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Turkey Packing List: What to Pack for Summer and Winter Trips
Your Turkey packing list will be different if you travel in the summer or in the winter time. Discover what to pack and respect local customs.
Turkey is a very well-visited destination due to its surreal landscapes, archeological treasures, and unforgettable Turkish cuisine. This is where Asia and Europe meet, so if you want to experience a unique blend of cultures, you will find it while exploring Turkey’s cities and rural areas. Additionally, it has wondrous places like Pamukkale or Cappadocia that you will hardly find anywhere else, so make sure you put them on your bucket list. Let’s not forget the amazing Turkish Riviera, which is perfect for summer vacations. When making your Turkey packing list, consider the weather, cultural nuances, and your travel needs.
Let’s get you ready for an unforgettable trip to Turkey with a complete packing list.
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Clothing: What to Wear in Turkey
Turkey has four seasons, which means that your Turkey packing list will be much different if you plan to visit in the summer or winter. They have pretty cold winters and dry summers. Also, your suitcase will look very different depending on whether you are going shopping in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul or lounging on the beach resorts in Bodrum or Antalya.
Turkey experiences are amazingly diverse in different regions and under different weather conditions. However, here are some must-have items for your packing list.
What to Pack in Summer Months
Warm summers on Turkish beaches and resorts are pretty much the same as everywhere else. Given that such places in coastal areas are meant for tourists, you don’t have to dress modestly like in more rural areas of Turkey. For such a trip, you should pack:
- T-shirts and other shirt-sleeve tops.
- Shorts, skirts, summer pants and dresses.
- A light jacket or a sweater for occasional showers and cooler evenings.
- Comfortable walking shoes for field trips and excursions.
- Sandals or flip-flops
- Swimwear: swimsuits and covers.
If you are not about to spend all your time in a resort and you are out exploring Turkish culture and major cities, your clothing choices for your Turkey packing list might be slightly adjusted.
- Your tops can be a bit looser and not fit tightly. If you are a woman, avoid tank tops.
- If you want to avoid sideways glances from the locals, avoid wearing shorts; instead, choose long skirts. Linen skirts are amazingly comfortable during the hot summer months.
- Take a small bag with you and pack a lightweight scarf that doesn’t take up much space. If you feel underdressed, you can always use it to cover up some more.
What to Pack in Winter Months
If you plan to visit Turkey in the winter, you must be prepared for colder temperatures. Near the sea, the temperature plummets to 36–43 °F, and it can get even colder as you move away from the sea. Therefore, when packing for the winter months, plan accordingly. This is what you’ll need on your Turkey packing list:
- Long-sleeve shirts.
- Sweaters
- Pants, jeans
- Winter jacket or coat. A Lightweight jacket won’t be enough.
- Comfortable shoes or boots appropriate for wintertime
- Scarfs, gloves, and hats
- Thermal underwear if you plan on hiking and exploring mountains.
A Word or Two on Cultural Sensitivity
When visiting Turkey, be mindful of the cultural differences between your country and this land of stunning landscapes and rich cultural and historical heritage. This is a Muslim country with traditional values and some conservative areas. Therefore, you need to do your best to respect local customs and traditions, especially when visiting religious sites such as Blue Mosque. Here’s what to wear in Turkey in these cultural settings.
Dress Code: So, what to wear in Turkey? You are encouraged to wear modest clothing when entering the mosque. If you are a woman, you will be required to wear a modest dress that is at least knee-length. Ideally, you’ll have a long skirt that reaches your ankles. Long pants are okay, but you may be asked to wrap them in a scarf. The appropriate attire also includes covering shoulders and wearing head coverings. If you are not wearing such items and have packed only sleeveless shirts, you can borrow scarves and coverings from most mosques to cover up during your visit.
This is not strictly a dress code, as much as a rule in every mosque – you need to remove your shoes before entering the mosque.
Food and Drinks: Don’t go into the mosque with food and drinks. Finish them before you enter the religious site, or pack them up safely for later.
Photography and Videos: When visiting mosques and other religious sites, you will be tempted to take some photographs. Keep in mind that professional photo gear, flashes, and other disruptive ways to take pictures are prohibited. You can freely take photos outside, but refrain from interior photography unless allowed. Especially be careful not to snap photos of people praying.
Prayer Time: You will only be allowed to visit the religious sites when it’s not prayer time. Keep in mind that there are five prayers throughout the day, so plan your visit accordingly.
