Turkiye

Why visit Turkiye

Turkiye mixes Ottoman history, Mediterranean beaches and unusual landscapes, and Pakistani visitors tend to feel at home quickly. Halal food is the norm, the call to prayer carries across every city, and people are warm towards Pakistan. Istanbul alone can fill several days, from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia to a Bosphorus cruise between Europe and Asia.

There is a personal link too. In Konya, near the tomb of Maulana Rumi, stands a symbolic grave honouring Allama Iqbal, who regarded Rumi as his spiritual guide.

Best time to visit Turkey

• April to June: spring, with tulips across Istanbul in April and mild weather for Cappadocia and Pamukkale.
• July and August: hot and busy, and the best months for the beaches of Antalya and the Aegean coast.
• September and October: a warm sea, softer light and fewer crowds, a good choice for a Turkey honeymoon package.
• November to March: cold, with snow in Cappadocia and skiing at Uludag above Bursa. Balloon flights run all year when the weather allows.

Turkey visa for Pakistani passport holders

Turkiye's Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that Pakistani ordinary passport holders need a visa to enter. Those holding a valid Schengen, US, UK or Irish visa or residence permit can apply for a single-entry e-Visa online; others apply for a visa in Pakistan before travel. Visa rules change often, so we check the current requirements when you enquire.

Places to visit in Turkey

• Istanbul: Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque and the Galata district.
• Cappadocia: sunrise balloon rides, cave hotels and valleys of rock chimneys.
• Pamukkale: white travertine pools beside the ruins of ancient Hierapolis.
• Antalya: the old harbour, long beaches and nearby waterfalls.
• Konya: the Mevlana Museum and Rumi's shrine.
• Bursa: the first Ottoman capital, with the Uludag mountains above it.
• Trabzon: green Black Sea highlands and the lakeside village of Uzungol.

Getting to Turkiye from Pakistan

Turkish Airlines flies direct to Istanbul from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Domestic flights then connect Istanbul with Cappadocia, Antalya and Trabzon. Many travellers combine Turkiye with Azerbaijan or break the journey in Dubai.

Plan your Turkiye trip

We plan private and group trips to Turkiye on request. A Turkey tour package from Pakistan can be an Istanbul city break or a longer route through Cappadocia and the coast. Tell us your dates and we will send you a plan, or look through our other international tours.