What tourists cannot do in Turkey

Whether you choose a flight to Istanbul or a ready-made tour to a five-star hotel, a great vacation awaits you in Turkey. Walk, swim, enjoy the sea and delicious food, in general, feel at home. But don’t forget that you are a guest! And there are rules and established norms of behavior here that are best not to violate. This list contains all the most important things that tourists should not do in Turkey.

Use narcotic substances

Let’s start with the most obvious and logical: the use, possession, and sale of drugs are strictly prohibited in the country by law. According to Article No. 191 of the Turkish Penal Code, violators face imprisonment for 4 to 24 years.

Export antiques

Another prohibition in Turkey that can lead to imprisonment for 5–12 years plus a significant fine. This is because the possession, sale, and export of antiques are strictly prohibited. This category includes items produced more than 50 years ago: national clothing, ancient coins, household items, carpets, and works of art. If you purchase items resembling historical artifacts in a shop or souvenir store, make sure they can be transported across the border. After purchase, keep your receipts to present them to border control officers if necessary.

Export corals, shells

This includes stones, fossils, pebbles, and sand from Turkish beaches. It is forbidden to export them from the country, as they are considered natural heritage. Stones, in particular, can turn out to be important historical finds. However, if you have legally purchased a craft made of pebbles and shells in a store and have a receipt, there will be no problems.

Sunbathe topless or nude

What tourists cannot do in Turkey is sunbathe without swimwear on municipal beaches. However, similar prohibitions apply in most countries around the world, so there’s nothing new here. For nudists, there is a separate beach near Kemer.

Dress too revealingly

In hotels and on beaches — swimsuits, shorts, T-shirts. Outside these areas, it is better to dress modestly. Turkey is still a Muslim country, so overly open and revealing outfits for both men and women are not welcome here. This is especially true for religious sites: here you will need to cover your shoulders, knees, and head.

Drink alcohol in public places

Alcoholic beverages can be consumed safely in hotel rooms, bars, and restaurants, but you can get a fine for drinking them on the streets. Also, in Turkey, smoking is not allowed in cafes, at bus stops, in hospitals, and on public transport. A personal car is an exception. Hotels often have designated areas for this, while in general areas, smoking is prohibited. In general, these are all bad habits that should be given up.

Photograph without permission

Few people like to be photographed without asking. Turks are no exception. You should not take pictures of locals without warning. Especially if the shot includes a woman dressed according to local religious customs — in a hijab or burqa.

You should also be careful with photos of attractions. Of course, no one will question you for a picture of cityscapes, but if a government building catches your eye, it’s better to refrain from taking a selfie in front of it. Do not photograph police officers, military personnel, or gendarmes while they are on duty.

Pick flowers

During an excursion or a walk in a national park, did you spot some luxurious flowers? Admire them and move on. The vegetation in Turkey includes not only figs, oleander, and lush bougainvillea, but also many protected species: the Lycian orchid, Manisa tulip, Ankara crocus, snowdrops, and Anatolian gladiolus. It’s unlikely you’re walking around with a plant identification guide in hand, so just don’t pick any flowers at all. This way, the views are more beautiful, and the probability of getting a fine is zero.

Take food out of the restaurant

The buffet has taught many to take exactly as much food as they can eat and leave nothing on their plates. Unfortunately, this habit sometimes conflicts with the urge to stock up. Therefore, some guests staying at all-inclusive hotels still try to take food from the restaurant to their room. Tourists in Turkey are not allowed to do this, as refrigerators in rooms do not always work well. Food will spoil quickly, and people will get food poisoning. Therefore, hotel staff closely monitor to ensure that no one takes food with them.

A brief list of things you simply shouldn’t do

• Argue about religion and politics. Perhaps this should not be done anywhere at all.
• Visit someone’s home and not take off your outdoor shoes.
• As a guest at the table, leave food on your plate. Hospitable Turks will decide that you didn’t like the treats.
• Refuse tea. In Turkey, this is considered at least impolite. And don’t you love tea?