This is a guest post by Olga, a Turkey-based travel blogger.
Turkey is one of my favorite countries to travel to and this solo female travel guide will help you understand exactly why. I have visited and lived in Turkey as a digital nomad and loved my time there. Turkey is one of these places where you’ll feel right at home.
I’m here to share with you my experience on what makes this place so special.
So stick with me and I’ll walk you through everything you need to explore it with confidence:
Turkey for Solo Female Travelers
Turkey is a country full of so much rich history and countless attractions – it’s a mixture of cultures, beautiful landscapes and coastal destinations. The bucket list is long, making it an amazing yet underrated destination for solo female travelers.
Warm Weather
Turkey has all four seasons, but the best time to visit it and enjoy the warm, longer days is during late spring, summer and early-fall season. This way you can take your short clothes and pack light, especially when traveling with a carry-on only or on a budget.
The longer daylight hours, with sunset at around 8-9 PM, are also perfect for exploring Turkey as a solo female traveler. You can be totally comfortable enjoying the outdoor attractions at your own pace and avoid walking alone in the dark. Plus, nice weather always makes it easier to travel between places and connect with fellow travelers along the way.
Delicious Food
Turkey is a great destination for foodies. Turkish cuisine is famous worldwide as one of the richest and most delicious ones – you’ll notice the daily life of the locals is centered around the meal, and having a long meal time is also very common.
The local traditional dishes like baklava, kebab, Turkish coffee and tea are a must. There are also plenty of options for vegetarians, such as all the traditional salads and appetizers with local fresh vegetables, dolma – variations of cooked vegetables stuffed with rice, red lentil soup, çiğ köfte, gözleme or pide.
Affordable cost of living
While the country experienced high levels of inflation, and prices continue to go up, Turkey remains affordable and cheaper than most European countries. The accommodation is very easy to find via Booking and Airbnb. Budget-friendly places like hostels are still at around USD20-30 per night. If you’re staying for a month or longer, you can get an apartment for about USD1000 or much less if it’s a shared one.
No car needed inside of the cities – the public transport is great and for instance, it costs in Istanbul less than USD1 per ride using an Istanbulkart, which covers trams, buses, and even ferries. This makes getting around the city super easy. The intercity bus system is also very well developed and inexpensive.
Food is everywhere around you – the supermarkets are on each corner offering the cheapest prices. The street food is still both delicious and very affordable – you can get a bagel for about USD1 or yummy döner kebab for USD 5-7.
Unique Location
One of my favorite things about Turkey is that the country is located between two continents – Europe and Asia. Not only is the atmosphere here multicultural, the history and the food – rich and mixed, but it could also be a great starting point for your next solo adventure in Europe or in the opposite direction – to Southeast Asia. Starting from Istanbul, you’ll be just a few hours away from most of the European cities! You can reach them from Istanbul with direct flights at a very good price.
People and Hospitality
Turkish people are well-known for their hospitality. Most of the locals I’ve met were very friendly, welcoming and helpful. Whether I was asking for directions on the street, needing support with the public transport, or searching for a free table in a crowded restaurant – there was always someone ready to stop and do their best to help me, despite the language barrier.
Is Turkey Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
Turkey is generally safe for tourists, especially in the popular areas, yet it could get a bit challenging or sometimes uncomfortable for women. Here are my top safety tips when visiting big cities and crowded places in Turkey:
- Stay in areas with people and avoid walking alone late at night in dark small streets: Turkish men like hanging out in groups, and while they are unlikely to approach you, you may find the staring uncomfortable. Avoid hanging out alone late at night and avoid small, dark streets.
- Taxi scams: Taxi scams are popular in Turkey and are something to pay attention to. Use the public transport as much as you can – it’s very reliable. Download the local app BiTaksi to book a taxi when needed. Always make sure the driver uses the taximeter. Ask the driver about the final destination at the beginning, the approximate cost and if you can pay with a credit card. Be prepared with the route on your phone upfront.
