The Dos and Don’ts in Turkey to Know About

Turkey Travel | 2 August, 2023

Turkey is one of those countries which seems to have one foot in the glorious past and the other dipped into the luxury of modernity. With ancient cities and ruins populating most of its corners, there’s so much to experience at this destination, including mosques, bazaars, museums, and more. Regardless of when you decide to visit this beautiful country, there are certain dos and don’ts in Turkey you should know about so as to make the most of your trip through our Turkey tour packages, and that’s exactly what we will be discussing in this article. Visit Us!

Dos and Don’ts in Turkey

Listed below are a couple of things to avoid in Turkey and certain pointers that will be useful for tourists as they avail of our Turkey trip packages:

Visiting Places of Worship

Places of worship are sacred in any place around the world, and the same holds true for Turkey. Being an Islamic country, it’s vital to know what is not allowed in Turkey when it comes to religious landmarks and establishments. Tourists and locals alike often visit these places of worship to gain a deeper insight regarding Islam in Turkey while also getting to experience the serene magic of the mosques.

Travelers should remember the following while visiting religious establishments in Turkey:

Do wear a headscarf inside the mosque if you’re a woman.
Do put on clothes that cover your entire body, are loose-fitted, and modest. Clothes such as shorts, skirts, and tank tops must be avoided at such locations.
Don’t walk in front of someone who is engaging in prayer.
Do remember to take your shoes off before entering a mosque.
Don’t visit a mosque on Fridays, as it’s the Muslim day of worship.
Don’t laugh or talk loudly while you’re inside the mosque. Respect the sanctity of the place and those who are there to pray.

Dos & Don'ts in Turkey

Interacting with Turkish Citizens

Turkish people are known to be extremely warm, friendly, and hospitable, especially to guests and those who are visiting their country for a short time. They often go out of their way to make the other person feel welcome and special, and if you ever visit Turkey using our Turkey travel packages, you will get a chance to see their friendly nature for yourself. However, their warm behavior should never be taken for granted, and here are the things to remember when it comes to interacting with Turkish citizens:

Do learn a couple of polite and basic Turkish words, such as ‘tesekkür ederim’ which means ‘thank you’, and ‘lütfen’ which means ‘please’.
Do remember that ‘hayir’ means ‘no’ and ‘evet’ means ‘yes’.
Do keep in mind the mannerisms that are prevalent in Turkish culture, as they are quite different from the ones that are common in the West.
Don’t say anything critical or negative regarding the Turkish flag or anything related to the history of Turkey.

At Cafes or Restaurants

Trying out Turkish cuisine is a delight for the tastebuds of every traveler out there. As you visit the eateries in Turkey, it’s important to remember the attitude towards alcohol that’s prevalent in the country. Much like in any other Islamic country, alcohol abstinence is quite encouraged in Turkey. Although drinking alcohol isn’t really illegal in the country, it is not tolerated if someone displays complete drunkenness or drinks excessively.

Following are some of the crucial points regarding eating at cafes and restaurants in Turkey:

Don’t be visibly drunk in public places. Make sure to consume alcohol only in moderation.
Don’t pick your teeth, blow your nose, or burp when you’re at an eatery, as it’s considered impolite.
Don’t smoke in a public place.
Do remember to invite someone for a meal if they happen to treat you to a good meal when you’re out.