From Versatile Footwear to Tech, Here’s Everything to Pack For Your Next Trip to Turkey

It’s hard — dare I say, near impossible — to pinpoint the highlights of a trip to Turkey. I’ve been to the country nearly a dozen times and I still find something new and amazing to marvel at each time I go. Foodies will find solace in the unmatched sweet and savory world of Turkish cuisine (for me, nothing beats kahvalti, aka Turkish breakfast). History buffs can check ancient wonders of the world and archaeological excavations off their bucket list. And those who travel to let loose will find no shortage of stunning rooftop bars and clubs to sip rakı into the night.

But it’s not always easy to sort out a packing list when the country has so much to offer — especially if you’re planning to visit multiple regions or have little knowledge on how to efficiently dress for a visit to a place of worship in the morning and rooftop cocktails come sunset. In the beginning, I found it tricky to narrow down exactly what to pack, but I ultimately found my packing list for Turkey was no different from what I would bring to, say, Paris or Rome.

“People might expect Turkey to be a conservative country before coming here — probably because of our proximity to the Middle East — but the country became a secular republic in 1923,” explains Istanbul-based tour guide Ali Faik Anayurt. “Although over 95 percent of the people in Turkey identify as Muslim, the Turkish Republic respects secular values and is far from using religion as a form of governance.”

As a result, Anayurt says modern-day Turkey is a place where diversity, cultural differences, and various ethnic backgrounds coexist with respect. So, when visiting as a tourist, you can plan to dress just like you would in any European country rather than having to stock up on a conservative-leaning wardrobe.

Clothing

Keep in mind that the weather in Turkey varies greatly based on the specific region and time of year. I tend to bring a lot of layers when I visit Turkey in the cooler months. Istanbul is pretty temperate in the fall, for example, but once you head north, you’ll notice the weather cools off quite quickly. The weather in Turkey gets very hot in the summer months no matter where you visit, so bringing along lightweight clothing is key.

The Patagonia Terrebonne Joggers are an awesome option for traveling in different climates and around cities. These comfy joggers offer a tapered fit that are relatively stylish while also offering enough give and stretch so you can comfortably wear them while doing more strenuous activities, like hiking along the Turkish Riviera or horseback riding in Cappadocia. We love these pants due to their lightweight design — but it also helps that they’re water-resistant, quick-drying, and offer UPF-40 sun protection. We also noticed these pants are surprisingly durable despite the fact that they’re ultra-thin and lightweight.

The CALIA Women’s Truelight Cargo Pocket Jogger are our top pick for the best lightweight joggers for women. These pants are incredibly comfortable and stretchy thanks to the lightweight blend of polyester and spandex. We also love that they look and feel like a more put-together version of your typical leggings, so you can easily get away with wearing these around Istanbul, while at the airport, or doing more fitness-inclined activities in the Turkish countryside. It’s also worth noting that these joggers come in 10 different colorways, so you can choose the one that best suits your style.

If you’re heading to the cooler regions of Turkey or planning a trip in the fall or winter, you’ll want to make sure you pack a light jacket. The Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket is a great option you can easily pull out of your suitcase when needed or stuff into your backpack without taking up much space. The classic, quilted design and muted colorway also make this a timeless option that’ll look great in the city; you can just as easily get away with wearing this to dinner in Istanbul or to keep warm while flying over Cappadocia in a hot air balloon.

Turkey tends to be pretty warm compared to most places in North America — but if you’re visiting in the fall or winter, you’ll still want to bring a warm, packable jacket in case it gets chilly. The Columbia Women’s Switchback III Jacket is a great option to have on hand. It’s lightweight and packable but still protects you from the elements. It even has a built-in hood, which can be a life-saver if you get caught in the wind and rain that can sometimes hit Istanbul for days on end come fall and winter. It’s also very durable and made of long-lasting materials, so you don’t have to be precious about shoving it into your backpack when you don’t need it.

