best travel books turkey

5 Best Turkey Travel Guides & Travel Books

• Post author: Avoid Crowds
• Post published: December 27, 2020
• Post category: Travel Guides
• Post comments: 4 Comments

Updated: March 13, 2024

Istanbul, the cultural and historical hub of Turkey, attracts millions of travelers every year. To make the most of your trip, it’s important to properly plan your itinerary and familiarize yourself with the local customs and norms. Our handpicked selection of the best travel guides for Istanbul can help you do just that. These books are full of insider tips, practical information, and recommendations for the top tourist attractions, restaurants, and experiences. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, these travel guides are an essential tool for exploring this vibrant and bustling city.

With so many things to see and do in Istanbul, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. But with the help of a good travel guide, you can navigate the city with confidence and make the most of your time. From the stunning architecture of the Hagia Sophia to the colorful bazaars of the Grand Bazaar, there’s something for everyone in Istanbul. Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in history and culture, or simply relax and enjoy the local cuisine, these travel guides will help you make the most of your visit to this incredible city.

• All books have been handpicked by us!
• Books with bad reviews are left out.
• This post includes affiliate marketing links on which we can earn a commission.

Lonely Planet Turkey

Lonely Planet’s Turkey 16 is the ultimate travel guide for anyone planning a trip to this fascinating country. From the bustling city of Istanbul to the breathtaking landscapes of Cappadocia, this guide covers it all. With up-to-date information, insider tips, and cultural insights, you’ll have everything you need to make the most of your trip.

What sets this guide apart from the rest is its focus on providing travelers with the best possible experience. With its NEW top experiences feature, you’ll get a visually inspiring collection of Turkey’s must-see sights, as well as recommendations for lesser-known hidden gems. And with its NEW pull-out “Just Landed” card, you’ll have all the essential information you need to make your journey from the airport to your hotel a smooth one.

Whether you’re traveling solo or with your family, Lonely Planet’s Turkey has something for everyone. From its detailed planning tools for family travelers to its honest reviews for all budgets, this guide is the perfect choice for anyone looking to discover the beauty and diversity of Turkey. So don’t miss out on this comprehensive guide, start planning your trip to Turkey today!

Rick Steves Istanbul: With Ephesus & Cappadocia

If you’re looking for an insider’s guide to Istanbul, look no further than Rick Steves’ Istanbul: With Ephesus & Cappadocia. This guidebook provides comprehensive coverage for a week-long stay in Istanbul and beyond, with top sights and hidden gems, recommendations on how to connect with local culture, tips on avoiding crowds and tourist traps, and more. With self-guided walking tours, detailed neighborhood maps, and strategic advice from Rick Steves Europe tour guides, you’ll have everything you need to fully immerse yourself in the wonders of East and West.

Whether you’re interested in visiting world-famous monuments, shopping in the lively Grand Bazaar, or relaxing in a traditional Turkish bath, Rick Steves’ Istanbul has got you covered. The guidebook is also packed with practical resources, such as a packing list, a Turkish phrase book, and a historical overview, to help make your travels as smooth and stress-free as possible. With over 400 pages of in-depth information, this guidebook is the perfect companion for your trip to Istanbul, Ephesus, and Cappadocia.

Fodor's Essential Turkey

Fodor’s Essential Turkey is a comprehensive travel guidebook that provides in-depth information and recommendations to help you plan your trip to Turkey. It features multiple itineraries, detailed maps, colorful photos, honest recommendations on sights, restaurants, hotels, shopping, and more. The guidebook also provides historical and cultural insights, special features, and a Turkish language primer. It covers destinations such as Istanbul, the Sea of Marmara, Ephesus, Izmir, Bodrum, the Turquoise Coast, Cappadocia, and the Black Sea Coast. The guidebook is written by local writers to help you find hidden gems, and is part of Fodor’s Essential series, which includes guides for other countries such as Greece, Spain, France, Israel, and Morocco.

A Traveller's History of Turkey

A Traveller’s History of Turkey is a comprehensive guide that takes you through the rich and diverse history of this fascinating country. From prehistory to the present day, this book covers the civilizations that have shaped the cultural and historical landscape of Turkey. With its concise and readable style, A Traveller’s History of Turkey delves into the legends and treasures of the region, including the Flood of Noah, early civilization of Catal Huyuk, Alexander the Great, Romans, Seljuks, Byzantines, and the Golden Age of the Sultans. It also explores the impact of the great changes brought about by Kemal Ataturk in the 20th century and the strong position Turkey holds in the world today. Get ready for a journey through time with A Traveller’s History of Turkey!

The Rough Guide to Turkey

“The Rough Guide to Turkey” is a comprehensive and updated travel companion that brings to life the vast and diverse landscapes of Turkey, from the bustling streets of Istanbul to the serene beaches of the Turquoise Coast. Designed for travelers seeking both iconic sights and hidden gems, this guide is filled with expert recommendations, practical travel tips, and detailed itineraries that cater to all types of adventurers. Whether you’re exploring ancient ruins, savoring local cuisine, or embarking on outdoor adventures, this guide ensures a richer and more authentic experience.

Who Should Consider This Guide and Why:

• 🌍 Culture Enthusiasts: For those eager to dive into Turkey’s rich history and vibrant cultural tapestry.
• 🏞️ Nature Lovers: Ideal for adventurers wanting to explore Turkey’s natural wonders, from the Kackar Mountains to Cappadocia.
• 🍴 Foodies: A treasure trove for culinary explorers seeking the flavors of Turkish cuisine, from street food to gourmet dining.
• 🛤️ Off-the-Beaten-Path Travelers: Perfect for those looking to venture beyond tourist hotspots and discover Turkey’s lesser-known locales.

Turkey - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

The Culture Smart! Turkey guidebook provides a comprehensive look at the cultural norms and customs of Turkey. With a mix of Western and Eastern influences, the Turkish culture can be complex and difficult to navigate for travelers. This guidebook offers a historical background of the country, highlights key values and attitudes, and provides practical tips for communicating and avoiding cultural missteps. The book also emphasizes the hospitable nature of the Turkish people and stresses the importance of showing interest in their culture for a more meaningful travel experience. Get to know the locals and have a more authentic trip by using Culture Smart! Turkey as your essential guide to Turkish customs and culture.

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This post has 4 comments.

Please review/revise your descriptions of the travel guides. On more than one occasion you reference Italy instead of Turkey.

Thank you very much for letting us know. This mistake has been fixed.

I appreciate your Turkey itinerary article post. I look forward to your new informative travel blog posts.

See the new book ‘Exploring Turkey (Türkiye) Touring Guide’ by William (Bill) C. McElroy

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Ten books for travelling to Turkey

Ten Books to Read about Turkey One of the world’s few trans-continental nations, Turkey is where east meets west, Europe meets Asia, and religion meets modernity. The capital city, Istanbul – once Byzantium, and then…

8 Oct 19 · 2 mins read

Ten Books to Read about Turkey

One of the world’s few trans-continental nations, Turkey is where east meets west, Europe meets Asia, and religion meets modernity. The capital city, Istanbul – once Byzantium, and then Constantinople – has been at the centre of empires, including Greece, Rome, Byzantium, and the Ottoman Empire. Today, Istanbul is one of the world’s great cities, home to a world-class collection of monumental architecture, and a vibrant contemporary heart that still thrives in the ancient city.

Befitting this grand history, Turkey has inspired writers both ancient and modern. Here at Odyssey traveller, we’ve uncovered ten books most likely to interest the traveller to Turkey: covering ancient history, poetry, contemporary politics, and even a cookbook.

If you’re interested in Turkey, you may also be interested in our previous articles about the Ottoman Empire:

• Treasures of the Ottoman Empire
• From Anatolia to the Ottoman Empire
• Istanbul, Imperial City

You may also be interested in some of our lists:

• Ten Unimaginable Destinations (including the underground city of Derinkuyu)
• Ideas for Visiting Turkey

The Silk Road in World History

by Xinru Liu

Historians use the term ‘Silk Road’ to refer to the complex of ancient trade routes linking East Asia with Central Asia, South Asia, and the Mediterranean world. This network of exchange emerged along the borders between agricultural China and the steppe nomads during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.E.-220 C.E.). In their quest for horses, fragrances, spices, gems, glassware, and other exotic goods from the lands to their west, the Han Empire extended its dominion over the oases of the Takla Makan Desert. Eventually this domination became the lengthy land routes linking China to the caravan city of Palmyra in the Syrian desert, or the sea route linking Northwest India, the Arabian and Red Seas, ending in Alexandria. These routes meant that Chinese silk reached the Mediterranean world, while other goods flowed back to China.

