turkey tours planners

• Destinations
• Blue Cruise
• Plan My Trip

Turkey Trip Planner

• Solo traveler
• Other (please specify)
• Please specify

How many people are traveling?

• Adults (18+) * Please enter a number greater than or equal to 0 .
• Children (age 12-18) * Please enter a number greater than or equal to 0 .
• Children (age 9-12) * Please enter a number greater than or equal to 0 .
• Children (age 3-8) * Please enter a number greater than or equal to 0 .
• Infants (age 0-2) * Please enter a number greater than or equal to 0 .
• Solo traveler Price: 250,00 €
• Couple Price: 500,00 €
• Adult Price: 0,00 €
• Children 12 - 18 Price: 0,00 €
• Children 9 - 12 Price: 0,00 €
• Children 3 - 8 Price: 0,00 €
• Children 0 - 2 Price: 0,00 €
• My Love price
• Single family Price
• Solo member
• Couple member
• Total traveler
• Archaeological Experiences
• Cultural & Thematic
• Family Friendly
• Honeymoon Escapes
• Architectural Values
• Indulgence & Luxury
• Food Lovers
• History Buffs
• Leisure & Laid Back
• Nature & Wildlife
• Unusual Trips
• Religious & Spiritual
• Other, please specify...
• When would you like to travel? DD slash MM slash YYYY

When would you like to travel?

• What’s your ideal trip length? If anything changes, we can always adjust. Please enter a number greater than or equal to 1 .
• My dates are flexible
• Trip Delay Time in year

Booking Summary

• Number of travelers 0
• Number of days
• Date Choose Date
• Package Type
• Est. Total Cost in EUR 0,00 €

Out of more than a hundred samples of different destinations and mixed variables we tested, we estimated the total costs based on our standard service quality, including hotels, guided tours, airport transfers, admissions, and lunches.

The planner works best for multi-day trips, so if you are inquiring for a private day tour, simply ignore the estimated total cost. Please note that no payment is required at this stage and we will advise the next steps once finalizing the itinerary.

Please select minimum 9 days for

• Destination Price
• Gallipoli Price:
• Troy Price:
• Ankara Price:
• Trabzon Price:
• Sanliurfa Price:
• Hattusha Price:
• Agri Price:
• Nemrut Price:

What type of activities you would like?

• Private Bosphorus Cruise
• Hot-air ballooning
• Hot air ballooning * Please enter a number greater than or equal to 0 .
• Paragliding
• Paragliding per person * Please enter a number greater than or equal to 0 .
• Windsurfing
• Windsurfing per person * Please enter a number greater than or equal to 0 .
• Whirling Dervishes
• Whirling Dervishes per person * Please enter a number greater than or equal to 0 .
• Private Gulet Yacht Cruising
• Turkish Bath (Hammam)
• Turkish Bath (Hammam) Per Person * Please enter a number greater than or equal to 0 .
• Cooking Class
• Cooking Class Per Person * Please enter a number greater than or equal to 0 .
• Private Bosphorus Cruise Price:
• Hot-air ballooning Price: 180,00 €
• Windsurfing Price: 180,00 €
• Paragliding Price: 75,00 €
• Whirling Dervishes Price: 25,00 €
• Private Gulet Yacht Cruising Price: 18.800,00 €
• Turkish Bath (Hammam) Price: 18.800,00 €
• Cooking Class Price: 18.800,00 €

€8.000 - €15.000

€15.000 - €28.000

€28.000 - €42.000

€42.000 - €70.000

€70.000 - €180.000

• Hidden How many nights? Private gulets are commonly embarked on Saturday and rented for a week, but if you have limited time, we can check options for 3 nights.
• Total Activities Price
• You’re the expert!
• I know where I’ am going!
• please specify
• Deluxe Package Price: 0,00 €
• Luxury Package Price: 0,00 €
• Total basic cost
• Delay trip code Price: 0,00 €
• Est. Total Cost in EUR 0,00 €
• Number of travelers
• Holiday Resort
• Please note we don’t work with hostels, pensions, Airbnb rentals or similar types.
• Please select the desired number of rooms. Please consider adding extra rooms for better allocation. (i.e., connecting, adjoining) Please enter a number greater than or equal to 1 .

€150 - €210

€210 - €280

€280 - €470

€470 - €590

€590 - €870

• Accommodation Cost Price: 0,00 €
• Hidden How much luxury do you prefer in your room? Standard Comfort Deluxe Superior Suite Luxury
• One room - one bed - King or a queen size double bed
• One room - separate beds - Twin beds or one king/queen bed and a single/extra bed
• Connecting rooms - King/queen size bed in one room and twin/extra beds in the other room
• Whatever works best
• Exp. adjoining, accessible, etc.
• Bathtub or Jacuzzi
• Seaview (if available)
• Pet friendly
• Fitness/Spa

Tell us how to get a hold of you

• Name * First Last
• Email Address * Enter Email Confirm Email
• Phone Number *
• Country Please select Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czech Republic Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini (Swaziland) Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Korea Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands
• State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Europe Armed Forces Pacific
• Are you working on a specific budget? Leave this blank for a better balance on the overall cost of the itinerary without sacrificing the service quality.
• Total for all travelers
• What's most important to you? Please Select Please follow my preferred budget. Your est. total cost is perfect. I think I can do better than this.
• How did you hear about us? Please select Emails / Newsletter Friends / Family Referral Search Engine e.g. Google Newspaper or Magazine Social Media Other
• What else do you want us to know to plan your dream trip?
• I agree with the Terms and Privacy Policy of Made in Turkey Tours to book my trip.
• Yes! I'd like to hear inspiring travel ideas, important updates or special offers. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Savvy Travel Advice

2 Weeks in Turkey: The Perfect Turkey Itinerary

Last updated: April 17, 2024 - Written by Jessica Norah 92 Comments

If you are planning a trip to Turkey, our 2 week Turkey itinerary will help you plan the perfect trip. Turkey is a large country, but if you have 14 days in Turkey you have time to explore many of the country’s most famous highlights.

Our suggested 2 week Turkey itinerary includes visits to Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Fethiye, Pamukkale, Kuşadası, Ephesus, Troy, Çanakkale, Gallipoli, and Ankara. You’ll have time to explore Turkey’s most cosmopolitan cities, marvel at its ancient archaeological sites, relax on its beaches, shop at its traditional bazaars, visit several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and enjoy its scenic landscapes. The detailed day-by-day itinerary covers some of the most famous and iconic places in Turkey as well as some lesser known spots.

Each day we provide a range of suggestions for what you might want to do to suit just about any person’s travel style, budget, and tastes. Activity suggestions include hot air ballooning, food tours, hiking, museum visits, boat trips, cable car rides, art tours, Turkish hamam experiences, watching the sunset, cultural performances, and enjoying the local night clubs.

Laurence and I have visited Turkey several times and wanted to share this 14 day itinerary to help you plan your own trip. With 2 weeks in Turkey, you can see and do a lot, but you do need to be choosy as Turkey is a big country with lots of interesting attractions!

This itinerary can work no matter how you plan to get around Turkey. We have provided advice for those planning to travel by bus, car, train, plane, or as part of a guided tour. If you are thinking about booking a tour, we also give some recommendations for tours of Turkey that are similar to our itinerary.

Our 2 week Turkey itinerary includes day-to-day transport details, sightseeing highlights, activity options, and lodging recommendations. In addition, we’ve also included loads of tips, advice, and recommendations to help you get the most out of your Turkey vacation!

Table of Contents:

Preparing for your Trip to Turkey

Before we share our suggested 2 week Turkey itinerary, we wanted to share some tips and advice and answer some frequently asked questions about planning a trip to Turkey.

These include travel basics like knowing the local language and currency, the best time of year to travel to Turkey, how to get a visa, how to budget for your trip, and the best ways to get around Turkey.

The most important things you need to decide before planning out your itinerary is when you plan to visit, how long you plan to visit, and how you plan to get around the country.

Best Time of Year to Visit Turkey?

Turkey is a year-round travel destination. Generally, the months that are considered the best months to visit Turkey are April, May, September, and October. They are months when it is warm but not super hot outside.

The summer months of June through to August are often very hot in most parts of Turkey and can make it uncomfortable to spend long periods of time exploring outdoors. So be prepared for the sun and heat if you visit during the summer.

The busiest time of year to visit Turkey is from April to September. So if visiting during this period, just note that places will be busy. So expect crowds at the most popular sites.

The least busy times of the year are the winter months. If you don’t mind a bit of cold weather, you might consider traveling between November and March. Just note that these also tend to be the windiest and wettest months as well as the coldest. Also some attractions in Turkey are seasonal and may be closed for part of this period.

It should also be noted that Turkey is a large country so the weather in Istanbul may be very different than that of Antalya, Bodrum, Ankara, or Kars at the same time of year. So best to check average temperatures and weather for the specific places in Turkey you plan to visit.

We’ve been to Turkey at many different times of the year, and for those who don’t love hot weather, we’d definitely recommend against visiting in the summer if you can. The spring and autumn are definitely ideal for temperature.

We have also visited in late November and early December and found it cool but pleasant and crowds were much more manageable. But you do need to be more prepared for rain and bad weather.

How Much Does it Cost to Visit Turkey?

Turkey is a relatively inexpensive country to travel to and it is easy to find affordable lodging, food, clothing, and transportation.

In Istanbul, you can pay USD $8.00 for a hostel bed or you can pay USD $500 for a luxury hotel room. Turkey can be a great destination for budget, mid-range, and luxury travelers alike.

If you are traveling on a budget, you can easily travel in Turkey for very little. You can get a bed in a hostel for under USD $10 and meals in inexpensive restaurants for under USD $5.00. Bus fares and train fares are also inexpensive. Even domestic flights are generally reasonably priced, especially if you book in advance.

To find out an idea of the current prices for things in Turkey we recommend checking out a site called Numbeo. Here you can check for the average prices of basic goods (bananas, taxis, gasoline, restaurant meals, wine) in Turkey or check on prices of goods for a particular city (see here for Istanbul ).

Although most things in Turkey that travelers are likely to be purchasing are inexpensive compared to say the USA, Canada, Australia, and Western Europe, imported goods are often the same price or more expensive. This includes imported grocery items, electronics, alcohol, and cars. Fuel can also be expensive.

Turkey Travel Practicalities?

Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkey, is a huge country of over 75 million people and its capital city is Ankara. The largest city is Istanbul. Turkey straddles Europe and Asia and is a place where eastern and western cultural practices mix.

Here are some things you should know about Turkey before your trip.

Language in Turkey

The official language is Turkish and that is the first language of most Turks. Many people in Turkey also speak Kurdish.

You’ll find English speakers in the larger cities and in all the main tourist hot spots; however, most Turkish people speak little or no English. If you are planning to travel independently, it is a good idea to have a Turkish-English phrasebook or translation app with you.

Religion in Turkey

There is no official religion in Turkey but the vast majority of the people are Muslim, with Sunni Islam being the largest sect. However, it is common to also see Christian and Jewish places of worship.

It is important to follow local customs regarding modesty and dress when visiting religious places. Both men and women are asked to dress modestly and you may also be asked to remove your shoes. Women will be asked to cover their heads.

We recommend that women always carrying a scarf or travel wrap with you to cover your head and shoulders as needed.

Electricity in Turkey

In terms of electricity, Turkey operates on 220 volts / 50 Hz and uses round-prong Type C or Type E plugs that fit into recessed wall sockets. If your devices do not have Type C or Type E plugs (common in many European countries), you will need to take some plug adapters such as these ones .

If you are traveling from a country with 120v voltage (such as the United States or Canada), you will want to make sure to only bring electronics that will support 220v voltage, or you’ll need a separate voltage converter. You can see more in our guide about choosing a travel adapter for travel .

Currency in Turkey

The currency used in Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TRY). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Turkey, with Mastercard and Visa being the most commonly taken.

However, many small businesses, street vendors, taxi drivers, and market sellers do not take credit cards. You also will need cash for tipping. So it is always wise to have liras on you when traveling.

The best way to get liras is from a local ATM once you arrive in Turkey. But you can also get them from a currency exchange bureau or bank before or during your trip. You can check the current exchange rate here .

Drinking Water in Turkey

There are mixed reports about whether the tap water is safe to drink in Turkey. The tap water in some areas is considered safe to drink but not in other areas. So it is generally recommended that travelers do not drink tap water in Turkey. However, the water is considered safe for bathing and cleaning.

Although bottled water is available everywhere, the environmental impact of these plastic bottles is terrible. So we recommend instead that each person takes a reusable water bottle along with a water filtration system or purification tablets. Then you can fill it up with tap water from just about anywhere.

We use the LifeStraw water bottle and it not only filters out any bacteria and dirt, but also filters out chlorine and other chemicals that cause the water to taste bad.

Getting Online in Turkey

Wireless Internet is freely available at most hotels and other types of accommodation in Turkey. So that can be a free way to stay in touch and get online. If you want to be able to use your phone’s service, you might want to consider getting a local SIM card .

If it is important for you to be able to get online easily during your trip, you might consider taking along a mobile hotspot. On our last 2 week trip to Turkey, we used a mobile hotspot from MyWebspot and it worked very well.

You can read our guide for more tips on staying in touch and using the Internet while traveling . For those concerned about online safety, we also recommend using a VPN while traveling in Turkey if you plan to use WiFi.

Safety in Turkey

Turkey has generally been considered a safe country for travelers. However, you should always check the latest travel advisories in your country and those issued in Turkey

There has been a lot of unrest in countries neighboring Turkey, particularly Syria, and there has been noted instances of violence, protests, and fighting along its borders. So you will likely see some travel advisories advising against travel to some of the border areas.

As with any country, we always recommend protecting your valuables, protecting yourself against pickpockets, and being aware of your surroundings at all times.

The main thing we have experienced is that you need to be very careful when handing over cash or exchanging money. Be sure to carefully count what you hand over and say the amount out loud, and make sure you get the correct change back.

We’ve had a taxi driver in Istanbul scam us by claiming we gave them a much smaller denomination note than we did and would not give us back the correct change. We ended up paying about 4 times the regular amount for a taxi ride. We’ve heard similar stories from many other travelers as well.

Do I need a Visa for Visiting Turkey?

Yes, most people, but not all, will need a visa to visit Turkey. Turkey has recently changed its policy so that residents of most European nations can enter Turkey without a visa.

You should check the current requirements for your particular country. Some countries may also have additional entry requirements.

Most nationalities that require a visa are eligible to apply for an e-visa in advance which is what we’d recommend doing. There are visa application places at the main ports of entry in Turkey but these can take longer and if your application is refused for any reason, you will be in a very undesirable situation. Best to apply and have it before you leave home.

With the e-visas, at most places the border patrol and authorities can check it in their system. But you will also want to bring along a digital and/or paper copy of your approved e-visa as well for back-up documentation.

How to Get to Turkey

Most visitors will arrive into Turkey via the international airport in Istanbul, but there are several ways to get to Turkey.

The main international airport in Turkey is the recently built Istanbul Airport in Istanbul. However, there are several major international airports in Turkey, including ones in Ankara, Mugla, Izmir, and Antalya.

There are direct or indirect flights to Istanbul from most parts of the world. The main airline operator in Turkey is Turkish Airlines.

It is possible to drive to Turkey via Bulgaria or Greece or to by taking a car ferry.

At the border you will need to provide a valid passport, visa (if needed), international driving license, vehicle license, international green card, vehicle registration details, and proof of insurance. Make sure your car insurance is valid for travel within all of Turkey. If the vehicle is not registered in your name, you may need a power of attorney document.

It may be possible to also enter by car from other countries to the east such as Iran or Georgia; however, the eastern borders are sometimes closed to private drivers and sometimes an authorized tour guide is required. Many rental car agencies will also not allow many of these border crossings. So do your research before your trip as it is often much easier to take a bus or train to make the crossing is there is one available.

If you want to travel to Turkey by bus there are regular services between Turkey and several European and Middle Eastern countries. You can check bus routes and book tickets on  BusBud .

There are ferry connections to Turkey for both cars and passengers, mainly from Greece and Cyprus.

Turkey has train links with eastern Europe and the Middle East; however, they are fairly limited and most trains are not daily so you will want to plan ahead. Wars and economic issues have closed a number of the long-distance international routes.

Currently, the two main places you can regularly get to Turkey directly by train are from Bulgaria and Iran.

If you are traveling in Europe by train and including Turkey in your trip, you will probably need to head to Sofia, Bulgaria and then connect to Istanbul via the Istanbul-Sofia Express train service. We took this train a couple of years ago.

If you are planning travel around Europe by train then you might want to consider a Eurail Global Pass (European rail pass for non-Europe residents) or Interrail Global Pass (European rail pass for residents of Europe). The Global Passes work for travel in over 30 European countries, including Turkey. The pass includes the Istanbul Sofia Express train service.

The most famous train service in the world, the Orient Express, once linked western Europe with Istanbul. It was a favored train by many famous writers, and we recommend taking along a book or two to enjoy if traveling by train.

A couple of novel suggestions include Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie and Stamboul Train by Graham Greene. For a travel memoir, Paul Theroux writes about his experiences traveling by train in 1973 from Paris to Istanbul and from Istanbul to Tehran in his book The Great Railway Bazaar . He then retraces his train journeys over 30 years later in Ghost Train to the Eastern Star .

The terminus train station for the old Orient Express service is still there and once a year the Venice Simplon Orient Expres luxury train still makes this trip from Paris (or London) to Istanbul.

How to Get Around Turkey

You have a variety of options for getting around Turkey. These include traveling by bus, train, or plane, renting a car, or joining a guided tour.

The easiest way is to take a tour, where someone else handles all your transport, accommodation, and sightseeing. The cheapest is to travel by bus and train.

In terms of public transport, Turkey has a good bus system which connects much of the country. There are both daytime and overnight buses, and there are usually a few services to choose from if you are heading to some of the more popular destinations, including those on our suggested itinerary.

There are several bus companies in Turkey. Many of the buses have amenities such as power outlets, WiFi, and onboard entertainment. Bus prices are very reasonable.

In places where the regular buses don’t have a route (such as to suburbs or to tourist attractions located outside of a city) there are often dolmus that run in these areas. These are shared taxis or minivans that run a set route for a set price. Passengers can then get out of the dolmus at any point along its route by notifying the driver. See advice for using a dolmus here .

For most of the regular buses, you can check the routes and buy tickets online in advance. The best tool we’ve found for comparing timetables and booking bus tickets in Turkey is BusBud and you can check prices and book online here .

There is a train network in Turkey, but it is not as comprehensive as the bus network. However, it is sometimes faster to take a train than to drive or take the same bus route when it is an option. So while you can use it to get to some of the main travel destinations in the country, you will likely need to also use the bus.

The railway network in Turkey is run by the government-operated Turkey State Railways (Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Devlet Demiryollari or TCDD). This includes a network of long-distance, regional, commuter, and high-speed trains. You can check routes and buy tickets here .

If you are planning to take a few train journeys in Turkey then you might want to consider a Eurail Pass (European rail pass for non-Europe residents) or Interrail Pass (European rail pass for residents of Europe). You can get a Global Pass that works for 32 countries in Europe (including Turkey) or a Turkey Select Pass (only valid for Turkey). The Eurail and Interrail passes are valid on all trains in Turkey operated by Turkey State Railways.

You will probably find a combination of train and bus will be the optimal way to get around if you are taking public transport. Bus and train prices are often similar, so in those cases, you’ll want to take whichever option is more time-efficient.

If you’d prefer to drive yourself, you can rent a car in Turkey. This can be a good way to get around if you want to have a more flexible itinerary and don’t want to take public transportation.

To rent a car in Turkey as a foreign visitor, you will normally be required to show a valid passport and visa, have a valid credit card, a valid drivers’ license in a Latin alphabet, and be age 21 or older (some age requirements may be as high as 27). If you don’t have a driver’s license in a Latin alphabet you will need to get an International Driving Permit prior to your trip.

The main roads in Turkey are in good condition and there are roadside services along the way. However, Turkey is known for a high number of accidents and bad traffic, especially in the cities. It can be a stressful experience for tourists not familiar with driving in Turkey. This is not to say you shouldn’t consider renting a car in Turkey, just be aware of the situation, get insurance, and be prepared to drive defensively.

Many of Turkey’s fastest highways and bridges have tolls. To drive any of these roads, you will need to first sign up for Turkey’s high-speed toll system called Hizli Geçis Sistemi (HGS) and have an electronic toll payment device on your car. You can’t pay the toll with cash or credit card at the toll booths. If renting a car, your rental car will likely come with the sticker and you should ask about it and any associated fees.

Just note that driving a car is generally the most expensive way to get around Turkey. You can often purchase 2 or 3 bus or train tickets for the cost of just the fuel between two cities. Given that drivers also have to take into account rental fees, insurance, parking, and highway tolls, driving a car is often even more expensive than flying.

Drivers should always keep local cash on hand as most of the tourist sites have paid parking fees and payment at some of these places is only accepted in cash.

You can rent a car in any of Turkey’s main cities, and many people rent a car in either Istanbul or Ankara. If you want to rent a car, you can compare and check prices online with Discover Cars here .

Finally, as Turkey is a big place, there are a number of domestic flight routes which can help you to get between some of the major locations quite quickly. There are over 50 airports in Turkey.

Flights are relatively inexpensive if booked in advance, although they are usually more expensive than taking a train or bus. The main airline in Turkey is Turkish Airlines.

So flights can help you cover large distances in a relatively short time. Just don’t forget to account for the time required to get to and from the airport and to check in and go through security. It is also important to think about the environmental footprint of taking numerous flights versus other modes of transportation.

However, airports are often located a fair distance from the tourism destinations so you will still need to combine flying with other modes of transportation such as a bus, train, car, taxi, or tour.

By Carpooling or Ridesharing

You can use carpooling or ridesharing services like BlaBlaCar to find rides in Turkey. However, given that the established bus network will get you to almost anywhere you need to go, that bus tickets are so inexpensive, and that carpooling is not that popular in Turkey means that you are probably better off using the bus (or train).

One of the most popular ways to explore Turkey is to join a guided tour. We can definitely recommend it if you are considering a trip to Turkey similar to the one we suggest in this itinerary.

A tour makes travel in Turkey much easier. You don’t have to figure out public transportation schedules or how to buy tickets, you don’t have to spend long periods of time driving or figure out where to park, and everything is planned ahead for you.

The best thing about joining a tour is that you have a tour guide who can help explain all the things you are seeing and give you lots of great advice for places to go, dishes to eat, and things to see.

Many attractions in Turkey include very little posted explanations so having some sort of guide (whether a person, audioguide, or book) is important to get the most from your visit.

Private tours in Turkey with a guide are also possible and can be a good value for those traveling with a family or small group.

We have a selection of recommended tours that are similar to this itinerary in this guide. We also suggest taking a look at Turkey tours on TourRadar here , where you’ll find a range of tours from various tour operators at different price points and durations.

How Long Should I Spend in Turkey?

It really depends on what you want to do and see in Turkey. Turkey is a huge country and it would take months to see all of its highlights.

I would say an ideal amount of time for a first trip would be 10 to 14 days. This will give you plenty of time to get a taste of Turkey and see some of the country’s most famous cities, historical attractions, and beaches.

Most first time visitors spend most of their time focused on the western part of Turkey and this is what we’d recommend. If you have 2 weeks, you can cover many of the highlights. If you have more time, or come back a second time, you can cover the lesser-known destinations of the west or expand your trip into the lesser-explored eastern part of Turkey.

For what to see with 2 weeks in Turkey, see our suggested itinerary below for an itinerary and day-by-day suggestions for what to see and do.

If you want to spend less time moving from place to place, you can easily just split your time between two places, for instance spending several days in Istanbul and then several days in another town or city, like Antalya, Fethiye, Ankara, or Izmir. You can spend time exploring the cities and take day trips to visit nearby attractions.

We’ve visited Istanbul several times now and still haven’t seen everything the city has to offer!

Tours of Turkey

Turkey is a big place and it is often a long distance between popular tourist attractions, resulting in quite large amounts of time transiting. While there is a fairly good public transport network and it’s possible to hire a car, we think for many people a tour is the best way to get around.

This way you can let someone else handle all the logistics of your trip, from transport to accommodation, and you can just enjoy yourself and focus on the sightseeing

. It also means you don’t have to worry about booking individual day trips for out of town sights, as most tours will already include stops at these attractions. You’ll also get a tour guide for the duration who can help explain all the amazing things along the way.

You can also spend the time on the coach reading, chatting with your travel companions, catching up on sleep, or surfing the Internet rather than driving or negotiating public transit.

Turkey is a popular destination, and there are a huge number of tours to choose from, varying from a few days to a few weeks. Most are offered at a reasonable price, with lots of budget and mid-range options.

When choosing a tour, it’s important to pick the style of tour that is right for you. Some tours are smaller groups, others are quite large. Some are geared to a younger traveler whereas others are more focused on a more mature traveler. Some include more time at historical and cultural sites whereas others may spend more time at beaches and seaside destinations. Check the comfort level of the accommodation and transport included.

It’s also important to read what is included when comparing tours. For example, some tours might include all your entry fees and meals whereas others will allow you to choose whether you want to pay for those things or not. So don’t just look at the price of the tour but also check what is and what isn’t included.

A good tour company should also be able to give you an estimate of the costs for all the optional activities and attractions that aren’t included, so you can budget accordingly.

For instance, we have taken a tour with Travel Talk Tours in Turkey and most of their budget-oriented tours work out to being about $50 to $80 per day per person for all inclusions, including transport, guide, attractions, meals, and lodging. You can read about our 12 day Turkey tour experience here .

We’ve put together a selection of tours of Turkey below which are quite similar to our itinerary, so you can pick a tour that is right for you. Most start in Istanbul but a couple start in Ankara.

• This 10 day small group tour includes visits to Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Cappadocia
• This 12 day tour includes visits to Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Fethiye, and Cappadocia.
• This 12 day Turkey by gulet tour includes visits to Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Fethiye, and Cappadocia. It also includes 3 nights on a gulet boat. You can read all about our experience taking this tour of Turkey here .
• This 12 day private tour from Ankara includes visits to Ankara, Istanbul, Cappadocia, Konya, Antalya, Kaş, Fethiye, Pamukkale, Efes, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Troy, and Gallipoli
• This 13 day tour which includes Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Fethiye, Bodrum, Pamukkale, and Ephesus
• This private 14 day tour of Turkey which includes Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya, and Cappadocia
• This 19 day tour could be great for those with more time in Turkey. It includes visits to Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Fethiye, and Cappadocia, plus 7 nights on a gulet to visit nearby seaside towns and islands.

As you can see, there are lots of tours to choose from so you can probably find a tour that suits your travel needs. You can see lots more tours in Turkey from various tour operators on TourRadar here .

You can also consider mixing independent travel with a tour as we find this a good way to enjoy some time sightseeing on our own (such as in Istanbul) and then taking a tour to explore further afield.

14 Days in Turkey Itinerary Summary

Here’s a summary of our suggested 2 week Turkey itinerary to help you visualize what your two weeks in Turkey will look like:

• Day 1: Istanbul
• Day 2: Istanbul
• Day 3: Gallipoli
• Day 4: Troy & Kusadasi
• Day 5: Kusadasi & Ephesus
• Day 6: Pamukkale & Fethiye
• Day 7: Fethiye
• Day 8: Antalya
• Day 9: Antalya
• Day 10: Cappadocia
• Day 11: Cappadocia
• Day 12: Ankara
• Day 13: Ankara
• Day 14: Istanbul

2 Week Turkey Itinerary

The goal for this two week Turkey itinerary is to visit some of the many highlights the country has to offer.

Obviously, in a country with such a rich history, there’s no way to see everything on offer in two weeks. In addition, Turkey is a big country, so you also will want to factor in distance and travel times.

However, we feel that this itinerary would make a great starting point for anyone planning to spend between 10 days and two weeks in Turkey. It can, of course, be tweaked and adjusted based on how much time you have and your own personal interests, but we hope it gives you some inspiration for your own trip.

If you are planning to book a tour, this 14 day Turkey itinerary can help you decide which destinations you want to make sure are included in your tour itinerary. For those not taking a tour, we give travel suggestions for those traveling by bus, train, plane, and car throughout the itinerary.

Turkey Itinerary Day 1: Istanbul

We think the best place to start (and end) your trip to Turkey is in Istanbul. The city has the best international connections, especially by air, meaning it’s easy to get here from elsewhere in Europe and further afield.

As an introduction to Turkey, Istanbul is also a great starting point. Known as the “bridge” between Europe and Asia, the city is literally split between continents. The Bosphorus Strait separates Europe and Asia, and Istanbul spreads across both sides of this divide.

Istanbul is the largest city in Europe by population; however, it’s not the capital of Turkey—that would be Ankara. Founded over 600 years before the birth of Christ, Istanbul has literally seen the rise and fall of empires. It is a city that has been known by many names over the centuries, including Byzantium and Constantinople.

In terms of what to see when you’re in Istanbul, two full days will let you see many of the highlights, but it will definitely leave you wanting more! So you will want to prioritize what you want to do and see most in the city.

We’d suggest that you spend your first full day exploring the most famous of the historical sites and attractions in Istanbul, most of which are part of the World Heritage Site in Istanbul . Most of the main historic sites in Istanbul are located in the Sultanahmet area of Istanbul within the Fatih district which is where we recommend you start.

Some of the highlights you might want to visit in this area include the 6th century Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya), the 17th century The Blue Mosque (officially the Sultan Ahmed Mosque), Topkapi Palace , the ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople , the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici), and the Istanbul Archaeological Museums . A bit further away is also the impressive 16th-century Süleymaniye Mosque which is well worth a visit if you have the time.

These sites are all relatively close together and are easy to visit on foot, although taxis, public buses, and sightseeing buses are also options. As you visit these sites and wander the streets of the Old City, you will be taking a journey across thousands of years of history, including the Roman, Egyptian, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods!

You’ll also want to make time for a visit to the Grand Bazaar , which began in the 15th century and is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. Here you can buy a lot of things, including ceramics, lanterns, rugs, clothing, tea, jewelry, and books. But do be careful of what you are buying as you’ll find everything from locally handcrafted rugs and jewelry to cheap Chinese made souvenirs, so price and quality varies widely.

Another market you might want to visit is the Egyptian Spice Bazaar , or Misir Çarsisi, which is another large market in Istanbul. Vendors here are known primarily for selling spices, but you can also find sweets, tea, dried fruit, Turkish delight, souvenirs, etc.

If you are looking for a guided walking tour of the historical area of Istanbul, there are several tours you can join that cover all the highlights of the historical area of Istanbul. A few options include this full day tour with lunch , this small group highlights tour , and this customizable private tour .

After a day full of sightseeing, we recommend ending your day with a relaxing Turkish dinner at a local restaurant or consider a sunset cruise on the Bosphorus Strait.

A cruise on the Bosphorus allows you to truly appreciate the incredible size of the city. The Bosphorus separates the European and Asian parts of Istanbul so you will be floating along the continental divide. Many of the cruises include dinner and entertainment, such as this cruise and this one .

Where to Stay in Istanbul

We suggest staying in or near the old part of the city (the Sultanahmet neighborhood in the Fatih district) for easy access to the city’s most popular sights.

Here are some accommodation options to consider in Istanbul across a range of budgets. Istanbul has a huge number of properties to choose from and prices are very reasonable.

• Big Apple Hostel & Hotel – This well-reviewed good-value hostel offers both shared dormitory rooms and private rooms. Breakfast is included in room rates, and there’s an on-site restaurant for other meals. A good budget option as dorm beds are usually around $17 with breakfast. Located a 10-minute walk from the highlights of the Old City
• Agora Guesthouse – This is a well-reviewed guesthouse offering both dormitory and private rooms. An included breakfast is served on the rooftop terrace. Located just a few hundred yards from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia
• Tulip Guesthouse – This guesthouse offers good value private rooms with either shared or en-suite bathrooms. Breakfast is included and is served on the top floor terrace which offers lovely views. It is about a 5 minutes walk from attractions like the Hagia Sofia.
• Berk Guesthouse – Grandma’s House – A well-rated guesthouse with en-suite guest rooms, included breakfast, and a rooftop terrace with nice views over the city. A 2-minute walk from the Blue Mosque.
• Meserret Palace Hotel – A well-reviewed 4-star hotel offers en-suite rooms with tea/coffee making facilities and flat-screen TVs, 24-hour desk, room service, and an included breakfast. Located near the Spice Bazaar and about a 10 minute walk from the Old City.
• Obelisk Hotel & Suites – This well-rated 4-star hotel offers en-suite rooms with tea/coffee making facilities, 24-hour front desk, and an on-site restaurant. Breakfast is included with rates. Located just a few hundred hard from the Hagia Sophia.
• Boutique Saint Sophia – This 4-star boutique hotel offers private en-suite rooms with breakfast included and an on-site cafe and bar. The hotel is located near the Hagia Sophia with some rooms offering views of the attraction.
• Régie  Ottoman – This stylish boutique hotel is set in a 150-year  old  renovated  Ottoman building and offers all the normal modern amenities and breakfast is included. The hotel has an on-site restaurant and is located about a 10-minute walk from the historic Sultanahmet area. We’ve stayed here and really enjoyed our stay.
• Vogue Hotel Supreme Istanbul – This 5-star luxury hotel centrally located hotel offer guestrooms with modern amenities, 24-hour desk, room service, and an on-site restaurant. A great option if you are looking for a luxury property in this part of Istanbul. Located near the Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia.

