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Turkey Culture and traditions Turkey

 
 
Area : 116809  sq.mi - Population 72561312 hab.
Turkey

Our expert Turkey

map

map Turkey

Weather

  • Istanbul  19°C 20°C 21°C 21°C
  • Ankara  20°C 23°C 24°C 22°C
  • Izmir  25°C 25°C 24°C 25°C
  • Bursa  22°C 24°C 23°C 22°C
  • Adana  26°C 27°C 26°C 29°C
  • Konya  20°C 22°C 22°C 21°C
  • Antalya  26°C 25°C 24°C 25°C
  • Bodrum  24°C 22°C 24°C 24°C
  • Trabzon  22°C 21°C 24°C 24°C
  • Diyarbakir  25°C 29°C 29°C 29°C

Culture and traditions Turkey

 Traditions and customs

Bargaining is common practice. Outside the tourist areas, bargaining excessively low is taken as an offense. Bear in mind that it is not impolite to not buy anything, even after taking a kindly offered cup of tea. Do not forget to take off your shoes. Avoid visiting mosques on Friday or at prayer times (take off your shoes before entering a mosque and put them back on to climb to a minaret). During Ramadan, avoid drinking, eating and smoking in public during the day. Avoid kissing in public.

 To read, see, listen

guide
Turkey (Lonely Planet Country Guides) by J Bainbridge (2009)
The Rough Guide to Turkey by M Dubin and T Richardson (2010)

books
The New Turkey: The Quiet Revolution on the Edge of Europe by C Morris (2006)

movies "Midnight express" by Alan Parker (1978).


"Crossing the Bridge - The sound of Istanbul" by Fatih Akin (2005 documentary) .
music
Turkish music is diverse, ranging from the typical Central Asian folk music to Anatolian rock to the more western-influenced pop music. Tarkan and Mustafa Sandal are probably the most famous Turkish popstars; Tarkan is best known for his worldwide hit 'Simarik' which was covered by many other artists in many different languages.