The Silk Road survived the turmoil following the end of the Han and Roman Empires and reached its golden age during the Early Middle Ages, as the Byzantine Empire and the Tang Empire became centres of silk culture, establishing the models for high culture across the Eurasian world. Islam extended silk culture to an even larger area, paving the way for an expanded market for textiles and other commodities. By the 11th century, however, the Silk Road was in decline because of intense competition from the sea routes of the Indian Ocean. Using supply and demand as the framework for analysing the formation and development of the Silk Road, Liu’s 2010 book examines the spread of new ideas, religions, and values into the world of commerce, thus illustrating the cultural forces underlying material transactions. This effort at tracing the interconnections of the diverse participants in the transcontinental Silk Road exchange will demonstrate that the world had been linked through economic and ideological forces long before the modern era.

Birds Without Wings

by Louis de Bernieres

In the long-awaited successor to Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, de Bernieres vividly brings to life a small village in southwestern Anatolia in the waning years of the Ottoman Empire. Birds Without Wings is populated with characters as real as our best friends, launched into the maelstrom of twentieth-century history. De Bernieres uncovers a world where nationalities and civilisations intermingle; a village where everyone speaks Turkish, but write in Greek letters. It is a place that has room for a professional blasphemer; where a brokenhearted aga finds solace in the arms of a Circassian courtesan (who isn’t Circassian at all); where a beautiful Christian girl named Philothei is engaged to a Muslim boy named Ibrhim. But all of this will change as Turkey enters the modern world. Epic in sweep, intoxicating in its sensual detail, Birds Without Wings is an enchantment. de Bernieres insists it exceeds its better-known predecessor. Discover for yourself.

The Guardian called it “a Turkish take on War and Peace”. Read their interview with Bernieres here .

A Traveller's History of Turkey

by Richard Stoneman

Turkey has been at the centre of empires for millennia – Persia, Rome, Byzantium, and the Ottoman Empire. All of these civilisations have made their mark on the landscape, architecture and art of Turkey. A Traveller’s History of Turkey offers the traveller a concise and readable account of the region from prehistory to the present day, covering everything from the Flood of Noah, the early civilisation of Catal Huyuk, through the treasures of Troy, Alexander the Great, the Romans, Seljuks, Byzantines, and the golden age of the Sultans. Finally, the book considers the great changes wrought by Kemal Atatürk in the early 20 th century, before exploring contemporary Turkey, which is increasingly a powerful force on the world stage.

Turkey: A Short History

by Norman Stone

In Turkey: A Short History the celebrated historian Norman Stone deftly brings the reader through the complex story of Turkey’s history, from the arrival of the Seljuks in Anatolia to contemporary Turkey’s attempts to join the European Union. Stone’s account is of epic proportions, populated by larger than life figures: Genghis Khan, Tamerlane, Sultan Süleyman the magnificent, and Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. For six hundred years, Turkey was at the heart of the Ottoman Empire. Stone vividly brings the global reach of the Ottomans to life, showing how they brought Islam to the gates of Vienna, and controlled territory extending from North Africa to the Persian Gulf to the River Volga.

Stone examines the reasons for the astonishing rise and slow decline of this world empire. Paralleling today’s debates over the position of Turkey (placed between two continents), in the 19 th century, the Ottoman Empire was at the centre of the Eastern Question, as the Great Powers argued over a declining empire. Stone concludes the book with a trenchant examination of the Turkish republic created in the aftermath of the First World War, a place where east and west, religion and secularism, and tradition and modernisation, are vibrant and sometimes conflicting elements of national identity.

Istanbul: A Poetry of Place

by Ates Orga (editor)

When Mehmed the Conqueror first wandered through the ruins of the Byzantine palace, the words of the Persian poet Ferdowsi were on his lips: ‘The spider spins his web in the Palace of the Caesars/An owl hoots in the towers of Afrasiyab’. Mehmed was not alone in being inspired to poetry by Istanbul. As the capital of two great empires, confluence of Asia and Europe, Istanbul has been immortalised by legions of poets throughout her long history, from paupers to sultans, natives and visitors alike.

This pocket-sized book collects some of the finest poems about Istanbul, from Jason and the Argonauts to the fans of Galatasaray Football Club. Poems in this collection include the exquisite love poetry of the Ottomans, epic sagas of Turkish nationalists, the epigrams of sultans, and romantic couplets of visiting diplomats. Reflecting the long cosmopolitanism of this trans-continental city, the collection includes poetry by Turks, Jews, Kurds, gypsies, Armenians, Greeks, and Russians. The collection also includes work by W B Yeats, Sergei Esenin, Nazim Hikmet, Charles Kingsley, Lord Byron, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, Bedri Rahmi Eyuboglu, Orhan Veli, Vita Sackville-West and Suleyman the Magnificent.

The Fall of the Ottomans: The Great War in the Middle East

by Eugene Rogan

By 1914 the powers of Europe were sliding inexorably toward war, and they dragged the Middle East along with them into one of the most destructive conflicts in human history. In The Fall of the Ottomans, the award-winning historian Eugene Rogan brings the First World War and its immediate aftermath in the Middle East to vivid life, uncovering the often-ignored story of the region’s crucial role in the conflict. Unlike the static killing fields of the Western Front, the war in the Middle East was fast-moving and unpredictable, with the Turks inflicting decisive defeats on the Entente in Gallipoli, Mesopotamia, and Gaza before the tide of battle turned in the Allies’ favour. The postwar settlement led to the partition of Ottoman lands, laying the groundwork for the ongoing conflicts that continue to plague the region today. A sweeping narrative of battles and political intrigue from Gallipoli to Arabia, The Fall of the Ottomans is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the Great War and the making of the modern Middle East.

My Name is Red

by Orhan Pamuk (trans. Erdag M. Goknar)

At once a fiendishly devious mystery, a beguiling love story, and a brilliant symposium on the power of art, My Name Is Red is a transporting tale set amid the splendor and religious intrigue of sixteenth-century Istanbul. One of the most prominent contemporary Turkish writers, Orhan Pamuk was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2006.

The Sultan has commissioned a cadre of the most acclaimed artists in the land to create a great book celebrating the glories of his realm. Their task: to illuminate the work in the European style. But because figurative art can be deemed an affront to Islam, this commission is a dangerous proposition indeed. The ruling elite therefore mustn’t know the full scope or nature of the project, and panic erupts when one of the chosen miniaturists disappears. The only clue to the mystery–or crime? –lies in the half-finished illuminations themselves. Part fantasy and part philosophical puzzle, My Name is Red is a kaleidoscopic journey to the intersection of art, religion, love, sex and power.

A New York Times review notes how the book “brush[es] up against our own tradition’s questioning of the place of art”. Read Richard Eder’s review here .

Turkey Unveiled: A History of Modern Turkey

by Nicole and Hugh Pope

In what has been described as a ‘deeply revealing guide to modern Turkish culture and politics’ ( The New York Times Book Review ), Nicole and Hugh Pope provide a glimpse into a culture that has long been misunderstood. Turkey Unveiled is the only book in many years to attempt to fill a gap in perception with regard to this extremely complex country, and the paperback edition includes an epilogue that brings the book totally up to date, with coverage of the most recent developments in Turkey.

Throughout the last generation Turkey has opened up to the outside world, increasingly revealing a pluralistic and dynamic society. The authors, who speak fluent Turkish and have reported from Turkey for over a decade, provide a rich mosaic of contemporary Turkey and its formative past. The strengths and weaknesses of the Ottoman Empire, the Armenian tragedy, the ongoing Kurdish struggle, and the controversial legacy of the brilliant but autocratic founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, are all here. They also provide portraits of new leaders who have broken taboos and ushered in new freedoms at a time when other forces attempt to pull Turkey back into the Middle Eastern vortex. Nicole and Hugh Pope, combining analysis with understanding, make recent developments in Turkey intelligible for both the general reader and the millions of visitors welcomed by a burgeoning tourist industry.

