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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!

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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!

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14 Day Turkey itinerary

The most exciting way to explore this beautiful destination, in my opinion, is by doing a road trip in Turkey. You can stop anywhere and enjoy the landscapes on the road between the places of the planned itinerary. 

Turkey   is the ideal country for such a trip. It offers a variety of relief, cultures, traditions, and views that will cut your breath away.

   With mountain peaks of over 3000 meters, big lakes, limestone terraces filled with emerald-shaded waters, fairy chimneys in the charming Cappadocia , and cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean, Turkey has everything you can wish for.

 You need at least a month to travel from North to South and East to West. So my road trip applies to those who want to see only a significant part of this beautiful country. 

Fourteen days full of adrenaline, joy, unique places to see, and things to know about Turkey .

What I use every time I travel:

• To book hotels: Booking.com
• To book tours:  GetYourGuide.com

PIN IT FOR LATER

Map of the best Turkey Itinerary: 

Map of the Perfect Two Week Road Trip In Turkey

14-Day Turkey itinerary

Day 1: istanbul | turkey road trip .

    I recommend starting your 2 week Turkey itinerary with at least one day in Istanbul , the largest city in Turkey and the most diverse in all respects.

Take advantage of the fact that Turkish Airlines fly to Turkey from almost all over the world and start your Turkish adventure in the only city in the world situated on two continents.

Stay in Sultanahmet if you want to be closer to the history of the former Constantinople or in Taksim if you are more attracted to the bustle and fun.

    You must start your first day with a strong coffee at the traditional restaurant Hafiz Mustafa.

For a boost of energy, enjoy some baklava, a pudding, lokum (Turkish delight), and some halva, revani or kunefe.

The choice is yours. Further, explore the streets, which are full of charm and authenticity.

Colors, joy, hookahs, friendly cats, hanging plants, souvenirs, palm trees, curious eyes, trams, hurried drivers, ambulant sellers, and flavors.

Check out these fantastic tours in Istanbul ⇓

That’s what you will find on Istanbul’s narrow and tilted streets. Also, on the first day of your 14 day Turkey itinerary, you should go to Sultanahmet Square, the place with the most visited mosques.

Relax and admire the remaining monuments as proof of the glorious past.

    Don’t miss the chance to admire Istanbul from above in the evening. The sunsets and the Bosphorus are more beautiful from a rooftop bar. Fortunately, you have plenty of choices.

The city has dozens of such restaurants, and you must choose the table with the best view.

If you want to save money, you should buy this Istanbul Welcome Card , which gives you access to many museums in the city without waiting in line and includes public transport.

⇒ Also, read 21 Best things to do in Istanbul.

View over the Bosphorus and the Galata Tower | A Perfect Two Week Road Trip In Turkey

Day 2: ISTANBUL | Turkey road trip itinerary

 Istanbul has some of the most beautiful and famous mosques in the world. The longest queues are at the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia , the former Christian cathedral.

No, I’m not trying to advise you to give up on visiting them for this reason, but on the contrary.

Although you must be patient, these 2 mosques cannot be missing from your 14-day Turkey itinerary. You can visit both on tour with a local guide for a better experience.

Patience is the key to visiting the spectacular interior of both.

Across the street from Hagia Sophia, underground, you will discover Cistern Basilica , another attraction you shouldn’t miss.

The tank was used to supply the Imperial Palace and several surrounding buildings with water, and it looks stunning.

As you are already in the area on the same day, you should go to Gulhane Park.

Besides being Istanbul’s oldest park, it is also an excellent opportunity to escape the crowds and retreat to a much quieter and greener place.

You can’t visit the metropolis of Turkey and not enjoy the delicacies in the Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian Bazaar.

Fortunately, they are located next to each other, and you can easily explore them on the same day.

⇒ Find all: hotels in Istanbul. 

Turkish sweets | A Perfect Two Week Road Trip In Turkey

The Blue Mosque | 14 Day Turkey itinerary

Day 3: ISTANBUL | 14 Days in Turkey

 I wanted to see a miniature Turkey on the third day of my Turkey itinerary. The perfect place to do this is Miniaturk Park , a miniature park. Surprisingly, huh??

134 miniatures, to be more specific. They are all related to the country’s history and are all made at a 1:25 scale.

The details are amazingly well done, and they correspond exactly to reality.

It is a great way to carefully study the architecture of the country’s most important monuments and buildings.

Here you will even find even a mini Ataturk Airport and a mini-stadium.

You will spend some hours in the park, so for the rest of the day you can choose to relax somewhere on a terrace or in the Galata Tower.

Check out these amazing tours in Istanbul ⇓

Miniaturk | 14 Day Turkey itinerary

Day 4: ISTANBUL

  You can’t leave Istanbul until you have admired it from a different perspective. The Bosphorus.

Whether you choose a sunset cruise with dinner included or take the ferry to the Princes Islands or the Asian side, you must ride on the Bosphorus waves. This is one of the best-rated tours of Princes Island .

 The next on the list is the Ortakoy Mosque. Although its interior is splendid, I don’t recommend visiting it on the inside, but rather admiring it from the outside. 

From my perspective, the Ortakoy Mosque is  the most Instagrammable place in Istanbul , especially as the background stands at the Bosphorus Bridge.

 On the same bank of the Bosphorus, 2 km to the left, is Dolmabahce Palace , the most beautiful building in Istanbul, in my opinion. 

⇒ Book your Dolmahahce Palace tour

Don’t settle only to admire the tall, white, well-decorated fences, but visit the inside as well. You will discover some exquisite rooms.

  Later, go to Istanbul’s Times Square, Taksim. Busy Istiklal street, the famous red tram, the great shops, the chic cafes, and the street shows will fascinate you.

Best Hotels in Istanbul: 

• budget:  Taksim Terrace Hotel   – located in the heart of the city and with a sensational panorama of the Bosphorus, room service, delicious breakfast
• mid-range:  Saba Sultan Hotel – located in the mosque area, beautiful view, rooms with unique design, free parking, delicious breakfast
• luxury:  Hotel Arcadia Blue Istanbul – situated in the mosque area, splendid view, ultra-modern rooms, bar, wifi, room service, restaurant

Bosphorus | A Perfect Two Week Road Trip In Turkey

Ortakoy Mosque | 14 Day Turkey itinerary

Day 5: from ISTANBUL to CAPPADOCIA | 14 Days in Turkey

  Distance: 8 hours by car

Day 5 of your 14 Day Turkey itinerary includes a road trip of at least 8 hours from Istanbul to Cappadocia.

There are not many stops to make, but you will cross Ankara, the capital of Turkey, and you will reach Lake Tuz, one of the largest salt lakes in the world.

 It is so salty that the water was utterly absorbed in the area where we stopped, and we could only see the salt. As evidence, check the picture below.

 You will arrive in Cappadocia very late in the evening, so there is only time for dinner and checking in to the hotel.

Cappadocia has plenty of gorgeous hotels with authentic décor styles. 

I stayed at the  Sofa Hotel and  probably would still stay there next time as well.

READ MORE: 12 Most Beautiful places to visit in Turkey

Lake Tuz | 14 Day Turkey itinerary

Day 6: CAPPADOCIA | Road trip Turkey

  As I told you in the article about the hot air balloon , I recommend choosing this activity on your first day of staying in Cappadocia.

That’s because it might be canceled if the weather conditions are bad.

Therefore, you need time to postpone. There is a lot to say about the ride, but I have already done it in a previous article so I won’t insist.

If you are decided to take this tour, here is one of the best-rated ones .

The flight ends before lunchtime. So you have enough time to explore the city of Goreme and discover many other Cappadocia areas. You can do this on your own or on an organized tour .

Optionally, I suggest you visit Avanos, the neighboring city famous for handmade ceramic products.

   Hotels in Cappadocia:

• budget:  Adelya Cave Hotel   – free parking, free wifi, delicious breakfast
• mid-range:  Design Cappadocia Hotel   – Free wifi, free parking, delicious breakfast, good location
• luxury:  Museum Hotel   – pool, spa, bar, fabulous breakfast

Check out these amazing tours in Cappadocia ⇓

Galerie Ikman in Goreme, Cappadocia | A Perfect Two Week Road Trip In Turkey

View over Goreme in Cappadocia | 14 Day Turkey itinerary

Day 7: from CAPPADOCIA to PAMUKKALE

 Distance: 8 hours by car

 During the morning, you can still spend hours discovering these fairy-tale realms’ beauties. Until your next visit, you will miss them for sure.

For example, you can make a stop on your way to Pamukkale , at Uchisar, and from the Salkim Tepesi viewpoint.

The road to Pamukkale does not have many places to stop.

However, if you want to take a little break, Lake Edrigil can be an excellent option. Eight hours of continuous driving are not very light, so a little rest is welcome.

   Hotels in Pamukkale:

• budget:  Sunrise Aya Hotel – swimming pool, room service, free parking, bar, superb breakfast
• mid-range:  Venus Suite Hotel   – pool, room service, restaurant, fabulous breakfast
• luxury:   Doğa Thermal Health & Spa   – 2 swimming pools, restaurant, fitness center, spa, delicious breakfast, bar

Cappadocia | A Perfect Two Week Road Trip In Turkey

Day 8: PAMUKKALE and from PAMUKKALE to ANTALYA | Turkey road trip

Pamukkale means cotton castle, a metaphor very suitable to describe the extraordinary appearance of the travertines.

What are they? Some limestone terraces formed natural thermal pools.

Due to the immaculate white, you will initially feel that it is ice or salt. It is a unique place in the world but very visited.

The queue can be extremely long, especially in the hot season, so I recommend getting here early in the morning.

There is not much to see in Pamukkale except for the limestone terraces, Cleopatra’s pool, and the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis.

For this reason, you can visit everything in the first part of the day, then head to the following destination: Antalya, especially since the distance is not very big.

     Distance: 3 hours by car

Day 9: ANTALYA | Turkey road trip

Antalya is reasonably considered to be the capital of the Turkish Riviera.

Therefore, it is time to combine fun with relaxation during your two days here. Neither are the landscapes to be ignored.

In the background of the Mediterranean Sea, the Taurus Mountains create a gorgeous picture, perfect for admiring when you relax on the beach.

On the first day, go and explore the streets of the old town, Kaleiçi, where you can also see the ruins of Emperor Hadrian’s gate.

Walk inside Karaalioglu Park, play with dozens of kittens living there, and descend into the harbor.

A bohemian and very colorful place where you can have your lunch.

Given that you are in Turkey, one of the countries with the most varied range of sweets, don’t miss a visit to the bazaar.

You don’t need to buy anything because the vendors here are more friendly and generous than elsewhere in Turkey and will serve you pieces of Turkish delights for free. Of course, they were supplemented by cold mango tea.

Best tours in Antalya:

• Old City, Duden Waterfalls & Cable Car Tour
• Olympos Cable Car Ticket
• Perge, Side, Aspendos & Waterfalls Guided Tour
• Full Day Scuba Diving Tour with Lunch
• Suluada Bays Boat Trip with Lunch
• Fire of Anatolia Dance Show

⇒ Find all: hotels in Antalya. 

Antalya | 14 Day Turkey itinerary

Antalya | A Perfect Two Week Road Trip In Turkey

Day 10: ANTALYA | Road trip in Turkey

 Antalya has it all, so you can’t miss the waterfalls. River Duden is generous and offers us two waterfalls, a mere 17 kilometers long. Upper Duden Falls and Lower Duden Falls.

One is located in a park in northern Antalya, and the other has a direct fall into the Mediterranean Sea. Both are spectacular.

I have two recommendations for the second part of the day.

Relaxation at the beach, whether you choose Lara, the finer sand, whether you prefer Konyaaltı, the spectacular scenery, or a ride with the Tünektepe Teleferic at an altitude of 605 meters above Antalya.

For just 15 Turkish lire, you get an amazing 360-degree view.

    Hotels in Antalya:

• budget:   ATICI HOTEL   – free Wifi, free parking, bar, delicious breakfast 
• mid-range:   Atalante Hotel   – 2 swimming pools, access to the beach, free Wifi, free parking, excellent breakfast, access to the beach
• luxury:  Lara Barut Collection   – 3 swimming pools, spa, fitness center, beach access, bar, superb breakfast

Duden Waterfall, Antalya | 14 Day Turkey itinerary

Day 11 – From ANTALYA to BODRUM | 14 Days in Turkey

Distance: 5 hours 30 min by car

 The most beautiful and busy day of the 14 day Turkish itinerary was the road trip from Antalya to Bodrum.

The route is full of surprises and more and more beautiful discoveries. The first stop was in the town of Kaş, the charming seafront town.

What conquered me? The narrow and cobbled streets, flowers set in cute little pots, kittens waiting to be cuddled, arches of vineyards inviting you into a magical world, colorful doors and windows, smiling people, and the continuous holiday atmosphere.

The next stop, just 30 minutes from Kaş, is Kaputas beach, a paradise place.

The location between two cliffs and the water in the gorgeous turquoise shades can not leave you indifferent.

Park the car along the road, lower the wooden stairs to the beach, and enjoy at least two hours, probably the most beautiful beach in Turkey.

Approximately 50 minutes further north, you will reach the Saklikent National Park, a true hidden gem, literally and figuratively.

Although you will not have much time to enjoy it, it is worth venturing through the 300-meter High Gorge.

