Traveling to Turkey soon? You’ve made a great choice! Turkey is a wonderful destination offering a vast variety of experiences and beautiful landscapes for all travelers. With your flights booked and visa approved, your next daunting task awaits... packing. Wondering what exactly to pack? Don’t worry- we have curated all of the travel tips and have released the perfect Turkey packing list covering all the necessities from clothing, technology, and accessories: (This should be exciting, not stressful!)

CLOTHING

Bathing Suit- What to wear in Turkey? A bathing suit is a must as Turkey offers some amazing beaches, especially around Bodrum and Antalya. Even if you are planning on just staying near Istanbul, you’ll want a bathing suit to experience a famous Turkish bath. Truly a once in a lifetime experience! 

Comfortable Walking Shoes- For the days you aren’t relaxing on the beach all day, you will most likely find yourself walking a lot in Turkey. You’ll be able to hit your 10,000+ steps goal in no time! If ordering new shoes for your big trip, give yourself a few weeks to break them in ahead of time. You wouldn’t want a blister to hinder your explorations on the road.

Hat- If visiting Turkey in the winter, you’ll want a hat to keep your head warm from the cold. If visiting in the summer, you will want one to protect your head from the sun and keep the rays off of your face.

Sarong/Scarf- As Turkey is a very modest country, a scarf or sarong will come in handy if needing to cover up your shoulders/hair unexpectedly. When visiting mosques, many require strict dress codes and will not allow you to enter without dressing appropriately. Avoid extra fees in having to borrow a sarong on the spot and use it as an opportunity to add a cute new accessory to your wardrobe. No matter where you are traveling in the world, it is always important to respect the surrounding cultural norms when visiting a new place.

TECHNOLOGY

Travel Adapter- A necessity no matter where in Turkey you will be traveling to, a travel adapter is a great idea to help keep all of your devices charged and ready for use. For note, Turkey uses a 220 Volt European 2 pin style plug. Bonus if you pick up one that has USB outlets attached as well. Keep in mind that many hotels in Turkey have energy saving sockets, meaning that the room key must be in the room for the power to operate. This being said, don't forget to charge all of your devices when you are present in the room. 

Camera Gear- Photography lovers do not miss out on bringing your camera along with you. Turkey offers many unique landscapes, making it an incredible destination to photograph. Capture your memories to share with family and friends back home. You can also opt to get fancy by bringing a tripod or selfie-stick along with you to help get the perfect shot. 

Battery Pack- You’ll most likely be using your phone a lot more than at home while trying to capture all of the stunning sights around you. You wouldn’t want to run out of battery capturing the thermal pools or picturesque beaches… or possibly seeking directions on your way home. An extra battery pack will help keep your devices charged throughout your daily travels. Many can be found for very cheap depending on the amount of power they hold.

ACCESSORIES

Canvas Tote- Help reduce plastic waste and look cute while doing it! A reusable tote will come in handy many times throughout your travels. It works perfectly for running small errands or for a day trip to the beach or pool. Need extra room for souvenirs on your flight home? Your tote will make the perfect carry on. 

Coin Purse- If coming from the United States, you would be surprised at how quickly you can collect coins on the other side of the world. Don’t let them get lost in the bottom of your bag and start utilizing coin purse for your journey. Your Turkish lira change will add up faster than you know it. 

Microfiber Travel Towel- Small, lightweight, an dries quickly! A travel towel will come in handy for your trips to the beach, and can even work as a picnic cloth or an extra blanket for chilly evenings. Not all hotels always provide towels to their travelers, so make sure to check with your accommodations to see if this item is an absolute necessity for your packing list.

Tissues- An item you can either bring from home or purchase while in Turkey, tissues or extra toilet paper are always a good item to have on hand. While exploring Turkey, it can be hard to tell what public toilets might not provide toilet paper. There are many throughout the country that requires a small fee for use. Be prepared for a possible squat toilet experience depending on where you are traveling.

Reusable Water Bottle (Optional: with filter)- While tap water is drinkable in the majority of Turkey, some islands and smaller towns might not have this option of water to offer. The key is to always ask a local before trying it. Some might reply that the taste is not good and they prefer drinking bottled water instead. To purify your water and for an extra level of carefulness, utilize a filter before drinking. If you are staying within Turkey’s larger cities, you will be just fine with drinking out of a regular reusable water bottle.  

You are now prepared to pack for a magical experience unlike nowhere else in the entire world. Soak up all of the immense history, culture, creativity, and tradition. Would you add any packing tips to our Turkey packing list? Let us know in the comments below. While you pack, let Acanela take care of the rest and curate your entire upcoming trip to Turkey!

Post written by: Kirsten Cusack, @kirqsak