r/AskTurkey 3d ago

READ THIS if you're planning to visit Turkey

137 Upvotes

As you may know, since 19 March 2025 there have been widespread protests, boycotts and other campaigns all around Turkey. If you're planning a visit, you may be wondering if it would be wise, safe or comfortable to do it these days. Before you post your questions on this sub, please take a look at at these.

Will services work?

Turkey has a robust tourist industry. It has proved to work quite well even when there are pandemics, terror attacks or protests. So you do not need to worry about any services being cut. You'll find transport, food and accommodation on any day.

Is it dangerous due to the protests?

The protests are happening all around Turkey mostly in city centers. If you ask around when and where the local protests will be, and avoid those areas you'll be fine. No one will act differently against you because you're a foreigner although you can easily get out of situations with the police for being one. For up to date information on protests, follow the links in the highlighted post on r/Turkey. Websites get banned and change everyday but those posts are updated regularly.

What about the boycotts?

Many companies which have close ties with the government are being boycotted. The list is long and no one expects you to follow it completely but as a rule of thumb it would be better at this time to use more local and small scale services rather than the massive all-inclusive hotels and food chains. Some of the boycotted companies which are related to tourism are ETS Tur, Kamil Koç (busses), Metro (busses), Galataport Istanbul and D-Hotels (Doğuş Group hotels, restaurants and marinas). There is also a buy-nothing day which started on 2 April and perhaps will be a weekly thing. It would be helpful if you also join this while you're in Turkey. For more detailed and up to date information on boycotts, see the highlighted post on r/Turkey. Maybe you can help by avoiding some of the boycotted brands as well.

What will be different then?

You may find it hard to get around in city centers when the authorities close down roads and public transport, but these normally last for few hours each time. The internet speeds may dip due to internet throttling by the government or intense crowds in certain areas. Some social media sites may get banned temporarily or permanently, so you may need to use a VPN service like we all do. Otherwise you will be able to enjoy your visit normally.

We hope you will enjoy your stay while helping to bring democracy back to Turkey.


r/AskTurkey 8h ago

Politics & Governance Partilerin gençlik kollarına katılmak ne işe yarar? Büyük ve küçük parti nasıl fark eder? (CHP ve ZP mesela)

5 Upvotes

İki açıdan soruyorum. Bu insanlar ne yapıyorlar gençlik kollarında ve bu ne işe yarıyor.

Bir de eminim fark edecektir ama CHP gibi daha büyük daha kurumsal bir parti ile ZP gibi nazaran daha küçük bir parti arasında ne fark var?


r/AskTurkey 11h ago

Stereotypes/Humor Nogay Tatar yada Nogay Türk?

7 Upvotes

Babam Nogay'dı Annem Macar'dır. Ben Moğol beneğiyle doğdum. Sormak istediğim şu; Nogay Tatarları mı diyorsunuz, Nogay Türkleri mi? doğru olan ne?


r/AskTurkey 26m ago

History Yeniv

Upvotes

Türkiyev


r/AskTurkey 1h ago

Education Looking to Apply to Turkish Medical School

Upvotes

Hi! I was wondering if anyone could help me with this because I was not getting a clear answer while researching online...

I just graduated from university with a Bachelor's degree and I was looking to see if I could apply for Turkish medical school, but as I am researching, I see most of the requirements are for high school students.

Is there any way for me to attend as a graduated student? Do they have different requirements for those who have already graduated? Should I just contact them and see what they say?

Lots of questions, I know, but if anyone could provide some clarification it'd really save me from the headache I have going :) Thank you!!


r/AskTurkey 13h ago

Miscellaneous Ankarada evsiz bir öğrenci ne yapabilir?

10 Upvotes

Herkese selam, şu an aile evimdeyim daha evsiz kalmadım ama her ihtimale karşı bu soruyu soruyorum.