If you wish to read about some of the more controversial aspects of Turkey’s history, Christopher de Bellaigue’s Rebel Land: Unraveling the Riddle of History in a Turkish Town (2009) examines the Armenian tragedy.

A Peace to End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East

by David Fromkin

The Middle East has long been a region of rival religions, ideologies, nationalisms, and ambitions. All of these conflicts – the hostilities between Arabs and Israelis, and the tensions between Iraq’s competing sects – are rooted in the arrangements, unities and divisions imposed by the Allies after the First World War. In A Peace to End All Peace, David Fromkin reveals how and why the Allies drew lines on an empty map, remaking the geography and politics of the Middle East. Focusing on the formative years of 1914 to 1922, when all seemed possible, he delivers in this sweeping and magisterial book the definitive account of this period, showing how the choices made put the Middle East on a road that led to the conflicts and confusions that continue today.

Anatolia: Adventures in Turkish Cooking

by David Dale and Somer Sivrioglu

Turkish-born (and Sydney-based) chef Somer Sivrioglu and co-author David Dale reimagine the traditions of Turkish cooking, presenting recipes ranging from the grand banquets of the Ottoman Empire to the spicy snacks of Istanbul’s street stalls. In doing so, they explain their take on the classics and reveal the surrounding rituals, myths, jokes and folk wisdom of both the old and new Turkey.

Somer and David bring us more than 150 accessible recipes with rich colour photographs, shot on location in Turkey. Also included are feature spreads on local Turkish chefs and producers and their specialities, adding another fascinating layer to the book. Take a unique glimpse into the worlds of old and new Turkey with this beautiful, multidimensional cookbook.

Visit Turkey with Odyssey Traveller

Odyssey Traveller organises cultural tours to Turkey. Our tours take you from Istanbul to Cappadocia in eastern Turkey, before winding back up along the west coast. On our journey, you will see many of Turkey’s most important heritage sites: the Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Goreme Open Air Museum. Our trip also includes a walking tour through the archaeological ruins of ancient Ephesus (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Antalya. In order to ensure you have a memorable trip, our private tour takes a cruise down the Bosporus and visits the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul.

On our trip, we provide hotel accommodation along with a number of meals at a local restaurant, so that you have many opportunities to try the many delicious varieties of Turkish food. In order to ensure an authentic and informed experience our tours are led by an expert tour manager, joined in each location by an experienced local guide. Click here to see the full itinerary and sign up.

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Lonely Planet’s  Turkey  is our most comprehensive guide that extensively covers all the country has to offer, with recommendations for both popular and lesser-known experiences. See the minarets of Istanbul’s Old City, hot-air balloon over Cappadocia, gaze at the magnificent Aya Sofya; all with your trusted travel companion.  

Inside  Lonely Planet’s  Turkey  Travel Guide: 

Up-to-date information -  all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020’s COVID-19 outbreak

NEW top experiences feature  - a visually inspiring collection of Turkey’s best experiences and where to have them

What's NEW feature  taps into cultural trends and helps you find fresh ideas and cool new areas 

Planning tools for family travellers  - where to go, how to save money, plus fun stuff just for kids

NEW pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' card*  with wi-fi, ATM and transport info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel

Highlights   and itineraries  help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests

Eating & drinking in Turkey  -  we reveal the dishes and drinks you have to try

Colour  maps and images throughout

Insider tips  to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots

Essential info   at your fingertips  - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices

Honest reviews for all budgets  - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss

Cultural insights  give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics

Covers  Istanbul, Thrace, Marmara, Gallipoli Peninsula, Troy, Izmir, North Aegean, Ephesus, Bodrum, South Aegean, Ankara, Cappadocia, Black Sea Coast, Antalya, Eastern Mediterranean and more

eBook is available in ePub, MOBI and PDF.

ISBN: 9781786578006

Edition: 16th

Publication Date: May 2022

Writers: Jessica Lee, Brett Atkinson, Mark Elliott, Steve Fallon, Virginia Maxwell, Iain Stewart

640 pages, 640pp color, 110 maps | Dimensions: 128mm × 197mm

Next edition due: December 2024

This guide is in the English language.

Which guidebook is right for me?

Country, city & regional guides.

• Top experience collections
• Regional itineraries recommended by experts (from a couple of days to multi-week)
• 3D illustrations and guided tours of key sights
• Extensive coverage of history and culture
• Detailed maps throughout - includes walking maps and a pull-out planning map

EXPERIENCE guides

(country, city & regional).

• Led by local experts that reveal their favorite experiences and hidden gems
• Personal itinerary building tools
• Seasonal planning calendars
• QR codes unlock additional online content

POCKET guides

(city & regional).

• Special features cover most popular sights
• Content organized by neighborhhod
• Recommended 1, 2, 3 and 4-day itineraries
• Guided walking tours

The Rough Guide to Turkey

This practical travel guide to Turkey features detailed factual travel tips and points-of-interest structured lists of all iconic must-see sights as well as some off-the-beaten-track treasures. Our itinerary suggestions and expert author picks of things to see and do will make it a perfect companion both, ahead of your trip and on the ground. This Turkey guide book is packed full of details on how to get there and around, pre-departure information and top time-saving tips, including a visual list of things not to miss. Our colour-coded maps make Turkey easier to navigate while you're there. This guide book to Turkey has been fully updated post-COVID-19. The Rough Guide to TURKEY covers:  Istanbul and around, around the Sea of Marmara, the North Aegean, the Turquoise Coast, the Mediterranean coat and the Hatay, South Central Anatolia, North Central Anatolia, the Black Sea coast, Northeastern Anatolia, the Euphrates and Tigris basin, Lake Van and the southeast. Inside this Turkey travel guide you'll find: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELLER

Experiences selected for every kind of trip to Turkey, from off-the-beaten-track adventures in Kackar Daglari to family activities in child-friendly places, like Cappadocia or chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas, like Ishak Pasa Sarayi. PRACTICAL TRAVEL TIPS

Essential pre-departure information including Turkey entry requirements, getting around, health information, travelling with children, sports and outdoor activities, food and drink, festivals, culture and etiquette, shopping, tips for travellers with disabilities and more. TIME-SAVING ITINERARIES

Includes carefully planned routes covering the best of Turkey, which give a taste of the richness and diversity of the destination, and have been created for different time frames or types of trip. DETAILED REGIONAL COVERAGE

Clear structure within each sightseeing chapter of this Turkey travel guide includes regional highlights, brief history, detailed sights and places ordered geographically, recommended restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs and major shops or entertainment options. INSIGHTS INTO GETTING AROUND LIKE A LOCAL

Tips on how to beat the crowds, save time and money and find the best local spots for hot air balloon rides, food, exploring ruins or horse riding. HIGHLIGHTS OF THINGS NOT TO MISS

Rough Guides' rundown of the Black Sea coast, Northeastern Anatolia, the Euphrates and Tigris basin's best sights and top experiences helps to make the most of each trip to Turkey, even in a short time. HONEST AND INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Written by Rough Guides' expert authors with a trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, this Turkey guide book will help you find the best places, matching different needs. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Comprehensive 'Contexts' chapter of this travel guide to Turkey features fascinating insights into Turkey, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary. FABULOUS FULL COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHY

Features inspirational colour photography, including the stunning Phaselis and the spectacular Selimiye Camii. COLOUR-CODED MAPPING

Practical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys for quick orientation in Iskele, Ancient Ephesus and many more locations in Turkey, reduce the need to go online. USER-FRIENDLY LAYOUT

With helpful icons, and organised by neighbourhood to help you pick the best spots to spend your time.

Description

Book details.

This title is a part of Rough Guides Main Series

Practical travel guides series covering countries, cities and regions, with detailed factual travel tips, perfect for independent, long-stay, backpacking and budget-conscious travellers seeking comprehensive travel information and off-the-beaten track experiences

Extensive practical travel information including getting there, getting around, climate information, safety tips, accommodation explanations, food & drink advice and shopping essentials 

Curated author picks with destination highlights at the beginning of each guide

Ready-made itineraries covering every corner of the destination

Colour-coded places chapters with detailed coverage of places and sights, presented in a points-of-interest structure 

Extensive recommendations for accommodation, restaurants, shops and leisure activities for all budgets

Colour-coded detailed maps with marked-up key sights 

Insights on history and nature highlights  

Easy to use, newspaper-style layout

All guides published from January 2021 are printed on paper from responsible sources verified to meet FSC’s strict environmental and social standards

Free eBook with each printed guide published from May 2019 

Format: 129 x 198mm

Price: £14.99-£26.99 | $13.99-$34.99

Extent: 616–1208 page

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10 BOOKS TO READ BEFORE TRAVELING TO TURKEY

Are you going to be traveling to Turkey soon? Before you start packing your bags, it might be a good idea for you to learn a little more about the area. The best way to gather information about any destination is to read about it.

Reading books can help you get a small taste of Turkey and familiarize you with the culture and history before you go. Are you not sure where to begin with creating your reading list?

Check out this quick-reading guide to find out which books can give you the best representation of Turkey.

1. John Freely’s Istanbul

John Freely has been exploring Istanbul for over 40 years, so if anyone knows about the city, it’s him. He’s written over 30 books about the history and culture of Istanbul.

The book contains everything you need to know about the streets and mosques of the city. You can use it as a quick reference guide while you walk the same streets or use it to familiarize yourself with Istanbul before you visit.

2. Istanbul: City of Majesty at the Crossroads of the World- Thomas F. Madden

Thomas F. Madden will take you through the complete history of Istanbul from the beginning. The book is broken up into four parts, Byzantion (667 BCE-330), Byzantion Constantinople (330-1453), Ottoman Constantinople (1453-1923), and modern-day Istanbul (1923-2016).

Madden doesn’t only show you the history of the country with words. There are illustrated maps inside that display the various states of the land throughout the years.

3. Portrait of a Turkish Family- Ifan Orga

The Portrait of a Turkish Family is about loss. You will follow the trials of the Ottoman Empire through the eyes of the Orga family. The Orga’s lost everything they had due to the first World War.

They weren’t the only ones who suffered a loss, however. Many were hurt when the empire fell, but from loss comes the development of a great nation.

4. Turkish Delights- Philippa Scott

No, this book isn’t about the delicious Turkish sweet. It’s about art, which is just as delightful. When Constantinople fell, the West became greatly influenced by Turkish art.

In the book, you’ll see to what extent while learning more about Turkish paintings, textiles, ceramics, fashion, garden design, architecture, and fashion. That’s only the tip of the iceberg.

5. My Name Is Red: Orhan Pamuk

My Name is Red got Orhan Pamuk, a Nobel prize in literature and for a good reason. The book follows the murder of an Ottoman book illustrator.

As you read the mystery unfold, you’ll also see many detailed tidbits about the history of the Ottoman Era.

6. Ataturk: The Biography of the Founder of Modern Turkey- Andrew Mango

As the name suggests, this book is the biography of the founder of modern-day Turkey. It will take you through the fall of the Ottoman Empire up to the rise of the Republic. You’ll learn about Ataurk’s politics and military career.

You won’t only be reading about this great leader’s accomplishments. The book also beautifully displays who he was as a person. You’ll learn about his family, his dreams, feelings, desires, and goals.

7. Splendors of Istanbul: Houses and Places Along the Bosphorus- Chris Hellier

If you’re going to be taking a cruise across the Bosphorus, then it may be helpful to learn about the sights you’ll see along the way. Splendors of Istanbul: Houses and Places Along the Bosphorus can tell you all about it in great detail.

You’ll learn all about the mansions and waterside villas before taking your cruise. This book is a masterpiece not only for those who are visiting Istanbul but for those who have a passion for architecture in general.

8. Constantinople: City of the World’s Desire- Philip Mansel

Before it fell, Constantinople was a bustling city full of trade, intellect, and religion. This book focuses on the history of Constantinople as well as the culture and people. You’ll be reading much about the wealthy families who lived inside the city.

Each of these families contributed to the empire to expand and grow into something more significant.

9. Crescent and Star: Turkey Between Two Worlds-Stephen Kinzer

In the newest edition of this book, you’ll get to know all the aspects of Turkey’s history from the Ottoman Empire up to the present day. You’ll get a feel for the real powers of the Turkish army.

Stephen Kinzer also describes the diplomatic potential of the state and gives the reader a taste of the country’s religious aspects. On top of politics, religion, and military, you’ll also read about some of the pleasures that Turkey has to offer, such as cafes, ruins, and mountain outposts.

10. Living in Istanbul- Kenize Mourad

The best way to learn about a country is to hear about it firsthand from someone who lived there. Kenize Mourad takes the reader through the hidden delights of Istanbul throughout the book.

There is a certain magic about the architecture and waters in Istanbul that the author goes over in great detail.

Do a Little Reading Before Traveling to Turkey

Are you traveling to Turkey? It may be a good idea for you to do a little bit of light reading before leaving.

You’d be surprised at how much books can help you attune to the cultural, religious, and historical aspects of the country. Add some of these books to your reading list and brush up on your knowledge.

As accurate as the books are, nothing can prepare you for how amazing Turkey actually is. One of the best ways to view the country is by going on a tour. Contact us to learn more.

20 Best Books Set in Turkey

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Dreaming of visiting Turkey? Here are the best books set in Turkey that will take you there without even having to leave home!

Turkey is vast and has a wide variety of places, landscapes, ancient cultures, rich gastronomy, and traditions to discover.

Due to its strategic position, located between Europe and Asia and between three seas, Turkey has been a historical crossroads between Eastern and Western cultures and civilizations. Its territory has been home to several great civilizations, and many battles have been fought throughout history.

Fish, olives, nuts, coffee… If we talk about food, there is an immensity of foods that define Turkish gastronomy. However, the omnipresent dish that you will find in all restaurants is the famous kebab – other must-sees in its gastronomy include the yogurt drink (Ayran) that accompanies all meals and the most delicious dessert ever, baklava.

And if you are wondering what to do in Turkey, let me tell you that the list is long, but first, you should know there are thousands of historical sites to visit.

Here are a few to give you an idea of the diversity of adventures that Turkey has:

• Enjoy the relaxation of a Turkish bath.
• Visit Pamukkale, a huge “cotton castle.” A geological formation created by thermal waters with a high content of calcium and bicarbonate, one of the most curious landscapes in Turkey.
• Fly in a hot air balloon over Cappadocia. Scattered throughout the valleys of Cappadocia, in Central Anatolia, there are peculiar rock formations that make up a unique landscape. Hundreds of balloons of all colors invade the sky every day to see the sunrise.
• See Tuz Gölü, in central Anatolia. One of the saltiest lakes in the world, even saltier than the Dead Sea.

Turkey has been home to some of the most beloved writers of the 20th and 21st centuries. It has important literature that ranges from revolutionary political poetry to fiction novels, where the exotic mysteries of the country and the culture of the citizens stand out.

Also, Turkish literature is internationally recognized, and some of its literary works have been translated into more than 40 languages.

If you want to take an imaginary tour (or you plan to travel to Turkey), I invite you to continue reading and choose some books from the list to be part of your reading list!

Here you will find the 20 best fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books set in Turkey. We update our book lists frequently, so please share your favorite Turkish novels. Let’s get started!

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Novels and Fiction set in Turkey

Motherland Hotel by Yusuf Atilgan

Translated by Fred Stark

Motherland Hotel is not an easy book to read. It has received critical acclaim for its experimental style, psychological depth, and bold depiction of the protagonist’s sexual obsession.

Zebercet is a lonely, introverted middle-aged man with a monotonous life that takes place within the walls of the hotel he runs. He is the last member of a prosperous Ottoman family.

The hotel is run down, has nine rooms, and is located near the railway station. Nothing exciting ever happens, except for his routine sexual relationship with the cleaning lady.

