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I recently got back from a fantastic trip solo travelling in Turkey and I can’t wait to tell you all about it! This beautiful country had been on my radar for YEARS and I don’t know how it took me so long to get there.
Turkey exceeded my expectations and then some. It was only Istanbul and Cappadocia that I had a clear mental picture of before visiting but I can confirm there are plenty of other places suitable for solo female travel.
Is Turkey good for solo travel?
I would say so, yes.
In my opinion, there are easier places to women to travel solo for example Southeast Asia and Western Europe where hostels and general tourist infrastructure are generally advanced.
However, there are far, far harder places to travel alone. English is widely spoken in Turkey and it’s relatively safe and easy to get around. You’ll meet lots of other travellers including other women travelling alone.
If this beautiful and culturally rich destination appeals, there’s no reason not to go alone!
Read next: best places for solo female travel in Europe
Is Turkey safe for women to travel alone?
Yes, I spent a month travelling alone in Turkey and didn’t feel unsafe once.
Getting around at night: in popular areas of Istanbul, there’s a good evening atmosphere and I felt safe walking alone. In most cities, there’s Uber which is always handy for solo female travellers.
Crime and theft: although it’s smart to be vigilant with your valuables especially since places like Istanbul can be crowded, I felt relaxed when using my phone and camera. Compared to cities like Barcelona and London, there’s far less pickpocketing.
Once I accidentally left my Kindle on a beach sun lounger… I came back in the morning and found it exactly where I left it!
Men: although I had no problems while travelling alone in Turkey, I would say the culture is a patriarchal one. Staff in hostels and restaurants are mostly male so, depending on the other guests who happen to be around, you sometimes feel like the only woman in male-dominated spaces. I never felt unsafe but occasionally slightly uncomfortable.
I would suggest staying cautious around local men. For example, if you go on any dates, stay in public. I also suggest avoiding Couchsurfing and ride-sharing apps that you might use in other countries.
Although it isn’t a concern for foreign travellers, Turkey sadly has a problem with femicide within local communities. Considering the lives and opportunities of local Turkish women often made me feel sad during my travels.
What about for first time solo travellers?
If it’s your first time travelling solo, I would always suggest somewhere like Portugal, Croatia or Southeast Asian countries like Thailand.
Given the cultural difference of navigating a patriarchal society (depending where you’re coming from that is), I would save Turkey for a second or third solo trip.
However, if you’re really keen to visit Turkey alone, it’s not impossible to take your first solo trip here. Just be confident and cautious, stay at hostels to meet others, and do your research… which you’re doing already by reading this blog!
Good things about solo travel in Turkey
- Positive safety rating – as mentioned above, I didn’t experience (or hear of other travellers experiencing) harassment or theft
- English is widely spoken – unlike in Latin America where you do need to brush up on the local lingo, I found most travellers get by fine without speaking any Turkish (although I always recommend learning the very basics to be polite)
- Lots of decent hostels in hubs like Istanbul and Antalya making it easy to meet other solo travellers and keep costs down
- Efficient, comfortable long-distance buses easily booked on Flixbus (my go-to during solo female travel in Europe).
Bad things about solo travel in Turkey
- Hostels are slightly lacking outside of the main hubs, for example in Pammukale and Şirince (the wine region) I had to opt for accommodation that wasn’t great or pay extra for a hotel
- The patriarchal society and male-dominated spaces as mentioned above
- Long journeys are required as it’s a big country. I did three 10-hour buses (Istanbul-Selçuk, Antalya-Cappadocia and Cappadocia-Istanbul) so sometimes leaving or arriving in the dark is unavoidable… but luckily there’s usually Uber.
How to get around
The best way to get around Turkey in my opinion is by bus. The Flixbus can be booked online and is generally comfy and efficient. Where it doesn’t run, you can take local buses, easily booked online or at bus stations (note that sometimes they aren’t listed online so ask at the station or your accommodation if in doubt).
Another option for long journeys is to fly: there are airports in Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya and more.
In Istanbul, there’s plenty of public transport: Metro, trams, buses, ferries and a funicular. Buy and top up an Istanbul Card (at machines in stations) for discounted trips around the city.
