Remove your shoes when entering someone's home, that's good etiquette. Also, good manners are universal, and Turkish people are VERY hospitable. Even if you don't know how to say Thank you in Turkish, they'll understand it in English. If you are going outside of the touristy areas, you might it easier to use German (if you have it), as many Turks have worked in Germany or Austria at some point in their lives and speak it very well.
Unless you want to attract some rather sleazy attention from icky men, dress modestly. Wear skirts to the knee or longer, keep your waist and cleavage covered, and your upper arms. If you know you will be going into a mosque, wear long trousers and long-sleeved clothing, shoes you can slip off easily (you're not allowed wear shoes in a mosque) and if it's not one of the big Imperial mosques in Istanbul, you'll have to cover your hair, so bring a suitable scarf for the job.
Oddly enough, in state educational institutions, it is illegal for a woman to cover her hair - Turkey is very keen of being secular. That said, the heritage and culture is Islam, so if you are in a shop and you hear the call to prayer, be respectful. Most Turks are not about to put out prayer mats anymore to start praying in their shops, but they do turn off music or the radio at such times. Little things. Follow their lead. It's their country, after all.
Oh, and if you are going shopping, you need to realise that there is NO SUCH THING as quiet browsing. Shopkeepers will be very pushy in trying to get you into their shop, and get you to buy something. They will take everything down to show it to you. However, if you are someone who enjoys haggling a price, then Turkey is for you. They'll name a price, you will initially offer about half that, and then you'll haggle until you find a price that suits you both. You could get some great deals, but don't buy fake designer stuff because the customs people have started to crack down firmly on that kind of thing.
The food is wonderful. If you're a picky eater - OPEN YOUR MIND. Yes, it's foreign. Yes, they use spices and herbs and vegetables you might never have heard of. But it's DELICIOUS. And healthy.
Turkey is a huge country, would help to know where you're going. Weather especially in spring varies a great deal - it will be quite hot and summery on the south coast (Antalya etc.), much cooler and possibly rainy on the Aegean coast and in Istanbul.
I'm assuming you're going to one of the bigger cities or the more mainstream tourist sites. In which case there are no particular rules or laws or etiquette you need to be aware of. You'll find that the country has a very western, modern feel to it (for most parts at least).
A few things to note, nevertheless:
- when in public, dress and behave sensibly; eg. shorts and revealing tops are for the beach, not for city streets
- show appropriate respect to anything to do with Ataturk, religion, etc., as these can be sensitive subjects
- don't get involved in any sort of drugs or related issues
- avoid any demonstrations or similar (if there happen to be any)
...in other words, pretty basic stuff, no matter where you're travelling.
It's alright, but it is a bit strange. The food isn't too nice, I don't know why folk say it is, it's just not. The weather will be very hot which can be a good or bad depending what you like. The people are nice but they rush a lot, are very indecisive and don't respect personal space. They will help you though and are friendlier than folk in most countries. However most can't really speak English up to a point where can understand them. But enjoy.
we loved turkey so much we returned for a Second time the year after. we have visited alanya, and sarigermi. sargermi was good because we stayed in a great 5* hotel, which was a holiday Village , but it was all hotel based because there is nothing really around in the area. Alanya was amazing shops and bars were great, and hotel was fantastic. We stayed in a Hotel called the artemis princess. There were lots of things surrounding the hoteli would defiantly recommend this holiday, mamaris is great for shopping and bars, we visited this on a day trip with http://www.getbustours.com/10day-yellows...
Turkey is very beautiful country
