Turkey (Türkiye) holidays are your one-way ticket to mega beaches, sizzling sunshine and delish kebabs you'll want to write home about.

Good to know

🤩 Fun fact: The Turks love tea, and we can't blame 'em. Bring on the brews!

🏖️ Best beach: Olu Deniz Beach, in our humble opinion. It's got sand, it's got views, and it's got paragliding. What more could you want?!

🍺 Price of a pint: Between 10 and 15 Turkish Lira (that's like 50 cents!)

Get your summer 2025 jolly in the bag!

You might have heard the phrase 'good things come to those who wait'. Well, whoever said that had no idea what they were talking about, and they'd clearly never been on one of our last-minute holidays. When it comes to booking flights for your summer 2025 holibobs, there's no time like the present. Especially when you can get first dibs on SunExpress flights that'll get you there in a jiffy. It goes a little something like this...

• Whack down a €10pp deposit now (that's less than a round at the pub)

• Spread the rest of the cost with flexible payments

• Get 20kg of baggage included on your flight!

There are only so many seats on a plane though, so you'd better get booking before we beach you to it.

Highlights

• Over 480 Blue-Flag beaches (wowzer)

• Scorchio weather for your vitamin D fix

• Food for every mood (you can't go wrong with a kebab)

• Bargain-filled bazaars (AKA, the coolest markets ever)

💬 Local lingo 💬

Throw these little gems into conversation – they might even help you find the best kebab in town...

Hello - Merhaba

Hi - Selam

Bye - Hoşçakal

How are you? - Nasılsın?

Thank you - Teşekkür ederim

You're welcome - Rica ederim

How much is it? - Bu ne kadar?

Where is the metro? - Metro nerede?

Getting around

🚌 Buses

If you're looking to explore, then buses will be your best friend in Turkey (Türkiye). Every town has a bus terminal within reach, and the fares are actually pretty affordable! This is the most common way for locals to get about too, so you know it's a winner. Most even have phone charging ports, air con and reclining seats. Proper boujee! There are loads of bus companies to choose from, and they all sell their tickets at the bus stations. You can usually buy on the day no problem, but for popular routes you might want to reserve seats in advance to be safe. You can ask at your hotel for help with doing this.

🚐 Dolmuş (minibuses)

A dolmuş is basically Turkey’s answer to Uber Pool, but with way more personality. This is a popular service in Turkey (Türkiye), with cheap fares and a laidback 'hop-on-hop-off' nature. This is particularly handy for those small, harder-to-reach towns you might want to visit, where the mainstream bus routes don't go. These minibuses usually run from the major stations, so you can hop off a regular bus and onto one of these guys to get to where you need to go. Easy!

🚆 Trains

Trains aren't the most common mode of transport in Turkey (Türkiye), but Turkish State Railways are still pretty well-developed, and only getting better. This is ideal if you prefer a more scenic route or if you're planning a longer journey. One of the most popular routes is the high-speed line which connects Istanbul, Eskişehir and Ankara. For more standard routes, you don't typically need to buy tickets in advance and can just buy one at the station before you're due to leave.

Where is the best area to stay in Turkey?

Türkiye is huge. Deciding where to go can be a bit of a tricky one, but we've got all the goss below on where to touch down - from all-inclusives to boutique hotels. And don't worry, we've even thrown in some totally last-minute ideas and some budget-friendly options if you're on the hunt for a cheap holiday to Turkey (Türkiye).

• Family holidays - for top-tier, kiddo-approved action, it's gotta be an all-inclusive holiday to Antalya. You'll have more kids' clubs, waterparks and chicken nuggets than you'll know what to do with. Belek's another great option, along with Dalaman if you've got the older kids in tow.

• Squad goals - if you're looking to party with your pals on a great group holiday, then Bodrum and Marmaris are where it's at. You'll have a ton of bars and clubs to pick from, so bring your dancing shoes. (That's what the kids do, right?)

• Coupling up - Olu Deniz is the perfect spot for you and boo. Think activities to get competitive over, sandy beaches to stroll along, and - most importantly - loads of restaurants to wine and dine yourselves stupid at. Cheers to that.

Turkey holidays 2025 - best beaches

The best things in life are free, including beaches. And you don't even need to stress about the time of year, these beaches are still bangin' on a winter sun holiday, so they go perfectly hand-in-hand with cheap holidays too. Check out our faves in Turkey (Türkiye):

• Olu Deniz Beach - a sweeping beach that meets the famous Blue Lagoon - the perfect Insta-worthy spot for a cheeky swim

• Cleopatra Beach - named after the Egyptian queen herself after she reportedly swam here. Picture toasty golden sands and water that looks straight out of a bottle.

• Iztuzu Beach - one for the turtle-lovers, because this is their roaming ground! Come for a nosy and sprawl out on over two and a half miles of sand, perfect for a family jolly with the kids.

• Lara Beach - a Blue Flag-awarded sunbathers' heaven with loungers, parasols and beach bars galore.

• Patara Beach - size isn't *everything*, but this is Turkey's longest beach, so check it out and then make your mind up. Nothing says 'couples' holiday' like a long beachy stroll.

