Rest in Turkey in 2025 remains one of the most popular destinations for tourists: over 5 million people choose Turkish resorts annually. The country offers 7,200 kilometers of coastline across four seas, 300 sunny days per year, hotels from $35 to $550 per night, and all-inclusive system in 4,500 hotels. Beach season runs from April to November on the Mediterranean coast, with the velvet season falling in September-October when water temperatures reach 75-79°F.
Popular destinations for rest in Turkey include Antalya (35% of all tourists), Bodrum on the Aegean Sea, Istanbul for cultural tourism, Marmaris and Fethiye for active holidays. Average weekly all-inclusive tour costs $700-1,400 for two people during season, flights from major cities $180-320 round trip. No visa required for US, UK, Canadian citizens — entry up to 60 days continuously (total up to 90 days per 180-day period).
BIOHACTOUR with TÜRSAB A-14431 license helps organize rest in Turkey with direct hotel bookings without tour operator markups, transfers, and 24/7 English-speaking support. Office in Istanbul, operating since 2020, over 1,280 satisfied clients from 95 countries.
Types of Rest in Turkey
Beach Vacation
Beach rest in Turkey is available on the Mediterranean, Aegean, Marmara, and Black Sea coasts.
The Mediterranean coast (Antalya, Side, Alanya, Belek) is the warmest with summer water temperatures of 81-84°F. Beaches are predominantly sandy, awarded 519 Blue Flags for cleanliness.
he Aegean coast (Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye, Kusadasi) is cooler due to northern meltemi winds, water in summer 75-79°F, beaches are pebbly and sandy-pebbly.
All-inclusive system includes three meals, local beverages, use of hotel facilities (pools, beach, animation). Turkey operates 4,500 all-inclusive hotels from three to five stars.
Weekly cost at five-star Antalya hotel July-August $1,050-1,850 for two, four-star $600-1,050.
Best beach resorts: Belek (premium, golf courses, pine forests), Side (ancient ruins, sandy beaches), Alanya (budget-friendly, long beaches), Kemer (mountains, pebbles, clear water), Bodrum (boutique hotels, yachting).
Excursion Tourism
Turkey combines beach rest with rich history: 19 UNESCO sites, ancient cities, Byzantine churches, Ottoman palaces. Istanbul is the main destination for excursion tourism with 17 million tourists annually. Hagia Sophia (6th century), Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar with 4,000 shops, Bosphorus cruise — essential program. Tour cost with guide $45-90.
Ephesus near Izmir — ancient city with Library of Celsus, theater for 25,000 spectators, Temple of Artemis (one of Seven Wonders, ruins). Pamukkale — white travertine terraces with thermal springs, ancient city of Hierapolis. Cappadocia — volcanic landscapes, cave cities, underground settlements up to 280 feet deep, hot air balloon flights $200-250.
From Antalya popular excursions to ancient cities Perge, Aspendos (Roman theater with perfect acoustics), Side.
From Bodrum trips to Ephesus, Cleopatra Island, ancient city of Knidos. Group excursions $35-70, private with English-speaking guide $120-230.
Active Holidays
Active rest in Turkey includes trekking, diving, paragliding, rafting, yachting. Lycian Way — 335-mile hiking trail along coast from Fethiye to Antalya through ancient cities and mountain scenery.
Popular segments: Fethiye-Kalkan 62 miles in 5-6 days, Kas-Finike 50 miles in 4-5 days.
Season March-May and September-November, summer too hot. Organized trekking with guide, meals, accommodation $520-750 per week.
Paragliding in Oludeniz (Fethiye) — tandem flight from Babadag mountain at 6,460 feet above Blue Lagoon. Duration 25-45 minutes, cost $170-200. Season March-November.
Diving in Kas, Marmaris, Bodrum — visibility 65-130 feet, sunken ships, underwater caves.
PADI Open Water Diver course $400-480 for 4 days, 2 dives with instructor $90-120.
Rafting on Koprucay River near Antalya — category 3 rapids, 8.7 miles through canyon 1,300 feet deep. Cost $50-70 with lunch and transfer.
Gulet cruises (wooden yachts) route Bodrum-Marmaris-Fethiye 7 days, cabin for 8-12 people $700-1,050 with meals.
Cultural Rest
Cultural rest in Turkey is concentrated in Istanbul and historic cities.