Space is so narrow that you will feel as if you are suffocating. It is also worth mentioning that you will have to cross the Xanthos River’s ice-cold water to reach the Canyon.

Floating terraces are decorated with traditional Turkish pillows at the entrance—the ideal place to relax with a hookah.

I feel I did not have enough time to enjoy all these stops between Antalya and Bodrum fully. So if you add an extra day to the 2-week Turkey itinerary, it would be perfect.

Kas | 14 Day Turkey itinerary

Day 12: BODRUM | Turkey road trip

    Bodrum looks much like Santorini, the Greek island with white houses perched on the rocky cliffs. Because that’s exactly how it looks if you replace the rocks with hills.

It is a spectacular city, both during the day and after the darkness.

The day is ideal for excursions on the coast to explore the old center, port and souvenir shops, or the nearby Greek islands.

In the evening, the resort is changed completely. The fun is in full swing, and the music echoes from all corners.

    Nearby is the village of Gumusluk, with the most picturesque restaurants I have seen. You can cross the water on foot to get to Rabbit Island.

As the name calls it, the island is populated with cute rabbits.

⇒ Book your boat tour with lunch in Bodrum

     Hotels in Bodrum:

• budget:  Bodrum Sade Pension – beach access, fabulous breakfast
• mid-range:  The Marmara Bodrum – Adult Only  – swimming pool, spa, wellness center, private beach
• luxury:  Root Redrock Yalıkavak   – 2 swimming pools, spa, fitness, beach access, bar, private beach

Bodrum | 14 Day Turkey itinerary

Bodrum | A Perfect Two Week Road Trip In Turkey

Day 13: From Bodrum to ISTANBUL | Roadtrip Turkey

Distance: 9 hours by car

    The distance between Bodrum and Istanbul is so big, especially if you drive by car, so you do not have much time to stop anywhere.

However, you can add Kusadasi if you want to include a top resort in the itinerary.

In translation, the island of birds, Kusadasi, is a vibrant city located on the Aegean Sea, with stretched beaches and palm trees.

Kusadasi | A Perfect Two Week Road Trip In Turkey

Day 14: Back to ISTANBUL | Turkey road trip itinerary

 The last day in Istanbul is a perfect opportunity to taste the city’s flavor at a much slower pace.

Since your Turkey road trip is about to end, you can now relax and enjoy more.

My suggestions include a quiet walk along the Bosphorus, a quick snack under the Galata Bridge made up of the famous sandwich with fish, and a place decorated in a traditional style where you can smoke a hookah. Unless you have other plans.

Istanbul | 14 Day Turkey itinerary

When to visit Turkey – The best time to visit Turkey

  Since it’s a vast country, about 3 times bigger than Romania, the climate differs slightly from region to region, so it’s hard to tell the best time to visit Turkey.

If you follow precisely this 14 day Turkey itinerary, the most acceptable months in terms of temperatures are May – June and September – October.

But also the summer months are a good option if you do not mind the excessive heat and the big wave of tourists.

Therefore, the best time to visit Turkey, I think, is the end of Spring beginning of Autumn.

How much it costs to make a Turkey road trip?

 Turkey is not a very expensive country since the Turkish lira has dropped quite a bit. Prices are acceptable in terms of food, accommodation, and transportation.

Renting the car for a 14 Day Turkey itinerary costs around 400 Euros, and the fuel revolves around the sum of 6.5 Turkish lire (≅ 1 €). A 3-star hotel night stay starts at 40 € with breakfast, and a meal in town can vary enormously, depending on where you choose to eat.

Is it safe to travel to Turkey?

Turkey is generally safe; you have little reason to be afraid. Especially the cities and tourist places are safe, considering that the locals are used to tourists.

Of course, you must be as careful as you would be in any other unfamiliar area. But there are no reasons for concern.

I recommend you use known platforms to order a taxi or book a hotel room or a tour. I have the utmost confidence in Booking and GetYourGuide , and I always recommend them.

Hi ! Thanks for this article, so inspiring ! My question: is it dangerous to drive there ? Especially in south where there are a lot of mountains ?

Thank you and welcome! Nope, it didn’t seem dangerous to me at all. Is quite beautiful to road trip in that area 🙂

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences, I really enjoyed reading this page! Quick question: any suggestions for a road trip with a focus on historical sites, like Roman or Ottoman ruins? I really love my history! Thanks!

Would it be possible to do this road trip in December when it snows througout the country?

I wouldn’t know what to tell you because I was there in the summer. Probably yes, only the temperatures will be much lower.

Is it safe to do this road trip for a single woman?

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Home > 14 Day Turkey Itinerary – Ultimate 2 Weeks In Turkey

14 Day Turkey Itinerary – Ultimate 2 Weeks In Turkey

Written by our local expert Mehmet

Mehmet is digital nomad who was born in Istanbul, Türkiye and now calls the Balkans region his home-office.

Please allow me to help you plan your Turkey Trip. I have been many times.

Below, you will find the ultimate guide on how to spend 2 weeks in Türkiye. This 14 day Turkey itinerary covers historical sites, the outdoors, food stops & more.

Turkey is among the best travel destinations in the world. When planning your trip to Turkey, keep in mind that Turkey is located in both Asia and Europe, giving it a mix of elements from both worlds to charm you.

The mosques in Istanbul tell tales of the country’s rich history and the remains of the ancient cities of Hierapolis and Ephesus to transport you centuries back in time like a time traveler.

The whimsical fairy chimneys of Cappadocia mesmerize you, and the quintessential Turkish Coffee takes your tastebuds for a joyride.

So, if you’ve selected Turkey as your destination, congratulations on a well-made decision!

Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!

Places We’ll Visit On This 2 Week Turkey Itinerary

This 14 days in Turkey itinerary guide will cover these places;

• Istanbul – one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Turkey
• Hierapolis-Pamukkale

14 day trip made for you!

•  🏰 Istanbul, Izmir, Bodrum, Fethiye, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia – The Ultimate Turkish Adventure
• 🏖️ Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia – A Brief Best of Turkey

Day 1 To 4 Travel In Turkey: Istanbul Itinerary 

Your Turkey trip is best begun by exploring one of its major cities, Istanbul. Istanbul is a city in Turkey with a long and complex history. It has been inhabited since at least the 7th millennium BC, and Several different empires and civilizations have ruled the Turkish people over the centuries.

First known as Constantinople, it was the capital of the Byzantine Empire founded by the Greeks, which later fell to the Ottoman Turks, and the city was renamed Istanbul. Over the years, the city has undergone massive transformations to become one of the world’s largest and most vibrant cities today.

I’d highly recommend spending 3 to 4 days in the vibrant city of Istanbul to soak in its culture, rewind to the past, and delve into its history. Stay in the old part of town, near Sultanahmet, the historic heart of the city.

The must-visit sites – Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, and the Spice Bazaar – are within walking distance. The Hagia Sophia fascinated me the most, with elements of Christianity and Islam existing simultaneously. Your first full day in the city should be spent visiting these historical sites.

Istiklal Street in Istanbul is among the most famous streets in the city. Bustling with cafes, restaurants, shops, and live music, it shows the vibrant and modern part of the city. For the next day, spend at least half the day strolling on the main street and checking out Taksim Square , another historical place in Istanbul.

One of my favorite experiences in Istanbul is watching the whirling dervishes show.

It is a meditation practice performed by Sufi groups using dance and music as their offering to God. The group performing on stage had their eyes closed, and despite that, they were in perfect sync with each other. This is a one-hour show which can be watched in the evening.

Begin the next day with a visit to the 17th-century Spice Bazaar, one of Istanbul’s most colorful, bustling main attractions.

Next, travel the Golden Horn on your way to an unforgettable cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, the majestic strait that runs through Istanbul, linking Europe and Asia. From the cruise boat, you can view the dramatic sights lining the Bosphorus’ wooded shores: mosques, a bridge that for a time was the world’s longest, and Rumeli Hisari, a massive fortress built by Mehmet the Conqueror in just three months as he prepared to take Istanbul.

Part of what you can see in Turkey on this tour are the 19th-century mansions of the Ottoman elite and the Sultans’ fanciful gingerbread palaces and hunting lodges.

Do not leave Istanbul without experiencing the Hammam – a Turkish body scrubbing, washing, and massage experience. For the best Hammam experience, go to the Haseki Hurrem Sultan Hammam, which dates back to the 16th century. It’s located in the middle of the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Mosque.

It is far too hard to list exactly what to do in Istanbul for a few days, as there is so much on offer. So, take your pick from the ideas below. These Istanbul guides will ensure your few days in this metropolis are a total blast.

• Exploring Istanbul With Kids
• Istanbul Beaches
• Here Is How Many Days In Istanbul Is Enough
• Where To Eat In Istanbul – Turkey Travel Guide
• Best Hammam In Istanbul
• 4 Days In Istanbul Itinerary
• 16 Things To Do In Istanbul, Turkey
• Whirling Dervishes In Istanbul
• Your Guide To Sultanahmet Istanbul
• Top Palaces In Istanbul
• 48 Hours In Istanbul 
• Is Istanbul Safe
• 18 Best Mosques In Istanbul
• Istanbul Nightlife
• Shopping In Istanbul
• Where To Stay In Istanbul
• Best Hotels In Taksim Square In Istanbul
• The Best Festivals in Istanbul
• 1 Day In The Colorful Balat Istanbul
• Best Museums In Istanbul
• Top Hotels Near The Blue Mosque
• 5 Biggest Istanbul Tourist Scams To Avoid
• Best Breakfast In Istanbul Travel Guide
• Romantic Places In Istanbul
• Things To Do In Istanbul In Winter

Day 5: Day 5 Fly To Izmir, Stay 1 Night In Kusadasi

The next destination in Turkey covers the pool terraces of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Ephesus.

Take a domestic flight to Izmir with Turkish Airlines or Pegasus (low-cost carrier) and stay overnight in Kusadasi, which is the perfect base. Kusadasi is a coastal town on the Western coast of Turkey. You can enjoy a walk along its seafront promenade as soon as you arrive.

Editors Note: Domestic flights in Turkey are exceptionally well organized and efficient. Do not be afraid to travel long distances by plane. To get the most out of your 2-week Turkey itinerary, flights are recommended.  I promise that you will save a lot of travel time when you do.

• How To Spend 5 Days In Turkey
• How To Spend 7 Days In Turkey

Day 6: Pamukkale Hot Springs & Ancient Tour Of Turkey

From Kusadasi, rent a car and drive around 2.5 hours inland to Pamukkale.

Plan your trip so you leave early to enjoy the spas, pools, and terraces of this natural wonder called the ‘Cotton Castle.’ This name is truly fitting; the brilliant white calcified terraces resemble a cotton castle. Also, spend extra time in Hieropolis, one of the world’s largest and most diverse necropolises.

Of all the things to do in Turkey, this was in my top 5 best experiences!

Editors Note: A road trip around Turkey is effortless; the roads are in excellent condition, and the tolls are minimal, making it very easy to travel around on four wheels.

• Your Guide To Pamukkale
• Your Guide To Hieropolis

Day 7 Of Your 2 Week Itinerary: Ephesus Tour; Fly To Cappadocia

Begin the Ephesus tour with a visit to The Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today, one can only see the ruins of the foundations, entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns’ capitals and shafts.

Next, visit the archaeological site of the ancient Greco-Roman City of Ephesus. Enter Ephesus through the Magnesia Gate and begin a slow, downhill walk into the ruins of this Roman provincial capital.

Go past the Odeon Theater, the Celsius Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan, and the Great Theater. The theater seats 24,000 spectators and is still used for local festivals and concerts.

Visit The House of the Virgin Mary, which is considered a holy place for both Christians and Muslims alike. This is the official site recognized by the Vatican as the residence where the Virgin Mary spent her final days. Experience a tranquil atmosphere for prayer and meditation.

Take a late evening flight to Cappadocia – one of the best places in Turkey to wake up. You will see what I mean tomorrow.

• How To Get From Pamukkale To Cappadocia

Day 8 To Day 10: 2 Nights Cappadocia Itinerary

Flying in the hot air balloons in Cappadocia will surely tick off a bucket list item that you will remember for years to come! The weather , though, can be notorious, so as far as possible, plan your stay in Cappadocia on days with good weather predictions.

I, unfortunately, couldn’t catch the hot air balloon ride owing to snowfall, but I don’t think for a minute that my Cappadocian adventure was ruined. Cappadocia is a beautifully unique place on earth, with its whimsical fairy chimneys waiting to charm you.

Make sure you stay in one of the cave hotels in Cappadocia . Visit the Göreme open-air museum. Visit Devrent Valley, Pasabagi, and Avanos for the rest of the day. This completes the Northern region of Cappadocia.

There’s more. The Southern region of Cappadocia has a lot to mesmerize you, too. Trek along the beautiful Rose Valley and visit Kaymakli (or Ozkonak) Underground City , where early Christians lived in fear and faith. On the way back, make sure you visit the panoramic Pigeon Valley, where pigeons contributed to the lives of locals with their manure to fertilize the vineyards.

• Things To Do In Cappadocia

Day 11: Drive To Antalya Day

Direct flights from Cappadocia aren’t always available, so consider driving to Antalya . This is a seven-hour drive and would almost take up your entire day.