One day, a woman arrives at the hotel to spend the night, and she promises to come back next week. Zebercet’s monotonous life changes radically. He waits for her, fantasizes, and becomes obsessed with the mysterious woman, gradually losing his sense of reality.

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The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak

This book will surely transport you to Turkey and make you feel the colors, the aromas, and the magic of its streets.

Between Fiction and reality, history and magic is the story of Armanoush, a young woman who recently arrived from Arizona in Istanbul to find her roots.

It is an interesting novel with strong female characters, which tells a family story that was affected by one of the darkest episodes in history: the Armenian genocide.

The Book of Devices by İhsan Oktay Anar

Translated by Gregory Key

You will want to share this book with your friends. The book follows the story of three generations of Ottoman inventors living on Galata Hill.

Yasef Celebi is the inventor, he dreams of earning large amounts of gold and ruling the world, but his inventions do not get the approval he expected. The invented devices are described in detail in the book, represented with illustrations intended to explain how they worked.

As we follow Yasef Chelebi and his two successors on their quest for the secret of perpetual motion, the crumbling Empire undergoes drastic changes in the background, and Istanbul – the city of his dreams witnesses coups, westernizing reforms, and the advent of technological innovation.

The Janissary Tree by Jason Goodwin

The story takes place in Istanbul in 1836, with the Ottoman Empire standing on the cusp between tradition and modernity that will destroy it. But just as a radical change in the Empire’s policies is to be announced, a wave of assassinations threatens the fragile balance of its power.

Are the Janissaries, who for 400 years were the army of the Empire, making a brutal comeback? This history and mystery novel will not let you close the book until you finish it!

The Janissary Tree is the first book in the Investigator Yashim series. Check out the rest of the series;

• The Snake Stone (Book 2)
• The Bellini Card (Book 3)
• EVIL EYE (Book 4)
• The Baklava Club (Book 5)

Memed, My Hawk by Yashar Kemal

Translated by Edouard Roditi

Memed, My Hawk is a 1955 novel by Yaşar Kemal. It was Kemal’s debut novel and is the first novel in his İnce Memed tetralogy.

Memed, a young boy from a village in Anatolia, is abused and beaten by the villainous local landowner, Abdi Agha. Having endured great cruelty towards himself and his mother, Memed finally escapes with his beloved from him, a girl named Hatche.

When he finally gets away, he is to set up as a roving brigand, seeking revenge. Will he get it?

Snow by Orhan Pamuk

Translated by Maureen Freely

In Snow, Orhan Pamuk talks about the problems of a contemporary Turkey that is torn between East and West, between tradition and modernity. It is a poetic novel that walks through love and the desire for happiness and questions and delves into power, politics and its violence, and religion.

Ka is a Turkish poet exiled in Germany for 12 years who returned to Turkey in the early nineties. He travels to the remote city of Kars, in the far northeast of Turkey, to write an article about the upcoming municipal elections and the wave of suicides among young women who have been forced to remove their veils to go to school.

At the same time, the beauty and melancholy of the snow that does not stop falling drives him to write 19 poems in just three days, which is the time in which the novel takes place.

The Time of Mute Swans: by Ece Temelkuran

If you want to read something beautiful and moving, this is the way to go. The story is about a coup in Turkey, told through the eyes of two children: Ayşe and Ali.

Set in 1980, in Ankara, Turkey, it reveals the warring elements of Turkish society — between democratic leanings or communism and the harsh crackdowns of a dictatorial government; between rich and poor; between beauty and terror.

It reveals the reality of life in Turkey in the 1971-1980 era with two coup d’etats and a bloody social history. 

Two children: one from a family is living in misery, and one well-off form an alliance amidst the turmoil. And they hatch a plan.

For the first time in generations, mute swans have migrated from Russia to the Black Sea and a park at Ankara’s center. For the generals, they are an affirmation, and their wings must be broken, so they can’t fly away. But if the children can save one swan, won’t they have saved the freedom of all?

Three Daughters of Eve by Elif Shafak

The story takes place in Istanbul in the year 2016. Peri is a wealthy Turkish woman, a mother, a housewife, and a contributor to charities. She is mugged as she heads out with her daughter to a dinner party.

As she fights off her attacker, an old photograph falls out of her bag, a Polaroid of Peri and three other people in Oxford. A relic of a past – and a love – that Peri had tried desperately to forget.

Arriving at the party and looking at the wealthy guests, Peri’s mind is racing with memories conjured up by her nearly lost Polaroid. Memories from the time when she was first sent abroad to attend the University of Oxford, where she had become friends with the charming, adventurous Shirin, a fully assimilated Iranian girl, and Mona, a devout Egyptian American.

Three Daughters of Eve is a marvelous lesson in the clash between modernity and tradition and the vicissitudes of personal struggle. A must-read that entertains and informs without preaching.

Orlando by Virginia Woolf

Orlando is the first novel in history to feature a transgender person. A fictional biography of a gentleman, Orlando, born in the 16th century, during the reign of Elizabeth I of England, and lived until at least the first third of the 20th century.

During this time, Orlando lives a passionate love affair with a Russian woman named Sasha, writes a very long poem, and accepts a position as ambassador to Constantinople. One day he changes sex for no apparent reason.

She lived for a while with some gypsies. Returning to London as a woman, she marries a sailor and meets some of the foremost literary personalities of the age.

Non-fiction books about Turkey

Istanbul: Memories and the City by Orhan Pamuk

Istanbul is not a novel, a chronicle, a travel guide, or an autobiography, but it is all that and much more!

Orhan Pamuk, a winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2006, was born in Istanbul and continues to write and live in the same place today.

The 37 chapters of this book are full of stories, memories, and photographs that Orhan Pamuk offers us to learn about his intimate life and the city’s history uniquely as only a local person can.

Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities by Bettany Hughes

If you are interested in history, this book will help you learn more about this great city, and at the same time, you will enjoy an entertaining read based on impeccable research.

Bettany Hughes is a historian and host of television programs. As well as having written a large number of books, she has also directed many documentaries for the BBC, National Geographic, Discovery, The History Channel, and ABC.

She has done much research on Istanbul’s six-thousand-year history in this book. 

A city with three names: Byzantium, Constantinople, and Istanbul, and has been the capital of four empires: the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Latin Empire of the Crusaders, and the Ottoman Empire. And a city that is the seat of both the Christian patriarchy and the Islamic caliphate.

And finally, the book contains:

• Black and white illustrations
• Photographs that help better understand and contextualize some parts of Istanbul’s history

Tanpinar’s ‘Five Cities’ by Ahmet Hamdi Tanpinar

Translated by Ruth Christie

A book that is more than just that, it is a historical, architectural, musical, and literary picture of four Anatolian cities – Ankara, Erzurum, Konya, and Bursa – to which the author adds Istanbul.

If traveling with the imagination is what you are looking for, Tapinar does an excellent job of describing the five capitals of the Ottoman Empire and the passage of the different civilizations that settled in them.

Constantinople by Edmondo de Amicis

This book will make you believe that you have been there, at the same time and place as the author, even though more than 100 years have passed since it was written and published.

Edmondo de Amicis has done such a thorough and well-done job that it is almost cinematic; you can visualize what you are reading.

It is the record of the author’s visit to Istanbul before World War I. He practically describes the entire city, giving a detailed history of the splendid ancient buildings and monuments and plenty of everyday anecdotes from his own experiences. He describes the people who live in different parts of the city, from the exclusive residential areas to the slums.

This book will provide enriching reading for history buffs or those planning to visit Istanbul themselves.

Istanbul: The Imperial City by John Freely

A book that presents a new part of the city we know, the time before the Ottoman Empire in Istanbul.

An in-depth study of this legendary city through its many different ages. From its earliest foundation to the present day, it is the perfect traveler’s guide.

The author divides the book into Byzantium, Constantinople, and Istanbul. In these pages, John Freely captures the flavor of daily life as well as court ceremonial and intrigue.

The book also includes a comprehensive gazetteer of all major monuments and museums.

Turkish Reflections: A Biography of a Place by Mary Lee Settle

Settle explores an enchanting and historical land where the cutting of a tree is a crime, where goats are sacrificed to launch state-of-the-art ships, and where whole towns emerge at dusk to stroll in the streets.

