Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Going on holiday to Turkey

58 replies

PeacheyPeach · 14/09/2021 08:35

What are peoples experience of holidaying in Turkey, does it feel safe? I don't know why I've always felt it wasn't a safe country to travel to, as it borders with Syria.
Is there a lot of tension when you are there and as a woman are you required to cover up your shoulders etc?
We have found a fantastic holiday which I think will be amazing for our family but not sure if I will spend the whole holiday worrying.

OP posts:
Cheeseandlobster · 14/09/2021 08:41

It's a red country right now but ordinarily I would go. The tourist areas are a long way from Syria. Its a beautiful country with wonderful food and hospitable people. The shops can be a bit pushy though. Where in Turkey are you hoping to go?

Cheeseandlobster · 14/09/2021 08:42

Ps I have never seen women tourists covering shoulders unless they are entering a religious place

Original poster
PeacheyPeach · 14/09/2021 08:44

Hoping to go to Belek x

OP posts:
Milomonster · 14/09/2021 08:47

Have you looked at a map of Turkey? Do you think the entire country is affected by the border with Syria?

Original poster
PeacheyPeach · 14/09/2021 08:58

I have looked at the map yes, and it is next to Syria so that's the reason I'm asking!

OP posts:
LillithTheLynx · 14/09/2021 09:31

There's nothing at all to worry about unless you hop on an internal flight to a distant city close to the Syrian border and start randomly driving around there.

I spend a lovely holiday moving around the Antalya area solo. I wore above knee dresses etc. and no one raised an eyebrow once.

That part of Turkey is generally similar in attitude to Europe, especially the younger generation, and actually I don't think I've ever met kinder people anywhere. There will also be loads and loads of English and Russian tourists around.

It's very worth visiting Antalya city and especially Perge for the day if you like history. Smile

Original poster
PeacheyPeach · 14/09/2021 09:58

@lilliththelynx thank you 🙂 so is this part of turkey quite far away from the border anyway x

OP posts:
Suntrap · 14/09/2021 10:37

Turkey is just the best place to go on holiday.
Beautiful weather, delicious food and lovely people.
Most Turkish are very Western in their dress themselves.
No need to cover up at all in resorts.
I have been to many parts of Turkey, but not Belek but it hear it's nice.

Turkey is huge and the Syrian border is hours and hours drive away.
I feel very safe in Turkey. Sadly have t been able to go for the past couple of years due to Covid.

BlotBangRub · 14/09/2021 10:43

We go to Turkey a couple of times a year, to Antalya. It's safe and women don't cover up no, unless they're Muslim ladies.
Antalya isn't very far from the Syrian border and we've never seen or had any trouble or felt unsafe.

CurryLover55 · 14/09/2021 10:47

We’ve been twice, once to Olu Deniz & once to Icmeler. Loved it both times but we liked Olu Deniz better. I would go back to Turkey like a shot. Beautiful scenery & beaches, great food & lovely people. I felt completely safe all the time.

IsDaveThere · 14/09/2021 10:50

Belek is around 500 miles away from the Syrian border.

I love Turkey and have never felt unsafe or felt an tension at all. No need to walk around with shoulders covered up, its no different than holidaying in any other country really.

CharlotteRose90 · 14/09/2021 10:53

I loved turkey but I worried the same as you about how close Syria is. I’ve been to dalaman and Antalya. Never felt the need to cover up or fel5 uncomfortable. Fantastic weather and beautiful food.

Shelbot · 14/09/2021 10:55

I went with my friend and we found a lot of the men to be very full on. Both of us were groped and harassed multiple times. I was accosted in the sea by a much older guy and it was terrifying. This was about 9 years ago. I'm sure plenty people have normal experiences but it wasn't great for me. My friend was in a shop and one of the staff rubbed his hard-on on her, vile.

edwinbear · 14/09/2021 10:59

We had a family holiday to Antalya a few years ago, we didn't much enjoy the holiday as the hotel wasn't very good, but I felt perfectly safe.

MadisonMontgomery · 14/09/2021 11:01

I like Turkey, never been made to feel uncomfortable about being uncovered. The men are quite full on, but we found just being quite blunt with them went down fine!

Original poster
PeacheyPeach · 14/09/2021 11:30

Hi all, thanks for your replies 😍 you know I hadn't given the men being full on a thought as I thought this was a generalized view that was a bit out of date.

My main concern to be honest is the closeness ( or in my head it's close?) to Syria. DH thinks I'm crazy and I have a few friends who have been on holiday there and it looks fabulous. I'm just concerned with all the worry in the middle East do I really want to go on holiday ( and spend a ton of money to get there!!) there!!!!

OP posts:
Kione · 14/09/2021 12:06

I went to Bodrum on a day trip from Greece and I couldn't wait to get the boat back! The whole day we just got chased by shop and restaurant owners to eat here or there, buy this or that. I stopped looking at shops because just got harassed. We spent about 6 hours there and I do not remember anything else. Didn't even take photos.

QforCucumber · 14/09/2021 12:10

We have been to Antalya area 4 times (Lara Beach) I absolutely love it,

When I went pre kids there were some nuisance men asking us to go into their shops when we went into the city centre of Side, since going with kids and husband no one has ever commented or approached us. I cannot wait to go back, the hotels are so luxurious, the food is fantastic, the weather amazing and the journey to Lara Beach from Antalya airport is 15 minutes!

mumonthehill · 14/09/2021 12:17

Been to Turkey many times, when I was single and on family holidays with dc. It is beautiful, fantastic food and wonderful people. You are not that close to Syria and you should not worry in that regard. I know that there have been issues with women being hassled etc but I have never had any scary moments. Some areas are much more touristy than others and many resorts do now cater to a very British market which is a shame. Try and go out and explore the villages and countryside. All our holidays there have been lovely.

IVFdreams2021 · 14/09/2021 12:18

Would never go to turkey again! As a blonde woman, I was constantly harassed by men! Felt so uncomfortable.

BlotBangRub · 14/09/2021 13:07

I'm a blonde woman and I often wander round the markets and shops alone with no harassment.

BlotBangRub · 14/09/2021 13:09

Side in Antalya is where I go @Qforcucumber beautiful place and very safe.

chocolatesaltyballs22 · 14/09/2021 13:12

I went to Antalya last summer and didn't have any issues - really liked it. We didn't leave the hotel much to be fair though as it was a fabulous 5 star all inclusive. The only thing I would warn of is that they do a fairly rigorous search of your hand luggage at the airport when you leave.

ChocolateRiver · 14/09/2021 13:12

We went on a family holiday to Side before Covid and can’t wait to go back. It’s one of the best holidays we’ve ever had.

checkedcloth · 14/09/2021 13:16

Beautiful country, friendly and hospitable people

We’ve had 3-4 family holidays there, and only had a brilliant time. We’ve been to Side and Fethiye.

Swipe left for the next trending thread