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What comes to mind when you think of Turkey? Some people might say camels. Others might say kebabs and doners. What do you really experience when you visit Turkey? A mixture of East meets West and a vastly changing natural landscape along with ancient Greek and Roman influences. By taking a solo trip to Turkey you will indulge yourself in the customs and traditions of this rich country.

I have been living in Turkey since 2020 and have had the pleasure of exploring the country as a solo female traveler. I would say that solo female travel in Turkey is safe as long as you use your common sense and stay away from known dangerous areas. That being said, don’t let fear stop you from exploring this beautiful country!

In this post, I’ve summarized all the major tourist hot spots and places that I’ve visited and enjoyed. I’ve also included my own solo female travel in Turkey tips to help you along the way.

This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using a link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this blog going!

Before you Travel

• The language in Turkey is Turkish.
• The capital is Ankara, not Istanbul.
• The currency is Turkish Lira (TL). In some tourist destinations, you can also pay in EUR or USD.
• The western, middle and northern Black Sea regions of the country are all safe to travel.
• Buses, trains, planes, and boats are the easiest way to get around the country and are inexpensive.
• 3% of Turkey is located in Europe and 97% of the country is located in Asia, known as Anatolia.

Istanbul

Most trips to Turkey start off in Istanbul. The Istanbul airport is the largest and busiest airport in Europe. However, it is located very far from the city center. The best way to get into the city center from the Istanbul airport as a solo traveler is by HAVAS bus which is located right outside the arrivals hall. Taxis are also an option if you have a lot of luggage but can be expensive. The time it takes to get into the city center is about 40 minutes to an hour. Another option is to take the newly opened metro line that connects the airport to the city center.

European Side

The city of Istanbul is located on two continents, Europe and Asia. Most of the tourist sites are located on the European side. I recommend staying in the neighborhoods of Karakoy, Galata, Taksim, Besiktas, or Eminonu. These are great centrally located places in the city where you can easily reach many different areas.

For your first time in the city, you’ll want to see Taksim Square and walk along Istiklal Street which is popular for shopping and dining. There is a famous historical red tram that runs the entire length of the street if you don’t want to walk. I highly recommend exploring the side streets along Istiklal Street. You will find more cozy places and less crowded restaurants.

Not too far from Taksim is Galata Tower. This tower was built in 1348 and was the tallest building in Constantinople. It was formerly a fire watchtower but is now an icon of Istanbul and a museum. Galata Tower notoriously has an extremely long ticket line because it offers amazing views of the city. I recommend going in the morning.

If you want to shop ’til you drop, you can’t leave Istanbul without exploring the Grand Bazaar. It is one of the oldest covered markets in the world with 61 streets and 4,000 shops. You can find just about anything here. Many shops have been in the family for years and sell high-quality products such as leather goods, carpets, linens, herbs, spices, coffee, and tea.

Istanbul has no shortage of museums and it can be hard to choose which ones to see. My top picks are Topkapi Palace, Dolmabache Palace, the archeology museum, The Basilica Cistern, Ayasofya Mosque, and the Blue Mosque.

Asian Side

The Asian side of Istanbul is more local and much less hectic. The best area to stay is in Kadikoy. This is a hip trendy area located by the Bosphorus. You’ll get a lot of amazing views of the city during sunset from here.

Getting to the Asian side of Istanbul takes as little as 20 minutes by boat; however, there are many other options such as a taxi, train, or bus.

Most tourists don’t spend a lot of time on the Asian side of Istanbul because there isn’t too much sightseeing, but I’m telling you to give it a chance! Kadikoy has so many unique cafes and restaurants to try that you will spend the whole day eating. The waterfront is a long park that stretches along the coast. It’s popular for locals to bring folding chairs and a picnic to chill with friends in the grass or on the rocks.

