This list was originally my favourite top ten Turkey blogs, but since I published it in 2010, blogging has become bigger and more popular than ever before. So to drill down to only 10 blogs about Turkey, would be to ignore many other good writers and the useful advice they offer in terms of travel, culture, traditions, and living here in Turkey.
All of the writers I follow that concentrate on the country of Turkey are diverse in their background, whether they are married to Turks or foreigners, with or without children, living in the country or abroad etc. So collectively, they all offer a wealth of different information that would match even your biggest guidebook. For that reason, I’ve kept the top ten list but also included additional blogs at the bottom, that I think readers will love.
Top Ten Turkey Blogs
Janey In Mersin : Mersin is not an area that is popular for tourism or ex-pat living so Janey’s story is quite interesting. Married to a Turk, she has settled down in a small, traditional village.
Back To Bodrum : Annie first came to Turkey in 1982. She returned thirty years later to find out it had drastically changed. Her aim is to blog about the past in Turkey, while comparing it with her new experiences of daily life in the country.
Seasonal Cook in Turkey : Claudia has lived in Turkey for many years and adapted to be an expert at Turkish cuisine. This blog is enjoyable to read whether you are an expert in the kitchen or not.
Ozlem’s Turkish Table : Easy to read and cook / bake recipes for anyone who enjoys Turkish cuisine. Ozlem was born in Turkey and lived here for 30 years before relocating to the UK, where she spreads the word about food of Turkey.
Turkeys for Life : If you want cheering up then head over and read all about Jackie and Barry’s lives in Fethiye. Their blog is also a complete guide to the area whether you are looking to holiday or move there.
Archers of Okcular : I really do feel that Alan is not given enough credit for his knowledge of Turkey, especially places that are off the beaten track. Alan writes about his life in a small village of Turkey and occasionally delves into his history, all of which make for a very good read.
Captivating Cappadocia : Duke is an American expat who has settled in the Cappadocia region and is currently documenting the local knowledge that he learns every day. A good travel blog if you are going to that region.
Adventures in Ankara : Terry is an American lady who fell in love with a Turkish man, quit her job as a lawyer and moved to the bustling city of Ankara. She tells of day to day life here with fantastic pictures to compliment.
Canim Istanbul : Canim Istanbul is the lifestyle companion for Istanbulites and for visitors of Istanbul. They send out a free email newsletter, 2-3 times a week, about a new boutique, a cute restaurant, a surprising weekend getaway, an upcoming designer, a must-see concert, and offbeat activities. This is definitely a good blog to read if you plan to visit Istanbul.
Turkey From The Inside : Pat Yale is a former writer for the Lonely Planet guides and thanks to her many years of travelling around Turkey, especially to places off the beaten track, I call her the queen of Turkish Travel. Pat has also published many books about Turkey that readers will be interested in purchasing.
More Blogs About Turkey
Roving Jay : An American who has moved to the Aegean coast of Turkey, RJ is a wealth of local knowledge for the Bodrum region in particular, having published numerous guides on where to eat and go in most resorts on that peninsula.
Ayak’s Turkish Life : Ayak is married to Mr A and her tales of life in Turkey are interesting and thought provoking. She is an ex-pat who has lived in various areas of Turkey since 1998 and she has a wealth of information to share. (Currently featuring work done with stray and street dogs of Bodrum)
The Turkish Life : Discussing more hard-hitting issues like politics and refugees, Jennifer is a San Fransicso girl living in Istanbul. She has been blogging since 2008 and is a good read for potential expats who want to see Turkey, warts and all.
Turkish Life Cafe : Although Kerry has moved back to the UK, she still retains a link to Turkey through her husband that remains here. They are at the moment, a long distance family as they navigate the pitfalls of living in two different countries.
Living the Turkish Dream : Danni is 21 years old and her holiday romance with a Turk turned into a full blown relationship, leading to questions and decisions about life when you are a multi-cultural couple.
Best of Bursa : If you visit the former capital of the Ottoman Empire, expat Dennis should be your first port of call because he blogs about places to visit, where to eat and interesting snippets about his adopted city.
Adventure Ordu: Justine hasn’t blogged for most of this year, but his blog archive is an interesting read about Ordu, a region of the Black sea that is relatively untouched by foreign tourism and travel.
Inside Out in Istanbul : Lisa is an Australian who travelled extensively before settling down to navigate the hustle and bustle of Turkey’s largest city; Istanbul.
Pul Biber : This is a good read for expats who are wondering how others moved here and settled into the country. Ashley and Hilary are expats in Turkey with experience.
Senior Dogs Abroad : Mark and Jolee live in Istanbul and write honestly about their experiences and points of view as expats in the country.
Perking the Pansies: Always up for a laugh is Jack and his happy go lucky attitude towards being a gay man in a Muslim country will make you laugh and think hard about life at the same time. (Note – Jack has now left Turkey however his blog still features 2 books that he published about his time here)
Note : If you would like to add your Turkey blog to the list, contact me here.