A cultural guide to Turkey

Turkey is built on an eclectic heritage; where ancient history blends with a diverse modern life, honed over centuries of Asian and European influence. Here, magnificent ancient sites like the Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul, or the old cities of Ephesus and Halicarnassus, exist alongside glittering coastline – awash with cobbled streets, enjoyable nightlife and stunning beaches. So, how would you navigate Turkish culture and customs on your trip?

A full exploration of Turkish heritage warrants a book in itself, however in this article we’ve summarized Turkey’s traditions, customs and cultural etiquette in a way that is easy to reference. Read our cultural guide to Turkey in preparation for an incredible Turkish vacation…

Turkish culture, heritage and traditions

Much of Turkish culture has developed from its geographical position straddling Europe and Asia; meaning Turkish arts, cuisine, architecture and customs are a melting pot of westernized and Asian influence. Its history as the hub of the Ottoman Empire is also very present – in its grand, imperial architecture (like the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace), its famed Turkish coffee rituals, and its rich culinary heritage. Though 99% of people are registered Muslim, Turkey is also diverse in terms of ethnic population – today’s Turkish people hail from all over: the Middle East and the Mediterranean, the Balkans and Central Asia.

One of the most prominent identifiers of the Turkish is their pride in being warm, hospitable and helpful. They relish in conversation, may offer gifts or tokens of gratitude for minor compliments, and pass decision-making onto you as a sign of respect. If you’re invited to a local’s dinner, decline the first invitation (which might be a good-will gesture), but ideally, never the third. Being invited to dine with Turkish locals is an honor and if they ask you this many times, they’ll want you to happily accept.

As a Muslim nation, there’s generally a conservative nature to public life in Turkey; worth bearing in mind when it comes to social behavior in public, clothing (particularly in sacred spaces), alcohol consumption, and etiquette.

Popular Turkish culture to explore, from art to music

Turkey overflows with folk music and traditional arts. Peruse museums in places like Istanbul to learn about the history of ebru (marbling), alongside examples of ancient calligraphy and tile art. For more present-day visual arts, events such as the Istanbul Film Festival and Istanbul Biennial showcase Turkey’s creative minds of today.

Wherever you are in Turkey, local music plays everywhere – from classical tunes featuring instruments like the flute-like ney and the stringed oud, to vibrant folk fusion music, Turkish pop and rock. In rural regions such as Van or Erzurum (home to Turkey’s Culture Route Festival), you may catch some iconic folk dance performances – like the halay, Turkey’s national dance.

Carpet weaving is also big here, with each region’s distinctive carpets renowned for their high quality and impressive, intricate patterns. The best places to admire handmade carpets include Konya, Hereke, and regions of Anatolia.

Exploring religion and language in Turkey

The majority of Turkey’s population identifies as Muslim (mostly Sunni Muslim), and are often devout followers of the faith, especially in the older generations. Be prepared to hear a call to prayer multiple times a day (five is custom), and see locals gathering outside mosques for prayer and sermons. Ramadan might impact your trip if you visit in May – as Muslims don’t eat or drink throughout daylight hours, there may be a somewhat slower pace of life. With this in mind, a general sense of conservatism is the norm in Turkey, most acutely observed in religious spaces. Locals will expect you to behave respectfully, not be overtly drunk in public, and keep moderately covered up (of course, beachgoers in resort areas don’t usually adhere to this).

There are other religions that exist harmoniously in Turkey – particularly various sects of Orthodox Christianity, mostly based in Istanbul (formerly Constantinople), and also Sephardic Judaism.

The official language in Turkey is Turkish; approximately 85-90% of the country’s population are native Turkish speakers. The second most-spoken is Kurdish, as the Kurds make up a significant ethnic minority, followed by a mixture of Arabic, Greek and Armenian, and Zaza speakers (an indigenous group in eastern Turkey).

As parts of Turkey are so used to tourism, many locals will speak English to varying degrees, and gladly try to communicate in your home language. English is taught from primary-age in Turkish schools, and in larger cities like Istanbul, Ankara and İzmir, English proficiency is generally higher – particularly among younger generations, professionals, and those in the service and hospitality industries. Of course, it goes down well if you attempt to speak Turkish, even if only to say hello (“merhaba”), please (“lütfen”) and thank you (“teşekkür ederim”).

Turkey’s culinary traditions

Some say Turkey has one of the world’s greatest cuisines – this is, after all, one of the origins of kofte, kebabs and mezze, made irresistible with yoghurt-based dips and flavorsome spices. Wherever you find yourself in Turkey, from resort town to city back streets to rural village, you definitely won’t go hungry.

Indeed, kebabs are the mainstay of Turkish cuisine – there’s the regional adana kebab made with spicy meat skewers, the şiş kebab with marinated meat chunks, and the globally beloved doner kebab – and all are delicious. However, Turkey isn’t just about these takeaway favorites.

For instance, the Turkish thrive during a homemade dinner. If you’re invited to eat with a local family it will likely involve multiple courses, sharing style – with starters such as soup or ezme (a spicy tomato and pepper salad), olives, hummus, and dolma (grape leaves stuffed with rice, pine nuts and currants). Main dishes will involve some kind of grilled or stewed meat with pilaf rice and vegetables (eggplant, cucumber and peppers are common), a side of pide (Turkish flatbread), and a plain yoghurt dip with lemon and garlic. Desserts may span from decadent baklava to sütlaç, a creamy rice pudding spiced with cinnamon. Home dining is a very social affair and you’ll be encouraged to eat heartily. Cutlery will likely be provided, but if using your hand, be sure to always use the right one (the left is reserved for hygiene purposes).

In terms of street food, as well as the usual kofte or kebab dishes, the Turkish love their pastries and breads. Savour a delicious gözleme: a savory Turkish flatbread filled with cheese, spinach, potatoes, or ground meat; the seedy bagel-style roll of a simit, or a lahmacun – a thin flatbread topped with meat, veg and spices, finished with parsley and a squeeze of lemon (it’s commonly called a Turkish pizza).

Drinking coffee, Turkish style

Coffee isn’t only about getting a caffeine hit in Turkey – it’s a deeply traditional ritual with Ottoman roots, so significant that it has earned protection as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The meticulous serving process is important, as is the social aspect – beans are ground to a very fine powder and strained through a cezve before being served in small cups. The rich, unfiltered coffee is often accompanied by a glass of water and a sweet treat.

Historically, Turkish coffee houses were a place for intellectuals to socialize and discuss politics and events – and were even banned at some points due to their potential for political dissent. These days, coffee is seen as a symbol of community and connection. There’s also the playful tradition of reading fortunes in the leftover grounds once you’ve finished drinking.

Make it happen

If you’re drawn to the rich heritage and intrigue of Turkish culture, our locally-based travel experts are on hand to arrange an all-encompassing tour. Get in touch today to co-create the perfect Turkey itinerary.