7 Reasons To Skip Türkiye (But You’ll Regret It)

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Post author SJ

Written by our local expert SJ

Sarah-Jane has lived in Croatia for 10+ years. SJ, as she is known, has been traveling the Balkans & beyond since 2000. She now shares her passion for traveling with her husband & kids.

These days, it seems like everyone is going to Turkey for a unique experience. Whether it’s a beach, Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, or somewhere else, you can’t escape TikToks about this country.

But you don’t want to follow the crowd. So, I’m here to tell you why Türkiye isn’t for you. Seriously, please give it a miss, and here’s why: the experience may not be worth it.

Turkey Travel Blog_Reasons You Should Skip Turkey

1. Turkey Will Ruin Your Camera Roll

SJ sitting on a yellow vintage car watching hot air balloons fly over rocky landscape after 3 days in Cappadocia, Turkey.

Phones these days don’t have unlimited storage, and do you really want to waste your precious gigabytes on stunning scenery? I mean, blindingly beautiful beaches, captivating landscapes, fantastic countryside, soaring mountains, and spectacularly colorful markets—who wants that, right?

No, it’s far better to fill your camera feed with pictures of your dinner—much, much better. Who needs natural beauty?

2. Turkish Food Is Too Good – Say Goodbye To Your Diet

A wooden table in Avanos, Cappadocia, Turkiye, with various dishes including plates of cut flatbreads topped with meats and vegetables, a bowl of fresh herbs, and some

Your waistline will not thank you for visiting Türkiye. Seriously, save yourself the calories and stick to the same foods you’ve been eating for years.

You really don’t need a million-and-one mouthwatering kebab, sumptuous borek, pide you can’t leave alone, lahmacun that makes you roll your eyes because of how good it tastes, or baklava that explodes on your tastebuds. I mean, I could go on about the number of attractions, but you don’t need it, so why bother?

Nope, you’ll put on weight and regret it afterward. Just steer clear of some of the best food in the world. What you don’t know, you won’t miss.

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3. You’ll Make Too Many New Friends And Won’t Have Time To Reply To Them All

Istanbul street food tour

You have enough friends on Facebook and Instagram. You don’t need any more. Who needs to have fascinating conversations and learn words in a unique language? You certainly don’t need to meet people and connect with them as new life-long friends – who has time for that?

You see, when you go to Türkiye, you’ll meet people from all over the world, and you’ll also make local friends very easily. You’ll be batting off offers of tea and baklava, and you’ll be asked to visit for dinner too many times.

You really don’t have the time or energy for a cultural experience like this. There are far too many better things to do. It’s best not to bother.

4. Your Bucket List Can’t Handle This

Hidden Gems In Turkey - Stone head statues at Nemrut Mountain in Turkey

Look, life is short; you really don’t need to add more things to your already bursting bucket list. Enough already!

You don’t need to explore the wonder of Istanbul, take a hot air balloon over Cappadocia, cry at how beautiful Ephesus is, or wonder how a beach can be so stunning in Antalya. You don’t need any of this.

You also don’t need to climb Mount Nemrut and wonder how the world can be so beautiful. You certainly don’t need to go skiing in Uludag or live in a winter wonderland.

Do you really need to eat a huge traditional breakfast overlooking the tea plantations in Trabzon when you can enjoy modern hospitality elsewhere? Of course not. And Troy – you don’t need to go there, right?

Nope, none of this is necessary. Just let it go.

5. Heritage & History Overload – You’ll Be Stuck In The Past

Sunset Hagia Sofia - Sultanahmet Istanbul-5

Yawn. Who wants to think about the past when the future in Europe and Asia is so exciting? There’s nothing to learn there, right? You don’t need to go and stand in the middle of Ephesus and hear whispers of the past all around you. There’s nothing to gain from staring in wonder at the ancient Greek buildings and feeling like you’ve been transported back in time.

Istanbul has nothing to teach you. Hagia Sophia might be the oldest building in the city, but so what? You want to go to a shopping mall or something super-modern, yeah? Gobeklitepe might have turned our thoughts about human history on its head, but come on, there’s more to life, isn’t there?

Yeah, forget all that. Let’s watch Netflix instead.

6. Bazaars Will Break Your Wallet

Colorful, patterned rugs and fabrics hanging on display at an outdoor market stall along a sidewalk showcase just one delightful way to immerse yourself in local culture. For those wondering how to spend 3 days in Cappadocia, exploring such vibrant markets is a feast for the senses.

You do not need beautiful lamps, fragrant spices, handmade clothes, leather bags, and trinkets to remind you of the brilliant time you had. Saving money is more important. You also don’t need to learn the art of haggling and laugh your way through the process with a vendor who is the highlight of your day.

You’ll only end up with too much luggage to take home and end up paying excess charges at the airport. Seriously, save your cash and spend it on something more important, like, I don’t know, another pair of jeans when you already have too many. You really don’t need to buy traditional gifts for your friends and family back home, and they won’t appreciate it (although they will).

7. One Visit And You’re Hooked For Life

Turkey Travel Blog_Hidden Gems Of Turkey_Ani

You don’t need more complications in your life. You don’t need to have another country pulling at your heartstrings and making you want to go back multiple times per year. You don’t want to think about perhaps moving to another country because you love it so much and have to start researching visa rules.

Save yourself the hassle, and don’t go in the first place.

You don’t need to have your mind opened to rich culture and traditions; you don’t need to make new friends; you don’t need to fall in love with the landscapes. If you don’t go, you won’t have the stress.

See, it’s not worth it. You don’t need to go to Türkiye this month.


Are These Reasons Enough?

But, you see, the truth is that you actually do ….

Of course, now you’ll see that I’m joking in a big way, and Türkiye is TOTALLY for you! How can it not be?

It’s a fantastic place that you won’t want to visit only once; Turkey is one of those destinations that leaves a lasting impression. The food, the colors, the traditions, the culture, the natural beauty, the history, I could go on and on.

So, find a flight, pack your case, and go! You won’t regret it or the calories from the tasty food!

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