Dress code
Despite being a Muslim country, Turkey is not especially conservative and you can largely wear what you would at home for example skirts, dresses, shorts and t-shirts.
However, the more skin you show, the more attention you may attract so my top solo female travel tip is to cover your knees and shoulders especially in rural areas and always in mosques where you’ll also need to cover your hair. Scarves are not always provided but, if you haven’t packed one, they can be bought cheaply at any market.
Best places for solo female travel in Turkey
Here are the places I recommend you don’t miss!
Istanbul
After 10 days in Istanbul, it’s up there as one of my favourite cities of all time (along with Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Porto, Seoul and several more!).
It’s a fascinating city where East doesn’t just meet West but history meets modernity and chaos meets calm. I loved getting immersed in the mosques and markets of the Old City. There are so many cool neighborhoods to explore like Besiktas and Berat. It’s hard to run out of things to do!
Things to do in Istanbul
- Take a free walking tour to learn about the rich history
- Explore the Grand Bazaar and warren of atmospheric streets surrounding it (the Egyptian Bazaar is also worth a visit)
- Visit the mosques: Hagia Sofia has a new €25 fee but the Blue Mosque and Suleymaniye remain free
- Explore Balat area with its famous colourful houses and historic Orthodox churches
- Visit the palaces – Topkaki and Dolmabahçe are the grandest
- Wander Galata known for the Galata Tower, cheesecake smothered in chocolate, and rooftop bars (don’t miss ‘grammable Minoa Pera bookstore) then walk downhill to waterfront Karaköy with lovely cafes
- Catch a boat across to the Asia side to visit bustling Üsküdar Market, hipster Kadiköy neighbourhood and the tranquil Kuzguncuk area with beautiful architecture and cafes
- Visit a hammam for a unique spa experience – I paid €40 at Acemoglu Historical Hamman.
Where to stay in Istanbul
I stayed in two different neighbourhoods: first, Taksim on the European side which is a decent base with lots of good food. I stayed at the social Wabi Hostel which I can highly recommend for its bar crawls, free movie nights and shared dinners. I also hear good things about Archeo Hostel towards Karaköy.
Next, I stayed in Kadıköy neighbourhood (not to be confused with Karaköy) on the Asia side at Hush Hostel Lounge. It’s a chill, homey hostel close to hipster Karakolhane Road, one of my favourite places in Istanbul.
I wouldn’t recommend staying in the Old City because, although you’re near all the attractions, it’s very busy and hectic!
The best place to find hostels for solo female travellers in Turkey is on Hostelworld; browse all options.
Cappadocia
If there’s one other place you need to go in Turkey after Istanbul, it’s the magical wonderland of Cappadocia! This place had been on my bucket list and was even better than I expected.
Like most people, I only knew it for the balloon pictures I’d seen online. But there’s loads more to do in Cappadocia. In particular, the hikes are beautiful. There are numerous valleys with totally otherwordly scenery.
Where to stay: the town of Göreme is not particularly charming but there’s a range of decent accommodation options (including hostels from €20) and it’s easy to get everywhere. I stayed at TerraVista Hostel which I believe is the only one with a kitchen. Restaurants are expensive so cooking is a good way to keep the costs down.
About balloon rides – prices cost between €150-350 depending on the valley (Göreme Valley being the premier one) and the absurd ‘surge pricing’ based on whether they’ve been cancelled due to weather in recent days / the chance of cancellations on upcoming days.
It’s not cheap but it IS a real bucket lister so it depends on your budget! Check prices with your accommodation or local agencies when you arrive, or book in advance with GetYourGuide to ensure your spot (important in peak season).
Top things to do in Cappadocia
- The Open Air Museum (€20 entry) – in walking distance from Göreme is a fascinating selection of ‘fairy chimneys’ with churches inside
- Hiking in Love Valley (free) – hike past *ahem* unusually-shaped rocks (you’ll see what I mean!) from Göreme and finish at…
- Uchisar Castle (€6 entry) – learn about the history of this huge rock church in Uchisar town
- Visit Ihlara Valley (free but far from Göreme) for hiking and sightseeing
- Hike in Rose Valley (free and easy to reach on foot from Göreme) and find ancient cave churches
- Visit underground cities (varying entry fees) where ancient people used to live – two of the best are Derinkuyu and Kaymakli
- Tour other famous valleys (free) like Pigeon Valley and Imagination Valley with unique scenery.