• What To See In Antalya

Day 12 to 13: Explore Antalya

The best way to end your trip would be to relax for two full days in Antalya , which is famous for its Mediterranean coast and archaeological sites from the Greek and Roman eras. The region is blessed with stunning natural beauty, including beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and magnificent mountains.

The city of Antalya itself is home to many historical landmarks, including Hadrian’s Gate, the Yivli Minaret, and the Antalya Museum, which houses artifacts from ancient civilizations.

Plan to visit the Duden Waterfall and have a great time in the old town of Antalya . You may visit the ruins of Aspendos nearby or go rafting at Koprulu Canyon National Park if you’re feeling adventurous. The Taurus Mountains, which run along the Turkish Riviera, are a popular destination for hiking and mountain biking. Relax at the beautiful Antalyan Beaches – Konyaalti or Lara – whichever is closer.

• How To Choose Between Bodrum & Antalya

Day 14: Depart Back Home 

Depending on your flight home, you might have enough time in Istanbul to keep exploring, or perhaps you’ll head to Greece. We totally recommend that option.

14 days around Turkey tours made for you!

Brands we use and trust, history of turkey.

Before we get started on your Turkey 2-week itinerary guide, let’s chat about the history. Turkey has a long and fascinating history that spans thousands of years. In ancient times, the region was home to powerful civilizations such as the Hittites, Greeks, and Romans, who left a lasting legacy through impressive architectural ruins and cultural artifacts. In the 14th century, the Ottoman Turks rose to power and established a vast empire that lasted for centuries, spanning across Europe, Asia, and Africa. However, by the early 20th century, the Ottoman Empire was in decline.

After World War I, Turkey became a republic under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and formed a secular, democratic government. Today, Turkey is one of the most popular modern nations with a rich cultural heritage and a diverse population, and it plays a vital role in global politics and economics.

Here are a few questions you may have about spending two weeks in Turkey;

What is the currency in Turkey?

The currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira . ATMs are widely available in major cities and tourist areas. Withdraw Liras from your debit/travel cards.

Do I need a visa for Turkey?

You need a visa and a passport with an expiration date of at least 180 days beyond the duration of your stay. Check out the guidelines here.

What language do they speak in Turkey?

Turkish is the most widely spoken language in Turkey. English is not widely spoken; download the Turkish language on Google Translate for easy communication.

What is the best time to visit Turkey?

Turkey can be visited at any time of the year. I visited Turkey in the month of December, which is not a conventional time to visit, though I had a lovely experience. Plan at your convenience, though, if you can, then avoid heavy crowds from June to August. 

Editors note:  The best months to visit Turkey are April, May, September, and October. During these months, the weather is generally pleasant, and there are fewer crowds compared to the peak summer season.

What is a suggested 2-week itinerary for traveling in Turkey?

We recommend starting your trip in Istanbul and then visiting Cappadocia , Antalya, Fethiye, Pamukkale, Kuşadası, and Ephesus.

How much time should I spend in Turkey?

A 2-week trip is ideal to see the major highlights of Turkey and experience its diverse attractions and destinations.

What are some must-visit places in Turkey?

During your 2-week itinerary, make sure to visit Istanbul , Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Troy, and Gallipoli, as they are some of Turkey’s most significant archaeological and historical sites.

What are some activities I can do in Turkey?

You can enjoy various activities in Turkey, such as taking a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia, going on a boat tour in Fethiye, exploring Istanbul’s cosmopolitan neighborhoods, hiking in scenic landscapes, and visiting multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites.

How can I book online for activities and accommodations in Turkey?

There are several online platforms where you can book activities and accommodations for your trip to Turkey. Some popular options include Booking.com and GetYourGuide.

Is it safe to travel in Turkey?

Turkey is generally a safe country to travel in. However, it’s always a good idea to stay informed about the current situation and follow any travel advisories issued by your home country’s government.

What are some suggested places to visit in Ankara?

In Ankara , you can explore the city center, visit the Ataturk Mausoleum, explore the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, and wander around the old town of Ulus. It is recommended to stay near the city center for easy access to these attractions.

How do I travel from Ankara to Istanbul?

There are several transportation options available, including taking a flight, a train, a bus, or driving by car. Choose the option that suits your preferences and budget.

What can I do in Istanbul on the final day of my trip?

On your final day in Istanbul, you can visit any remaining attractions on your list, go souvenir shopping in the Grand Bazaar or Spice Bazaar, and indulge in delicious local cuisine before your departure.

What food to eat in Turkey? 

Turkey is known for its delicious and diverse cuisine, influenced by its history and cultural heritage. Some traditional Turkish foods you MUST try when visiting:

• Kebabs: A must-try when you plan your trip to Turkey.  Turkish kebabs are a must-try when you plan your trip to Turkey. You can find different types, such as shish kebab (grilled meat on a skewer), Adana kebab (spicy minced meat), and doner kebab (slow-cooked meat on a rotating spit)
• Baklava: this sweet pastry is made with layers of phyllo dough, nuts, and syrup or honey. It’s often served with a cup of Turkish tea or coffee. I strongly suggest you pick some up to share with your friends and family back home!
• Turkish Delight: this soft, chewy candy is made with sugar, starch, and flavorings like rosewater or pistachios. It comes in different colors and flavors and is a popular souvenir to take home
• Turkish Coffee: Turkish coffee is a traditional way of preparing coffee using finely ground coffee beans brewed with very little water, resulting in a concentrated coffee with a thick and frothy layer on top. I never enjoyed black coffee until I tried Turkish Coffee when I landed in Istanbul . To date, it remains the best coffee I’ve sipped in my life
• Apple Tea: even if you’re not an avid tea drinker, I recommend you sip the hot apple tea in the traditional pear-shaped tea cups. It’s an experience in itself!

Find more tasty food to eat in Turkey here.

Turkey has so much to offer to a traveler . The history, the culture, the architecture, the food, fairy chimneys, ancient cities, and the ocean. The list seems endless. It is a gem of a destination and a place to visit in Turkey during your lifetime. It is a trip I hold very dearly in my heart, and I am sure you will, too.

Now that you have your 2 weeks in Turkey guide, tell us, how many days will you travel in Turkey?

• Rental Car & Driving In Turkey
• What To Wear In Turkey – Area By Area Guide
• 34 Do’s & Don’ts To Visiting Turkey
• The Best Time To Visit Turkey
• What To Eat In Turkey
• How To Plan To Visit Turkey On A Budget

For more detailed guides and itineraries from Shreya Kejriwal, check here.  

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2 Weeks in Turkey: 3 itineraries

DISCLAIMER: This post might have links to travel services and products that we enjoy. We might make a commission from it at no extra cost to you.

When I started researching Turkey as my next holiday destination, I got so excited. It has so much to offer and looks so magical. Not to mention, I can’t wait to be on ta country that is located in two continents.

I actually ended up staying in Turkey for an entire month. This allowed me to see so many places and learn that there are different ways to travel this historical place depending on what you preferr. This is why there are three itineraries on this post .

There is a multitude of reasons why you must visit Turkey. It has one of the oldest civilizations in the world , with well-preserved ancient cities and incredibly beautiful destinations. Turkey sits between Europe and Asia, making it even more of a fantastic destination.

Spending 2 weeks in Turkey is perfect . With this amount of time, you can visit up to 3-4 cities. If you prefer to travel slower, you can bring it down to 2-3 cities and focus on the things you enjoy. Istanbul and Ephesus are two perfect locations for those who love to explore historical sites.

If you want to go to the beach, Antalya, Bodrum, and Izmir are glorious. You can hop on a plane and head to the magical region of Cappadocia, where you can ride a hot air balloon while waiting for the sun to rise.

ALSO READ: 2 weeks in Morocco

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING TURKEY

Travelling around Turkey for the first time can be overwhelming. But visiting one of the world’s oldest cultures shouldn’t put you off. The tips below will help you plan your trip and visualise what your adventure will look like.

Safety in Turkey is also a big concern, especially for women travellers, solo backpackers, and first-time visitors. Check these safety tips for first-time travellers and women backpackers .

When is the best time to go to Turkey

The best time to travel to Turkey is in April and May, then again in September and October . These are the shoulder season months have great weather without a big tourist crowd and the prices are good.

The peak season is from June to August , which you should avoid if possible because there are too many tourists, the accommodation and flight cost are higher, and honestly, it’s a little too hot.

Turkey, in general, is often dry, but the wettest month is December . The rainy season varies by region, but generally, the rainy season is from late autumn to winter (November to February). Istanbul and the coastal regions experience moderate to heavy rainfall, while central and eastern parts can be colder and sometimes snowy.

Getting around

Getting around Turkey can be confusing in the beginning, but it’s pretty straightforward. Taking the bus and using the train system is a good idea , especially if you are on a budget. However, keep in mind that Turkey is a good-sized country and travelling on land can take too long.

Having only 14 days in Turkey, the best move is to check how far the cities you want to visit are . For example, from Istanbul, you can easily reach the southern coast by land. But as you go further east, it might be better to take a flight or rent your own car than to rely on public transport.

You should also remember that taking domestic flights in Turkey can be annoying . To get from a mid-size city to another, there’s a high chance that you will have to connect in Istanbul. Make sure to weigh between taking a flight and travelling by land if the drive is longer than 6 hours.

You can also install ride-hailing apps on your phone . The most popular ones are iTaksi, BiTaksi, Marti, Isbike, and Moovit. If you plan to use a traditional taxi, you should be very mindful and not take it at night. There are other popular phone apps in Turkey that you should install on your device – these will help you plan your trip.

If you plan to rent a car, you should do this in Istanbul. You can also find rental cars in Izmir, Antalya, and even Cappadocia, but they are rare in smaller cities. Plan to pick up your car at Istanbul airport on your arrival.

Turkey dress code

Turkey is a highly religious country filled with sacred sites. This means that you must pack clothing that will cover up your shoulders and legs. However, choose a fabric that is light and breathable.

You can also pack a dark shade of sarong or a lightweight scarf. You can use a scarf for your shoulders and a sarong for your legs. Bigger places such as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia provide a massive robe to all visitors for free.

If you plan to do lots of walking, pack walking shoes and sandals . Turkey also has a somewhat desert-like climate, which means that during the day, it’s very hot with very little to no shade. Remember to bring plenty of sunscreens.

You can take a look at what I normally pack for a 2-week trip . There’s a free printable packing list that you can use for any destination or season of your trip.

Cost of a 2-week vacation in Turkey

I personally found Turkey to be very affordable . The accommodation is high-quality but budget-friendly. The transportation is reasonably priced, and the food is very affordable. But still, the cost depends on your travel style, so here’s some ideas:

• Backpacker : Budget around 900-1,600 TRY ($30-50) per day for hostel stays, local meals, and public transport. Total: 12,600-22,400 TRY ($400-700).
• Mid-range : Expect to spend about 1,700-2,500 TRY ($55-80) per day for three-star hotels, restaurant meals, and some private excursions. Total: 23,800-35,000 TRY ($750-1,000).
• Luxury : Prepare to budget at least 3,200-6,500 TRY ($100-$200) per day for luxury accommodations, gourmet dining, and private tours. Total: 45,000-90,000 TRY ($1,400-$2,800)
• Family of 4 : A moderate budget would be around 2,000- 3,800 TRY ($60-120) per day for family-friendly accommodations, meals, and activities. Total: 28,000-53,000 TRY ($900-1650)

Then, you have to add on top of these the main round trip flight, insurance, and other travel expenses outside food, tours, accommodation, and transportation.

Language and currency

Turkey’s main language is Turkish, but Arabic is also quite popular , while there are loads of Turkish dialects. Young people speak English, but installing a translation app on your phone is best to help you navigate and communicate with the locals.

The currency of Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TRY). Cash is still the main mode of payment all over the country. However, tourism-related businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and tour agencies accept bank payments, and some even accept major currencies such as USD and Euro.

You should be able to find money exchange shops in touristy places, although ATMs are widely available.

Turkey’s visa policy can also get a little confusing since the country implemented new rules not long ago. Regardless, it’s actually quite straightforward now.

For visitors with passports issued from Europe, South America, Morocco, Malaysia, Tunisia, New Zealand, and a few countries in the Middle East, you don’t need a visa for 90 days. At the same time, passports from Myanmar, Russia, Belarus, Indonesia, and Turkmenistan can be visa-free for 30 days.

People using passports from North America, Australia, China, Saudi Arabia, the Caribbean, South Africa, and Oman must secure an electronic visa ahead of their arrival in Turkey. You can apply for the evisa online and present it to the immigration officer. Depending on your nationality, the evisa is valid for 30-90 days.

Other basic travel tips

To help you book your travel arrangements, here’s a list of travel sites I always use. What I love about these travel services is how most of them have great cancellation policies that allow me to book the best options but also offer free cancellation if I change my mind or have to cancel my trip.

PINNED MAP OF MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS IN TURKEY

Click the icon on the top right to enlarge the map. Credit: map data: Google

2 WEEKS IN TURKEY ITINERARY

To help you get started right away, I put together this rundown of the top itineraries for your 14 days in Turkey. If you want to create your own self-guided tour, here’s a thorough list of the best things to do in Turkey .

You don’t have to strictly follow these travel plans; you can choose only the ones that you’re interested in. 

Itinerary #1: First-timer (Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Antalya)

This itinerary is ideal for first-timers in Turkey since it is packed with the country’s top attractions.

The Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest and oldest covered market, the Blue Mosque, and the famous Hagia Sophia are just a few of the historic and fascinating sights you can expect to encounter in Istanbul. When you explore this city, you’ll experience all of these top sites and many more.

The section for Cappadocia is my favourite because of how magical this place is. Enjoy a hot air balloon ride early in the morning, which travels through the canyons of the Cappadocian valleys.

Although it is quite crowded, the experiences are absolutely fantastic, and Göreme, the major town, has an ethereal atmosphere that is distinctive and alluring. There’s also an open-air museum that explains about this incredible region.

Travellers visit Pamukkale for its calcium travertines , which are white and sparkling. It was originally a renowned spa town known for its mineral-rich water. The Antique Pool, also called Cleopatra’s Pool, is still open to visitors today, where you can enjoy soaking in its emerald water.

Bodrum is the prime spot if you want to unwind and recharge as both tourists and residents enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and resting during the day. At night, those seaside towns transform into nightlife till the early hours.

Historic landmarks can be found in Antalya, from Hadrian’s Gate to Lycian Empire ruins spread out over the region. But it’s also known for its beautiful beach shorelines . Your trip ends in Antalya, and from there, you can easily get back to Istanbul by air.

Istanbul for 3 days

Ista nbul is a perfect setting to start your itinerary since it has a rich history in every direction and is the capital of four main empires, including the Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman empires.

It has a lot to offer in terms of culture and history, with numerous structures connected to these ancient civilizations. Istanbul has long served as a junction of continents, and its fascinating past and dynamic present continue to amaze travellers.

If you enjoy visiting local markets , there are lots of them in Istanbul – those are great spots to find unique souvenirs but don’t forget to haggle as the prices for tourists are often higher.

Cappadocia and Goreme for 3 days

Have you seen those hot air balloon photos of Cappadocia right next to a hotel room? Well, that’s not an exaggeration. I experienced this myself, and most accommodations (cave hotels) are right in the heart of Cappadocia , so finding a hotel to experience this beautiful setting is very easy.

There are several small towns in Cappadocia that offer decent accommodation options, but Göreme is the most popular destination since it is a small town with a modern infrastructure and is close to both the Goreme Open Air Museum and a few valleys.

The flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia is around 1 hr 20 min , and there are two airports in Cappadocia namely Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines.

Pamukkale for 2 days

Pamukkale, which equates to “cotton castle,” is made up of colourful calcium bicarbonate deposits and natural mineral basins that together create a beautiful landscape.

As one of the trendiest tourist attractions in Turkey, the Travertines of Pamukkale is undoubtedly one of the primary reasons why visitors are flocking to this place.

One can understand why it never ceases to astound visitors, given its distinctive composition, which gave it its brilliant white colours, as well as the thermal pools surrounding the travertines.

The distance between Cappadocia and Pamukkale is 616 km (383 mi) . Travelling by land takes between 7 hours to 9 hours, depending on whether you’re taking a private car or a local bus.

You can fly from Cappadocia (Nevsehir or Kayseri) to Denizli-Çardak Airport (DNZ) , but it connects to Istanbul. The fastest flight you can book is between 5-6 hours.

Ephesus for 3 days

Ephesus is Turkey’s most well-known ruin and archaeological tourist spot because of its tremendous religious and historical significance. The well-preserved Roman streets draw visitors from all over the world who come to experience the historic spirit of this city.

This is one of the best locations to travel to if you want to embrace a Classical-era city due to how well-maintained the monuments are.

The direct drive from Pamukkale to Ephesus is around 2 hr 40 min , covering a distance of 194 km. You also have an option to ride a bus from Pamukkale to Ephesus, which often takes 3 hr 8 min. Alternatively, you can hop on a train from Pamukkale to Ephesus for a 3 hr 20 min journey.

Antalya or Izmir for 3 days

It’s not difficult to understand why Antalya, which lies in Southern Turkey, is sometimes k nown as the nation’s crown gem . It has some of the nicest beaches and even landmarks in the league, it is one of those underrated Mediterranean attractions that tourists often skip through.

Izmir, on the other hand , is also known as an incredible beach town. It’s a little busier than Antalya, and there’s a port near there, so the beaches might not be as impressive as Antalya.

However, it’s only an hour from Ephesus to Izmir. While it’s a 5-hour drive or 6-hour bus from Ephesus to Antalya

This city is definitely a great way to end your 2 weeks in Turkey if you want to unwind on the beaches and avoid the crowds.

Itinerary #2: History and Hiking (Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Izmir, Bodrum)

Spending 3 days in Istanbul will let you discover more about the Ottoman legacy and tempt you with all of the mouthwatering treats at the Grand Bazaar. This 2 weeks in Turkey itinerary is perfect for those who want to learn about the oldest civilisation and the history of Turkey.

Istanbul has everything you could ever want to buy all under one roof. With a variety of traditional goods, this city is a great start to your 2 weeks trip to Turkey.

If you fancy exploring historical sites then you’ll be thrilled in Ankara since there are a lot of museums for you to learn more about the city’s capital . Aside from that, there are amusement parks that offer plenty of attractions for everyone to enjoy.

For hiking enthusiasts, Cappadocia is the place to be , surrounded by hiking trails near Goreme that are waiting for you to discover. It’s simple to wander around this city since countless towns and villages are conveniently close to all the major hiking trails.

Izmir is a city rich in culture , making it one of the most valuable assets for the coming generation. It has abundant cultural facilities that regularly host festivals, events, and exhibitions.

If you prefer being one with nature, you’ll have a blast in Bodrum’s peninsula since it is home to numerous beaches, coves, and bays that serve as the focal point of socialization, especially during summer.

In addition to visiting Istanbul’s historical sites and museums, tourists visit the Grand Bazaar since this place is regarded as the largest shopping centre in Istanbul . It is an enormous covered market that occupies an entire city district and is essentially the first retail mall in history.

You are welcome to browse the alleys of the Grand Bazaar, where vendors sell everything from carpets and leather goods to jewellery and souvenirs, including the widely sought-after Nazar evil eye decorations.

One of the cool places to escape to is the 62-metre (205 ft) Galata Tower , where you can wander around the whole perimeter and take a panoramic view of the city’s peninsula and surroundings. It is considered the best place to see the central old city’s skyline, and it even has a restaurant.

Ankara for 2  days

You might easily spend 2 days or more getting to know Ankara with the abundance of museums, ancient sites, parks, and performing arts venues available. In 1923, Turkey changed its capital city from Istanbul to Ankara when the Ottoman Empire fell.

Whether you want to witness a performance at the city’s opera house or enjoy live music in a more relaxed setting, it is guaranteed that some kind of performance will suit your taste. If you want to embrace a more authentic side of Turkey with fewer crowds, this makes it a terrific location.

The direct drive from Istanbul to Ankara is around 4 hr 55 min via Kuzey Marmara Otoyolu/O-7 and Anadolu Otoyolu/O-4, covering a distance of 447 km.

Whereas the train ride via Turkish Railways often takes 5 hr 30 min, Typically, 14 trains run weekly, although you must check the schedules in advance because it may vary during holidays.

2 weeks in Turkey is incomplete without a visit to this region. Göreme is the heart of Cappadocia’s tourism economy since many traditional homes have been converted into elegant cave hotels. For good reason, i t has consistently been named one of the most stunning villages in the world by travel publications.

The village serves as the main starting point for hikers eager to get outside because all the major valleys provide a variety of paths that go through bizarre rock formations known as fairy chimneys in the area and up to panoramic viewpoints.

The direct drive from Ankara to Goreme is around 2 hr 20 min via Ankara – Niğde Otoyolu/Ankara – Tarsus Otoyolu/O-21, covering a distance of 300 km. Whereas the fastest bus ride from Ankara to Goreme via Nevsehirliler often takes 3 hr 37 min.

Izmir for 3 days

Izmir has long been a city with a diverse population, and it is also famous for its range of delicacies that are influenced by Turkish, Cretan, Greek, and Balkan cuisines.

You can even find Ephesus and Pergamon here , which are among the 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you want to explore Roman and Greek artefacts more, then head to the Izmir Archaeology Museum. 

The fastest way to get to Izmir from Goreme is by flight via Turkish Airlines with 1 layover, which is around 4 hr.

Bodrum for 3 days

The Bodrum Peninsula’s beaches outside of the town are the main attraction for tourists in the summer, where the shorefront is bustling with people lounging in the sun.

The beaches in Bitez, Ortakent, Gümbet, and Turgetreis are the most popular since they include free public beaches and private beach clubs.

For those who want to relax and tan after exploring the country, this is the perfect place to end your 14 days in Turkey.

The direct drive from Izmir to Bodrum is around 3 hr 13 min via E87 and Milas Soke Yolu/D25, covering a distance of 236 km. Alternatively, you can ride a bus via Kale Seyahat and Pamukkale Turizm, which often takes 3 hr 15 min.

Itinerary #3: Beach Holiday (Istanbul, Izmir, Bodrum, Antalya)

With a vast number of beach resorts and delicacies, this next itinerary for 2 weeks in Turkey is suitable for beach lovers. If you like your vacation served with the coastal highlights of Turkey, then this travel plan is perfect for you. 

Istanbul is encircled by the city’s narrow coastline and mountains that set it apart from the rest of the nation. If you’re up for a food exploration whilst soaking in crystal clear beaches or going on a ferry ride, then Izmir is for you.

Make sure to drop by Kemaralt Market since there’s a variety of cuisines for you to choose from.

Bodrum provides the best of both worlds because , while daytime pursuits are centred on the sunny beach, night-time activities are when the quest for pleasure comes to life. The extensive selection of entertainment keeps everyone busy.

If you’re not sailing, shopping, enjoying the nightlife, or indulging in the cuisine, start sightseeing by going to Saint Peter’s Castle.

Antalya is a distinctive summer destination because of its fascinating natural setting. From the looming majesty of the Taurus Mountains to remote beaches and water activities that lead to old towns of former empires, these are just a few reasons why you should go here.

Istanbul for 4 days

For many tourists, a vacation to Istanbul wouldn’t be complete without taking a cruise on the city’s renowned waterway, the Bosphorus, which connects the Black Sea to Marmara’s sea. The Bosphorus voyage is all about lounging back and taking in the scenery. 

Istanbul is renowned for its flashy nightlife, which is lively with its distinctive neon lights close to the river. You can even taste a variety of drinks at clubs that stay up until midnight and are packed with people dancing and singing.

The most popular kebabs in Istanbul are made using a variety of meats, but don’t miss out on lamb kebabs since they’re a must-try.

Izmir is regarded as one of the most prominent cruise ship ports in the Aegean region , and many visitors travel to Turkey from Europe via this Aegean route.

It has also earned a reputation as a top cruise destination thanks to its friendly crew, who can converse with visitors in ten different languages.

In addition, it is home to the historical Kemeralti Bazaar, known as the world’s largest outdoor shopping mall and where many well-known brands are sold at discounts.

The fastest way to travel from Istanbul to Izmir is to catch a flight via Turkish Airlines or Pegasus Airlines, which often takes 1 hr and 10 min. Whereas the direct drive from Istanbul to Izmir is around 5 hr 15 min via O-5, covering a distance of 482 km.

Alternatively, the journey time when you ride a bus via Pamukkale Turizm or Kamil Koc is approximately 7 hrs due to the stops made along the way.

Although boat journeys are frequently used to access the ocean in Bodrum, more adventurous tourists can pick from a variety of water sports available at the many beaches of the peninsula.

Kayak rentals are popular , and if you’re seeking greater thrills, you can go parasailing at beaches such as Bitez, Gumber, and Ortakent.

In recent years, paddleboarding has also grown in popularity and is currently available at several beaches on the peninsula, notably Turgutreis and Camel Beach.

The direct drive from Izmir to Bodrum is around 3 hr 3 min via E87 and Milas Soke Yolu/D2525, covering a distance of 236 km. Alternatively, you can hop on a bus ride via Kale Seyahat or Pamukkale Turizm, which usually takes 3 hr and 15 min.

Antalya for 3 days

If you have 2 weeks in Turkey, you must visit the coastline at least once. One of the top destinations for water enthusiasts and anyone seeking an adrenaline rush would be the Köprülü Canyon National Park , 90 km Northeast of Antalya.

Enjoy a river rafting adventure with your family or friends along the Köprülü River or soak in the crystal clear water.

If you don’t fancy water activities , then there are tons of riverbank cafes with spectacular canyon views for you to unwind, which makes Antalya a perfect place to end your 2 weeks in Turkey.

The direct drive from Bodrum to Antalya is around 5 hr 17 min via D330, covering a distance of 422 km. Meanwhile, the fastest bus from Bodrum to Antalya often takes 6 hr 40 min via Pamukkale Turizm. If you prefer travelling overnight, 5 buses depart from 6:30 pm – 11:00 pm.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN TURKEY (by city)

Now that you have some ideas on how to spend 2 weeks in Turkey, it’s time to show you a quick and easy list of activities and tours that you can book.

While I love a DIY trip, there are parts of Turkey where booking a tour is the only option, such as the hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia.

