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Bye, bye Italy, France, hello Türkiye––or as the former name spelled out, Turkey:
A transcontinental country bestriding the natural border between Europe and Asia, it is seeing a remarkable increase in tourism, particularly coming from the United States, with 1.9 million Americans traveling across the Atlantic to marvel at its ancient sites and natural wonders.
That’s already a significant 45% increase year-on-year compared to 2023, and this year, those numbers are expected to skyrocket further, with a guaranteed 2 million Americans expected to land in Istanbul Airport throughout 2025.
If Türkiye’s all but an exotic name on a map to you, you may be wondering what it is about the Mediterranean country that appeals so strongly to U.S. tourists––without further ado, here are 5 reasons why:
From Ancient Wonders To Pristine Beaches
Türkiye’s rich culture is undoubtedly the main reason why tourists come from afar to vacation here: it has ancient ruins as well-preserved as Greece’s, incredibly historical cities that rival Italy’s in beauty, and its Anatolian nature is nothing short of a force to be reckoned with.
Think Cappadocia, with its cone-shaped formations, entire villages built into caves, and hot-air-balloon-dotted cotton candy skies, or the verdant mountains in Rize, in the north, full of alpine-style settlements; of course, there’s not Türkiye without its Mediterranean:
Extending for a whopping 3,220 miles, it is littered with vibrant port cities, archeological zones that predate civilization as we know it, and picture-perfect beaches with golden sands and turquoise seas (you haven’t been to heaven until you’ve been to an offbeat Kaş).
A Plethora Of Incredible Destinations
Türkiye also lays claim to several of Europe’s most popular resort destinations, one of them being Izmir, which combines beach getaway and cultural expeditions:
The landmark-packed center is famous for its plethora of monuments, most notably the Clock Tower and the Greek-built Smyrna Agora, while Pirlanta Beach has soft sands, calm, clear waters, and a selection of seafood eateries.
The country’s top seaside resort, however, is Antalya, on the South Mediterranean Coast, distinguished by its Roman ruins, charming Kaleiçi (Old Town), where narrow footpaths follow along rows of colorful Ottoman-era houses, and a palm-tree-lined Konyaaltı Beach.
As Türkiye Today notes, the number one destination is Istanbul, a bustling metropolis playing host to the iconic Galata Tower, the Byzantine cathedral-turned-mosque-turned-museum-turned-mosque-again Hagia Sophia, and the lively Grand Bazaar.
A Cheaper Sunny Getaway
It is no longer dirt cheap to visit Türkiye as it was prior to the pandemic––you can thank a volatile currency and the current Government’s unorthodox economic approach for that––but it is still a bargain in some places.
You can still eat for as cheap as $7-8 in Istanbul’s Karaköy, a cafe-dominated harbor-side district, and inexpensive accommodation at the Vardar Palace Hotel in centrally-located Beyoğlu will set you back by $ 63 a night.
In Bodrum, an up-and-coming beach hotspot that’s been compared to St Tropez, an overnight stay at a pool-equipped resort costs from $96 (check out the amazing Rammos), whereas beachfront hotels in Antalya are much-cheaper even, starting from $51 at La Cactus Butik Otel.
Türkiye is not exactly the cheapest flight ticket for Americans, but the low prices locally definitely offset any initial exorbitant costs.
Türkiye Is More Liberal Than You Might Think
We should point out that, contrary to popular belief, Türkiye is a lot more liberal than people might think.
Despite being an Islamic-majority country, there is no requirement for women to dress modestly, as in, with their heads, shoulders, and legs covered, unless they’re entering a public mosque or they’re visiting somewhere ultra-conservative like Konya.
You’ll come across people of all sorts traveling around Türkiye, from devout religious to the secular kind, and overall, social attitudes are very relaxed, especially in larger urban centers like Istanbul and Izmir, where there is a higher influx of tourists.
That being said, we wouldn’t encourage you to display affection in public if you have a same-sex partner, or if you’re a woman, avoid wearing revealing outfits in non-beach settings:
In other words, be respectful of local customs and Turks will be respectful towards you.
No Visa Requirements For American Travelers!
Last but certainly not least, the low-level bureaucracy that awaits Americans at the border is a big incentive for tourists to come here instead of Western Europe.
This year, the European Union will introduce an Entry Authorization System, and U.S. passport holders will no longer be able to board EU-bound flights without applying first for a digital entry permit––this is no longer the case in Türkiye.
Since December 2023, Americans no longer need an eVisa to travel to the Mediterranean gem, meaning carrying a valid passport with at least one blank page for stamping and at least 6 months left of validity upon arrival are the only requirements.
U.S. citizens can stay in Türkiye visa-free for 3 months, and the time they spend in the country has no impact whatsoever on the amount of time they’re allowed to stay in Europe’s Schengen Area, which is great news for digital nomads.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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