If you are looking for a self-catering stay, options include these apartments in the Fatih district on Booking.com and these Fatih district apartments in Istanbul on Vrbo. If you are not finding what you want, you can see this list of apartment booking websites .

Turkey Itinerary Day 2: Istanbul

For your second day in Istanbul we recommend crossing across the Galata Bridge and exploring this part of the city. The Galata Bridge, which crosses the Golden Horn, is often seen as the link between the traditional and the more modern areas of Istanbul.

Highlights include the Galata Tower , a restored 15th-century tower that has an observation deck on top, enjoying the European style buildings and shopping along the picturesque Istiklal Avenue (Istiklal Caddesi), and the Taksim Square area which features the Republic Monument and is a lively area for shopping and nightlife. There are a lot of art galleries and museums in this area including SALT Galata , Pera Museum , and the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art Museum .

We can also recommend visiting Dolmabahçe Palace , this beautiful 19th-century palace was once the home of the sultans as well as the first President of Turkey Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. It is the largest palace in Turkey and today is a museum.

If you are looking for a place to relax and have a coffee, you might want to make a stop at the cafe or tea lounge at the luxurious Pera Palace Hotel . The hotel is one of the most famous historical hotels in the city having such past guests as Agatha Christie. Or find a street cafe along Istiklal Avenue to people watch or wander over to a seaside cafe to enjoy the view over the water.

Or maybe you’d like to try a traditional Turkish hamam experience such as this one at Aga Hamami , which is the oldest hamam in Istanbul. Note that this is a traditional Turkish bathing practice, not a spa but it is a relaxing and cleansing experience.

Depending on what you want to do and see on this side of the bridge and how far you are willing to walk, you can explore entirely on foot or you can take public transit just about everywhere. Transport options include public buses, trams, taxis, and sightseeing buses . Or you can join a tour that includes transport.

For those on foot, note that Turkey has a lot of hills and there is a steep hill to get from the Galata Bridge to Istiklal Avenue. However, you can take the Tünel funicular that will take you up this incline. This is one of the oldest subway stations in the world.

If you are looking for a guide on your second day in Istanbul, this walking tour focuses on this area north of the Golden Horn, this small group art expert-led tour covers the main modern art museums and art spaces in this part of Istanbul, and here is a guided tour of the palace .

For your second evening in Istanbul, you might want to finish your day with an evening food tour, sampling some local nightlife, or a cultural event in the evening.

Those interested in seeing and sampling more of the local food scene in Istanbul may want to consider a food tour. There are several food tours in Istanbul to choose from such as this evening food trail tour and this small group food tour .

Those looking for an evening cultural performance might see what is playing at the local theaters, Süreyya Opera House , or see a Turkish dance performance or whirling dervishes show at the Hodjapasha Cultural Centre. Those looking for a more wild night out might want to check out the nightlife in and around Taksim Square or join a local-led pub crawl .

We then recommend spending a second night in Istanbul. This works well for those taking a tour, flying, or those driving themselves. However, those taking a bus may want to consider heading to Çanakkale today instead so you have more time to explore Gallipoli the next day.

How to Get to from Istanbul to Gallipoli

If you are not joining a tour in Istanbul, you have three main options for getting from Gallipoli from Istanbul. If you decide to take a flight or bus, you’ll want to head to Çanakkale (or Eceabat) and then take a tour or find transport to the nearby historical sites at Gallipoli.

By Car: It is about a 186 mile (300 km) drive from Istanbul to the Gallipoli peninsula which takes about 4 hours. If you leave on the morning of your third day, this will give you time to stop and see the main sights in Gallipoli before overnighting in Çanakkale.

By Plane: The fastest option is to fly. Flights take around an hour from Istanbul to Çanakkale and are usually reasonably priced if booked well in advance.

By Bus: The bus journey is generally about 6 hours from Istanbul to Çanakkale, or a little less if you go to Eceabat. Check bus times and prices, and book online here . Depending on bus schedules, those wanting to explore Gallipoli may want to catch a late afternoon or evening bus on Day 2 to have more time to explore Gallipoli on Day 3.

Turkey Itinerary Day 3: Gallipoli

Today we recommend leaving Istanbul after breakfast and heading southwest to the Gallipoli peninsula. The peninsula lies between the Dardanelles and the Gulf of Saros and is best known as being the location for the Gallipoli Campaign during World War I.

Most of the area is part of the Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park which was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998. Whereas most historical attractions in Turkey date back thousands of years, this is a place where you can learn about more recent history.

On the Gallipoli peninsula in 1915, Allied Forces (which included British, Australian, New Zealand, Indian, French, and Newfoundland troops) mounted an ultimately doomed attack on the Ottoman Empire to try to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul) and take control of a vital supply route. After about 9 months of fighting and minimal gains, and with around 250,000 casualties on each side, the Allies withdrew.

The event was a huge disaster for the Allied war effort, and had lasting repercussions. For Winston Churchill , then First Lord of the Admiralty, his promotion of the failed campaign would lead to him having a demoted role in politics and the failure would haunt him for years. It would have been difficult for anyone to imagine him as a later wartime Prime Minister!

Turkey was at that time part of the Ottoman Empire and was fighting on the side of Germany. For the Turks, one of the army officers for the Ottoman defense at Gallipoli, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk , would later become the first president and founder of modern Turkey.

The Gallipoli Campaign was one of the most important events in the war to take place from an Australian and New Zealand perspective. The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) were deployed, and like many of the countries involved, suffered heavy losses. The campaign is largely regarded as the trigger for the national consciousness of both countries, and to this day both countries formally remember their fallen on ANZAC Day (April 25th) each year.

For Australians and New Zealanders visiting Turkey, a trip to the Gallipoli peninsula is usually high on the priority list. However, we think this is a trip that should be of interest to anyone, regardless of nationality, in order to learn more about this event and reflect on the effects of war.

There are a number of places to visit across the Gallipoli Peninsula, including landing sites, memorials, and graveyards. A few of the more popular places for visitors include ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and Memorial, and Canakkale Martyrs’ Memorial. What you want to visit probably depends on your specific interests and your nationality, and y ou can see a full list of the sites here .

There are also a few museums in the area that focus on the Gallipoli campaign, including the Kabatepe Promotion Center And Museum in Kabatepe, Salim Mutlu War Museum (Salim Mutlu Özel Harp Anilar Koleksiyonu) in Alçitepe, and the Gelibolu War Museum in Gelibolu.

If you want to know more about the battles that took place here, we recommend getting a book such as Gallipoli: The Battlefield Guide . We would definitely recommend some sort of guidebook if you are planning to explore on your own without a tour guide.

Expect to spend a few hours here. It is a challenging place to get around unless you have your own vehicle, and we would definitely suggest taking a tour if you don’t have your own transport. There are a lot of tour options so it is usually easy to find a good value tour.

Here are some day tour options to consider, some also include Troy, which is on our itinerary for the next day.

• An 8 hour tour of the Gallipoli sites with lunch from Çanakkale
• A 6 hour tour of Gallipoli with lunch from Çanakkale
• A full day tour of Gallipoli and Troy with lunch from Çanakkale
• Another full day tour of Gallipoli and Troy with lunch from Çanakkale
• A private tour of the Gallipoli sites from Çanakkale
• A 6 hour Gallipoli tour with lunch from Eceabat

Now if you have extra time in Çanakkale, there is a fortress (Çimenlik Castle), an enclosed market called the Mirror Bazaar, a few museums you can visit (Military Marine Museum, city history museum, and Ceramics Museum), and a harbor area you can stroll around where you can find the wooden Trojan horse from the 2004 film Troy starring Brad Pitt. There is also Kilitbahir Fortress located just across the strait.

If you are staying in Eceabat, you can also spend some time relaxing on the beach there.

Where to Stay in Gallipoli

We would recommend spending the night in either Çanakkale (a short ferry ride from the Gallipoli Peninsula) or Eceabat. Eceabat is slightly closer to the Gallipoli sites, but Çanakkale has more services and attractions.

If you are traveling by bus, you’ll probably want to choose a place near the bus station.

It is easy to find good value accommodation in this area. Here are some options to consider at both locations:

• Set Özer Hotel in Çanakkale – A centrally located good value hotel that offers private en-suite rooms with breakfast. Very close to ferry, waterfront, and main town attractions.
• Kinzi House in Çanakkale – A well-reviewed and centrally located self-catering accommodation that offers a full kitchen, laundry facilities, and flat-screen TV. This is a great value option if you are traveling with a few people and want to cook yourself.
• Artur Hotel in Çanakkale – A popular and well-reviewed hotel in the center of Çanakkale with private en-suite rooms and an on-site restaurant.
• Kolin Hotel in Çanakkale – A 5-star hotel with all the modern guestroom amenities, outdoor and indoor swimming pools, spa, fitness center, multiple restaurants and bars, and a free airport shuttle. A good option for those looking for more amenities.
• Eceabat Gezen Hotel in Eceabat – A very well-reviewed value hotel offering private rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Has a private beach area and a garden, as well as a bar and inclusive breakfast
• Villa Bagci Hotel in Eceabat – This is a well-reviewed hotel offering private en-suite rooms with breakfast. Located a few hundred yards from the beach.
• Hotel Casa Villa in Eceabat – Another well-reviewed hotel in Eceabat a few hundred yards from the beach. Features private rooms with en-suite facilities and breakfast is included.

How to Get from Çanakkale to Troy and Kusadasi

Your next stop of the trip is going to be Troy, after which you’ll head south via Izmir to Kusadasi. If you happened to already visit Troy today, then you can skip that stop and head straight to Kusadasi.

If you are not taking a guided tour, you have a few choices today:

By Car:   It’s around a 30 minute drive to Troy from Çanakkale, and then a little over 5 hours down to Kusadasi. We’d suggest spending a couple of hours at Troy, and then aiming to arrive in Kusadasi mid-afternoon if you are driving yourself.

By Plane: You can do part of the day by plane if you wish as you can fly from Çanakkale to Izmir. However, you will need to take a bus, car, taxi, or tour to get to and from Troy and then from Izmir to Kusadasi. Those planning to fly may want to base in Izmir instead of Kusadasi.

By Train: Part of today’s journey can be done by train as there is a train that you can take between Izmir and Selçuk (town next to Ephesus).

By Bus: There are regular buses (approximately every hour) from Çanakkale to Troy, the journey takes around 45 minutes. To head onto Izmir, you’ll need to backtrack to Çanakkale or head to Ezine, and from either you can get a bus to Izmir (about a 5.5 hour journey). From Izmir, it is about a 90-minute bus journey to Kusadasi.

You might consider taking a local private or shared taxi (called dolmus) to and from Troy. Then connect to the intercity buses in Ezine or Çanakkale onwards to Izmir and Kusadasi.

Check bus times and prices, and book online here .

Turkey Itinerary Day 4: Troy & Kusadasi

For your fourth day in Turkey, you’re going to visit the ancient city of Troy and then head down the western coast of Turkey to the city of Kuşadası. You may also want to make a stop in Izmir, along the way.

We recommend heading out straight after breakfast so you have time to explore Troy in the morning.

The first stop of the day is Troy which is only about a 30-minute drive south of Çanakkale. A city has been at this location known as Troy from around 3,000 years B.C. right up until about 450 A.D.

Of course, as it existed for almost four millennia, Troy saw a lot of changes in its time. In fact, there were in fact no less than nine cities on this location, which was favored due to its waterfront location. Reasons for its demise are unclear, but the fall of the Roman Empire was likely a factor in its final abandonment.

The main reason that Troy is famous today is that it was the main setting of Homer’s Iliad about the Trojan War. This ancient Greek epic poem gave us the famous story of the Trojan Horse and the disastrous love triangle between Helen of Troy, King Menelaus, and Paris. The historical accuracy of the tale is highly debated but many historians do believe there was some sort of war and siege of Troy by Spartan and Achaean warriors in the 12th or 13th century BC.

The actual location of the ancient city of Troy was lost to history in the subsequent centuries. Later travelers and archaeologists searched for the location of the famous city and many believed it was somewhere in the Anatolia region of Turkey, particularly the Troad peninsula. It was Englishman Frank Calvert who would first excavate the hill at Hisarlik and find what is now believed to be the remains of the ancient city of Troy.

Whether the events of the Iliad took place here or not, UNESCO notes that the archaeological findings at Troy are the “most significant demonstration of the first contact between the civilizations of Anatolia and the Mediterranean world”. Structures have been found at Hisarlik from a number of periods including the Bronze Age and the Roman and Greek periods.

Today, Troy is a protected archaeological site, a national historical park, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As a visitor, you can wander around and learn about the history of the place while seeing the various layers of the different cities. Naturally, there’s a giant wooden horse you can take a photo of as well. The recently opened Troy Museum (Troya Müzesi ) holds a number of artifacts from the archaeological site. We’re recommend allowing 2 to 3 hours to visit Troy.

From Troy you’ll continue south along the coast to the city of Kusadasi. Along the way, you’ll go through Izmir. Izmir is one of the oldest settlements in the Mediterranean, and was originally believed to have been settled in 6500 BC! It is now the third-largest city in Turkey by population.

Izmir offers lots of attractions and services. Some of the main tourist sites include the Roman Agora of Smyrna , the hilltop castle of Kadifekale (the “Velvet Castle”), the seafront and Kordon esplanade, Konak Square and its clock tower, several museums, and the Kemeralti shopping district. There is also a rich Jewish heritage here with several synagogues and other Jewish landmarks to be found here, especially in the Kemeralti district.

So Izmir may be a good place to stop and stretch your feet, and maybe visit an attraction or two. You could also decide to overnight in Izmir; however, our advice is to press on to Kusadasi as it’s closer to upcoming highlights and also has its own attractions.

Kusadasi is a popular coastal town in Turkey, which offers a wide range of accommodation options as well as beaches and attractions. It is also very close to Ephesus, one of Turkey’s most famous ancient ruined cities.

Today will be a long journey, regardless of your means of transport, so we recommend having a relaxing evening once you arrive in the Aegean seaside town of Kusadasi. Perhaps a stroll around town or a dip in the hotel pool, and then a nice dinner.

We recommend spending two nights in Kusadasi. However, those who are traveling by public transportation may also want to consider Selçuk (town next to Ephesus) as a base instead for the two nights as the transit connections are a bit easier there.

Where to stay in Kusadasi

Kusadasi is a popular resort town and there are a great many hotels to choose from, the majority of which offer excellent value. Most have pools and some are next to a beach.

Kusadasi is pretty spread out and we generally recommend staying within walking distance of the city center and seaside. Those traveling by bus will want to stay within walking distance of the bus station and bus stops. Some options to consider for your 2-night stay are as follows:

• Hotel Stella – A well-reviewed good value 2-star hotel that offers en-suite rooms have balconies, a pool, an on-site restaurant, and inclusive breakfast. Located about 100 yards from the harbor.
• Sezgin Boutique Hotel – A popular budget hotel with en-suite rooms, inclusive breakfast, and a swimming pool. Located about 150 yards from the city center.
• Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel – This well-rated 4-star hotel offers ensuite rooms with views over city or water, a rooftop swimming pool, fitness center, and inclusive breakfast. Located near the city center and water.
• Grand Sahin’s Hotel – This well-reviewed 4-star hotel offers ensuite rooms with balconies, an inclusive breakfast, on-site restaurant and bar, outdoor swimming pool, private beach area, and free parking. Located next to the seaside.
• DoubleTree by Hilton Kusadasi – A popular city-center hotel offering 5-star facilities, ensuite rooms with balconies, a rooftop restaurant and bar, 2 swimming pools, fitness center, and a spa.
• LaVista Boutique Hotel & SPA – This is a very well rated centrally located boutique hotel that offers large en-suite rooms, an on-site bar and restaurant, a fitness center, inclusive breakfast, and a lovely outdoor pool overlooking the Aegean Sea.

Where to stay in Selçuk

Those traveling by bus or train may prefer to spend the two nights in Selçuk instead of Kusadasi. For those using public transit, we recommend staying in central Selçuk within walking distance of the bus station and train station.

Here are a few accommodation options in Selçuk:

• ANZ Guest House – A budget-friendly hostel that offers dorm beds as well as private rooms and family rooms. Breakfast is included and there is a rooftop terrace. Centrally located, about a 12-minute walk to bus station and train station.
• Queen Bee Hotel – A good value bed-and-breakfast that offers rooms with private bathrooms and included breakfast. There is also a cafe on the ground floor here.  Centrally located, about a 12-minute walk to bus station and train station.
• Celsus Boutique Hotel – A boutique hotel featuring outdoor swimming pool, garden, shared lounge, and inclusive breakfast. Centrally located, about a 10-minute walk to bus station and train station.
• Vinifera Vineyards Hotel – If you are looking for something different and don’t mind being outside Selçuk, this hotel sits next to a vineyard and offers large ensuite rooms with patios, onsite restaurant and winery, a swimming pool, and inclusive breakfast. Located well outside of Selçuk so is best suited for those who plan to get around by car or taxi; however, you can get to Selçuk by train as the Çamlık station is about a 7-minute walk from the hotel.

Turkey Itinerary Day 5: Kusadasi & Ephesus

Today, we recommend heading to Ephesus after breakfast to explore the archaeological sites there. Then return and spend the latter part of the day exploring Kusadasi itself. Ephesus is very popular and can get very crowded, so going early is a good idea to avoid some of the crowds and the afternoon heat.

Many people visit Ephesus as part of a tour, but it is also easy to get to on your own. It is about a 25-minute drive, bus, or taxi ride away. If you are taking public transport, you can take a dolmus (shared taxi or minibus) from Kusadasi which can drop you at the lower gate of Ephesus.

Ephesus is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Turkey so it is on many visitors must-see lists. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was an ancient Greek city, founded in the 10th century BC, and only abandoned around the 15th century AD after centuries of decline, mainly due to the harbor silting up. At its height, it was second only to Rome in size and importance in the ancient world.

Today, Ephesus is a large and important archaeological site where you can see the remains of temples, theaters, wide marble streets, agoras, bathing complexes, tombs, aqueducts, fountains, terrace houses, and more. Some of the main sights include the spectacular Library of Celsus , the Temple of Hadrian, and the Great Theatre.

Ephesus is an important religious destination too, especially for Christians. It was the location of one of the Seven Churches of Asia (or Seven Churches of the Apocalypse), the seven major early Christian communities, as noted in the New Testament Book of Revelations in the Bible.

It is believed that the Gospel of John may have been written here, and that Mary, mother of Jesus, lived out her final years nearby in the care of John. Important early Christian sites in Ephesus include St. John’s Basilica , Church of the Virgin Mary , and The House of the Virgin Mary .

Also located nearby is the ruins of the Temple of Artemis , one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Unfortunately today, very little remains of the ancient temple.

For those interested in seeing some of the artifacts found here, you may want to take time to visit the nearby Ephesus Archaeological Museum in Selçuk after visiting the archaeological sites. It contains a number of statues, columns, coins, sarcophagi, tools, and other artifacts uncovered in Ephesus.

Most visitors just visit the main archaeological complex which contains over 25 main points of interest. There is an entry fee that covers all the sites (there is an additional ticket required if you want to go inside the terrace houses), and you can enter at the upper or lower gates and exit from either side. There are taxis, shuttles, and carriages that can transport you between the two if you wish.

It’s quite a large site, which runs from the top of a hill to the bottom, but once you get here you can visit everything on foot. Just be prepared for a bit of walking by wearing comfortable shoes and bringing your water bottle.

As you would imagine, there is a lot to see and take in here, and there isn’t a lot of information on display. We would recommend renting an on-site audioguide, joining a guided tour such as this one , or bringing a guidebook (like this one ) so you have an idea of what you are looking at. Most people spend 2 to 4 hours exploring the complex.

There is more to explore outside the main archeological complex for those with more time and interest. Sites located outside the main archaeological complex include the Temple of Artemis, House of the Virgin Mary, St. John’s Basilica, and the Ephesus Archaeological Museum. Other attractions in Ephesus include Selçuk Castle, Ayasuluk Citadel, and Isa Bey Mosque.

If you are considering a tour from Kusadasi (or Izmir), there are a variety of tours of differing lengths. We think that around 4 to 5 hours would work and then give you time to sightsee in Kusadasi in the afternoon, but you could also do a full-day tour if you want more time in Ephesus. Some tours to consider to Ephesus from Kusadasi are:

• This 4 hour small group morning tour of Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis
• This 3.5 to 4.5 hour private tour of Ephesus
• This 5 hour small group tour of Ephesus , which includes the house of the Virgin Mary, Ephesus Terrace Houses, and the Temple of Artemis
• This 6 to 8 hour small group tour of Ephesus , which includes the house of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis, and Isa Bey Mosque.

Once you have finished touring Ephesus, it’s time to return to Kusadasi. Kusadasi is a popular resort town and has a lot of cafes and restaurants as well as beaches. Depending on how you are feeling and how much time you have, you might want to visit one of the beaches (Ladies Beach is the most popular public beach), spend some time exploring the city’s attractions, or just relax by the hotel pool.

Our favorite thing to do is to take a walk over to Güvercinada , or Pigeon Island, a small island linked to the mainland by a causeway. There is a castle here that you can visit if you wish.

How to get from Kusadasi to Pamukkale & Fethiye

The next part of the trip involves a long day of travel, no matter what method of transportation you choose as the attractions are spaced far apart.

If you are not taking a tour, your best options are to take public transit or drive.

By Car: If you are driving, Pamukkale is about a 120 mile (190 km) drive from Kusadasi, and that drive takes about 3 hours if taking the toll roads (about 4 hours if not). From Pamukkale, it is another 125 mile (200 km) drive to Fethiye which is around another 3 hours of driving.

If that sounds like too much driving, you could skip Pamukkale, and just head south along the coast from Kusadasi to Fethiye. Then you would have more time to spend in either Kusadasi or Fethiye.

By Plane : You can fly from Izmir to Denizli (town near Pamukkale) and then from Denizli to Fethiye (airport in Dalaman). However, many of these flights connect via Istanbul meaning the flights often take as long (or even longer) than taking public transit or driving.

By Bus: From Kusadasi, it’s relatively easy to get to Pamukkale by public transport. You can go by bus, either directly from Kusadasi or via Selçuk. The bus takes between 3 to 4 hours.

Note that some of the bus companies (and the train) terminate in the town of Denizli and do not go directly to Pamukkale. So you may need to take a short 25-minute minibus or taxi ride to get from the bus station to Pamukkale which is located just outside Denizli. Just be sure to ask so you know if you need to transfer or not.

Then from Denizli, you can then take a bus to Fethiye, which will take around 4 hours. Check bus times and prices, and book online here .

By Train: You can do part of the route today by train. Take the local bus from Kusadasi to Selçuk (the town next to Ephesus), from where you can catch a train to Denizli. The train takes around 3 hours, and the first departure is usually around 9:00am. You can check train times and tickets here .

Then from the Denizli station, you can get a 25-minute minibus or taxi ride to Pamukkale. There is no train between Denizli and Fethiye, so you will have to take a bus from Denizli.

Turkey Itinerary Day 6: Pamukkale & Fethiye

For your sixth day in Turkey, our suggestion is to head east inland to Pamukkale and then south to the coastal town of Fethiye.

Pamukkale, which means “cotton castle” in Turkish, is another of Turkey’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It’s famous for two reasons. First, it well-known for its photogenic natural white travertine (a type of limestone) terraces which are filled with thermal water. Second, the ruins of the ancient Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis are located here.

Springs in a cliff above the terraces provide the mineral-rich waters which have created the incredible landscape of petrified waterfalls and terraced basins of thermal water at Pamukkale. The milky white water is due to the large amount of calcium carbonate found in the water.

A thermal spa at Hierapolis was built on top of Pamukkale to take advantage of the hot springs in the 2nd century BC by the kings of Pergamon. It grew into a small city and you can see the Greco-Roman ruins here today. Pamukkale has been a popular tourist destination for about two thousand years.

The main reason people visit Pamukkale today is to see the white limestone terraces here, which are really quite incredible. These terraces cover a large area of almost 2 miles (3 km) in length. Although the terraces are natural, the bathing pools are artificial and have been created for tourists. Some of these are open to bathing or swimming.

Unfortunately, the thousands of years of tourism, as well as the more recent rise in mass tourism, has taken its toll on the location. Large sections of the pools don’t look like you see them in photos as many often have little water in them and the ones open to the public are often crowded with people.

To protect the site, most of the pools are now closed entirely to bathers, with only a small area accessible for swimming at one time. The water can be a bit dirty with all the people in them and they can also be very slippery so do be careful if you plan to go in them.

In addition to the small terraced pools, you can pay extra to swim at Cleopatra’s Pool, a former Roman pool, which is a thermal pool and spa that is privately run and includes locker rooms and showers. You need proper swimwear to enter this pool.

However, the good news is that the Pamukkale site is very large, and if you move away from the main crowds you can enjoy lovely views of the terraces with hardly any people around you.

After seeing the thermal spa and perhaps dipping your toes into one of the thermal pools, you can then take some time to explore Hierapolis. Many people come and just see some of the thermal pools and leave, but if you are going to take the time to come all the way to Pamukkale, we recommend taking some time to explore the rest of the site.

The city has Greek and Roman ruins, including ancient bathing complexes, gates, a huge theatre, temples, shrines, a martyrium, and an extensive Necropolis. The site has the Tomb of Philip the Apostle and the earliest evidence of the use of a crank and rod mechanism (as depicted on a sarcophagus). Housed in the former Roman Bath building is the Hierapolis Archaeology Museum which you can see some of the many artifacts unearthed at the site.

If you don’t have a guide but want to learn more about the history of Pamukkale and Hierapolis, we recommend taking along a good guidebook like this one .

There’s lots to see here, and it’s all included on the entry ticket, so take advantage of it. Most people spend about 3 hours here, but you’ll want to plan to spend longer if you want to fully explore Hierapolis.

Once you are done sightseeing in Pamukkale, continue on to Fethiye where we recommend you spend the night. Fethiye is a city (and district) located in the southwestern area of Turkey along the Aegean Sea. It is a popular tourist area and there are a lot of attractions in and around the city.

Given that you will likely be coming from a long day of travel and sightseeing, we recommend using your first evening in Fethiye to relax. We recommend spending two nights here.

Where to stay in Fethiye

You have two main options for where to stay in Fethiye. You can stay near the marina and old town for easy access to the sights, or you can stay a little further north on the 4km long Çalis Beach. So just depends if you prefer to be near the city center or have easy beach access.

Here are some options for places to stay in Fethiye:

• Turunç Hostel – If you’re looking for a hostel, this is a great value and well-reviewed option in the heart of the town. Private and dorm rooms are available, with a good value breakfast on offer.
• Infinity Exclusive City Hotel – A great value budget to mid-range option offering private en-suite rooms in the city center.
• Orka Boutique Hotel – This popular and well-reviewed mid-range boutique hotel offers en-suite rooms, an on-site restaurant, and inclusive breakfast. Located a few yards from the sea, and a short walk from the city center.
• Ece Marina Suit – This well-rated beachfront hotel near the old town overlooks the marina and has a private beach. Rooms are designed to be family-friendly and offer good value comfortable accommodation with living area and apartment-style facilities.
• Hotel Delta – Found on Çalis Beach around 3 miles north of the old town, this well-reviewed hotel offers en-suite rooms with balconies and an on-site restaurant. Breakfast is included.
• Eyna Hotel – This popular beach front property on Çalis Beach has great reviews, en-suite rooms, an on-site restaurant, and breakfast is included.

Turkey Itinerary Day 7: Fethiye

Fethiye is a beautiful coastal city and resort town on Turkey’s Aegean Sea. The area is known as the Turquoise Coast because of the incredible color of the water you’ll find here.

Fethiye has a lot to offer, but one of the most popular things to do here is to get out on the water and take advantage of the scenic coastline, beautiful waters, and nearby islands. Popular water activities include boating, swimming, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, fishing, and water skiing.

The Travel Talk tour we did included 3 nights on a traditional gulet boat. This might be too much boat time for many, but we definitely recommend considering spending part of a day on the water here.

On a boat trip, you can take in the scenery, swim, snorkel, and sightsee at a relaxed pace. Then you can return to your hotel, take a shower, and head out to watch the sunset and enjoy a bit of the city’s culture and nightlife.

Or if a day on a boat sounds like too much, you can just find a pretty beach to lie on! Çalis Beach is a popular beach that stretches along the city or you can find a smaller and less crowded one further away.

Alternatively, if you are up for some more sightseeing and cultural sites today, there are a number of attractions in and around Fethiye. These include the Fethiye Museum, Saklikent National Park, the rock tomb of Amyntas, the Roman theatre above Fethiye, ancient Lycian hilltop citadel of Tlos, ancient Lycian city ruin of Cadyanda, Butterfly Valley, and the spectacular beach at Ölüdeniz Lagoon. Paragliding is also a very popular activity in this area.

Of course, many of these attractions and activities are located outside the city, so you’ll either need to have your own transport, take a bus, or take a tour to experience them.

Below, we’ve put together some recommend boat tours, as well as other day tours from Fethiye you might consider. Alternatively, feel free to just wander the city itself, which is very beautiful and has a number of sights worth visiting.

• A full day boat tour from Fethiye with swimming and snorkeling opportunities. Lunch included.
• A full day boat tour from Fethiye to Ölüdeniz with swimming, lunch, and stops at Butterfly Valley and St. Nicholas Island
• A popular tandem paragliding tour over beautiful Ölüdeniz

Hopefully, this gives you some inspiration for your day in Fethiye. We recommend enjoying the sunset from the beach, a seaside cafe, or your hotel balcony. Lots of nightlife opportunities here in the evening to enjoy in this popular resort town.

How to Get From Fethiye to Antalya

We recommend heading to Antalya on the next part of your trip. If you are not taking a tour, you have three options for getting from Fethiye to Antalya:

By Car: If you are driving, it’s about a 125 mile (200 km) drive if you take the most direct route which takes about  2.5 to 3 hours.

However, you can take the more scenic coastal route along the D400 between Fethiye and Antalya if you have more time and want to enjoy the scenery. It’s a nice drive. Taking the scenic route will add another 2 hours to your drive so I’d estimate about 4.5 hours.

By Plane: It is possible to fly from Fethiye (Dalaman Airport) to Antalya . Most flights are 3.5 to 4.5 hours long as most make a stop in Istanbul.

By Bus: In terms of public transport, there are regular direct buses from Fethiye to Antalya, with journey times taking around 3 to 3.5 hours on average. You can check bus routes and ticket prices online here .

Turkey Itinerary Day 8: Antalya

Today, we recommend leaving Fethiye in the morning and heading to the southern coastal city of Antalya. But there’s no rush today so feel free to spend some more time in Fethiye if there is something you missed yesterday.

It takes about 3 to 4 hours to get to Antalya, depending on route and transport. So if you leave in the morning, you’ll still have half the day left to explore Antalya. Those traveling by car or tour bus may take the coastal route along the D400 which is slower but a very nice scenic route.

Antalya is believed to have been founded by King Attalus II of Pergamon around 150 B.C. and so has a long history. Most of the historical architecture in the city now dates to the medieval Ottoman period. The city is situated along the Turkish Riviera and has become Turkey’s most important international seaside resort.

There is a lot to do in Antalya and we recommend spending two nights here, giving you about 1.5 days to explore Antalya and the surrounding area. Once you arrive in Antalya and check into your hotel, we recommend spending your first afternoon exploring the town of Antalya and its city center attractions and perhaps spending some time on the beach.

In the town itself, we can recommend exploring the old town (Kaleiçi) on foot as there are a number of things to see here including Hadrian’s Gate, the Roman Tower (Hidirlik Tower), Yivli Minare Mosque (Fluted Mosque), and the Antalya Museum (regional history museum).

The Old Marina area is also worth exploring and is a great place to enjoy a meal or drink. You can also take a sightseeing boat tour from here.

Elsewhere in town you’ll also find a panoramic elevator for views over city, several city parks, a toy museum, and lots of other historical attractions.

If you prefer something more relaxing, you may also want to head to one of the area’s beaches. There are also some nice beaches within 10km of the city center, including Lara Beach (sandy beach) and Konyaalti Beach (pebble beach).

In the evening, Antalya is a lively place with lots of restaurants, bars, cafes, and nightclubs. The city also has cinemas and some movies are shown in their original English (with Turkish subtitles). There are also regular shows which include traditional Turkish music and dance and belly dancing performances.

Those who enjoy the theater or opera will also find the Antalya State Theater and the Antalya State Opera and Ballet here. There is also the popular Fire of Anatolia Dance Show that is regularly held at the Gloria Aspendos Arena.

If you are visiting in the summer months, you may want to see if the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival is taking place during your visit. Throughout this popular festival, regular performances are held at the ancient Aspendos Roman theater.