Travel Documents and Money
Just like with every other country, you need to figure out what documentation you need to visit Turkey, depending on your country of origin. There are three basic documents you need to look into:
1. Passport. You need a valid passport with you at all times. This is the only real credential you have to identify yourself to the Turkish authorities. Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months after your entry date. You also need two blank passport pages, one for entry and one for the exit stamp.
2. Visa. US passport holders can get an e-visa for Turkey. You need your visa for touristic purposes.
3. Rules about money. Turkey uses the Turkish lira. You can withdraw lira using your card at ATMs, or you can exchange your money in the local exchange offices. You’ll find those at the airport, but they are not hard to find in towns and cities.
4. Travel insurance. Travel insurance is not necessary for your trip to Turkey, but you should get one. It can help you a great deal if you catch a bug, get hurt, or simply lose your luggage.
Health and Hygiene
Cosmetics and body care. Depending on how long you’re staying in Turkey, you can bring your body and hair care products to your favorite brand. However, try the Turkish brands, especially their world-famous perfumes. They have a long history of developing unique fragrances and cosmetics. Don’t be afraid to purchase items like handmade soaps from vendors in the Grand Bazaar. Their products are of high quality.
Hydration. Bring your water bottle to stay hydrated during your long walks and explore the fantastic outdoors in Turkey.
Toilets. Before all other packing tips for your trip to Turkey, make sure you have a small supply of toilet paper with you, especially if you’re visiting rural areas. Namely, it is customary in that part of the world to use a bidet spray to clean up after using the toilet. The paper is mainly used to dry yourself off. Also, don’t throw it inside the toilet bowl; dispose of it in the designated bin. Otherwise, you’re risking clogging the pipes.
Connectivity and Internet
There are several ways to stay connected while spending time in Turkey. You can get a local Turkish SIM card with limited data plans or rely on the local Wi-Fi networks. However, if you want to use your phone uninterrupted as you use Google Maps, look up restaurants, or buy tickets for public transportation, you need a more reliable connection.
That’s why you should look into getting a travel eSIM for Turkey.
What is an eSIM?
Inside your phone (if it is an eSIM compatible device) is a little chip installed there by a manufacturer. That chip can be programmed to act like a SIM card. That’s your eSIM.
Basically, you choose an eSIM provider and purchase a plan. Once you do that, your provider sends you a QR code that you scan. In that way, you automatically install your eSIM and can start using it.
Effectively, you have an additional SIM card in your phone without removing your existing one. This eSIM won’t allow you to make calls or send SMS, but it will allow you to use its data plan while traveling.
Holafly is one of the best eSIM providers on the market. It offers eSIM data plans for Turkey with unlimited data. This means you can stay connected at all times and keep your existing phone number for calls, SMS, and even WhatsApp.
Conclusion
Packing for a trip to Turkey involves considering the diverse climates, cultural nuances, and your personal travel needs. Ensure you have the proper clothing for both summer and winter, respect local customs, and keep essential travel documents and money handy. For seamless connectivity, consider using an eSIM from Holafly. With Holafly, you get unlimited data, making it easy to stay connected, navigate, and share your adventures without worrying about roaming fees.
FAQs about packing for Turkey
When planning what to wear in Turkey, you must respect local traditions, especially when visiting religious sites and staying comfortable. This is not hard to achieve as visiting religious sites simply means covering your shoulders and wearing clothes covering your knees. Women are required to cover their heads with a scarf, as well. Otherwise, you should bring the clothes you would typically wear in the Mediterranean climate in that particular season. Summers are hot, and winters are cold, with rain and snow. It’s best to leave your tank tops at home.
This depends on the season in which you plan your trip to Turkey. Plan for a hot summer and a cool winter. In summer, choose shirts that cover your shoulders and bottoms that reach to your knees. You’ll need 4-5 shirts, 2 bottoms, comfortable walking shoes, and scarves to cover yourself if visiting mosques. You need one light jacket and a day bag. In winter, you will need 2 sweaters, 2 pairs of pants, winter shoes, and a jacket.
Shorts are okay when you are in the beach resorts in Turkey. However, when visiting places downtown, especially in remote places and rural areas, choose clothes that reach at least up to your knees.
Plans that may interest you
With a background in English literature and a focus on storytelling, I’ve turned my interests in travel and technology into a career helping others stay connected abroad. Originally from Serbia, I work remotely with my husband, experiencing local cultures firsthand and bringing that perspective to my writing for Holafly. Fun fact: before focusing on content creation, I was a professional volleyball player.