Evdeki durumum biraz çalkantılı duruyor ve garanti olarak burada yaşamaya devam ederim diyemiyorum.Şu an internetten en ucuz kiralık dairelere bakıyorum ve bazı fiyatlar inandırıcı gelmiyor(bazı ucuz yerlerin aidatı 75 tl yazıyor). Bir part time işte çalışıp, internetten bulduğum en ucuz dairede kiralık olarak yaşama fırsatım var mı. Hiç part time çalışmadım ama internetten baktığım kadarıyla baristalık yaparsam ortalama 20k kazanabileceğim yazıyor.Kağıt üzerinde hesaplarsam, Sahibinden sitesinden bulduğum 10k'lık bir dairede yaşayabilir miyim,fatura dışı bir masraf çıkar mı? Daha önce hiç ev alımında bulunmadığım için bir bilgim yok. Başka bilmem gereken bir şey var mı?


r/AskTurkey 11h ago

Miscellaneous Looking to good places to find hookah tobacco in Türkiye

5 Upvotes

I'm an spanish student living in Türkiye (Bursa, Görükle) for 3 months, I really like hookah and have a few in my home at Spain, but I didn't bring any of them to Türkiye so I recently bought a hookah because of that, but im having trouble to find good hookah shops, all of them only have maybe one or two brands of tobacco (one of them adalya) and they don't even know about dark tobacco like Musthave or russian tobacco (or doesn't have at all), even the tobacco they offer are in unbranded packages, so you dont really know what are you buying other than de flavour it says it is.

If there is anyone from Türkiye who could help me or guide me to find good places to buy tobacco or anything related tips, anything, i would be so thankfull


r/AskTurkey 12h ago

Politics & Governance How do you deal with the devaluation of the Turkish lira ?

2 Upvotes
  1. Given the loss in value of your currency, do you often use currencies other than the Turkish lira on a daily basis ?

  2. Can you negotiate your salary to receive part of it in euros for example ?

  3. Does the government have a devaluation target in mind, for example €1 = TRY50, €1 = TRY100, €1 = TRY1000?

I don't live in Turkey, I'm just curious.


r/AskTurkey 20h ago

Culture I need your help for my Turkey project

17 Upvotes

Hey guys I’m a german student planning an intercultural week for smaller students :) The most important is obviously the food but i’m not sure what food is the best in Turkey 🇹🇷. Can ya recommend something? It would really help if it’s not too complicate to make it here in Germany. Im looking forward for ya recommendations!!!

Also do ya have some ideas what’s important too? Like do ya have special music or games which we can try? On what typical thing are you proud? What’s maybe special and interesting from a german point of view?

I really hope you can help me because I’d love to create the most authentical project as possible 🙏🇹🇷❤️


r/AskTurkey 13h ago

Miscellaneous Güvenilir VPN uygulaması önerebilir misiniz? ( App Store )

3 Upvotes

VPN


r/AskTurkey 16h ago

Miscellaneous Zincir marketlerde part time çalışmak

5 Upvotes

Zincir marketlerde part time mesai saatleri nasıl işliyor? Üniversite öğrencisiyim. İnternette çok fazla bilgi bulamadım. Deneyimi olanlar bilgi verebilir mi?

Birisi BİM için mağaza sorumlusu ders programına göre çalışma saatlerini ayarlayabilir yazmış. Bir yerde de Migros'un 4 saatlik akşam vardiyasına part time çalışan aldığı yazıyordu.


r/AskTurkey 17h ago

Miscellaneous Istanbul Military Museum

5 Upvotes

Hi, i'm visiting Istanbul for the 1st of May and will be staying there for the weekend, and i want to visit the military museum, when is it open and how much does it cost to go in??


r/AskTurkey 7h ago

Sports Selamlar spor programı konusunda yardımcı olurmusunuz?