It is a wonderful book to read if you plan to travel to Turkey. The author navigates both geography and history. He goes around Turkey; he describes each area telling his story so that you learn but at the same time feel part of the environment as if you were in Istanbul and these places were known and loved.

Osman’s Dream: The History of the Ottoman Empire by Caroline Finkel

According to the Ottoman chronicles, the first sultan, Osman, had a dream in which a tree emerged fully formed from his navel “and its shade compassed the world”- symbolizing the vast Empire he and his descendants were destined to forge.

The Ottoman Empire was one of the largest and most influential empires. Its reach extended to three continents, and it survived for more than six centuries, but its history is too often colored by the memory of its bloody final throes on the battlefields of World War I.

Finkel gives a monumental account of the rise and fall of the Ottoman Empire, and inside the book, there are many interesting details and illustrations.

Children’s Books Set in Turkey

Around the World in a Bathtub by Wade Bradford and Micha Archer

Bath time is different in all countries, what it does have in common is that children don’t want to know anything about it!

From a hammam in Turkey to a maqii on the Alaskan tundra, this book shares the bath-time battle that happens every night around the world.

These stories and illustrations will make children laugh and learn about the importance of personal hygiene.

I See the Sun in Turkey by Dedie King and Judith Inglese

Translated by Hilal Sen

This story is told by a Turkish child, Mehmet, a bright, happy boy who shares a day in his life in Istanbul, Turkey. Mehmet’s life is quite similar to every other young child’s life in that he eats breakfast with his family, attends school, and enjoys spending time with his friends.

Readers tour the Old City through vibrant illustrations, fishing on the Bosphorus and taking a tram ride past the Hippodrome.

Drummer Girl by Hiba Masood and Hoda Hadadi

Year after year, in the blessed month of Ramadan, little Najma has happily risen to the drumbeat of her neighborhood’s musaharati. She walks through the streets of her small Turkish village, waking each family for the pre-dawn meal before the long day of fasting.

Najma wants nothing more than to be a musaharati herself one day, but no girl has ever taken on the role before. Will she have what it takes to be the drummer girl of her dreams? Find out in this inspirational story of sincerity, determination, and believing in yourself.

The Seven Fairy Mountains of Cappadocia by Linda Socha Jaworski

Küçük, the smallest fairy mountain, is full of worry! Things begin to change in her village, and she desperately wants to help, but could she be part of the problem?

Read The Seven Fairy Mountains of Cappadocia to discover how even the smallest fairy mountain can bring about the biggest change! Join Küçük and her sisters in the land of Cappadocia, where a timeless, magical element still endures, and wishes really do come true!

What Are Your Favorite Books Set In Turkey?

Have you read any of these books set in Turkey? Do you have any favorite books set in Turkey that I should add to this list? Let me know in the comments below!

Where next?

Start with this list of the very best  travel adventure books . It includes great reads that will fuel your wanderlust and have you staying up late to finish them. Also, check out the following series of book lists set in other wonderful destinations:

Books set in Greece | Books set in Italy | Books set in India

Know someone else who wants to read books set in Turkey? Then please pin this post.

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Best list I’ve seen for books set in Türkiye! Thank you!

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Turkey Books | Satisfy your wanderlust

Picking crushed pistachio off your kunefe . Watching the fishermen casting their lines into the leaden Bosphorus. Wandering the winding streets of Istanbul or taking a break at the Blue Mosque. Turkey is a country that fascinates many and has undoubtedly found its way into our hearts. And we think the best way to capture its raw beauty (other than eating it’s delicious Turkish food ) is through reading Turkey books or novels.

Read on for 6 of our favourite books from Turkish authors (or set in Turkey), to spark your wanderlust and prepare you for a trip to Turkey , the land of hot air balloons, hammams and hazir .

Give these a listen instead, with Audible . Whether you’re an avid Kindle reader or prefer the feel of pages beneath your fingertips, it’s also worth trying out audiobooks; the perfect way to read all of these books if you’re busy and on the go. Audible actually offers a free trial Get it here! , or you can take them up on their special offer, which gets you 50% off their membership for 3 months. Get that offer here! .

Snow – Orhan Pamuk

Pamuk must be Turkey’s most successful author on the global stage, and for good reason. A fascinating writer with spellbinding storytelling, his works are all worth a read but Snow is my favourite, and winner of the 2006 Nobel Prize for literature.

Chronicling the return of Ka, a poet, to his native Istanbul and later Kars (a small town) for his mother’s funeral, the book is set amidst a snowstorm, giving it its name. It’s a beautiful take on politics, love and religion, and the perfect way to discover Pamuk.

Last Train to Istanbul – Ayşe Kulin

Another bestselling Turkish novelist, you’ve probably heard of this book.

It’s a lovely read and has quite a number of characters that I really grew to love and empathized with. Essentially it takes place during World War II and tells the story of two Turkish sisters, Selva and Sabiha, living in Paris who must escape the Nazis.

The Bastard of Istanbul – Elif Shafak

It’s a deliberately shocking title, which reflects the story itself. This colourful story centres around Asya, a young woman (the ‘bastard’) and her extended family. It’s a clash of cultures (American and Turkish), a passionate portrayal of love, of suffering and of gritty yet gorgeous Istanbul. A real page-turner!

Birds Without Wings – Louis de Bernières

He is not Turkish, but author de Bernières really captures the spirit of Turkey and particularly a small (fictional) village going through growing pains in this book.

You might know the writer from Corelli’s Mandolin , which became a Hollywood film, and Birds Without Wings would also lend itself to film, since it’s very visual in its descriptions. It’s a little dense but also has some interesting humour. A must-read, particularly if venturing beyond Istanbul on a visit.

The Janissary Tree – Jason Goodwin

Goodwin studied history at Cambridge and fell in love with Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire, later writing a historical account of it, Lords of the Horizons . But it was when he turned his attention to fiction that he hit the literary jackpot, with The Janissary Tree .

This is the first in a series with the main character, Yashim, a eunuch and a Turkish detective in 19 th century Istanbul. The books have been translated into 40 languages, so thousands of readers can’t be wrong!

Portrait of a Turkish Family – Irfan Orga

It might not be fiction but Orga’s autobiography feels almost like a dream. The book follows the author’s life – a privileged boy born into a rich Ottoman family, whose fortunes change over time. It’s melancholic, it’s fascinating and it really showcases the streets of Istanbul. So much so that you have to read it before you go and ensure you visit some of the sights he includes. This one is absolutely unputdownable and rounds out the list of the 6 books you must read before you visit Turkey.

Read next: Here is the ultimate list of must-read travel books , selected by some of the best travel bloggers! Or check out our suggestions for books about Jordan , the best South African novels or books to read before visiting Brazil !

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Last Updated on May 2, 2019

For  maps of Turkey,  click here .

A Handbook for Living in Turkey

My friend, former-coauthor and TTP colleague  Pat Yale  has written the definitive book for those intending to  buy a house and live in Turkey . It answers all the questions: buying, restoring, finding and directing workers, buying furnishings, gaining legal residency, opening a bank account, etc.  More…

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The  Ottoman Empire ‘s greatest architect has left us a treasury of wonderful works. This book is the key that opens it.  More…

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Lonely Planet Turkey

Ah, what can I say? I wrote the  original edition (1985) and the six editions that followed. It’s now in other authorial hands, but is still the best-overall practical on-the-road guide for budget travelers, with some suggestions for more upscale travel.  More…

Lonely Planet Istanbul

I wrote the  original edition  of this one, too, though other authors now update it. It’s a good, comprehensive guide to the city with lots of maps, photos, and a wider range of hotels and restaurants than  Lonely Planet Turkey .  More…

Rough Guide Turkey

A worthy competitor to Lonely Planet Turkey, its committee of authors covers the country in depth and with attitude (sometimes a bit too much of both?)

Rough Guide Istanbul

A fine guide to the city, though it follows the current guidebook fashion of going too far off the tourist track, recommending places and activities that might be enjoyed by someone who has moved to the city for a few months, but might be a bit too obscure and time-consuming for someone who has but a few days here.