• Ankara Castle
• Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
• The Youth Park
• Wonderland Garden
• The Roman bath museum
• Stroll at the Citadel neighbourhood
• Ankara art galleries
• Hattusa day trip
• You can make the most out of your time if you book a full-day tour around Ankara and spend the 2nd day relaxing/trying out restaurants
• Kaleici Old Town – book a city, waterfalls, and cable car tour
• Aspendos Ballet and Opera Festival
• Koprulu Canyon – thrilling activities such as white rafting, ATV drive, and ziplining – check the price
• Paragliding in Kas
• The Land of Legends Theme Park – get your entry ticket in advance
• Sailing the Turkish Riviera
• Antalya Waterfalls
• Perge, Aspendos, and Side day trip – join a guided tour
• Enjoy Turkish Bath and Massage
• Scuba Diving – check the price
• Bodrum Castle
• Bodrum Boat Trip – book a Gulet tour with lunch or a full-day cruise to Orak Island or the Black Island trip
• Turtle Beach and Mud Baths
• Turkish Bath and Spa – book for the evening after a day of exploration
• Bodrum Museum of Underwater
• Aegean Coast Helicopter tour – book for sunset
• Mausoleum of Halicarnassus
• Karnas Vineyards – join a food and wine tour
• Yahsi Beach
• Gumbet Beach
• Camel Beach

Cappadocia/Goreme

• Gulludere Vadisi
• Goreme National Park
• Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon – book a tour with hotel pickup, breakfast, and champagne
• Watch Hot Air Balloon during Sunsice from the ground – from Love Valley, Rose Valley, Balloons View Point , and Uchisar Castle
• Goreme Open-Air Museum – join a full-day guide tour and compare prices with this tour
• Uchisar Castle
• Pigeon Valley
• Fairy Chimneys – through an ATV/Quad tour or a horseback riding tour
• Rose Valley
• Red and Green Tour – red tour is for historical sites, and the green tour is for natural wonder attractions
• Ürgüp Kadıkalesi
• Watch a Turkish Night Show – enjoy dinner and drinks at a cave restaurant
• Love Valley
• Enjoy a relaxing Traditional Turkish Bath
• Hagia Sophia Mosque
• Blue Mosque
• Istanbul Archaeology Museum
• Basilica Cistern
• Misir Carsisi – exciting spice and textile market
• Topkapi Palace
• Shop in the Grand Bazaar
• Watch a Mevlevi Sema and Dervishes Show
• Dolmabahce Palace
• Bosphorus Cruise/day trip to Bosphorus
• Yedikule Fortress
• Day trips to Troy
• Maiden’s Tower
• Princes’ Islands day trip
• Galta Tower
• Day trip to Ephesus – full-day tour or a private tour (with skip-the-line ticket)
• Izmir Clock Tower
• Izmir Historical Elevator Building
• Smyrna Agora Ancient City
• Join the food tour of Izmir
• Mount Kadifekale
• Izumi Archaelogocal and Ethnography
• Kulturpark Izmir
• You can even do a day trip from Izmir to Pamukkale
• Travertines of Pamukkale – book a guided tour
• Hierapolis City Ruins/Archaeological Museum
• Hot Air Balloon Flight – check the tour price
• Cleopatra Antique Pool
• Pamukkale Amphi Theatre
• Northern Necropolis
• Aphrodisias
• Karahayit Hot Springs
• Ride Denizli Cable Cars

MUST-TRY TURKISH DISHES, DRINKS, AND SNACKS

Turkey has some tasty local dishes that you must try during your visit. Gaziantep is the country’s food capital, but if you don’t make it there, you can easily find these dishes and drinks anywhere in the country.

For those exploring the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, plenty of restaurants and food stalls are around the area. You can’t spend 2 weeks in Turkey and not try the local cuisine.

Here’s a quick list of must-eat dishes, snacks, and drinks in Turkey:

• Kebap – Grilled meat dishes such as the famous Adana and Urfa kebap.
• Meze – A selection of small dishes served as appetizers, like hummus, cacık (yoghurt with cucumber), and ezme (spicy tomato dip).
• Manti – Turkish dumplings typically filled with ground meat, topped with yoghurt and garlic, and spiced with red pepper oil.
• Lahmacun – Often referred to as Turkish pizza, it’s a thin flatbread topped with minced meat, vegetables, and herbs.
• İskender Kebap – Döner kebab served over cut pita bread with hot tomato sauce and melted sheep butter and yoghurt.
• Köfte – Seasoned ground meatballs, which can be grilled, fried, or stewed.
• Dolma and Sarma – Vegetables or grape leaves stuffed with rice, pine nuts, and spices, often with meat.
• Baklava – A sweet pastry made of layers of filo filled with chopped nuts, sweetened with syrup or honey.
• Künefe – A hot dessert made from kadayıf (thin, shredded dough) with a layer of melted cheese, soaked in sweet syrup.
• Lokum (Turkish Delight) – Confectionery made from starch and sugar, often flavoured with rosewater, lemon, or mastic.
• Çay (Turkish Tea) – Black tea served in a small tulip-shaped glass, commonly consumed throughout the day.
• Ayran – A cold yoghurt beverage mixed with salt.
• Türk Kahvesi (Turkish Coffee) – Coffee prepared using very finely ground coffee beans, sugar, and water, served in a small cup.

ACCOMMODATIONS IN TURKEY (by city)

Hotels are super affordable in Turkey; it’s probably the only country I have visited where I have stayed in really beautiful hotels and resorts and paid no more than $80 a night. So, here are my recommended accommodations in Turkey arranged by budget:

• Affordable:
• Mid-range: Guvenay Business Hotel or The Wings Hotels
• Luxury: Divan Cukurhan or Sheraton Ankara Hotel
• Affordable: Kuyu Beergarden Hostel or Atalla Hotel
• Mid-range: Mai Inci Hotel or Best Western Khan Hotel
• Luxury: Akra Hotel or Puding Marina Residence
• Affordable: Sevin Hotel Pension or Pasha Motel
• Mid-range: Dorman Suites or Ramada Resort by Wyndham
• Luxury: Radisson Collection Hotel or Odette Hotel
• Affordable: The Dorm Cave by Travellers or Goreme Art Stone
• Mid-range: Artemis Cave Suites & Spa or Stone House Cave Hotel
• Luxury: Sultan Cave Suites or Aydinli Cave Hotel or Carus Cappadocia
• Affordable: Olimpiyat Hotel or Piano Hotel
• Mid-range: Deka Evleri or Hotel Apart Alsancak
• Luxury: Izmir Marriott Hotel or Swissotel Buyuk Efes
• Mid-range: Venus Hotel or Ozbay Hotel
• Luxury: Bellamaritimo Hotel or Pam Thermal Hotel Clinic & Spa

SUMMARY OF 2 WEEKS IN TURKEY

Turkey is an ideal destination for people who want to see both European and Asian cultures come together. Turkey has been called the “gateway between the west and the east,” which is what they deserve.

It’s fascinating to see how the culture, language, and traditions can be so different, only a few hours from Europe and East Asia. This country has so much to offer.

With picturesque landscapes, tasty local dishes, rich history, and an affordable destination for a trip, Turkey is a must-see at least once in your lifetime.

I hope you found this list of itineraries for spending 2 weeks in Turkey. You don’t have to follow everything listed here, but hopefully, you were able to find a thing or two that can be helpful in planning your own trip.

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Ultimate Turkey Itinerary for 14 Days for First Timers

After visiting Turkey more than 20 times over the last couple years I decided to go wild on my Turkey trip and travel to off the beaten path places and some of the top sights in Turkey. This way I created the ultimate road trip itinerary to visit the best places to see in Turkey in 14 days. How to travel around Turkey? Don't book a tour, do it yourself! Rent a car and follow this 2 week itinerary for Turkey and easily plan your trip yourself.

Trust me, traveling to Turkey does not need to be done in a group trip or with a tour operator. Let me convince you that you can do this on your own and I am sure you are going to have the time of your life.

I called this blog the ultimate Turkey itinerary for 2 weeks because I squeezed in most of the best places to visit in Turkey  into 14 days. I would suggest to pick your favorites from this itinerary and skip some places if you only have 7 or 10 days for your Turkey trip.

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Turkey road trip

I would highly recommend you to rent a car upon arrival and take a road trip around Turkey. Afraid of driving in Turkey? Don’t you worry, I drove almost 4,500 kilometers (2,800 miles) through the country and not a single time I got stuck in traffic. As soon as you leave Istanbul, the days on the road are very relaxed and road conditions are extremely good. Actually impressively good, like unexpected good! :)

Fuelling up your car is very cheap in Turkey as 1L of gas costs around 20 - 25 TL, less than $1 USD. Car rental cost for 14 days? Less than $250 USD! So what are you waiting for? For me a road trip around Turkey is the best way to visit Turkey! An absolutely amazing trip.

Please help the Traveltomtom team by saving this Pin on Pinterest! It would mean a lot to us, thank you.

Turkey Itinerary Map

Below you can find a map of the ultimate Turkey itinerary for 14 days with all the stops included. There are more than 14 stops, but you can do some of them in 1 day.

Places to see in Turkey:

• Amasra, Safranbulo
• Sumela Monastery
• Mount Nemrut
• Egirdir LAke
• Sirince, Ephesus
• Pergamon, Bergama

For any Turkey road trip I strongly recommend you to buy a prepaid sim card for Turkey . It is cheap and super useful to be connected and there is 4G almost everywhere, check out the link to find the best network and best mobile operator. You can also buy a sim card at Istanbul Airport or SAW Airport , although the exact same prepaid sim cards for Turkey are more expensive at the airports.

Public transport in Turkey

I totally understand that not everyone is in the position to rent a car when visiting Turkey. But don't worry I have traveled to Turkey multiple times and only 1 time rented a car. I took busses around the whole country, for example from Istanbul to Cappadocia. But I also took an uncountable number of domestic flights. Overnight busses in Turkey are actually pretty damn comfortable!

To find the best connection, up to date time schedules, shortest route, or cheapest bus, ferry and even domestic flights I recommend you using the service of 12GoAsia. Their search engine gives you all the options and you choose your preferred way of travel. Try them out yourself below.

Turkey Itinerary for 14 days

If you let me help you plan your Turkey trip you see that I am sending you all over the country. From East to West and from North to South. For a reason of course, because there are so many more cool things to do in Turkey than just Cappadocia, Istanbul, Bodrum and Pamukkale.

It is best to plan your Turkey trip counter clockwise around the country. That way you do most of the long driving days in the beginning and they get shorter day by day. Plus you have the beaches towards the end of your Turkey trip.

Day 1: Amasra and Safranbolu - Charming Fishing Village on the Black Sea

Let’s not start with Istanbul, but straight away jump in your rental car when arriving at Istanbul Airport and drive Northeast towards Amasra. This is also where you are going to spend your first night.

Amasra once was a sleeping fishing village, but now turned into a popular Turkey tourist destination. The narrow streets, an abundance of restaurants, ice cream shops and souvenir stalls will make you feel like on a holiday on your first day. Roaming the lively streets at night is the perfect way to experience Amasra to its fullest.

Try to reach Amasra, which is a 4 hour drive from Istanbul, before sunset. If you won’t make that get up early in the morning for sunrise. They are magical, a short hike up will get you to an amazing viewpoint.

Click on the link to find out the Google Maps location of the best sunset spot in Amasra .

If you have enough time stop on day 1 stop in Safranbolu, a village listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. This old traditional village is worth a stop, as you drive past it anyway, either on day 1 or on day 2 of this Turkey itinerary.

Where to stay in Amasra

The Northdoor Amasra Hotel is a great Amasra hotel with the best reviews in town and costs only around $50 per night.

Day 2: Uzungol - Switzerland of Turkey

Be prepared for a long drive of more than 10 hours, but the next morning you will wake up in the Switzerland of Turkey: Uzungol. On day 2 you basically drive all day long along the Black Sea coast. You will also pass Trabzon, the biggest city on the Black Sea, but I recommend you to continue to Uzungol and you will thank me for mentioning this amazing Turkey tourist destination in this itinerary.

Looking for that iconic Uzungol Instagram picture? Check these list of the best things to do in Uzungol and find the swing with the breathtaking view over the valley.

The reason I recommend you to tour this Turkey itinerary counterclockwise around the country is that the first couple days are long days on the road. Better to have them in the beginning than in the end. Don't see this as a wasted day! You are driving along the Black Sea, a great introduction to this ultimate Turkey road trip. Take a break in the city of Samsun.

Where to stay in Uzungol

The Nova Uzungol has great reviews, a good view and is only $40 per night.

Day 3: Sumela Monastery - a Hidden Gem in Turkey

Wake up breathing in the fresh air of the mountains in Uzungol and sip a Turkish tea overlooking the fabulous Valley with the Uzungol Lake. No need to tell you that hiking around the Uzungol Lake is the best thing to do here. Spend the morning surrounded by mountain peaks and green landscapes.

Get back on the road and drive back to Trabzon, if you have time you can check out the city, but it wasn’t my favorite. I suggest you continue onwards to the next Turkey tourist destination: Sumela Monastery. From Uzungol to Sumela Monastery takes about 2 hours.

The Sumela Monastery was under construction when I visited and it was raining. At first I wasn’t convinced, but when I saw the paintings of the rock church I realized this should be included in every Turkey itinerary.

It is easy to get to the Sumela Monastery, which is hidden deep into the forest of the Altindere National Park. From the main parking lot you have to a shuttle up a steep mountain road that brings you to the entrance of the monastery. Sumela monastery entrance fee is 20 TL.

