What to Pack for Your Trip to Turkey

Turkey is an incredible place to visit, with delicious food, welcoming people, and amazing destinations. Knowing what to pack for your trip to Turkey can be a bit tricky if you’re planning on being in the city, at the beach, and in the desert all in one trip. 

To help you I’ve put together a packing list of what to pack for your trip to Turkey, clothing and other essentials!

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What to Know Before Visiting Turkey

I’ve spent 10 days exploring in Turkey, so I’m going to share what I suggest you bring with you on your trip to Turkey. 

First, there are a few things you should know about your destination in order to know what to pack for your trip to Turkey.

Weather in Turkey

Depending on when you plan to visit Turkey, the weather does vary with the seasons.

In the summer, the weather is warm and either dry in the desert or humid by the coast. Expect temperatures around 80°F – 90°F (26°C – 32°C), with cooler nights, especially in the desert. 

Winter in Turkey can see chilly temperatures and even snow depending on elevation. In Istanbul, temperatures usually hang around 40°F (5°C) during the day in winter. You can also expect more frequent rain in the winter, especially in Istanbul and along the coast.

Spring and Fall are obviously transitional seasons, so it can be difficult to pin down what weather you might get. I would pack a little bit of everything!

Culture and Religion

While Turkey is a secular country, meaning they have no national religion, it does have a majority Muslim population. When you’re in Turkey, you’ll see mosques, churches, and synagogues wherever you look. I find this blend of beliefs to be one of the most beautiful things about Turkey, and just adds to the welcoming nature of Turkish culture. 

Because much of the population is Muslim, people tend to dress more ‘conservatively’ in public. But, because there are no laws against certain types of dress in relation to religious beliefs, you will see people wearing all manner of clothing while in Turkey. 

The moral of the story is this: you can wear what you prefer while in Turkey, but it’s important to be aware of the cultural expectations and norms. 

If you plan to visit any mosques while in Turkey (which you absolutely should do!), you are required to adhere to a dress code while inside. For women, this means covering your head, shoulders, and knees. For men, This means covering shoulders and knees. So, no short shorts or tank tops! Ladies, you can bring a headscarf with you or purchase one while in Turkey.

Why It’s Important to Be Aware of What You Wear

I want to take the opportunity to explain why it’s important to be aware of cultural expectations and norms when visiting a different country than your own. 

Depending on where you come from, your destination of choice for your next vacation might have very different ways of doing things. And different is okay, and even good!

Being a respectful traveler goes a long way with the locals, and allows you to have an even more immersive cultural experience while traveling. You get the opportunity to experience life the way the locals do.

Plus, you don’t want to put yourself or someone else in an uncomfortable position while you are visiting another country. Remember, you are a guest here, and the people of the country or region you’re visiting will appreciate the effort and respect you’re showing. 

Okay, now on to what to pack!

Packing List: What to Pack for Your Trip to Turkey

I’ve created this list of packing items to be likely to fit in a carry-on suitcase. Check out my tips for how to pack efficiently in your carry-on to make sure you can fit everything on this list! If you plan to check a bag when traveling to Turkey, even more room for you. Lucky!

What to Wear in Turkey in Summer

• Short sleeve shirts & tank tops: these are great when trying to beat the summer heat, but remember that tanks are not part of the mosque dress code! You can bring a long sleeve shirt to throw over or a scarf to put over your shoulders when visiting the mosques.
• Pullover or long sleeve shirt: for the mosques or when it gets chilly at night
• Skirts or shorts
• Pants or long skirt: be sure to bring a long skirt or pants to wear in the mosques.
• Headscarf: this is useful when visiting the mosques or to keep the sun off of your head. I bought one in Turkey, a nice souvenir!
• Sandals: I love these sandals that can also double as water shoes
• Swimsuit
• Beach bag: if you plan on visiting the beautiful Turkish coast
• Sunglasses: these are my favorite brand of sunglasses, and they’re affordable!
• Don’t forget your underwear!

What to Wear in Turkey in Winter

• Jeans or pants
• Waterproof jacket: it can be quite rainy during the winter in Turkey, so be prepared with a rain coat or waterproof jacket
• Boots: These are my favorite all year boots, and if you add this coating to them, they’ll be water resistant.
• Headscarf
• Sweaters
• Long sleeve shirts

Packing Essentials

• Travel adapter: this universal adapter is a must while traveling. I’ve used it in over 20 countries
• Headscarf
• Toiletries bag: keep everything organized with a hanging toiletries bag
• Toiletries containers: I like these pouches or these bottles
• Crossbody purse: to keep your valuables safe while exploring. There are pickpockets in every major city in the world, so its always good to have a small bag that sticks close to you while traveling.
• Travel documents: passport, driver’s license, travel insurance, vaccination records, etc.

I hope you enjoy your trip to Turkey! If you have any other suggestions for what to pack for your trip to Turkey, please leave it in a comment below!