If you are a woman traveling alone, you must be extra careful about your safety. In addition to general rules you follow every day, like not walking alone at night, watching your food and drink when you’re eating alone, and not trusting strangers, traveling to each country can come with its tricks and difficulties due to the difference in culture.
Every tip a woman should know before Travelling to Turkey
Turkey is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, attracting many tourists every year. If you want to visit Turkey, you should know Turkey travelling tips for women, especially when traveling alone.
Dress more modestly
This might seem like an overstated fact, but it is imperative to consider that most of the citizens in Turkey are Muslim. The culture is very close to Middle Eastern cultures. Hence, you have to keep in mind that the culture is a little more conservative than most European countries, so dressing very revealing or wearing clothes that are normal to you but not so common in this country might bring you some unwanted attention and make you feel uncomfortable, especially if you are staying in one of the more conservative areas or if you are visiting mosques and Religious sites.
Learn a little Turkish
Although you don’t necessarily need to know Turkish well, even though most people don’t speak English, you can still enjoy your time in Turkey. But learning simple words like hello (Selam) and thank you (tesekur ederim) can go a long way. Turkish people are very proud of their heritage and history and appreciate it when a tourist goes out of their way to Communicate in their language. Just trying to speak Turkish is considered a friendly gesture and can help you quickly make friends and even get better deals when negotiating.
Being invited somewhere
Turkish people, like all Asian cultures, are very generous and big-hearted, and it is not uncommon to get invited by locals for food and maybe coffee or tea. It is up to you to accept these invitations, but if you decide to go, consider common traditions that are polite. The first one is that you can’t walk in the house with your shoes on, always take your shoes off before you walk in; another nice gesture would be that you take some gift with you when you go to a friend’s house, mostly chocolate or sweets; another tradition is that you should ask to help the host in cooking or setting the table to show your gratitude, you can also learn to cook some nice Turkish dishes at the same time.
Diners, cafes, and restaurants
Many restaurants and cafes in Turkey are separated into two sections: the family section and the public section. You will appreciate this setting if you are a woman traveling alone or with children. Smoking hookah and cigarettes in Turkey is a prevalent tradition everywhere, even inside restaurants, and a lot of local men spend their time in cafes with friends, drinking and smoking; if you feel uncomfortable anywhere, you can ask the manager to guide you to the family section where is more quiet and safe for a woman traveling alone.
Visiting Religious sites
Although wearing a hijab at all times is not mandatory for women in Turkey, unlike most Middle Eastern countries, while sightseeing around Turkey, you might visit many sacred Religious places. According to Islamic rules, Muslim people believe that women should not be on their period. They should cover their hair when they walk into sacred places like mosques, so keep these rules in mind so as not to disrespect Muslims there. It’s good to carry a scarf or pashmina when you go out.
Toilets
If you have visited Asia before, you know that packing toilet paper wherever you go is a must, and Turkey follows the same rules. Although many establishments have adjusted to European settings and cultures over the last few decades, most toilets in Turkey still lack toilet paper, and you might find using hoses uneasy and uncomfortable, so it’s always nice to pack some toilet paper with you just in case.
Hammams
You may want to experience a nice traditional Turkish bath or hammam if you visit Turkey. These traditional hammams are some of Turkey’s most charming tourist attractions. However, remember that even though many of them are turning to a unisex experience, most still set separate days for men and women to visit, so make sure to ask when the building is open for women to use.
When to travel
Turkey is a country that is always beautiful. You can find activities to do and tourists everywhere, all year, although it might get a little cold in the winter, so if you are not used to cold weather, you might want to consider that.
Common scams (overcharging/learning to barter)
Other than pickpocketing, the number one crime in Istanbul, like most tourist cities worldwide, another common scam in Turkey is taxi drivers or shopkeepers overcharging tourists. If you are taking a taxi, ask the driver to turn their meter on or use online services and ensure you don’t overpay. Another reason that tourists pay higher prices than necessary is that they don’t consider bartering to be a widespread practice in most Asian markets. Shopkeepers will mostly ask for more than the actual price, and you have to counter with a lower offer until you find a price you are both satisfied with; you can save yourself a lot of money by learning to barter, and if you don’t have the skills or can’t speak Turkish very well, make sure to ask a local friend to accompany you when visiting the local bazaars.
Addresses
When you leave your hotel, make sure to take your hotel’s business card and number with you. Whenever you get lost, you can call your hotel or ask the locals, the police, or shopkeepers for help.
All in all, Turkey is a very beautiful and safe country to travel to, especially if you are a woman traveling alone. You can make your best memories in this country, have some of the best dishes of your life, and hopefully find your new favorite destination in the world. Have a great time!