After you visited the Sumela Monastery and get back on the road, driving south to the next place to visit in Turkey: Mount Nemrut. Break the long trip by staying overnight in the city of Erzincan (3h drive) or Elazig (6h drive).

Day 4: Mount Nemrut - surprisingly fabulous UNESCO site on 2,100m

To me Mount Nemrut turned out to be on of the most surprising places to visit in Turkey . It is located off hte beaten path in Turkey and you won’t find many tourists here. Also because this UNESCO World Heritage site is located on 2,134 meter (7,000 ft) altitude.

Mount Nemrut are actually two tombs dating back to 70 BC with on top statues that used to be 8-9 meters (29 ft) high. Unfortunately the heads are broken off, but they placed them in front of the statues. An absolutely must see in Turkey! Mount Nemrut entrance fee is 20 TL.

To get to Mount Nemrut is fairly easy as you drive up to the parking lot and from there it is only a 10 minute hike. My secret Turkey travel tip would be to visit Mount Nemrut for either sunset or sunrise, but you gotta play a little around with your Turkey itinerary to make this happen.

Where to stay in Mount Nemrut

Continue the drive for today until you reach Gaziantep (3 hours drive). This big city in the South of Turkey is renowned for its outstanding gastronomy. In Gaziantep you can find 5-star hotels for as less as $50 per night. I stayed in the  Sirehan Hotel  which I would totally recommend you to stay as well.

Day 5: Gaziantep and Adana

One of the must visit places in Turkey if you are a food lover is Gaziantep. Indulge on the local delicacies here a city that is UNESCO listed for its gastronomy. More than 50% of all business are directly related to gastronomy.

You have to try the Alinazik Kebab as it is Gaziantep’s specialty dish: pieces of kebab on top of bed of yoghurt with eggplant topped with a bit of buttery oil. Very rich and filling, but I was a fan! After dinner you of course have to try the famous pistachio Baklava. According to people from Gaziantep this is where the pistachio baklava originates.

After you indulged yourself on the great tastes of Gaziantep you could walk around the bazaar which is rather small but authentic and check out the Gaziantep castle, but that is about it.

Next on your Turkey itinerary is Adana, famous for its amazing mosque. Until lately it was the biggest mosque in Turkey and from the outside it looks absolutely majestic, but don’t forget to check it out from the inside, you will be stunned a second time. The Adana Sabanci Merkez Mosque is totally worth it adding to your Turkey itinerary.

Where to stay in Adana

Stay overnight in Adana where you can easily find a 5-star hotel for under $50 per night. Check out the Sheraton Grand Adana which has actually great views over the river and the Sabanci Merkez mosque.

Day 6: Cappadocia - Hiking in Moonlike Landscapes

The only tourist destination in Turkey where I advice you to stay more than 1 night on this itinerary. Not just because of the hot-air balloons but so far it has been an intense road trip around Turkey and Cappadocia is the perfect place to unwind and chill for a day or go hiking.

The day you arrive you will miss the hot air balloons as they start at sunrise around 6.00 am. But don’t worry if weather permits they rise every morning en mass, up to 150 at the same time. From Adana to Cappadocia is a 3 hour drive, so enough time to go hiking in the afternoon.

If you don’t feel like hiking you can arrange a taxi for about $25 for a couple hours. The best places to visit in Cappadocia are: Love Valley, Pigeon Valley and Rose Valley. Other cool things to do in Cappadocia are Uchisar Castle, the Goreme Open Air Museum, the Fairy Chimneys.

Check out this 2 & 3 day Cappadocia itinerary with the best things to do like visiting Pigeon Valley and Sunset Point in Goreme .

Where to stay in Cappadocia

My Cappadocia hotel tip is the Koza Cave Hotel . It has the highest rooftop terrace in town and balloons fly just a couple meters above the terrace. I have seen the videos on Instagram and it looks almost unreal. Click here to find the best rates for your dates in Cappadocia.

Day 7: Cappadocia - Magical Hot Air Balloon ride

On this day it is time for one of the  best things to do in Turkey : a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia. I sincerely hope the weather is nice and there will be dozens of balloons taking off. It simply is a magical moment and one of those once in a lifetime experiences.

I have been a bit unlucky on the two times I visited Goreme. The first time in December 2014 it was snowing and ice cold, still I did a freezing balloon ride in cloudy skies. The second time in August 2020, there were no balloons flights because of Cøv$d. No problem, I happily visit Cappadocia over and over.

Enjoy the rest of your day by checking out the remaining places to visit in Cappadocia. Staying for 2 nights in this magical town gives you the chance to find a viewpoint for the other morning. Sit back and stare at the morning sky seeing all the balloons rise.

Day 8 : Konya, Egirdir and Fethiye - History, Lake and Sea side

After another amazing hot air balloon sunrise in Cappadocia drive east towards Konya (3h drive). Consider a detour via Meke Crater Lake, an absolutely breathtaking volcano popping out of a lake. Go off the beaten path to this very unknown place to visit in Turkey!

Konya is one of Turkey’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Obviously history can be found all around and some cool places to visit in Konya are: the green tiled mausoleum of Mevlana, the Alaeddin Mosque, the  striking facade of the İnce Minareli Madrasah dating back to 1264 and the Selimiye Mosque on the big main square in the city center.

Don’t spend too long in Konya though because lunch is waiting for you in Egirdir (2,5h drive). Right on the shores of Egirdir Lake you will find a little peninsula called Kale.

Life at Egirdir Lake is very much slow paced and not many international tourists find their way to this amazing Turkey tourist destination.

It is the perfect place for lunch. Head to the Melodi Restaurant for great views over the lake.

After lunch continue your way to Fethiye (3,5h drive), one of the most famous tourist destinations in Turkey and enjoy the beautiful beaches. For my Fethiye hotel recommendation see below.

Day 9:  Fethiye & Ölüdeniz - Butterfly Valley, Blue Lagoon & Paragliding

One of the best places to visit in Fethiye is the Butterfly Valley. It can only be reached by boat, so hop on one of the shuttle boats for 40 TL one way to get away from the tourists. A beutiful stretch of white sand beach perched between two high mountains is waiting for you.

In the afternoon go to Ölüdeniz where you will find the famous Blue Lagoon in Turkey. The beach is so white that without sunglasses you won’t survive and the sea has the deepest blue color. Absolutely spectacular.

Ölüdeniz is also popular for paragliding. Undoubtedly you will see loads of paragliders high above the Blue Lagoon. They take off from Mount Babadag, which is another cool place to visit in Fethiye. There is the Zirve restaurant on top so even if you are not one of those adventurers that wants to go paragliding in Ölüdeniz then order a drink and watch these daredevils taking off one by one.

My secret Turkey travel tip is the tiny little Greek island of Kastellorizo, only 3 kilometers from the Turkish mainland away. It is an absolutely gorgeous and picturesque island that is really high on my bucketlist of places to visit in Turkey. I know it belongs to Greece, but it is best to be visit by a 10 minute boat ride from Kas, Turkey 1,5 hour drive from Fethiye.

I know I am stuffing this Turkey itinerary with too many cool things to do right? But I am just giving you all the options. You decide which tourist destinations and activities you pick. :)

Where to stay in Fethiye

If budget allows you I would recommend you to stay in Beyaz Yunus Hotel, a charming boutique hotel , one of my favorite Fethiye hotels.

Day 10: Pamukkale & Lake Salda - A Natural World Wonder & Maldives of Turkey

On day 10 of this Turkey itinerary it is time for another Turkey top sight which is mentioned in every Turkey travel guide: Pamukkale. It was only my first time visiting lately and I encourage you to add this destination to your trip. Entrance fee 50 TL

The drive from Fethiye to Pamukkale take less than 3 hours, but first make a detour (1 hour extra) to the Maldives of Turkey: Lake Salda.

Lake Salda is an absolutely breathtaking beach destination in Turkey that is NOT on the sea. This extraordinary lakeside beach is just wow, see the picture below and decide yourself.

Pamukkale is a very unique site where carbonated minerals from thermal spring formed beautiful white terraces that are filled with water. Nowadays you are able to swim in these stunning little pools, well…

First off let me tell you that there is a shortage of water at Pamukkale so most of the pools are dry nowadays. Second, visiting Pamukkale is a very popular thing to do in Turkey so tourism is taken its toll. Therefore man-made pools are created for tourists to swim in to protect the original ones.

Completely understandable, let’s preserve this natural world wonder before we humans destroy another master piece created by mother Earth.

At first I wasn’t convinced by visiting Pamukkale, but towards sunset it was suddenly magical. My Turkey travel tip for Pamukkale is to visit this site a couple hours before sunset. First roam around the ancient Greek city of, which is connected to Pamukkale. The theater is the most amazing and best preserved theater I have visited in Turkey.

Then towards sunset pick your pool to relax and you will see that as soon as the sun is almost down, 95% of the tourists are gone and you will have this beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site all for yourself.

Where to stay in Pamukkale

An affordable place to stay in Pamukkale is the Bellamaritimo  for just $30 a night you already have  a room with a big swimming pool. An affordable 5-star hotel is the Doga Thermal Health & Spa hotel for less than $150 per night.

Day 11: Bodrum - Exclusive Beach Clubs and Charming Villages

It is finally time to party on your Turkey itinerary as you are reaching one of the most popular beach destinations in Turkey. Bodrum is often called the Ibiza of Turkey. Here you will find a bustling boulevard, endless beaches, but also exclusive beach clubs.

The drive from Pamukkale to Bodrum takes 3,5 hours.

Get yourself a cabana in one of the popular beach clubs like for example Buddha Bar & Beach . A more quiet, but utterly stunning beach club is Kai Beach & Restaurant . Sit back, relax and enjoy people watching. This is where the rich and famous Turks hang out.

On top of that the Bodrum peninsula has more to offer. Some really cool places to visit in Bodrum are the charming villages of Mugla, Akyaka and Eski Doganbey.

Where to stay in Bodrum

If you feel like spoiling yourself then look up the exclusive Mandarin Oriental Bodrum , Allium Villas Resort , Caresse a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa or the Bodrum EDITION . All of them absolutely stunning Bodrum Hotels, but also expensive.

A cute little boutique hotel and much more affordable ($50 per night) is the Petra Butik Otel .

Day 12: Sirince & Ephesus - Ancient Greek city and wine tasting

Relax a little more in Bodrum as you have a chilled day ahead. Your next destination in Turkey is a quaint mountain village with traditional houses called Sirince, famous for its wines and laid-back atmosphere. The drive from Bodrum to Sirince takes only 2,5 hours.

You can either decide to first check in to your hotel in Sirince first and then go to Ephesus or the other way around. Ephesus is one of the most amazing places to visit in Turkey and just a 10 minute drive from Sirince.

The Ephesus entrance fee is 100 TL but that is a fair price as you will enter a whole ancient Greek city dating back to 1,000 BC. There is a big theater, but its main attraction is the impressive facade of the Library of Celsus. The Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World was also part of Ephesus, but as you know, only ruins remain.

When in Sirince definitely do a wine tasting in one of the wineries. For more things to do in Sirince and restaurant tips, click on the link to read my Sirince blog.

Where to stay in Sirince

A great place to stay in Sriince is the Gullu Konaklari Boutique Hotel centrally located at the end of the main street. As you enter it feels like a peaceful oasis with small fountains, ponds and hotel rooms located in traditional houses.

Day 13: Pergamon & Bursa - Ancient Greece & Ottoman Empire History

The day after visiting Ephesus another ancient Greek city will be on Turkey itinerary: Pergamon. Located on a 335 meter (1,000 ft) hill next to the city of Bergama you will find the UNESCO World Heritage Site Pergamon, former capital of the Pergamon Kingdom around 300 BC.

The drive from Sirince to Bergama take around 2 hours.

Much smaller than Ephesus and within an hour you have seen most of this top sight in Turkey. A little off the beaten path and therefore much less crowded. On my latest Turkey trip I had Pergamon all for myself.

The Acropolis and the theater have amazing views over and are the highlights of this site. You are free to walk around wherever you want.

After visiting Pergamon you continue your Turkey road trip towards Bursa, the old Ottoman capital to see a different era in Turkish history. From Bergama to Bursa is a a 2,5 hour drive.

The main tourist attraction and place to visit in Bursa is: the Grand Mosque, once the biggest mosque in Turkey and one of the rare mosques around the world with a fountain inside.

Other cool things to do in Bursa are the Green Mosque and Mausoleum, the cable car up the Uludag Mountain (2,500 m/8,200 ft) and the 700 year old UNESCO World Heritage village of Cumalikizik. Click on the link for my blog with 25 things to do in Bursa.

Where to stay in Bursa

One of the best Bursa hotel locations is the Crown Plaza Bursa and this 5-star hotel is with $60 per night very affordable as well. Great place to stay.

Day 14: Istanbul

Welcome to Istanbul! You have reach the end of this ultimate Turkey itinerary for 14 days. Im sure by now you are pretty exhausted, but one of the world’s most bustling cities is waiting for you to explore. If you have enough time on your hands and you are eager to explore this incredible city some more than I suggest you this 4 day Istanbul itinerary !

There are a couple places to visit in Istanbul for first timers: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar, Taksim Square, Istiklal Street and the Galata Tower are the standard things to do in Istanbul. If you are looking for more unique things to do in Istanbul then click on the link for a list of 10 hidden gems. Definitely recommend you to visit Uskudar on the Asian side and Camlica, Turkey's biggest mosque .

