The Ultimate Turkey Packing List

While you don’t need to invest in a conservative wardrobe for your trip, if you want to visit a mosque or shrine, there are some conditions to keep in mind, as in most religions, Anayurt points out. For example, women should plan to wear a headscarf, clothing that covers their shoulders, and a skirt or pants that cover their legs while visiting a mosque. For men, shorts or pants that cover their knees are sufficient.

You’ll also want to keep in mind that the weather in Turkey varies greatly based on the specific region and time of year. If you’re planning a trip to temperate Istanbul in the fall, for example, the weather will be greatly different from Cappadocia which tends to be a lot colder. If you’re heading to the Turkish Riviera, on the other hand, you’ll get warmer weather. Due to the flux in temperature and climate, if you’re planning a trip throughout the country, it’ll be smart to pack comfortable layers.

Best Lightweight Pants for Men

lululemon ABC Classic-fit Pant Warpstreme

$128 at Lululemon

The Lululemon ABC Classic-fit Pant Warpstreme will become your go-to as you make your way through Turkey. The pants are lightweight and comfortable but still very smart looking — so you can easily get away with wearing them while exploring the city by day or checking out the fine-dining scene by night. The breathable material is temperature-regulating so you can wear these across multiple climates while the wrinkle-resistant design also means you can keep these on during long car rights or flights between cities without worrying about having to seek out an iron upon arrival.

Best Lightweight Pants for Women

Aday Turn It Up Pants

View on Thisisaday.com

The Aday Turn It Up Pants are kind of infamous among travel writers — it’s the perfect pick for both travel days and packed itineraries where comfort and style are key. The high-waisted, slim-fit pair is made from a lightweight water-resistant nylon that quite literally does not wrinkle. We wore the pants on a 10-hour travel day on two flights and couldn’t believe how comfortable but put together we felt while on the go. The length and style is versatile and chic but will also be perfectly suited for visiting mosques and shrines as well.

Best Light Layer for Men

Patagonia Recycled Wool Sweater

$75 at backcountry.com View on Patagonia.com View on Steepandcheap.com

The weather in Turkey varies greatly; even if you’re planning to stick around Istanbul you should anticipate cooler evenings and the occasional wind. The Patagonia Men's Recycled Wool Sweater is a great option to bring with you while on the go for that exact reason. It’s warm without sweating you out and it’s versatile enough to wear from day to night. The plain colorway and lightweight design mean this option can be tied over the shoulders for a more dressed-up look that’ll allow you to go hands-free. We also really like that it’s made from recycled wool for a more sustainable alternative.

Best Light Layer for Women

Naadam Women's Original Cashmere Sweater

View on Naadam.co

The Naadam Essential Cashmere Sweater is almost a sartorial hack; it’s crafted from 100 percent sustainable cashmere for a super-soft, breathable feel on the skin but unlike most premium cashmere sweaters, this option is incredibly budget-friendly without sacrificing quality. You can layer this sweater for additional warmth in chilly evenings or colder months or throw it over your shoulders for a more modest look while visiting mosques and shrines. We also really love that this sweater comes in a huge variety of colorways that range from neutrals to unique limited-edition colors like mustard and dusty lavender.

Best Jacket for Men

Outdoor Research Foray Super Stretch Jacket

$300 at REI $69 at backcountry.com $300 at outdoorresearch.com

Turkey rarely falls below freezing level, but it still sees a fair bit of precipitation throughout the year. If you’re traveling in the spring or autumn, you’ll want to consider packing a rain jacket like this one from Outdoor Research. This option is waterproof and windproof which makes it great for pretty much all potential weather occurrences in Turkey. It’s also incredibly lightweight and compact so you can easily throw it into your backpack if you don’t end up needing the extra protection against the elements. It’s worth noting that this option is also incredibly durable and made to withstand heavy-duty use (read: you won’t have to worry about it getting scuffed up while on the go).

Best Jacket for Women

Outdoor Research Aspire Super Stretch Jacket

$300 at REI $95 at backcountry.com View on Outdoorresearch.com

The Outdoor Research rain jacket for women is just as heavy-duty and durable as its male counterpart; it’s also windproof and waterproof and includes a built-in and adjustable hood for even better protection against the elements. It’s incredibly lightweight and packable (weighing in at less than a pound), so you can fold it up and tuck it away when you don’t need it. It’s also super easy to squish into a carry-on bag without taking up the majority of your space. We recommend sizing up if you’re planning to visit Turkey during the winter months; layer this jacket with a cashmere sweater and a scarf and it should be warm enough for the average winter day in the city.