Where to Stay in Antalya

Antalya is a large city and there is also a lot of accommodation throughout the Antalya region along the coast. We have two different recommendations depending on your interests and budget.

Our first recommendation is to either stay close to the Antalya Old Town center so you are within walking distance of the majority of attraction in the city itself. This is great for those who are are interested in the city attractions and nightlife here, and for those needing the public transit connections here.

Our other recommendation is to consider spending these two days at a nice coastal resort outside of the city. Antalya boasts some of the nicest hotel resorts in Turkey and if you are looking for an all-inclusive resort, you have a lot of options. These all tend to have multiple restaurants and bars, swimming pools, spas, fitness centers, and kids’ activities. Some also have beach access.

Here are some lodging options near the Antalya Old Town:

• Hostel Vague – If you’re looking for a budget option in Antalya, this hostel is a great option. It’s centrally located, offers shared and private accommodation and an on-site kitchen, lounge, terrace, and garden for guest use
• Beyaz Butik Hotel – A well-reviewed homestay option offering private en-suite rooms and breakfast. A short walk from the old town.
• White Garden Hotel – With a rooftop terrace, outdoor pool and easy beach access, this is a great value and well-reviewed hotel near the old town
• Tekeli Konaklari – Located in a restored Ottoman Pasha’s residence, this property features private rooms set around a central courtyard, with easy access to the old town. Rooms are en-suite and breakfast is included.
• Cap d’Perge Hotel – This well-reviewed adults-only hotel offers private en-suite rooms with lots of amenities, a private beach, and an on-site restaurant. This one feels a bit tucked away but is still within easy walking distance of the historic center of the city
• ATICI Hotel – A popular and central hotel located right in the heart of the city center offering private en-suite rooms.

Here are a few resort hotel options to consider near Antalya:

• Xanadu Resort – This 5-star resort near Belek includes swimming pools, water slides, a kid’s club, fitness activities, several restaurants, a spa, and access to a private beach.
• Gloria Serenity Resort   – This 5-star resort includes swimming pools, a fitness center, sports center, several restaurants and bars, a spa, a game room, kids’ club, and beach access. We have stayed in one of the villas here and it is a great place if you want a relaxing place to stay on your trip.
• Land of Legends Hotel – This family-friendly hotel is geared to kids and all guests get free access to the Land of Legends theme park. The hotel and park feature roller coasters, a water park, pools, restaurants, children’s shows, and more.

Turkey Itinerary Day 9: Antalya

Today you’ll spend a second day exploring Antalya. There are lots of options for how you can spend your day, depending on your interests.

If you didn’t explore the historic city center and Old Marina areas yesterday, you might want to do that today. You can wander this area easily on foot.

Or perhaps head to the Beydaglari Coastal National Park. Here you can take the cable car (Olympos Telferik) to get a great view of the area. The park offers opportunities for hiking, paragliding, climbing, and other outdoor activities. In the winter there is skiing and snowsports.

For those interested in waterfalls, there are several waterfalls in the area. The most popular are the Upper Duden Falls and Lower Duden Falls. We can also recommend a visit to Kursunlu Waterfall.

For those looking for historical and archaeological sites outside the city, we can recommend the ancient Greco-Roman city of Aspendos . Here you can see the impressive remains of a Roman theatre, aqueduct, and basilica are well worth the visit. Another option is the ancient Greek city of Perga (or Perge) that contains a Bronze Age acropolis among many other of its ruins.

Those who like theme parks may want to spend the day at The Land of Legends , which is an amusement park with roller coasters, water slides, live shows, a surf pool, and a cinema. Very popular with families visiting the area.

Golfers may want to hit the links and try one or two of the many golf courses in the area. Belek and the surrounding area is considered the top golf destination in Turkey with over 20 different golf courses in Antalya. In 2012, the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final was hosted at the Antalya Golf Club in Belek.

If you are feeling like a lazy and inexpensive day out, consider just heading to a beach and having a relaxing day in the sun. Or if you are staying a resort, you can just spend your full day enjoying the resort amenities.

Note that many of these attractions, like the waterfalls, Aspendos, and the national parks, are located outside of the city center. Some you can reach by public bus, but many you will need to either hire a taxi or join a tour if you don’t have you own transportation.

Here are some day tours you might consider taking today:

• This 8 hour tour includes a guided city tour of Antalya, a boat tour, a visit to Duden Waterfalls National Park, and lunch
• This full day tour includes the Tunektepe cable car ride, visit to Duden Waterfalls National Park, Antalya city tour, lunch, and a boat ride
• This 9 hour tour from Antalya includes visits to the ancient cities of Aspendos, Perge, and Side as well as a stop at the Kursunlu Waterfall
• This 5 hour waterfall tour includes visits to three different area waterfalls in the Antalya region plus lunch
• This full day jeep safari includes Saklıkent Gorge, Patara beach, and Kaputaş as well as a buffet lunch

In the evening, we recommend enjoying more of the Antalya nightlife. There is something to suit just about any taste whether you are looking for a relaxing seafood dinner at the harbor, a dance performance, a sunset cruise, or a night out at the clubs.

Those traveling by bus may want to consider taking an overnight bus to Cappadocia tonight instead of spending the night in Antalya.

How to Get from Antalya to Cappadocia

Your next destination in Turkey is Cappadocia. Note that Cappadocia is the name of the region, rather than a specific city. The main tourist destinations in the region are in and around the town of Göreme.

By Car: It is a long 310 miles (500 km) drive from Antalya to Göreme, and the drive will take you about 7 hours. So this will use up most of your day. You may want to stop to visit the Derinkuyu Underground City before heading into Göreme today.

By Plane: Flying is the quickest option to get from Antalya to Cappadocia. Direct flights take about 1 hour, but those with connections usually take about 3.5 hours. In the summertime, there are often direct flights, but off-season you’ll likely have to connect through Istanbul.

The two main airports in Cappadocia are Kayseri Erkilet Airport in Kayseri, around a 1 hour drive from the main tourist sights, and Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport in Gülsehir, around a 40 minute drive away. From the airports, you can book an airport transport service to hotels in the region here .

By Bus : If you are traveling by public transport, there are a number of buses from Antalya to Göreme. The buses take about 9 hours, and most are overnight buses although there are some daytime routes as well. Check bus times and prices, and book online here .

Turkey Itinerary Day 10: Cappadocia

Today we recommend leaving Antalya after breakfast and heading to Cappadocia . Cappadocia is one of Turkey’s most well-known tourist regions and it is definitely an area worth exploring.

Cappadocia is a region of central Turkey that has been inhabited since at least the 5th century BC. It is best known for its distinctive “fairy chimneys” and rock formations formed by erosion, the many rock dwellings carved into the rock valleys by the troglodytes (cave dwellers), and the carved rock churches, some of which still have existing frescos. There were entire underground villages here.

Cappadocia today is one of the most popular and visited areas of Turkey by international travelers. Visitors come to see its surreal landscapes, interesting rock formations, and ancient cave dwellings. It is also one of the most popular places in the world to take a hot air balloon flight!

The main town is Göreme and we recommend using this as a base to explore this region. There is a lot that you can see and do in the region, so you’ll want to prioritize your time here.

One of the most popular places to visit in the area is the Göreme Open Air Museum . The large outdoor complex contains ancient rock-hewn homes and some of the area’s most important rock churches and chapels. Many contain well-preserved frescos dating back to the 9th to 12th centuries. This site is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, along with several other locations in the region, including the underground cities of Kaymakli and Derinkuyu.

A number of underground complexes built in this area. In terms of ones you can visit, Derinkuyu and Kaymakli are both partially open to visitors. The two underground cities were once connected. At Derinkuyu, it is believed that as many of 20,000 people could have lived there at one time!

Most of the area’s rock formations are made of soft volcanic tuff, which made it easy to carve and some of the dwellings were quite large. One of the better-known formations is the so-called Uçhisar Castle which is a mountain-castle that served as both a monastery and residential housing for up to 1,000 people in the Byzantine era.

Natural erosion of the rock has also lead to the interesting rock formations found throughout the region. There are lots of places to see these formations as they are scattered throughout the region.

For seeing local rock formations, you can visit one or two of the many valleys that feature a large concentration of these formations. These include Pigeon Valley (or Valley of the Dovecotes is full of dovecotes carved into the volcanic rock), Ihlara Valley (canyon full of cave dwellings and rock churches), Love Valley (full of phallic-shaped pillars), and Monk Valley (full of fairy chimneys and other rock pillars).

Most of these valleys offer plenty of opportunities for hiking as well. Some valleys also permit quad biking tours which are also popular.

This region is also known for its traditional arts and crafts, particularly pottery, and earthenware pottery has been made here for centuries. If you are interested in pottery and handicrafts, you’ll want to visit the town of Avanos which has a number of shops and galleries. We recommend a visit also to the Güray Museum in Avanos, which is an underground cave museum filled with antiques, ceramics, and pottery.

This is also an important region for those interested in the Hittites who were a people in the central Anatolia who established a Bronze Age empire in the region. The empire’s capital was in Hattusa, and the ruins of the ancient city can be visited today and are another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hattusa and the main Hittite archaeological sites are about a 2.5 hour drive from Göreme.

As Cappadocia is a bit spread out, again you will either need your own transport or to take a tour for the majority of these attractions.

There are lots of tour options around Cappadocia so they are all pretty competitive with each other so you should be able to find one at a decent price. Most include lunch in the tour price. Here are some tours of Cappadocia to check out:

• A full day small group tour of Cappadocia which includes lunch and visits to Derinkuyu Underground City, Ihlara Valley, Selime Monastery, and Göreme Valley
• A full day private tour of Cappadocia which includes Göreme Open Air Museum, Pigeon Valley, Kaymakli Underground City, and other highlights
• A 6.5 hour tour of Cappadocia , including Devrent Valley, Zevle Open Air Museum, Pasabag, Göreme Open Air Museum, and Pigeon Valley. Lunch is included.
• A 6 to 7 hour tour of Cappadocia, including Uchisar Castle, Love Valley, Göreme Open Air Museum, Monks Valley, Avanos, and Devrent Valley. Lunch is included.
• A full day private tour of Cappadocia , includes lunch and visits to Göreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar Castle, Pigeon Valley, and Kaymakli Underground City.
• This full day tour with trekking explores south Cappadocia and includes visits to Derinkuyu Underground City, Ihlara Valley, Belisirma, and Selime. It also includes a 4 km trek in Ihlara Valley and lunch.
• This private Anatolian art tour focuses on the local art and handicrafts of the region, particularly in Avanos. This includes carpet weaving, pottery, Ebru (water marbling), and jewelry. You get a chance to watch some of the art being made and chances to shop for local pieces.

Depending on how you travel to Cappadocia, you are likely spending a large portion of today traveling between Antalya and Cappadocia. So you may not have much time to explore on your first day.

If you don’t get into Cappadocia until the late afternoon or evening, there are still some activities you might consider on your first day.  For example, you might consider a sunset ATV tour, sunset horseback riding tour , or night show performance and dinner . Or maybe just heading to Sunset View point to watch the sunset before dinner.

We recommend going to bed early so you can be up to take a hot air balloon flight or watch them take off from afar in the morning!

Where to Stay in Cappadocia

Our recommendation for your time in Cappadocia is to stay in Göreme, Ortahisar, or Ürgüp. These three towns are next to each other and all feature a wide range of accommodation options.

You can see the hot air balloons from all of them, depending on weather conditions, with Göreme being the closest to the main launch sites.

Our recommendation is to stay in one of the many cave hotels on offer in this area, which is a unique experience! Just be aware that many of the cave hotels offer a range of accommodation options, and not all of them will be in a cave, so do double check before booking a specific room type if this is important to you.

Here are some accommodation options to consider in Cappadocia:

• Hostel Terra Vista in Göreme – This is a well-reviewed budget hostel option that offers both dormitory and private rooms with included breakfast. It’s not in a cave, but it does offer lovely views across Göreme.
• Homestay Cave Hostel , Göreme – This is a well-rated hostel with some of the dormitory rooms located in a cave. Breakfast is included.
• Guzide Cave Hotel in Göreme – This good value cave hotel offers a range of en-suite cave room types with breakfast included.
• Grand Elite Cave Suites in Göreme – This well-reviewed cave hotel offers room types to suit most budgets, and also has an outdoor swimming pool and breakfast is included.
• Aydinli Cave Hotel in Göreme – This cave hotel offers ensuite rooms, inclusive breakfast, and a lovely rooftop terrace that offers great views across Göreme.
• Zara Cave Hotel in Göreme – This is another wonderfully reviewed cave hotel offering a range of en-suite cave rooms across a variety of budgets. Breakfast is included and the hotel has a shared lounge and terrace area for nice views.
• Kayakapi Premium Caves in Ürgüp – This upscale cave hotel offers stunning cave rooms in restored historical caves, a magnificent view across the surrounding landscape, an on-site restaurant, a swimming pool, a spa, and breakfast is included. We’ve stayed in this cave hotel and really loved it.

Turkey Itinerary Day 11: Cappadocia

This morning we recommend getting up early to enjoy a hot air balloon flight. Cappadocia is very well-known for hot air ballooning and up to 100 balloons fly here on most days (weather permitting). Due to the unusual landscapes and wide open places, it is considered one of the best places in the world to experience a balloon flight.

If you want to take a hot air balloon flight, just be sure to book once in advance. If you are traveling with a tour, almost all tours offer this as an optional activity.

You’ll need to get up early as the balloons fly in the morning around sunset. How early will depend on the time of year and this can range from a very early 4:00am to 7:00am. Most balloon companies offer pick-up from your hotel and many also include breakfast (or at least coffee and a snack).

Most flights last between 1 hour and 1.5 hours in the air and you travel slowly over the scenic landscape. It is great to see all the interesting rock formations from above as well as see all the other hot air balloons in the sky. If you are looking for a splurge experience in Cappadocia, this is a good one to consider.

We’ve been to Cappadocia twice and have done hot air balloon flights with two different companies, and we can say that some companies definitely are better than others. We can wholly recommend booking a flight with Royal Balloons based on our experience. The staff, food, and safety precautions were all excellent.

Hot air balloon flights are widely available from many companies, but you will want to book in advance to secure a spot. Here are some few suggested options to consider for a hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia.

• This 2.5 hour experience with Royal Balloons includes flight, hotel pickup, champagne toast, and breakfast. We did this trip and it was excellent; highly recommend!
• This 2 hour experience includes breakfast, champagne, souvenir flight certificate, and hotel pickup
• This 2.5 hour experience includes breakfast, champagne, and hotel pickup
• This private balloon experience is exclusively just for you and your group and includes hotel pickup and champagne toast.

Just remember that hot air balloon flights are weather dependent so cancelations are common if the winds are too strong or the weather is bad. So we recommend trying to have flexibility in your schedule for the next morning to do the flight if it is canceled. This will allow you to reschedule and hopefully get a chance to go up the next day.

If you are not interested in taking a balloon flight or the flights are a bit above your budget, you might still want to get up to watch them take off in the morning. The majority of hot air balloon flights launch from around Göreme. You can see them from many of the hotels (ask at yours specifically) and from many parts of the city.

The Sunset View point we mentioned for sunset is also a good place to watch sunrise and the balloon launch, and take photos.

After your morning balloon experience, you may be tempted to crawl back into bed for a nap, but we’d recommend using the rest of your day to see more of the wonderful landscapes and explore the local cultural attractions. There is plenty to see and do in the region to keep you busy all day!

If you are planning to take a balloon flight and then join a day tour today, just make sure that you will have time to get back from your flight before the tour departs.

For those who do want a more relaxing day time activity, you might consider shopping, spending time at one of the local spas (some hotels have their own spas) or hotel pools, going hiking in one of the valleys, or enjoying a mud bath at the Cappadocia Mud Baths & Spa . Laurence found a visit to the mud baths invigorating after a day of travel.

In the evening, we recommend enjoying the sunset and having a nice dinner. There are plenty of evening experiences you can enjoy as noted on Day 10. But if you got up early today, you are probably ready for an early night!

How to Get from Cappadocia to Ankara

Your next destination in Turkey is Ankara, the country’s capital. You have several options on getting between the Cappadocia area and Ankara. If you are planning to use public transportation, we’d recommend checking the schedules in advance.

Those with less than 2 weeks in Turkey may want to skip the stop in Ankara and head onwards to Istanbul today.

By Car : It is about a 180 mile (290 km) drive from Göreme to Ankara, which takes about 3.5 hours.

By Plane : You can fly from Cappadocia (Kayseri or Nevşehir airport) to Ankara, but there are rarely direct flights so you will likely need to layover in Istanbul. Flights often take 4 to 5 hours.

By Train : There are usually two regular trains a day that run from Kayseri to Ankara, one during the day and one overnight train. They are not high-speed trains so the journey takes about 6.5 hours. Check train times and book online here .

By Bus : You can take the bus from Göreme (or other town in Cappadocia) to Ankara. The bus journey takes about 5 hours on average. Check bus times and prices, and book online here .

Turkey Itinerary Day 12: Ankara

If you had a really early morning the day before, you may want to enjoy a relaxing later breakfast to start the day. Then it is time to head onward to Ankara.

If you weren’t able to take a balloon flight on the previous morning for any reason, you could do that this morning. Also if there is anything else you missed in Cappadocia, you could fit it into your morning and then head to Ankara in the late morning or early afternoon.

Ankara is the capital of Turkey, and the second-largest city after Istanbul. Like most cities in Turkey, it has a long and rich history and has been inhabited since at least the Bronze Age. The city became the capital of the Republic of Turkey in 1923 and is today a major center of government, industry, and culture.

Despite being the capital city, Ankara is not nearly as well-known to travelers and is not as touristy as Istanbul. Many of its attractions are focused more to Turkish people than to international visitors, giving the city a much different feel than that of Istanbul and the more touristed regions of the country.

It is a great place to see and learn more about how Turkish people live, eat, work, and play. We recommend taking the time to explore this city and to consider hiring a local guide or joining a local walking tour during part of your time here.

The most popular visited attractions in Ankara is the Anıtkabir or the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Atatürk was the first president of Turkey, and is regarded as the founder of modern Turkey and was a leader of the Turkish War of Independence. He died in 1938, having served 15 years as President. Anıtkabir is a monumental complex of plazas, towers, statues, and a museum.

The city’s second most visited attraction is the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and this is probably the one must-see place for most foreign visitors. The museum’s galleries tell the story of Turkey’s people in the past 8,000 years in chronological order, including the Neolithic, Early Bronze, Assyrian, Hittite, Phrygian, Urartian, Greek, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuq, and Ottoman periods. The museum is especially known for holding the most comprehensive exhibition on Hittite artifacts in the world. It was named the first “European Museum of the Year” in 1997.

Ankara has many archaeological and historical sites. These include the Ankara Castle (a.k.a. Ankara Citadel), Roman Theatre, Temple of Augustus and Rome, the Roman Baths, and the Roman Road. Most of the Roman ruins can be found in or near the Ulus quarter in central Ankara.

The largest mosque in the city is the Kocatepe Mosque which has become a landmark of the city. Other impressive mosques the 16th-century Yeni Mosque, the 15th-century Haci Bayram Mosque, and the 12th-century Alâeddin Mosque.

Ankara offers a lot of shopping opportunities, from traditional bazaars to modern shopping malls. The street bazaar along Cikrikcilar Yukusu, also known as the “Weavers’ Alley”, is one of the best places to go in the city for traditional shopping. Another nearby popular market is Bakicilar Carsisi which is famous for its copper products. Those looking for more modern stores may want to head to the Kızılay area.

We also recommend a wander around the Hamamönü, which is a restored late Ottoman neighborhood in the center of Ankara. The area has been restored and amongst the historical structures are handicraft markets, shops, cafes, and restaurants.

If you enjoy museums, there are about 50 of them in and around Ankara. They focus on everything from war to art to steam locomotives to technology. In addition to those already mentioned, some museums you might consider are the Ethnographic Museum, Çengelhan Rahmi Koç Museum (technology), Independence War Museum, and Republic Museum.

Ankara is also a cultural performance hub. You can see the state opera and ballet companies of Turkey perform, as well as classical music orchestras and theatre performances.

For those looking for a different type of nightlife, the large student population of Ankara means there are also things happening in the bars, clubs, and cafes located in the more student-friendly areas of the city.

Here are a few tour ideas in Ankara:

• This private full-day tour of the city’s highlights is designed to help you understand the history of Ankara with visits to some of the city’s main attractions including the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Ankara Citadel, Ataturk Mausoleum, and the Old Copper Market.
• This private tour with a local guide can be booked from 2 to 6 hours and focuses on introducing visitors to Ankara. This tour is designed to show you the local side of Ankara and help you plan the rest of your time in the city.
• This full day private day tour visits the Hittites sites of Yazilikaya and Hattusas. Includes hotel pick-up and lunch.

As you can see, there are plenty of things to do to fill a couple of days in Ankara!

Where to Stay in Ankara

Ankara is a big city, so ideally you will want to stay relatively close to the center to minimize transport times. We recommend staying near the city center, so in the area around Ankara Castle and the train station, as this will put you in walking distance of most of the main sights in the city.

Here are some accommodation options in Ankara to consider:

• Deeps Hostel – This budget-friendly hostel offers both dormitory and private rooms, an on-site shared kitchen, and a dining room. It is also centrally located and is about a 5 minute walk from the main train station.
• Sahinbey Hotel – This great value central 2-star hotel offers rooms with private bathrooms and an included breakfast. It is located about a 5 minute walk from the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and also near Ankara Castle.
• Kahya Hotel Ankara – This centrally located 4-star hotel offers en-suite rooms, 24-hour front desk, free on-site parking, terrace, and an on-site restaurant.
• Güvenay Business Hotel – This well-rated central business-focused hotel offers comfortable en-suite rooms, an on-site restaurant, a terrace, a 24-hour front desk, a business center, and inclusive breakfast
• Divan Cukurhan – This very well-reviewed historical hotel offers lovely en-suite rooms, with an on-site restaurant, 24 hour front desk, and optional breakfast. Located directly opposite of Ankara Castle and a 5 minute walk from the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
• The Ankara Hotel – Another well-reviewed 4-star hotel offering modern en-suite rooms with lovely views of the city, an on-site bar and restaurant, free on-site parking, and inclusive breakfast. Located within the train station so a great place to stay for train travelers.

If you are looking for a self-catering option in Ankara, there are a number of options to rent a private room, apartment, or villa. You can check out these city center apartment options on Booking, and these city center options on Vrbo.

Turkey Itinerary Day 13: Ankara

For your second day in Ankara, we recommend you use it to do the things that you didn’t have time to do on the first day.

If you visited many of the most popular attractions like Anitkabir, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, and Ankara Castle yesterday, you might want to spend a more relaxing day wandering around one of the neighborhoods, doing a local food tour, and shopping. Ankara is a good place to search out any Turkish foods you haven’t had the chance to try yet or buying any last minute souvenirs or gifts.

Also a good time to do anything you had been wanting to do in Turkey that you hadn’t been able to do yet. For instance, if you had been wanting to try a Turkish hamam, you could do that today. One central historical hamam to consider is Şengül Hamamı .

If this is your final night in Turkey, we recommend planning something nice to do in the evening!

How to Get from Ankara to Istanbul

As the two largest cities in Turkey, Istanbul and Ankara are very well connected so you have lots of options on how to travel between them. The fastest way to get from Ankara to Istanbul is to fly although taking a direct high-speed train is also a good option.

By Car: If you’re driving, it’s around a 280 miles (450 km) drive from Ankara to Istanbul, and the drive takes around 5 hours.

By Plane : There are many daily direct flights between Ankara and Istanbul and these flights take about 1 hour.

By Train: The direct train takes around 4 to 4.5 hours. Several trains run this route each day and there is also an overnight sleeper train.

By Bus: Bus journeys between Ankara and Istanbul take between 6 and 7 hours on average. There are a great many bus services to choose from, including overnight options. Check bus times and prices, and book online here .

Turkey Itinerary Day 14: Istanbul

You’re back in Istanbul, having completed your fantastic 2 week trip in Turkey!

If you have more time in Istanbul, you can see anything that you didn’t have time to see during your first visit here. There are plenty of things to see and do in the city. You can also do some final souvenir shopping and enjoy a final Turkish meal.

If you are flying home from the Istanbul airport, you may want to pre-arrange an airport transfer .

Our 2 Week Turkey Itinerary Map

We have marked out our suggested route for our 2 week Turkey itinerary on Google maps. This should help you more easily visualize the route over the 14 day trip through Turkey.

You can access our route map  here or by clicking on the map image below:

There you have it, our suggestions on where to travel in Turkey for 2 weeks!

Like what you see above but don’t want to book the transport, hotels, and activities yourself? Considering booking a guided tour, you can see our list of recommended tours of Turkey earlier in the post.

Which of these places would be on your Turkey travel itinerary? Have you been? If so, we’d love to hear about your favorite places or tips on traveling in Turkey.

If you have any questions about traveling to Turkey or our 2 week Turkey itinerary, just leave them as a comment below and we’ll try our best to answer them. As always, we love to hear from you!

Share this Post!

There are 92 comments on this post.

Please scroll to the end to leave a comment

Isha Post author

March 24, 2024 at 3:23 pm

I will be in Turkey on Tuesday. This guide has been an extremely useful resource in planning my 14 day trip. I will be starting from Istanbul to Izmir (stay in kusadasi) – Cappadocia – Antalya (from Antalys day trip to Heirapolis and Permukkale). Thank you very much

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

March 25, 2024 at 4:26 am

So happy to hear our Turkey itinerary has been helpful in planning your own 14 day trip. Sounds like you hae a great trip planned. Hope you have a wonderful time and just let us know if you have any questions!

Best, Jessica

April 10, 2024 at 2:02 am

Hi, thanks again for this blog which was the best resource in planning my trip. I am back. I had an amazing time. The only thing i did not need was a water bottle (which i packed). I also downloaded the vpn.

Istanbul – toured by myself and didnt need a tour guide as most places are accessible by wandering around-4 days flew to Izmir-kusadasi-ephesus. did a tour with a guide. 2 days

flew to cappadocia did the green and red tours, skipped the balloon. Also did the turkish night dance which was overpriced in my opinion. 4 days

flew to Antalya. did day tour and went to permukkale and hierapolis by road.

Thank you so much for this amazing blog resource.

April 14, 2024 at 1:00 am

You’re very welcome and thanks for taking the time to tell us about your travels in Turkey. So glad you had such a great trip to Turkey and that our Turkey itinerary was a helpful resource in planning your trip and thanks for letting us know where you went and how you organized your time. Sounds like you did a mix of independent travel and guided travel, which sounds nice. I am sure it might be helpful to future readers looking to plan a similar trip.

Hawa Post author

February 20, 2024 at 4:33 am

Thank you so much for sharing your 14 day itinerary as well as tips! Extremely useful and no doubt that you guys had an amazing time! My hubby and I are planning to visit Turkey in September. Overall itinerary is 16-17 days. We want to visit the following places but are not sure which way to plan the routing. Can you please advise/assist us based on the places that we want to visit. We also not keen to hire a car and would prefer flying wherever possible. If there are no flights available for certain routes, then we opt to take a bus. The places are: Istanbul, Izmir, Pamukkale, Cappadocia and Antalya. Please assist us. Also we were planning to spend 3 full days in Antalya and about 2 and half days in Cappadocia. Is this okay? Or would you suggest us staying longer in Cappadocia then Antalya. Thank you! Kind regards,

February 20, 2024 at 12:44 pm

Happy to try to help with your trip. I am going to assume you are flying in and out of Istanbul? In that case, you could do Istanbul – Izmir – Pamukkale – Antalya – Cappadocia – Istanbul or do that in reverse ordering, leaving Istanbul and going to Cappadocia first. It really makes little difference which way you go, just that you on in an order that makes logical sense.

So a trip based on those locations and some of your plans you stated might be:

Istanbul – 3 nights Izmir – 4 nights Pamukkale – visit as part of a day trip from Izmir? Antalya – 4 nights Cappadocia – 3 nights Istanbul – 2 nights

Above is 16 nights in total

So it is easy to fly from Istanbul to Izmir. When in Izmir, you can either use local buses, taxis, or join day tours to visit places like Epheseus and Kuşadası. I’d also consider taking a day tour from here to Pamukkale. You can see a number of day tours available from Izmir here on GYG and here on Viator .

For Pamukkale, you can visit by public bus, join a day tour from Izmir (or Antalya), fly into Denizli airport and then take a taxi or bus. I’d probably opt to just join a day tour as you don’t have to worry about getting to the actual sites from a bus station or airport. Most of the tours include stops at both the hot springs and the ancient city of Hierapolis.

Then from Izmir, you can take a flight to Antalya and then taxi to your hotel. Then from Antlaya, you can take a flight to Cappadocia (2 different airprot options). Then from Cappadocia, fly back to Istnabul for a couple of days before your flight howm.

Our suggested itinerary has lots of info on things to do at each of these locations, but feel free to ask if you have further questions.

Anyway hope that helps answer your questions and get you started in planning out your itinerary and starting to book your trip.

Just let us know if you have more questions as you continue to research your trip!

Linda Post author

January 14, 2024 at 6:50 pm

Hi Jessica and Lawrence, Your post is so amazing and helpful for me to understand traveling in Turkey! My partner and I are thinking of hiking the Lycien Way. Do you have any recommendation regarding tour group and how to do it? This will be our first time going to Turkey. Thank you! Linda

January 15, 2024 at 4:49 pm

So glad that our Turkey itinerary has been helpful to you and your partner. So are you looking to extend a 2 week trip around Turkey by adding in the hike, or are you going to to focus on doing the hike? The full hike is about a month but you can easily do a shorter section of it which can range from 1 day to a couple of weeks.

So if you want to do a general trip around Turkey (similar to the one we wrote about) and hike the Lycien Way as part of a guided tour, I’d probably do a regular guided tour around Turkey first, exploring places like Istanbul, Epheseus, Antalya, Troy, Cappadocia, etc. first. We give lots of suggestions for tour companies that do similar itineraries to the one above as well as those for slightly shorter or longer trips.

Then after that ends (almost all begin and end in Istanbul) add on a second hiking specific tour of the Lycien Way after that you can get a flight down to Dalaman Airport (DLM) or Antalya Airprot. Most of the hiking trips end/begin at the Dalaman Airport (or in nearby Fethiye) or in Antalya. Domestic return flights within Turkey are normally pretty cheap (about $150 to $250 per person). You just need to be sure to book your tours in advance and leave a little leeway in case there are delays or anything, so I’d probably leave a full day at beginning and end (also nice to have a day to relax in between tours).

So as you probably already know the Lycien Way is an approximately 760 km (472 mile) way-marked footpath around the coast of Lycia in southern Turkey, stretching from Fethiye to Antalya. However, the exact length and such is different depending on map and guidebook, and has changed over time. But generally it takes about 30-40 days to walk the full path. It is generally recommended to do it in the Spring by most sources although autumn also can be nice. I can’t give any specific personal advice on hiking it or a tour group as we have never tried hiking any more than a short section.

Now if you are looking for a tour group, I don’t know of any that regularly do the full path from start to finish with English speaking guides (I would check local hiking/trekking companies in Turkey or ask in a Turkey hiking forum) but there are several companies that do group or private 6-10 day hiking highlights tours of the Lycien Way so that you experience some of the main and more scenic and easy to reach sections. But they also arrange your transport, food, luggage, accommodation, etc. Tour companies like Intrepid, Explore, and UTracks all seems to offer them, and the Explore one in particular seems to get a lot of really good reviews online. You can compare various tours here that include the Lycien Way.

If you want to do the Lycian Way, I would recommend getting a copy of the English guidebook on this by Kate Clow (she is the authority on the route as she waymarked and promoted it). Note that the latest version of this guidebook was published in 2022 (it can be hard to find so you may need to order it directly from her website Trekking in Turkey). This guidebook along with free online resources and mapping apps should help inform and guide you whether you choose to do it on your own or with a guide.

Hope the above helps, but let me know if you have more questions as you research and plan your trip to Turkey!

Charles Post author

December 15, 2023 at 4:18 pm

Istanbul, Turkey is such a captivating destination, love the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. This website offers such valuable insights into these attractions, as well as local cuisine and practical travel advice. Had such an enjoyable visit to this enchanting city. Would love to return to follow your whole itinerary but not the time on this trip. Thanks so much and Happy travels!

December 16, 2023 at 8:18 am

Hi Charles,

So glad you had such a wonderful visit to Istanbul and glad you found our Turkey articles helpfull. Hope you get a chance to return to Turkey soon and see more of the country beyond Istanbul – lots of great places to visit!

Georges Chahoud Post author

October 11, 2023 at 11:09 am

Thanks a lot for the precious informations two weeks in turkey , what do you suggest me if I would like to visite the princesses islands ( Istanbul) and more excursions tour three weeks .

October 12, 2023 at 11:30 am

Hi Georges,

Glad you are finding our 2-week Turkey itinerary helpful in planning your trip. So with three weeks, I would probably just spend some more time at the cities and stops that are of most interest to you. It can also give you more time to do day trip and excursions from those places such as Istanbul, Antalya, Cappadocia, or Kuşadası. Or if you are planning to join a tour, it will likely allow you to choose a longer tour with more stops.