If you still have energy on the lasts days of your Turkey trip explore the colorful houses in Balat , watch the sunset from the Maiden Tower on the Asian side, take a boat trip on the Bosporus, see the Ortaköy mosque underneath the Bosporus bridge, find a fancy rooftop bar in Bebek or roam the cost and bustling streets at night in Besiktas.

Where to stay in Istanbul

Istanbul sightseeing will take its toll for sure so I recommend you to take a nice hotel. Some Istanbul hotels I can highly recommend you are the Ritz-Carlton Istanbul , Shangri-La  or the brand new JW Marriott right on the Bosporus. Expensive but worth it!

Some more affordable 5-star hotels around $100 per night are: 10 Karakoy Istanbul , Parma Hotel & Spa Taksim .

For a complete guide on where to stay in Istanbul click on the link.

I hope all the above tips for planning your Turkey trip were useful for your upcoming adventure. It was a pleasure helping you so far. But here are some last Turkey travel tips...

Additional things to do in Turkey

In case you still have time left on your Turkey trip I can highly suggest you to visit the following places.

Edirne - Wines & Great Mosque

About 3 hours drive from Istanbul to the West and therefore a little off the beaten path. Edirne can easily be done on a day trip from Istanbul, but it take an extra day and therefore I didn’t include it in the itinerary above.

Most of the wine culture in Turkey can be found in the European side towards the border with Greece and Bulgaria. Edirne is the biggest city west from Istanbul, just a stone’s throw away from the European border. It once was the capital of the Ottoman Empire and holds a lot of history.

A must visit place is the majestic Edirne Mosque . Make sure to also check out the interior. When you are done sightseeing in Edirne head out to one of the wineries in the region around Edirne and try wine tasting and delicious food. I can recommend you to check out the  Bakucha Vineyard Hotel & Spa . You can also spend the night here and wake up overlooking the wine fields. 

Mount Ararat - Resting Place of Noah’s Ark

Unfortunately I still haven’t visit Mount Ararat myself but it is now topping my list of places to visit in Turkey. However I actually have, but different story, I didn’t climb Mt. Ararat.

This Turkey activity is only for the adventurers among us, because Mount Ararat is the highest mountain in Turkey with an elevation of 5,137 meters (16,854 ft). I was on the foot of Mount Ararat, but on the Armenian side and I can tell you this mountain peak looks damn impressive.

Haven’t even mentioned that Mount Ararat is also considered to be the resting place of the Noah’s Ark and therefore alone already a must visit place in Turkey.

Turkey’s highest peak is located on the Armenian border, far from all the other Turkey tourist attractions and therefore I also excluded Mount Ararat from my Turkey itinerary. In case you would drive there it would take you at least 8 hours from Trabzon, one way. Not recommended.

In case you want to climb Mount Ararat, then I suggest you to fly to IGD Airport and organize a climbing tour from there.

For domestic flights in Turkey and bus and ferry tickets I always use the search engine of 12Go Asia. IT is easy, fast and reliable and no need to find a bus ticket on the streets. Their flight search engine for domestic flights in Turkey is pretty damn good too.

I hope all the tips for planning your Turkey trip were helpful and you can use some parts of this itinerary for your upcoming journey. Honestly, I always miss traveling in Turkey when I am not there. Sounds cheesy from someone who is trying to visit every country in the world , but trust me Turkey is one of my favorite travel destinations.

Also when wondering how to stay connected when traveling to Turkey then check out my guide for buying a sim card for Turkey in 2023 .

May you have any more questions about this Turkey itinerary please leave me a comment below or head to my Instagram and send me a DM , I will happily help you out.

Enjoy your trip to Turkey!

• mount nemrut
• sumela monastery

The Perfect 2-Week Turkey Itinerary

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From grand Ottoman mosques and bustling bazaars to white sand beaches and turquoise waters, a 2-week trip to Turkey is guaranteed to be packed full of sightseeing and adventure on a scale you might not be expecting!

This sprawling nation sits at the literal crossroads of Europe and Asia, and when your trip starts in Istanbul , you can take the ferry back and forth between continents as you explore an ancient yet modern city that traces its roots back to the days of the early Greeks.

Travel to the Mediterranean coast, and you can spend mornings exploring archeological sites that rival anywhere else in the Roman world, including the staggering ruins of Ephesus. Once you’ve had your fill of history, spend the afternoon lounging at beach clubs and enjoying al fresco dining as the sun sets. 

But for a real taste of what Turkey has to offer, you have to visit the vast plains of Anatolia, where you’ll find Christian churches carved into the rocks, underground cities that once sheltered thousands from invaders, and sunrise hot air balloon flights that reveal glorious yet otherworldly landscapes from above. This is Cappadocia , and it’s one of the best places to visit in Turkey. 

It’s cliché, but Turkey really is a clash of cultures, which is why a 2-week trip is a wonderful way to embrace the country’s unique diversity. If you’re planning your next getaway, then keep reading as we reveal our perfect Turkey itinerary!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

Two Weeks in Turkey

Preparing for turkey.

When you’re preparing for 2-weeks in Turkey, there are a few things you should take on board to ensure your trip runs as smoothly as possible. To start, don’t underestimate the distances you might need to cover when you’re traveling across the country. 

Istanbul is a long way from Cappadocia, and Cappadocia is a long way from the Mediterranean. You’ll need to keep to a stringent itinerary if you want to maximize your time and see as many destinations as possible.

Before you travel, double-check if you need to secure a visa in advance or not. Turkey’s immigration policy varies from one country to the next, and US citizens will need to apply for an e-visa in advance of travel. Don’t worry too much about this, as it’s a simple process that’s completed almost instantly online. 

Citizens of many other countries, such as the United Kingdom, no longer need an e-visa and can simply get their passports stamped on arrival at a Turkish airport (this often changes, so always check with your consulate before traveling).

Things to Know Before You Go

You may wish to brush up on a few basic words of Turkish before you embark on your trip (“Teşekkür ederim” means “Thank You,” for example), but unless you’re getting really off the beaten track, you’ll be impressed by the level of English that’s spoken in the touristic destinations (it also helps that Turkish is written in the Roman script). 

Turkey is officially a secular nation, but the culture is, in reality, heavily influenced by Islam. You’ll see mosques in every village, town, and city, and you may find it best to dress conservatively in more rural areas (don’t worry so much about this on the beaches, though).

The currency in circulation is the Turkish Lira, which can fluctuate significantly at times due to inflation and Turkey’s economic issues. Currently, western currencies like the US Dollar are very strong compared to the Turkish Lira, which means that costs can be comparatively cheap for holidaymakers from the US or UK. 

Getting Around Turkey

If you’re arriving internationally, you’re likely to land at one of Istanbul’s two major airports. The primary airport is Istanbul Airport (IST), a new, purpose-built airport that’s the central hub for Turkish Airlines and other long-haul carriers. 

The second airport is Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW). This is a much older airport that’s become the hub for budget airlines like Pegasus. Both airports are well connected to Istanbul’s Taksim and Sultanahmet districts by bus and metro. 

From Istanbul, you have several onward travel options. Cities are well connected by cheap domestic flights, which can cut your travel time down massively. You can fly to Fethiye, Antalya, Cappadocia, Ankara, and many more destinations from Istanbul.

Important cities like Ankara are connected to Istanbul by the modern high-speed rail network, which is super efficient and excellent value. Most locals get around by bus, though, and you’ll be impressed by the sheer extent of Turkey’s long-distance bus network. 

Everywhere is connected, and tickets can often be purchased easily online. Bear in mind that journey times can be long. Istanbul to Cappadocia requires an overnight bus ride, for example. 

Public transport varies from city to city. Istanbul has a vast integrated transport system that includes ferries, buses, trams, and trains. Ankara has an excellent metro system, and Antalya has an extensive tram and bus system. 

You can also use the local Dolmus , shared taxis and minibuses, which run set routes within towns and cities and between different destinations. They’re great value and often go where other types of transport don’t. 

Turkey Itinerary: 2 Weeks to Explore the Highlights of the Country

Istanbul – 2 nights.

Your first destination, and one of the best cities to visit in Turkey (if not the entire world!), is Istanbul . This sprawling megalopolis spans the Bosphorus, crosses two continents, and boasts over two millennia of history as it bridges the gap between Europe and Asia.

There are few other cities in the world with such an allure as Istanbul’s, and you’ll love how each district, street, and sightseeing attraction sits on layer upon layer of history stretching back to the Ancient Greeks. 

Istanbul is an immersive experience. It’s simultaneously modern and timeless, it’s historic yet contemporary, and it’s the best place to start your 14-day Turkey itinerary. Although no longer the Turkish capital (that’s now Ankara), Istanbul is the nexus of the nation, and you’ve got much to fit in during your stay.

After checking into one of the coolest boutique hotels in Istanbul (we recommend staying in Taksim or Sultanahmet for convenience), your first day of sightseeing will be spent in Sultanahmet, the history-laden heart of the Old City. 

Hagia Sophia

See the Magnificent Hagia Sophia

Topkapi Palace

Get a Topkapi Palace Ticket

This is the European side of Istanbul, and it’s where you’ll find sites like the Hagia Sophia , Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, and the Istanbul Archaeological Museum . You can marvel at the ruins of the Roman Hippodrome, see the Obelisk of Theodosius, and venture underground to explore the Basilica Cistern. 

Blue Mosque

Discover the Blue Mosque

Istanbul Archaeological Museum

Archaeological Museum Ticket

And after all that, you’ll still need a few hours to spend wandering through the cavernous markets of the Grand Bazaar, where spices tantalize your senses and the smell of baked bureks and Iskender kebabs chase you through the grand hallways. 

Grand Bazaar

Take a Grand Bazaar Shopping Tour

On Day 2, you’ll be crossing the Golden Horn to visit the equally historic district of Galata. Start by walking over Galata Bridge from Sultanahmet, where you’ll stop to see local fishermen reeling their catch from the depths of the estuary. 

Tackle the steep steps leading uphill to the Galata Tower, a watchtower built by the Byzantines in 1348, a century before the city fell to the Ottomans in 1453. The views from the top are incredible, and you can stop in the restaurant for a quick lunch break before carrying on to Taksim.

Wander around Galata District

Taksim Istiklal Street

Taksim is where modern Turkey collides with the past. From Galata, you’ll walk along Istiklal Street, a long pedestrian thoroughfare lined with 19th-century architecture and packed with shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, and museums. 

You can try the famous Turkish ice cream or hop into a takeaway restaurant for a kumpir , the largest baked potato you’ll have ever seen! Soon enough, you’ll reach Taksim Square, home to the Republic Monument and the modern Taksim Mosque. 

How to Get Around Istanbul

You can easily walk from one sight to the next with our Istanbul itinerary, but you may wish to use the trams or metro system to speed things up. If you do, then it’s useful to buy an IstanbulKart, which you can preload with fares and then use to tap on and off the public transport. 

City Transport Card for Bus, Metro, Tram, & Ferries

Izmir and Ephesus – 2 Nights

After a full Turkish breakfast in Istanbul, head over to Alibeykoy Otogar (an Istanbul bus station), where you can catch a bus to Izmir, Turkey’s second city. You can book tickets with Metro, a local bus company with regular connections, and you can expect a journey time of around 6 hours. Alternatively, you can fly between the two cities.

Izmir is an ancient port city (formerly called Smyrna), and if you leave Istanbul early enough, you should have enough time to visit a few sights in the afternoon. Izmir is more laid back than Istanbul. 

Start by visiting Konak Square, where there’s a beautiful clock tower, then head on over to Kemeralti Bazaar, where you’ll soon find yourself lost in the sights, sounds, and smells of the city’s traditional marketplace. Nearby you’ll see the Agora Archeological Site of Smyrna, an ancient Greek marketplace that’s remarkably well preserved, and you can learn more about the local history by visiting the Izmir Archaeological Museum. 

There’s still lots more to see, and you can visit Konak Pier on the seafront, enjoy great views from the top of Kadifekale (a historic castle looking over the city), or take a foodie tour of the city. 

Experience the Izmir City Tour

The next day, you’ve got two options to choose from (if you rent a car or driver, you could even fit in both!). The first is a day trip to Cesme, a colorful seaside town overlooking the Mediterranean. 

Enjoy the sea breeze and fresh seafood as you explore cobbled streets, or take a boat ride along the coast and a dip in the sea. Cesme is 1.5 hours from Izmir, and it’s an excellent option if you’re in need of a chilled-out beach day.

The second, most popular option is a day trip from Izmir to Ephesus, one of the top places to visit in Turkey. Ephesus is an hour’s drive south of Izmir, and it dates back to the days of the ancient Greeks. Ephesus was a leading Greek city, home to the Temple of Artemis and the Library of Celsus. 

The Romans had conquered the city by 129 BC, and many of the great classical ruins you see today date from the era of Roman rule that followed, including a magnificent amphitheater that could hold 24,000 spectators. You can reach either Cesme or Ephesus with a Dolmus from Izmir or you can join group tours from the city, rent a car, or hire a driver. 

Spend a Day in Ephesus

Pamukkale – 1 night

The ultimate 2-week Turkey itinerary has to include Pamukkale because there’s no other sight quite like this one anywhere else in the world!

Travertines

Pamukkale translates from Turkish into English as “Cotton Castle.” Above the town, dramatic “Travertines” have formed over millennia, leaving unusual salt-encrusted pools of water fed from below by thermal hot springs. You can walk among these strange Travertines in what is an unusual and unique experience. 

