Türkiye Travel News

October is the best month for Cappadocia balloon flights: calm winds, clear skies, and harvest colours. What to book, what to expect, and when to go.

Istanbul in winter 2026-27 offers the year shortest queues at Topkapi Palace, low hotel rates, and full balloon season in Cappadocia through late November.

Turkish Airlines reroutes its Istanbul-Sydney service via Singapore from 26 October 2026, opening a Sydney-Singapore leg with lie-flat business class seats.

Six years after the October 2020 earthquake that killed 117 people, İzmir's tourism infrastructure is fully restored and visitor numbers are at record levels.

Turkey celebrates its 103rd Republic Day on 29 October with military parades and fireworks in Istanbul and Ankara. What travellers need to know.

Turkey's most prestigious film festival, the 63rd Antalya Golden Orange, runs 12–19 October 2026. International screenings in Antalya's historic quarter.

Istanbul's Akbank Jazz Festival, now in its 32nd edition, runs until 5 October 2026 with free and ticketed concerts across multiple city venues.

Turkish Airlines has published its winter 2026/27 schedule, adding new routes from Istanbul across Europe and the Middle East.

UK Foreign Office updated Turkey travel advice in September 2026, warning travellers against posting negative content about Turkey online or offline.

Mahan Air cancels all flights between Iran and Turkey from 21 September. Travelers on Tehran–Istanbul and Tehran–Ankara routes must rebook without delay.

Istanbul Airport's fourth runway opens 18 September 2026, boosting capacity at Europe's busiest hub ahead of what should be a smoother winter season.

Wildfires near Antalya on 8 September 2026 triggered evacuations and D400 highway closure. What travellers need to know and the current status.

Antalya's Archaeology Museum is closed for all of 2026 while seismic safety works are carried out. Plan alternative visits to Kaleiçi and Aspendos instead.

Kaçkar by UTMB runs 11–13 September 2026 in Ayder, Rize with 100K, 50K and 20K distances through the Kaçkar Mountains of northeast Türkiye.

Istanbul Airport handled a European record 289,732 passengers on 9 August 2026, beating its own record of 289,260 set just eight days earlier.

Turkish Airlines carried 352,000 passengers in a single day this August, a new record. What peak capacity means for travelers at Istanbul Airport.

Gulf tensions are pushing Türkiye visitor numbers down in August, with Antalya and Bodrum most affected by long-haul cancellations. Istanbul holds up.

Turkiye's Ministry of Culture and Tourism reports 24.8 million visitors in H1 2026, a 9.4% rise year-on-year, led by Russian, German, and British markets.

Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Festival runs July 30–August 2, 2026. Mass ascent flights over the fairy chimneys at dawn, plus a drone light show nightly.

Turkey's Riviera and Aegean coast report a 2026 summer surge in playcation bookings combining beach breaks with wellness and adventure travel.

Turkish Airlines is running a US summer sale with return fares from $599 to Türkiye. Book by 27 July for travel September 2026 to February 2027.

Middle East airspace disruptions are causing delays at Istanbul, Antalya, and Ankara airports as of 14 July 2026, with 163 logged at IST alone.

Turkish authorities refused port calls at Kuşadası and Istanbul for a Virgin Voyages charter carrying around 2,000 LGBTQ+ passengers in early July 2026.

The Antalya Archaeology Museum is closed all year for a major seismic-safety rebuild. Visitors to Antalya should plan their itinerary around this closure.

The NATO Summit in Ankara on 7–8 July 2026 caused road closures and airport delays in the capital. Istanbul and all tourist regions were unaffected.

Turkey wildfire season: Mediterranean and Aegean coasts at risk June–September 2026. Affected areas, current risk and what visitors need to know.

The 664th Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival runs 29 June to 5 July 2026 in Edirne - the world's oldest sporting event and a UNESCO cultural tradition.

Temperatures across Turkey are forecast to exceed historical averages this summer. Visitors to Antalya, Cappadocia and Istanbul should plan carefully.

Turkey has closed walk-up e-visa desks at all airports. US, UK, Australian and most nationalities must now apply at evisa.gov.tr before flying.

Turkish Airlines restores Istanbul–Doha four times weekly from 8 June 2026, reconnecting Qatar travellers to Turkey without a layover.

The Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival brings world-class performances to a 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre near Antalya in June–July 2026.

Islamic New Year 1448 AH falls on June 16, 2026 in Turkey. Not a public holiday, but mosques hold special prayers. Here's what travellers need to know.

Eid al-Adha has brought domestic and international travellers to Antalya and Turkey's Mediterranean coast, signalling a strong summer start.

US Level 2, UK FCDO caution - but Istanbul, Cappadocia & the Aegean coast are fully open. Here's what the 2026 advisory actually means for your trip.

Ahiler Development Agency launched grants for thematic museums and cultural centres in Cappadocia on 15 May 2026, aiming to double tourist stay length.

Turkish Airlines suspended 18 routes and cut 520,000 seats from its May 2026 schedule due to a global jet fuel shortage. Check your booking.

Turkish Airlines has suspended 18 international routes from May 2026 due to fuel costs. Here's what it means if you're travelling to or through Istanbul.

Istanbul hosts the 2026 UEFA Europa League Final at Beşiktaş Park on 20 May. Here is what travelling fans and regular visitors need to know.

Cappadox returns to Uçhisar, Cappadocia, 21–24 May for four days of live music, contemporary art, outdoor yoga and gastronomy among the fairy chimneys.

AJet begins daily Stockholm–Istanbul flights on 2 June and Pegasus adds Oral, Kazakhstan from 4 June, opening fresh non-stop options to Turkey.

Turkey recorded 9.2 million international visitors and $9.9 billion in tourism revenue in Q1 2026, a 4.2% rise year-on-year from record 2025 figures.