find accomendations that fit your trip and budget on Booking.com, Vrbo and Hotels.com
Best Regions to visit
Cities
1. Göreme
- The historic heart of Cappadocia, nestled directly among towering fairy chimneys, rock-cut cave dwellings, and hot air balloon launch sites.
2. Mardin
- An ancient stone city built on a steep hill overlooking the Mesopotamian plains, famous for its carved sandstone architecture and Syriac heritage.
3. Ankara
- The capital city of Turkey, known for its massive hilltop citadel, wide boulevards, and the grand mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
4. Şanlıurfa
- A deeply spiritual ancient city known as the City of Prophets, home to the sacred Pool of Abraham and vibrant historical bazaars.
5. Kars
- A high-altitude frontier city near the Armenian border, celebrated for its dark basalt Russian imperial architecture and nearby medieval ruins.
Göreme
Did you know?
Salt Lake Mirror – Lake Tuz turns a bright reddish-pink color in summer and dries into a vast, reflective white salt flat.
Islands
1. Akdamar Island
- A scenic island located in the middle of Lake Van, famous for the 10th-century Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross with its detailed exterior stone reliefs.
2. Çarpanak Island
- A quiet, uninhabited island in Lake Van housing the preserved stone ruins of an ancient Armenian monastery surrounded by turquoise water.
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Find the perfect place to stay in any of these top cities and islands with Booking.com, Hotels.com and Vrbo – offering entire homes and apartments for a comfortable and private experience.
Akdamar Island
Things to see
Natural Attractions
1. Cappadocia Rock Valleys
- A vast, eroded landscape of volcanic tuff carved into weird cones, ridges, and "fairy chimneys" across valleys like Devrent and Love Valley.
2. Lake Van
- The largest body of water in Turkey, a massive, saline soda lake surrounded by high volcanic peaks and crystal-clear mountain water.
3. Ihlara Valley
- A dramatic, 14-kilometer-long green canyon carved into volcanic rock, lined with ancient frescoed cave churches and a winding river.
4. Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı)
- A dormant, snow-capped volcanic cone in the far east that stands as Turkey's highest peak at 5,137 meters.
Historical and Cultural Sites
1. Göbeklitepe
- Located near Şanlıurfa, the world's oldest known temple complex, featuring massive T-shaped limestone pillars carved with wild animal reliefs dating back 11,500 years.
2. Mount Nemrut
- A UNESCO World Heritage mountain peak topped with a massive stone tumulus and colossal 1st-century BC stone heads of ancient gods and kings.
3. Ani Ruins
- A ghost city on a windswept plateau near Kars, once the thriving medieval "City of 1,001 Churches" along the ancient Silk Road.
4. Anıtkabir
- The monumental mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Ankara, blending ancient Hittite, Greek, and modern architectural styles.
Unique Experiences
1. Sunrise Hot Air Ballooning
- Floating silently over the jagged rock formations, pigeon houses, and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia at dawn.
2. Riding the Eastern Express (Doğu Ekspresi)
- Taking a scenic 24-hour train ride from Ankara through snow-covered Anatolian gorges and frozen valleys to Kars.
3. Exploring Underground Cities
- Descending multiple stories underground into ancient multi-level subterranean cities like Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı, complete with ventilation shafts and stone rolling-door barricades.
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The best way to explore major cities and must-see attractions is by booking guided tours.* They offer convenience, local insights, and often save time when visiting popular sights.
Lake Van
Unique Accomondations/Foodspots
Accommodations
Museum Hotel
Location: Uchisar, Cappadocia, Turkey Inland
A unique luxury boutique hotel integrated into ancient historical cave dwellings and stone ruins, decorated with priceless antiques and offering panoramic views over the surreal rock formations of Cappadocia.
Restaurants / Bars
Lil'a Restaurant
Location: Museum Hotel, Uchisar, Cappadocia, Turkey Inland
A sophisticated dining venue terrace overlooking the valleys, celebrated for its refined interpretations of traditional Cappadocian and Anatolian recipes cooked in ancient clay ovens.
Tours to do
1. The Mesopotamian Heritage Trail
- Starting in Gaziantep, visiting the ancient megaliths of Göbeklitepe in Şanlıurfa, climbing Mount Nemrut at sunrise, and ending in the stone city of Mardin.
Best Time: April to May, or October.
Average Cost: $450 – $850 per person
2. The Grand Central and Eastern Overland Route
- Departing Ankara to spend three days among the cave valleys of Cappadocia, then boarding the train across Anatolia to explore the medieval ruins of Ani and Lake Van.
Best Time: May to June, or September to October.
Average Cost: $550 – $1,050 per person
Mount Nemrut
How to get around
1. Car Rental
- Highly recommended for driving the D400 highway along the coast, where roads are well-paved, scenic, and easy to navigate.