- Overly friendly locals: Turkish people are famous for their hospitality, but be cautious of overly friendly strangers that invite you for tea or to a shop, especially in tourist areas. Soon you can feel the pressure to purchase something overpriced from them, and it’s often overwhelming and annoying.
- Currency exchange: only exchange your money in an official and reliable exchange office or in the banks. Paying cash is very common in Turkey, so you’ll definitely need it. Even so, when paying with a credit card, make sure they’ve entered the right currency, like 100 turkish liras for example, and not 100 USD instead.
Top Destinations in Turkey for Solo Female Travelers
Istanbul
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey – a great megalopolis, the most populous in Europe, the 15th largest in the world and the only one lying on two continents – Europe and Asia.
This place fascinated me from the first time I visited it in 2010 and it continues to surprise me each time I come here.
I recommend spending at least 3-4 days here, though 5-7 days is the best to properly explore the city. Even after 1 month as a digital nomad in Istanbul, I still had plenty of fascinating places to explore.
Remember this is a huge city and although the main tourist places are in the historical center, you’ll get tired from the crowd and the never ending city noise, so plan some time for city stops (I like Sultanahmet) and a cup of Turkish coffee or tea.
The attractions in Istanbul that you absolutely must add to your itinerary are:
- Hagia Sophia – the famous former Romer cathedral, now a mosque
- Blue Mosque
- Topkapi & Dolmabahce Palaces
- Basilica Cistern
- Grand Bazaar & Spice Bazaar
- Galata Tower
- Istiklal Street and Taksim Square
- Bosphorus Cruise
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is the place in Turkey that feels like a fairytale. Doing a sunrise hot air balloon ride is a once in a lifetime experience. But Cappadocia offers even more – it’s a place full of rich history and hidden gems like unique valleys with magical rocks and cave churches.
There are plenty of organized tours that are great for solo female travelers. I highly recommend visiting the Monks Valley (with the famous fairy chimneys and former monks’ homes), Göreme & Zelve Open Air Museum (with churches and monasteries carved in the rocks), Devrent Valley (known as the Imagination Valley), and also the Love, Pigeon and Ihlara Valleys, Ortahisar town and castle.
Ephesus
This is one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world. It’s enough for an easy one-day trip. You can walk through the ancient streets to explore the ruins from the Roman empire including the Grand Theatre.
Pamukkale
This place is known for its magical white terraces that look like they’re made of snow, but you can totally walk barefoot and feel the warm water covering the terraces. Don’t forget your swimsuit, because nearby is Cleopatra’s Ancient Pool – an UNESCO World Heritage site and a natural wonder with warm mineral water where you can relax in.
Both Ephesus and Pamukkale are very easy to reach and navigate and this makes them great for exploring them solo. They’re well-known tourist destinations – the paths are straightforward, people are always around, the locals are helpful. The areas feel safe to explore on your own, and this also gives you the comfort to enjoy them at your own pace.
Antalya and Turkey’s Coastal Resorts
Antalya is one of the famous coastal resorts in Turkey, again a mixture of history and beach vibes. You can explore the old town with its narrow streets and ancient city walls and at the same time enjoy a stay in an all-inclusive hotel at a very good price.
It has a well-established tourism infrastructure and so it’s a great place for solo travelers. The old town is walkable, there are plenty of hotels, coffee places, bars and restaurants where it’s easy to meet other travelers and enjoy the nightlife. So are most of the other Turkish Resorts on the coast – I’ll definitely recommend picking one of them and booking an all-inclusive vacation after your intense trip through Turkey. For me, this is the perfect and relaxing way to end my solo female adventure. Imagine lying on the beach with all the time to yourself, far from the crowds and the rush to see the next attraction.
This could be your moment to recap the best travel memories from your solo trip to Turkey while dreaming and planning your return.
Best Places to Stay in Turkey
When traveling to Turkey, I usually book my stays via Booking.com or Airbnb, and I’ve had overall great experiences with the places I’ve chosen. Just a quick heads-up: due to some local restrictions, Booking.com might not always work. In those cases, you’ll need a VPN to access it while already in Turkey.