I think you mean the Princes’ Islands in Turkey, near Istanbul (I am not familiar with any Princesses Islands)? For that, I would probably just do it as a day trip and allocate a morning and afternoon for the visit. We have visited as part of a day trip and the main island is easy to get to by taking a ferry boat. I think it is the equivalent of a couple of dollars for a ticket each way and most people head to Büyükada (Big Island). You can book tickets in advance or just buy once you are there. You can also join as part of a tour, and here are some day tour options that you can book in advance. In addition to your transport, some of the tours also include a guided walking tour, lunch, bike rides, music, and/or fishing.

If you are looking for a 3 week guided tour, it is hard to make a recommendation without knowing more about your budget, age, interests, and who all is traveling together. But a couple of options would be this 19-day tour with TravelTalk or this 18-day tour with Intrepid Travel. But here are several more tour options that are between 18 and 25 days in length. If you decide to do a tour like those that is less than 21 days, then plan a couple of extra nights on your own in Istanbul at the end (where you can visit the Princes Islands for instance).

Hope that helps and just let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip to Turkey!

October 15, 2023 at 12:55 pm

Hi Jessica. Thanks a lot for your reply, I found it very useful. I’m happy to find you and to be one of your followers. Concerning my voyage to turkey, my budget is about 5000C$, do you think is enough for 21 days, I’m 61 years old and for me it’s a discovering voyage, most probably I gone be alone . Thanks again.

October 16, 2023 at 8:19 am

You’re very welcome. Glad the information was useful in planning you vogage to Turkey.

Yes, $5000 CAD (about $3700 USD) is enough for a comfortable trip around Turkey for 3 weeks if you plan it well. Turkey is not that expensive. Flights are the biggest cost, if the $5000 is in addition to your international flight then that is a very nice budget to have, but you’ll need to be more budget focused if your flights will come out of that sum. You’ll have about a $230 CAD budget per day (currently about $170 USD or 4700 Turkish lira).

Just a side note, the Turkish lira (the official currency of Turkey) is very unstable and so most tourist places prefer you to pay in euros (or sometimes GBP or USD). A lot of tourist activities will be priced in euros so good to know the CAD to EUR conversion rates once in Turkey. So while you may want to have a small amount of Turkish lira cash on you for small establishments/markets/gratuities/etc, you can pay with most things with your credit/debit card or in euros.

You can stay in comfortable moderate hotels or guest houses, visit attractions, do some excursions, and eat well within your budget. You can choose to plan the full trip yourself and do your own travel (by car or public transit) or join a tour with a tour guide where that all is taken care of for you with that budget. If doing it on your own, you should be able to book most big things in advance (flights, hotels, car rental, excursions) so you’ll know the cost and be able to stick to your budget and then allow for all the needed extras (food, attraction tickets, public transit, taxis, souvenirs, gratuities, etc.).

If you want to do it on your own, you certainly can, but if you prefer some company and a guide, there are lots of tours within your budget as well. We’ve used Travel Talk in Turkey but they definitely cater to a younger demographic but Intrepid Travel’s Comfort or Premium tours might be nice fit. We’ve used Intrepid Travel in Morocco and the age range was from late 20’s to 70’s on their more Premium category tours.

One thing you might consider is to do a mix where you are part of a tour for some parts of your travels and you are on own for other parts so you get the ease of group travel for the more far flung destinations and can do it on your own in places like Istanbul.

I am not sure when you are planning to visit, but if you are flexible, I would probably recommend avoiding the hottest months in Turkey (particularly July and August) as it can be pretty uncomfortable to sightsee, especially the historical sites and gardens, in the summer heat.

Hope that helps! If you have further questions as you get further into planning your trip, just let us know.

Georges Post author

October 17, 2023 at 9:46 am

Hi Jessica, i hopeI do not bother you with my questions, but I find that your instructions are very useful. I have two questions,since I am planning to visit the western part of Turkey. In your opinion, is it better for me to start in Ankara and end with Istanbul, or vice versa, or to start and end in the same city (to avoid distances). Secondly, in your opinion, is it better for me to book hotels In advance, such as a flight ticket, or to leave hotel reservations until I arrive in Turkey to avoid unpleasant surprises (I heard that, as for some hotels, you book a room and are surprised when you arrive that your room does not look at all like what you saw in the picture, and perhaps it is from another hotel. What do you think? Thanks a lot.

October 18, 2023 at 12:31 pm

Sure, no problem. So I would probably recommend flying in and out of Istanbul as that is normally the cheapest option as Istanbul is the larger international airport. If you are planning to take domestic flights in Turkey, Istanbul is also a good hub for that. But flying in and out of Ankara can also work if prices are better there. So definitely price compare across airports, dates, and routes. We’ve generally flown Turkish Airlines on round-trip tickets into Istanbul. Then I’d just recommend planning your itinerary in a circular fashion around the Western part of Turkey starting and ending in either Istanbul or Ankara.

We do generally recommend booking your accommodation in advance (before you leave for your trip) if you know your dates. Trying to find accommodation on the same day once in a location is not the best idea and can waste a lot of time. It is also easier to stick to a budget if you know your lodging cost beforehand. But it is of course up to you and I would do what best fits your travel style.

But if you want to stay in a comfortable hotel and have that set and know the price in advance, I would just book in advance once you know your dates and itinerary and I would generally recommend booking with a free cancellation option just in case you needed to cancel your trip or change dates. Of course if you have travel insurance, you can normally do a claim there if you couldn’t make your trip due to illness or flight cancellation or something, but having the free cancellation for your hotels just makes that easier.

We normally book online via Booking.com (or Hotels.com) with some kind of cancellation option. We have not had any unpleasant surprises in Turkey but I think if you stick to well-reviewed hotels on an international booking website like Booking or Hotels with plenty of reviews (especially from other Western travelers) and photos, you should be fine. We give some hotel recommendations throughout the itinerary across budgets and that should get you started on your search, at least in those areas. But Turkey has a lot of decent mid-range options in the main tourist cities and towns in the west part of the country that are not very expensive, but I would avoid the very cheap/basic ones and any that have no or few reviews.

gezilecek yerler Post author

August 9, 2023 at 7:01 am

Thank you for this great Turkey itinerary. Greetings from Turkey!

August 10, 2023 at 10:49 am

Thanks for taking the time to comment. You are very welcome and glad you found our 2 weeks in Turkey itinerary helpful! If you have any questions, just let us know. And enjoy your travels around Turkey!

Anne Post author

July 28, 2023 at 8:13 am

Thank you for so generously sharing this itinerary in such detail! We are planning to spend the entire month of May, 2024 in Turkey. For most of the first week we’ll be staying with friends in Istanbul, and after that we will travel by bus. We would love to follow your itinerary, expanding on it to fill out our month. Which of these options would you recommend as the best ways to spend our extra time: 1. Spending time in the Black Sea region on our way back from Capadocia? 2. Adding a multi day boat tour while we’re in the Mediterranean region? 3. Spending additional days in one or more of the Mediterranean towns along the route? 4. Adding stops along the Mediterranean? 5. Taking the ferry and spending time in Greece? So many ideas!

July 30, 2023 at 4:22 pm

That is wonderful that you have a full month here and have friends in Istanbul. So it sounds like you have 3 weeks to cover the rest of the itinerary (excluding Istanbul of course) and that gives you time to add some extra time to all the stops and to add an extra stop or two to the trip. So I would recommend going through the itinerary and seeing which places you want to add time in the existing places, taking into account bus travel times/stops. Then see how much extra time you have leftover and then that can help you decide which of the options might work best.

I would first add an extra day or two to the places along the route that you are most interested in visiting. As the itinerary covers a lot of ground in 2 weeks, you have extra time to add an extra day or two to any of the stops. Even if you don’t want to spend 3 days in the town itself, it nice to have the longer stay without needing to move hotels and you can do day trips (either by public bus or join a bus tour) to neighboring towns and attractions. You already have a lot of time in Istanbul, but you might want to spend extra time for instance in Kusadasi, Fethiye, or Cappadocia. Maybe spend a night in Denizli/Pamukkale to make that day not so long and more leisurely. So I would go through the 2 week itinerary you already have and make it slower first of all.

If interested in cultural sights/cities, you might want to add an overnight stop in Konya – a lot of people stop to see a whirling dervishes performance at the Culture Center but also a number of mosques and museums. If you like more the beach vibes, you might want add more of those such as Bodrum or Marmais.

If you like time on the water, then yes, I would definitely recommend a boat cruise. Laurence did a multi-day gulet trip and enjoyed it a lot. It’s a great way to see some of the islands, swim, etc. Options range from budget group trip to luxury private ones, and from a few hours to 2 weeks in length. You can take boat trips from a number of places such as Kusadasi, Kas, Fethiye, and Bodrum. If you want to do a multi-day trip, you would want to book that in advance before you leave. Boat day tours you can normally arrange the day before or even same day if needed (although still a good idea to book those in advance too).

If you want to see a bit of Greece and plan to do a boat trip, some of the boats also go to Greek islands given that some of them are so close to Turkey. But the ferry could also be an option if you wanted to make a short visit to Greece. To be honest with 3 weeks outside of Istanbul to explore, I’d probably recommend focusing on Turkey and saving Greece for a future trip. But if you don’t think you’ll ever return to the area, it could be worth the extra time.

The Black Sea region is not as popular with international tourists as most of the other places on the itinerary but can definitely be a nice extra place to spend some of your time if you have at least a few extra days to spare in your itinerary. The beaches are not going to be as great as the ones in the south but it has some lush green hilly areas, alpine areas, forests, waterfalls, castles, coastal cities, tea plantations, historic mosques, lovely lakes, etc. So if you are looking for a more off the beaten path area or just a green area this can be a good choice and you could head there after either Ankara or Cappadocia before heading back to Istanbul. But just be sure you have plenty of time to add this and that there are good bus connections to the parts of the region that you would like to visit. Depending on which part of the region you visit, it can take you a day (~12 hours) to get from the region to Istanbul, and also most of a day to get there from Cappadocia (a little less if leave from Ankara) so you’d probably need 5 days free to be able to spend 3 days here so may or may not work with your schedule. The biggest Turkish city in the Black Sea region, Samsun, definitely has regular connections to both Kayseri, Ankara, and Istanbul by bus so you can look at that route to get an idea of connections and timing. You can check them on Busbud and FlixBus .

Anyway, hope that helps a little! Just let us know if you have further questions as you plan your 2024 trip to Turkey.

Radhika Bayanwala Post author

May 1, 2023 at 9:56 am

Hello, for a 12 day trip what part of this trip do I cut down on?

May 1, 2023 at 12:48 pm

Hi Radhika,

I think it really depends on what you are most interested in doing/seeing in Turkey. I would maybe look at the itinerary day by day and see which places seem less interesting and take 2-3 days out of the itinerary. So for example if not very interested in the coast, you might cut the 2 nights in Antalya or if not as interested in more city/cultural stuff you could cut the stop in Ankara and go directly back to Istanbul from Cappadocia, which would save you two days. It is really just up to you!

If you have any questions as you plan your trip to Turkey, just let me know!

Ferhana Abader Post author

February 11, 2023 at 12:51 pm

Hi Jessica, Thank you so much for this, it really is helpful. My husband and I want to visit Turkey towards the end of April from South Africa. We will be staying for 2 weeks. We want to go to Istanbul, Cappadocia and Antalya. Do you think it’s a good idea to stay in Istanbul for 2 nights, Cappadocia for 3 nights, Antalya for 3 nights and back to Istanbul for another 6 nights. We not really into history so we won’t be visiting quite a few of the places mentioned here. If 8 days in Istanbul is too much where do you recommend we go to where there’s other things to do besides visit historical sites?

Thank you so much 🌹

February 13, 2023 at 8:43 am

Hi Ferhana,

Glad you have found our Turkey itinerary helpful!

So yes, I think if historical and cultural sites are not that interesting to you, you might find that 8 full days in Istanbul might be too much. That is a pretty long time. Istanbul has a variety of things to do, but the main appeal to many visitors is of course the historical sites, churches/mosques, museums, etc. Of course there are also loads of other things including the markets, shopping, art, boat rides, evening entertainment, food tours, etc. So I think 4-6 days in total would probably allow you to see much of what you wish to see perhaps? But it really depends on what you enjoy doing. I’d maybe make a list of what you really want to do there and see how much is on it. That should help you decide.

If you feel you are spending too much time in Istanbul, the simplest thing would perhaps be to just add a night or two to your time in both Cappadocia and Antalya. This way your time is still divided by just 3 places.

If you like the beach and/or outdoor activities, another idea would be spend more time along the Turkish coast. In addition to Antalya, you might want to spend a few nights in either Fethiye or Bodrum. In the coastal cities, in addition to beaches, shopping, and the local historical attractions, you can do things like hiking, boating, golfing, water parks, and adventure tour activities like sailing, paragliding, rock climbing, or dirt biking. Gulet boat tours are popular and you could even consider an overnight trip where you get to sleep on the boat – they range from budget to luxury experiences.

Anyway, hope that helps give you some ideas! If you have any further questions as you plan your trip to Turkey, just ask.

February 13, 2023 at 10:07 am

Thank you so much for your response 🌹 This definitely helps me to make a more informed decision about my itinerary. Take care

February 13, 2023 at 11:58 am

You’re very welcome! Wishing you a great trip, and just let us know if you have further questions.

Jonathan Abrahams Post author

February 11, 2023 at 1:54 am

Thanks so much for this great write-up and itinerary for Turkey. It has definitely helped make my upcoming trip a lot easier to plan.

I’m visiting Turkey in April from the 22nd of April to the 6th of May this year. I’ll be mostly using public transport since I’m traveling solo.

My current schedule is as follows: 01. Istanbul (I arrive 7pm first day so it wouldn’t really count) 02. Istanbul 03. Istanbul 04. Istanbul 05. Selcuk (catch an early morning flight to Izmir and train to Selcuk – visit Ephesus and whatever else I can fit in) 06. Denizli (catch an early train from Selcuk and visit Pammukkale and whatever else I can fit in) 07. Antalya (take a bus to Antalya from Denizli – This time can be flexible if I want to see a bit more of Denizli) 08. Antalya 09. Antalya (taking an overnight bus from Antalya to Cappadocia – 9 hours) 10. Cappadocia 11. Cappadocia 12. Cappadocia 13. Ankara (take a bus from Cappadocia to Ankara – probably early in the morning) 14. Ankara 15. Ankara (take early afternoon flight from Ankara to Istanbul and catch my early evening flight out of Istanbul back home)

Normally when I travel I like to stay in one location for about 3 days to explore it and the surrounding areas, but I had to fit Selcuk in (for Ephesus) and Denizli (for Pammukkale). Do you think I’m spreading my time alright or should I perhaps move around a day or two here or there? Also, have you ever used AirBnB in Turkey and if so, how has it been?

Many thanks Jonathan

February 13, 2023 at 8:18 am

Hi Jonathan,

I think your proposed Turkey itinerary looks fine and glad to hear that our post made it easier for you to plan your trip and itinerary.

I do think that you will be a bit rushed for the 1 night visits as you say but that really can’t be helped unless you borrow time from elsewhere to stay longer in say Selcuk. Days 5 & 6 are definitely going to be longer/busy days for you. So it just depends if you are OK with this or not. If you wanted more time in those places, I’d suggest removing one of the other longer stops (say Antalya or Ankara).

In terms of how to spend your time, I would just review what you really want to see/do in each place and make sure you have enough time to do that. For example, as yourself what are the three main things you really want to do? How much do you want to see Pammukkale? What do you plan to do in Cappadocia/Ankara? etc. If you find that you are having to skip something you really wanted to see or feel it is too rushed, see if you can remove time elsewhere where maybe there are lower priority places. It is really about your priorities and how you want to organize your time, so really only you can decide if the alloted time and itinerary is a good fit for you or not. It is always good to also go with the mindset that hopefully you will return another time so you don’t feel like you have to see everything this trip.

Traveling by public transit is definitely your cheapest option; however, it does of course have the drawback as taking the longest and you will lose some travel time and have to be sure to check the bus/train schedules to be sure to make the most of your time. The overnight bus is a good way to maximize time (and saves you from paying for a hotel that night).

We have used Airbnb in a lot of places around the world, but not in Turkey. In Turkey, good value lodging is easy to find and often includes things like free breakfast, a front desk, a restaurant, and housekeeping so we have found it more appealing to stay in hotels here. I am sure Airbnb is good in Turkey, and if you use it just make sure to stick to places that have consistent good reviews and will be within walking distance of any needed public transit stops. We tend to only find Airbnb worth it for 3 night or more stays.

Anyway, hope that helps and wishing you a great trip to Turkey. If you have any further questions, just ask!

Jonathan Post author

February 13, 2023 at 3:16 pm

Thanks for the feedback Jessica. I’ve only made one change by flying out of Istanbul on my 4th day so I can spend two nights in Selcuk. Other than that I’m happy with my itinerary. Again, I can’t help but say thank you again for this awesome write-up that you’ve done.

Regards Jonathan

February 14, 2023 at 12:59 am

That sounds great to have that extra night in Selçuk so that you don’t have to feel rushed there. Ephesus is a large and important site so it is good to have a full morning and afternoon – having a tour guide can be a good idea here to better understand the ruins.

Having 2 nights will also give you time to see other things in that area. Depending on your interests, Kusadasi is a fairly easy minibus or taxi ride away (about 20 minutes), so that would be an option on the day you are not visiting Ephesus.

Wishing you a great first trip to Turkey!

Mona Post author

January 25, 2023 at 9:58 am

HI! Loved getting all the ideas from your trip! We’re travelling early March this year with our 9 month old! i wanted to know if they would allow him to be on the hot air ballloon with us in a baby carrier strapped to us since were traveling alone and cant leave him anywhere ! would love to know while i plan! def want to do the air balloon though

February 1, 2023 at 4:32 am

Glad you are finding our advice and Turkey itinerary helpful in planning your upcoming trip!

So you can not and should not take a baby in a hot air balloon. It would not be safe to do so as your baby could easily be injured, whether strapped to you or not. Landings can be rough and we’ve seen a number of injuries over the years we’ve been ballooning, luckily most are minor and it is not usual.

There are generally age and/or height requirements for hot air ballooning and these vary around the world and by the operator. Minimum age generally is between 5 and 10 years of age. In Cappadocia, I think the minimum age for most operators is 7 years of age.

So if you want to take a hot air balloon in Turkey, I would choose a hotel in Cappadocia that offers well-reviewed babysitting services. Many hotels in the area do this. For example, the hotel I last stayed at in the region, Kayakapi Caves hotel , offered family rooms, children’s menus, and babysitting services to parents. I would check on these services before booking any hotel.

But if you don’t want to leave your baby, I would choose an alternative activity that you would be able to do safely together. Then you can always return in several years and do a hot air balloon ride together as a family.

Anyway, hope that helps and wishing you a wonderful trip to Turkey!

Ashwani Post author

November 17, 2022 at 4:10 am

Very very detailed article. As someone who lives in Turkey, I really appreciate your travel information. it was a good guide.

November 18, 2022 at 3:57 am

Hello Ashwani,

So glad to hear from those in Turkey that they have found the travel information useful and accurate. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Wishing you happy travels!

Ustun Post author

October 7, 2022 at 2:18 pm

Very very detailed article. As someone who lives in Turkey, I really appreciate your travel information. it was a good guide. You can also contact me for any help.

October 12, 2022 at 2:43 pm

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and let us know that you enjoyed our Turkey travel guide. Always glad to hear from locals that our travel information is accurate and helpful.

If you have any questions, just ask but I am sure you have your own local contacts!

Preeti Post author

September 30, 2022 at 1:10 pm

Extremely helpful blog! We planned our itinerary quite similarly to the one mentioned above. Super in-detail and insightful. Thanks!

October 1, 2022 at 10:27 am

So glad you found our 2 weeks in Turkey guide helpful in planning your itinerary. If you have any questions, just ask!

Wishing you a wonderful trip! Jessica

Dominic Martin Post author

August 29, 2022 at 7:53 pm

Hi Jessica & Laurence, I am glad to have come across your blog. I am planning a 30 day budget trip to Turkey (end Oct to End Nov). We are a couple and will be using Istanbul for arriving and departing in to Turkey. Could you suggest an itinerary for the same? We are open to exploring all options.

Jessica Post author

August 31, 2022 at 12:14 pm

Hi Dominic,

The first thing to determine is how you plan to get around Turkey. We talk about all the options above.

If traveling on a smaller budget, the cheapest way to get around Turkey is definitely by bus. Buses go to most destinations in Turkey. Since you have a lot of time, you can be flexible and would have the time to work with a bus schedule.

Another good option to consider is a budget-oriented tour for part of your trip. For instance, you could do a week in Istanbul on your own, join a tour for a couple of weeks that will take you to all the tourist highlights (Ephesus, Pamukkale, Troy, Cappadocia, beaches, etc.) and then return you to Istanbul to spend another week on your own. One example of a tour company we have used for budget trips is Travel Talk Tours . Some of the tours average out to about $50 to $100 per person/per day so can be a good value, depending on your budget and if any of the itineraries match the main things you want to see/do. Some include time sailing on a boat for a few days.

It is easy to find inexpensive and good value hotels or hostels in most places in Turkey and food is also not very expensive (in comparison to Western countries anyway). You can book your lodging in advance to make sure you stay within your budget.

It is really hard to say what would be the best itinerary for you as it will depend on what you like to do, what you really want to see, your budget, etc. A person most interested in history and ancient sites may have a very different itinerary and priorities than someone more intersted in beaches and sailing. So here is a suggestion that is basically just adding nights to our itinerary and making day stops into overnight stays:

Istanbul – 5 nights Gallipoli/Çanakkale – 1 night izmir – 2 nights Troy/Şirince – 1 night Kusadasi – 3 nights Denizli/Pamukkale – 2 nights Fethiye – 3 nights Antalya – 3 nights Konya – 2 nights Cappadocia – 4 nights Ankara – 2 nights Istanbul – 2 nights

Hopefully, the above gives you an idea of how to get started in booking your trip to Turkey.

Dominic Post author

August 31, 2022 at 6:03 pm

Thanks for the detailed information Jessica. Will work around this.

September 1, 2022 at 1:52 pm

You’re very welcome and hope this helps. Just let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip to Turkey!

Jay R Post author

August 29, 2022 at 6:22 pm

Hey Jessica & Laurence!

Thanks for putting together such a great guide. We are planning to go to Turkey in October for an engagement. We were trying to keep it to 14 days but finding it difficult. Also, we were hoping to squeeze in Mount Nemrut but it does not seem practical.

We are planning to rent a car.

Here is what we are thinking:

Istanbul – 3 nights Safranbolu – 1 night Hattusha – few hours Cappadocia – 4 nights Antalya – 2 nights Kas – 1 night Fethiye – 1 night (Paragliding) Pamukkale – 1 night Selçuk – 2 night Istanbul – 1 night

We really want to try and squeeze in Epheseus but we are already over the 14 day stay we were planning.

Do you have any suggestions based on this proposed itinerary? Would you remove any stop or shorten any days?

Also, for renting cars, the reviews seem all over – do you have any suggestions?

Thanks again to both of you for putting together such a great resource!

August 31, 2022 at 11:45 am

Glad that our suggested 14 day itinerary was helpful in putting together your own. Happy to try to give advice about your upcoming trip.

My biggest advice especially if trying to decide what to try to fit in and what to cut, is to just make a list of your top must-see places and then order them by how much you and your travel partner(s) want to visit. Then you can cut the places you want to see least and spend more time on the places that are a must-see. With only 14 days you can only see a bit of Turkey as its a huge country with so much to see/do but you can certainly see a number of places in 2 weeks. Hopefully you have the chance to return some day and see those places that don’t make it on this trip 😉

I would definitely not recommend adding to your current itinerary if you are trying to keep it to 14 days unless you remove some of the stops as you currently already have 16 days/nights by what you listed. If you want to bring it down to 14, some suggestions would be to skip Safranbolu/Hattusha, remove one night from Cappadocia (3 nights is probably enough), skip the 1 night in Kas, and/or remove the last night in Istanbul (and just fly home that day). What you remove will of course depend on how much you want to see each place. Removing the 1 night stops is generally a good place to start if needing to pare down an itinerary.

You might also consider dropping off your car at the Izmir airport and flying home from Izmir (via Istanbul) to avoid that long drive back from Selçuk and avoid the need to spend an extra night in Istanbul. Also you could potentially stop in Ephesus that day if you had time as it would be on your way to the airport.

So if you want to include Mount Nemrut, you can do so, but you are going to have to skip some of the other places. That will take you much further over to eastern Turkey and is about a 7 hour or so drive from the most eastern place on your itinerary at the moment. If you want to do that I’d probably end your itinerary as you have it above in Fethiye and fly home from there via Istanbul (skipping Pamukkale, Selçuk, and extra night in Istanbul). That would put you at about 14 days in total if you add a couple days for driving and visiting Mount Nemrut.

I am not sure if your question about rental cars is about where to check rates/companies or safety of driving a rental car in Turkey? We cover some of this above in the article. But in terms of where to look for rates, I’d recommend this comparison website to get a good idea of prices as they compare a lot of brands, both international (Sixt, Hertz, Europcar) as well as more local Turkish companies. Make sure you read all the terms of the rental. In Istanbul, you can pick up a car at the airport or in the city, so if exploring the city first, you might want to compare prices as you can sometimes save by not getting it from the airport.

In terms of driving/safety, the road network in Turkey and road safety are not the best in general, but if you stick to main routes to tourist destinations in western Turkey, it is OK, well-signed, and doable. But the further east you go and the more you go to rural and offbeat places, the less great the road system is. It also depends where you are coming from, your comfort with driving, and the road conditions you are used to in your home country. If safety is a concern, I’d definitely do your own research and read the latest stats/reports to make your own informed decisions.

Alternatives are taking buses or trains (buses go to most/all of the places you list, trains to a few), flights, or guided tours that include transport. Buses for most popular destinations are easy to book online these days (see some links above in article). The issue of course with taking public transit or flights is you’d have to keep to a schedule and you’d probably want to remove the 1 night stops (and maybe do them as guided day trips instead).

Anyway, hope the above helps give you some direction and answers to your questions. If you have further questions as you book your trip, just ask.

Wishing you a safe & fun trip to Turkey!

Ivelisse Garcia Post author

August 26, 2022 at 3:17 pm

Hi, Jessica am going to Turkey for 15 days , arriving in Istanbul then capadocia, konya, Antalya, Pamukale, but my question is from pamukale what other city I need to stay to see the churches and then returning to Istanbul, please advise( no tour company on our own)

August 27, 2022 at 5:17 am

Hi Ivelisse,

Happy to try to help. So there are a lot of churches in Turkey, so it depends of course on which ones in particular you want to see.

I am guessing you might be talking about the Seven Holy Churches of Asia (as mentioned in the Bible in the Book of Revelation) as those are popular places for tourists and pilgrims? Those would be the seven churches located in the ancient cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

I’d probably recommend splitting your time between Denizli and Izmir to see the 7 churches and Pamukkale (which is near Denizli). So maybe two nights in Denizli and then three nights in Izmir.

If you are looking for a single base to see all 7 churches, I would recommend Izmir. You’d probably need at least 3 days to see them as day trips plus I’d recommend another day to explore Izmir itself. So I would maybe do 4 nights there if trying to see all 7 churches from there.

Then from Izmir, you can then head north to visit Troy, Gallipoli, etc. before returning to Istanbul.

Ivelisse Post author

August 27, 2022 at 7:24 am

Thank you so much that helps me so much

August 28, 2022 at 3:44 am

You’re very welcome, happy to help. Yes, if you are wanting to visit all seven churches, the best solution would probably be to split your time between Denizli and Izmir.

Wishing you a wonderful trip to Turkey.

Ana Post author

August 10, 2022 at 5:02 pm

Hello Jessica and Lawrence! Thank you for such nice detail explanation in what to do in Turkey. I am planning a trip by the end of October 2022 and I’m traveling solo ( I’m a female 54 old and have traveled before by myself but I’m a bit rusty.. haven’t traveled in the last 4 years)I like the options provided, but was wondering if I have 14 days to spend there what would be the best for me? I was thinking about using air to move from one city to another in order to save time and get to know more places. I was thinking arriving to Estambul from USA Florida and get a flight to start in Capadocia so I could finish in Estambul. Do you have any plan for a solo female traveler??

August 11, 2022 at 6:49 am

Glad you are finding our 2 week Turkey itinerary helpful in planning your own 14 days in Turkey. We are happy to try to help.

If you are wanting to get between places by plane, then I’d recommend choosing 4 to 5 places to base with nearby airports and from those cities/towns you can explore the city and take day tours to places you want to visit from those places (e.g.,Epheseus, Pamukkale, Troy, etc.). Note that you will of course need to take a taxi, bus, or book a transfer to get from airports to towns.

So I would first recommend making a list of any must-see places and planning based on that. For example Izmir can be a base for places like Ephesus, Pamukkale, Pergamum, Kusadasi, etc. You can visit some places by bus on your own and others are going to be best by day tour.

Then you’ll want to check the nearest major airport to those sites. Some of the places with regular flights are Istanbul, Izmir, Konya, Antalya, the Cappadocia area, Bodrum, and Ankara.

So for example if you have 14 days, you mights do something like: 3 days Cappadocia, 3 days Antalya, 4 days Izmir, 4 days Istanbul. But it of course depends on where you want to go and your travel preferences (e.g., beaches versus museums versus ancient sites).

You might also want to look into tour options if you don’t want to make all the arrangements on your own and don’t mind some travel companions. For example you could join a tour for the first 10 days and then spend the rest of the time on your own in Istanbul. Tours are generally a good value in Turkey and can make life simpler if you don’t have a lot of time to plan.

Hope that helps! Jessica

September 24, 2022 at 3:10 pm

Thank you so much!!! Your ideas have helped a lot!😀

September 25, 2022 at 6:01 am

You’re very welcome! If you have any further questions as you start planning and booking your trip, just ask and we’re happy to try to help.

VINCE YIP Post author

August 10, 2022 at 12:19 am

I, fortunately, stumbled upon your blog. Its super informative and comprehensive – THANKS so much for that. Just hoping you can help give me some advice, It will be my first trip to Turkey and I will be travelling solo, arriving either Istanbul or Izmir on 25SEP22.

I will be flying into Turkey from Santorini and am thinking of flying straight into IZMIR (although it will take a good 8 hrs including transits in Athens and Istanbul.

I would like to cover Istanbul, Izmir/Selcuk/ Ephesus , Pergamon & Ayvalik, Miletus / Prienne (Kusadasi as base ?), Fethiye, Pamukkale, Antalya, Konya and Cappaodicia – 3 nites at least (for last, then fly back to Istanbul and spend a week in Istanbul). I do not have a time constraint so do not need to rush as such but do not wan to “over-stay” unneccesarily either in areas that do not warrant more time.

My “dilemma” is between Izmir and Cappadocia – what do you propose is the best way to move from one place to another and which cities would you recommend flying between instead of public transport ? Are buses well-served for your destinations – going anti-clockwise from Izmir. I am thinking once i arrive each town, i will look local guided tours as necessary.

Are there tours originating from Izmir to Ephesus and Pergamon where they pick me from my hotel. Any suggestions or insights you can offer with regards to travelling efficiently in time and logistics would be appreciated.

Thanking you in advance.

August 11, 2022 at 5:48 am

Glad that you found our Turkey itinerary and travel advice helpful in planning your upcoming trip to Turkey.

Yes, I don’t think it really matters if you start in Istanbul or Izmir, as it just depends if you want to spend some time in Istanbul at the beginning or your trip or not. As you note, you will likely fly to Istanbul either way, you just need to decide if you want a connecting flight to Izmir or not.

I would consider skipping Ayvalik as this seaside town is about a 2.5 hour drive north of Izmir and while you can get there by bus pretty easily, it will eat up a lot of time unless there is something here you really want to visit. It is also in the wrong direction based on your travel plans.

So an itinerary might look something like this:

Izmir – 3 days (visit Ephesus/Selcuk from here, perhaps also Pergamon or Ayvalik if going there) Kusadasi – 3 days (visit Miletus and Priene on day tour from here, visit Pergamon if haven’t done so from Izmir) Pamukkale – 1 day – (you can either visit by taking bus from Kusadasi to Denizli and stay overnight and just do on own, or just join a guided day tour from Kusadasi) Fethiye – 2 days Antalya – 3 days Konya – 2 days Cappadocia – 3 days Istanbul – 7 days

Since you have a lot of time, buses are cheap and pretty easy. You should be able to book regular buses (see section above about transport and buses) to any of the above. You can book online in advance in most cases. The nearest station I think to Pamukkale is Denizli so that one might be better done as a day tour unless you want to stay overnight there. Between Cappadocia and Istanbul, I’d probably recommend flying as it will save you time but you can also take a bus.

The easiest way to book tours is to just do so online in advance once you know your dates of travel and when you want to go. Most tours by both GetYourGuide and Viator offer free cancelation if done so 24 to 48 hours in advance if you needed to change your trip. Just be sure to check the cancellation policy before booking. This way you will know you have a tour booked and will know price in advance.

