Turkey is one of the most popular countries among Ukrainian tourists. There are both sea and mountains. Fast flights, prices – for different wallets. Most hotels offer their tourists an All inclusive vacation, that is, everything is included. But there is one nuance – Turkish resorts are also popular among Russians.
We decided to tell whether Ukrainians can travel to Turkey during the war, given that Ukrainian airports are temporarily closed. And is it possible to rest without crossing paths with the Russians.
How to get to Turkey?
If you are abroad, it is convenient to get to the resorts of Turkey by plane. You can get to the nearest airport from Ukraine by bus. Currently, the airports of Chisinau, Warsaw, and Krakow are most often chosen for departure. They also fly from Vienna and Riga.
Turkey does not require a visa, with a Ukrainian foreign biometric passport you can stay there for no more than three months. As for Covid-19, the world has now somewhat recovered from this disease, so neither a certificate nor a test is necessary. Of course, this information may change due to the epidemic situation.
The most popular cities
It’s still Kemer, Alanya, Side, Marmaris, Antalya, Bodrum, and of course, Istanbul.
Antalya resorts are suitable for people who do not want to spend a lot of time on the road – the town is located only 12 km from the airport, so the transfer to the hotel takes only 20-30 minutes. The nature there is amazing. The central areas of Antalya are rocky and descend like terraces to the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea. The region is very colorful, there are many interesting places.
Another picturesque resort is Side. It is 75 km from the nearest airport, so the transfer to the hotels will take at least an hour. It is a cozy green peninsula, with orange groves and pine forests, and wide sandy beaches washed by the Mediterranean Sea. One of the highlights is the well-preserved Greek amphitheater there.
Bodrum is the club capital of Turkey. It is located 36 km from Dalaman Airport. This resort is more suitable for young people who like discos and nightclubs. Bodrum consists of two parts. Eastern – with a long, narrow, but comfortable beach, various bars, restaurants, and clubs. And the western one – the yacht club is located here. And thanks to fairly frequent winds, this resort is also a good place for fans of surfing and other water sports.
What to see in Turkey
A must-visit is Pamukkale. It is a natural wonder and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Geothermal springs with a water temperature of 36°C, have healing properties. Even one-time bathing in them has a good effect on the body: it improves the condition of the skin and relieves fatigue and muscle tension. An excursion from Antalya costs $35. The price varies depending on the distance to the hotel.
Demre, Mira, Kekovo – one of the most popular entertainment and educational excursions. Cost: $35 per adult and $20 per child. First, tourists are taken by bus to the port, then on a yacht, they show the sunken city of Kekovo. Through the transparent bottom, you will be able to see the remains of the walls of houses, household items, and ancient columns. Then you will be taken again by bus to the ancient city of Myra, which was founded in the 5th century. Its most important attraction is the Roman amphitheater, which held about 10,000 spectators and has been well preserved to this day – concerts are still held there. The next stop is the town of Demre, where the unique Church of Nicholas the Wonderworker is located, where pilgrims come from all over the world.
For lovers of extreme recreation, there is a lot of entertainment in Turkey. Rafting on mountain rivers will cost $20, and paragliding will cost $80.
Life hack for tourists: in hotels, guides always offer more expensive tours. If you haggle a little, you can lower the price by $5-10. You can save even more by purchasing, for example, a trip on a yacht from local tour guides. There are usually many yachts near the hotels offering various entertainment and excursions. The prices are always lower, however, you have to be careful not to get scammed. Before buying, it is better to look for reviews about companies that provide services on the Internet.
€700 – for a vacation without Russians
According to the statistics for 2021, the majority of vacationers in Turkey are Russians. But, as in the whole world, now more and more Turkish hoteliers are refusing Russian tourists. Such a vacation will cost from €650-700. The price is indicated per person for double accommodation, including flights, accommodation, meals, and transfer to the hotel and back. Prices may vary.
- TT Hotels Hydros Club HV1
- TT Hotels Pegasos Club
- TT Belek Imperial 5
- TT Hotels Pegasos World 5
- TT Hotels Pegasos Royal 5
- Miramare Queen Hotel 5*
- Miramare Beach Hotel 5*
- Trendy Lara 5*
- Trendy Palm Beach 5*
- Trendy Side Beach 4*
- TT Belek Imperial 5*
- TT Hotels Hydros Club HV1
- TT Hotels Pegasos Club 5*
- TT Hotels Pegasos Resort 5*
- TT Hotels Pegasos Royal 5*
- TT Hotels Pegasos World 5*
- TUI Blue Barut Andiz (ex.Barut Sensimar Andiz) 4*
- TUI Blue Palm Garden 5*
- TUI Blue Pasha Bay 5*
- TUI Blue Sherwood Belek (Adults Only 16+) 5*
In addition, many Turkish hotels offer budget tours for Ukrainian refugees. For example, a monthly pass in a three-star hotel for two adults and a child under 12 can be found for UAH 18,000-20,000. This amount includes accommodation and food, but not transport – you will have to pay for the trip separately.