The downside of Cappadocia for solo travellers is that the attractions are spread out so it’s ideal to hire a car (not the most economical option for one).
However, you can navigate this by taking day tours departing Göreme: the green tour visits the beautiful Ihlara Valley while the red tour visits attractions nearer Göreme town like the Open Air Museum (I skipped the red tour as it was easy enough to reach the attractions on foot, but if you’re short on time it may be a good option).
Find these tours in local agencies or, if you’re short of time, book with GetYourGuide to secure your place.
Regarding the hikes, you can do them solo although I preferred going with a new friend I met in the hostel. I always feel more relaxed hiking with others in case I get lost or sprain my ankle, for example.
So, see if you can get together with other travellers. But it’s not game over because you can go alone. Just be smart: tell someone where you’re going and don’t take any unnecessary risks. Go early in the day. There’s no signage in Rose Valley but passing hikers will help you out.
Cappadocia itinerary
- Day 1 – balloon ride, rest, go to the Open Air Museum
- Day 2 – ‘green tour’ to underground cities and Ihlara Valley
- Day 3 – hike to Uchisar Castle via Love Valley (and take the bus back)
- Day 4 – hike in Rose Valley to find cave churches.
Fethiye
I loved my trip to coastal Fethiye thanks to the mix of attractions from beaches and boat trips to historical sites. Fethiye is relatively spread out with several areas to stay that are safe for solo women travellers.
Things to do in Fethiye during solo travel in Turkey:
- Amynta Rock Tombs – carved into the cliff face by ancient people who believed that elevated tombs brought the deceased closer to heaven. They’re an easy walk from town.
- Kayaköy Abandoned Village – the Greek diaspora was forced out of this settlement in the 1920s leaving it perfectly preserved but eerily abandoned. Catch a bus there from Fethiye mosque.
- Boat trips – for around €20 including a seafood lunch, boats will take you to popular beaches and swimming spots. Just beware they’re loud, party boats that may not be everyone’s cup of tea!
- Butterfly Valley – a gorgeous beach and clifftop hike with panoramic views. Although boat trips visit, it’s super crowded during the middle of the day so I recommend catching the ferry from Olodeniz before or after they visit.
Where to stay in Fethiye: I enjoyed staying at Hostel Chillsteps in the Calis area (even if it did mean figuring out local minibuses or splashing out on Uber) because it was a friendly base within walking distance to chilled beaches. I spent several days on the beach loungers at Mekan Cafe; you just need to buy a drink. Also, the food is great!
Another hostel I heard good things about is El Camino Hostel & Pub on the other side of Fethiye with fantastic rooftop views. The only area I don’t recommend is Oludeniz which is better suited to families and those on party holidays.
Note about Kaş – I ran out of time to visit this beach town just along the coast from Fethiye but I heard amazing things! There are two popular hostels: Camp Mocamp on the mainland and Sole n Blu (a glamorous hostel with an infinity pool) on the peninsular. Have it on your radar!
Other popular, safe beach towns include Bodrum and Marmaris. From here, you can easily reach beautiful Greek islands like Paros and Rhodes.
Antalya
I visited Antalya to break up the journey from Fethiye and Cappadocia and was pleasantly surprised. If you get bored visiting small beach towns, you’ll like Antalya because there’s an atmospheric Old Town, nightlife, beaches and excursions.
Konyaalti Beach is an hour’s walk or a quick bus, tram or Uber ride from the city. It’s beautiful with clear, warm waters. It’s the saltiest sea I’ve ever been in… you just bob about!
My other favourite thing about Antalya was the cat park at Karaalioğlu (beside the sunset viewpoint) featuring little shelters with food and water. They’re very friendly and like to play with guests!
Where to stay: I liked Be Bold Hostel with clean, modern dorms and a nice garden area. They run social events making it a good base for solo travel in Turkey.