If you didn’t do enough shopping on the European side, Asia has got you covered with Bagdat Street. This street is 14 km long and runs parallel to the Sea of Marmara. There are a variety of shops ranging from H&M to Rolex to local small boutiques.

Solo Female Travel in Turkey Tip: If you’re looking for a good nail salon that also offers facials, I highly recommend Ayna Ayna Salon near the beginning of Bagdat Street. The owner, Rita, is really sweet. She is Turkish-American and can speak English.

Another area to explore on the Asian side is Uskudar. This neighborhood is a bit more conservative than Kadikoy and doesn’t have much to offer in terms of nightlife, but has some great places to see during the daytime.

If you want to see all of Istanbul in one place, head to the newly built communications tower. The total height of the tower is 369m. There is a restaurant at the top where you can enjoy a meal and a view as well as an observation deck.

My favorite area in Uskudar is Kuzguncuk. This cute little area is full of cafes and colorful historic houses. A short walk away is the only palace on the Asian side called Beylerbeyi Palace. This palace was basically a large guesthouse for visiting dignitaries. It is modeled after Dolmabache Palace but is much smaller.

Izmir

Izmir is a large coastal city located about 1-hour southwest of Istanbul by plane. It sits along the Aegean coast and is the third-largest city in Turkey.

In ancient times this area used to be known as Smyrna which was founded by the Greeks, conquered by the Romans, and rebuilt by Alexander the Great. You can see some of the remains of the ancient city in the Agora Open Air Museum and the History and Arts Museum.

Solo Female Travel in Turkey Tip: Taxis outside of Istanbul have a slightly different meter system which makes it more expensive. Izmir is walkable so you shouldn’t have trouble getting around. There is a metro and bus system if you would like to use it; however, when I was visiting I didn’t see a need.

While there isn’t too much to do within the city of Izmir, it is very progressive. There are many dining options along the coast offering a variety of cuisine. Konak North is a good neighborhood to hang around in. There are SO many good coffee shops in this area. The most popular is called Reyhan. Getting a spot here is a little tricky because it’s always full, but for good reason.

Sightseeing spots in Izmir include the Agora Open Air Museum, the clock tower, bazaar, and the historical elevator (Izmir Tarihi Asansor Binasi). There is also a large park called Kulturepark Izmir that has a few museums and an amusement park.

Cesme and Alacati

Even more west of Izmir are these popular beach towns called Cesme and Alacati. These two towns are quickly becoming the go-to destination for Turks on holiday.

There are many resorts and boutique hotels to choose from. The main thing to do is be lazy and lounge on the beach.

Solo Female Travel in Turkey Tip: Getting to Cesme and Alacati from Izmir is very easy with the intercity minibus at the bus station. This is a cheap and affordable way to travel solo. There is no need to pay for private transportation if you’re on a budget. All the minibusses are marked with their destinations printed on the front of the vehicle.

Ephesus

Ephesus is located in the small town of Selcuk. It takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach here by bus from Izmir. There are buses that leave every hour from the Izmir Otogar (bus station) to the Selcuk Otogar. A one-way bus ticket is 20tl. There is no need to book in advance as it is first come first serve.

Known as Efes, this archeological site is one of the best-preserved I’ve been to. It was a major city in the Eastern Roman Empire and flourished in the 3rd Century. The Library of Celsus is one of the main attractions because the front of the library is still standing in good condition. The library once held 16,000 scrolls. There are also 2 amphitheaters and many temples as well the remains of the ancient public toilets. Inside the Terrace Houses, you can walk around the excavation site to see how the rich people lived in Ephesus. There are wonderfully preserved mosaics and wall paintings that still have retained their color.

In the town of Selcuk there is the Ephesus Museum where many statues and artifacts from the archeological site are on display. The most notable is the statue of Artemis from the Temple of Artemis.

A short walk away from the museum is the remains of the Basilica of St John and the Selcuk Castle.

The House of Virgin Mary is also nearby but is only reachable by taxi. It is said that Virgin Mary was taken to this house to live the rest of her life on Earth.

