Growing ever more popular, Turkey is absolutely one of my favourite countries to visit in the Spring and Autumn months – not least because, situated at the south of the country, it’s heavy on the sun hours and hot on the heat when many other destinations close to home in the UK just aren’t!
And of course, it has all the amazing trappings of this part of the world too – from the history and the food to the culture and the sensational areas of natural beauty, there’s no question Turkey knows how to put on a good show!
Despite what you might assume, Turkey is totally safe to travel as a solo female and is actually one of the cheapest countries I’ve ever been to as well (shout out to my fellow budget adventurers here!)
So if you’re considering an escape away from the summer holiday madness of Europe (and quite frankly, why the heck wouldn’t you?!), here’s the complete female packing list for Turkey to make sure you feel confident about heading to this wonderful destination in style.
Jammed full of top luggage tips, as well as a complete item-by-item checklist so you don’t forget a thing, this article is guaranteed to make sure you turn up to this country totally prepared and ready to enjoy!
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#1 Pack for the Season
The number one thing to point out about this Turkey packing list is that the climate and weather of this country depend massively on the time of year you are visiting.
If you’re visiting in the Spring (April and May) or Autumn months (September and October) as I advise you do, then the following packing list will be perfect.
If you are travelling outside of these 2 seasons, then please do feel free to adjust the packing list below accordingly.
Namely, this will involve packing some warmer layers, like jackets, sweaters and trousers for the winter months (Dec through March) and going all out on the summer gear – think shorts, thin dresses, sunhat, swimwear etc – in the summer months of July and August, when things get seriously roasting!
#2 Go for Layers
Layers are always a good option when it comes to travel and Turkey is no exception.
The best way to cover all bases without packing huge amounts for your trip to this country is to go for thin layers that you can take on and off as the weather switches.
This is especially true if you’re travelling Turkey in either early spring or late autumn, when changeable weather – especially if you’re up any of the mountainous regions – can mean you need to bring sunglasses and t-shirts, as well as thick sweaters and rain jackets!
It’s also a good idea to pack clothes you can layer if you’re travelling across the country of Turkey more widely, rather than just staying in one area. Cappadocia, for example, has a very different climate to the Mediterranean coast.
Packing layers means you can be assured of covering all eventualities for a Turkish adventure, without over-packing and having to lug around a huge suitcase!
#3 Keep it Light
And talking about not lugging around a huge suitcase, it’s definitely worth taking some time to quickly cover the ways you can pack everything you need for Turkey without being too weighed down!
Because, if you manage to condense your stuff down well, then this whole packing list below should fit into a 40-50l backpack (or a medium-sized wheelie suitcase) that you can take as carry-on luggage.
I never take anything bigger, even when I’m travelling for 1-2 months at a time, so you’ve got no excuse!
This 50l Aura backpack from Osprey makes a great option and would be brilliantly accompanied by some good packing cubes!
Yes these guys are the answer to all your packing problems ladies, and if you want to compress your gear to take up less space, as well as have it nicely organised, I highly suggest you get some!
I absolutely love packing cubes and personally would never consider heading off to Turkey, or indeed anywhere, without them!
#4 Pack for Walking in Turkey
And even though this packing list is designed to be lightweight, it doesn’t exclude the things you need to pack to enjoy some of Turkey’s best travel experiences.
And first up, it’s walking, which is especially great in the Cappadocia area of the country. Learn more in this article I wrote about the region.
Here, good hiking shoes, rather than hiking boots, would be my preference, as they are lighter and will keep your feet cooler. You can even get away with runners or trainers instead if you like, as things will most likely be mainly dry in the spring, summer and autumn months here.
I also recommend garments with lots of pockets, so you have easy access to things like tissues, camera, sanitiser, snacks etc, as well as investing in a power pack too, so that you can charge your phone when you’re out walking and retain access to your phone’s camera and map facilities.