Best Scarf

QBSM Pashmina Shawl

$16 at Amazon

If you’re planning on visiting places of worship while in Turkey, you’ll want to invest in an inexpensive headscarf. Female travelers are expected to cover their heads and hair out of respect while visiting mosques and shrines and, while most mosques have scarves available to rent or borrow, it’s just easier to already have your own. The QBSM Womens Pashmina Shawl is a particularly great option; it’s easy enough to fold into a headscarf but it’s also functional as a neck scarf or an emergency shawl to cover up on chilly evenings.

“Due to our cultural emphasis on cleanliness and to keep mosques clean in Islamic tradition, you should take off your shoes before entering any mosque,” explains Anayurt. “You can do this before entering the mosque, just before the main entrance on the clean mats. You don't need to take off your socks, but you can bring clean socks to change into if you wish.”

However, removing your shoes before entering a mosque — especially major attractions like the Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque in Istanbul — can be crowded and hectic. There’s nowhere to sit down and you’ll have about five seconds to remove your shoes before being propelled forward with the crowd. You’ll want to ensure you opt for a comfortable walking shoe that’s easy to slip on and off while standing up in order to avoid stalling the queue behind you.

Best Walking Shoes for Men

Vessi Everyday Classic

$135 at vessi.com

The Vessi Everyday Classic is our top pick in terms of the most comfortable (and stylish) walking shoes for men. It’s waterproof and breathable which makes it great for trekking through the city in all different climates and weather conditions, but it’s also very lightweight and easy to pack. The grippy traction sole is great for walking on cobblestone and hilly uneven surfaces while wide opening means this shoe will be super easy to pull on and pull off in a hurry while visiting mosques. We also like that while this shoe is great for walking long distances, it’s also quite sleek and can easily be worn to more formal restaurants and bars in the evenings.

Best Walking Shoes for Women

Adidas Cloudfoam Pure 2.0 Running Shoes

$61 at Amazon

We love the Adidas Women's Cloudfoam Pure 2.0 Running Shoes for those long days exploring the city on foot. The cloudfoam memory sockliner molds to the foot for additional support and comfort while walking around while the textile lining is incredibly lightweight and breathable. The outsole is also very durable and has excellent grip so you won’t have to worry about slipping on cobblestone while exploring. The upper heel is also easy to grab and pull on which makes this option great for slipping on and off in a hurry.

Best Sandals for Men

Vionic Wander Wyatt Flip-Flop

$60 at Amazon

If you’re visiting the Turkish Riviera or really anywhere in Turkey come summertime, you’ll want to consider packing a decent pair of sandals. The Vionic Wander Wyatt Flip-flop is our top pick because it’s structured enough to wear while walking around but it’s also completely appropriate to wear by the pool. The rubber sole and podiatrist-designed EVA cushioning are surprisingly supportive for a flip-flop. This option even offers proper arch support which is virtually unheard of in this style of sandal. We also like that the material is quite durable and will hold up even with heavy use.

Best Sandals for Women

Sandalup Elastic Flat Sandals

$19 at Amazon

The Sandalup Elastic Flat Sandals make a great option for visiting both city and beach towns in Turkey come summertime. The flat sandal is comfortable to wear while walking but is dressy enough to wear while going out in the evenings. The criss-cross elastic straps make these sandals really easy to slip on and off which makes them great for wearing by the pool or to the sea as well while the soles are slip-resistant and great for uneven streets and cobblestone. We also like that these sandals are available in a huge variety of colors— from bright red to neutral beige — to best suit your style.

Turkey is a very safe country for travelers and tourists; although it’s always important to stay vigilant wherever you are, especially in population-dense areas like Istanbul. Don’t worry about investing in slash-proof bags and other anti-theft accessories but rather choose items that will increase your level of comfort while putting in long days of exploration.

Best Sunglasses

Raen Aren Polarized Sunglasses

$135 at Amazon View on Glassesusa.com

The Raen Aren Polarized Sunglasses will be an excellent investment if you’re planning on visiting beach towns or spending a lot of time exploring the cities come summertime. The polarized lenses provide extra protection against the sun while the angular frame is flattering on all face shapes. We also like that these sunglasses are super versatile and work quite well with all kinds of outfits and occasions, whether you’re exploring Istanbul on foot or soaking up the sun in Antalya. The ultra-lightweight design is also great for long days in the sun; you’ll barely notice you’re wearing these shades and you won’t have to worry about rub lines on the nose either.

