Public Holidays in Turkey - 2013

• January 1 - New Year's Day (Yılbaşı) and the first day of the Gregorian new year 
• April 23 - National Sovereignty and Children's Day (Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı); Commemoration of the first opening of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey at Ankara in 1920. 
• May 1 - Labor and Solidarity Day (Emek ve Dayanışma Günü) 
• May 19 - Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day (Atatürk'ü Anma Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı).
• August 7 – Ramadan Feast Eve (Half-Day) Non-Working Holiday
• August 8 – Ramadan Feast (1st Day) Ramazan Bayramı or Şeker Bayramı - National Holiday -
• August 9 – Ramadan Feast (2nd Day) Extra Public Holiday 
• August 10 – Ramadan Feast (3rd Day) Extra Public Holiday 
• August 30 Victory Day (Zafer Bayramı); Commemoration of the victory at the final battle in Dumlupınar ending the Turkish Independence War in 1922, dedicated to the armed forces. 
• October 14 – Sacrifice Feast Eve (Half-Day Non-Working Holiday) 
• October 15 – Sacrifice Feast (1st Day) – National Holiday 
• October 16 – Sacrifice Feast (2nd Day) – Extra Public Holiday 
• October 17 – Sacrifice Feast (3rd Day) – Extra Public Holiday 
• October 28 – Republic Day Eve (Half-Day Non Working Holiday) 
• October 29 – Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı) Commemoration of the proclamation of the republic in 1923. 

Holiday & Vacation Rentals in Turkey

Turkey apartments for rent, holiday apartment rentals - flat rentals - vacation rentals are all available in Turkey. Rent an apartment or flat anywhere in Turkey and feel the comfort of staying in a home away from your home while on a holiday vacation.

Holiday apartments and flat rentals have become one of the most popular types of accommodation these days especially to large families or groups. Many travelers and tourists who come to Turkey would want to experience more than just being a regular tourist while on a holiday. Some foreign visitors in Turkey find that staying in an apartment or flat in one of the best locations in the major towns and cities such as near a tourist site, historical attractions, or beach resorts at the heart of the major cities and towns of Turkey may not only make them feel more like one of the locals but it also allows them to save on their budget such as food and transportation.

Hotels in Turkey

From small guesthouses, hostels, lodging inns, budget hotels, to apartment complexes, purpose-built villas, family & business hotels, luxury hotels, suites and residences, you can easily find a most convenient and friendly accommodation for you and your family to stay while in Turkey.

Hotels and Inns

Turkey has a wide range of hotel and hostel accommodations suitable for every kind of traveler and for every type of holiday vacation or any occasion. So whether you are in a holiday, in a honeymoon, a family vacation, a group tour, or in a business trip, there are several places for you to stay safely and comfortably in most towns and cities of Turkey.

Telephone Calls

Calling abroad from Turkey is fast and easy. To do so, dial the international code 00 followed by the country code, the local area code (remove the first 0) and the number you want to call. For example, a London number with an area code of 0207 would be dialed from Turkey as 00 44 207 followed by the number.

To dial Turkey from abroad dial the international code 00 followed by the country code 90, the local area code (deleting the first 0) and then the number you want to call. For example, a Fethiye number with an area code of 0252 would be dialed from abroad as 00 90 252 followed by the number.

In Turkey, there are several public telephone booths which accept telefon kartı or jeton. They can easily be bought from post offices (PTT) or local shops.

Emergency Numbers:

• Emergency - 112 
• International Operator - 115 
• Directory Assistance - 11811
• Reversed Charge Calls - 131
• Police - 155 
• Gendarme - 156
• Fire Department - 110

Using Mobile Phones in Turkey

Mobile or cellular phones are very useful for communication in Turkey. Network coverage is very good and it is very rare to be in an area where mobile phones do not work. However, foreigners may not use their foreign mobile phones in Turkey so easily - even with a new SIM-card bought from a Turkish mobile phone company. This is due to the mobile phone law passed by the Turkish government several years ago requiring all mobile phones to be used in Turkey to be registered with the government. The said requirement applies not just with the SIM card but also with the handset itself. The mobile phone registration will help prevent terrorist acts.

Money, Currency & Foreign Exchange in Turkey

The currency used in Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TL) or Türk Lirası in Turkish. Its international 3-digit code is TRY and the new Turkish Lira is available in the following denominations (banknotes) of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 1000 Turkish Lira. These new series of Turkish Lira banknotes (also known as the E-9 Emission Group) mostly depicts a famous Turkish personality instead of geographical sites which the previous banknotes appeared to have. Also, to prevent forgery the new Turkish Lira banknotes come in different sizes. Coins start from 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 kuruş (kr) and 1 TL. The Turkish Lira is also the currency used in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Other major currencies used by travelers such as the Euro and US dollar can be exchanged into Turkish Lira upon arrival at the international and domestic airports in Turkey or before departure.