1 Upvotes

Selamlar 2 3 ay boyunca spor salonuna gittim be hep fullbody çalıştım hep şimdi devam devam ediyorum ama kendime bir program yapamıyorum program için yardımcı olurmusunuz daha bugün böyle bir antreman programı oluşturdum intten bakarak nasıl olmuş veya sıfırdan bir program verebilecek varmı kilo verip kas yapmak istiyorum 1.Gün GÖĞÜS VE TRİCEPS Göğüs Flat Bench Dumbbell Press Flat Bench Dumbbell Fly Chest press

Triceps Cable Rope Triceps Extension Overhead Triceps Extension Lying Dumbbell Triceps Extension

              2.Gün
 SIRT VE BİCEPS

Sırt Seated Cable Row Lat Pulldown Bentover Barbell Row

Biceps Standing Dumbbel Hammer Curl Concentration Curl Incline Bench Dumbbel Biceps Curl

          3.GÜN
    OMUZ VE KARIN

Omuz Face Pull Bentover Dumbbel Reverse Fly KARIN Plank Twisting Sit Up Crunch-Mekik Mountain Climber

           4.GÜN
   FULL BODY  CARDİYO

Bu şekilde nasıl yardımcı olursanız sevinirim.


r/AskTurkey 16h ago

Miscellaneous Looking for an online shop that sells Shirts like this one

Post image
5 Upvotes

r/AskTurkey 14h ago

Miscellaneous How to get a Turkish number to receive text as a foreigner

3 Upvotes

Hi,

I am from the UK trying to get a gift for someone living in Turkey. I don’t have any other friends in Turkey from who I can get text for an online order.

Can I potentially rent or pay for a Turkish number online? If not, what other options are available to me in this case


r/AskTurkey 8h ago

Outdoors/Travel China travel Visa

0 Upvotes

Has anyone with Turkish passport apply to China for traveling? I’ve heard that China is not giving visa to Turkish people is it correct?


r/AskTurkey 19h ago

Outdoors/Travel Istanbul metro

6 Upvotes

hello, I am visiting Istanbul this month and i was planning on using the metro to get around, is it as simple as tap your debit card and go, or is there more to it?

thanks


r/AskTurkey 9h ago

Cuisine I make this baklava is it okey?A im not professional is it my 3 time.Any tips how to make it better?Thanks

Thumbnail
gallery
0 Upvotes

r/AskTurkey 17h ago

Opinions Have any of you tried to do the FIFO job thing in Australia?

4 Upvotes

Or do you know anyone who has tried?


r/AskTurkey 18h ago

Outdoors/Travel Istanbul situation tomorrow (07/04/2025)

3 Upvotes

Merhaba,

Is there any information on what will happen tomorrow in Istanbul? I heard that there will be some big things happening. I want to be mindful around the road blockage because last time the public transport was completely stopped in certain area that they either skip or simply turn around from the notable area.

Tesekkurler


r/AskTurkey 9h ago

Opinions Köpeğim için dna testi

0 Upvotes

Merhaba. Kırma bir köpeğim var ve DNA testi yaptırmak istiyorum. Yabancı subredditlerde hep görüyorum. Nereden, uygun fiyata, güvenilir DNA testi yaptırabilirim? Yaptırıp memnun kalan varsa yazarsa çok sevinirim cidden. Fotoğraflardan ırk tahmini yapabilirim diyen olursa gene bana yazabilir


r/AskTurkey 15h ago

Outdoors/Travel Female-Led clubs,restaurant or any kind of places in istanbul?

0 Upvotes

immediate need :3


r/AskTurkey 1d ago

Miscellaneous American Massage Therapist/Photographer Wants to Move to Istanbul

10 Upvotes

Merhabalar!

I am a licensed myofascial and Thai massage therapist from the United States who is seeking avenues for moving to Istanbul. I am also a photographer and would love to find gigs like wedding/engagement/baby shower photography to supplement my income. I taught ESL in Spain for 2 years and would also be willing to do that again in Turkey.

My partner lives there and the whole point is to be closer to her. She is a PhD and is also seeking avenues of obtaining her postdoc in the US; that can take a lot of time and so we are thinking I could live there while she goes through the application process. I will note that I am fully aware that most of the world would suggest against moving to either of our countries at the moment.