Where to eat: when you get away from the touristy Old Town, there’s amazing food at low prices in Antalya: I liked the fish sandwiches at Citir Balik, dessert at Helvacı Ali, Turkish pizza (lahmacun and pide) at Can Can Pide and local buffet feasts at Veysel Efendi Kahvecisi.
Selçuk
This mid-sized town in Izmir province is put on the map by the nearby UNESCO ruins of Ephesus. History buffs will want this at the top of their Turkey bucket list for the opportunity to explore these Greek and Roman ruins dating back to the 7th century BC.
On the downside, Ephesus entry costs between €40-65 depending which sites you want to see; a high price for travellers on a budget. If you decide not to go, visit the (admittedly much smaller) Basicila of St John on the hilltop instead for just €6.
Selçuk is also the gateway to the wine region. Keep reading for more info!
Where to stay in Selçuk: the best-rated option is Ephesus Hostel however it was fully booked so I stayed at Alibaba’s House for €12 with a lovely local family and an amazing free breakfast. They also have a restaurant around the corner serving unmissable home-cooked food.
Places that are not SO good for solo travel (but I still recommend)
To clarify what I mean, these destinations are fantastic but not so well set up for solo travel, for example without hostels and requiring local minivans (rather than the comfortable Flixbus) to access.
I’d describe them as slightly more advanced solo travel destinations in Turkey. Don’t let that put you off because they ARE worth visiting. Here are my tips!
Pamukkale
The natural wonderful of Pamukkale, translated in Turkish as ‘cotton castle’, is made up of terraced basins and petrified waterfalls (the only other example is Oaxaca’s Hievre el Agua, somewhere I visited during my solo travels in Mexico).
Entry is €30 and includes access to the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, a UNESCO site combined with the natural formations. Sadly, swimming in the thermal waters at Cleopatra Antique Pool requires an extra payment.
The site is within walking distance of Pamukkale town. There isn’t much else to do in town but you MUST eat at Tikir Grill House. The owner is so friendly and gives everyone free gifts!
Why it’s not ideal for solo travel: Pamukkale town isn’t particularly lively and has fairly basic accommodation options (there aren’t hostels exactly, just guesthouses with shared rooms).
Also, it’s a long journey because you have to arrive by bus at Denizli terminal and find a local minibus (on the bottom floor) the rest of the way.
Another option is taking an organised group tour from places like Antalya however the site will be VERY crowded. I preferred to stay overnight in Pamukkale to visit outside peak hours when it was less busy.
Şirince
If you’re visiting Selçuk for the famous Ephesus ruins, don’t miss the chance to tag on Turkey’s wine region! The idyllic countryside town of Şirince reminded me visually of Berat in Albania (also a wine region).
The speciality is fruit wine, best tried at wine bars in the bazaar (I recommend Kırkınca Şarap Evi with friendly, English-speaking staff). I paid the equivalent of a couple of Euros for a tasting flight!
Whether you drink wine or not, Şirince is an idyllic town with lovely restaurants, scenery and friendly locals.
Getting there: Şirince is just a 20-minute drive from Selçuk aboard a minibus from the main bus station. A ticket costs around 40 lira. You can easily go as a day trip, however I chose to stay overnight to relax and enjoy the wine region properly.
Where to stay: Since there are no hostels, I splashed out on a stay at Sirince Bahce Hotel (€60 a night) where I had my own little hut and access to the garden with lovely views of the town and countryside. Best of all was breakfast; easily the best hotel breakfast of my life!
Is Şirince worth visiting for solo travellers? I loved having some downtime here during my busy solo Turkey trip! But if you’re keen to meet other solo travellers to explore with, or you’re on a tight budget best suited to hostel-style accommodation, maybe not.
Places I don’t recommend for solo female travel in Turkey
A few places I omitted from my itinerary after researching and speaking to other travellers who had been were:
Izmir: originally I planned a visit to break up the journey down the west coast from Istanbul. Many travellers stay here and take a day trip to Ephesus, however I found it easier to stay in Selcuk right beside the ruins and wine region. I heard the Izmir attractions are similar to those in other cities.
