There are two models of toilets in Turkey: European style, with a bowl (alla franga) and Turkish style, traditional model with a hole in the floor (alla turca) – Turkish toilets European toilets are available in tourist places, such as hotels, apartments, restaurants, shopping malls, etc. They have a small hose to wash the buttocks. While traditional toilets have a tap on the side or a pitcher on the floor. Turkish people use little toilet paper, sometimes the toilets do not have it, so it is a good idea to always carry tissues with you, although sometimes a pile of self-service paper can be found at the entrance.
Moreover, public toilets in Turkey are rare and chargeable for the sum of 1 or 2 Turkish liras. Some gas stations offer free toilets, but hygiene is poor and the smell is foul. Local or tourist does not change anything: everyone pays.
Good to know: toilets are free in mosques because ablution is compulsory in Islam before prayer. So you can use them as you wish. However, in shopping malls, restaurants and hotels, the toilets are very modern and clean. Be careful, sometimes it is written on a poster that you should not throw toilet paper inside because in some parts of Turkey the underground system is not sufficiently developed. In more remote corners, you may also need to use a bucket of water under a small tap that acts as a flush.
This is why we recommend that you carry tissues throughout your trip. It is very easy to find, street vendors offer it for 1 TL a packet.
Have a plentiful poop 🙂