Living in Turkey

Things to do

Whether you want to ogle at one of the world's most beautiful buildings, the Hagia Sophia Museum in Istanbul, take a trip into the past by visiting the ancient ruins of Ephesus, or take a leisurely cruise on the Mediterranean Sea, Turkey does not disappoint.

Places to eat

Turkish cuisine is rife with influences from European, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Asian cultures. Throughout the country, you can find an abundance of tempting meze cafes, restaurants, street vendors and food markets selling local delicacies.

Shopping

Markets not only offer food in Turkey but also a wealth of affordable and desirable goods. ÇarŞamba is a weekly market especially popular with locals. Shoppers will find an array of items, from gadgets to clothes, all at extremely attractive prices. Sahaflar, located in Beyazit, will appeal to any book enthusiasts. Meanwhile, Bakirköy draws in a mixture of locals and tourists for fantastic deals on a number of items like jewellery, homeware and clothes. The Saturday market also offers freshly prepared Gözleme - a type of flatbread with toppings like cheese and herbs.

Getting around

Turkey's travel infrastructure is not only reliable but convenient. With most of the major cities having good transport systems in place, visitors and locals have the option to travel by train, bus, and air. In Istanbul, there is the choice between tram, Metro, city buses, Marmaray rail, and even ferryboats. The Marmaray suburban train is particularly useful when going from the European side of Istanbul to the Asian. However, throughout Turkey, the bus is the preferred method of transportation.