When you picture your perfect Euro summer, what comes to mind is probably the iconic whitewashed buildings in Santorini, strolls down charming Parisian streets, indulging in copious amounts of pasta and Aperol Spritzes in the Amalfi Coast, or enjoying a couple of pints in a cozy London pub.

While all of these destinations are undeniably great, there’s one European gem that people tend to leave off their ‘Must See List.’ It’s a country that has quickly become one of my favourite destinations in Europe (and having spent six months there in 2022, I’d like to think I know a thing or two about it!).

So, if you’re thinking of heading to Europe anytime soon, I highly recommend you add Türkiye to your list. Despite its notoriety for nose jobs and hair transplants, it actually has SO much more to offer than that.

This country is full of grit, beauty, culture, incredible beaches and unreal food.

Here’s exactly why I think you should visit.

The coastline is the best in Europe (sorry not sorry!).

When you picture stunning coastlines, crystal-clear waters, and endless sunshine, Türkiye might not be the first place that springs to mind. Trust me, it didn’t for me either. Not at all.

That was until I sailed from Fethiye to Bodrum, stopping in quaint little coastal towns along the way. I swear I spent half the time goggly-eyed, thinking, “How is this place even real?!”

The water was so clear and the temperature was just right. You could easily spend hours swimming in it.

Unlike other popular coastal destinations like Greece or Croatia, there weren’t hordes of tourists. You won’t find yourself packed in like sardines on a beach or having to pay astronomical prices for a sun lounger or a drink.

Sailing was a great way to experience the coastline and hop between different spots. I went with a company called Go Sail Türkiye,  which was affordable and had an idyllic itinerary filled with swim stops and time to explore new towns.

If a week on a boat isn’t your cup of tea, I’d definitely recommend staying in one of the charming towns along the coast. I personally loved Fethiye, Marmaris, Datça, and Bodrum.

Depending on where you’re coming from, you can easily fly to a nearby airport or take the public bus which was surprisingly convenient and easy.

The food is unreal.

When you think of Turkish cuisine, kebabs and Turkish Delight probably come to mind – and while they’re both delicious, Türkiye has so much more to offer food lovers.

Breakfasts are an exciting spread of olives, fruit, cheeses, breads, eggs, jam and of course, Turkish tea. What’s not to love?

Traditional dishes like Dolma (bell peppers stuffed with a mixture of rice, herbs, and sometimes meat) are an absolute must-try. I even had a Turkish pasta that rivaled the pastas I had in Italy! No exaggeration.

Turkish pizzas, were affordable and delicious. These boat-shaped things were everywhere, and you could often see the chefs expertly twirling and hand-making the dough right before your eyes.

On the coast, I had a lot of fresh seafood. But my most memorable dish was the Turkish classic, “Kuru Fasulye” – a hearty stew made with white beans, typically lamb or beef, simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce. It was simply divine.

What truly made Türkiye cuisine stand out for me were the desserts. Aside from the baklava, which was out of this world, I was also obsessed with a Turkish rice pudding called sütlaç which you could easily grab from one from bakeries on the street for cheap.

With the Australian exchange rate, our hard-earned Aussie dollars can feel like water evaporating in the European sun, and the hefty tourist tax made prices feel even more inflated. It’s no secret that Europe can be a pricey destination.

But in Türkiye your money stretches a lot further! I was enjoying delicious meals for as little as four dollars (less than the price of blueberries at Woolies!). Of course, there were some fancier dinners that cost more, but they were still significantly cheaper compared to a nice meal in the heart of Sydney or London.

The city life.

I’m no history buff and there are only so many museums I can bear. I also either love a city or want to get as far away from it and surround myself with trees (I’m picky, I know).

But Istanbul struck an exciting balance where I actually wanted to learn more about the culture, while also possessing a vibrant energy that made me excited to explore every day.

Huge claim: It’s one of my favourite cities and I want everyone to go.

The city was electric – the only way I can describe it is that every twist and turn led to something new, from quirky bars and edgy art spaces to the bustling Grand Bazaar. Epic viewpoints over the city, best enjoyed with a Turkish tea, and the grandeur of the mosques (my personal favourite was the Blue Mosque) are must-sees. Then, somehow, you’d find yourself wandering into a local street with great food.

It is such a big city with so much to do—so I recommend taking a free walking tour, which is a great way to see the sights and learn more about Turkish culture. Like any country, Türkiye has its own unique history and political landscape that I found very interesting.

I stayed in both Taksim and Karaköy, which were great areas to be situated. Taksim felt a bit more local, while Karaköy was a bit more in the thick of things. I stayed in basic but comfortable hotels in great locations for around $80 a night—and since I was splitting it with my partner, it was cheaper than most hostels in an 8-bed dorm in Europe!

Besides all the walking you’ll inevitably do, I highly, highly recommend getting a Turkish bath. We splurged and got an hour-long massage, a Turkish bath where they literally scrub you on marble tables (I promise it’s fun), as well as access to saunas and pools for around $120 per person. You’ll find these everywhere, and there are plenty of great places to go, just be sure to check the reviews.

It has everything.

For me, Türkiye seriously has it all, and I think there’s something for everyone.

From amazing culture and cities, to stunning coastlines and delicious food – whatever makes you want to explore a new place—Turkey has it in abundance.

And with cost of living, I simply can’t go past a country where you truly get bang for your buck.