My go-to brand here is Anker and I actually have 2 of their power packs – one that comes out with me during the day and the other that is charging in my accommodation, so it’s ready to swap over.
For my big camera, I also have a spare battery, so that I can swap this around and keep snapping when I’m out and about.
And don’t forget a good day pack to carry all your gear in when walking in Turkey.
A decent day pack will also ensure any weight is evenly distributed across your shoulders and help keep your back safe too.
#5 Pack for the Beach
No question, bringing some swimwear and a beach towel are a great idea for Turkey, especially if you’re here between the months of May and September, when the water and weather are both amazingly warm on the Mediterranean coast.
UV-protected sunglasses, a good sunhat and some 30+ SPF are also ideal items for your Turkey packing list, especially in the summer when things can get really scorching here!
I’d also advise bringing a good moisturiser you can use on your hands, body and face after a day in the sun and finally, don’t forget a handy sarong and a dry bag to keep your stuff safe, moisture and sand-free on the beach (especially any electrical equipment like cameras).
#6 Pack for Sightseeing in Turkey
Turkey is an Islamic country, and while headscarves are not mandatory for women, I’d certainly advise dressing fairly modestly as a female in towns and cities here nonetheless.
Midi skirts and t-shirts that cover the shoulders are a good option and will help you balance keeping cool with dressing appropriately.
Just make sure you have a headscarf you can wear when entering any Mosques too.
The other thing you do need to be aware of in Turkey, especially in Istanbul, is that there are so many historic sights and streets to explore here, that you may end up walking more than you planned to!
As such, I highly recommend putting a pair of comfortable shoes on your Turkish packing list.
Supportive sandals like Arizona Birkenstocks are a good option if you’re here in the warmer months.
As tap water is not drinkable in Turkey, it’s also a good idea to carry a filter water bottle with you when sightseeing here, like this LifeStraw, which will allow you to drink from the tap safely and easily anywhere in the world.
I used mine across Turkey and it worked brilliantly – saving me money and the planet plastic waste at the same time!
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Complete Female Packing List for Turkey
So now we come to my complete list of what to pack for Turkey – a full item-by-item breakdown of everything you should bring for a great trip to this country and the only inventory you’ll need!
The length of your stay in Turkey will dictate the number of each item that you should bring, but I’ve given the numbers I advise packing for a week’s holiday here.
You can then adjust accordingly…
Clothes
1x Thin Jacket (a denim jacket is a good option)
1x Waterproof Jacket like this one
3x Thin Sweaters / Long-Sleeved Tops
7x Singlets / T-Shirts
2x Shorts
1x Casual Dress
2x Midi Skirts
2x Casual Day Trousers
1x Jeans
7x Underwear & Socks
2x Swimwear
3x Scarves / Wraps
1x Nightwear set
Footwear
1x Supportive Sandals like Birkenstocks
1x Trainers / Walking Shoes
1x Pumps or Sandals for the Evenings
Toiletries
Thin Toiletries Bag with Hook
Anti-Bacterial Soap
Deodorant
Face Cleanser, Toner, Serum & Moisturiser
30+ SPF Sunscreen & SPF Lip Salve
Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss
Razor & Spare Blades
Nail Scissors & Nail File
Tweezers & Safety Pins
Cotton Buds / Pads
Hair Bands & Hair Brush
Electricals
Smartphone & Bluetooth Headphones
Lens, Spare Battery, Memory Card & Chargers
Headlamp & Spare Batteries
Other Things!
Glasses / Contact Lenses if you wear them
Sunglasses with UV Protection
Eye Mask & Earplugs
Sarong & Beach Towel
Passport & Driving License
Credit Cards and Debit Cards (I always use Wise to get good exchange rates and avoid foreign transaction fees)
Turkish Lira Cash
SAVE THIS TO PINTEREST!
So there it is, the only Turkey packing list you’ll ever need ladies!
Any suggestions to add?
I’d love to hear them!
Please drop them into the comments below and I’ll get back to you…