Ankara: this is another place I initially assumed I’d visit since it’s the capital, however after doing some research and speaking to others, decided to skip. It’s more of a residential city than a tourist one, although I do hear there are good art galleries if that’s your thing.
What to eat in Turkiye
Well, everything!! But especially…
- Pide and lahmacun – varieties of ‘Turkish pizza’
- Fish sandwiches (balik emek) on the banks of the Bosphorus in Istanbul
- Turkish breakfasts with small plates including jam, cheese, honey and red pepper paste
- Menemen – an egg and tomato breakfast dish
- Incredible desserts like baklava and Turkish delight (lokum)
- Doner kebabs – obviously!
- Borek – flaky pastry with various fillings (a fave from my Balkan travels)
- Yaprak dolma – vine leaves with rice inside
- Midye dolma – mussels stuffed with seasoned rice, a popular street food
- Cig köfte – a bulgar-based street food ideal for vegans (it used to be made with raw meat until this was banned for safety reasons)
- Manti – dumplings in yoghurt and chilli oil sauce. My favourite!
Best time to go
Summer (June-August) is the most popular time to visit Turkey but it’s also crowded, expensive and HOT.
Autumn (September-November) is optimum because the weather is moderate and prices are lower. However, if you want to visit the beaches, things will be cooling off by the end of this period.
Winter (December-February) is the low season so not the optimum time for a solo trip to Turkey. Istanbul will still be lively, however.
Spring (March-May) is another good shoulder season to visit.
I went in September and it was great, although still hot and busy!
Staying connected – SIM card options
Getting an e-SIM is the best option for solo travel in Turkey. In some countries, these are more expensive than local SIM deals. However, it’s hard to access the deals the locals get in Turkey (you usually need to sign a yearly contract) and, when shopping around, I was directed to ‘tourist’ packages similarly priced to e-SIMs that you can download in advance.
As a woman travelling alone, I feel more secure landing in a new country with data in case anything goes wrong during transit to my accommodation etc. I got an Airalo e-SIM before arriving in Turkey and it worked perfectly.
Do you need travel insurance?
Yes, I never have and never will travel without insurance. It could save your life!
I recommend True Traveller which I use myself. I pay around £30 (€40) a month when getting a year’s plan. As well as pre-existing health conditions, they’ll cover you if you’re already travelling and/or don’t yet have your flight home booked. The claim process is easy; I’ve done it twice and received the money within days. Click to get a quote.
Note – for no extra cost, they let you add air ballooning as a covered activity for Turkey.
True Traveller is just for European residents (including the UK) so, for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing.
Costs during my solo Turkey trip
The local currency is Turkish lira however I’ve listed prices in Euros for ease. You’ll notice that places in Turkey often do the same especially for ticketed tourist attractions.
Here are some average costs to help you plan your trip:
- Hostels – a bed in a dorm typically costs around €15 a night, often including breakfast
- Buses – when booking with Flixbus, a 10-hour bus journey typically costs around €20
- Food – you can get snacky street foods from €3 while a meal in a restaurant typically costs €5-10
- Entry costs – these are currently expensive with Hagia Sofia costing €25, Ephesus costing €40 and Topkaki and Dolmabahçe palaces both costing around €45.
Note – in recent years, Turkey has been suffering some of the worst inflation in the world. Be prepared that prices can quickly change!
Final thoughts
I had a blast travelling alone in this beautiful country; it totally exceeded my expectations. I always felt safe when travelling solo in Turkey and met lots of other women who echoed my feelings.
I loved the diversity of destinations from big cities to quaint towns, beaches and natural attractions. A month flew by – I could have spent even longer, especially in Istanbul!
Although the bus journeys are sometimes long because of the size of the country, it’s a relatively easy country to travel; you don’t need to be especially experienced.
I would recommend it to anyone! It’s easy to make friends, especially in Istanbul and Antalya, plus I found Turkish people to be friendly and helpful. If you’re on the fence, I can only say GO FOR IT!
Thanks for reading!
Planning visit other destinations? See my solo travel archives; I have you covered from Mexico to Malaysia!