2. Intercity Buses
- Companies like Pamukkale Turizm and Kamil Koç run modern, comfortable buses equipped with Wi-Fi and seatback screens between all major towns.
3. Domestic Aviation
- Extensive flight connections link Istanbul to regional hubs across this zone, including Izmir (ADB), Bodrum (BJV), Dalaman (DLM), Antalya (AYT), Adana (ADA/COV), and Gaziantep (GZT).
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You can find great car rental deals for your vacation on Expedia *
Did you know?
Fairy Chimneys – Cappadocia features valleys filled with tall, cone-shaped rock pillars carved out by wind and ancient human cave dwellings.
What to eat
1. Testi Kebabı (Pottery Kebab)
- A signature dish of Cappadocia. Lamb meat, garlic, shallots, and tomatoes are sealed inside an earthen clay jug and baked in tandoor embers before being dramatically cracked open at your table.
2. Kayseri Mantısı
- Tiny, handmade pasta dumplings stuffed with seasoned minced meat, boiled, and served covered in cold garlic yogurt, hot melted butter, and dried sumac or mint.
3. Urfa Kebabı
- A milder, deeply flavorful ground lamb kebab from Şanlıurfa, seasoned with sweet red peppers and spices, grilled over wood coals and served with charred flatbread.
4. Van Kahvaltısı (Van Breakfast)
- A legendary breakfast spread consisting of over twenty dishes, including otlu peynir (local sheep cheese cured with wild herbs), honeycomb, thick clotted cream (kaymak), and fresh flatbreads.
Mantısı
Flights
Flight prices are approximate and vary by departure city, airline, and booking time. Check airlines or travel platforms for the latest details.
* Please note: All prices are rough estimates for orientation purposes only and may vary by region.
Main Airport: Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB)
Flight Prices and Seasons:
From Europe:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: €220 to €550 (Direct flights to Ankara, or one-stop connections through Istanbul to Kayseri or Nevşehir).
- Cheapest Months: November, January, and February.
- Peak Prices: July, August, and late December.
From North America:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $800 to $1,400 (Requires a quick connection in Istanbul via Turkish Airlines).
- Cheapest Months: February and November.
- Peak Prices: June, July, and August.
From Asia:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $650 to $1,250 (Connect via Istanbul or Gulf hubs like Doha and Dubai).
- Cheapest Months: May and October.
- Peak Prices: July and Lunar New Year.
From Australia (Domestic/Oceania):
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $1,200 to $1,900 (Connect via Singapore or Doha into Istanbul, then transfer domestically).
- Cheapest Months: May and November.
- Peak Prices: December and January.
From Africa:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $550 to $1,050 (Connect via Cairo or Istanbul).
- Cheapest Months: February and October.
- Peak Prices: July and August.
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You can find the best flight deals with Skyscanner or plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Airport Location
Visa
1. Visa Requirement
- Citizens of the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia need an e-Visa for tourism or business purposes.
2. e-Visa Application
- Travelers can apply for an e-Visa online before traveling, which is quick and convenient.
3. Types of Visa
- Common visa types include a e-Visa: Valid for tourism or business, allowing stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
4. Processing Time
- e-Visa applications are usually processed within minutes, but it's advisable to apply at least a few days before your trip.
5. Duration of Stay
- e-Visa holders can stay for up to 90 days; different rules may apply for other visa types.
6. Health Requirements
- No specific vaccinations are generally required for entry, but travel insurance is recommended.
8. Proof of Funds
- Visitors may need to show proof of sufficient funds for their stay.
Important things to know
1. Payments
- The local currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY). Credit cards are widely accepted.
2. Tap Water
- Tap water is generally not safe to drink. Bottled water is recommended.
3. Electricity
- The voltage is 230V, and plug types C and F are used.
4. Tipping in Restaurants
- Tipping is customary, usually around 10-15%.
5. SIM Cards
- Local SIM cards are available from providers like Turkcell and Vodafone.
6. Driving Side
- In Turkey, people drive on the right side of the road.
Souveniers
1. Avanos Red Clay Pottery
- Hand-thrown ceramic bowls, jugs, and cups made using red silt harvested directly from the banks of the Kızılırmak (Red River).
2. Kars Gravyer Cheese
- A rich, Swiss-style aged yellow hard cheese made with high-mountain cow's milk, produced using techniques brought over by Russian and Swiss settlers in the late 19th century.
3. Mardin Silver Telkari
- Intricate, lace-like filigree jewelry made by twisting and soldering ultra-thin silver threads, crafted by local Syriac silver artisans in the historical bazaar.
Red Clay Pottery
Location
Reviews
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