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We know not that many of you are planning on taking Transatlantic trips this winter.
Though there are some exceptions to that rule, such as Andalusia in Spain and the Canary Islands, much of the continent will be swept by freezing winds and hit with plummeting temperatures.
It may be perfect for visiting Christmas markets and sightseeing on clear days, but overall, it’s not as pleasant as summer. But there is one destination in particular, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, that is still incredible to visit, whether it’s warm or cold out.
It is also incredibly cheap by American standards, and believe it or not, now it has got even cheaper:
Turkiye Is Currently One Of The Cheapest Destinations In The World
A country variously described as European, Asian, Middle Eastern, or these three categories combined, Turkiye (formerly spelled) Turkey is one of the fastest-growing destinations globally, having hosted a towering figure of 44.6 million tourists in 2022.
This year, it looks set to pass that threshold despite the natural disasters that rocked the nation to its core in early 2023 and the political instability.
These have not directly affected nor scared tourists away, who still perceive Turkiye as a safe destination and continue flocking to Istanbul Airport in droves.
Though Turkiye is most celebrated for its ancient heritage, having been at the heart of some of the world’s longest-standing empires, including Ancient Greece, the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, and beautiful Mediterranean beaches, there is another reason why it is so trendy:
The seriously devalued Turkish lira – the national currency of Turkiye – makes it an incredibly cheap destination for Westerners, and Americans in particular, to explore.
The Turkish Lira Keeps Plummeting
While the Turkish lira has not always been a lot weaker than the U.S. dollar, the euro, and other powerful currencies, it has been going through a rough patch in recent years due to the Turkish Government’s controversial monetary policies.
We won’t get into specifics, but all you should know as a tourist is that Turkiye is one hell of a holiday bargain.
It’s been historically a budget destination, but since 2019, the strength of the dollar has been more than quadrupling over the damaged lira.
This means your money is worth a lot more in Turkiye than it is back home, and though inflation should not be discounted, as prices have become rather volatile and Turkiye is not as cheap as it once was prior to the economic crisis, you will find consumer prices are still remarkably affordable.
Surprisingly, this winter will see the lira take another blow as experts predict further depreciation.
It is now trading at 27.75 liras to one dollar, against an average of 5.70 in 2019, and it’s just reached its lowest level ever, and with markets still agitated following President Erdogan’s re-election, the lira is unlikely to make a strong rebound anytime soon.
What does this mean for you?
An Amazing Year-Round Destination
Essentially, you should expect generally low costs when vacationing in Turkiye, both in major tourist destinations like Istanbul, Izmir, and Antalya, and lesser-known spots like the Black Sea Coast, around Rize, and the Anatolian hinterlands – this is particularly true for the latter.
In winter, other than the devalued lira, prices tend to drop even further, as Turkiye is considered a summer and fall destination.
This, however, does not mean it is any less fascinating in winter.
From sightseeing in Istanbul, the legendary former Constantinople, with its minaret-dotted skyline and lively bazaars, to exploring the ancient ruins of Troy and Ephesus or going for hot air balloon rides in Capadoccia, you will find Turkiye is an amazing destination year-round.
On some areas along the coast, daily temperatures even remain at a moderately warm 59 to 64 degrees during the day, so Mediterranean Turkiye, away from its Balkan provinces and mountainous Anatolian terrain, is definitely not freezing cold in winter.
The seas are not warm enough for swimming – just yet – but you can still enjoy leisurely walks down Antalya’s modern seafront boardwalk, lined with cafes and restaurants, or watch the sun set over the Aegean Sea in Izmir.
How Much Does A Trip To Turkiye Cost?
According to BudgetYourTrip, a single person’s daily expenses vacationing in Turkiye mount up to a mere US$34 daily, on average.
This wouldn’t even cover the cost of lunch in a majority of other European and Middle Eastern destinations, let alone other daily expenses.
You can certainly go all-out and book yourself a five-star stay or indulge in fine dining, but if you’re looking for a cheap getaway and you want to get the best value out of those dollars when converting them into liars, you will soon learn you will have to try really hard to break the bank while in Turkiye.
Walking around Istanbul, you will find delicious street food ranging between a single dollar and US$5, and mid-range restaurants where your bill will likely not be higher than US$15.
Overall, based on other travelers’ expenses, you should budget US$236 for a one-week stay in Turkiye. Prices will vary, of course, depending on your travel preferences, the level of comfort preferred when booking accommodation, and even your destination.
Cities like Istanbul and Antalya are typically more expensive than other smaller destinations, like Edirne, in the Eastern Thrace region, and Bursa, a port on the Dardanelles Strait famous for being one of the former Ottoman capitals.
Get inspired, and start planning your trip to Turkiye here.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com