Can't get enough of those dreamy Turkish Instagram reels? You're not alone! Turkey's been crushing it as a travel hotspot, pulling in over 40 million visitors who can't resist its mix of ancient vibes and modern energy. If you're itching to learn Turkish and get the real scoop beyond those social media highlights, we've got something way better than your typical travel guides.
In this post, we're introducing you to 5 must-watch Turkish documentaries that'll level up your Turkish skills while showing you the side of Turkey that tourists rarely see. By the end of this post, I'll also share some useful Turkish phrases for travelers so you're definitely armed with all the right info.
Best Turkish Documentaries
Traveling Turkey with Mert Sezer
Ever wished you had that cool local friend who knows all the best spots? That's exactly what you get with Mert Sezer's addictive travel series. Mert keeps it real as he hops from bustling bazaars to hidden mountain villages, giving you the inside scoop on modern Turkish life. Language learners, get ready to pick up some useful Turkish expressions for...
- ordering food at a local restaurant
- learning Turkish slang
- training your ears to Turkish dialects
...and more! Think phrases like "Ne kadar?" (how much?), "Çok güzel!" (very beautiful!), and "Bir dakika" (one moment) – basically everything you need to sound like a local instead of a tourist.
Ancient Cities Of Turkey
History buffs, this one's your perfect Turkish language study buddy! This visually stunning series turns ancient ruins into edge-of-your-seat stories, making those old stones come alive with tales of emperors, warriors, and everyday people who walked these streets thousands of years ago.
While you're geeking out over Ephesus's legendary library or Troy's epic walls, you'll naturally pick up archaeology and history-related vocabulary that'll make your future site visits way more interesting. Get ready to confidently throw around terms like "antik kent" (ancient city), "kazı alanı" (excavation site), and "tapınak" (temple) – plus, you'll learn the authentic pronunciation of place names that most tourists butcher.
Turkey’s Most Beautiful Bays
Are you more of a beach lover? Through ten binge-worthy episodes of this Turkish documentary, you'll discover hidden gems like the crystal-clear waters of Suluada (aka Turkey's Maldives) and the Instagram-famous Butterfly Valley. The best part? You'll also get to naturally absorb super-useful beach and nature vocabulary. You'll learn practical phrases like "deniz manzarası" (sea view), "kamp alanı" (camping area), and "gizli koy" (hidden bay) – exactly what you need to find those secret spots that aren’t in your guidebook.
The Explorer
Following our Turkish host across the globe might seem counterintuitive for learning about Turkey, but trust us - this show is a perfect resource for serious Turkish learners. With every episode, you're guaranteed to learn how to describe places and cultures in Turkish (super handy for those hostel conversations!), plus pick up natural transition phrases and comparison expressions like "...e göre" (compared to), "aynı şekilde" (similarly), and "farklı olarak" (differently).
Travel With Bilicans
Want to learn Turkish the way real Turkish travelers actually speak it? Tag along with the Bilicans! While they're jetting around the world instead of touring Turkey, the fact that the hosts compare the spots and interactions to their Turkish culture will certainly help you prepare for your trip.
More importantly, you'll learn how to express surprise or culture shock in Turkish, and master those tricky travel comparisons like "bizde böyle değil" (it's not like this in our country) or "Türkiye'ye göre daha..." (compared to Turkey, it's more...).
Useful Turkish Phrases For Travelers
While enjoying these documentaries, you'll notice certain phrases popping up again and again – these are exactly the expressions you'll need during your Turkish adventures! From Mert Sezer bargaining in local markets to the Bilicans expressing amazement at new sights, these shows naturally reinforce the essential Turkish travel vocabulary.
In this section, we've gathered the most frequently used phrases from these documentaries that'll help you navigate everything from ordering that perfect kebab to making friends with locals.
| Turkish Phrase | Pronunciation | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Merhaba! | Mehr-ha-ba | Hello! |
| Teşekkür ederim | Teh-shek-kur eh-der-im | Thank you |
| Çok güzel | Chok goo-zel | Very beautiful |
| Ne kadar? | Neh ka-dar? | How much? |
| Affedersiniz | Af-fed-er-sin-iz | Excuse me |
| Nerede...? | Neh-reh-deh? | Where is...? |
| Anlayamadım | An-la-ya-ma-dim | I don't understand |
| Hesap alabilir miyim? | He-sap al-a-bil-ir mi-yim? | Can I have the bill? |
| HoÅŸgeldiniz | Hosh-gel-din-iz | Welcome |
| Bir dakika | Beer da-kee-ka | One moment |
| Lütfen | Lut-fen | Please |
| Ä°yi akÅŸamlar | Ee-yi ak-sham-lar | Good evening |
| Yardım edebilir misiniz? | Yar-dim e-de-bil-ir mi-sin-iz? | Can you help me? |
| Çok lezzetli | Chok lez-zet-li | Very delicious |
| Görüşürüz | Gor-u-shur-uz | See you later |
| Su/Çay/Kahve, lütfen | Soo/Chai/Kah-veh, lut-fen | Water/Tea/Coffee, please |
- 10 Curse Words In Turkish To Sound Like A Native
- 7 Easy Ways To Say Happy Birthday In Turkish
Watch And Learn Turkish With Lingopie
The best part? All these awesome documentaries are ready for you to stream on Lingopie right now. No hunting for subtitles, no switching between platforms – just straight-up entertaining Turkish content that'll get you speaking like a local.
Ready to level up your Turkish? Sign up for a FREE 7-day trial, hit play, and start learning!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I learn Turkish just by watching documentaries?
While Lingopie's Turkish documentaries are an excellent tool for learning Turkish, they work best as part of a broader learning strategy. These shows are perfect for picking up natural pronunciation, common phrases, and cultural context, but combining them with some basic grammar study and conversation practice will give you the best results. The great thing about documentaries is that they keep you motivated and help you understand how Turkish is actually used in real-life situations.
How long does it take to learn basic Turkish for travel?
With consistent practice, you can learn enough Turkish for basic travel conversations in about 2-3 months. Focusing on travel-specific documentaries can speed up this process since you'll be learning exactly the kind of language you'll need on your trip. Even learning for just 30 minutes a day through shows like these can help you master essential phrases for ordering food, asking directions, and having simple conversations with locals.
Are Turkish documentaries good for beginners?
Absolutely! Turkish documentaries on Lingopie, especially travel-focused ones, are fantastic for beginners because they combine visual context with natural language. Shows like "Traveling Turkey with Mert Sezer" are particularly beginner-friendly since they often repeat key phrases and show clear contexts for what's being said. Plus, Lingopie's subtitle features let you learn at your own pace.
Do Turkish people expect tourists to speak Turkish?
While many people in Turkish tourist areas speak English, locals really appreciate even basic attempts to speak Turkish. A few simple phrases can make a huge difference in how you're received, and watching Turkish documentaries helps you learn these essential expressions naturally. Plus, you'll pick up cultural tips that'll help you connect with locals more easily.
Why should I learn Turkish before traveling to Turkey?
Learning some Turkish on Lingopie before your trip enhances your travel experience dramatically. It helps you navigate off-the-tourist-track locations, negotiate better prices at bazaars, and connect with locals in a more meaningful way. Through documentaries, you'll also learn cultural nuances and customs that will help you avoid common tourist mistakes and have more authentic experiences.