Frommer’s Turkey

I wrote the first seven editions of this guide, but the current book is a completely rewritten effort. Extensive descriptions of hotels and restaurants make it easy to pick those special places to stay and to dine that make your trip memorable.

Dorling Kindersley Istanbul

Beautifully designed and lavishly illustrated, this fine cultural, historic and artistic guide is a great way to learn about the city. The practical information tends to be less up-to-date and useful than that in  Lonely Planet Istanbul  or  Rough Guide Istanbul , but the cultural stuff is much better.

Turkey: Bright Sun, Strong Tea

Not a guidebook, rather my  humorous travel memoir  good for cultural and societal background.  Excerpts, autographed copies &  more…

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St Paul Trail

Kate Clow’s second great  cross-country hiking  trail has its own guidebook, which you’ll want to carry with you.  More…

—by  Tom Brosnahan

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Lonely Planet Turkey (Travel Guide) Paperback – Folded Map, May 24, 2022

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Inside Lonely Planet’s Turkey Travel Guide:

Up-to-date information - all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020’s COVID-19 outbreak

NEW top experiences feature - a visually inspiring collection of Turkey’s best experiences and where to have them

What's NEW feature taps into cultural trends and helps you find fresh ideas and cool new areas

Planning tools for family travellers - where to go, how to save money, plus fun stuff just for kids

NEW pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' card* with wi-fi, ATM and transport info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel

Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests

Eating & drinking in Turkey - we reveal the dishes and drinks you have to try

Colour maps and images throughout

Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots

Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices

Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss

Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics

Covers Istanbul, Thrace, Marmara, Gallipoli Peninsula, Troy, Izmir, North Aegean, Ephesus, Bodrum, South Aegean, Ankara, Cappadocia, Black Sea Coast, Antalya, Eastern Mediterranean and more

The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet’s Turkey , our most comprehensive guide to Turkey, is perfect for discovering both popular and off-the-beaten-path experiences.

Need a city guide? Check out Lonely Planet’s Istanbul for an in-depth look at all the city has to offer. Going for a short break or weekend? Pocket Istanbul is a handy-sized guide focused on the can’t-miss sights.

About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day.

'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' – New York Times

'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – Fairfax Media (Australia)

• Print length 640 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Lonely Planet
• Publication date May 24, 2022
• Dimensions 5.1 x 1 x 7.7 inches
• ISBN-10 178657800X
• ISBN-13 978-1786578006
• See all details

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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lonely Planet; 16th edition (May 24, 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 640 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 178657800X
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1786578006
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.1 x 1 x 7.7 inches
• #2 in General Middle East Travel Guides
• #7 in General Turkey Travel Guides
• #12 in General Asia Travel Books

About the author

Lonely planet.

With over 150 million guidebooks in print, Lonely Planet is a trusted source for any traveler. Since our inception in 1973, we've inspired generations of travelers to discover amazing places and enabled curious travelers to get off the beaten paths to appreciate different cultures and become agents of positive change.

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• The Best Books On Istanbul...

7 Books Featuring Istanbul You Need to Add to Your Reading List

With its rich history and beauty, Istanbul has been a source of inspiration for many art forms, especially literature. From fictional stories to photography, historical accounts to a comprehensive city guide, we took a look at some essential Istanbul reads.

Istanbul: memories and the city.

This novel, by Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk, has been said to be an autobiographical memoir that inspects how Istanbul has changed drastically in terms of culture. Deeply melancholic, the book is filled with memories by Pamuk, literary essays by writers connected to Istanbul by some means, and photographs by famous photojournalist Ara Güler as well as other photographers chosen personally by Pamuk.

The Bastard of Istanbul

Bestselling author Elif Şafak got into a bit of trouble after the release of this novel in 2006. The plot revolves around the two characters, Asya Kazancı and Armanoush Tchakhmakhchian, who are connected through the events of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. As Armanoush travels to Istanbul, the reader follows her story as she uncovers the story of her Armenian roots. The year the novel was published, Şafak was charged for “insulting Turkishness,” facing up to three years in jail until the charges were dropped due to the lack of legal grounds and sufficient evidence.

Strolling Through Istanbul: the Classic Guide to the City

Written by Hilary Sumner-Boyd and John Freely, this book allows readers to explore Istanbul on foot as the authors relate the story of historic monuments and sites that go back to the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. There’s also plenty of secret histories and sights that you’ll likely not come across on a regular tour of Istanbul. With practical tips and vivid descriptions, this is definitely a befitting companion for history enthusiasts who are interested in the details of the city and its rich past.

The Museum of Innocence

The other famous novel by Orhan Pamuk that revolves around Istanbul, The Museum of Innocence became quite popular because of the actual museum that was opened in Cihangir and was inspired by the novel. The novel’s protagonist Kemal is a wealthy businessman who falls in love with Füsun, a distant relative of lower income. Set between 1975 and 1984, Kemal begins to collect memorabilia that relay the story of their love and in the actual museum, these antique items are on display as if their love story is real.

Istanbul: the Ultimate Guide

Quite encyclopedic in its comprehensive scope of the city, Istanbul: the Ultimate Guide has pretty much everything you need to know on more than 600 pages. Written by travel writers Saffet Emre Tonguç and Pat Yale, the guide uncovers such details as Russian churches hiding on the rooftops in Karaköy or an old wooden house belonging to a Turkish artist in Beyazıt. It’s definitely a unique journey that looks at both the popular touristic sights as well as the secret tales hiding in the back streets.

Ara Güler’s Istanbul

One of Turkey’s most renowned photojournalists, Ara Güler is known as “The Eye of Istanbul,” because of his stunning black and white photography that captured the city in its prime. This book shows the everyday lives of Istanbul residents between 1940 and 1980 underneath a sheath of melancholy stuck between tradition and modernity. The photos are also accompanied by text from Orhan Pamuk.

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Istanbul: the Imperial City

Written by American physicist, teacher, and author John Freely, Istanbul: the Imperial City is an essential and in-depth historical guide to Istanbul. Freely not only follows Istanbul from its foundation to its present, but also is able to capture the feel of its everyday life. The book also has a geographical index of all of Istanbul’s historical sights and museums, which is an excellent source for travelers.

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Want to see the best of Turkey? Try one of these 7 incredible train journeys

Turkey’s rail network remains one of its best-kept travel secrets, offering everything from scenic day trips to long-distance sleepers.

Turkey’s rail network remains one of the country’s best-kept tourism secrets, still rarely utilised by foreign travellers. A fast YHT (high-speed) network connects Istanbul with Eskişehir, Konya, Ankara and Sivas, but it’s the network’s older routes, cutting through rural Turkey, where it really shines for scenic, slow-travel journeys. Most routes open for bookings 30 or 15 days in advance.

1. Roses Express: İzmir to Isparta

This daily train is the prime route for classical history lovers. In total, it’s a 10-hour chug across the coastal Aegean plains and into the hill country of western Anatoli — but the joy is in hopping off periodically to explore the region’s ancient ruins. The train calls into Selçuk station, three miles east of the   UNESCO-listed Ephesus ruins, and Denizli station, jumping-off point for Pamukkale’s travertine terraces and Hierapolis ruins. Its final destination, Isparta, is the gateway to the   mountaintop ruins of Sagalassos. Tickets 320 TRY (£7.60).

2. Eastern Express: Ankara to Kars

The daily Eastern Express runs for 814 miles across high plateaus and the mountainous countryside of northeast Anatolia. During winter, when snow blankets the peaks and plains, this is one of Turkey’s most beautiful journeys. Most travellers board with their own picnic rather than using the basic dining car, settling in for the 26-hour journey in either Pullman seating or four-berth, shared-couchette sleeper compartments. From December to March, there are also three pricier Touristic Eastern Express departures a week, which only have two-berth private sleeper compartments and include stops for excursions in historic cities. Eastern Express tickets 400 TRY (£9.50), Touristic Eastern Express tickets from 6,000 TRY (£143).