For Istanbul, stay in the Sultanahmet area (perfect for first-time visitors with all the main attractions nearby), near Taksim Square or Istiklal Street on the European side. If you’ve already seen all the landmarks and want to explore something different, try staying in Moda (Kadikoy) on the Asian side.
When in Cappadocia, you have to experience staying in one of their cave hotels. Trust me, it’s like nothing else – cozy, unique, and definitely worth trying! My best experience for the price was in Göreme Cave Lodge but I also had a great on-a-budget stay in the Vintage Cave House Hotel.
For a seaside vacation, consider one of Turkey’s all-inclusive hotels. They’re definitely a great deal with benefits like sea views, pools, tons of delicious food, and entertainment at very reasonable prices. The best places get sold out early, so plan in advance and you can also get better prices. One of my best all-inclusive vacations was in Granada Luxury Beach-Ultra All Inclusive, located between Antalya and Alanya. If you prefer smaller towns with less people than Belcekum Beach Hotel in Oludeniz is the right all-inclusive place for you. It’s located directly on the beach so you have the choice between lying there or by the pool.
If having less loud kids around is important for you as a solo female traveler, make sure to search especially for adults-only hotels.
How to Get Around Turkey
Turkey has well-developed and safe public transport, mostly in- and between the urbanized and popular destinations. If you’re planning a trip to Turkey that starts from Istanbul, here is how to get from the airport to the city center where I suggest to book your place to stay:
By metro: If you fly to Istanbul International Airport, it’s connected with a metro line. To reach your accommodation, you’d need to change the metro to another metroline or a tram.
By shuttle bus: Another budget-friendly and yet easy option is a shuttle bus service called Havaist.
By taxi: For a taxi, choose between pre-booking or picking one from the airport. Use only verified services like Booking.com, Istanbul Airport Taxi website or ask your hotel to book one for you. Check in advance for the option to pay with a credit card.
If you pick a taxi directly from the airport, it should cost approximately 30-40 USD to a place in the city center, depending also on the traffic jam. It will take around 1 hour to get there, as the traffic is massive.
Car rental: I’d absolutely not recommend you to hire a car and drive within Istanbul! The traffic jams are huge and finding a place to park is also an issue. Last but not least, you’ll have to deal with the local’s driving style.
If you have a couple days in Istanbul here is what you need to know: The main attractions are in the historical center within walking distance from each other, so you won’t need much public transport once you’re there. Depending on the area you’re staying in Istanbul, you’ll need about 10 to 15 minutes with a tram or bus to reach the city center.
For using the public transport Istanbul, get an Istanbulkart. It’s a boarding pass for multiple types of transportation, including trams, buses, metro and even ferries. A single ride costs less than 1 USD and the card is rechargeable.
What to Pack for Turkey
Turkey is an Islamic country with a bit of western cultures in the mix. It’s a real mix of traditional and modern in one place, so I found that dressing modestly is the best choice to feel comfortable and respectful at the same time.
In Istanbul and the other big cities, you’ll see local people with modern and extravagant clothes as well as very conservative ones. In the most touristic places it’s common that everybody is wearing what they want, but to feel comfortable as a woman traveling solo, dress modestly and bring a scarf with you everywhere you go in case you need to cover up when visiting mosques. Beachwear is totally fine in the coastal resorts. If you’re short on luggage space – don’t worry, at the Turkish bazaars you’ll find everything and at very good prices.
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Traveling in Turkey is definitely one of my best experiences I’ve ever had. No matter if you’re looking for a big city vibe, historical sightseeing, amazing food and warm people or natural landscapes and relaxing vacation on the seaside, Turkey has it all!
There’s just so much to see and do. If you decide to go, with a bit of planning and awareness of the local customs, you can have a safe and unforgettable solo female adventure in Turkey!
About the author: Olga is the travel blogger behind A Girl in Istanbul, where she shares her best resources for exploring Istanbul and Turkey. Turkey remains one of her favorite countries after visiting it multiple times and living there as a digital nomad. She has developed a deep passion for the country, especially Istanbul.
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