Bodrum and Marmaris

Once a Greek city known as Halicarnassus, Bodrum is unofficially known as the Saint Tropez of Turkey. It is where the rich and famous come to play. And for good reason, it is a beautiful part of the country. Hotels are a bit pricey in this area and are mostly geared toward families. However, you can find some decent places in the city center such as Su Otel which is about a 5-minute walk away from the seaside.

All of the buildings in Bodrum must be white with blue trim which gives the whole town a cute coastal aesthetic. There are many yachts and boats docked at the harbor every day. Boat tours are available to take you to small coves for swimming. You can even hop on a boat and go to a Greek island, some of which are a stone’s throw away from Turkey. Check visa and COVID restrictions for your country before booking a ticket.

Sightseeing within the city center of Bodrum includes the Theatre of Halicarnassus and the Bodrum Castle which was built during the Crusades.

Marmaris is less expensive and has more of a local feel without too much of the glitz and glam of Bodrum. In the city center of Marmaris, there is also a castle built during the Crusades. Since these 2 beach towns are very similar, there is no need to visit both of them. If you want to go visit from one town to the other in a day there is a ferry that operates between Bodrum and Datca.

Fethiye

The town of Fethiye has an interesting history that starts with people known as Lycians. They built a tomb high on the side of a mountain which is known as the Tomb of Amyntas. This tomb is the most popular tourist attraction in the town. You can climb the stairs to the top for 12TL. Once you reach the top you will get a wonderful view of the town and ocean. Definitely worth climbing all the stairs!

A famous hiking trail known as the Lycian Way starts in Fethiye and ends in Antalya. It is 540 km long and takes 1 month to complete. Of course, if you don’t have a month to spare, you can hike as much or as little as you want.

Fethiye has also some amazing ocean scenery. Nicknamed “The Turquoise Coast,” the Turkish Riveria stretches from Izmir to Antalya with beautiful clear turquoise water. From the Fethiye harbor, you can take a boat tour for 130TL to tour the nearby coves and small islands. Lunch is provided on the boat and you will spend the whole day swimming and exploring nature. Don’t forget to bring some snacks with you and plenty of water if you don’t want to buy extra food and drinks on the boat.

Oludeniz

Just a short drive south of Fethiye is the town of Oludeniz. Oludeniz is a British expat town which is why you will see a lot of British cuisine and even some places priced in Pounds. Nonetheless, this small town receives a lot of tourism due to being one of the top 7 destinations in the world to paraglide.

Kalkan

Did you know that Santa Claus is actually from Turkey? That is Saint Nicholas of course! He was born near the town of Kalkan in a village called Patara. Kalkan is my favorite small coastal town along the Turkish Turquoise Coast. The center of town is full of boutique shops and restaurants that overlook the stunning blue bay. I found all the owners to be very friendly and accommodating.

There isn’t much to do in town so visiting nearby locations such as Saklikent Canyon, Xantos Ancient City, and Patara Beach and Patara Ancient City are popular day trips out of Kalkan and Kas. You easily book a tour at any tour agency in the center of town.

Antalya

You can think of Antalya as the Miami of Turkey. It is the fifth-largest city in the country. This resort beach town is historical, but also a huge tourist destination for Russians and Germans. In 2020, the Antalya international airport actually had more passengers than both airports in Istanbul combined, making it the capital of Turkish tourism.

Once again, this city was founded by the Greeks and taken over by the Romans. In the old town, you can see Hadrian’s Gate which was constructed in the 2nd century in honor of Emperor Hadrian. You can still see the chariot lines which are worn into the road. The Antalya Museum has the largest collection of marble statues, including the statue of Hercules. Most of the statues are from the ruins of the city of Perga which is close by.