Shoes

If you plan on visiting any sites of worship, you’ll want to make sure you have comfortable walking shoes that are easy to slip on and slip off in a hurry. “Due to our cultural emphasis on cleanliness and to keep mosques clean in Islamic tradition, you should take off your shoes before entering any mosque,” explains Anayurt. “You can do this before entering the mosque, just before the main entrance on the clean mats. You don’t need to take off your socks, but you can bring clean socks to change into if you wish.”

If you’re planning any outdoor adventures — like hopping into a hot air balloon in Cappadocia — you’ll also want to make sure you have comfortable and relatively warm closed-toe shoes. I was incredibly grateful to have warm feet once up in the sky — you really don’t realize how cold a hot air balloon ride is until you’re floating high above the clouds! Staying in the city or heading to the Turkish Riviera? Make sure to have at least one pair of dressy shoes or sandals that will work for dinner out.

If there’s one pair of shoes you bring on your trip to Turkey, make it a comfortable pair of walking shoes like the On Cloud 5. You’re likely going to be walking a lot, sometimes on uneven sidewalks or cobblestones, so the zero-gravity foam sole and additional traction will be extremely welcomed. These shoes are also designed with a breathable and antimicrobial mesh upper, which allows your feet to stay fresh and comfy all day (and you won’t have to worry about any mysterious odors). The understated design also makes it easy to wear these shoes to dinner; you won’t have to change into dress shoes unless you’re going somewhere particularly swanky.

You’ll never regret packing a good pair of walking shoes, especially when navigating the streets of Istanbul. I tried to get away with wearing ballet flats and loafers but ultimately caved and bought an actual pair of sneakers for days when I knew I would be walking a lot. The Nike Motiva Road Runner Walking Shoe is a great option if you want something that is stylish and on trend but also offers arch support and cushioning. They’re flexible and comfortable to wear for hours and also come in several cool colors.

Unless you’re planning to stay exclusively at resorts or in beach towns on the Turkish Riviera, you’ll want to opt for a pair of sandals that are slightly more sophisticated than your average pair of flip-flops. These woven city slippers from Mohinders will do the job just fine. They’re breathable and very comfy to walk in for long periods of time, and the leather design is sleek and totally appropriate to wear into museums, restaurants, and bars in Istanbul and beyond. We also like that this pair comes in a handful of different colored leathers, so you can pick and choose based on the rest of your travel wardrobe.

The Sandalup Elastic Flat Sandals hold the top spot in our books as the best sandals for women for a variety of reasons. The first thing we love about them is that they’re incredibly comfortable and breathable, thanks to the padded footbed and elastic straps. They also form right to your foot and offer a secure fit without being too tight. These sandals are also incredibly budget-friendly and last a long time, even if you wear them day in and day out on your sojourns. It’s also worth noting that they’re easy to slip on and off — perfect for popping into mosques without holding up the queue.

Bags and Accessories

While you don’t need to invest in a conservative wardrobe for your trip, if you want to visit a mosque or shrine, there are some conditions to keep in mind, Anayurt points out. For example, women should plan to wear a headscarf when entering a mosque. I didn’t bother purchasing a traditional hijab or anything like that but opted for a multipurpose pashmina that I ended up also using as a shawl to cover my shoulders on chilly evenings.

What’s more, although Turkey is a very safe country for travelers and tourists, it’s always important to stay vigilant wherever you are, especially in population-dense areas like Istanbul. I haven’t yet invested in slash-proof bags and other anti-theft accessories for my trips there — but that’s not to say it’s not a good idea to take precaution. At the very least, choose items that will increase your level of comfort while putting in long days of exploration.

The Raen Keera cat-eye sunglasses are our favorite sunglasses for traveling. Not only are these sunglasses stylish and versatile enough to wear with just about any outfit or occasion, but they’re also comfortable enough to wear all day. The design is slightly oversized and doesn’t pinch near the ears or nose. They also come with a conveniently slim protective case that allows you to easily store them in your travel handbag or backpack without worrying about damaging the lenses or arms. It’s worth noting that these sunglasses aren’t polarized, but the lenses are dark enough to prevent any uncomfortable glare or brightness.