Museums: Archaeological Museum of Istanbul (1 million exhibits), Mevlana Museum in Konya (dervishes), Goreme Open Air Museum in Cappadocia (10th-12th century cave churches with frescoes).
Museum entrance $6-17.
Turkish hammam — traditional bathing ceremony with kese massage (rough glove), foam massage, oil massage.
Hurrem Sultan Hammam in Istanbul (16th century, built by architect Mimar Sinan) — marble interiors, classic Ottoman architecture.
Ceremony cost $90-140.
Hammams available in every resort town, prices from $35-60.
Culinary tours — tasting Turkish cuisine, workshops on making baklava, dolma, kebabs. Gastronomic tour of Istanbul $90-120, includes markets, restaurants, street food.
Wine tours in Cappadocia and Bodrum peninsula — local wine tasting $70-100.
Best Turkish Resorts for Rest
Antalya and Antalya Coast
Antalya — largest resort region of Turkey with 15 million tourists annually. Antalya Airport serves 35 million passengers per year, direct flights from 100 cities worldwide.
Coastline of 370 miles includes resorts: Kemer, Belek, Side, Alanya, Manavgat. Beach season April-November, summer temperature 95-104°F air, water 81-84°F.
Kemer (25 miles from airport) — pebbly beaches, Taurus Mountains, pine forests. Suitable for nature and diving lovers.
Hotels 4-5 stars all-inclusive from $600-1,050 per week for two. Belek (19 miles) — premium resort with golf courses, sandy beaches, luxury hotels. Cost from $1,400-2,900 per week. Side (40 miles) — ancient ruins, sandy beaches, family hotels. Mid-price segment $700-1,300.
Alanya (81 miles) — most budget resort in region, long sandy beaches, Damlatas Cave, castle on hill.
Hotels from $460-800 per week. Old Town Kaleici in Antalya — Ottoman architecture, Hadrian's Gate, Yivli Minaret, port with yachts.
Boutique hotels from $90-170 per night.
Bodrum
Bodrum on Aegean Sea peninsula — premium resort for affluent tourists, yachtsmen, boutique hotel lovers.
Population 180,000, increases to 500,000 in season. Milas-Bodrum Airport 22 miles away.
Summer temperature 86-91°F due to northern wind, water 75-79°F. Beaches predominantly pebbly, bays picturesque.
Districts: Yalikavak (yacht marina, villas, restaurants), Türkbükü (Turkish celebrity vacation spot, beach clubs), Bitez (sandy beach, windsurfing), Gumbet (youth scene, bars, nightclubs).
Five-star hotels: Le Méridien Bodrum Beach Resort, Mandarin Oriental Bodrum, Caresse.
Cost July-August $290-520 per night, September-October $170-290.
Attractions: St. Peter's Castle (15th century, underwater archaeology museum), ancient theater of Halicarnassus (13,000 seats), Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (ruins of Seven Wonders).
Nightlife on Barlar Sokagi street — 40+ bars and clubs. Yacht cruises, diving, windsurfing.
Marmaris
Marmaris on Aegean Sea — resort for youth, yachtsmen, nightlife lovers. Population 100,000, Dalaman Airport 56 miles away. Summer temperature 90-95°F, water 77-81°F. Sandy-pebbly beaches in bays. Marina for 800 yachts — one of largest in Turkey. Hotels 3-5 stars all-inclusive from $460-1,200 per week.
Promenade 7.5 miles long with bars, restaurants, nightclubs. Bar Street operates until morning. Atlantis Water Park — 9 slides, pools, cost $30. Diving centers offer dives to sunken ships, caves. Excursions: Cleopatra Island (sand brought from Egypt), ancient city of Ephesus, Pamukkale. Yacht cruises to 12 islands $35-60.
Istanbul
Istanbul — only city on two continents with population of 16 million.
Two airports: Istanbul Airport (main, European side) and Sabiha Gokcen (Asian side). Direct flights from major cities from $200 round trip.
Climate temperate: summer 82-90°F, winter 41-54°F. For rest in Turkey, Istanbul is chosen year-round thanks to cultural attractions.
Districts: Sultanahmet (historic center, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern), Beyoglu (Istiklal Street, Galata Tower, museums, restaurants), Besiktas (Dolmabahce Palace, Bosphorus waterfront). Hotels from $60 budget hostels to $350-580 per night at Raffles Istanbul, Four Seasons Sultanahmet.
