Türkiye 2025: How to avoid expensive vacation mistakes!

Türkiye 2025: How to avoid expensive vacation mistakes!

Turkey will be one of the most popular travel destinations for German holidaymakers in 2025. According to Hürriyet Reisen forecasts, up to 7.5 million German tourists will travel to the country this year. In order to make your stay in Turkey carefree, there are a few important points to consider.

A key aspect concerns the consumption of alcohol, which is prohibited by law in public places such as parks and beaches and can result in fines. Alcohol may only be consumed in licensed premises. There is also the risk of encountering adulterated alcohol, which can lead to methanol poisoning. Therefore, travelers should be careful in this regard and abide by local laws.

Culture and tradition

The cultural characteristics of Türkiye are diverse and go back deep into the history of the Ottoman Empire. Turkey is an exciting mix of western and oriental influences. Despite religious differences, the cultural distance to Europe is smaller than often assumed.

In rural areas customs are more traditional, while people in tourist regions are often more tolerant. Women in rural areas should only be greeted with a handshake if they offer it; Men, on the other hand, often kiss each other on the cheeks as a greeting.

Important rules of conduct

To avoid misunderstandings, travelers should keep a few behaviors in mind. Nude bathing and nudism are strictly forbidden throughout Türkiye. It is advisable to dress appropriately for local conditions, especially in non-tourist areas.

Additionally, photographing military installations, religious sites and private property is problematic and can have legal consequences. Public statements against the state are punishable by law and can result in fines or imprisonment. It is also important that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not recognized in Turkey; only form T/A 11 is required for those with statutory health insurance.

Travel preparations

In addition to the legal situation, travelers should also keep an eye on their financial matters. The local currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY), and withdrawals with German debit cards at many ATMs are possible, but often incur fees. In addition, exchanging money at the airport is not recommended due to unfavorable exchange rates.

At bazaars, it is advisable to clarify prices in advance and only use taxis with the taximeter turned on. To avoid unpleasant surprises, it is essential to take out private international travel health insurance and not to bring any drugs into the country.

The best time to visit Turkey is spring and autumn as temperatures can sometimes exceed 40°C in summer. Popular souvenirs include Nazar amulets, and the duty-free limit for goods brought with you is €430.

Turkey not only offers subtle warnings, but also a welcoming culture that embraces hospitality and a rich culinary heritage in the form of dishes such as köfte, sucuk, mantı and baklava. If you follow these tips, you will be able to make your trip to Turkey safe and enjoyable.

For a detailed overview of the legal peculiarities when traveling to Turkey, please refer to calf and for cultural references expat-news.com.