3. Taurus Express: Konya to Adana

This passenger train uses the historic railway line blasted through the Taurus Mountains between 1904 and 1918, which scythes across the Cilician Gates mountain pass once crossed by Alexander the Great. Laid out originally to be the northern section of the Baghdad Railway, the line is rimmed by steep, forested slopes and deep gorges, via multiple tunnels, and travels over the 320ft-high stone Varda Viaduct, which featured in the 2012 Bond film Skyfall. The seven-hour, daily Taurus Express connects Konya with Adana, a good springboard for the castles and ruins of Turkey’s eastern Mediterranean. Tickets 200 TRY (£4.80).

3. Pamukkale Express: Eskişehir to Denizli

Connecting the vibrant arts-hub city of Eskişehir with Denizli for Pamukkale and Hierapolis, the nine-hour Pamukkale Express is a ringside seat for the rural heartland of northwest Anatolia. The northern section trails through valleys once ruled by the Iron Age Phrygian kings, while continuing south the landscape unfurls into wide areas of farmland backed by fir-forested hills. There are daily morning departures in both directions. Tickets 280 TRY (£6.70).

5. Lake Van Express: Ankara to Tatvan

There are two long-distance routes that make the most of southeast Anatolia’s vistas of raw, rock-pitted plateaus, rolling hills, vast lakes and sprawling orchards and farmland. Both cross the Karakaya Dam section of the Euphrates River via the 2,030-metre-long Euphrates Railway Bridge and are at their most scenic in spring and autumn. As on the Eastern Express, the dining car is basic, so most passengers pack their own food supplies for onboard picnics.

The twice-weekly Lake Van Express rolls for 775 miles on its 26-hour journey between Ankara and Tatvan, on the western edge of Lake Van. The lake (Turkey’s largest) sprawls for 1,435sq miles. Head to the city of Van, the springboard to exploring the country’s southeastern corner, and visit Lake Van’s prime attraction, the Armenian artistic masterpiece that is Akdamar Church. Travellers can choose between Pullman seating, four-berth shared couchette compartments and two-bed private sleeper cabins. Tickets from 420-1,590 TRY (£10-38).

6. South Express: Ankara to Diyarbakır

Meanwhile, the South Express meanders for 653 miles between Ankara and the walled city of Diyarbakır, which, with its ancient monuments, Kurdish culture and historic bridges spanning the Tigris River, serves as an excellent introduction to the rich heritage of the south east. The regular 22-hour version, which runs five times a week, costs a fraction of the price of the Touristic Diyarbakır Express — a 24-hour train running the same route, which departs once a month and includes stops for excursions — in the city of Malatya when heading east; and at Yolçatı (to visit Harput Castle), and the city of Kayseri when heading west. South Express seat tickets 355 TRY (£8.45), or 1,525 TRY (£36) for a two-bed private sleeper compartment; Touristic Diyarbakır Express tickets from 8,000 TRY (£191) for a two-bed private sleeper compartment.  

7. Sivas-Samsun Railway

This eight-hour route connects the city of Sivas — studded with some of Turkey’s most glorious examples of 13th-century Seljuk-era architecture, with the Black Sea port of Samsun, where the Pontic tomb-haul of golden artifacts known as the Amisos Treasures are finally on display, in the new Samsun Museum. Running three times a week in both directions, the train lazily traverses hills patchworked with farms before winding its way past the Canık Mountains. Slow down and complete it in two stages, stopping in Amasya, where a cliff face dimpled with the tombs of Pontic kings watches over Ottoman houses lining the Yeşilırmak River below. Tickets 275 TRY (£6.50).

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Nicholas Kristof

My Travel Tips for Seeing the World’s Best Places

By Nicholas Kristof

Opinion Columnist

’Tis the season for vacations, so let me make my pitch that the best travel is not lounging at a beach resort but rather journeying into a different world. We all need relaxation at times, but nothing beats the thrill of a trip of discovery and the education that comes with it.

Mark Twain once observed that “travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” In that spirit, I’ve long urged young Americans to take gap years before college or junior years abroad . (One high school reader of such an essay, Spencer Cohen , ended up taking a gap year partly in Japan, became an Asia hand and is now a colleague at The Times.)

Still, there are risks, less of violence (the U.S. has more guns than other countries) than of having your passport and credit cards stolen. So I preach both travel and prudence, and on a recent book tour , I found myself often asked about travel advice I had mentioned in my memoir. So let me share a few tips for the vacation season:

1. The most memorable travel often involves encountering something unfamiliar, so consider escaping the herds parading through Paris. Indonesia, Ghana, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Morocco and Bolivia are generally safe, far cheaper than Europe and offer indelible experiences. I’ll never forget venturing deep into the Potosí silver mines in Bolivia, exploring a grim slave castle in Ghana that dispatched prisoners to slavery in America, learning how to use a blowgun while staying with families in their longhouse in Indonesia’s Borneo rainforest. The world awaits us!

2. Some of the places that you find most culturally distant may be right here in the United States. A teenager from an affluent family in the New York or Boston areas would step into a different world by taking a ranch job in Wyoming. And this is the kind of travel that is not only affordable but actually pays for the experience.

3. Be spontaneous. As a law student in 1982, I spent five weeks backpacking through the Middle East and met a couple of Palestinian students on a West Bank bus; I jumped off at their stop and spent a memorable day with them in their refugee camp hearing about their frustrations and dreams (I wrote about reuniting with them last fall). And while on a bus in the Sahara, I accepted an Algerian man’s invitation to visit his village — which turned out to be a warren of underground burrows to protect families from the extreme heat, the most unusual residential architecture I’ve ever seen. In each case, I was with a couple of friends, which made it seem safer to put myself in the company of people I’d just met, and obviously one should be as judicious as one is spontaneous.

4. One occasionally hears that adventurous travel is just for men, but some of the most accomplished foreign correspondents and overseas photographers are women, as are a majority of Peace Corps volunteers. As a man, I don’t face the same risks that women face, but I have seen female travelers — disproportionately from Australia and New Zealand — thriving as they backpack through the most remote places. Some have suggested the purchase of a cheap wedding ring; a $20 band and a fabricated husband can help keep pests away.

5. Carry a decoy wallet. If pickpockets grab it, let them run off — only to discover that it contains just a bit of cash for street purchases, a day pass for the subway and an expired credit card. But do remember to let the pickpockets escape. Years ago, in Lima, Peru, I instinctively jumped a pickpocket who was trying to grab my friend’s decoy wallet, forgetting that he had nothing much in it; next thing I knew we had a melee and a gun was being fired.

6. Carry your passport and valid credit cards and cash in a pouch that loops on your belt and is tucked inside your pants. Travelers often carry travel pouches round their necks under their shirts, but these are visible and sometimes get stolen. While I’ve had bandits make me take off my shoes and socks while searching for cash, nobody has found my pouch in my pants (I dare mention this only because I assume robbers are not big readers of my column).

7. Carry a small cable lock (those for skis are perfect) to lock your bags together so one doesn’t run off while you’re sleeping in a train or on a bench at the train station.

8. Never check a bag for a flight because then it will get lost. That means packing light and taking quick-dry clothes suitable for washing in a hotel sink. I’m fond of travel clothing from a company called Clothing Arts , and I also rely on ultralight backpacking gear such as a tiny Black Diamond or Petzl headlamp that is invaluable when the power goes out.

9. If you’re getting into a taxi or other car in a location that seems at all dubious, use your phone to photograph the license plate before you get in. The driver may wonder if you’ve texted it to a friend. And women can look for female drivers if they exist.

10. My editor doesn’t want me to say anything that might encourage readers to try something dangerous, so I won’t suggest that there is nothing like the view while riding on the top of a train in Sudan . (That was in my dissolute youth, and today I definitely disapprove of riding on top of trains.)

11. People worry about terrorists, but the most likely serious risk is probably a vehicle accident. Motorcycle taxis common in low-income countries can be perilous, while buses and trains are safer (inside trains only!).

12. Now forget all the fears this article has conjured. Go have fun. Travel should be as enjoyable as it is eye-opening. If you take precautions it will be.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

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Nicholas Kristof became a columnist for The Times Opinion desk in 2001 and has won two Pulitzer Prizes. His new memoir is “ Chasing Hope: A Reporter's Life .” @ NickKristof