Tours to Ephesus, both group and private tours, are available from Izmir, Kusadasi, or Selcuk. If you are basing in İzmir you can see tour options here .

Similarly, tours to Pergamon are offered from Izmir, Kusadasi, or Selcuk. Izmir makes the most sense as it is the closest one to the city, but it will depend on tour availability what might be best for you. This is one of the reasons it makes sense to book any tours in advance to help determine how many nights you need in each town or city.

Vince Yip Post author

August 11, 2022 at 11:31 am

Hi Jessica,

Thank you so much for responding with your recommendations-really appreciate your generosity. Your suggestions sound great and sensible. I am overwhelmed by the number of similar tours on offer …but will get there. I was initially thinking of driving but at the same time didn’t want the hassle. I will let you know how I go…in due course.

Thanks again n all the best !! Vince

August 12, 2022 at 1:31 am

Between Izmir, Kusadasi and Selcuk – which town would you suggest as a better base , also which of these 3 would have more to offer apart from being a good base to Ephesus, Pamukkale etc.

August 12, 2022 at 3:15 am

You’re very welcome for the help.

As for the best town to base of the 3, as I said, you could do the tours to Ephesus, Pergamon, and Pamukkale from any of those three towns/cities. So any would work. However, if you were to choose just one, I’d personally say Kuşadası just as there are a lot of tours on offer from there (probably more than from Izmir) and it also has the seaside location, beaches, resorts, nightlife, tourist services, the castle, and some other sites of historical interest, etc. It is also a popular place from which to do boat tours or buggy tours. So you could definitely spend a day or two enjoying the town in between the tours.

When choosing tours, there are going to be a number of competing options to all the popular places like Ephesus and Pamukkale. So I would just recommend reading the details, see what is included for the price, make sure it is available on your date of travel, and check the cancellation policy. I would also recommend booking ones with good recent reviews from the past year and good cancellation policies. For example from Kusadasi, you can see a number of tour options here from GYG.

If flying in from Izmir and basing in Kusadasi, it is about a 1 to 1.5 hour drive by car, bus, private transfer, or taxi to get to Kusadasi. With luggage, I’d probably just book a private transfer for convenience. But you could also go by bus which takes a little longer but is much cheaper. I think the Havas airport shuttle is currently only about $5 (USD).

If just staying in one and considering 3 tours, and you have a lot of time, I’d probably spend 5 days there. That would give you 3 days out and 2 days to spend exploring and relaxing in the town/city.

Div Post author

June 27, 2022 at 2:52 pm

Hi Jessica and lawrence, You have a wonderful blog full of useful information. I stumbled upon it while researching about Turkey. I would like to know if last week of November will be a good time to visit Istanbul and Cappadocia. I am looking for a family trip 3 days in each location. This will be our first time in Turkey and not planning to do too much all at once. I would like to fly hot air balloons and visit the historic sites in Cappadocia and also do the high profile locations in Istanbul as you have listed above. Is Antalya doable in one week time frame? will be traveling from west coast of US and hence want to leave time for jet lag and travel delays. Any recommendations much appreciated.

June 28, 2022 at 10:39 am

November can be a good time to visit Turkey as the weather is cooler so you don’t need to worry about the hot temperature in the summer and it is not as popular a time to visit so less tourists. But you’ll want to bring along long sleeves and some warmer clothes as it can get chilly, especially in the evenings. I’d be sure to check the predicted weather in both places before your trip so you can pack accordingly.

So if you have 1 week in total for your trip and 6 nights, then splitting it between Istanbul and Cappadocia is a good idea. I wouldn’t really recommend trying to visit anywhere else as it will make for a rushed trip. If you are driving, you might consider a stop in Ankara on the way between them (since it is on the way), but since flying is probably a better option to save time (it is an 8 to 10 hour drive), I’d probably just split your time between Istanbul and Cappadocia. Taking the short flights in between them.

Three nights in Istanbul will give you plenty of time to see many of the highlights as we describe in the article. If you stay in the city center, it is easy to walk to many places. There are also a lot of walking and driving tours you can join for sightseeing.

For your time in Cappadocia, I’d recommend flying to save time (you can get a domestic flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia, and then book a shuttle or taxi to the town where you are staying). If the hop-on hop-off bus is running when you are there then that is a good option to get around as it stops at all the main tourist sites (Göreme is probably the best place to stay if doing bus). Or you can just book a guided tour (group or private) that goes to the places you want to go. And yes, we’d definitely recommend also booking the hot air balloon flight for one morning as that is definitely a highlight for many people. If staying 3 nights, I’d book the balloon flight for your second morning so that if it gets canceled due to weather you’d be able to potentially rebook on your third morning.

Antalya is not close to Istanbul or Cappadocia, so unless you have more than 1 week, I would probably not recommend also trying to go there. But if you have more time, it is a good option if you want to add some beach time to your trip. But you’d probably want 2-3 nights there to really enjoy it.

Hope that helps, and if you have more questions as you plan your Turkey trip, feel free to ask!

Kownain Andrabi Post author

June 21, 2022 at 8:02 am

Hi! We have planned our 2 week Turkey trip in the third week of August this year. I have been reading and re-readinh this blog so many times! 🙂 We have planned a few places – Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Konya, Bodum, Selcuk and Antalya. I am just a bit confused as to the sequence of the places. Like which place should we visit first. This itinerary is being really helpful but since we are not going to all the places listed, I am a bit confused

June 21, 2022 at 9:32 am

Hi Kownain,

Glad you are planning a trip to Turkey and that our blog has been helpful!

All of these places you mention are in the itinerary except Bodrum. Selçuk is just the town next to Ephesus (which as we note could be a good overnight stop instead of the suggested Kusadasi. The order you would probably want to visit them based on their geographical locations would be Selçuk, Bodrum, Pamukkale, Antalya, Konya, and then Cappadocia.

Now, it is also going to depend on where you are going to enter into Turkey (if you are coming from abroad). Most international flights land in Istanbul (or possibly Ankara). So if planning to fly in and out of Istanbul, then you can start your trip there.

But if you are not planning to actually visit Istanbul and do sightseeing there, you might consider taking a regional flight onward to Izmir to start your trip there and fly out of one of the airports in Cappadocia. This will allow you to skip several hours of driving or buses to get to the starting point of your trip from Istanbul.

Hope that helps, and I would definitely recommend that you start planning and booking your travel now (e.g., flights, hotels, tours, car rentals) as your trip is only a couple of months away.

Just let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip!

June 23, 2022 at 1:08 pm

Thank you so much ch Jessica. Yes I forgot to mention that we are landing in Istanbul and leaving back from there as well. So the beginning and end of our trip will be Istanbul. We have already booked to and fro flights but we might have to book some domestic ones. I am trying to finalize the itinerary by this weekend. I might have more questions to follow😅

June 24, 2022 at 5:03 am

You’re very welcome!

Yes, so your itinerary would likely be Istanbul, Selçuk, Bodrum, Pamukkale, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia, and then Istanbul. I would check to see what makes sense in terms of price and time on how to get to Selçuk and from Cappadocia. You have the options of flying, renting a car to drive, or taking a bus.

Your other option of course if you don’t want to plan and book all your transport, accommodation, and activities is to book a private tour that starts and ends in Istanbul such as this one .

Yes, happy to answer any further questions you might have. Wishing you a great trip to Turkey.

July 3, 2022 at 3:24 pm

Hi Jessica! I am here again 🙂 I made the itinerary and had to skip Pamukkale and Konya because they just didn’t fit. Also we are traveling with our 2-yr old for the first time so we don’t want to rush through places. Following is our itinerary (as of now). Can you please see and check if there’s anything we can change/improve. Day 1,2: Istanbul Leave for Cappadocia on Day 3 by air Day 3,4: Cappadocia Leave for Antalya on day 5 by air Day 5,6: Antalya Leave for Fethiye early on Day 7 by car Day 7,8: Fethiye Leave for Bodrum on day 9 in bus/car Day 9,10: Bodrum Leave for Selcuk on day 11 in car/bus Days 11,12: Selcuk/Ephesus Leave for Istanbul on day 12 via air Day 12,13: Istanbul Leave for home on day 14

We want to spend one more day in Istanbul, but not sure how to do that. Waiting for your insight Thank you so much

We have booked the main flights to and from home but not any other ones. We really want to finalize the plan in a couple of days so that we can book the hotels and domestic flights

July 4, 2022 at 4:24 am

Glad you have an itinerary drafted now for your Turkey trip. It looks OK to me and makes sense in terms of the order. Skipping Pamukkale and Konya is probably a good idea given traveling with a 2-year-old. But as you say, it may be a bit rushed with a young child, as you’ll only have 2 nights at any location with a lot of travel time getting from place to place.

So if you are wanting to simplify it a bit, I would probably take out one of the three coastal stops. I guess it depends on what you speciically want to do in Antalya, Fethiye, and Bodrum, but if it is mainly beach and water related, then I’d recommend cutting out at least one (if not two of them). If you have 4-5 nights in the same place it would make for a much more relaxing time, especially with a 2 year old. It might also mean you won’t need to rent a car and you could have the extra day in Istanbul.

Antalya is a great family destination and has good flight connections. A lot of the hotels and resorts have a kids pool, children’s activities, beach access, and offer babysitting services. Antalya has lots of beaches, historical sites, family theme parks, water activities, day tours you can take, etc. So unless you have things that you really want to see/do at Fethiye or Bodrum, I’d consider spending more time there and taking them out of the itinerary. Or you could alternatively just split your time between Antalya and Fethiye and skip Bodrum.

Another idea to save time and reduce stops is to group together all your time in Istanbul at the beginning of your trip and spend the first full 4 or 5 days there at once, rather than splitting it into 2 separate shorter stays. This would mean less moving and changing hotels, and less time going back and forth from the aiport. So for example, at the end you could book a flight from İzmir back home (likely will connect via Istanbul airport) rather than going back into Istanbul itself.

P.S. You are probably already aware of this, but many popular activities and tours have minimum age limits. So for example, hot air ballooning in Cappadocia is not possible with a 2 year old due to safety regulations. So just be sure when planning activities, that you check the age limits.

Anyway, hope that helps and gives you some ideas.

August 14, 2022 at 11:30 am

Your suggestions and advices have been really helpful. We are leaving in 5 days so everything is pretty much booked. We skipped Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Konya and are doing Istanbul, Izmir, Bodrum, Antalya and back to Istanbul. As I had mentioned earlier, going to Cappadocia with our toddler doesn’t make much sense and Pamukkale and Konya were too hectic. I just want some final suggestions. In Istanbul we have 3 full days in the beginning and another 3 full days at the end. I was wondering how to split the Istanbul itinerary effectively. We want to visit as many places in the city as we can (including the cruise) since there is plenty of time but not sure how about the order. About Izmir, we are planning to do one half day in Ephesus and then visit the town of Izmir and for the next day. In Bodrum, we will mainly be relaxing and then we have two full days know Antalya. How do you suggest we go about our itineraries for each of these cities effectively without getting over-exhausted? Really looking forward to your valuable suggestions.

P.s: Also I am all nerves because this will be our first vacation as a family and don’t know what to expect from the little one😥

August 15, 2022 at 2:28 am

So glad to hear that you have decided on your itinerary and have a lot of your trip booked now. I think splitting your time between just 4 cities makes sense if traveling mostly by plane and traveling with a toddler.

Yes, given the age restrictions I mentioned, Cappadocia may not be the best place to visit now with a 2-year-old and so taking it out gives you more time in the other places.

We give suggestions for about 3 days worth of things to do in Istanbul and since you have 5 to 6 full days, I’d consider just doing them slowly over time. With a toddler, you are not going to want to try to squeeze stuff in all day, so since you have the time, you can go more slowly and be more flexible. For instance you might plan 3 hours of sightseeing after breakfast, come back to have a big break in the afternoons and then go out for a few more hours later in the day. I am not sure the order makes much difference although you’ll want to check opening dates/hours but most of the major attractions are open most days.

Izmir, I think splitting time between Ephesus and visiting the city is good. For Antalya, if you have two days, you might spend one day walking around the old city, perhaps a cable car / gondola ride for the view, and maybe a tour out to Aspendos (Roman amphitheater). Then the second day just relaxing, whether that be one of the water parks, beach, or pool. You could also consider a boat ride. But this does depend a bit on where you are staying in Antalya as the resorts are a bit spread out and many also have their own activities on offer.

I think the best thing to do to not become over-exhausted is to just plan ahead and make sure you have time for breaks in your trip each day. I would also check the weather and see how hot it will be on your trip. If it is going to be really hot on some parts of your trip, it is best to avoid being outside (especially in unshaded places) during the hottest parts of the day (usually from about noon to 5pm). This is particularly important obviously with a baby. So if doing say a tour to an ancient ruined city or amphitheater or an outdoor walking tour, these might be best done in the mornings. Then taking a break in the afternoon in your hotel or some other air-conditioned or shaded area. And then coming out again in the late afternoon or early evening.

Hope that helps, and wishing you a wonderful trip to Turkey with your family!

Mr. Prakash Chandra Devkota Post author

May 19, 2022 at 1:31 am

What an incredible itinerary. we are planning a road trip in Turkey of this nature. Thank you very much for sharing this information.

May 19, 2022 at 4:46 am

Hi Mr. Devkota,

Glad our Turkey itinerary and travel information is helping in planning your own road trip in Turkey. If you have any questions as you plan your trip, just ask.

Wishing you safe and fun travels!

Sid Post author

May 17, 2022 at 5:48 am

Thank you so much for this post. We are planning a 12 days trip to Turkey in Beginning the 4th of July week (aware it will be pretty hot). The places we plan to cover are Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Fethiye/Oludeniz and Pamukkale.

We were not sure which way would work best. Whether we do the circular country tour left to right (beginning with Pamukkale) or right to left (beginning with Cappadocia) from Istanbul.

Request you to please share your thoughts on the same

May 17, 2022 at 6:07 am

Glad you enjoyed our post! So it sounds like you are planning to visit most of the places we list in our 2 week Turkey itinerary on your 12 day visit. The direction you do the trip really makes no real difference as you are essentially doing a circular trip. You just want to make sure that things are in logical order based on location as you go around. So you can follow the order as we list it or you can just reverse it.

Now, it does depend of course on how you plan to get around Turkey. As it may be easier to go one direction or the other depending on available flights, bus schedules, etc. Or if you are joining a tour or hiring a driver, they will of course have a set route. But if you are driving, then you’ll rent your car in Istanbul and return it in Istanbul so it wouldn’t make much difference. The only thing you may want to check on is accommodation availability as that could sway the direction.

If all is equal, I’d personally recommend leaving Cappadocia for last. Just as the scenery there is really unique and stunning, and if doing a hot balloon flight that is something special to look forward to doing towards the end of your trip.

And yes, expect it to be hot. You will want to be prepared for the heat so just be sure to pack accordingly, protect yourself from the sun, and always have plenty of water with you. But as long as you know the temperatures and weather and are prepared, you should be OK.

If you are planning to visit in early July, I’d highly recommend booking the main parts of your trip soon, particularly any international flights, rental cars, tours, and accommodation. You will be visiting at the height of the High Season for tourism to Turkey so good to make advance bookings, especially if working with a set trip budget.

Hope that helps and just let us know if you have any further questions as you plan your trip to Turkey!

May 18, 2022 at 7:34 am

Thank you so much Jessica!!

ALEX THOMPSON Post author

November 16, 2021 at 4:01 am

Nice article on Turkey, it helped us a lot to explore. I am an entrepreneur by profession and a traveler by heart. Your article made our stay exciting. Very attractive information.

November 16, 2021 at 4:13 am

Thanks so much and glad you had such a wonderful trip to Turkey and that our article could help provide some helpful information.

Wishing you safe & exciting future travels!

Sandra Post author

November 16, 2021 at 3:23 am

Thank you for all your useful information. Our Turkey trip was great.

We didn’t end up staying at a big resort in Antalya but drove one hour from Antalya to Milyos Hobbit Hotel . This hotel was situated on a mountain with great views and nice staff.

We will go plan a new trip to Turkey at soon, there is so much to see!

Best regards Sandra

November 16, 2021 at 4:12 am

So happy that you found our 2 week Turkey itinerary helpful, and that you had such a wonderful trip to Turkey!

Glad you enjoyed your time in the mountains. I think a lot of people enjoy the time along the coast, but certainly, some might prefer the mountains for a more peaceful time. For those reading this, the hotel she stayed in is about an 1 hour and 20 minute drive from Antalya and the coast. So a great location for getting away in the mountains but not so great if you want to be on or near the coastal area. Can be good for car drivers but not so convenient to reach by public transit.

So glad that you are considering another trip to Turkey soon. There is so much else to see in the country, particularly in eastern Turkey!

Wishing you safe & wonderful future travels! Jessica

Jack Hall and Sam Montgomery Post author

October 26, 2021 at 8:41 am

Great and informative article on visiting Turkey for two weeks or so. We went for 18 days in 2016 in the spring. Everything was organized by toursturkey which we found online. Their agent Tujan did a wonderful, detailed job. Our itinerary was almost identical to yours, but did not include Ankara. It did include the 4 day gullet cruise out of Fethiye, which we would not have missed. All hotels and guided tours were included ( we specified top grade hotels, not luxury) and breakfasts included at the hotels. Some other meals at sites outside cities. A great trip.

October 28, 2021 at 9:18 am

Hi Jack & Sam,

So glad you enjoyed our article about traveling to Turkey! And happy to hear that you have been to Turkey back in 2016 and went to many of the places we recommend. We definitely tried to give people a sense of what they could see with 2 weeks and tried to include a variety of the most popular places in Turkey.

Yes, I think that if people have the extra time, spending some time on a gulet is really nice and my husband spent several days on one as well once as part of a tour and really enjoyed it. Most people just do a day cruise (which is a nice way to spend a day), but you can definitely see a lot more of the coast/islands if you do a multi-day cruise and stay aboard the boat. But if you only have 2 weeks, it definitely takes away some of the time that could be spent doing other things so it is something people would need to weigh the pros and cons of doing. We are lucky to have been to Turkey a few times but most people just visit once so will need to prioritize what they want to see given the big distances in the country.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts on your own visit to Turkey. Perhaps you will have a chance to return to see more of the country and also explore the capital city 😉

Saleem A Bikanerwala Post author

September 2, 2021 at 2:00 pm

Extremely informative. Thank you so much. Can you kindly point me to folks who do package tours. We are interested in a 14 day tour and want to know how much it would cost. We are 16 in total.

September 3, 2021 at 1:05 am

Yes, just scroll down to the “Tours of Turkey” section of our article and we list a number of tour providers and specific tours, including one that is 14 days in length. That should get you started, but there are a number of options out there. It will depend on your budget and where you want to go.

In places like Istanbul, you can also book day tours easily as there are a lot of options. But you would want a longer guided tour to explore the rest of Turkey.

LYNETTE SANTIAGO Post author

May 19, 2021 at 6:20 am

Hello! Thank you so much for the valuable information.

I am planning on going to Turkey in June (after school is out, I am a teacher.). I live in Doha and this will be my first adventure. My husband and I want to do the road trip, starting at Istanbul and finishing the trip there as well.

Your information is so important to me. Are hostels easy to find? Do you suggest I get a sim card for the phone, so that I can use Waze and research things easily? Should I rent a car at the airport or is it ok to get a rental outside of the airport?

Thank you in advance for sharing all of your knowledge! 🙂

Best, Lynette

May 20, 2021 at 5:01 am

Hi Lynette,

So glad to hear that our 14 day Turkey itinerary has been helpful to you in planning your summer road trip in Turkey with your husband!

Yes, if you are flying into and out of Istanbul, then I’d follow the itinerary as is since it starts and ends in Istanbul. If you have less than 14 days, however, you’ll likely need to cut out some of the stops and rework the route a bit.

So hostels are easy to find in the larger cities for sure and many of the popular tourist towns. However, in smaller towns and cities, there may only be one hostel so options may be limited. But if you are on a budget, I’d also recommend checking out guesthouses, B&Bs, and budget hotels in Turkey as many offer a really good value, especially for a couple traveling together. Many of the guesthouses are not too much more expensive than a private hostel room.

If you are trying to stick to a budget for your accommodation, I’d recommend booking in advance so you know the price in advance and know where you will be staying. We list a number of hostels, guesthouses, and hotels for each place in the itinerary so you can book online in advance once you know your dates.

For the rental car, you can either rent from the airport or from Istanbul as there are rental car offices in the city as well. If you don’t need a car in Istanbul (we never use one there), you can save money by waiting to pick up your rental after you have already spent time exploring Istanbul. I’d just be sure to book your car in advance once you know your dates and where you plan to pick it up.

Yes, if your mobile phone works on the same frequency as used in Turkey and it is unlocked, you should be able to just use a local Sim card. You should be able to purchase these in many places in Istanbul or at the airport (or you can order one online before your trip). Just be sure to check the Sim card data rates. For more information about this, you can read this post about options for getting online when traveling .

Hope that helps, and just let me know if you have further questions as you plan your road trip. Wishing you a safe and fun trip to Turkey!

Sylvia Dsilva Post author

May 13, 2021 at 7:16 am

Hi Jessica & Laurence,

I’m really glad to have come across your post and its helps me plan my trip to Turkey. My boyfriend and I are going to be travelling in June’21 and I would like to know if I can start my journey from Cappadocia onwards and follow the same itinerary backwards and arrive to Istanbul.

Thank you for all the answers in advance, Sylvia

May 14, 2021 at 4:25 am

First, I am happy to hear that our Turkey itinerary has been helpful to you and your boyfriend in planning your summer trip to Turkey.

I would like to just note, as you are probably already aware, that Turkey is currently in a strict lockdown due to a surge of coronavirus cases over the past few months so almost all businesses are closed and travel is very restricted. The current strict restrictions will last at least until May 17th but some restrictions are likely to remain for the near future. So I would keep watching that situation to make sure that you are able to travel in June and that the things you want to visit will be open and it is safe to travel to those areas. I would make sure that any travel plans and bookings are able to be changed or canceled or that you have good travel insurance that would cover you in the event that you were not able to travel to Turkey in June.

Now, in terms of where to start your Turkey itinerary, you can start it anywhere along the route as it is a circular route. I would probably base it on where you are entering the country. Most foreign travelers will arrive into either Istanbul or Ankara, which makes them the best places to start the trip. It might also depend on how you plan to get around the country (e.g., car, train, bus, guided tour, etc.) as routes and dates may affect your itinerary.

But yes, you can, of course, start in Cappadocia. So you can go from Cappadocia to Antalya to Fethiye, and so on, going backwards through the itinerary. Just note if you start in Cappadocia and end in Istanbul, you will have to decide what to do with the days in Ankara – you can either skip Ankara or head there from Istanbul, perhaps by train as there is a good connection between the 2 cities, and spend the 2 days there before heading back for your time in Istanbul. Then you can depart from Istanbul.

Hope that helps, and just let me know if you have any further questions.

Shek Ahamed Shadhik Post author

March 25, 2021 at 4:49 pm

Such an amazing Itinerary. Me and my lady are planning on such a road trip experience. Is it ideal for a couple where only I will be driving the car the whole time? Also, do I have an option of airport pick up and drop at Ankara for car rentals?

March 26, 2021 at 9:06 am

Glad you found our Turkey itinerary helpful in planning your future road trip around Turkey. Yes, I think it is fine for someone driving but you also have the option of course to do public transit or take a guided tour instead. It just really depends on what you prefer and how much you want to spend behind the wheel driving as some of the distances are pretty great.

Yes, if you are arriving to Turkey through Ankara airport, you can rent your car there as there are several rental car agencies located at the airport as well as in the city center.

If starting in Ankara, I would just adjust the itinerary to start in Ankara and you can start there and then move to Istanbul and follow the itinerary until you are back in Ankara.

You don’t really need the car to explore Ankara (or Istanbul) and especially in Istanbul, I wouldn’t really recommend one. So you might want to explore Ankara and Istanbul on foot and using public transport (the 2 cities are well linked by train), and then pick up a car in Istanbul if you want to save some money on a rental car and not have to worry about parking/driving in the larger cities.

Hope that helps, and just let me know if you have any other questions as you plan your trip.

Wishing you happy and safe travels, Jessica

Blaž Dobravec Post author

March 21, 2021 at 4:28 am

Dear Jessica & Laurence,

Me and my girlfriend are traveling to Turkey in the middle of April, we were also thinking of doing a similar route as you guys did. I have a question about the current situation about the overnight busses and the domestic planes, since there is a curfew. Are there any other restrictions?

thank you for all the answers in advance, Blaž Dobravec

March 21, 2021 at 8:57 am

Hello Blaž,

Glad that our Turkey itinerary has been helpful in planning your upcoming trip to Turkey. If you have a similar amount of time, this can be a good route to try to see some of the highlights.

Unfortunately, Turkey is seeing an increase of coronavirus cases right now and many believe that there will likely be travel restrictions throughout the Spring and perhaps the summer months as well. Many governments, including ours here in the UK, are urging people to not travel there and to cancel any non-essential travel plans there for now.

So yes, I think not only will there be restrictions regarding transport in Turkey as you are seeing, but you are likely to see a lot of travel attractions closed or with travel restrictions. A lot of bars and restaurants are currently allowed to operate with reduced capacity (I think many that are open are at 50%).

I would check the latest news and also check to see what your home country has to say about travel to Turkey. Depending on your thoughts on this information, you might want to consider rebooking your trip for a later time when things are more stable there and you are going to be more able to travel freely and visit more places. There has been a lot of speculation about another short lockdown in Turkey by multiple news outlets recently given the spiking cases which could occur during your trip.

Sorry for the bad news, but I hope it helps and encourages you to check out the latest news and restrictions in Turkey and make an informed decision regarding your travel plans. If you do still plan to go in April, I would make sure that everything you book is able to be canceled and/or you have travel insurance that would cover disruptions due to Covid-19.

Let me know if you have any further questions about planning a trip to Turkey!

Josh Clement-Sutcliffe Post author

July 18, 2020 at 5:54 am

We love Turkey and feel like you should go for at least two weeks, partly because its such a large country but also because there is so much to do! Istanbul is magnificent, I loved exploring Topkapi palace and learning about the Ottoman history

July 18, 2020 at 6:55 am

Yes, we agree! 2 weeks is a great introduction trip to Turkey to explore Istanbul and see some of the highlights of the western part of the country. If you wanted to cover the highlights of the entire country, we’d recommend adding an additional 2 weeks to your trip.

Glad you enjoyed your time in Istanbul!

Marc Forrest Post author

April 6, 2020 at 6:56 am

This is a very impressive and detailed itinerary for Turkey – very helpful indeed! My wife and I are dreaming about a tour to Turkey and we now have a good draft of what to see and do! However, one place we may want to add is a stop in Konya to see some of the spiritual places and things. Have you been ? Would this be easy to add to this itinerary? Are there tours that go there or how might be the best method?

Thanks for any help and keep up the good work. Hopefully we will all be traveling again soon once we beat COVID-19!

Keep safe! Marc

April 6, 2020 at 8:36 am

We have not visited Konya yet, but it is one of the places we’d love to see on a future visit.

If you are planning to follow our suggested Turkey itinerary, then you could stop at Konya between Antalya and Cappadocia. I would recommend adding a night in Konya to your trip so you have plenty of time to visit some of the highlights there. Or you could do a day trip from Ankara as you should be able to easily hire a guide and do a guided day tour to Konya from Ankara.

If you are driving or taking the bus between Antalya and Cappadoccia, you will drive right past Konya so it makes a convenient place to stop. It is about a 4 to 4.5 hour drive from Antalya or about 6 hours by public bus.

Once you get to Konya, there are guided tours you can join such as this one of the city highlights and this one focused on Sufism .

In terms of guided tours of Turkey that include Konya, not many of the English ones stop at Konya. However, it is a regular stop for Turkish people and people interested in Sufism and archaeological sites like Çatalhöyük. So if you want a tour that stops in Konya in English, you will likely need to book a private tour or you can just add on a private day tour from Anakara. There is this private tour that is for 12 days and includes Konya.

If you want to join a guided tour and it doesn’t include Konya, you can fly from Istanbul to Konya pretty easily and spend a couple of days there to explore Konya on your own (or join day tours around the city from there) before or after your tour. I’d probably recommend a local guide or getting a good guidebook to the sites for exploring Konya to get the most of the visit (as with many places in Turkey).

Hope that information helps, and wishing you a wonderful trip to Turkey once travel opens back up and is safe again!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of replies to my comment (just replies to your comment, no other e-mails, we promise!)

Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter where we share our latest travel news and tips

We only ask for your e-mail so we can verify you are human and if requested notify you of a reply. To do this, we store the data as outlined in our privacy policy . Your e-mail will not be published or used for any other reason other than those outlined above.

No products in the cart.

Let’s Plan your Trip

Share your travel plans with us, and we’ll respond within 24 hours with a personalized itinerary and a detailed quote tailored to your needs.

Select your travel destination

• Priene, Miletus & Didyma
• Nile cruise
• Koh Phangan

Travelling Dates & Length of Trip

What do you prefer.

• Economic 3 star
• Comfortable 4 star
• Standard 5 star

How many people travel together?

How can we get in touch with you, 100% tailor-made.

Share your desires with us, and we’ll make it happen, attentively addressing every one of your needs.

The Best Guides

We are locally based, ensuring barrier-free communication and immediate resolution of your issues.

Travel Consultation & Custom Itinerary Planning

If you’re finding that planning a trip to Turkey is taking up a lot of time and stress and causing you a headache, then you may benefit from handing over the reins to someone else!

We receive many emails and comments from readers who need a little more advice and a tailored travel plan – so we’re pleased to be able to offer our travel consultation and personalized itinerary planning service so you can have the perfect trip to Turkey!

Whether you want to get off the beaten path, explore some unmissable Turkey landmarks, or get acquainted with the local culture, our services aim to combine all of these experiences and ensure you have a hassle-free and enjoyable trip.

Travel Consultation & Custom Itinerary Planning By The Turkey Traveler

Why choose us.

• Your Personal Turkey Travel Guru : As the world’s leading travel blog on Turkey, we don’t just know about Turkey; we live, breathe, and love it. We’re here to share our passion and insider knowledge with you.
• Custom-Made Adventures : We understand that no two travelers are the same. Our team is dedicated to crafting itineraries that reflect your unique interests, travel style, and budget.
• In-Depth Knowledge : Our expertise isn’t just professional—it’s personal. We’ve explored Turkey extensively and are eager to share everything we love about this country!
• Saving You Precious Time : Your time is valuable, so let us take care of the nitty-gritty details. You just focus on practicing your Turkish phrases and deciding which baklava flavor to try first!
• Trust Earned Through Happy Travelers : We’ve earned the trust of thousands of travelers worldwide. Our reputation is built on honesty, integrity, and a sprinkle of Turkish hospitality.

Who Is Our Itinerary Planning For?

Our Turkey itinerary planning services are for anyone who needs help with their travel plans. Whether you’re just looking for advice or you need help putting together an itinerary that young kids will enjoy – we know how to design the perfect trip for your travel style.

In short, our services are for people who need:

Customer Testimonials

Stress-free travel planning at its best, changed my trip from “good” to “exceptional”, itinerary planning packages.

PICK FROM 2 OPTIONS DEPENDING ON YOUR NEEDS

Grand Vizier Package

Travel consultation service: 110 usd.

The Grand Vizier package is our basic travel consultation service. It contains a PDF document full of answers to any questions you might have about your itinerary. Based on the itinerary you provide us, we’ll also include customized and personalized recommendations.

This consultation is an excellent choice for travelers who have a clear plan or concept of their itinerary, but need specific advice on transportation, lodgings, tour, dining options, and cultural activities, among other things.

However, this consultation may not be the right fit for travelers in need of a comprehensive written itinerary. If you fall into this category, we recommend exploring our Sultan package instead.

• A PDF with answers to all the questions you might have about your itinerary
• A separate document with personalized recommendations regarding activities, accommodations, transport, and other essential details for a smooth trip.
• Fill out the Google Form here .
• Submit your payment here (or via the Google Form) to secure your booking.
• Hear back from us within 72 hours!

Sultan Package

Full itinerary planning service: 200 usd+.

The Sultan package is our premium itinerary planning service. We will prepare a custom-designed day-by-day itinerary, including personalized recommendations, detailed transport information and links to book tours, activities and accommodations.

Our custom itinerary planning service is ideally suited for travelers who are pressed for time or are inundated with numerous options and unsure of where to begin. We will collaborate to craft an itinerary that is uniquely tailored to your preferences.

Kindly be informed: I’m unable to make accommodations or tour bookings on your behalf. However, your itinerary document will include all the necessary direct links for you to manage your reservations with ease.

• A comprehensive PDF document with your day-to-day itinerary that includes all of our personalized recommendations, including activities, transportation, accommodations, restaurants, and more.
• Unlimited follow-ups via email addressing any questions and concerns you might’ve before your departure.
• Submit your payment (via the Google form) to secure your booking.

**Note that all tours, transfers, hotels, attractions etc will need to be booked separately from the price. **

Frequently Asked Questions

For travel consultation, we appreciate that you contact us at least 2 weeks in advance. For itinerary planning service, please try to contact us 4 weeks in advance to ensure that all of our recommended activities and accommodations are not already sold out.

We offer itineraries to the touristic regions of Turkey, which are shaded in light red in the photo below.

Yes, we can provide general advice on visa and travel insurance, but we cannot complete your visa or book your travel insurance for you. We can give you the exact tools and information you need to get your visa and travel insurance stress-free.

Because of the nature of this type of service, we cannot offer refunds for our travel consultation or itinerary planning service.

Our travel consultation and itinerary planning service is designed for before your trip. However, we are happy to answer any questions you might have during your trip, but note that we might not be able to get back to you in an urgent manner.

Terms & Conditions

• All tours, accommodation, transport, and activities are to be booked by you. We will provide links to providers to make the booking process easier for you, but under no circumstances will be booked on your behalf.
• Affiliate links may be used, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through a link at no extra cost to you.
• We will provide general advice, but we cannot provide legal advice.
• The itinerary planning packages are designed to help you make the most of your trip. All recommendations and advice are based on our personal experience, expert knowledge, and extensive research. We will do everything to ensure you have an enjoyable trip, but we take no responsibility for any unforeseen changes or circumstances that may affect your trip.
• All our itinerary planning services are governed by the terms and conditions set out here .

Get In Touch Today!

For any additional questions you might have about our travel consultation or itinerary planning service, please reach out via the contact form below!

Your message (optional)

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE

This website uses affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through a link at no extra cost to you. TheTurkeyTraveler is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our full affiliate disclosure .

© 2024 The Turkey Traveler

The Best Turkey Itinerary 10 Days: A Detailed Itinerary for Turkey

Looking for a Turkey Itinerary 10 days long?

Turkey is a true land of wonder. With highlights like the bustling streets of Istanbul , the otherworldly landscapes of Cappadocia , the white terraced Pamukkale thermal pools , the turquoise coastline and the ruins of several ancient cities like Ephesus , Turkey has so much to offer. 

This 10 days Turkey itinerary is the perfect first experience of the country. Taking you through top attractions, historic sites, culture steeped moments, jaw-dropping scenery and scrumptious cuisine, you won’t want to leave. 

* This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my  full disclosure  for further information.

Every itinerary for Turkey should follow a logical loop and make transportation and accommodation easy to plan. This Turkey itinerary for 10 days starts in Istanbul , where the majority of people land in the country and makes a straightforward journey around Turkey, by plane, car, or bus .

I’ve also included a two week Turkey itinerary and 7 day Turkey itinerary options if that’s more suitable to your timeline.

In this Turkey trip planner, you will find a destination breakdown, like things to do and where to stay , and the best way to get from place to place . If you plan to take a Turkey road trip by car, I’ve got you covered there, too.

Turkey Itinerary Essentials

TURKEY TRAVEL INSURANCE Check Prices of HeyMondo Insurance

TURKEY BUS TICKETS Check Bus Prices on 12Go

TURKEY ACCOMMODATION Check Hotel Prices on Booking.com

SHORT HAUL TURKEY FLIGHTS Check Flight Prices on Skyscanner

TURKEY CAR RENTAL Check Car Rental Prices on Discover Cars

TURKEY GUIDED TOURS Check Day Tours on Get Your Guide

10 day Turkey Itinerary: Overview

Day 1: Istanbul – Sultanahmet + Balat Day 2: Istanbul – Kadikoy, Galata + Besiktas Day 3: Istanbul – Food Tour + Asian Side Day 4: Cappadocia Day 5: Hot Air Balloon + Cappadocia Red Tour Day 6: Cappadocia Blue Tour Day 7: Antalya Old Town Day 8: Antalya Beach Day Day 9: Pamukkale Thermal Pools Day 10: Ephesus Ancient Ruins

10 Day Itinerary for Turkey: Route Map

Driving in Turkey

Renting a car in turkey.

Looking to take a Turkey road trip? You can find a few different rental car companies located at the Istanbul international airport. But, due to the popularity of the region, I’d highly suggest booking your rental car before you arrive , and at least a couple of weeks in advance if possible. 

DiscoverCars is a great way to find the best cost and type of car that suits you and your Turkey travel itinerary. 

Check out this detailed guide on renting a car in Turkey (plus tips!)

Since your 10 day Turkey itinerary starts in Istanbul, I’d suggest heading into the Istanbul centre first by airport transfer , spending a few days exploring the sights and then picking up your car afterwards. I’ve heard from other travellers that driving in the city limits of the metropolis of Istanbul can be chaotic and stressful. So it’s best to avoid this on your trip.

NOTE | Depending on your nationality, you may require an International Drivers Permit AND a valid national drivers license in Turkey to rent a car . You also need to be over 21 years of age.

Book a Rental Car for your Turkey Itinerary

Tolls While Driving in Turkey

You will likely hit a few toll highways on your Turkey itinerary, but don’t worry, you don’t need to keep cash on hand to pay these tolls. Turkey has an HGS system that charges the toll electronically through a device set in your rental car. Simply slow down to 30km/h and it will register the toll on your car.

Once you’ve returned your Turkey car rental, you will be provided with a bill of tolls you accumulated during your trip. Each toll can be upwards of 30TL ($2.25USD).

Parking in Turkey

Parking in Turkey is straightforward. Except for a few larger cities, you can find free and ample street parking. If you are parking at an attraction, prices may be upwards of 5-10TL which is only $0.75USD). Rural parking is a breeze. This Turkey 10 days itinerary will have plenty of parking available to you via the street, so no worries there.

NOTE | Make sure to contact your hotel before booking to ensure they have parking available for you.

Turkey Itinerary 10 Days : Days 1, 2 + 3

Day 1-3 Emphasis: Culture, Food, Historic Buildings

Day 0: Arrive in Istanbul (evening)

I’ve made the assumption and exclusion of your travel day to Turkey for purposes of streamlining this 10 days in Turkey itinerary. 

Since you may be arriving by a hopper flight from Greece, or far-off places like New York or Vancouver, I am excluding that time from the Turkey itinerary. The itinerary for Turkey’s 10 days starts bright and early in Istanbul’s historic centre . 

Airport Transfer

If you are landing at the Istanbul International Airport or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, I recommend scheduling an airport transfer to get you from the arrivals gate to your hotel in no time. Plus, it’s relatively economical !

Book an IST Airport Transfer

Book a SAW Airport Transfer

About Istanbul

Istanbul is not the capital of Turkey but can be considered the cultural capital of the country . The metropolis of 15.5 million people is split across two continents: Europe and Asia . The only city in the world to don this title. 

Istanbul Guide: Best Areas to Stay + Things to Do

From the bustling alleyways of historic Sultanahmet to the awe-inspiring architecture of the Hagia Sophia and Dolmabahce Palace , to the spice-heavy local food , Istanbul is a traveller’s dream.

The city can be explored on foot with a good pair of comfy walking shoes and a centrally located boutique hotel in Istanbul . Or, you can take the much accessible city transportation to get to all Istanbul’s attractions. 

Istanbul Hotels

Sultanahmet | Hotel Miniature (my fave!) Eminonu | Regie Ottoman Istanbul Hotel Karakoy | Hotel Sub Karakoy Galata | Galata Times Boutique Hotel

Best Istanbul Tours

Experience the top activities in Istanbul Istanbul Highlights: 1 or 2 Day Private Tour Istanbul Food + Culture Tour: 2 Continents Bosphorus Sunset Cruise

Day 1: Historic Istanbul (Sultanahmet + Balat)

Morning in sultanahmet district.

Rich culture seeps into every nook and cranny of Istanbul’s historic district of Sultanahmet . Iconic buildings like the Hagia Sophia Mosque , the Blue Mosque , and the Grand Bazaar attract millions of tourists every year. 

This district also includes highlights like the underground Basilica Cistern , the expansive grounds of the Topkapi Palace , and the mouth-watering Spice Market . Start day one of your Turkey itinerary in Sultanahmet and explore the neighbourhood on foot . 

The Sultanahmet district is also a great place to base yourself during this leg of your travel itinerary for Turkey. The central location of Sulahanmet (historic district) means transportation to other districts in Istanbul is close and convenient. 

Afternoon in Balat District

Next, make your way to the colourful district of Balat and Fener via the bus stop at Eminonu . The 48E, 99, 99Y, 99A, 36CE and 44B bus routes all journey past the Balat/Fener neighbourhood. The bus trip should take less than 10 minutes depending on traffic. Get off at the ‘ Fener ’ bus stop . You can purchase tickets from the ticket machines located near all major bus, tram and ferry stops in the city.

This area graces the shoreline of the Golden Horn and is chock full of cute cafes and local shops . A few alleyways here are known for picture-perfect rainbow rowhouses and scenic views of the bay. A great neighbourhood to sit and people watch on this itinerary for Turkey 10 days.

End the first day of your epic Turkey itinerary with a good night’s sleep, because day 2 brings more adventures on foot across the Golden Horn!

Tips for Day 1 of your Turkey Travel Itinerary

• Remember a headscarf for visiting mosques today
• If you are limited on time, I recommend visiting the Spice Market over the Grand Bazaar for a more authentic experience
• Save your appetite for Balat’s many quality cafes as Sultanahmet offers inauthentic food catered to tourists

Day 1 Turkey Itinerary Top Attractions:

• Hagia Sophia Mosque
• Blue Mosque
• Basilica Cistern
• Topkapi Palace
• Grand Bazaar
• Spice Market 
• Balat’s Colourful Houses

Day 2: European Istanbul (Karakoy, Galata, Besiktas)

On day two of this Turkey travel itinerary, you’ll spend time in the Beyoglu region of Istanbul . Neighbourhoods like Karakoy, Galata, Taksim and Besiktas are included in the Beyoglu area. This side of the Golden Horn is considered New Istanbul . 

If you are staying in the Sultanahmet district , make your way to the Eminonu tram station . Take the T1 tram to the Kabatas stop near the Dolmabahce Palace . This will be your first Istanbul highlight of the day.

Dolmabahce Palace in the Besiktas District

As one of the highlights of my week spent in Istanbul, I highly recommend adding a visit to the Dolmabahce Palace to your Turkey itinerary.

Make sure to get there early , by opening time if possible. The Dolmabahce Palace opens at 9AM. Note, there are no photos or videos allowed in the palace at any time. I rented out an audio tour of the palace and can say it was worth the extra dollars. 

Lunch in Karakoy District

Jump back on the T1 tram and get off at the Karakoy stop.

Located at the mouth of the Golden Horn where the bay meets the Bosphorus Strait means Karakoy was once a busy port district. While that’s no longer the case, Karakoy has grown into a hipster paradise , full of utterly cool Istanbul boutique hotels .

Quaint cafes and lively main streets make this a great spot to spend your midday and lunch hour. Converted historic buildings now toting trendy digs make Karakoy the newest up-and-coming neighbourhood in Istanbul. 

I wandered around the alleyways and found myself on a self-guided food tour of the neighbourhood. Stopping at hole-in-the-walls along the way for fresh koftas and a small bowl of local soup (amongst other local delicacies).

I think this is a great way to experience Karakoy since it’s considered a foodie hotspot. Make sure to peruse the seaside promenade and do some people-watching.

Optional Karakoy Activity: Have a traditional hammam experience at the Kilic Ali Pasa Hamam , considered one of the top spas in the city. Ladies only during 8am-4:30pm and gentlemen only between 4:30pm-11:30pm. Alternatively, you can check out these top spa hotels in Istanbul and partake in a traditional treatment from the comfort of your accommodation.

Optional Next Stop: Head up to the Taksim district , considered the modern shopping district of Istanbul for your fill of all the big brands and to see the historic tram and peruse the lively Istiklal Street.

Afternoon in Galata District

Head uphill from the Karakoy district towards the Galata Tower. The shining beacon of the Galata neighbourhood as it sweeps the skyline. Along the way duck inside the local shops as you slowly meander the cobbled alleyways . 

Make sure to climb the Galata Tower for unparalleled views of the Golden Horn, the city of Istanbul and the Bosphorus Straight beyond. 

Have early dinner here and then spend sunset on the Galata Bridge with scenic views of the Golden Horn and Galata district. Watch the fishermen take in their evening’s catch. 

Tips for Day 2 of your Travel Turkey Itinerary

• Visit the Dolmabahce Palace early (at opening time – 9AM)
• Schedule your hammam experience a few days beforehand – Kilic Ali Pasa is popular! And wear a bathing suit under your clothes
• Skip Taksim district if shopping isn’t a priority

Day 2 Travel Itinerary Turkey – Top Attractions:

• Dolmabahce Palace
• Kilic Ali Pasa Hamam
• Taksim historic tram
• Istiklal Street
• Galata Tower
• Galata Bridge

Day 3: Food Tour + Asian Istanbul (Kadikoy + Moda)

On the Asian side of Istanbul, you’ll find a more authentic look at life in a metropolitan Turkish city. This is also where long-term expats and digital nomads tend to stay in Istanbul, away from the touristic centre and where apartments are offered at a more economical price.

Nevertheless, for the purposes of a Turkey trip itinerary for 10 days, this will be the core of day 3. I’ve opted to add a food tour to your time spent in Istanbul because I believe a food tour is the best way to start your time in this country . 

A food culture speaks volumes about whatever country you choose to visit, and Turkey is no exception. With small share plates and quick street foods eaten by hand, you can already tell that the Turkish people prioritize family, community and fast solutions to busy city life. 

You can either choose a daytime food tour or an evening food tour. Each tour will start in the historic centre of Sultanahmet and include a ferry ride across the Bosphorus to the Asian neighbourhoods of Kadikoy and Moda. 

NOTE | If requested beforehand , your food tour guide can arrange a fully vegetarian experience for you, but unfortunately vegan is not possible .

Book an Evening Istanbul Food Tour

Book a Daytime Istanbul Food Tour

Tips for Day 3 of your Turkey Trip Itinerary

• If you opt for an evening food tour, spend the day in Moda and Kadikoy and request your tour guide meet you there
• Wear good walking shoes because you will be on your feet a lot on your food tour
• Try to eat conservatively before your food tour . You will be stuffed by the end!

Day 3 Turkey Tour Itinerary – Top Attractions:

• Ferry Ride on the Bosphorus
• Tasting traditional Turkish food
• Discovering less-visited districts of Moda and Kadikoy

Turkey Itinerary 10 Days : Days 4, 5 + 6

Day 4-6 Emphasis: Adventure, Bucket List Experiences, History

Day 4: Arrive in Cappadocia

How to get to cappadocia from istanbul .

The fastest way to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia is by plane . And since there are plenty of flights departing the IST and SAW airport in Istanbul daily, it’s also the most convenient. Prices start at $27 USD so it’s also really affordable . 

I use Skyscanner to book short-haul flights globally.

Book a Flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia

For other options like train and bus , check out my complete guide on how to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia .

How to Get from Istanbul to Cappadocia: Ultimate Guide

If you are following a Turkey road trip itinerary , head back to the IST airport and pick up your car rental for driving to Cappadocia .

Book a Rental Car for your 10 Days in Turkey

Cappadocia Airport Transfer

If you are arriving by plane, you will land in either the Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport or Kayseri Erkilet Airport. No matter what airport you arrive at, you can schedule a shared Cappadocia airport transfer that will bring you to your hotel in Goreme (the main tourist town).

Book Cappadocia Airport Transfer

About Cappadocia 

The region of Cappadocia is probably the most popular tourist destination in Turkey , and there’s no wondering why. This area of Turkey is full of scenic landscapes, unique rock formations, picturesque valleys and bucket list experiences. 

Gaining popularity on Instagram with sunrise images of hot air balloon rides and novelty cave hotels , Cappadocia is a once-in-a-life-time spot.

You can read all about the history of Cappadocia, the best places to stay, how to get around and top things to do (plus much more) in my complete Cappadocia travel guide .

The best Turkey itinerary will always include a stop in Cappadocia.

Cappadocia Guide: Where to Stay + Things to Do

How to Get Around Cappadocia

Cappadocia isn’t one town, it’s an entire region comprised of 5 main towns and a few smaller villages. Given that, the area’s attractions are quite distant from each other and cannot be visited on foot . 

If you are staying in Goreme, the central tourist town of Cappadocia, you can reach the central attractions like Pigeon, Rose and Love Valley by hiking, but if you are looking to see all the region has to offer, including the fairy chimneys, underground cities and open-air museums, I’d suggest either a guided day tour or rental car in Cappadocia .

You can have a rental car waiting for you at either Cappadocia airport by booking ahead. Since Cappadocia is a popular region, I suggest booking your rental car at least 2 weeks out . >>>> CHECK PRICES + AVAILABILITY OF RENTAL CARS IN TURKEY

Cappadocia Hotels

Top Pick | Sultan Cave Suites (my fave!) Cave Hotel | Koza Cave Hotel Cave Hotel | Mithra Cave Hotel Budget Hotel | Antique Terrace Suites

Best Cappadocia Tours

Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride Cappadocia Red Tour Cappadocia Blue Tour Private Cappadocia Custom Tour (my fave!)

Pigeon Valley Walk + Red Valley Sunset Viewpoint

If you’ve arrived in Cappadocia midday, venture out to Pigeon Valley and stroll through the picturesque canyon. Here you will see small pigeon caves carved into the rock face, which once housed thousands of pigeons.

Next, grab your rental car or hop in a taxi and enjoy the sunset from the scenic Red Valley Cappadocia sunset spot .

Day 5: Hot Air Balloon Ride + Cappadocia Red Tour

Sunrise hot air balloon ride.

Today brings an early wake-up call , so make sure to get to bed early on your arrival day. Depending on the time of year, a sunrise hot air balloon tour can start anywhere between 4:30 and 7:30AM. It’s time to tick off this bucket list experience !

All sunrise hot air balloon tours start by picking you up at your hotel within central Cappadocia (Goreme and Uchisar). Enjoy a light breakfast and then head to the balloon launching site and watch the pilot and crew ready your epic flight. 

You can opt for a private, semi-private, or group balloon tour, but nevertheless, it will end with a champagne toast and certificate of completion. This is an absolute must on your 10 days Turkey itinerary.

If your time is truly limited in Cappadocia, opt to stay at a hotel in Cappadocia with a view of the balloons at sunrise .

Book a Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride

Red Tour of North Cappadocia

Generally speaking, all tours either cover the red, blue or green sections of the Cappadocia region. The Cappadocia Red Tour will explore the attractions that are located at the north end of Cappadocia . 

Highlights of the Cappadocia Red Tour include:

• Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley)
• Pasabagi Valley (Fairy Chimneys)
• Goreme Open Air Museum
• Uchisar Castle

Book the Cappadocia Red Tour

The red tour is a great addition to your itinerary for Turkey because it i ncludes transportation, lunch and a knowledgeable guide to teach you about Cappadocia history and attraction-specific information. It also departs at 10AM which gives you ample time to return from your morning’s hot air balloon adventure.

End your day having dinner on the panoramic patio of Seten Restaurant located in the iconic Sultan Cave Suites (easily one of my favourite Cappadocia hotels). Or enjoy a traditional home-cooked 3 course meal cozied up inside Pumpkin restaurant .

Day 6: Sunrise + Cappadocia Blue Tour 

Watching hot air balloons at sunrise.

I highly recommend booking a Goreme hotel that comes with a panoramic veranda to watch the hot air balloons fly at sunrise.

If you are feeling more adventurous, make your way to this Love Valley Cappadocia sunrise spot to watch the hot air balloons float by , easily one of my favourite experiences while in Cappadocia.

Blue Tour of Central + Southern Cappadocia

Your guided Cappadocia Blue Tour will depart at 10AM. After enjoying a traditional Turkish breakfast spread at your hotel, your tour guide will pick you up for day 6 of your Turkey itinerary 10 days. Today you will be exploring the central and southern attractions of the Cappadocia region . 

Highlights of the Cappadocia blue tour include :

• Red and Rose Valley Hike
• Cavusin Cave Village (Old Greek Rock Houses)
• Underground City
• Pigeon Valley
• Ortahisar Castle

Book the Cappadocia Blue Tour

Opting for a Private Cappadocia Tour

I f you’d prefer a more exclusive private experience, I’d recommend booking this private Cappadocia day tour . I can highly recommend it since it’s the tour I took and was super pleased with . 

I ended up paying more because I wanted to start my tour at sunrise at the Love Valley viewpoint and end at sunset at Red Valley. Usually, tours start at 10 AM . It was well worth it, in my opinion. You can also customize it to visit only the Cappadocia attractions you are interested in, which I found very appealing.

Book the Cappadocia Private Tour

End your third day in Cappadocia at Turkish Ravioli restaurant indulging in the local ravioli meal called manti with a glass of Anatolian wine in hand.

Turkey Itinerary 10 Days : Day 7 + 8

Day 7-8 Emphasis: Relaxation

Day 7: Arrive in Antalya + Antalya Old Town

Arriving in antalya.

The best way to get from Cappadocia to Antalya is by plane . You can book a flight through the Kayseri Airport through Turkish Airlines or Pegasus (the low-budget airline in Turkey). Flights are direct and take just over an hour.

Flights from Cappadocia to Antalya start at $40USD, so it also makes it a really economical option .

>>> Check Skyscanner for Flights to Antalya

Remember to book your Kayseri airport transfer . The journey from Goreme town to Kayseri should take just over an hour.

You can also get from Cappadocia to Antalya along your Turkey travel itinerary by boarding the bus . The bus departs from the Goreme bus station and reaches the Antalya bus station in approximately 10-11 hours (including rest stops) and bus ticket prices start at $8USD .

>>> Check Bus Prices + Schedule for Antalya on 12Go

Of course, you can also make the journey via rental car . I’d recommend a stop in Konya halfway through your drive for a good night’s sleep if you have the time. The journey should take 8 hours and is easily navigated through Google Maps .

>>> Check Prices + Availability of Rental Cars in Turkey

Only have 7 days? Head straight from Cappadocia to Pamukkale

How to Get Around Antalya

The city of Antalya is sprawled across the coastline of Turkey with the old town located on the far east and the famous Konyaalti Beach situated on the west. 

If you base yourself on the outskirts of the old town (which is where I stayed) you can easily meander the alleyways of the old town when you arrive on foot . 

The next morning will be a beach day, so you can either take the 45-minute walk along the coastline to the beach or grab the city bus . I opted to walk.

Since it was a hot day even in late October, we took a taxi back to Antalya’s old town after the beach. You can find them waiting in this area .

About Antalya

Antalya, (known as the Turkish Riviera), the crowning jewel of Turkey’s turquoise coast is a busy and relaxed metropolis (almost 1.5 million people call Antalya home). 

With the backdrop of the Taurus mountains and the large stretch of sand gracing the shoreline, Antalya attracts tourists from near and far for a Mediterranean beach vacation. Antalya was one of the first cities to introduce mass tourism in Turkey in the 1980s and has become popular ever since. Originally settled by the Greeks in 200 BC and quickly taken over by the Romans, Antalya has been a thriving coastal city and port for centuries and boasts a quaint and lively old town to prove it.

Antalya Hotels

Top Pick | Sibel Pension (my fave!) Apartment | Mavi Avlu Old Town Midrange Hotel | Mai Inci Hotel

Best Antalya Tours

Koprulu Ziplining + Rafting Tour Perge, Aspendoes + Waterfall Tour Taurus Mountain Jeep Safari Tour

Exploring Antalya Old Town

Nestled on the clifftop of eastern Antalya is the lively and charming old town district , also known as Kaleici (‘within the castle’ in Turkish ) . Once you’ve arrived in Antalya, make your way to the winding enchanting streets of old town.

You can spend the afternoon ducking into shops, people watching while sipping Turkish coffee, purchasing souvenirs and walking the scenic coastline promenade over the Roman Harbour . 

The architecture in old town is a mix of well preserved Ottoman mansions and Roman ruins like Hadrian’s Gate .

I particularly loved the trendy coffee spot called The Sudd , so if you are a coffee person make sure to grab a cappuccino there. If night life is your goal, there are many pubs in the area that offer late night entertainment and beer drinking culture . 

Or, for something quieter , grab a glass of wine at Karaf Bistro and sit by the window.

NOTE | If you’d like to stay in Antalya old town like me, make sure to book a place on the outskirts . The centre of old town can get quite loud and stay loud until very late at night.

Day 8: Antalya Beach Day + Evening Bus to Pamukkale

Spend the day at konyaalti beach.

Since day 8 of your Turkey itinerary for 10 days is prioritizing relaxation, you can lie in as late as you want. Today you will be heading to the famous Konyaalti Beach , the main attraction for holiday goers in Antalya. 

This pebble beach is 7kms long with many amenities. If you are staying in old town, you can reach the eastern most point of Konyaalti beach in a 45 minute walk. If walking that far in the heat isn’t your cup of tea, grab the city bus . 

Looking for more adventure? Try this Antalya ancient ruins and waterfall day tour

Evening Bus to Pamukkale

After a day of frolicking in the waves and catching some sun, its time to move on to the Pamukkale thermal pools, a unique highlight of Turkey.

How to Get from Antalya to Pamukkale

Catch the afternoon or evening bus from Antalya bus station to the town of Denizli , just outside of Pamukkale. You can use 12Go to book your bus tickets. The bus journey on this leg of your Turkey 10 days itinerary will take approximately 4 hours with ticket prices starting at $6USD. 

>>> Check Bus Price + Schedule for Pamukkale on 12Go

NOTE | The bus will not take you directly to the town of Pamukkale, so you will need to catch the minibus from platform 76 at the Denizli bus station to make the 30 minute journey to Pamukkale. The flight itinerary from Antalya to Pamukkale is indirect (transferring in Istanbul or Izmir) and more hassle than it’s worth . Taking the bus is the best way to get from Antalya to Pamukkale if you aren’t renting a car.

Turkey Itinerary 10 Days : Day 9

Day 9 Emphasis: Natural Wonder, Ancient Ruins + Relaxation

Day 9: Pamukkale Thermal Pools + Evening Bus to Ephesus (Selcuk)

How to get around pamukkale.

Make sure to book a hotel in the centre of Pamukkale town. That way you can reach the Pamukkale main gates within a 10-15 minute walk (maximum). You can always get your hotel reception to call you a taxi, too.

About Pamukkale

Pamukkale hot springs has become a medicinal destination known the world over. Mineral rich water is pushed from deep down under the earth and cascades over the hill above Pamukkale. Once the calcium hardens, it creates small tiered pools . 

The water has been known to treat chronic disorders like skin, eyes and digestive issues. Right behind the pools are the ancient ruins of Hierapolis . Make sure to spend an hour or two exploring the property.

Visiting Pamukkale Thermal Pools

Since you only have one morning at the Pamukkale hot springs in this 10 day itinerary Turkey, I suggest you get an early start. The main gate to Pamukkale doesn’t open until 8AM, causing most people to miss sunrise atop the pools.

If you grab a quick 5 minute taxi to the south entrance , you can enter the Pamukkale grounds at 6AM. Well worth the early wake up call. Make your way toward the hilltop and watch the hot air balloons fly over the unique landscape. 

Pamukkale Guide: Where to Stay + Things to Do

Before wading through the natural pools, visit the Hierapolis ancient ruins . The most famous ruins is the Roman amphitheatre , which is still well preserved today. 

Next, take an hour and soak in Cleopatra’s Pool (at a small extra cost). Finally, make your way to the top of the white terraces, remove your shoes and wade through the pools and exit through the main gate. 

Pamukkale Hotels

Top Pick | Pamukkale Whiteheaven Hotel Apartment | Venus Suite Hotel Midrange Hotel | Bellamaritimo Hotel

Best Pamukkale Tours

Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon Ride

Evening Bus to Ephesus (Selcuk)

Once you enjoy a leisurely traditional lunch at Hiera Coffee + Tea House , hop in a taxi or arrange a shuttle from your hotel to the Denizli bus station. From here, you can board a comfortable bus to the town of Selcuk, just outside the ruins of Ephesus. 

As always, I book my bus tickets through 12Go . The trip takes a scenic 4 hours and costs $6USD to start .

>>> Check Bus Price + Schedule for Ephesus on 12Go

How to Get from Pamukkale to Ephesus (Selcuk)

Like the Antalya to Pamukkale trip, flying from Pamukkale to Ephesus is a bit of a hassle . You will have a long layover in Istanbul from Denizli to Izmir. And then you’ll have to take a bus from Izmir to Selcuk. The direct bus is a lot more efficient and cost-effective.

If you are renting a car for your Turkey vacation itinerary, the drive will be pleasant and last about 3 hours.

Skipping Ephesus? Find out how to get from Pamukkale to Istanbul

Turkey Itinerary 10 Days: Day 10

Day 10 Emphasis: History

Day 10: Ephesus + Evening Flight to Istanbul/Home

Arriving in selcuk.

The bus will drop you at the Selcuk central bus station. From here, most hotels in Selcuk are within walking distance (10 minutes max). 

After you check in, head into the old town of Selcuk and enjoy a meal at Artemis Koftecisi Ali Usta . They specialize in traditional Turkish koftas but also have some great vegetarian sides that can be eaten as a meal. Make sure to indulge in a pint of Ephesus beer.

How to Get to the Ephesus Ruins from Selcuk

Either arrange a complimentary shuttle with your hotel, like I had at Nilya Hotel , or grab a taxi on the main street to reach the Ephesus ruins. The drive is only 10 minutes, and you will arrive at the upper gate of Ephesus. 

About Ephesus

The ancient city of Ephesus can be dated back as far as the 11th century BC. Originally established by the Greeks (with worship to the goddess Artemis), the Romans ruled over Ephesus for centuries and introduced Christianity to the region. 

Visiting Ephesus: Where to Stay + Things to See

The city of Ephesus was a thriving Mediterranean port for a significant amount of time, with its decline occurring during the 3rd century AD by the goths.

Major sites here include the Library of Celsus, the Great Amphitheatre and the terrace houses. You can read all about what to see at Ephesus in my complete Ephesus guide .

Ephesus Hotels

Top Pick | Nilya Hotel (where I stayed) Luxury Hotel | Livia Hotel Ephesus Midrange Hotel | Ayasoluk Hotel

Evening Flight from Izmir to Istanbul/Home

Once you’ve had your fill of the ancient ruins of Ephesus, it’s time to go home. I know, its sad but true. 

You can head to the Selcuk bus station and hop on one of the minibusses heading to Izmir. It should take 1.5 hours to reach the airport. From Izmir, you can either transfer via Istanbul or fly out to an international destination.

Alternatively, you can grab a ticket at the Selcuk train station and take the frequent trip to the Izmir Basmane train station . From here, grab a taxi to the airport. Train tickets will start at 7.5TL ($0.50USD) and will take 80 minutes.

>>> Check Bus Price + Schedule on 12Go

>>> Check Flight Price + Schedule on Skyscanner

Two Week Turkey Itinerary Option

If you have more time to spend in this beautiful country, I’ve put together a 2 week Turkey itinerary for you. Generally speaking, the difference between the Turkey 2 week itinerary and the Turkey itinerary 10 days is the addition of a road trip along the turquoise coast. 

Between Antalya and Pamukkale, take a road trip along the turquoise coast . Rent a car at the Antalya airport and make your way along the scenic coastal road towards the small town of Kas . Stay a night here and then move on to Fethiye for two nights, stopping in Oludeniz on the way. 

Return your rental car to the Dalaman Airport and grab the bus to Pamukkale.

• Day 1-3: Istanbul 
• Day 4-6: Cappadocia 
• Day 7-9: Antalya 
• Day 10-12: Road trip from Antalya to Fethiye with a stop in Kas 
• Day 13:Pamukkale  
• Day 14: Ephesus 

7 Days Turkey Itinerary Option

If you only have a week in Turkey, I recommend skipping Antalya and the Turkish Riviera all together and spending one less day in Cappadocia. Or opt to include Antalya instead of Pamukkale or Ephesus. 

Don’t subtract time spent in Istanbul as it requires at least 3 days (ideally more!) to properly explore. 

Spend less time in Cappadocia + Cut Antalya altogether

• Day 1-3: Istanbul
• Day 4-5: Cappadocia

Head straight from Cappadocia to Pamukkale

• Day 6: Pamukkale
• Day 7: Ephesus

Get your FREE Turkey Trip Planner

Plan and book your trip to Turkey with this simple checklist.

Turkey Travel Planning Guide

► what is the best way to book my turkey accommodation.

I always use booking.com for all my accommodations worldwide, and Turkey is no exception. I stayed in some really epic places on my adventure around this beautiful country.

For more cozy apartment-style accommodation try VRBO (better and safer than Airbnb).

► What are the best day tours in Turkey?

Taking a day tour in Turkey, whether in Istanbul, Cappadocia or elsewhere is a great way to experience the top attractions and learn from a knowledgeable guide.

I highly recommend these Turkey tours:

• Istanbul : Bosphorus Sunset Cruise
• Istanbul: Hagia Sophia Guided Tour
• Istanbul: Whirling Dervishes Show
• Cappadocia: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight
• Cappadocia: Highlights Red Tour

► Should I rent a car in Turkey?