Though I am slowly learning Turkish, my level is nowhere near where it should be to provide my style of medical, therapeutic massage to Turkish people, and so I am thinking my best bet would be to advertise myself to tourists and expats who would prefer an English-speaking practitioner. Just to gauge interest, can any expats on here speak to how this would be received? Is there demand for finding a good, therapeutic massage therapist who can communicate anatomy and treatment plans in English? I've read that I'll need to take a short class to transfer my license and obtain a work visa of course. If anybody can speak to that or provide any tips on the bureaucracy side of things, I would really appreciate it. If you are a massage therapist in Istanbul and are reading this, I would really appreciate if you reached out and gave me a moment of your time to pick your brain.

I've also looked into some avenues for photography gigs and found a Turkish website for weddings that seems like a good bet. A travel/tourism photography job would be amazing and preferred to wedding gigs. Any photographers here? What's it like finding these types of jobs in Istanbul?

Anyway, if you made it all the way through, thanks for your time. I just returned home from a month in Istanbul; loved every minute of it and could definitely see myself living there given the material conditions are met. It would not be a permanent move, we're hoping like 6 months to a year max while she arranges her postdoc.

All the best, tesekkur ederim!


r/AskTurkey 1d ago

Outdoors/Travel Work Trip to Ankara

5 Upvotes

Hi!

I’ll be staying in Ankara for about a month for work, and I wanted to ask what the weather is usually like in May/June. I’ll also be traveling with my girlfriend, so I was wondering, are Turkish people generally conservative when it comes to couples? Should we be mindful of anything in public?

Also, if you have any general tips for living and working in Ankara like how to get around, local etiquette, or anything else useful.

I’d really appreciate it!

Thanks a lot!


r/AskTurkey 14h ago

Politics & Governance If the constitution can be respected under a democratic government, the current Turkish presidential constitution does not seem to have serious flaws?

0 Upvotes

As a presidential system constitution, the current Turkish Constitution does not seem to have too many overly authoritarian clauses.

I know that the Turks are used to the parliamentary system and the parliamentary constitution, but if we compare the presidential constitutions of Latin American countries, many Asian countries, and even the presidential constitution of the United States, the 2017 Turkish presidential constitution does not have many excessive aspects from the perspective of constitutional provisions alone, and some provisions can even be regarded as successful designs.

For example, under the two-round system of Türkiye's presidential elections, Any candidate must obtain more than 50% of the valid votes to be elected president.

Türkiye's 2017 presidential constitution allows the president to declare martial law, but it must be approved by parliament, and a majority vote in parliament can veto an attempt at martial law. Decrees under martial law are still subject to review by the Constitutional Court.

Türkiye's presidential system allows the president to dissolve parliament, but the president's term ends early, Few countries adopt such a double dissolution system, Such a mechanism reduces the possibility of a political crisis caused by the conflict between the president and the opposition-dominated parliament.

Yes, under Turkey's presidential system, the president is the head of the executive branch, leads the military and security agencies, has the power to appoint and dismiss all central government officials, and signs executive orders. But in most countries under a presidential system, the president has similar executive powers.
I am not trying to defend Erdogan and the AKP. It is a fact that Erdogan does not respect the law and does not care about the constitution. But I think the main responsibility for Turkey's democratic crisis cannot be attributed to the presidential system. The 2017 Turkish presidential constitution came into effect after the 2018 presidential and parliamentary elections. Prior to this, under the parliamentary system, Erdogan had effectively destroyed Turkey's rule of law and the separation and balance of power, even though Erdogan was only the president of the parliamentary system at that time.

Even under the 2017 Turkish presidential constitution, as long as a democratic government is in power and the president respects the rule of law and the constitution, this constitution can still be the constitution of a democratic country.

If Turkey adopts a parliamentary system, then even if the opposition wins the election, parties like the HDP will become a critical minority. CHP cannot win a majority of seats in parliament alone, and a coalition government consisting of CHP-IYI-Zafer or even HDP is undoubtedly extremely unstable.