Visiting Turkey from South Africa: Visa, Travel Tips & Must-See Destinations
Enjoy a memorable vacation to Turkey after applying for a Turkey eVisa for South Africans from our website. Also learn about the various locations you can visit from our post!
Turkey is one of those places that retains symbols of its ancient culture, while continuing to move ahead with the times. So, it’s not surprising to see people talking on mobiles in ancient bazaars, eating ancient dishes like Menemen while watching a film, and so on.
So if you have been planning on visiting this gorgeous location, why not apply for a tourist Turkey eVisa for South Africans? Let’s learn more about this visa below.
Visa Requirements for South African Travelers
You must apply for a tourist Turkey eVisa for South Africans before you can visit Turkey. Note: You cannot apply for a tourist visa on arrival with a South African passport. So you must opt for an eVisa beforehand to be eligible.
Now, you can apply for a single-entry or multiple-entry Turkish tourist visa depending on your preferences. The single-entry visa lets you stay in the country for 30 days. You can apply for the tourist Turkey eVisa for South Africans online.
The multiple-entry visa is valid for six months.
However, you can only stay for a period of three months at a single time with a multiple entry visa. Additionally, as a South African citizen, you have to visit the Turkish Embassy for a multiple-entry visa.
Now, let’s take a look at which documents you need to have before applying for a single-entry Turkish tourist visa online.
Documents required for a Turkish Tourist Visa.
Ensure to compile the following documents to apply for the eVisa:
- Passport with at least a two-month validity after your departure
- Valid credit card, e-wallet, net banking option, or debit card
- Two recent passport-sized photographs
- Travel itinerary, hotel booking, and flight booking documents
- Letters from your family members if you’re going to reside in their home in Turkey
Now, let’s learn more about the application process for the single-entry tourist Turkey eVisa for South Africans below.
Applying for a Turkey single-entry visa.
You need to do the following to apply for the tourist Turkey eVisa for South Africans online:
- First, visit our website.
- Second, click the relevant link.
- Third, you must fill in the details like your last name, country of citizenship, and email address. Before clicking the ‘next option,’ review all the details carefully.
- Fourth, you must pay the fees as applicable.
- Now you have to wait to receive the eVisa online.
Now that you’ve got your visa let’s take a look at the places you should not miss when in Turkey:
Must-See Destinations in Turkey
You should visit the following places in Turkey:
Istanbul: The Heart of Turkey
Istanbul is a vibrant city that has many historical landmarks, such as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, and Topkapi Palace. These are places you definitely should visit at least once.
The Hagia Sophia is an ancient mosque that was once a church. Constructed by Emperor Constantine the First, the church was sanctified by Emperor Constantine the Second. However, it was destroyed by fire twice and built again in 537 CE.
Later, Sultan Mehmed the Second converted the structure into the mosque we know today.
On the other hand, the Topkapi Palace served as the Ottomans' administrative headquarters and living residence.
Sultan Mehemed The Second financed its construction. When you visit this place today, you can find a collection of weapons,robes, and other objects used by the Sultan, his staff, and soldiers.
We would recommend spending some time there since the place is spread out over an area of four courtyards with buildings like the Tower of Justice. Remember to carry your tourist Turkey eVisa for South Africans to get the entry tickets.
After that, you can visit the Grand Bazaar to travel back in time as you shop for various objects like utensils, jewelry, rugs, and more. This bazaar is over a thousand years old.
We would recommend visiting the Spice Market to purchase high-quality spices. You can also find an assortment of cheese on the western side.
End the perfect day with a beautiful cruise on the Bosphorus Strait. Remember to book the cruise tickets with your tourist Turkey eVisa for South Africans. These cruises include live music, dances and enjoying Turkey at night.
Cappadocia: A Fairytale Landscape
You should visit Cappadocia to experience its magical hot air balloon rides, stay in its cave hotels, and experience the wonders of the Göreme Open-Air Museum.
We recommend the hot air balloon ride during the early hours of the morning. Remember to showcase your tourist Turkey eVisa for South Africans to book these rides easily.
During the ride, you can witness the rocky landscape against the backdrop of the early morning sky. You’ll see the Red Valley, Uchisar Castle, and Sunset Point.
That’s because Cappadocia is known for its rocky landscape, with ‘fairy-home’ structures rising above the ground.
In reality, these structures are the result of ancient volcanic activity. They are located near Rose Valley, where adventure lovers can hike or ride bicycles
Another thing Cappadocia is known for is its cave hotels, which are modern facilities with modern amenities built to resemble caves.
Finally, you should visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, which houses multiple chapels and churches.
Ephesus: A Glimpse into An Old Civilization
Ephesus is known for being the ancient capital of the Asian Minor Roman Empire.
This city was initially ruled by Croesus and subsequently by Persian Emperor Cyrus.
Following that, it was ruled by the:
- Spartans
- Persians
- Greeks
- Macedonians
- Romans
These cultures left a mark on the city’s landscape, leading to the construction of The Library of Celsus, The Ancient Theatre, and The Temple of Hadrian.
Here, you will see the temple dedicated to the Goddess of the Hunt, Artemis (or Diana).
Bodrum: Timeless Ancient Ruins
Bodrum is known for housing St. Peter’s Castle and being built on the ruins of the ancient city of Halicarnassus during the 15th century.
This castle remains a major landmark and attraction for tourists today, so you should definitely not miss it. We would also recommend visiting the ruins of Mausolus’s Mausoleum, which was built in 400 BCE.
You can also opt to go for a cruise on the Bodrum Peninsula, though we would recommend booking tickets in advance. Remember to carry your tourist Turkey eVisa for South Africans to gain entry to the cruise ships.
Travel Tips for South Africans Visiting Turkey
We recommend booking your tickets between April and October since the weather will remain pleasant. Alternatively, you can book your tickets from October to March, though you cannot visit the coast during this period.
Apart from that, we recommend booking flights on Etihad Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM, Turkish Airlines, and South African Airways.
You can also book TAAG Angola Airlines and RwandAir. Once you land at the airport, you can use rented cabs, buses, or domestic flights to travel in and around Turkey.
Currency
You should exchange your South African Rands for Turkish Lira at one of the currency exchange booths in the airport.
Language & Communication
Most tourist areas in Turkey have people who are proficient in English, so you won’t have to worry about communication difficulties.
However, we would still recommend learning common Turkish phrases for travelers like Merhaba for hello, Nasilsin for How are you and Ne kadar for how much.
Finally, do remember to follow cultural norms like:
- covering your head when you enter a mosque
- not gesturing aggressively with your thumb
- removing your shoes when you enter mosques
- not refusing invitations to meals.
Additionally, don’t forget to book your tourist Turkey eVisa for South Africans in advance for a smooth experience. Have an amazing trip!
Check your eligibility for Turkey Visa and apply for Turkey e-Visa 72 hours in advance of your flight. Australian citizens, Vanuatuan citizens, Sri Lankan citizens and Bermudian citizens can apply online for Electronic Turkey Visa.