That’s nineteen-year-old me on a boat near Kaş, Turkey, sipping a tropical cocktail and enjoying the sun. I was able to have this memorable experience thanks to an understanding of the drinking age in Turkey and of Turkish alcohol laws. In the fifteen years since this photo was taken I have returned to Turkey several times, exploring many regions of the country and sampling many different Turkish alcoholic drinks along the way!
Despite the prevalence of Islamic values across Turkey, the legal age for drinking is surprisingly low. However, the local cultural norms around drinking mean that even if you’re old enough to drink in Turkey, you may find yourself drinking less than usual. Keep reading to learn more about the drinking age in Turkey, and what travelers who are of legal age can expect in restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shops that serve and sell alcohol.
Note: This article was published in October 2023 after my most recent trip to Turkey, in Summer 2023. Laws change quickly and vary regionally, so make sure to double-check the current rules and regulations when you arrive in Turkey. 
1. The drinking age in Turkey is 18
The legal drinking age in Turkey is 18. This applies to beer, wine and spirits, and it is also the minimum age for entry into a nightclub (although this is loosely enforced in coastal tourist destinations).
It is a crime to serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 18. Shops, restaurants and bars can lose their business license if they are caught serving alcohol to younger teens, and even friends or family members can face fines for giving alcohol to minors.
2. Few women drink alcohol in Turkey
Only 15% of Turkish citizens drink alcohol, and significantly fewer women than men drink alcohol. In my guide to safety for solo female travelers in Istanbul, I noted that women should exercise moderation when drinking alcohol in Turkey. Although the blame for an assault or robbery never falls on the victim, you can reduce your chances of being targeted by avoiding getting too drunk or too rowdy when you drink alcohol in Turkey. Simply put, it’s still rare for local women to drink in Turkey, so you’re going to stand out when you drink.
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3. Alcohol is expensive in Turkey
In Turkey, the tax on alcohol can be up to 300%. These high taxes should be factored into the menu price of the drinks you order (but it’s always smart to watch for sneaky menu disclaimers in touristy districts). Consequently, alcohol is very expensive in Turkey.
When converted to euros, a local draft beer could cost about €2.50, while a small bottle of imported beer in a restaurant would be about €3.50. Cocktails often cost about €7, and a bottle of cheap Turkish wine in a restaurant starts around €25.
The price of alcohol makes alcohol consumption prohibitively expensive for many Turkish people, and when you’re out in local restaurants and cafes you’ll see most people choose bottled water, soft drinks, Turkish-style sherbert, coffee and tea.
4. Wines and spirits are a popular gift for hosts in Turkey
Whenever I visit my friends in Turkey, they always ask me to bring them a bottle of liquor from my country or from the duty-free shop in the airport where I’m transiting. To avoid complicated customs calculations I err on the conservative side of the alcohol allowance and bring either one bottle of spirits (like vodka or rum) or two bottles of wine.
Most of my friends in Turkey are expats, so I know that they drink alcohol. Before you bring alcohol to your host in Turkey, make sure you know that they drink. You don’t want to accidentally offend the 85% of Turks who don’t imbibe.
5. The most common alcoholic drinks in Turkey are beer and raki
By far, beer is the most popular alcoholic drink in Turkey. The country’s biggest beer manufactures is Efes, a brand named after the historical ancient city and port in Ephesus. Efes makes several different kinds of beer under their own brand name, plus other beer-adjacent drinks under brand names like Gusta and Mariachi. With 84% market share it can sometimes be difficult to find beers other than Efes, but larger cities like Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya are starting to see craft beer producers open their doors.
After beer, the second most-popular alcoholic drink in Turkey is raki. Raki is a strong, clear alcohol that becomes cloudy when mixed with water. While you can drink raki straight, most Turkish drinkers prefer to mix it with ice-cold water. Either way, this grape-based spirit has an anise flavor – let me know in the comments if you like that black licorice taste!
If you want to blend in with the locals, head to a meyhane restaurant to drink raki and eat mezze. These plates of assorted mixed appetizers are perfect for nibbling while you chat and drink. To be polite, remember to toast glasses with your drinking companions, but only let the bottom of the glasses touch (not the top – doing so implies you see yourself as superior to the other person).
6. When driving in Turkey, the blood alcohol limit is 0.05%
Personally, I never drink and drive. However, if you do decide to have a beer or raki and then get behind the wheel of a car in Turkey, you need to remember that the legal blood alcohol content limit is 0.05%. This is lower than in many other countries, so you may need to drink less than usual.
The penalties for drinking and driving in Turkey include significant fines and license suspensions. Both increase with repeated violations. At higher alcohol concentrations or riskier motor vehicle operation the penalty can be a criminal charge that results in jail time of up to two years, and foreigners may find their residency permits revoked if they are caught driving drunk.
Smart travelers don’t drink and drive in Turkey (or anywhere else).
7. You can drink in public… theoretically.
At publication time, there is no federal law that prohibits drinking in public, however Turkey’s Article 35 does make it a misdemeanor to disturb the peace while consuming alcohol. You’ll find that some people (mostly men) drink in parks, on sidewalks or at the beach, and as long as they’re not making a scene they’re unlikely to get in trouble. However, as a foreigner you may want to tread carefully, as it would only take one offended local to make a police report against you.
In 2023, the governor of Istanbul issued a statement that consuming alcohol in public was illegal. However, as this was not backed by local law, the statement was later re-worded to dance around the issue. Other cities, towns and regions may have their own local bylaws, so it’s best to check with a knowledgeable local before cracking open that Efes in the park.
Personally, I prefer to play it safe by drinking in licensed establishments. If I want to drink alcohol outside in Turkey I’ll choose a restaurant with a beautiful sidewalk terrace or a nice coastal beach bar.
Looking for more Turkey travel tips? Check out my complete Turkey travel archives for guides to traveling in Istanbul and beyond.
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