Motorcycle Touring in Turkey: Destinations & Routes

When cross-continent countries come to mind most people think about two of the most amazing countries. If you are thinking about Egypt and Turkey, you are right on point. Both countries are majority Muslim and both countries have something very unique to offer. Egypt is famous for its ancient architecture and Turkey is famous for becoming the bridge between Europe and Asia. Due to the uniqueness of both cultures, Turkey is known to be one of the most loved and cherished holiday destinations in the world.

According to most people, it is a great way to experience two cultures in one place without buying two tickets. In short, if you want to experience the lights and nightlife of Europe yet want to enjoy the simplicity and natural balmy effect of Asia, Turkey is just the right place to go.

Another very unique aspect of turkey is that you can travel via land, water, or air. If you want to go from the Asian part of Turkey to the European part, you can take a fairy. This will get you across the continent in no time. In case you want to travel in your vehicle you can cross the Bosporus Bridge and you will reach there in just over half an hour. Similarly, you can also book a flight if you want to save time. This allows you to choose however you want to travel.

You will see some of the most expensive brands of vehicles roaming around on the bustling roads of turkey. One of the common misconceptions is that people think that there are so many expensive and famous brands of cars in Turkey, and motorcycles are not welcome. For a motorcycle enthusiast, this notion can be very discouraging. However, this is not the case. Motorcycle touring with proper motorcycle gear and care in Turkey is quite famous. People come together and join motorcycle groups so that they can visit the most scenic places in the country. The country has so much to offer starting from the fantastic mountain, beautiful scenery, and some of the most interesting sights.

Riding Destinations in Turkey

There is no doubt Turkey is beautiful. It is a perfect combination of conservative Asia and liberal Europe. You will find skyscrapers at one end and ancient-style mud houses at the other. You can easily satisfy your craving for modern and old architecture. Streets filled with furry friends that are loved by everyone mirror the true image of the country. People are hospital and warm just like any other Muslim country. If you need help you will be surprised how many people will reach out to you effortlessly.

Incredibly rich traveling destination, Turkey has something to offer for everyone. Most people are already familiar with the bustling urban hubs like Istanbul, Ankara, and Anatolia but you need to look beyond these crowded places. You will find the real gems in rural areas that are specifically linked with tourism. One of the major issues is that most people get confused because they keep reading about the ongoing border tension between various countries. To some extent, this is a real issue but it will not affect your travel. The country is safe for everyone however, it is better to avoid the Syrian border until the Syrian war gets better.

Istanbul

Istanbul Turkey.

Before mentioning any other place, it will be an injustice to not start our list with the beautiful Istanbul. Known as Constantinople in the past, the city has to offer everything one can dream of. Cultural crossroads where east meets the west and the conservative fashion melts in the lap of modern trends, Istanbul is the city that never sleeps. Offering the best nightlife that any youngster can wish for, this city is ranked higher than any other city when it comes to a party.

You can enjoy your time in the Grand Bazar, spice market and enjoy food in Istiklal Street. One thing that you should be very careful about is the money scam. If you are a woman, make sure to wear your purse crossways. If you are a man, try to stay away from people who offer you free booze. These are some tricks that are used by common scammers.

Cappadocia

Cappadocia, Turkey, Flying Balloons.

If you want to witness heaven on earth, there is no place better than Cappadocia. Filled with colorful hot air balloons in the sky and cone-like structures on the ground, you will feel like you are in a fairy tale. The chimney style and rock formation are so fascinating that people compare it to the reallocation of the snow white and seven dwarfs. Great place for a perfect breakfast spread, you will be able to enjoy the best time with your family and friends. Apart from motorcycling, you can simply hike or enjoy rafting. If you are tired, you can stop and grab a quick bite or just enjoy some warm and cozy apple tea. Geological wonderland, this place is one of the most photographed places on the earth.

Yedigöller National Park

A view of Yedigöller National Park, Turkey.

If you are a true adventure enthusiast you cannot complete your trip without visiting Yedigöller National Park. The park is also known as the seven lakes. The lush green forest sea and natural view stun the onlookers. If you like nature, this is the place to be. Most people come here to hike, others just like to lay there and relax. No matter what you want to do, this place is a scene straight out of a fairy tale. The panoramic view along with the fascinating mix of green and blue makes it stand out in the best possible way.

Biga – Balikesir (D555)

Biga is the true depiction of the humble countryside. For someone who appreciates simplicity, this place is pure heaven, however, if you like development, this might not be your first choice. With the humble lifestyle, rolling green hills lined with lush green farmland, and soothing forest line, this place looks like a picture straight out of a postcard. You have to be careful and cautious about your safety, equipped yourself with the best motorcycle gear. You can enjoy the ride or just stay for a few hours, it’s all up to you. So many local people come here and enjoy their weekend as well.

Trabzon to Sav sat (D010)

A scenery of Trabzon to Sav sat, Turkey.

If you are in for a magical ride, you need to use this route. 300 km long, this route is a true representation of simplicity, beauty, and variation. You will be able to enjoy breathtaking scenery, a rocky road filled with twists and turns, and the beauty of the countryside. Moreover, you can take the black sea coat and just turn towards the Georgian border. Where you will be able to enjoy the tea plantation. The lush green tea fields, dusty golden brown mountains, and soft cold lake water is the combination that you are currently missing in your life.

Bayburt of Yolu (D915)

Bayburt of Yolu (D915), one of the most dangerous road in the world.

If you are a skilled, adventure enthusiast, and a true daredevil, this road has been carved for you only. Known to be the most dangerous road in the world, this route is a true masterpiece. Some of the twists and turns on the road are so wild that you will feel your heart beating through your jugular. If you are missing the venture of a lifetime, this road will give you the adrenaline that is missing in your life. a 106 km long route that climbs up to 2000m above sea level and gives a spectacular view, this route is a true masterpiece. To pump the risk up a notch, the weather gets very unpredictable which just makes things more dangerous. Foggy roads with limited visibility and rainy roads with wet slippery pathways are very common.

Is There A Time To Ride?

As most people say, visit japan in spring because only then you will see the real beauty. Most people find themselves bewildered when they are asked when they are going to visit, some even specify their motorcycle trips according to the season and the weather conditions. If you want to experience the best time of the year, you have to choose somewhere between May and June, it is the time when the temperature is moderate. It is neither too hot nor too cold and you can enjoy everything in full spirit. Everything is colorful due to spring and you will be able to enjoy it more. Apart from this, you can also visit during September and October.

During the fall time, the weather is mild and you will see the beautiful turkey covered in yellow, orange, and red leaves. One of the best things about Turkey is the geographical difference and the overall size. This means that the climate is different in every part during the whole year. You can visit a few places where you can enjoy the weather that you enjoy the most. To help you understand the regions and where you can find the right kind of weather for you, distribute the country into three regions.

• To start we have a coat of the black sea where you can enjoy hot summers with very mild rainy winters. So if you don’t like cold winters, this is the right place for you.
• The second most important regions in the east and central Anatolia. This is the place where you can enjoy cold winters, hot summers, and continental climate. This is the right blend for people who are adventurous and they are not afraid of testing their limits.
• Finally, we have the Marmara or commonly known as the Mediterranean, and the Aegean Sea. You will enjoy the Mediterranean climate here. The weather is hot in summers and very mild cold in winters. This is the best combination for people who are mainly from European and Scandinavian countries who are stuck in cold weather around the year.

Safety in Turkey

As a Muslim country, most people think maybe going to Turkey is not such a good option. Apart from this since we are considering a motorcycle as a means of commuting, you need to take extra responsibility. One of the major reasons is that you will be riding on your own and you need to plan and execute everything with full commitment. If you are concerned about safety, you should feel completely safe in urban areas. However, border areas especially near Armenia and Syria must be avoided. You can easily find guidelines of authorities where they have mentioned areas that you must avoid. Some of the recommendations from the authorities have been mentioned below for the convenience of first-time riders in turkey.

· Checkpoints Are Important

Locals are familiar with the checkpoints and the related protocols, however, for a foreigner, it is important to know in detail about the checkpoints. If you see a checkpoint, stop right away and cooperate according to the instructions.

· Avoid the Borders

The borders of Turkey are continuous flashing points. If you have planned something closer to the borders, try to refrain. Syrian and Armenian borders are especially important because of the ongoing tug between the countries and the internal issues.

· Stay In Touch With Embassy

Your embassy will be your protector so make sure you stay in touch. If you want to stay on move, just make sure to inform your embassy about it. This will help you avoid a lot of issues while you are on the road.

· Stay Cautious Of the Rural Areas

Rural areas are very beautiful and they attract a lot of motorcyclists because of their natural beauty. However, it is advised that unless you are not fully equipped to handle all kinds of situations, you should avoid traveling at night. During night time there are agricultural vehicles and they are not equipped with proper safety gears and lights. With limited visibility, these vehicles become the reason for major road accidents. It is better to avoid any possible contact with these vehicles, especially at night time.

Basics about Fuel Pricing

As a motorcyclist, you will have to stay informed about the availability of the fuel and its price. Well, it is a common misconception that since turkey is a Muslim country, oil is abundant here. Turkey has a century-old treaty that they still abide by. According to this treaty, they can neither export nor extract oil from their land. This means that they need to import oil instead. In short, fuel prices are pretty high as compared to other Muslim and oil-rich countries. However, prices are still better than in the UK and other European countries.

Another very important thing is price disproportionality. Unlike most countries where fuel prices are fixed at every place, in Turkey, you will find that fuel prices hike as you move to the rural areas. Most of the petrol stations stay open 24/7 in all weather conditions. This is common in urban and developed areas. On the contrary, you will find that in rural areas most petrol stations stay open only for a few hours of the day i.e. 6:00 to 22:00. Another very important thing related to the price is the payment method. Credit cards are commonly accepted in all petrol stations, however, it is better to keep some cash. If you have a foreign credit card, you might face some difficulties so either keep cash or a local credit card with you.