Solo Female Travel in Turkey Tip: The city of Antalya is fairly spread out so getting a public transportation card is a must otherwise you’ll be taking expensive taxis everywhere. It’s also a pain to walk around in the heat! You can find these cards at kiosks around the city. They allow you to take the tram and buses.

There are many beaches to lounge around on during the day. I recommend Lara Beach for a nice sandy beach. The entire 8 km beach is made up of different beach clubs which all have different fees to enter. This is the longest beach in Turkey. For a cliffside beach, you can go to Muratpaşa Belediyesi Antalya İnciraltı Plajı. The lounging area is located on a wooden deck constructed on the rocks. There are ladders to go down into the water from the decks. Seating is limited here so there is usually a waiting line to go down to the decks. For a rock beach, Konyaaltı Halk Plajı, is located in the city center and is easy to get to.

A must-see is Duden Waterfall which is one of only 7 waterfalls in the world that empty into the ocean!

Antalya is also located near many other ancient ruins, canyons, and unique landscapes which can easily be visited on a day trip.

Pamukkale

Pamukkale is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and natural hot spring located near the town of Denizli. Pamukkale translates to ‘cotton castle’ from Turkish. While there is an airport close to Denizli, flights are not frequent. You will need to take a bus from Bodrum, Fethiye, Antalya or Izmir. These cities are the closest to Denizli and the bus will take about 4-5 hours one way. After reaching Denizli you will take minibus number 76 to the town of Pamukkale.

The landscape of Pamukkale is a natural reaction between the water from the hot springs and the rocks. Over time, it has created a white limestone that looks like snow. You can walk up or down the rocks without slipping. Since the rocks are sensitive to outside erosion, you cannot wear shoes while you are walking on the rocks. Some of the rock surfaces are rough and spiky and others are smooth. I recommend starting from the bottom and walking up.

Solo Female Travel in Turkey Tip: This is a spot where it might be a little difficult to take your own pictures since everything is wet with spring water. Don’t be afraid to ask someone to take pictures for you!

Once you reach the top of the rocks you will get an amazing view of the surrounding area. There are a few shops selling food and souvenirs. Inside the Antique Pool area, you can swim in the hot water for an additional fee. It is believed that Cleopatra did the same herself which is why it is called Cleopatra’s pool.

The rest of the surrounding area are the remains of the ancient city, Hierapolis. While there isn’t too much left of the ruins, the theatre is still intact. It has a capacity of 6,275 people.

Cappadocia

Cappadocia is a region in Turkey made up of a bunch of small towns. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is most famous is its sunrise hot air balloon rides. There are many outdoor activities to do in this area and it is full of historic churches and underground cities.

There are two airports that you can fly into, Kayseri and Nevsehir. Kayseri is the bigger airport, but it is further away. Hotels can arrange shared or private transportation for either of these airports. You can choose between staying in Goreme or Uchisar. It is popular to stay in a cave hotel and there are many to pick from varying by price and location. I recommend choosing a hotel in Goreme that has a good rooftop so you can watch the balloons in the morning.

Hotels can arrange all activities for you including balloon rides, horseback riding, underground city tours, and ATV tours. There are 2 main day tours to do that take you to the surrounding areas. They are called the red tour and the green tour. The red tour is half-day and the green tour is full-day. Of course, with so much to see, not every place is included in the tours so you might want to consider hiring a private taxi and creating your own tour.

Solo Female Travel in Turkey Tip: Hiring a private taxi driver in the morning to see Cappadocia is highly recommended because there are no buses. Prices can be negotiated and are fairly reasonable. The driver that I hired was Yonuz Arslan. He usually waits by the Goreme Open Air Museum. To find out pricing and availability you can reach him on WhatsApp +90 537 619 40 25.

Prices for all of these activities vary by season. Summer is high season so it will be more expensive. During the winter months, Cappadocia sees fewer tourists so prices are cheaper.

Turkey has some amazing natural landscapes and all of them are worth a visit. I hope that you will enjoy your solo trip to Turkey as much as I did!