Tips for Women Traveling to Turkey

10:49 AM Culture , Dress , Female traveling , Tips for Women , Tourist Guide , Traditions , travel , Traveling alone , Useful Tips , Written details 2 Comments

The lure of Turkey’s rich history and culture attracts tourists from across the globe. The welcoming and hospitable people of the region and the beautiful vistas are an added bonus for all those who travel to Turkey. All these factors continue to make the country one of the most favorite tourist’s destination.   

A lot of concerns are often raised with regard to females travelling to Turkey, especially alone. While a lone female traveler might have to adhere to a certain set of precautions, a few common sense principles can easily ensure a safe and enjoyable travel. A good understanding and respect for the local customs and culture can go a long way in ensuring that female travelers have a comfortable trip in Turkey. Given below are some of the tips that can help the female travelers navigate the country:

Dress and act formally

While areas like Istanbul and some other cities are fine with the western mode of clothing, the eastern parts of the country are less so. Hence, it might be a wise move to pack a conservative wardrobe with lots of loose numbers and skirts etc. Once you arrive in Turkey, let the way the other women dress up be a guide for you. This will allow you to easily gauge the acceptable mode of dress for the region and shop accordingly for our stay in the region.

Another thing that female travelers have to be a little wary of is the signals that they may unknowingly convey to men through their body language. Gestures which might be socially acceptable and normal back home can be interpreted as a sign of romantic interest by the men in Turkey. Avoid smiling at men you don’t know. Your politeness may very easily be misconstrued in the wrong direction. Similarly, do not hug your male acquaintances unless it is a norm for the group with whom you are interacting.

Traveling and getting around alone

While traveling alone as a female to most places in Turkey might not be an issue, it is advisable to have a companion with you when venturing out to certain areas. Giving off the impression that you are travelling with someone can also be a smart move. For example, if some overly inquisitive individual inquires about you travelling state, you can say that you are waiting for a friend or meeting up with group. A reserved and formal front may also deter any overzealous individual from approaching or harassing you.

Carry written details of your destination 

It is easy to sometimes get lost as traveler in a new area. Rather than relying on memory, carry a set of details about your location on a piece of paper. You can show this to your cab driver to ensure that your destination is correctly conveyed. Also, inform somebody of your destination and arrival time. In case something goes wrong, this will allow to easily track you down.

In short respect the local culture the norms and traditions to ensure that you do not find yourself in any unpleasant situation. A few common sense principles can ensure that you extract the best possible experience from your stay in Turkey while also staying safe. But above all remember to have fun! Turkey is a beautiful and hospitable place that will surely give you love and respect if you respect its traditions in return.