If you are flying in and out of Istanbul and don’t plan to leave the city, I don’t recommend renting a car . You can quickly get around Istanbul by walking or taking public transportation.

If you plan to visit Cappadocia I highly recommend renting a car . The region’s highlights are spread apart and transportation options are limited and infrequent.

The best way to see the country is by renting a car in Turkey for an epic road trip!

► What is the best site to buy flights to Turkey?

For finding cheap flights to Turkey and within the country, I recommend booking through Skyscanner .

► Can you drink tap water in Turkey?

Yes! You can drink straight from the tap in Turkey. Although most foreigners are not accustomed to the taste of tap water in Turkey and choose to drink bottled water. Since plastic waste has a negative impact on our environment, I recommend not choosing this option when the water is safe to drink.

If you plan to do a lot of walking or hiking in Turkey, I recommend bringing my favourite self-filtering water bottle with you, just in case.

More Turkey Travel Guides

• Tips for Renting a Car in Turkey
• Where to Stay in Istanbul for First Timers
• Best Spa Hotels in Istanbul
• Top Istanbul Boutique Hotels
• Detailed Guide to Visiting Cappadocia
• Best Cappadocia Hotels with a View of Balloons
• Top Luxury Hotels in Cappadocia for an Unforgettable Trip
• Pamukkale Thermal Pools Complete Guide
• Visiting the Ephesus Ancient Ruins

Haley is the founder of the global travel blog, Haley Blackall Travel. She has travelled to 40+ countries across 5 continents over the last 15 years and is considered an expert in her field.

She loves to share honest first hand experience from her travels. Her goal is to help readers planning their next trip by providing in-depth travel guides and recommendations for her favourite boutique hotels, things to do and travel itineraries.

Haley focuses her expertise on countries such as Greece, Turkey, Italy, Costa Rica, Australia, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

Similar Posts

Pigeon Valley Cappadocia Turkey: The Ultimate Visitor’s Guide

Pigeon Valley in Cappadocia, also known as Guvercinlik Valley, takes its name from the multitude of small pigeon homes carved in the valley’s rock face. While taking a casual Cappadocia hike through the valley, you will witness pigeon caves, arid landscapes, and other abandoned rock dwellings and churches.  Because Pigeon Valley Turkey enjoys a convenient…

15 Stylish Boutique Hotels in Venice, Italy (2024)

If you’re on the hunt for the best boutique hotels in Venice, Italy, then you’ve come to the right place.  This romantic city is as enchanting as it is timeless: a labyrinth of canals, historic landmarks, hidden gems and Venice Italy boutique hotels tucked into charming corners.  I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Venice three…

15 Best Hotels in Santorini with Private Pools in 2024

Are you searching for the best hotels in Santorini with private pools for an unforgettable stay? Well, you are in luck. I’ve handpicked my favourites from all over the island to make booking your dream holiday to Santorini a breeze. Santorini is a dream destination, there are no ifs, and, or buts about it. There’s…

Where to Stay in Vienna for First Time Visitors in 2024

If you’ve been desperately Googling where to stay in Vienna for first time visitors, then this is the guide for you!  By the time you finish reading, you should have a firm grasp of the principal districts worth considering, as well as what each of the best areas to stay in Vienna has to offer…

15 Best Hotels in Venice with Canal View (2024)

If you’re on the hunt for the best hotels in Venice with canal view, you’ve come to the right place.  I’ve been fortunate enough to experience the magic of Italy’s most romantic city on three different occasions, and each time, the highlight was undoubtedly my stay at a Venice hotel on the Grand Canal.  Imagine…

Agia Anna Naxos: A Guide to Naxos Greece’s Charming Agia Anna Beach

Agia Anna Naxos is a popular yet charming beach town on the southwest coastline of Naxos Greece. Agia Anna Beach Naxos is situated in a protected harbour with crystal clear azure waters and beautiful golden sand, making it ideal for swimming and lounging the day away.  Agia Ana is a part of a chain of…

22 Comments

This is amazing, thank you for the details, I’m visiting turkey for the 3rd time this September, and I’m definitely following your guide

Thanks, Tarik,

I’m so glad that this guide will be helpful for you. September is such an amazing time to visit Turkey.

I am going in about a week and so excited with the help of your blog. I am looking forward to seeing Turkey through your eyes 🙂

I am so happy for you, Turkey is one of my favourite countries! Such rich diversity, culture and natural beauty. And the food is so incredible! If you have time, definitely rent a car and check out the coastline between Antalya and Fethiye, including a stop in Kas. Otherwise, this 10 day Turkey itinerary should cover all the highlights for you.

I hope you enjoy your trip! Let me know how it goes.

AMAZING Agenda! Thank you.

Thanks, Cathy!

Turkey is such an amazing country. I hope you have the chance to visit soon.

Happy travels, Haley

What a great itinerary. This is so helpful. I am curious did you do all this in 2022? Just making sure the different types of buses you mentioned and flights are still a “normal ” thing. I am looking to do this late September 2022 and would love to just “cut/paste” this itinerary. Thanks for all the info and any extra advice. Solo traveler so doing it all myself and generally have not done “city to city” so pretty excited.

So excited to hear about your trip to Turkey. It is honestly one of my favourite countries in the world. I completed my trip in the Fall of 2021, but I don’t think you’ll find a big change in bus and flight options even now in 2022. I’ve included the best way to get from each city in the blog.

From Istanbul to Cappadocia, most definitely an economical flight is the way to go. If you are travelling from Cappadocia to Antalya or Pamukkale, also a flight is a good option. Throughout the rest of the itinerary, I would recommend taking the bus as the best option to get from A to B. Alternatively, exploring the country by car is a beautiful way to see all the in-between destinations not many other visitors see, and the flexibility is great.

I hope this helps, and happy travels!

Amazing itinerary, I am following this when I visit in October 2022 and I am so excited!

Would you recommend hiring a car for the time in Cappadocia? We can’t decide whether to hire a car and visit the sites ourselves or go on the tours you have suggested. If we went on the tours then I think a car wouldn’t be needed?

Also we are visiting similar time I think you did 2021, so tips on clothes to pack would be amazing.

Many thanks!

That’s so exciting that you will be visiting Turkey in October, I think it’s a lovely time to go.

In regards to your question about Cappadocia, there are, of course, pros and cons to renting a car or taking a tour. But I can give you my two cents based on my personal experience. We took a Cappadocia Private Customizable Tour (the one mentioned in this blog) and I can highly recommend it. The company that offers this is absolutely amazing and I really appreciated having a knowledgeable guide to give me insight into the region that I wouldn’t be able to get if I visited on my own.

This is generally what I requested of our guide for our full-day tour: -Sunrise at Love Valley to see the hot air balloons flying -Uchisar Castle -Kaymalki Underground City -Ortahisar Castle -Goreme Open Air Museum -Pasabag Valley Fairy Chimneys -Zelve Open Air Museum -Pigeon Valley -Red Valley Viewpoint for sunset and wine

Then you can leave it in the guide’s hands to schedule the ideal stops and timing for each. Combine this with a hot air balloon ride one morning, and you will experience most of the highlights in Cappadocia.

It wasn’t difficult to find good restaurants around Goreme in the evenings, so it’s not like you will feel super stuck without a rental car.

In regards to your question about what to pack, I would suggest layers. The weather in Cappadocia in mid-October is warm and sunny in the daytime (22 degrees C) and cold in the evenings and mornings (like 4 degrees C). I wore my athletic leggings, runners with socks, long sleeve shirt or t-shirt and sweater for the entire trip to Cappadocia. Combined with my light puffer jacket and a blanket scarf (that I was frequently taking off and putting back on), it was the perfect outfit.

I hope this helps, and let me know if you have any other questions.

Happy travels! Haley

Amazing itinerary.. I am planning to visit March end with my husband and 8 month old Do you think for travel within city we could use the public transportation?? We are on a tight budget trip so just figuring out alternatives as car rental and guide would get expensive.

Thank you Ekta

Absolutely, you can utilize public transportation in any of the larger cities on this itinerary. I used the bus and tram system in Istanbul to get everywhere and it was super convenient. Just note that you will have to purchase a loadable transit card (in Istanbul it is called the Istanbul Kart). These can be purchased at select kiosks and stations and cost ~25TL (just under $1.50USD). Then you will need to load it with funds before boarding. I think its a really great way to get around the cities. Antalya was super easy to navigate on bus, too.

If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Enjoy your trip.

Hello! Thank you for documenting with so many details! I was searching for the part where you have the cost break down and over all cost for the trip. I will be flying from USA if that helps. Can you please point me to that detail.

Hi Saranya,

Thanks for the question.

Unfortunately, there are so many factors that go into budgeting for a trip to Turkey like your style of travel, what type of accommodations you like and if you will be renting a car or taking day tours, etc.

But, good news – since a major devaluation of the Turkish Lira a couple of years back, your US dollar will stretch quite significantly when planning your travels to Turkey. For an average traveller, I would assume roughly $60-100USD for a nightly stay, $2-10USD for a meal and $25USD a day for a car rental.

I hope this helps! And happy travels.

Hi, We are planning our first trip to Turkey in March and your blog is very helpful in planning our trip. We would also like to go to Bursa (Uludag ski resort), as kids want to enjoy snow. Could you please guide us where to fix it in your itinerary. We can reduce one day in istanbul and don’t mind making it a 12-14 days trip. Please guide.

Thanks in advance Subha

So glad to hear you are visiting Turkey in March, should be a great trip!

I recommend fixing Bursa (the Uludag ski resort) as your last stop before returning to Istanbul or flying out of Turkey, right after Ephesus.

Let me know if you have any additional questions.

Amazing itinerary! My friends and i are hoping to visit early Oct 2023. We are torn between visiting Antalya or Bodrum.

What are your thoughts on Bodrum?

So happy you decided to visit Turkey! I absolutely loved my trip in October. Unfortunately, I have not been to Bodrum, but from what I have heard it’s more quaint, has a higher-end feeling (similar to the French Riviera) and has sandy beaches outside of town. You can explore Bodrum’s attractions in about a day. Antayla, on the other hand, is much bigger, with a large and lively old town, and expansive central beach (pebbles).

It really depends on what you are looking for from your holiday, but I definitely loved my stay in Antalya.

Let me know if you have any other questions and happy travels!

I am visiting Turkey in April for 8 plays; planning to spend 2.5 days in Istanbul, then 2 in capa and 2 atleast in Antalya, Have one extra day and debating if i should spend that extra day in Antalya or go somewhere else. Any recommendation

April in Antalya will be pleasant exploring weather, but not necessarily beach-going weather (about 21 degrees Celsius), depending on what you’re used to. I’d recommend spending the 2 days checking out the old town and then making your way inland to Pammukale to see the thermal pools and ancient ruins of Hieropolis. You can easily see these sites in one day.

Alternatively, if you want to explore more of the Turquoise Coast (Turkish Riviera) and have a rental car at your disposal, you can take the coastal road from Antalya to Fethiye, stopping briefly in Kas and Oludeniz before flying out of Fethiye (about a 4.5 hour drive).

Lastly, you could always allocate that additional day to exploring more of Istanbul or Cappadocia, both have a ton to see!

Safe and happy travels, Haley

Very informative and detailed. I will follow your 10-day itinerary. Thank you for blogging about this. Helpful!

My pleasure, Clint. Enjoy your trip to Turkey!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Privacy Overview

Turkey Travel Planner: Design Your Dream Turkish Vacation

Welcome to your personalized journey through Turkey! We at Utravel Turkey are here to guide you in crafting the perfect vacation, tailored to your unique desires and interests. To embark on this exciting adventure, simply fill out our easy-to-use travel planner form below. By providing us with some details about your preferences and travel goals, we can design an itinerary that surpasses your expectations.

Once you’ve completed the form, our team of experts will get to work on crafting your personalized itinerary. We’ll take into account your preferences, budget, and desired experiences to design a trip that is both unforgettable and hassle-free.

• Itinerary Details

By submitting this form, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to our Terms and Conditions .

Start typing and press enter to search

Turkey is a land where the past meets the present, a tapestry of history, culture, natural beauty, diverse landscapes, tradition, and warm hospitality.

This captivating country attracts travelers with its wide range of attractions - from the bustling metropolis of Istanbul to the incredible landscapes of Cappadocia, the pristine beaches along the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas to the delightful and diverse cuisine. Whether you're interested in exploring ancient civilizations, relaxing on pristine beaches, or immersing yourself in urban adventures, Turkey has something to cater to your interests and beckons travelers for an unforgettable experience.

Istanbul, a dynamic city where history and culture seamlessly blend with modernity and vibrant energy, boasts a rich tapestry of experiences for travelers.

Trip Planner - Turkey

Create your perfect trip to istanbul, turkey.

Easily plan your trip based on your preferences, budget, and style

Plan your trip with RoutePerfect’s AI and optimize it by using RoutePerfect’s crowdsourced database, based on proven and enjoyable, well-crafted itineraries of thousands of travelers.

A meeting point of East and West, Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey. It is sprawled across two continents, Europe and Asia, making it a unique blend of cultures, history, and contemporary life.

Explore some of the must-see highlights in this captivating city:

Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya): Hagia Sophia, originally constructed in the 6th century as a cathedral, was later converted into an imperial mosque. Today it is home to a museum and is a recognized UNESCO historic site.

The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque): With its distinctive blue tiles and six majestic minarets, this mosque is one of Istanbul’s icons. Its impressive interior and tranquil courtyard are tourist favorites.

Topkapi Palace: Once the regal residence of Ottoman sultans, Topkapi Palace is a vast complex housing museums, courtyards, and opulent rooms. Don't miss the intricate tile work in the palace.

The Grand Bazaar: This bustling, historic market is one of the largest and oldest in the world and is a must-visit destination for shoppers looking to buy souvenirs, carpets, jewelry, and spices.

The Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar): This delightful market is filled with the fragrance of spices, tea, and Turkish delights. It is a great place to explore local spices.

Chora Church (Kariye Museum): Known for its well-preserved Byzantine mosaics and wall paintings, this church offers a glimpse into the artistic and religious history of Istanbul.

Istanbul Modern Art Museum: This museum displays contemporary Turkish and international art and offers fantastic views of the Bosphorus.

Galata Tower: Climb this medieval tower to enjoy panoramic views of Istanbul or explore the popular neighborhood known for its vibrant nightlife and restaurants.

Bosphorus Cruise: Take a boat tour on the Bosphorus to enjoy breathtaking views of the city's skyline and explore the city’s historical sites.

Immerse yourself in the age-old tradition of Turkish baths, a perfect retreat for relaxation and rejuvenation. Explore renowned hammams like Cagaloglu Hamam and Cemberlitas Hamam in Istanbul, where centuries-old bathing rituals await.

Discover this enchanting area, nestled in the heart of Turkey, celebrated for its surreal landscapes and distinctive rock formations. Cappadocia is renowned for hot air balloon rides that provide unforgettable views of fairy chimneys and the picturesque valleys. Visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site that includes churches, ancient caves, and monasteries adorned with exquisite wall paintings.

Discover the subterranean wonders of Kaymakli and Derinkuyu , ancient cities that served as sanctuaries for persecuted Christians. Wander through the picturesque Ihlara Valley, a canyon with a meandering river, ideal for hiking and exploring intricately carved churches. Head to Pasabag, or Monks Valley , renowned for its distinctive rock formations resembling giant mushrooms, providing a unique and picturesque backdrop for unforgettable photo opportunities.

The Zelve Open-Air Museum, an ancient cave village, provides a glimpse into the history and lifestyle of Cappadocia, with well-preserved houses and churches. For outdoor enthusiasts, Cappadocia offers a variety of hiking and horseback riding tours.

This is a natural wonder of thermal water terraces, abundant in white minerals formed by calcium deposits. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a popular tourist destination that blends both natural beauty and historical attractions. To protect the site, there are restrictions on walking in certain areas, and visitors are required to wear special shoes. Explore Hierapolis , an ancient Roman city known for its hot springs and well-preserved ruins, including theaters, temples, and a necropolis that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Cleopatra's Pool: Immerse yourself in the thermal waters of Cleopatra's Pool, where legend has it that Cleopatra herself bathed.

Travertine Terraces: Walk along the travertine terraces of Pamukkale, created by the flow of mineral-rich calcium water. The terraces create a surreal and stunning backdrop.

ֿEphesus, located on the western coast of Turkey, is an archaeological treasure with well-preserved antiquities from ancient times. The highlight is the 2nd century Library of Celsus, which serves as both a library and a Roman mausoleum. Its impressive facade makes it an important historical landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Ephesus Theater is an ancient Greek-Roman theater, one of the largest and best preserved in the ancient world. The theatre was constructed in the 1st century AD, and it accommodated approximately 25,000 spectators for performances and events.

The Temple of Artemis, also known as the Artemision, was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Built around 550 BCE as a tribute to the Greek goddess Artemis, it is a massive and intricately designed temple that has undergone several reconstructions. Today, there are only scant remains of its former grandeur.

Terrace Houses, also known as "Houses of the Rich," are a group of well-preserved ancient Roman residential buildings. Wealthy citizens lived in these homes during the Roman period, and they feature intricate architecture, wall paintings, and mosaics that provide insights into the daily life and prosperity of Ephesus during that time.

The 6th century Basilica of St. John, an ancient Christian basilica located near Ephesus, was dedicated to John the Apostle, a prominent figure in Christianity. The ruins include the central nave, the apse, and several chapels. It is a pilgrimage site, as it is believed that the tomb of St. John is also located here.

The Province of Antalya

Antalya, the Turkish Riviera on the country’s southwestern coast, is a popular resort destination known for its beautiful beaches and charming towns. Here are some of the highlights in Antalya:

• Kaleiçi’s narrow streets are rich in Ottoman architecture and lined with boutique hotels and beautiful cafes.
• Hadrian's Gate is a Roman triumphal arch built to honor the visit of Emperor Hadrian to the city.
• The ancient Roman theatre in Aspendos is one of the world’s best-preserved theatres.
• Perge is an ancient city boasting impressive Roman ruins, including a theater and a stadium.
• Termessos is a well-preserved ancient city set in the region’s mountainous landscape.
• Konyaalti Beach offers stunning views of the Taurus Mountains, and there are many waterfalls in the area.

Bodrum, a charming coastal town on the southwestern Aegean coast, is renowned for its vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches, and historical sites. The Bodrum Castle (Castle of St. Peter) is a well-preserved fortress that houses the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology, and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Bodrum Peninsula offers a blend of stunning beaches, luxurious resorts, and picturesque villages such as Türkbükü and Yalıkavak. The ancient Bodrum Amphitheater has a sea view and often hosts cultural events.

Troy, located in northwestern Turkey, is famous for its pivotal role in Greek mythology and the legendary Trojan War. Key attractions include the Troy Archaeological Site, housing the remnants of the ancient city, including the iconic Trojan horse, and the Troy Museum.

Mount Ararat

Mount Ararat is the highest peak in Turkey and a popular destination for hikers and climbers. According to legend, Noah's Ark found its resting place here. For experienced adventurers, guided tours led by local guides are highly recommended.

Pergamon is an ancient city with a rich history, situated in western Turkey. The Acropolis of Pergamon includes an impressive theater with fantastic views.

Turkey boasts an abundance of beautiful coastal areas along the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, creating ideal settings for a variety of water activities. The pristine beaches, including popular destinations such as Bodrum, Antalya, Oludeniz , and Alanya , offer swimming, snorkeling, and other water sports.

Sports enthusiasts can also engage in rock climbing in spots like Geyikbayiri and Datça , paragliding over the stunning landscapes of Oludeniz and Pamukkale, and diving in Turkey's coastal regions with underwater caves, sunken ships, and vibrant marine life. During the winter months, head to ski resorts like Uludağ and Erciyes for skiing and snowboarding.

Turkish cuisine is a delightful fusion of flavors, renowned for its rich variety of dishes and spices, from succulent kebabs and aromatic stews to flavorful mezes. Be sure to indulge in Turkish sweets, too, including baklava and ice cream. Here is a run-down of not-to-be-missed dishes!

Adana Kebab: Spicy ground meat kebab, usually made from lamb, served with flatbread and salad.

Shish Kebab: Skewered and grilled pieces of minced meat, usually beef or chicken.

Doner Kebab: Slices of meat, typically lamb or chicken, roasted on a vertical rotisserie and served in wraps or on a plate.

Iskender Kebab: A dish that includes slices of Doner kebab meat served on pieces of flatbread, topped with tomato sauce, yogurt, and melted butter.

Lokum: These chewy and sweet confections come in various flavors, often including nuts or spices.

Baklava: A sweet and flaky pastry made of layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey.

Mezes: A variety of appetizers and small dishes, usually served as spreads, including items like stuffed grape leaves (dolma), hummus, and baba ganoush (roasted eggplant).

Lahmacun: Sometimes called Turkish pizza, this dish consists of thin flatbread topped with a mixture of minced meat, onions, tomatoes, and herbs.

Pide: Turkish flatbread in the shape of a boat typically topped with various ingredients such as cheese, meat, or vegetables.

Mantı: Turkish dumplings filled with seasoned minced meat, served with yogurt and a tomato-based sauce.

Simit: A popular street food, simit is a round bread, similar to a bagel, coated with sesame seeds.

Menemen: A unique breakfast dish made with eggs, tomatoes, green peppers, and various spices, usually served in a pan.

Manti: Small dumplings filled with meat, typically covered with yogurt, garlic, and red pepper flakes.

Kumpir: Baked potato loaded with various toppings like cheese, olives, and corn, commonly found in Istanbul.

Turkish Tea and Coffee: Turkish tea is black tea served in small glasses, while Turkish coffee is strong and aromatic coffee traditionally prepared in a small pot (cezve).

Turkish Breakfast (Kahvaltı): The traditional Turkish breakfast is a feast, usually including cheeses, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, various jams, eggs, and a selection of bread.

Raki: A traditional Turkish alcoholic beverage, also known as "lion's milk," it is an anise-flavored alcohol usually diluted with water and enjoyed alongside mezze.

Pomegranate Juice: Fresh pomegranate juice, both refreshing and nutritious, is widely available in Turkey.

Ayran: A popular Turkish yogurt-based drink, often served as a refreshing beverage with spicy dishes.

Kofte: Turkish meatballs, typically made from minced beef or lamb, seasoned with spices and herbs.

Sucuk: Turkish sausage, rich in flavor, made from beef or lamb and often spiced with garlic and red pepper.

Turkish Ice Cream (Dondurma): Made with salep (orchid flour), it is often served with pistachios and other toppings.

Hamsi Pilav: A dish featuring anchovies (hamsi) cooked with rice, commonly found in the Black Sea region.

Imam Bayildi: A vegetarian dish made of eggplant stuffed with onions, tomatoes, and herbs, baked in olive oil.

Kuzu Tandır: Slow-cooked lamb, often flavored with garlic and oregano, resulting in tender and flavorful meat.

Lahana Sarma: Cabbage leaves stuffed with a mixture of rice and minced meat, typically cooked in a spicy tomato sauce.

Sujuk: Turkish spicy sausage sometimes enjoyed as a snack or for breakfast.

Turkey beckons travelers for an unforgettable journey filled with a diverse array of experiences. From ancient wonders and historic landmarks to breathtaking landscapes and opportunities for adventure, it is truly a captivating tapestry of culture, cuisine, and nature complemented by warm and welcoming hospitality.

Regions in Turkey

Attractions in turkey, popular itineraries in turkey.

RoutePerfect uses cookies to improve our content and provide you with a personalized experience. By clicking "Accept All Cookies", you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage and assist in our marketing efforts. Learn more

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience and security.

• Email: [email protected]
• Start WhatsApp Chat! +905336401103

WhatsApp : +905336401103

Turkey Express Gold (7 nights - 8 Days)

Visit Istanbul, Cappadocia, Konya, Pamukkale and Ephesus with your professional guide and A/C vehicle

7 Churches of Revelation

Visit 7 Churches with your Bible Oriented Tour Guide in 5 Days

Turkey Land Tours between 9 & 14 Days

Join our Small Group Tours to explore Turkey...

Subscribe our Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to get the latest updates straight in your inbox.

TURKEY TOURS

Istanbul - ephesus (4 nights - 5 days).

Duration    : 4 Nights - 5 Days

Departure : MINI Group : Saturday - Sunday - Tuesday | Private : Everyday

Standards : MINI Group (Max 10 people) & Private

Istanbul - Ephesus - Cappadocia by Flights (6 Nights - 7 Days)

Duration    : 6 Nights - 7 Days

Turkey West - Istanbul to Istanbul (6 Nights - 7 days)

Departure : MINI Group : Monday - Tuesday - Thursday - Friday | Private : Everyday

Turkey West Tour (6 Nights - 7 Days)

Departure : MINI Group : Monday - Tuesday - Thursday | Private : Everyday

Turkey Express Gold (7 Nights - 8 Days)

Duration    : 7 Nights - 8 Days

Departure : MINI Group : Tuesday - Friday - Saturday | Private : Everyday

Turkey Express Silver (7 nights - 8 Days)

Duration    : 7 nights - 8 Days

Turkey Delights Gold (9 Nights - 10 Days)

Duration    : 9 Nights - 10 Days

Departure : MINI Group : Saturday - Tuesday - Friday | Private : Everyday

Turkey Delights Silver (9 Nights - 10 Days)

Turkey Boutique - (13 Nights - 14 Days)

Duration    : 13 Nights - 14 Days

Departure : MINI Group : Saturday - Monday - Friday | Private : Everyday

7 Churches with Istanbul and Cappadocia

Duration    : 10 Days

Departure : Every Thursday and Friday

Standards : MINI Group (Max. 10 People)

SHORE EXCURSIONS

Private ephesus - artemis temple.

Duration    : 3,5 hours

Departure : Everyday

Standards : Private tour

Private Ephesus - Artemis Temple - House of Virgin Mary

Duration    : 4 to 5 hours

MINI Group Tour 1 (Option with Terrace Houses) Ephesus - Artemis Temple

Duration    : Apprx. 4 Hours

Standards : MINI Group Tour (Max 10 people)

MINI Group Tour 2 (Option with Terrace Houses) Ephesus - House of Virgin Mary - Artemis Temple

Duration    : Apprx. 5 Hours

Customized Istanbul Tour

Duration    : Depends on sites

Private Tour 2 : Ancient Hippodrome – Blue Mosque – St. Sophia – Grand Bazaar

Duration    : Approximately 6 Hours

BIBLICAL TOURS

Duration    : 5 days

Departure : Private Everyday & MINI Group every Monday

Standards : Private & MINI Group tour (Max. 10 pax)

7 Churches of Asia Minor 1

Duration    : 8 Days

Departure : Mini Group : Saturday | Private : Everyday

7 Churches of Asia Minor 2

Departure : Private Everyday & MINI Group every Fridays

Foot Steps of St. Paul

Duration    : 14 Days

Departure : Private: Everyday / MINI Group: Twice in a month Every 1st & 15th day

Standards : Private & MINI Group Tour (Max. 10 People)

Biblical Istanbul & Ephesus Tour

Duration    : 5 Days

Departure : Private Everyday | MINI Group Every Monday & Thursday

Biblical Istanbul & Cappadocia Tour

Duration    : 6 Days

Study Trip 1

SELECTED TOURS

Turkey express gold : istanbul to kusadasi (7 nights & 8 days).

Duration    : 7 Nights & 8 Days

Departure : MINI Group : Saturday - Tuesday | Private : Everyday

Less Walking Tour in Ephesus Ephesus - House of Virgin Mary and Artemission Temple

Duration    : Approximately 4 hrs.

Departure : Kusadasi Port & Hotels

Standards : Private

DISCOVER TURKEY in 8 DAYS BY PLANE

Departure : Mini Group : Friday - Saturday - Tuesday Private : Everyday

Plan Your Trip to Turkey: 6 Best Itineraries

Written by Jess Lee Updated Sep 16, 2022

Turkey swoops from Mediterranean shore to vast mountain ranges and rugged, rock-pitted high plateau, and has been settled since the early days of human history, so it's no wonder planning an itinerary here can prove tricky.

From ancient sites that inspired legends to the cities of grand empires, Turkey simply has too many things to see and do on just one trip.

To cut down on wearying travel time and internal flights, if you have 10 days or less up your sleeve, it's easiest to concentrate on one region. This allows you to slow down and explore rather than spending your vacation rushing everywhere.

Turkey's public transport system is world-class. The bus network, in particular, is extensive. Except for the most out-of-the-way ancient sites, travel itineraries for Turkey can be easily pulled together solely using public transport. If you want to rent a car for the added freedom and speed, road conditions and signage are excellent.

Find inspiration with our list of the top Turkey itineraries.

1. Aegean Adventure Itinerary

2. beaches & ruins of the turquoise coast, 3. capitals of empire, 4. cappadocia itinerary, 5. exploring the southeast of turkey, 6. southern mediterranean.

Aegean Adventure Highlights: Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus, Pamukkale

This classic 7-day itinerary, which can easily be traveled solely using public bus, hits Turkey's most feted archaeological sites as it scoots south down the Aegean coast .

It's the perfect first-timer trip, taking in both Istanbul's mind-boggling glut of historical monuments and the country's three most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Give yourself at least two days in Istanbul, Turkey's major metropolis. This allows you to focus on major sights, including the Hagia Sophia , Topkapı Palace , and the Grand Bazaar on Day One before taking to the water on Day Two for one of Istanbul's most iconic experiences : a cruise upon the Bosphorus Strait .

From Istanbul head west, through the sunflower fields of eastern Thrace , to the attractions of the Gallipoli Peninsula . The WWI battlefields here are where Atatürk (the founder of modern Turkey) first rose to prominence as the Ottoman army held back the Allied forces in one of the war's bloodiest episodes.

Stay directly across the water from the peninsula in the buzzy city of Çanakkale. This is the best base for visiting both Gallipoli and the much mythologized ruins of Troy.

Luckily, if you're short on time, Çanakkale tour operators offer day trips that encompass a morning tour of major tourist attractions like the Gallipoli Peninsula's battlefields, war memorials, and cemeteries and an afternoon spent exploring Troy .

Afterwards, travel down the Aegean Coast to Bergama . This easygoing small town is overlooked by the hilltop remnants of Pergamum, one of Turkey's grandest ancient city ruins and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pergamum's Acropolis and Asclepeion (healing temple) are just a taster for what's next, as now you're heading south to Selçuk and Ephesus – the greatest ruins of them all.

Selçuk is a charming red-tile roofed village with a Roman aqueduct running straight through the center of town. Even if Ephesus wasn't right next door (which it is), you'd want to stop here for its laid-back atmosphere and handful of historic buildings scattered through the lanes.

It is worthwhile spending an extra day here, though, to explore Selçuk's Basilica of St. John and Ayasuluk Fortress . Tourists can also go sightseeing out of town at the Meryemana , where local legend claims the Virgin Mary lived out her later years.

UNESCO World Heritage Site Ephesus will take up much of your time, and beach lovers may want to explore the port town of Kuşadası while in the area, just 18 kilometers from the Ephesus ruins.

You're going to head inland after Selçuk, through the coastal plains to visit Pamukkale , your last UNESCO World Heritage Site and the final stop on this itinerary. Pamukkale's hill of gleaming white calcite travertine terraces, topped by the rambling ruins of the Roman spa-town of Hierapolis, is a natural wonder and archaeological site all-in-one.

Pamukkale is also the best base for day trips to the nearby Roman ruins of Laodikeia and Afrodisias.

Sitting on top of Pamukkale's travertines, watching sunset cast a rosy glow over the terraces, is a suitably dramatic end to this week-long romp through Turkey's most acclaimed sights.

Add On: Direct buses linking Denizli (the nearest big city to Pamukkale) to Cappadocia make it easy to tag the Cappadocia itinerary onto this trip.

Got more time? Bus from Denizli direct down to explore Antalya and then follow the Beaches & Ruins of the Turquoise Coast itinerary, backwards up the coast to Fethiye's many seaside charms .

Beaches & Ruins of the Turquoise Coast Highlights: Paragliding at Ölüdeniz, Lycian city ruins, Patara Beach, Kaş, Kekova Island, Çıralı, Antalya

The quintessential Mediterranean journey, this route along what is often called the Turquoise Coast takes in Turkey's most stunning slice of shoreline , a bag full of ancient Lycian sites and plenty of things to do both on and off the beach.

Plan for 10 days but factor in a few more if you want to add in time at some of Turkey's best beaches .

It's easy to get around between towns using public bus services, but to tick off all four Lycian city sites on the route between Fethiye and Patara, you'd need to rent a car. Otherwise, use Fethiye or Patara as your base.

Fethiye , with its harbor opening out onto an island-speckled bay, is the springboard to this region. While in town head out on the water for a boat day trip, visit the ruins of Kayaköy and tandem paraglide over Ölüdeniz; it's one of the top things to do here.

From Fethiye, spend a day ruin-hopping through the hills as you head down the coast to Patara Beach , home to Turkey's longest strip of sand . Four of the major Lycian ancient city sites – Tlos , Pınara , Xanthos and Letoön – lie along, or just off, this route.

Patara Beach itself is rimmed by the ruins of Ancient Patara , once one of Lycia's major ports and birthplace of St. Nicholas (aka Santa Claus). Spend the night in the itsy village of Gelemiş which backs the beach and ruins.

Heading farther down the coast is the action-adventure town of Kaş . Stop at famous K aputaş Beach , squeezed between high cliffs, along the way.

Kaş tour operators could keep you busy for days. Things to do while in Kas include sea kayaking to the sunken city ruins of Kalkan Island , diving trips, hiking, and boat tours — all to tempt you to extend your stay.

After Kaş, it's time for the beach, so keep moving west to Çıralı. On the way, stop off at Demre to see the ruins of Ancient Myra and the Church of St. Nicholas . It was the saint's charitable exploits as Bishop of Myra in the 4th century that created the Santa Claus myth.

Çıralı is among Turkey's best beach towns, and also on of its most laid-back. If you want more than the sand though, it's also the best base from which to visit the eternal flame of the Chimaera and the ruins of Ancient Olympos nearby.

When you're finished with the sand, it's only a short hop to your last stop at Antalya, with its historic old town district; beaches; and plentiful day trip options to big-hitter Roman sites such as Aspendos , Perge, and Side .

Add On: Jump on a bus from Antalya to Pamukkale and follow the Aegean Adventure itinerary backwards all the way up to Istanbul.

With direct buses between Antalya and Cappadocia, it's also easy to combine this coastal route with the short Cappadocia itinerary.

Capitals of Empire Highlights: Istanbul, Bursa, Konya, Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Hattuşa, Amasya, Safranbolu

Looping through central Anatolia, this itinerary stars some of Turkey's most important historical cities .

Although most of it can easily be done using a combination of public bus, ferry and train, a rental car is handy for the Ankara-Safranbolu leg and cuts down travel time substantially.

Not counting time spent in Istanbul, this route takes between 8 and 10 days.

Begin in the grandest city of them all: Istanbul, capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires . From here, jump on a ferry across the Marmara Sea to head to Bursa .

Bursa is an old Silk Route trading post and became the Ottoman Empire's first capital. Delve into this city's grandest era touring Bursa's attractions , which include its intricately tiled mosques, the ornate tombs of the early sultans inside the Muradiye Complex , and the vast bazaar area.

Take the bus southeast from here to Konya, 12th-century capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum and home of the whirling dervishes . Don't miss the Mevlana Museum and try to time your visit to catch the weekly whirling dervish ceremony; it's one of the top attractions in Konya .

From Konya, it's also an easy half-day trip to the archaeological site of Çatalhöyük , the world's largest Neolithic village ever discovered.

Heading north now, hop on the train to Ankara. If you start off early enough, you'll be able to stop-off in Polatlı along the way, and from the train station there, take a taxi-tour to the Iron Age Phrygian capital of Gordion .

Once in modern Turkey's capital, make sure to visit at least two top Ankara sites : the Atatürk's mausoleum at the Anıtkabir and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations , which will give you a crash course in Anatolia's history from the Neolithic to Iron Age.

Traveling the next section is more straightforward and quick by car. It does work, though, using public transport if you have more time up your sleeve to wait for connections, and are comfortable hopping between a blend of both bus and local dolmuş (minibus) routes.

Having seen the glorious treasures of the Hittite Empire in Ankara's museum, now head a couple of hours east to the ruins of their Bronze Age capital Hattuşa . The area around Hattuşa has plenty more historic tourist attractions to explore, and those with an interest in Turkish history may well want to stay a night.

From here push farther northeast to Amasya . The tiny riverside old town district here is full of preserved wooden Ottoman-era mansions, many of which are now atmospheric restaurants, cafés, and boutique hotels. The high cliff behind is honeycombed with the tombs of the Pontic Kings , who made Amasya capital of the Kingdom of Pontus in the 3rd Century BC.

Amasya's chief tourist attraction is its heritage ambience, but do visit the Sultan Beyazıt II Mosque for its astonishingly beautiful interior, and the Amasya Museum while in town.

Turning west, Safranbolu is the last stop on the itinerary and the only one that has never been a capital.

Safranbolu is so quaint, it looks like it fell out of a storybook. This old trade route town is famous for its old town, replete with cobblestone alleyways crammed with finely restored timber and red-tile roofed Ottoman mansions. Once home to wealthy traders and merchants, today these grand houses now function as cafés, restaurants, and boutique hotels.

After soaking up the highlights of Safranbolu , you can either drive back to Ankara to drop off the hire car or take a direct bus back to Istanbul.

Add On: If you have around 20 days to explore Turkey, when you get back to Istanbul, head down the coast on the Aegean Adventure itinerary .

Cappadocia Itinerary Highlights: Hot-air ballooning, Rose & Red Valley hiking, Göreme Open-Air Museum, Zelve Open-Air Museum, Ihlara Valley

Bang in the center of Turkey, Cappadocia's moonscape valleys , studded with the cone and pillar hoodoos known locally as "fairy chimneys," is one of the country's most famous landscapes and among Turkey's most beautiful places to photograph .

This is also one of the best places to visit in the country for outdoor activities. Fantastic day hikes and horse rides are right on the doorstep here, while Cappadocia's hot-air ballooning is world famous.

An extra bonus is that because of the Cappadocia region's small size, there's no need to move hotels. Base yourself just in one village and explore on day trips.

This 3-day Cappadocia itinerary samples the highlights of the region and can easily be tacked on to any of the other Turkey itineraries on this list.

On Day One in Cappadocia hit the most famous sight first: The mid-Byzantine-era frescoes inside the cluster of cave-churches known as Göreme Open-Air Museum are what first put this area on the tourism map.

Spend the rest of the day amid the surrounding lunar landscapes of the valleys. For the most scenic trail, hike from Göreme through Red and Rose Valleys to Çavuşin .

If you want to do a hot-air balloon tour, you'll have to get a pre-dawn start the next day. The bonus to this early morning wake up is that you still have a full day in front of you afterwards.

Spend Day Two first exploring the fairy chimneys of Paşabağı and then the three interconnecting valleys of Zelve Open-Air Museum , with its mammoth conical rocks and abandoned village remnants. Head to Avanos for lunch and then a stroll around the pottery workshops, then head to either Ortahisar or Uçhisar to climb up to the top of these villages' rock-citadels and explore the cobblestone alleys.

On Day Three, book one of the many day tours to Cappadocia's more outlying attractions that tour operators in Göreme offer. The most popular option is the tour that heads to Cappadocia's south, taking in the caverns and tunnels of Kaymaklı Underground City , where Byzantine inhabitants hid during the Arab raids of the 6th and 7th centuries, and then Ihlara Valley , with its high cliffs riddled with cave-churches.

Add On: Extend the Exploring the Southeast itinerary by three days by starting from Cappadocia. From Nevşehir (the main bus station in the Cappadocia area), there are daily buses to Antakya.

Exploring the Southeast Highlights: Hatay Archaeology Museum, baklava in Gazıantep, Mount Nemrut, Şanlıurfa, Göbeklitepe, Mardın

Turkey's southeast offers rugged mountain and high plateau scenery, historic cities, and some of the country's most interesting archaeological sites and world-class museums.

Plan on at least 7 to 8 days for this itinerary, though you'd need a rental car to complete it at that rate, and 10 days gives you more time to explore. Public buses can get you everywhere except Mount Nemrut on this journey.

Begin in Antakya (Biblical Antioch), where the Hatay Archaeology Museum holds one of the world's most renowned mosaic collections , and you can visit the Church of St. Peter , where some of the earliest Christian converts once gathered.

Head east from here to see the highlights of Gaziantep , Turkey's baklava capital . After strolling the bazaars and eating your way through the historic patisseries in the old town district, visit the Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum for more mosaic mastery.

It's now time to zip north into the mountains to visit the eerie stone heads atop the barren summit of Mount Nemrut . After the main summit site, make sure to visit the sites scattered along the slopes of Mount Nemrut on the drive back down, for their stunning views, as well as the ruins, particularly Arsameia .

From Mount Nemrut, travel south to the bustling pilgrimage city of Şanlıurfa, once ancient Edessa.

Most visitors come here today to visit the Neolithic temple T-pillars of Göbeklitepe, Turkey's newest UNESCO World Heritage Site .

Şanlıurfa's attractions are worth a few days of your time. The old town bazaar district is a fascinating place to visit, while Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum is a dazzling journey through the dawn of human culture. This is also the best base from which to day trip to the mudbrick beehive houses and other historic attractions of Harran .

Finish up in the historic hillside town of Mardin. End your journey by getting lost amid the steep, mazy streets of Mardin's heritage buildings, ancient churches, and mosques and then soaking up the sunset vistas across the Mesopotamian Plains .

Add On: Mardin's airport has regular flights to Istanbul, so with more time, you can easily combine this trip with one of the coastal itineraries.

Southern Mediterranean Highlights: Aspendos and Perge; Alanya Castle; Anamurium; Kızkalesi ruins; Tarsus old town

Turkey's southern corner of the Mediterranean is less visited by foreign tourists but is home to plenty of historic attractions, castles, classical-era ruins, and coastal scenery.

Plan around eight days for this itinerary if you have your own vehicle and at least 10 if you're traveling using public transport. All of the main stops on this journey are linked by regular buses, though taxis will be necessary for some trips to the ruins.

Start your sightseeing in Antalya and plan to spend at least two days (more if possible) for side trips to the classical-era ruins of Aspendos , Perge, and Termessos.

From Antalya head southeast to Side, a resort destination with a glut of Roman ruins right in town, and then farther south to the attractions of Alanya , where the harbor-front is framed by Seljuk-era fortifications and the hillside is home to an old town district cradled within ancient castle walls.

Antalya, Side, and Alanya are all beach-vacation-focused towns, so if you're after some sun and sea before heading further into this itinerary, these are the best places to add some beach days onto your trip.

From Alanya, keep moving southeast to the beachfront town of Anamur, home to the sprawling ruins of Anamurium with its mix of Roman and Byzantine remnants just west of town and the mighty fortifications of the medieval Mamure Castle right at the eastern end of Anamur's beach.

The bustling holiday town of Kızkalesi is the next stop, and it's well worth spending a couple of nights here if you want to explore the glut of archaeological sites in the hinterland.

Kızkalesi beach is framed by Corycus Castle , while just offshore is the island holding Kızkalesi Castle, which is the attraction everyone is here to see. But the countryside both west and east of town is littered with ruins.

Definitely make time to see the Caves of Heaven and Hell (mythological entranceways to the River Styx) to the west and the Roman-Byzantine ruins of Elaiussa-Sebasta and necropolis's and cliffside rock reliefs of Adamkayalar and Kanlidivane to the east.

Once you've filled up on Kızkalesi's historic riches, it's time to move farther east to Tarsus , an important Christian pilgrimage town that was the birthplace of Saul of Tarsus (St. Paul) .

The old town district of Tarsus, with its skinny cobblestone alleys rimmed with Ottoman-era mansions, is a wonderful place to explore, while pilgrimage tourists will also want to visit St. Paul's Well which, according to local legend, is built atop St. Paul's birthplace.

Last on this itinerary are the attractions in the riverside city of Adana . It's home to a fabulous new museum and prime base for exploring a bundle of far-from-the-crowds historic sites.

Don't miss scrambling up through the ruins of the craggy hilltop castle of Yılankale , just a short trip out of town, and day tripping to the Neo-Hittite site of Karatepe in the hills to the northeast.

Add On: This trip is easily tagged on after the Beaches and Ruins of the Turquoise Coast itinerary or before the Exploring the Southeast of Turkey itinerary, which begins in Antakya (just 195 kilometers south from Adana).

With less time up your sleeve at the end of this trip, head direct from Adana, north to Cappadocia, and follow the Cappadocia itinerary.

More on Turkey

• Tour Packages
• Luxury Packages
• Economic Packages
• Couple Packages
• Family Packages
• Solo Packages
• Daily Tours

Turkey Tours Planners

Turkey Tours Planners is a travel agent Branch of Rani Travel which is located in the heart of Turkey “Istanbul” and serves in every single part of the country. We think that every traveler deserves high quality, good & reliable service wherever they travel in the world. Our team who has more than 10 years experience in all around Turkey are not only professional in tourism, but also they are good travellers.

Rani Travel

Rani Travel is one of the best and first tour operators company in all of turkey, we have branches in Istanbul Cappadocia Antalya and many other cities. We think that every traveler deserves high quality, good & reliable service wherever they travel in the world. Our team who has more than 10 years experience in all around Turkey are not only professional in tourism, but also they are good travellers.

• Turkey Trip Planners

Turkey Trip Planners is a travel agent Branch of Rani Travel which is located in the heart of Turkey “Cappadocia” and serves in every single part of the country. We think that every traveler deserves high quality, good & reliable service wherever they travel in the world. Our team who has more than 10 years experience in all around Turkey are not only professional in tourism, but also they are good travellers.

• Gallipoli Anzac Day

Gallipoli Anzac Day is a travel agent Branch of Rani Travel which is located in the heart of Turkey “Gallipoli” and serves in every single part of the country. We think that every traveler deserves high quality, good & reliable service wherever they travel in the world. Our team who has more than 10 years experience in all around Turkey are not only professional in tourism, but also they are good travellers.

Get Updates & More

Thoughtful thoughts to your inbox

• Turkey Travel
• Hair Transplant
• Turkey Vacation Package
• Privacy Policy

Need help? Chat on WhatsApp

Copyright © 2022 by Turkey Tours Planners

Proudly powered by Hollands web

This website requires cookies to provide all of its features. By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies. More info

Ukraine-Russia war latest: French instructors in Ukraine would be 'legitimate target', Lavrov says on visit to West Africa

Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, is on a tour in West Africa as part of a diplomatic push by the isolated Kremlin to forge new ties around the world. Meanwhile, an upcoming summit on Ukraine will reportedly aim to create a pathway for Russian officials to join future talks.

Thursday 6 June 2024 08:26, UK

• Lavrov: French military instructors in Ukraine would be 'legitimate target'
• Ivor Bennett: Why is Lavrov in Africa?
• Ukraine peace summit 'opens door to limited talks with Russia'
• Remote-control stretchers on trial in Ukraine
• Big picture:  Everything you need to know about the war right now
• Mapped: The territorial situation on the frontline today
• Your questions answered: Are there any signs of an underground resistance in Russia?

Welcome back to our live coverage of the war in Ukraine. 

Yesterday, Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov warned French military instructors operating in Ukraine would be a "legitimate target" of his country's armed forces. 

It came after top Ukrainian commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said he had signed paperwork allowing French military instructors to visit Ukrainian training centres soon.

The office of French President Emmanuel Macron declined to comment on Mr Lavrov's remarks.

We'll be bringing you live updates throughout the day, but before we do, here's a reminder of the other key development from the last 24 hours: 

• A Western source said Ukraine has used American weapons to strike inside Russia;
• A former British defence attache has warned Russia's disinformation campaigns are "only going to get worse" as EU parliament elections and the Olympics approach;
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Qatar for talks with the state's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani;
• Ukraine unveiled new remote-controlled electric stretches. 

We're pausing our coverage for today but we will be back tomorrow with more updates.

Here is a rundown of the key developments today:

• Ukraine has used American weapons to strike inside Russia, according to an unnamed Western source;
• Joe Biden will hold talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Normandy this week during his visit celebrating the 80th anniversary of D-Day;
• Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has been visiting countries in Africa as part of an ongoing diplomatic offensive from the Kremlin;
• A former British defence attache has warned Russia's disinformation campaigns are "only going to get worse" as EU parliament elections and the Olympics approach.

You can scroll back through the blog to read all our updates from today.

A 26-year-old man of dual Ukrainian-Russian nationality has been arrested in possession of explosives after some of them detonated in a hotel room north of Paris.

The man was treated by fire-fighters after he "suffered significant burns following an explosion," on Monday, according to a source. 

A source at the French anti-terror prosecutor's office said they had taken charge of the case and opened an investigation on suspicion of a terrorist conspiracy. 

A subsequent search of his room led to the discovery of products and materials intended for the manufacture of explosive devices, the source added. 

France's domestic spy agency DGSI is handling the investigation, Reuters reports. 

Ukraine has used American weapons to strike inside Russia in recent days, according to a Western official.

The weapons were used under recently approved guidance from Joe Biden, allowing US arms to be used to strike inside Russia in defence of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second city.

The official spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Mr Biden's directive allows for US-supplied weapons to be used to strike Russian forces that are attacking or preparing to attack.

It does not change US policy that directs Ukraine not to use American-provided tactical or long-range missiles and other munitions to make offensive strikes inside Russia, US officials said.

Ukrainian officials had stepped up calls on the US to allow Kyiv's forces to defend themselves against attacks originating from Russian territory.

Kharkiv is 12 miles from the Russian border and has recently come under intensified Russian attack.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Qatar for talks with the state's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The Ukrainian president said on X that he planned to discuss Qatar's participation in a process of returning Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, as well as bilateral economic and security issues.

In March, Ukraine and Russia exchanged six children via Qatari mediation.

Earlier this week, Mr Zelenskyy made a surprise trip to the Philippines to thank the country for agreeing to participate in the upcoming peace summit being held in Switzerland.

A Russian-American man has been sentenced by a St Petersburg court to three-and-a-half years in prison on charges of "rehabilitating Nazism". 

Yuri Malev was arrested in December over social media posts in which he was alleged to have denigrated the Saint George's ribbon, a Russian military symbol of valour. 

One post reportedly contained "obscene language" and another other showed a picture of a corpse wearing the ribbon, captioned: "How to wear the Saint George's ribbon correctly". 

The court in St Petersburg said this showed disrespect for society and insulted the memory of the Great Patriotic War (the Russian name for the Second World War). 

Malev admitted guilt, according to the court. 

He was a graduate of the law faculty of St Petersburg University and had lived in the United States since 1991, according to independent Russian language media.

Baza, a Telegram channel with links to Russian authorities, said Malev was a resident of Brooklyn, New York. 

He reportedly entered Russia by bus from Estonia two weeks before he was arrested. 

Moscow routinely refers to the government in Kyiv as a "Nazi regime", despite Volodymyr Zelenskyy being Jewish.

Ukraine has been allowed to shoot down Moscow's planes over Russian territory with American weapons since the war broke out, the White House has clarified.

Ukraine "can shoot down Russian aeroplanes that pose an impending threat", national security spokesman John Kirby said. 

"And they have. They have since the beginning of the war."

The clarification was given due to confusion over Washington’s recent decision to relax rules on US-supplied weapons striking military targets on Russian soil.

Joe Biden gave authorisation for the strikes on a limited basis to help Kyiv defend itself against Kremlin forces advances towards Kharkiv.

Mr Kirby said he could not confirm reports that Ukraine had used US-supplied weapons on Russian territory for the first time.

He told reporters: "We're just not in a position on a day-to-day basis of knowing exactly what the Ukrainians are firing at what.

"It's certainly at a tactical level. So, I can't confirm that. I can tell you that they understand the guidance that they've been given."

By Ivor Bennett, Moscow correspondent 

Sergei Lavrov's trip to Africa is part of an ongoing diplomatic offensive by the Kremlin, running in parallel to its conflict in Ukraine.

Isolated from the West, Russia is trying to forge new ties and has found fertile ground in Africa.

There have been several coups in recent years that have ushered in anti-Western military juntas.

US troops were kicked out of Niger, for example, while the French had to leave Burkina Faso.

In both cases, Moscow was quick to move in as the new security guarantors, and their efforts clearly don't stop there.

This is the veteran foreign minister Lavrov's ninth visit to the continent since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Kenya, Burundi and South Africa were among his stops last year; this week it's Guinea, Congo and Burkina Faso.

In return for military support, Russia gains an ally - they may not support the war, but they won't criticise it either.

The Kremlin portrays this as the formation of a new world order, free from Western imperialism and hegemony.

But others say Russia are the neo-colonialists, painting this as a blatant attempt to expand their sphere of influence.

Ukraine's first deputy foreign minister has held talks with his Chinese counterpart in an effort to increase cooperation between the two countries, the Ukrainian ministry said. 

Ukraine's Andriy Sybiha also told Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong that he hoped China would participate in a Ukraine-led peace summit later in June. 

Mr Sybiha added that it could be "a good opportunity to make a practical contribution to achieving a just and lasting peace", the Ukrainian foreign ministry said.

A report earlier today (see 7.40am post) said that June's peace summit opened doors to "limited talks with Russia" - despite Russian officials not being invited.

Earlier we brought you news that Ukraine said it had shot down 22 of the 27 Shahed-type drones launched by Russia overnight (see 8.04am post). 

Now photographs have emerged of the aftermath of one of the strikes. 

Firefighters work to put out the massive blaze in the Poltava region.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

• Entertainment
• London / Europe
• Border / Cartel Chronicles
• Israel / Middle East
• Latin America
• On the Hill Articles
• On The Hill Exclusive Video
• Breitbart News Daily
• Newsletters
• Hunter Biden Trial
• Pride Propaganda
• Trump vs Lawfare
• Wide Open Border
• UK Election

Turkey’s Top Diplomat Visits China, Planning Stops in Uyghur Genocide Region

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan began a trip to China on Monday and is expected to travel to occupied East Turkistan on Tuesday, where the Communist Party has been engaging in a genocide of Uyghur and other indigenous Muslim communities since at least 2017.

Fidan is not expected to condemn the genocide – although it targets Turkic peoples – and his visit has prompted alarm among Uyghur civil society groups. Fidan made clear in remarks alongside Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday that his priorities upon visiting Beijing were galvanizing support for Hamas against Israel and increasing trade volume between China and Turkey.

The Islamist regime of strongman Recep Tayyip Erdogan was once one of the most vocal governments opposed to the abuse of Uyghurs by the Chinese government, which escalated into ethnic cleansing and, ultimately, genocide under ethnic Han dictator Xi Jinping. Erdogan significantly muted his criticisms after Turkey joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a predatory infrastructure scheme, in 2015. His foreign policy following the Hamas atrocities against Israel on October 7 has been almost singularly focused on supporting Hamas, which Erdogan himself has insisted is not a terrorist organization.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gestures as he delivers a speech following a cabinet meeting, in Ankara (ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images).

In his remarks alongside Wang Yi, Foreign Minister Fidan called China’s support for Hamas “extremely important” and emphasized the growth in trade between the two countries.

“The great vision put forward by the two political leaders constitutes an important basis for the institutionalization and deepening of the relationship between China and Türkiye in modern times,” the Turkish state-run Anadolu news agency quoted Fidan as saying in a report on Tuesday.

“Fidan also said the economy constitutes an important pillar of the relations between the two countries, that the bilateral trade volume reached $48 billion in 2023,” Anadolu Agency continued, “and that China is Türkiye’s first largest trade partner in Asia and the third-largest trade partner globally.”

Anadolu did not offer any indication that Fidan addressed the ongoing Uyghur genocide or advocated for the rights of Turkic people under Chinese communist rule. Instead, Fidan celebrated the two East Turkistani cities that he is reportedly planning on visiting this week, Kashgar and the regional capital Urumqi, as critical to linking China and Turkey.

“These cities also play a bridge role between China and the Turkish world as well as between China and the Islamic world. They are symbols of our historical friendship and neighborhood,” Fidan added.

The Chinese Communist Party first occupied the East Turkistan Republic, then a sovereign state, in 1949. It has for decades acted to repress local cultures and impose totalitarian communism. Under Xi Jinping, however, the Communist Party began a campaign that extensive evidence suggests is a genocide . Communist officials began imprisoning Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples in concentration camps since at least 2017, where they are subject to extreme abuse, torture, forced sterilization, slavery, and other horrors. As many as three  million people were shepherded into concentration camps in East Turkistan at their peak.

Chinese President Xi Jinping gives a joint press conference with France’s President Emmanuel Macron at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Thursday, April 6, 2023 (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File).

As a result of widespread international outrage, China claimed to shut down its “Vocational and Educational Training Centers,” the Party’s term for the concentration camps. A widely condemned 2022 United Nations report took China’s claims that the camps stopped existing in 2019 at face value.

In reality, not only has the genocide continued, but evidence suggests that China has funneled many of its victims into slavery, openly selling slaves to suppliers for international corporations online .

Erdogan was once a vocal supporter of the Uyghur cause, accusing China of “genocide” as early as 2009. Erdogan’s stance after joining the BRI changed dramatically. In 2020, Turkey signed an extradition treaty with China, endangering the estimated 50,000 Uyghurs living in Turkey, and has muted criticism of the genocide. When Erdogan last mentioned Uyghur issues on the international stage – at the United Nations General Assembly in September – he said only that Turkey has “sensitivity” regarding the Uyghur community.

A demonstrator wearing a mask painted with the colors of the flag of East Turkestan and a hand bearing the colors of the Chinese flag attends a protest of supporters of the mostly Muslim Uighur minority and Turkish nationalists to denounce China’s treatment of ethnic Uighur Muslims during a deadly riot in July 2009 in Urumqi, in front of the Chinese consulate in Istanbul, on July 5, 2018 (OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images).

“We emphasize at every opportunity that we respect China’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Erdogan asserted . “However, we will continue to express our sensitivity regarding the protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of Uyghur Turks, with whom we have strong historical and humanitarian ties.”

Fidan expressed hope on Monday that Turkey would expand its trade relations with China despite the human rights implications of doing so.

“We brought up the issue of how we can make trade figures more balanced in all our meetings. I made practical suggestions such as removing restrictions on the import of Turkish agricultural products,” Fidan told reporters. “Tourism is another area in which we want to further develop our cooperation.”

Chinese officials welcomed Fidan’s positive disposition and expressed hope to cooperate with Turkey on “security,” potentially resulting in Turkish law enforcement cooperating with the repressors of East Turkistan. Politburo member Chen Wenqing, who also met with Fidan, told him Beijing “is willing to work with Turkey to bring cooperation in the field of security to new heights continuously,” according to Chinese state propaganda outlet the Global Times .

The  Global Times also suggested “the visit will boost the China-Turkey cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative,” in which China offers predatory loans to poor countries to commit them to pricey infrastructure projects they cannot afford.

Members of the international Uyghur community expressed concern and dismay with Turkey’s stance on the genocide.

Salih Hudayar, the foreign minister of the East Turkistan Government in Exile, said in a statement on Monday that Fidan’s visit “poses a grave threat to East Turkistan and the Uyghurs.”

“Fidan has committed to deepening security cooperation with Chen, who last week visited East Turkistan and called for the continuation of the Uyghur Genocide under the guise of ‘counter-terrorism,'” he observed. “The international community must remain vigilant and hold both nations accountable for their actions.”

“Türkiye hosts one of the largest Uyghur diaspora communities globally, with approximately 50,000 individuals who fled the oppressive regime in China. However, this community faces growing harassment and intimidation by CCP-established transnational networks,” the World Uyghur Congress, an international Uyghur association, said in a press statement on Fidan’s visit. “These networks spy on Uyghurs, exploiting factors such as passport applications, financial struggles, and concerns for family in East Turkistan to coerce Uyghur individuals into serving as informants, remaining silent on the Uyghur genocide, or participating in pro-China propaganda efforts.”

Follow Frances Martel on  Facebook  and  Twitter .

Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.

Best Travel Agencies

Search turkeytravelplanner.com, what cities.

• Aegean Coastal Cities
• Mediterranean Coastal Cities

Luxury Istanbul: Premier Weddings in Turkey

Last Updated on May 31, 2024

Imagine saying "I do" surrounded by the captivating beauty of Turkey, a destination where timeless history and stunning landscapes create the perfect backdrop for your wedding day. Whether you envision a grand celebration or an intimate gathering, Turkey offers an array of breathtaking locations to make your special day unforgettable.

There's no better way to ensure your day goes smoothly than by engaging the help of professions. Luxury Istanbul offers premier wedding planning for couples from across the globe. Since its inception in 2009, Luxury Istanbul has established itself as the premier destination for weddings and exclusive events, leveraging over 25 years of combined experience in the travel and leisure industry to create truly unforgettable celebrations.

Premier Wedding Planning Services

At Luxury Istanbul, elegance and meticulous planning go hand in hand. Led by Ayşegül Kavaklı , one of Türkiye’s most sought-after wedding planners, our dedicated team is committed to bringing each couple’s unique vision to life. We understand that your wedding day should be as unique as your personal story.

Comprehensive Wedding Packages

We offer all-inclusive wedding packages that cater to a diverse range of needs, ensuring that every detail is covered:

• Venue Scouting and Contracting: We specialize in identifying and securing the perfect wedding venues, from idyllic beach settings to luxurious ballrooms, ensuring they align with your vision.
• Customized Planning: Our team excels in developing personalized themes and concepts, meticulously planning every detail from start to finish.
• Full-Service Coordination: We guarantee flawless execution on your wedding day, with comprehensive on-site management to oversee every aspect.
• Culinary Delights: Our custom menu planning and tasting sessions promise to delight your senses and those of your guests, making your wedding dinner a highlight of the celebration.
• Additional Luxuries: Our services extend to include accommodations, transportation, and bespoke entertainment options to enhance the guest experience.

Why Choose Turkey for Your Dream Wedding

Turkey is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, rich historical backdrop, and vibrant culture, making it an ideal destination for your wedding. Whether you envision a beach wedding along the stunning coastline of the Aegean Sea or a dream ceremony in the magical settings of Cappadocia , Turkey offers a mosaic of unforgettable locations. Learn more about weddings and honeymoons in Turkey.

Diverse Wedding Venues

Turkey's array of different wedding venues caters to any theme or preference. From the romantic beaches of the Mediterranean to the opulent palaces of Istanbul , you can find the perfect wedding venue to match your dream day. Luxury Istanbul’s expertise in venue scouting makes these idyllic settings accessible for your special day.

Cultural and Scenic Richness

The rich cultural heritage of Turkey adds a unique warmth and splendor to wedding celebrations. Imagine exchanging vows against the backdrop of ancient ruins or during a sunset on a pristine beach—Turkey weddings are as picturesque as they are memorable.

Exceptional Value

Turkey offers exceptional value for destination weddings, allowing you to enjoy a lavish celebration at a fraction of the cost compared to other popular wedding destinations. Luxury Istanbul leverages this advantage with all-inclusive wedding packages that cover everything from the wedding cake to the final dance, ensuring your budget is spent wisely without compromising on luxury.

Though Turkey is an amazing place to have a wedding, we recommend hiring a wedding planner who can help coordinate all of the details, allowing you to have an unforgettable celebration.

Luxury Istanbul's Dedication to Your Wedding

Luxury Istanbul specializes in planning destination weddings that cater to diverse tastes and traditions, all set in the breathtaking landscapes of Turkey. Our extensive local knowledge and strong partnerships with top-tier vendors across Turkey enable us to offer versatile wedding settings, from serene beachfronts to elegant urban locales.

We take pride in our ability to customize each wedding according to the couple's unique preferences, ensuring that each wedding in Turkey meets the couple's expectations. We understand that ceremony and celebrations can vary widely to match their vision. Whether it's a civil ceremony, a religious ceremony, or a non-traditional celebration, we tailor every detail to meet the specific needs of each couple. We offer destination wedding planning for international couples planning to wed in Turkey as well as for Turkish couples planning weddings abroad. No matter your wedding destination, we can help plan your special day.

Our commitment to excellence in wedding services is highlighted by our meticulous attention to detail. We manage every aspect of the wedding planning process, from the earliest planning stages to the final moments of the celebration, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience. This dedication allows us to create not just a wedding, but an unforgettable experience in Turkey's stunning venues.

Clientele and Scope of Services

Luxury Istanbul's portfolio extends beyond wedding planning. While specializing in creating dream weddings, we also excel in organizing corporate events and private luxury tours. Our versatile services cater to a diverse clientele, including local celebrities and international guests from Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. We have organized a variety of events that respect and incorporate a wide range of cultural traditions, showcasing our adaptability and dedication to personalized service.

Wide-Ranging Expertise

From intimate beach weddings to grand international weddings, Luxury Istanbul is equipped to manage every aspect, ensuring each celebration is seamless and stress-free. We handle everything from legal paperwork for international couples to arranging religious or civil ceremonies according to personal preferences.

Other Services

While weddings are at the heart of what we do, Luxury Istanbul's capabilities extend into orchestrating sophisticated corporate events and bespoke private tours. Our experience with high-profile clients, including global corporations and diplomats, demonstrates our capability to handle events of any scale with precision and elegance.

Entrust Your Special Day to Luxury Istanbul

At Luxury Istanbul, your wedding is more than just an event; it is the beginning of a lifetime of cherished memories. We invite you to entrust us with your dreams, and in return, we promise to deliver an experience that surpasses every expectation. From the idyllic setting of your ceremony to the meticulous planning and execution of every detail, we are committed to making your special day perfect.

Fill out the form to learn more about how we can help you plan your wedding or other events in Turkey.

Weddings in Turkey

Honeymoon in turkey, marriage law in turkey, marriage documents, visit our facebook group:, you’re forwarded to tekce.com.

Please wait to continue or Cancel

• Maps of Turkey
• Best Guided Tours
• Travel Agents
• Private Tour Guides
• Turkish Money
• What it Costs
• Photo Gallery
• Special Interests
• Trip Consulations
• Travel Details FAQs
• WordPress.org
• Documentation
• Learn WordPress