Best Hat

L.L. Bean Baseball Hat

$25 at L.L.Bean

The L.L. Bean Baseball Hat is our go-to for pretty much all kinds of travel. It’s a basic baseball cap at first glance, but it’s quality-made and extremely durable which means you won’t have to worry about clipping it onto your carry-on or shoving it into your backpack when you don’t need it. It’s crafted from a breathable (and sustainably sourced) 100 percent cotton twill that has been pre-washed so it already looks and feels like a well-loved cap. The adjustable closure provides a secure fit which is a great feature to have while spending time on the coast or taking in the city views on the windy Istanbul ferry.

Best Backpack

Solo Re:Define Backpack

$50 at Amazon $44 at Walmart View on Solo-ny.com

The Solo Re:Define Backpack won us over on so many levels when it comes to the best backpack for exploring on foot. It’s incredibly lightweight and small but the interior is surprisingly spacious and will easily fit everything you’ll need for a full day on the go. The exterior of the bag is water-resistant and made from an antimicrobial material which is great for schlepping through the city streets. It’s also worth noting that this bag has a built-in USB port and a pocket for a portable charger for added convenience.

Best Crossbody Bag

lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1L

$38 at Lululemon

The now-iconic Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag kind of came out of nowhere — but we can’t imagine traveling without it. This bag is incredibly useful at the airport when you need to keep your passport and cards close at hand and it’s great for going hands-free once you get to your destination as well. We typically pack this day bag with our cards, cash, some sunscreen, and a portable charger and it doesn’t feel weighed down or look bulky. It’s also great for hiking or physically demanding activities where you want to travel as light as possible.

The gear you’ll want to pack for Turkey doesn’t vary all that much from any other European country. You’ll want to ensure you have the right tech to keep your devices working and juiced up while putting in long days exploring the city. Turkey is also a particularly beautiful country with varying landscapes and interesting architectural styles.

The magnificence of the hot air balloon spectacle at sunrise in Cappadocia, for example, will never look as good in photos as it does in real life, but investing in a decent digital camera might be worth it if you’re hoping to capture the memories as best as possible.

Best Adaptor

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter

$23 at Amazon $23 at Walmart View on Epickatech.com

Turkey uses the Type C and Type F plugs so if you’re traveling with tech from North America or the UK you’ll need an adaptor. Traveling with a ton of different adapters is kind of a pain which is why we love the Epicka Universal Travel Adapter. It works in over 150 different countries thanks to the toggle outlets and can charge or power up to six devices at once (including everything from smartphones to laptops) so you don’t need to worry about packing multiple adapters. This option is also very compact compared to other travel adapters and won’t take up all that much space in your carry-on.

Best Wi-fi Hotspot

GlocalMe 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot

$170 at Amazon $170 at glocalme.com

Turkey is pretty well-connected; you won’t have any trouble popping into a cafe or hotel lobby to grab Wi-fi in a pinch. That said, having constant access to Google Maps and WhatsApp while traveling makes everything so much easier. The GlocalMe G4 Pro 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot is an unlocked hotspot that works in over 140 countries (including Turkey) and can support up to 10 devices at once. It also offers pay-as-you-go data packages and doesn’t require a contract so you’re not tied down to a monthly payment when you’re not traveling.

Best Camera

Sony Alpha 7R V

View on Sony.com $3,898 at B&H Photo Video $3,500 at Best Buy

The Turkish landscape is incredibly diverse and gorgeous so, if you’ve been considering investing in a camera for travel, now might be the time to finally do it. The Sony Alpha 7R V is our top pick if you’re looking for crisp, high-quality imagery. It also offers excellent 8K video footage and intelligent features that makes shooting on the go efficient. The battery life is also particularly impressive so you won’t have to fret over charging your camera every night while traveling. We also really like how compact and lightweight this camera is; it won’t weigh you down while exploring.

Best Sunscreen

EltaMD SPF 50 Sunscreen

$31 at Amazon $23 at Walmart $31 at skinstore.com

Don’t skip the sunscreen while exploring the Turkish landscape. The EltaMD SPF 50 is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation for its effective non-comedogenic formula. It’s also incredibly lightweight and non-greasy so you won’t feel like you’ve doused yourself in your childhood sunblock. It’s also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes which makes it a great option for use at the beach or while hanging out by the pool. This option is available in a TSA-approved 3-ounce size so you can throw it in your carry-on or crossbody bag while on the go as well.

Best Portable Power Bank

Anker PowerCore 13000 Portable Battery

$34 at Walmart

If you’re spending any amount of time exploring, we always recommend bringing along a portable power bank. The Anker PowerCore 13000 Portable Battery is teeny-tiny and won’t take up any space in your day bag — but the 13,000 mAh capacity can still fully charge your phone up to three times on a single charge. We also really like that this power bank has two different USB ports, so you can actually charge two different devices at one time. Note that this charger comes with an 18-month warranty just in case.