You probably don’t give it much thought until the door clicks shut behind you. But if it’s your first time visiting Turkey, a trip to the toilet can come with a few surprises. Where does the toilet paper go? What’s the little water nozzle for? And what do you do if there’s only a squat toilet? Here’s everything you need to know - plus a few practical tips that can make your next bathroom break a lot less confusing.

Turkey’s debate about all-inclusive holidays isn’t really about buffets or free drinks. It’s about what happens to resort towns when visitors never leave their hotels - and it made me rethink the way I travel.

With more than 3,000 mosques, Istanbul offers far more than the famous Blue Mosque. Some began life as Byzantine churches, while others were built by powerful sultans and grand viziers during the Ottoman Empire. Together, they tell the remarkable story of a city shaped by two great civilizations. Here are eight must-see mosques that I believe every visitor should experience.

Can you wear shorts in Istanbul, Turkey? Do women need to wear a headscarf? And what should you wear when visiting a mosque?

Hidden behind Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, Eirene Tower is one of the city’s most overlooked Byzantine buildings. Follow the narrow passageways of Sağır Han and discover the fascinating mystery behind this thousand-year-old tower.

A student of mine at the university suggested I go and visit the Camera Museum in Bakırköy. A few days later, curiosity got the better of me, and I jumped on the Marmaray to find out what a camera museum was really all about. It turned out to be much more than just a museum visit.

Hidden among the busy streets near Eminönü is one of Istanbul’s most peaceful museums. Hilye-i Şerif ve Tesbih Müzesi combines exquisite prayer beads, beautiful Islamic calligraphy and a tranquil Ottoman medrese, offering visitors a fascinating glimpse into centuries of craftsmanship and cultural heritage. Explore the interactive 360° photos at the top of this article and step inside one of the city’s most overlooked museums.

For many travellers, a holiday isn’t complete without a cold beer on the beach or a glass of wine in the park while watching the sunset. That’s perfectly normal in many parts of Europe - but it isn’t necessarily the case in Türkiye.

An Ottoman gunpowder mill that produced gunpowder for the army for more than 200 years is today one of Istanbul’s more interesting cultural centres. Baruthane is also an excellent example of how historic buildings can be preserved while being given entirely new purposes.

De fleste besøgende kender Basilica Cisternen og Şerefiye Sarnıcı. Men under Zeyrek-kvarteret gemmer der sig endnu en byzantinsk cisterne. Kæresten og jeg lagde vejen forbi på en af vores kulturelle søndagsdater for at se, hvordan stedet har udviklet sig siden genåbningen i 2025.

Prices are rising, the city feels more controlled, and travel expectations are shifting. But Turkey in 2026 is still full of experiences - if you know how to approach it.

Panorama 1453 Museum recreates the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople through an impressive 360-degree panorama. Here’s my honest assessment of whether the museum is worth your time and money.