Bosphorus cruise $17-30 on boat, private yacht with guide $230-400.
Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi) — 4,000 shops on 330,000 sq ft, haggling mandatory. Egyptian Spice Bazaar — saffron, tea, sweets, nuts.
Hurrem Sultan Hammam $100-300 per ceremony. Museums: entrance $12-17, Museum Pass Istanbul $215 for 5 days (15 museums).
Fethiye and Kas
Fethiye — resort for active holidays, trekking, paragliding.
Population 160,000, Dalaman Airport 28 miles. Blue Lagoon Oludeniz — most photographed beach in Turkey with turquoise water, sand spit.
Paragliding from Babadag mountain $170-200.
Butterfly Valley — gorge with waterfall, accessible only by sea or foot. Ghost Village Kayakoy — abandoned Greek settlement.
Kas — quiet town for diving, yachting, cultural rest.
Ancient amphitheater, narrow streets with boutiques.
Diving to sunken Dakota C-47 plane (79 feet depth), underwater caves.
Kekova Island with ruins of sunken city.
Small boutique hotels, villas for rent from $120-290 per night.
Weather at various resorts in Turkey
When to Go: Seasons for Rest in Turkey
Spring (April-May)
Spring — start of beach season on Mediterranean coast.
Air temperature April 72-79°F, May 79-86°F. Water warms to 64-68°F in April, 72-75°F in May. Comfortable swimming from late April.
Poppies, daisies, wildflowers bloom. Ideal time for Lycian Way trekking, Cappadocia excursions (temperature 59-72°F, clear skies).
Hotel prices 40-50% lower than summer peak.
Week all-inclusive in Antalya $460-800 versus $1,050-1,850 in summer. Fewer tourists, hotels not overcrowded.
Cultural rest in Turkey comfortable in spring: Istanbul 61-72°F, shorter museum queues. Ephesus, Pamukkale, ancient cities more comfortable to visit without summer heat.
Summer (June-August)
Summer — peak beach season. Mediterranean coast June 86-95°F, July-August 95-104°F.
Water 79-84°F. Aegean coast cooler due to wind: 82-91°F air, water 75-81°F.
Active sun requires SPF 50+ protection, hats. Hotels 90-100% full, maximum prices. Recommended booking 2-3 months ahead.
June — season start with comfortable temperature 82-90°F, fewer tourists than July-August. July-August — peak heat and tourists, families with children (school vacation), active hotel animation.
Active rest (trekking, excursions) uncomfortable due to temperature. Recommended choosing hotels with good AC, indoor pools.
Fall (September-October)
Velvet season — best time for rest in Turkey by weather/price/tourist ratio.
September: temperature 82-90°F, water 79-82°F. October: 75-82°F air, water 73-77°F. Softer sun, tan sets evenly. Sea warm after summer heating.
Fewer tourists, prices drop 30-40% from summer peak.
Comfortable for active rest: paragliding, diving, trekking, excursions.
Cappadocia September-October 64-75°F with clear sky — ideal for hot air balloon flights. Families with young children choose September: warm but not hot.
November — end of season, temperature 64-72°F, water 68-72°F, many hotels close.
Winter (November-March)
Winter — low season for beach rest.
Mediterranean coast 54-64°F, rain, hotels closed or operating with heated pools.
About 30% hotels work in winter. Istanbul welcomes tourists year-round: temperature 41-54°F, cultural attractions available.
New Year and Christmas — holiday programs in hotels, prices higher than usual.
Cappadocia in winter: temperature 23-41°F, snow, hot air balloon flights depend on weather (50% days canceled).
Ski resorts: Uludag near Bursa (8,343 ft, 17 miles slopes), Palandoken near Erzurum (10,413 ft, 19 miles slopes). Season December-March, ski pass $35-45 per day.
Pamukkale thermal springs, Bursa available year-round.
Rest in Turkey Cost in 2025
All-Inclusive Tour Costs
Package tours from major cities with flight and all-inclusive hotel:
May-June, September-October (velvet season):
3-star hotel: $460-700 per week for two
4-star hotel: $640-1,050 per week for two
5-star hotel: $930-1,620 per week for two
July-August (high season):
3-star hotel: $700-990 per week for two
4-star hotel: $930-1,400 per week for two
5-star hotel: $1,400-2,550 per week for two
Independent Booking
Flight round trip:
Budget airlines (Pegasus, Pobeda): $170-260
Regular flights (Turkish Airlines, major carriers): $260-400
Summer prices 30-40% higher
Hotels direct booking:
Three-star all-inclusive: $45-90 per night
Four-star all-inclusive: $80-170 per night
Five-star all-inclusive: $140-350 per night
Bodrum boutique hotels: $170-580 per night
BIOHACTOUR books hotels directly without tour operator markups, saving 25-35% from package tours.
Additional Expenses
Airport-hotel transfers:
Airport bus: $5-6
Taxi: $30-60 depending on distance
Private BIOHACTOUR transfer: $35-45
Excursions:
Group tours: $35-70 per day
Private with guide: $120-230 per day
Cappadocia hot air balloon: $200-250
Dining outside hotel:
Street food (doner, simit): $2-6
Mid-range cafe: $12-23 per person
Restaurants: $30-60 per person
Waterfront fish restaurants: $45-90
Entertainment:
Hammam: $35-120
Diving 2 dives: $90-120
Paragliding: $170-200
Water park: $30-40
Car rental: $35-70 per day
How to Organize Rest in Turkey
Independent vs Agency
Independent organization:
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Book flights on Skyscanner, Kayak
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Book hotels on Booking.com, Agoda
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Transfers via GetTransfer
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Excursions via GetYourGuide
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Requires time for search and booking
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Save 15-25% from tour operators with right approach
Through tour agency:
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Package tours with flight, hotel, transfer, insurance
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Ready solution, no time required
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Support for problems (flight delay, hotel issues)
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Tour operator markup 20-35%
BIOHACTOUR — hybrid approach:
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Direct partner hotel bookings without markups
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Transfer, excursion, service organization
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English-speaking support 24/7
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TÜRSAB A-14431 license (official Turkish agency)
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Istanbul office, on-site assistance
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Optional: wellness programs at Le Méridien Bodrum, medical tourism, active holidays by WME system
What do you need to know?
Visa and Documents
US, UK, Canadian, Australian citizens enter Turkey visa-free. Terms:
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Up to 60 days continuous stay without exit
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Up to 90 days total per each 180-day period
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Can do visa run: exit neighboring country for day, return for new 60-day period
Requirements:
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Passport valid minimum 120 days from entry date (60 days stay + 60 days reserve)
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Return ticket or hotel booking confirmation (sometimes checked at border)
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Medical insurance recommended but not mandatory
Violations:
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Up to 15 days overstay: fine from 130-250 TRY ($4-8)
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More than 15 days: fine + entry ban from 1 to 6 months
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Systematic violations: deportation + entry ban up to 5 years
Insurance
Medical insurance for Turkey costs $1-3 per day. Coverage: medical care up to $40,000-60,000, evacuation, repatriation. Recommended options: active holidays (diving, paragliding), sunburn, allergies. Insurance companies: major international providers.
Money and Payment
Russian Visa and Mastercard not working in Turkey since 2022. Mir cards work limited (large hotels, malls). UnionPay accepted more often. Recommended:
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Cash currency: euros or dollars exchange for Turkish lira
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Exchange at airport, city (better rate than hotels)
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ATM cash withdrawal with UnionPay card
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BIOHACTOUR accepts payment in dollars/euros to international account
Lira rate volatile: 1 EUR = 35-38 TRY, 1 USD = 32-35 TRY (October 2025). Haggling appropriate at bazaars, buying excursions, souvenirs.
Communication and Internet
Turkish operator SIM cards (Turkcell, Vodafone, Türk Telekom) sold at airports, shops. Cost $17-30 for 20-50 GB internet per month. Passport required for registration. International roaming expensive: $6-12 per 1 GB.
Free Wi-Fi at hotels, cafes, restaurants, malls. Speed usually good (10-50 Mbps).
Important Before Trip
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Outlets: European standard (type C and F), adapter not required
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Language: Turkish, tourist areas speak English, Russian
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Time: UTC+3 year-round (same as Moscow)
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Tips: 5-10% restaurants, $1-2 porter, $2-6 guide
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Haggling: appropriate at bazaars, textile shops, souvenir stalls
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Dress code: covered clothing in mosques, headscarf for women
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Water: tap water not recommended for drinking, buy bottled $0.50-1 per 1.5L
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Alcohol: sold in stores until 10 PM, bars and restaurants unlimited
A selection of popular hotels for holidays in Turkey
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Not just a beach holiday
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