The Solo Re:Define Backpack won us over on so many levels when it comes to the best backpack for exploring on foot. It’s incredibly lightweight and small but the interior is surprisingly spacious and will easily fit everything you’ll need for a full day on the go. The exterior of the bag is water-resistant and made from an antimicrobial material which is great for schlepping through the city streets. It’s also worth noting that this bag has a built-in USB port and a pocket for a portable charger for added convenience.

I really love visiting mosques while I’m in Turkey (I find the architecture and atmosphere to be absolutely beautiful) but I never felt the need to invest in a traditional headscarf. Instead, I use the Gerinly Lightweight Printed Cotton Scarf, which can also function as a shawl on chilly evenings or even a beach coverup at a resort. It’s lightweight so you won’t find your head getting sweaty when wearing it as a headscarf, and it packs down pretty small so you can either tie it to your handbag or throw it into your backpack when you don’t need it.

Gear

The gear I pack for Turkey is pretty much identical to what I bring when I’m heading to a European city. You’ll want to ensure you have the right tech to keep your devices working and juiced up while putting in long days exploring the city.

Turkey is also a particularly beautiful country with varying landscapes and interesting architectural styles. The magnificence of the hot air balloon spectacle at sunrise in Cappadocia, for example, will never look as good in photos as it does in real life (or at least I couldn’t capture it!), but investing in a decent digital camera might be worth it if you’re hoping to snap the memories as best as possible. And who can forget a reliable sunscreen to protect your skin while out all day.

Turkey uses the Type C and Type F plugs. So if you’re traveling with tech from North America or the U.K., you’ll need an adaptor. Traveling with a ton of different adapters is kind of a pain, which is why we love the Epicka Universal Travel Adapter. It works in over 150 different countries thanks to the toggle outlets and can charge or power up to six devices at once (including everything from smartphones to laptops) so you don’t need to worry about packing multiple adapters. This option is also very compact compared to other travel adapters and won’t take up all that much space in your carry-on.

The Turkish landscape is incredibly diverse and gorgeous. So if you’ve been considering investing in a camera for travel, now might be the time to finally do it. The Sony Alpha 7R V is our top pick if you’re looking for crisp, high-quality imagery. It also offers excellent 8K video footage and intelligent features that makes shooting on the go efficient. The battery life is also particularly impressive so you won’t have to fret over charging your camera every night while traveling. We also really like how compact and lightweight this camera is; it won’t weigh you down while exploring.

You’ll want to ensure you have sunscreen with you while visiting Turkey, even if you’re not going to the beach. The Mediterranean sun is strong, and while I always come back with a pretty nice tan, I make sure to bring a travel-friendly sunscreen with me to reapply throughout the day. The Banana Boat Sport Ultra Sunscreen Lotion is a great option. It’s budget-friendly, can easily fit into a handbag, and doesn’t leave a sticky residue or make your skin look chalky after applying. It actually feels pretty moisturizing and leaves the skin hydrated. It also doesn’t transfer onto clothing, which is a huge bonus.

If you’re spending any amount of time exploring, we always recommend bringing along a portable power bank. The Anker PowerCore 13000 Portable Battery is teeny-tiny and won’t take up any space in your day bag — but the 13,000 mAh capacity can still fully charge your phone up to three times on a single charge. We also really like that this power bank has two different USB ports, so you can actually charge two different devices at one time. Note that this charger comes with an 18-month warranty just in case.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, Kaitlyn McInnis used her experience as a full-time travel writer living part-time in Istanbul to curate the best options to suit most itineraries. She drew on inspiration from her multiple trips across Turkey, including to hotspots like Cappadocia and the Turkish countryside. Kaitlyn also interviewed Ali Faik Anayurt, a senior Istanbul-based tour guide who graduated from Gazi University with a degree in tourism guidance and has lived in Turkey his whole life. Anayurt shared his insights on the do’s and don’ts of packing for Turkey, along with some of the best advice he has given to his clients over his decade-long career when preparing for their trips.

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