Istanbul is the place to visit for a city break with sightseeing opportunities, designer shops, and trendy restaurants and bars. Highlights include taking a boat trip along the Bosphorus, visiting the Blue Mosque and shopping in the Grand Bazaar - one of the oldest markets in the world.

With whitewashed houses, a smart marina and sophisticated nightlife, Bodrum caters for those who would like a sunny holiday with plenty to do. The medieval Castle of St Peter is a great place to visit with children, and the clubs in Bodrum Town and Gumbet are ideal for adults looking to let their hair down.

Those whose holiday priority is partying should head to Marmaris. There's a bar street, a seafront of restaurants and the largest yachting marina in Turkey. For some culture during the day there's also Marmaris Castle and Museum.

Part of the Turkish Riviera, Antalya is set around a Roman harbour and old town and enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year. For more active travellers, there are plenty of watersports on offer including windsurfing, waterskiing and sailing too.


East of Antalya, Alanya is a destination for a relaxing break with beautiful beaches and a tempting selection of all-inclusive five-star resorts.

Other Turkish highlights include visiting the Dalaman region with its stunning beaches and lagoon at Olu Deniz; sailing in a traditional Turkish gület boat; travelling to Turkey's third-largest city Izmir and sipping Turkish coffee after looking around the museums; and sampling a mouthwatering Turkish mezze.

If you are planning a trip to Turkey this year and need some help, read our fact file below and use TravelSupermarket's search tool to find the cheapest deals.

When to go

Weather

The summer months are extremely hot in Turkey - reaching 34C in Antalya and 33C in Bodrum - so spring and autumn may be better times to visit if sightseeing and exploring are on your agenda. Istanbul is slightly cooler with average temperatures peaking at 27C and generally only reaching 8C in January.

Events

Butterfly breeding season; Butterfly Valley (near Fethiye); April-June
Wildlife lovers can take a boat to the protected Butterfly Valley during breeding season to watch the creatures fluttering above. The valley is home to the rare Jersey Tiger Moth.

Istanbul International Film Festival; March-April; various venues in Istanbul
Established in 1982 as a film week, the Istanbul International Film Festival's aim is “to encourage the development of cinema in Turkey, to help Turkish cinema attain international recognition and to promote films of quality in the Turkish market”. Visit for exclusive screenings and panel discussions, and be sure to buy tickets in advance.

Ankara Tango Festival; April; Ankara
Tango lovers from around the world can hone their skills, meet fellow enthusiasts and dance to the music of renowned orchestras and DJs.

Sonisphere Festival; June; Istanbul
This huge touring music festival arrives in Istanbul in June 2012. Past acts have included Metalica, Slipknot and Iron Maiden.

Best of Turkey holidays for...

• Shopping: Holidays to Turkey wouldn't be complete without haggling and friendly banter in traditional markets. Lose yourself in the queen of them all, Istanbul's huge Grand Bazaar, to find your favourite leather jacket and colourful woven rug.
• Nightlife: Party under the stars at waterfront mega-clubs in Bodrum. Dance music from international DJs and live Turkish music fill the summer nights, until the sun rises over the cliff-top Crusader castle.
• Relaxing: Drift along on a traditional wooden gület boat on a peaceful cruise along the Turquoise Coast off Fethiye. Sip a cold Efes beer as the waters of the Med gently lap against the boat, and look out for Roman ruins dotting the coastline.

•  Kids & teens: Head to the sandy beach at Gumbet for watersports galore. Teenagers can try their hand on the banana boats, and younger kids will giggle as they take a camel ride on the softly sloping sands of Kargi Beach.
• Babies & toddlers: Let the little ones paddle around the safe waters of Olu Deniz lagoon. Take the short boat trip to Butterfly Valley and they'll be dazzled by hundreds of fluttering beauties. Keep your eyes peeled for the rare Tiger butterfly!  
• Romance: Take your loved one for an early-morning trip up Mount Nimrod. Cuddle up in the morning's chilly air to gaze at the sun casting golden light on the colossal 2,000-year-old stone heads.
• Active types: Head to the swift-flowing Koprulu River, near Antalya, to get the buzz of white-water rafting as you twist and turn under ancient stone bridges. Still got energy? Scramble around the ruins inside the nearby national park.