Yes — Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted throughout Türkiye, including in Kalkan. You can use your credit or debit card in most restaurants, supermarkets, pharmacies, and tourist shops. Many businesses also accept contactless and chip payments.
You can withdraw Turkish Lira from ATMs (cash machines) using your bank card. However, be aware of:
Foreign transaction fees from your bank
Local ATM fees or commissions (displayed on the screen before withdrawal)
Some ATMs offering dynamic currency conversion (DCC) — always choose to be charged in Turkish Lira, not your home currency, to avoid extra fees.
Tip for Barclays customers: Turkish bank TEB (Türk Ekonomi Bankası) has an agreement with Barclays for fee-free ATM withdrawals.
Although cards are widely accepted, cash is still preferred in certain situations:
Taxis: Cash only
Markets, small shops, beach vendors: Mostly cash-based
Tips: Waiters, drivers, and hotel staff generally appreciate tips in cash
Haggling: Bargaining for souvenirs or services is often more successful with cash offers
Carrying some Turkish Lira is recommended, even if your card works everywhere.