5 Important Things I Learned As A Solo Female Traveler In Turkey

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I had a crush on Turkey from the second I arrived bleary-eyed on the in a single day prepare from Bulgaria. Just a few hours later, I’d completed my first Turkish breakfast, and shortly realized I used to be in love.

After 5 years and 40 international locations of full-time worldwide journey, Turkey ranks in my prime 10 locations for solo feminine vacationers.

Right here’s why:

1. It’s Safer Than You Assume.

A traveler is 8 occasions safer from violent crime in Turkey than within the U.S., even in huge cities like Istanbul and Izmir.

Primarily based on my private expertise touring throughout Turkey, I’d say you’re extra at risk from kofte kebab meals coma or kitten cuteness publicity than any avenue crime right here.

Earlier than coming to Turkey, I’d been cautioned time and time once more with obscure fear-mongering: “You understand what they are saying about Turkish males.” Let me inform you: nothing may have been farther from the reality.

These frequent ‘warnings’ are discriminatory, inaccurate, and would possibly stop you from experiencing a few of the finest hospitality on this planet.

I’ve felt safer strolling down the road alone in Turkey day or evening than in Italy, Spain, or Greece. There have been precisely two gentle avenue harassment incidents in my 5 months touring in Turkey over the previous yr – each by foreigners, with Turkish males who didn’t even know me stepping in to assist.

In fact, vacationers ought to take affordable security precautions in all places they go. The few issues I wouldn’t advise whereas touring in Turkey proper now are:

Visiting Istanbul’s Taksim space alone after 10 pm on weekends
Leaving your valuables susceptible to simple pickpocketing
Taking drinks from strangers in bars or golf equipment
Public shows of affection in LGBTQIA+ relationships exterior of main chain resorts
Visiting sure elements of southeastern Turkey close to the Syrian border area (as a result of presence of terrorist teams and earthquake devastation)

2. Ladies Are Welcome And Protected In Turkish Mosques.

In case you do end up strolling alone at evening and feeling not sure or unsafe for no matter cause, the abundance of mosques in Turkey give you an incredible protected haven.

Many massive mosques stay open via the evening. So long as you’re dressed modestly, take away your footwear, and have a shawl useful, you’ll be able to respectfully duck into one in all these well-lit homes of worship to make certain of your security at virtually any hour.

To be clear: I don’t advocate treating a holy masjid as an alternative choice to a police station. Vacationers in apparent hazard ought to name emergency companies. However for these all-too-familiar grey zone conditions that merely give solo feminine vacationers a foul intestine feeling, it’s good to know that you’ve protected locations to show to with out ringing any alarm bells.

woman in hagia sofia istanbul turkey mosque

3. You Don’t Want To Select Between Tea And Espresso.

It’s no shock that Turkey is a rustic of tea lovers. The common Turk drinks 1,300 cups of tea every year. Turkey is even residence to a tea museum within the form of a 7-story tea glass within the ‘tea capital’ of Rize. It ought to then come as no shock that vacationers will discover themselves supplied a heat welcome tea in all places they go.

The gorgeous factor about Turkey is that this nation embraces each tea and occasional. No must take sides. Merely take pleasure in each!

From iconic Turkish espresso in an Izmir antique shop to artisan roast flat whites in Moda’s plentiful third wave espresso outlets, there’s some java right here for each kind of traveler.

4. Multicultural Turkish Cities Provide A Protected Method To Discover Syrian Tradition.

Whereas Syria isn’t a advisable vacation spot for solo feminine vacationers for the time being, multicultural cities in Turkey definitely are. They provide a protected and interesting alternative to attempt Syrian meals, have conversations with Syrian refugees and immigrants, and study extra in regards to the Syrian diaspora.

Advisable actions embrace:

There are about 4 million Syrians residing in Turkey, creating an incredible multicultural alternative for vacationers. Nevertheless, it’s necessary to notice that many Turks will nonetheless make adverse feedback to guests about Syrians of their nation.

“Turkish society’s acceptance of Syrians has largely been reworked into ‘toleration’ quite than an understanding of building a follow of residing collectively,” defined a study from UNHCR.

When touring in Istanbul, it’s possible you’ll hear locals inform you that Fatih, a predominantly Arab and Syrian neighborhood, is ‘not likely Turkey’ or isn’t ‘what it was.’ Some Turks will voice considerations about Syrians placing stress on social companies or job markets or bringing what they understand as an incompatibly conservative tradition to their metropolis.

Attempt to not let this rigidity stop you from having fun with two wonderful cultures in a single journey.

5. Turkey Is So A lot Extra Than Istanbul.

Many vacationers don’t notice simply how huge Turkey is. With practically 800 sq. kilometers of historical cities, surreal moonscapes, and extra seashores than you can rely, this nation has a lot extra to supply than its standard capital Istanbul.

Nice locations for solo feminine vacationers embrace: