• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Istanbul
  • Cappadocia
  • Mediterranean
  • Aegean
  • Black Sea
  • Other Places
Turkish Travel Blog

Turkish Travel Blog

Turkish People, Culture, History, and Places inTurkey

  • Culture and Traditions
  • Food and Drink
  • History
  • Travel Tips
  • Living in Turkey
  • About Turkey
    • About the Blog
    • Advertising
    • Contact

The Foolproof Guide to Biking in Turkey

by Natalie

Ashley Howell is a cycling enthusiast. He does not do it professionally but takes his hobby seriously. Having cycled in various areas of Turkey on many occasions, he shared his tips with me on how to plan and complete a successful long-distance trip. I have to admit that it is not something I would attempt but beginners at cycling will find his methods for navigating Turkey handy.

Biking in Turkey

Biking in Turkey

Ashley says…

A biking trip in any area of Turkey is challenging and exhausting but at the end of it, the pride from having completed such as a challenge is an emotion to remember for life. It is not just about the routes, but also about people, food and little snippets of language learned from daily interactions with locals. Of course, the scenery is mind-blowing as well but in order to appreciate it all, you need to be well prepared.

Biking Experience is Needed

If you have never completed a solo or tandem long-distance route before, don’t pick Turkey as your first country. Navigation is not always easy because of road conditions in some areas. Maps and even GPS are not always accurate, bicycle repair shops are not in abundance and not every local speaks English as a second language. If it is your first long-distance bicycle tour and you really want to see Turkey, join a group or sign on for a biking holiday instead.

When is the Best Time of Year to Go?

Turkey is sometimes nicknamed as the countries of four seasons. Its large size means that while the North is experiencing snow, people on the South coast can be sunbathing on the beaches. A general guideline is to restrict your travels to the months of April to November. Bear in mind though that July, August and September are the peak months for summer and sometimes temperatures reach as high as 43 degrees Celsius.

Suggested Routes

Road in turkey

There are many choices of routes. My favorite is the south-coast D400 running from East to West, starting at the Esendere region near the Iranian border and ending in Datca on the West coast. Having said that the South-east of the country is more or less considered a no-go area at the moment, but by starting in Antalya instead, bikers will have 516 kilometers of good road surface and excellent scenery because a majority of the route runs parallel to the coastline. This area is popular for tourism so hotel accommodation is in abundance and it is easy to find locals who speak English.

The east of the country promotes a silent rural ambience; with exotic sceneries and challenging roads otherwise opt for good roads and an equally beautiful view along the Western side, by traveling from the North Aegean down to the Datca Peninsula. Unless you’re a veteran pro with hefty cycle insurance on your bike, it’s highly recommended that you take the easier western route.

It’s Time to Set Off – 5 Tips for the Ride

  • Tourist visas are now issued electronically and you need to have one before you arrive. The official government site for applications is here. You are allowed to stay in Turkey for a maximum of 90 days in a 180 day period.
  • Some roads are covered with tarmac that tends to get sticky with heat, so have optimal tire pressure before you begin. Also rely on medium width tires rather than narrow, otherwise your ride will not be comfortable.
  • Throughout your route, you’re likely to visit a number of villages and towns, with fuelling stations, so this is the time to refresh. Fuelling stations sometimes have equipment to fix your bike or repair punctures and there are also spaces to pitch tents, and restrooms to have a wash.
  • The Turks are quite friendly and welcome everyone so you should have no trouble getting along even when pedaling through remote places that are not used to strangers. Don’t be surprised if locals strike up a conversation, bring tea and snacks or invite you to stay for the night.
  • Turkish summers are demanding, and you can get easily dehydrated even with just a few hours of exposure to the sun. Wear sweat absorbing gear, and carry plenty of water and electrolytes for the trip or just avoid riding in the peak times of sun (12 noon to 3pm.)
  • In rural areas, be expected for other road users to be a herd of cows or sheep. Patience is the best option in these times!

Cycling in turkey

Further Reading

Biking enthusiasts might be interested to know about the yearly cycling tour of Turkey that generally runs from Antalya round the coastline to Istanbul. It happens in April or May and if you cannot manage to see it in person, follow the live updates on their website.

Annika and Roberto are a couple who spent numerous months biking around Turkey. You can read their experiences and stories on their blog called Tasting Travels

Save

Pin3
Share118
Tweet
Share
121 Shares

Filed Under: Random Information

Hi. I'm Natalie, a freelance travel blogger and writer specializing in the country of Turkey. I love hot summer days, historical sites and coffee. Read More…

Primary Sidebar

istanbul tourist pass

Search This Website

Popular Posts

Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul : Last Days of the Ottoman EmpireDolmabahce Palace in Istanbul : Last Days of the Ottoman Empire49K Total Shares
The Colourful Wooden Mosque of MaralThe Colourful Wooden Mosque of Maral6K Total Shares
Santa Claus and His Life in TurkeySanta Claus and His Life in Turkey5K Total Shares
Sanliurfa (Urfa) : The City of Abraham in TurkeySanliurfa (Urfa) : The City of Abraham in Turkey4K Total Shares
The Serene House of the Virgin MaryThe Serene House of the Virgin Mary3K Total Shares
Ottoman Intrigue at Topkapi Palace in IstanbulOttoman Intrigue at Topkapi Palace in Istanbul3K Total Shares

Footer

Everything Else

  • Blog Sitemap
  • GDPR, Privacy and Cookies
  • Terms of Use and Disclaimer

Of Interest

  • About Us
  • Advertising and PR
  • Map of Turkey

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright @2023 - Turkish Travel Blog

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT