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Turkey is a very popular holiday destination for UK holidaymakers, and the number-one reason for this is that this country offers endless variety. You can spend days relaxing at the beach along the Turkish Riviera, explore sprawling cities like Istanbul, marvel at the hot air balloons and caves of Cappadocia or discover ancient ruins scattered across the entire country.
Turkey's other major drawcard is that it's considered to be more affordable compared to the popular coastal resorts of Europe, especially when it comes to last-minute Turkey holidays. In addition, you can find the perfect last-minute Turkey holiday deal for your budget, from cheap flights and hotels to all-inclusive holiday resorts or luxury spa hotels. Read on for our best deals and destinations for last-minute getaways to Turkey.
Put simply: you're guaranteed to have an incredible time if you book a last-minute holiday to Turkey. This country offers an enviable combination of beaches, unique landscapes, ancient cities, good food, fascinating culture and exciting day trips - all while being considered one of the more affordable holiday destinations in the wider region.
The weather is excellent too, with hot, sunny weather during the summer months and pleasantly warm, mild spring and autumn months. If you're looking for a sunny last-minute holiday, then look no further than Turkey!
Last-minute holiday deals come up when hotels, airlines or holiday providers sell unfilled rooms/seats for a discounted rate. This is one of the easiest ways to find a cheap holiday deal for Turkey, even to the country's most popular destinations. But it's not just last-minute holidays you'll find; you'll also find last-minute flights, hotels, activities, tours, cruises, extreme day trips and all-inclusive holiday packages for Turkey.
Whether you're after a last-minute family holiday or a romantic couples' retreat, you're highly likely to find a last-minute holiday deal for Turkey that works for you.
The good news? Turkey is one of those holiday destinations you can visit all year round - depending on what type of holiday you're looking for.
For hot weather and relaxing beach holidays, June to August is known as the peak holiday season for Turkey, especially to destinations along the Turkish Riviera. This is when the weather is hottest, but it may also be the most expensive time to visit Turkey, as July and August in particular clash with the UK school summer holidays, which drives up demand considerably.
For a cheaper and quieter experience, you could consider Turkey's shoulder season months of April, May, September or October. These spring and autumn months still feature reliably warm weather, making this an ideal time for both city breaks and beach holidays.
If you love the sound of a snowy city break, wintry natural scenery and budget trips, then a getaway between November and March could definitely work for you.
If your ultimate objective is to get the cheapest last-minute holiday deal to Turkey, then we'd recommend being as flexible as possible - this applies to your travel dates but also to your holiday destination within the country. That said, Turkey is filled with jaw-droppingly gorgeous places, so you're bound to land up somewhere special no matter which deal you end up booking.
However, a beach holiday is quite different to a city break, so make sure that you're still getting the type of holiday you're after. If you need some inspiration, here are some of the most popular destinations for last-minute holidays in Turkey.
Located on the Mediterranean stretch of coastline known as the Turkish Riviera, Antalya is a perfect choice for a last-minute holiday. There are holiday resorts to suit all kinds of holidaymakers, from families to couples, as well as access to stunning beaches and historical sightseeing. For a fuss-free last-minute holiday, focus on Lara Beach, which has many types of accommodation, including holiday resorts, and has time-saving connections with Antalya Airport.
If you want to add a hefty dose of luxury, consider staying in Belek, or if you want to do plenty of sightseeing, consider staying in Antalya City itself to have the Old Harbour, Hadrian's Gate and Hidirlik Tower within walking distance.
Istanbul has to be one of our personal favourite city break destinations, no matter the time of year. Perhaps it's the enticing combination of a city where Europe meets Asia, delicious food, fascinating historical attractions, sprawling markets and boat cruises, or maybe it's the equally enticing low-cost last-minute Istanbul city break deals, but we keep going back for more any chance we get.
For first-time visitors, we always recommend staying as central as possible, as there are so many things to see and a lot of ground to cover during any sightseeing day. Sultanahmet is always a good base, especially for families, while couples tend to gravitate towards Karaköy or Galata.
A popular resort destination along Turkey's southwestern coastline, Marmaris is often referred to as a gateway to the Turquoise Coast. This makes it popular throughout the shoulder season and peak summer months, thanks to its spacious beaches, boat trips and historical attractions. It also has a great nightlife scene and other entertainment venues, so Marmaris appeals to a wide range of holidaymakers, from solo travellers to groups of friends.
In terms of where to stay, Marmaris town centre and the Siteler beachfront neighbourhood are both popular; choose the latter if the beach is your number-one priority.
Often seen as a bucket-list experience, you can actually find a good amount of last-minute holidays to Cappadocia - and it doesn't need to cost the earth! Cappadocia holidays are synonymous with hot air balloon flights, rooftop breakfasts, rock formations, cave hotels, markets and more. And it's completely worth the hype, with everyone from families to couples and groups loving their holidays here.
If it's your first time in Cappadocia, stay in Göreme to maximise on what you can see and do during your last-minute holiday. If you've been before and want to experience Cappadocia from a different perspective, then Ürgüp or Uçhisar offer more peaceful, authentic stays.
In terms of beach holidays, Side is a perfect all-rounder. The beaches are fantastic, it has a lovely Old Town, it's known for the quality of its all-inclusive holiday resorts and, with its more relaxed nightlife scene, Side is considered one of the more peaceful beach holiday destinations in Turkey. All this makes it an ideal choice for a last-minute beach holiday, with weather staying pleasant all the way up until early October (and sometimes beyond too).
For the best areas to stay in, we'd recommend Kumköy if you need to be close to the beach and Side Old Town if you're after a more balanced holiday featuring sightseeing and nightlife on top of your beachside relaxation.
Booked your last-minute holiday to Turkey but not sure what to do when you're there? Rest assured that there is PLENTY to do in Turkey, no matter where you'll be based. If you do want to explore beyond your holiday base, remember that there'll be lots of day trips and bookable group activities to choose from. Start your itinerary planning by checking out our ideas below.
It's true that Turkey is a great choice for a city break, but if you get the chance to, don't miss out on a lengthy stay along the country's coastline. While you can find many beautiful beaches in Turkey, whether you're looking for a secluded bay or a busier beach complete with sun loungers and umbrellas, some of our favourite seaside destinations are in the Turkish Riviera. Consider staying in Antalya, Side or Fethiye, and then find a new beach to enjoy every day.
If you've never been on an all-inclusive holiday, Turkey happens to be one of the best and more affordable places to indulge in this type of stay. There are many coastal holiday resorts that offer them, with some of the most popular being in the Turkish Riviera. When you book an all-inclusive holiday deal, your flights, accommodation, main meals, snacks and basic drinks are all covered, making your stay as fuss-free as possible. Some all-inclusive deals include transfers, alcoholic drinks and activities, but you need to check the fine print of any holiday deal before you book.
We love Turkish food, and no trip to the country should be complete without trying some local dishes and specialities. Turkish tea is a ritual that can be enjoyed just about everywhere, but certain destinations and even restaurants will have their own signature dishes to try. Meat lovers should sample the many types of kebabs on offer, as well as the meaty version of gözleme or pide, a type of flat bread covered in ground meat. Vegetarians will love börek (pastry stuffed with cheese or spinach), menemen (a classic breakfast dish) and Şakşuka, a hearty veggie dish usually served cold or at room temperature. For sweet-tooths, there's baklava, dondurma and künefe. If you want to try it all with a local expert, book a foodie tour in your holiday destination.
Whether you've always dreamed of hot air balloon rides, walking along white mineral terraces or bathing in thermal waters, Turkey is full of surprises, especially if you don't mind taking a day trip or two. Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Hierapolis and the Blue Lagoon are some of the biggest bucket-list experiences in Turkey, but there are countless other places to discover, from historic ruins to stunning natural scenery.
Turkey has been inhabited for millennia, and its historical artefacts reflect this fact, from neolithic sites to the colossal wonders of the empires and civilisations that left their mark on the country's architecture and culture. No matter where you're based in Turkey, there's likely to be a historic Old Town or historical attraction near you just waiting to be explored. So while it's tempting to simply sit on the beach and soak up the sun, we'd recommend doing some historical sightseeing too. Some of our favourite historical attractions in Turkey include Göbekli Tepe, Ephesus, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and Myra.
A: If you've got your heart set on Turkey as your holiday destination and have particular travel dates in mind, you could set up price alerts with your favourite holiday provider. The HolidayPirates team finds last-minute holidays on a daily basis, so it's worth checking back here too. Ultimately, you'll get the cheapest price by being flexible and spontaneous; if you see a last-minute holiday deal that works for you destination- and date-wise, book it as soon as possible to get the lowest price.
A: That's up to you, really, but you'd want to leave enough time to sort out travel documents, organise your travel to the UK airport, and take leave from work, if necessary. Always read the UK government's official travel advisory for any holiday destination you're planning to visit.
A: For a last-minute beach holiday to Turkey, we'd recommend Antalya, Bodrum, Side or Marmaris. For the best last-minute city break, head to Istanbul, while those looking for something different should try out Cappadocia.
A: You can find cheap last-minute holiday deals for Turkey all year round, but these deals tend to be cheapest outside of the peak summer months that coincide with the UK school holidays (July and August). Spring and autumn holiday deals tend to be more affordable, and the weather is still lovely and warm.