Fun facts and tips about Turkey and modern day life when traveling to Istanbul and Cappadocia.
The Call to Prayer is heard five times a day, starting before sunrise. They can be heard from the loudspeakers attached to the mosques surrounding the cities. Don’t sleep right next to the window unless you want a wakeup call!
99% of Turkish people are Muslim.
Mosques in Turkey are generally open to visitors, except during prayer times. Women must cover their head, shoulders and knees before they enter. All visitors are expected to remove their shoes. In my experience, they are more lenient about this as they used to be. A sweatshirt hood or any kind of clothing will do!
The number of those that are observant or practicing muslims is much lower. Our tour guide explained that the older generations still adhere to the calls to prayer but that it is much less common now.
Smoking is very prominent in Turkey. 31% of adults smoke, one of the highest in the world. All the locals take smoke breaks and you will notice hotel employees, Uber drivers and tour guides will take the opportunity whenever they can.
The terrain in Cappadocia is otherworldly. Three volcanic eruptions blanketed the region in thick ash and the effects of erosion formed the ‘fairy chimneys’ that can be seen today.
Balloons fly year-round in Cappadocia. Click here for everything you need to know.
There is no wildlife in Cappadocia, which is why the balloons can take off and fly close to the ground.
Fake designer bags, shoes and clothing are everywhere in Turkey. The shop owners do not try to convince you they are real – but instead that they are the highest quality first reproduced replicas.
Turkey is the 9th most popular country for plastic surgery. You will often see men and women walking around with bandages or hair transplants. The cost is low compared to other countries with less regulations.
Dating is somewhat frowned upon in Turkey. The rural areas especially, will encourage eligible men and women to get married young based on dowries and family legacies.
My favorite custom is that once the woman (or family) agrees to the marriage, the soon-to-be-wife makes a cup of coffee for the groom. Instead of sugar, she uses salt, as a symbol that life will not always be perfect. Men are supposed to drink and deal.
Tea and coffee after dinner is often complementary as well.
Apple tea is also given as an option. This has nothing to do with local customs but tourists generally love the sweeter taste so it is offered as a decaf option.
Turkey in general is very safe with little crime. The only aggression I noticed in Turkey, was when locals were selling goods at the markets or requesting you visit their restaurant. They can follow you, put out their arms or try to entice you by saying “Can I ask you something?” or “I have a secret for you.”
Get used to a lot of carbs! Bread is eaten at every meal and is part of the culture. In fact, Turkish people eat more than three times their own body weight in bread annually.
Turkey is an inexpensive place to visit, relative to the US. Hotels, meals and activities are generally very cost-friendly.
Locals have a different set of manners that can be off-putting to visitors. Lack of chivalry, pushing and rude comments were all experienced. We noticed on several occasions women with bags or strollers trying to navigate public transportation and being ignored and hassled.
Hammams are Turkish Baths that were developed in the Ottoman Empire after the capture of Constantinople in 1453. They were modeled off of the Roman baths, but the traditional service includes a body scrubbing, a foam wash and a massage. The more expensive hammams are visited by tourists, but it is still considered a meeting place for locals.
The Bosporus Bridge connects two continents, Europe and Asia. The Asian side is not as touristy. Fishermen line the bridge and it can be on the smelly side. There is no sign that suggests you’ve reached another continent.
Seagulls are the unofficial symbol of Istanbul. They are often seen in photos and depicted in marketing campaigns for the city. Because of this, tourists want photos with the seagulls as well. It’s not unusual for people to stick forks in the air with food to attract seagulls. This happens on restaurant roof decks and the back of the ferries.
The Evil Eye is everywhere in Turkey. As customary, the eye can be cast on anyone by a jealous person who believes that the other person does not deserve the life they have. The Turkish created their own version. The Turkish Evil Eye amulet is meant to protect and repel evil spirits.