• Kaputas Beach - a cute hidden cove between Kas and Kalkan - great for those beach selfies.

• Butterfly Valley Beach - with a name as adorable as that, how can you go wrong? This place is proper top-secret - you can only reach it by boat, but it's worth it for the views and the 100s of species of butterflies fluttering about (hence the name).

Read all about it!

Check out our handy blog on the best beaches in Turkey (Türkiye). Oh, and if you're heading for Antalya then we've got you covered with our Ultimate Book-it List for Antalya - with everything from white-water rafting to exploring the town's winding streets.

Holidays to Turkey 2025 - Our favourite hotels

Turkey (Türkiye) hotels are like the Avengers of vacays – each one's got a superpower of its own. From all-dancing, all-splashing, all inclusive resorts to charming family-run boutiques, and super, swanky, luxury holiday picks, there's a bit of everything - so let's roll out the red carpet for these holiday heroes:

• Eftalia Splash Resort - pirates, waterslides and kids' clubs - what more could you want?! The kiddos will be happy, which means you will be too when you don't have to deal with temper tantrums.

• Club Turan Prince World - this place is like stepping into a holiday comic book – bold, bright, and ready to rescue you from boredom. It's a treat for the whole fam.

• Vikingen Infinity Resort - with infinity pools that make you feel like you're swimming off into the sunset, a private beach and a ton of sea-view rooms, this one's for the water babies.

• Xoria Deluxe Resort - deluxe by name, deluxe by nature. It's like they took all the good bits of holidays and rolled them into one - from a whopper of a pool to the most chilled spa ever.

• Titanic Beach Lara - all of the cruise vibes, none of the sea sickness. It's like staying on a luxury ship that never leaves the port, with loads of pools and enough restaurants to keep meal times exciting.

• Granada Luxury Belek Hotel - Wonderland Aqua Park? Check. Cinema? Check. Adults-only zone for some peace and quiet? Double check. It's boujee with a capital B.

Your Turkey holidays travel guide

For Families 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

• Antalya’s Waterparks: If the kids are craving some splash-tastic fun, Antalya’s waterparks like The Land of Legends won’t disappoint. Start the day zooming down slides and enjoying wave pools, then head to the beach to let the kids build sandcastles while you soak up the sun.

• Ephesus: Ancient ruins, fascinating stories, and wide open spaces make Ephesus a family-friendly hit. Wander through marble streets, picture gladiators in the Great Theatre, and enjoy history coming alive for curious young minds. Pack comfy shoes – there’s lots to explore!

For Couples 💑

• Rooftop Dining in Istanbul 🍽️: Set the scene for a memorable date night in Istanbul with rooftop dining and views over the Bosphorus. Try spots like Mikla or 360 Istanbul for gourmet Turkish-Mediterranean dishes paired with an incredible cityscape. It’s pure magic when the lights come on.

• Turkish Hammam 🧖‍♀️: Relax in a traditional hammam (bathhouse) for an experience that’s as soothing as it is memorable. You’ll enjoy a steam bath, scrub, and massage that leaves you feeling renewed. Çemberlitaş Hammam and Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hammam are perfect for couples looking to unwind together.

For Groups 👯

• Party in Bodrum: Bodrum is a beachy party paradise. Start with sundowners at the Marina Yacht Club, then dance under the stars at Halikarnas – one of Turkey’s famous open-air clubs. With its beach clubs, rooftop bars, and laid-back vibe, Bodrum is made for unforgettable nights with friends.

• Pamukkale Thermal Pools: Pamukkale’s white terraces are like nature’s infinity pools. Gather your group for a relaxing soak in these mineral-rich hot springs, which cascade over terraces that look straight out of a dream. You can even visit the ancient Roman pool with submerged columns – a unique mix of spa day and sightseeing.

• Jeep Safari in the Taurus Mountains 🚙: If your group’s up for a thrill, try a Jeep safari through the Taurus Mountains. It’s a rugged, off-road adventure with stunning views, quaint mountain villages, and plenty of stops for swimming in cool mountain rivers. Expect dust, fun, and a true taste of Turkish nature.

For Foodies 🍲

• Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar: Take a deep dive into Turkish flavors at Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar. This iconic market is packed with stalls selling dried fruits, nuts, Turkish delights, and spices galore. Wander with a guide to learn about the uses of each ingredient, or simply let your nose lead the way. Stock up on exotic spices to bring home.

• Cooking Class: Bring the taste of Turkey back home by joining a cooking class. Learn how to whip up traditional dishes like kebabs, meze, and baklava, and get hands-on experience with Turkish ingredients. Most classes even include a market tour, so you’ll get the full local chef experience.

• Seaside Dining in Bodrum: Fresh fish, meze platters, and dreamy Aegean views – that’s seaside dining in Bodrum. Try Mimoza or Orfoz for seafood with flair, all set against a stunning sunset. Perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring, Bodrum’s waterfront dining is a foodie’s dream.

Our top picks for where to head on your holidays to Turkey

• Antalya

• Bodrum

• Dalaman

• Istanbul

• Izmir