Travel Tips

Is it safe to travel Turkey as a single woman?

Turkey is such a modern country and very safe country to travel. Each city or country in the world have safe and unsafe places, streets etc. So, It is safe. But we cannot promise safety who is looking for trouble in their life. There are cameras in every street corners especially in big cities.

Is it safe to travel in Turkey?

Most of the people scared to come to Turkey in last 4 years. You can believe us, when you land to Turkey, all your fears will fly away from window. I am a Turkish citizen and have been living alone in biggest city of Europe, Istanbul. I believe that as much as I try to explain it is safe, Everyone is going to think that I am lying. Anyway, as a tour guide who has been guiding more than 27 years and a travel agent; safety of my guests is the most important case for me. Of course I cannot promise for the issues happening in the life. It can be earthquake, flood, disease, car accident, violence etc. All these bed events can occur everywhere. They can occur even outside of your house door. No one can give a guaranty of safety in life. So Turkey is safe as much as your home. There is heavy security controls in Turkey not to have these problems again. Yes It happened 4 years ago. But it is over. Also, I have the tell that to make you sure there is no war in Turkey. Even media says that the cities on the border of Turkey are not safe. We do not have any problems in these places. We organize culture and history tours to these places and walk around safely on the border. Nothing happens there.

Turkish people is very hospitable to guests whoever visits home. We say that “if anyone knocks the door gently,  he is the guest of god” and we give cleanest place in our house, share our food. This is Turkish culture. How come it is not going to be safe for westerns. Whoever visits Turkey, These people are our guests and are safe here.

Yes, Museums in Turkey are all open during public and Eid holdiays. City Museums are mostly closed on Mondays. But I list the closed days of famous museums in Turkey.

  • Hagia Sophia Museum was converted to a functional mosque in 2020 and 7 days open. Topkapı Palace is closed on TUESDAYS.
  • Underground cistern is open 7 days a week. But nowadays, it is closed  because of renovation.
  • Chora Museum was converted to a functional mosque in 2020 and 7 days open.
  • Pammakaristos Museum are closed on WEDNESDAYS
  • Dolmabahçe Palace is closed on MONDAYS and THURSDAYS.
  • Beylerbeyi Palace is closed on MONDAYS and THURSDAYS.
  • Blue Mosque is not a museum and as a functional Mosque open to visitors except the praying times. And it is free entry.
  • Open Air Museums such as Ephesus, Pergamon, Cappadocia are all open 7 days a week.

There are 2 religious events (Eid) in a year for Muslims and their timing changes every year according to the Moon Calendar. Turkey use Sun Calendar which is international one. But Islam follows Moon Calendar. So, Days come 10 days earlier every year.

Ramadan Eid which takes 3 days after Ramadan Month. Only schools, banks, all official places are closed in these 3 days. But Restaurants Cafes, Bars, sights, museums are all open. Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar are closed during Ramadan Eid in Istanbul.

Sacrificing Eid is 2 months later after Ramadan Eid which takes 4 days. Only schools, banks, all official places are closed in these 3 days. But Restaurants Cafes, Bars, sights, museums are all open. Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar are closed during Sacrificing Eid in Istanbul

Turkish people are so proud to celebrate National Holidays. Therefore, Public National holidays in Turkey are important. So for the following holidays, banks and offices, schools are closed. But all museums, restaurants, cafes, shops(except Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar) are open.

  • 1st January ( New Year’s Day):

    Most of time all official places are closed as a public Holiday. But sometimes Government may decide to cancel the holiday. It has to be checked before coming to Turkey. But All touristic attractions are open.

  • 23rd April:

    It is National Sovereignty and Children’s Day. Mustafa Kemal ATATURK who is the founder of Turkey had founded Parliament House (TBMM) in Ankara in 23rd April 1920 and then They started to do charity programs for orphan children. After 1926, Ataturk declared that he gave this important date to the whole children in the world. Therefore, Children from all over the world have been invited to Turkey for celebrating this national day together.

  • May 1st- International Labor and Solidarity Day:

    It is an occasion for some people to demand better conditions for skilled laborers and union workers. But also many other people use this public holiday to relax as a leisure day.

  • May 19th-The Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day:

    The founder of Turkey , Mustafa Kemal ATATURK had arrived in Samsun by ship on 19th May 1919 for starting uprising against the decision of World War I allies. The decision of allies was dividing many territories of defeated Ottoman Empire. All Turkish people accepts this date as the starting date of Independence Turkish War (1919-1923). Turkish Government declared 19th May to be the Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day as Ataturk’s wish and made it an official public holiday in 1938. It is official public day in Turkey and features state ceremonies and sport events throughout the country each year on 19th All administration buildings, post offices, banks, schools are closed on this day. Also Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar are closed in Istanbul on this day too.

  • August 30th-Victory Day:

    Turkish Republic commemorates Turkish Victory against Greek forces in Dumlupınar Battle (26-30th August 1922).The outcome of battle determined the successful outcome of Independence Turkish War. Although, most of foreign forces had left the country after this war in 1922. So, Turkish people accept 30th August as Turkish troops date overall Victory. It became a national public holiday in 1935.

  • 29th October-Republic Day:

  • After the Victory of Turkey in the Independence War of Turkey, New founded Turkish parliament proclaimed the new Turkish state as Turkish Republic. New Parliament adopted new constitution in 29th October 1923 by replacing the constitution of Ottoman Empire. Ataturk became the first president of Turkey at the same day. According to Mustafa Kemal ATATURK, Republic Day is the most important day of Turkey and Turkish People.

In Istanbul; Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar are closed on Sundays, in Public Holidays and Eids. Shopping Malls are all open. Private shops in shopping districts such as in Nisantasi, Taxim are closed. And all restaurants cafes are all open. But all museums are open during public holidays.

Are Restaurants, Cafes open in Ramadan Month and is it free to eat and drink outside?

Yes. Every where is open during days of Ramadan? Some restaurants are open all nights too. So People can find Restaurants or cafes to eat and drink in every corner. Also it is free to drink and eat outside. No one will shout you, if you drink or eat something. But we become more careful not to eat or drink in front of them just to respect.