At the top of the Travertines, you’ll then find an equally exceptional sight: the ancient city of Hierapolis. Long ago, the ancient Greeks realized the healing qualities of the thermal waters that nourished the Travertines of Pamukkale. 

They built a city above this geological oddity, and Hierapolis became an early spa city. The Romans also loved the thermal springs, and they too built magnificent temples and a grand theater, much of which has been excavated in recent years.

You can wander along Roman streets overshadowed by tall marble columns, but best of all is the Hierapolis spa. This modern version of the Roman baths allows you to soak up the mineral water while swimming among ancient statues and columns from Hierapolis.

Pamukkale is at least three hours from Izmir, so you’ll want to maximize your time at the Travertines by spending the night here. You can catch a bus from Izmir to Denizli, from where you can take a taxi or jump in a Dolmus to Pamukkale, which is another half-hour drive away. 

Visit the Pamukkale Travertines

Fethiye – 2 nights

Today you’re transferring to Fethiye, a wonderful seaside city on the Mediterranean. Fethiye is a hub for the Turquoise Coast, and it’s a great base for both beach bumming and adventure activities.

We recommend joining a boat tour to explore the coastline. The options are varied, and you can sign up for day trips to the nearby Greek island of Rhodes, snorkeling or diving trips along the coast, or even party cruises. 

Enjoy a Rhodes Full-Day Tour

For a more chilled-out day, make your way over to Oludeniz, where you’ll find one of the most spectacular beaches in Turkey. Here, a turquoise blue bay is sheltered by Mediterranean rocks, and you can rent a deck chair and lounge in the sun while ordering up cold Efes beer. 

Explore the Bays and Islands around Oludeniz

Mount Babadag

Alternatively, you can get up early and paraglide off the top of Mount Babadag for an extreme bird’s-eye view of Oludeniz. Fethiye is also the starting point for the Lycian Way, a long-distance hiking trail that explores the region’s ancient history. 

Paraglide from Mount Babadag

The trail goes all the way south to Antalya, but you can just walk the first section to Oludeniz or the section from Oludeniz to Kayakoy (an abandoned Greek village that’s quite dramatic) if you’re looking for a day of outdoor activity. 

Antalya – 2 nights

After two days in Fethiye, the next stop on your Turkey itinerary is Antalya . You’ll be taking the bus down south, an easy journey that takes 3 hours. Once in Antalya, you can hop on a tram or take a taxi to the Old Town. 

Many people visiting Antalya come for the resorts. But we recommend staying in the Old Town (in Turkish, the Kaleici ), where there are some lovely boutique hotels located in historic Ottoman-style houses. 

Spend your first afternoon exploring the Old Town, harbor, and seafront (which date back to ancient times). You can visit Hadrian’s Gate (built by Roman Emperor Hadrian), the Antalya Museum (where there’s an excellent display of local Lycian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman history), or lounge the day away on Konyaalti Beach. 

Book a Guided Tour around Old Town

On your second day, we suggest taking a day trip from Antalya. You can hike further sections of the Lycian Way or visit the ancient ruins of Perge, Aspendos, or Termessos.

Perge and Aspendos

Journey to the Ancient Cities

Venture around the Ruins of Termessos

You could also take a trip to Demre, where you’ll find rock-hewn tombs carved by the Lycians, a Roman-era amphitheater dug into the cliffs, and the church of St Nicholas (who is said to be the real-life influence for Santa Claus). 

Tour Demre and the St. Nicholas Church

Cappadocia – 3 nights

Cappadocia is one of the best places to visit in Turkey. Located in the heart of an ancient geographical region known as Anatolia, Cappadocia is known for its otherworldly landscapes and jaw-dropping scenery. 

You’ll first need to take a bus from Antalya to Nevsehir. You’ll then transfer to Goreme (many bus companies include this in their ticket), where you’ll be staying in one of the town’s very unique cave hotels. 

Goreme is the heart of the Cappadocian UNESCO World Heritage Site. The first thing you’ll notice is the unusual rock formations, where wind and rain have shaped pliable rock into beautiful formations. 

People have shaped the rocks, too, and for centuries, Christian refugees fleeing persecution carved hidden homes and cave dwellings into the cliffs. You can visit the Goreme Open Air Museum to learn more before exploring the underground city of Derinkuyu, a staggering subterranean lair that could shelter some 20,000 people within its hand-carved depths.

Goreme Open Air Museum

See the Göreme Open-Air Museum

Visit Derinkuyu Underground City

The best way to understand Cappadocia is to take a hot air balloon flight. It’s an early start, but you’ll have a truly unforgettable time as you watch the sunrise over the landscapes below. You won’t want to leave Cappadocia, and before you do, you have a chance to ride horses, join off-road ATV adventures, and enjoy local dishes like the Pottery Kebab.

Hot Air Balloon Flight

Go on a Hot Air Balloon Tour

Ride Horses

Ride Horses through Valleys of Cappadocia

Off-road ATV Adventures

Get an ATV tour of Cappadocia

Cappadocia is an excellent destination for hiking, too. One of the best trails takes you through valleys and canyons from Goreme to the rocky castle overlooking Uchisar. Other great walks include Love Valley (you’ll soon guess why it’s called this!) and Red and Rose Valley.

Go on a Guided Day Trip to Cappadocia

Ankara – 1 night

The next day you’re back on the road and traveling north to the Turkish capital, Ankara. From Goreme, there are limited direct buses to Ankara, so you may need to change in Nevsehir or in Kayseri. It’s straightforward, and if you leave in the morning, you’ll be in Ankara for lunchtime (it’s around 4 hours by bus).

Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

Jump on the metro and head to central Ankara, where you can check into your hotel. Then make your way to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, where you can spend the afternoon exploring the many ancient civilizations that once called this region home.

The next day, get up bright and early for a full Turkish breakfast, then head on over to Ankara Castle . The Ottoman-era castle is in the heart of the restored Old Town, and as you wander around the colorful streets, you’ll start to get a sense of Ankara. The Old Town is small, compared to Istanbul, because until it became the capital in the 1920s, Ankara was little more than a village.

Mausoleum of Atatürk

In the afternoon, you can visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk . It’s a grand monument to the man who made Ankara the capital and the man that was given the title “Father of the Turks” after leading the nation into a new era after the fall of the Ottoman Empire following World War I. 

Explore the City of Ankara

Istanbul – 1 night

After exploring the sights of Ankara, you’ll be heading back to Istanbul. Despite being the capital, Ankara has relatively poor international flight connections, so we suggest taking the opportunity to spend one final night in Istanbul.

You can fly from Ankara to Istanbul, but we recommend taking the high-speed train. The journey time is 4.5 hours. The trains are comfortable and modern, so just sit back and watch the Turkish countryside roll past. You’ll have seen Istanbul’s major historic sights when you started your two-week Turkey itinerary, so this time, we recommend visiting the Asian side of the city for a different perspective.

Take the cross-continent ferry from the European side of Istanbul (where you can stay in Sultanahmet or Taksim) to Kadikoy. It’s a beautiful journey, and when you arrive, you’ll be thrown into what we’d call a more “local experience.” This isn’t a tourist district as such, but you’ll love exploring the Kadikoy Market, strolling along Bahariye Street, and drinking Turkish coffee on the seafront!

Take a Food Tour in Kadikoy

There you have it! That’s our perfect 2-week Turkey itinerary. Where will you be traveling on your trip to Turkey?

Planning a trip to Turkey? Check out our favorite books and travel guides!

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Richard is an award-winning travel writer based in Southwest England who’s addicted to traveling off the beaten track. He’s traveled to 75 countries and counting in search of intriguing stories, unusual destinations, and cultural curiosities. Richard loves traveling the long way round over land and sea, and you’ll find him visiting quirky micronations and breakaway territories as often as he’s found lounging on a beach (which is a lot). When he’s not writing for BBC Travel, National Geographic, or Lonely Planet, you can find Richard writing for the Wandering Wheatleys or updating his off-beat travel blog, Travel Tramp.

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Ultimate 2 Week Turkey Itinerary

Posted by Guest Blogger | Updated on Dec 19, 2023 | Published on Jun 10, 2023 | Turkey | 0

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

Guest post by Dania Demirci

Are you looking for all the details to plan the ultimate 2 week Turkey itinerary? If you don’t know where to go, what to do, or how to get there, it can feel overwhelming to begin planning.

We’ve created the ultimate guide to create your 2 week Turkey itinerary to help you plan an amazing trip.

Planning Your 2 Week Turkey Itinerary

If you’re planning a 2 week Turkey itinerary you need to know the essentials to get started. Learn everything from the best time of year to visit, how to get your visa, and the best way to get around on your trip.

Best Time of Year to Visit Turkey

The best time of year for a 2 week Turkey itinerary is April to October. The peak travel season is June, July, and August where you’ll see higher prices and more tourists in the major tourist destinations. If you’re planning to visit the coast and plan on swimming, anytime between June – October is ideal.

How Many Days to Travel in Turkey

If it’s your first time traveling to Turkey, plan at least 10-14 days to see all the major areas of Turkey. We suggest 3-4 days at each destination traveling at a medium pace.

The biggest mistake travelers make when planning their 2 week Turkey itinerary is not allowing enough time at each location. Their trip ends up rushed with not enough time to see the sites or unique experiences available in each region.

How to Get a Turkish e-Visa

To get your Turkish e-Visa visit the official e-visa application system for Turkey. There is a quick three-step process to apply and pay online. You’ll receive a PDF of your e-visa that you can download and print or save to your phone. We suggest applying at least a week before your trip.

Is it Safe to Travel in Turkey?

Yes, it is safe to travel to Turkey. To be and feel safe in Turkey during your trip, follow some basic travel tips such as:

·    Avoid political rallies and protests.

·    Be aware of your surroundings.

·    Stay up to date on political developments through your country’s Department of Foreign Affairs.

·    Avoid areas within 10km of the Syrian or Iranian borders.

·    Be respectful and knowledgeable of cultural norms.

Next, we’ll look at popular destinations for a 2 week itinerary in Turkey.

Where to Go in Turkey

If it’s your first trip to Turkey, we suggest going to the classic sites in Turkey. If you have more time or are planning a second or third trip to Turkey, you can plan on visiting off-the-beaten-path locations or doing a deep dive into one of your favorite destinations.

The most popular destinations in Turkey are:

·    Istanbul

·    Cappadocia

·    Antalya & the Mediterranean

·    Izmir & Ephesus

·    Pamukkale

Next, learn more about how to get around Turkey during your 2 week Turkey itinerary.

How to Get Around Turkey

There are several ways to get around Turkey during your trip. Depending on how you like to travel, you can choose what works best for your itinerary.

Traveling by plane for a 2 week Turkey itinerary is the most efficient way to get around when you are traveling in Turkey. If you’re flying in the high season, you need to book your flights as soon as possible. Flights will fill up and you want to make sure you get the best choice of flight times and direct flights to your next destination. For the best prices, look for in-country flights on SunExpress, Atlas Jet, Pegasus, and Onur Air.

Traveling by train can be a fun way to see the Turkish countryside that you normally wouldn’t see during your trip. There are high speed and overnight trains in Turkey, but not all of them will take you directly to your destination. You may need to catch a bus, dolmus or taxi from the train station to your main destination.

Traveling by bus is the cheapest way to travel around the country, but you need to have the time needed to travel. Also, it can be difficult to find the bus times in advance to plan your trip. Also, you’ll need to take a dolmus, taxi, or Uber from the bus station to your destination.

Taking a road trip through Turkey can be a fun experience but you will need enough time to travel between destinations. Another option is renting a car from the airport to explore the regions you are visiting. We do not recommend driving in Istanbul.

To drive in Turkey, you will need a valid driver’s license and an adventurous spirit.

Is the Museum Pass worth it?

If you plan on visiting historic sites and Museums during your trip to Turkey, we suggest purchasing the Turkey Museum Pass . It will give you entrance into the major sites for 15 days. You can purchase the pass at the first museum you visit in any region.

If you don’t want to purchase the pass, you can download the Museums of Turkey app on your phone. It will give you all the information on entrance fees, open hours, museum information, and what museums you are close to if your location settings are open on your phone.

Next, we’ll look at the best 2 week Turkey itinerary for your trip.

Best 2 Week Turkey Itinerary

The best 2 week Turkey itinerary includes visiting the classic sites during your trip. If you have more time, you can visit some of the off-the-beaten-path locations or spend more time in one destination.

Istanbul, Turkey Itinerary– 4 Nights

Arrive in Istanbul for the first day of your 2 week Turkey itinerary. We suggest your flight to have your flight arrive in Turkey in the late afternoon or evening. Spend time getting settled at your hotel and exploring the area around your hotel. Enjoy dinner at a local Turkish restaurant before getting a good night’s rest to start a full day of touring tomorrow.

Where to Stay in Istanbul

There are 2 areas we suggest staying in Istanbul during your 2 week Turkey itinerary. Our first suggestion is to stay in a boutique hotel in the Sultan Ahmet area. It is close to all the major attractions making everything easily walkable or using public transportation.

Another area to look at staying on the European side is the area near Galata Tower. It is walkable or you use public transportation to get over to the Sultan Ahmet area to visit the major sites in Istanbul.

The hotels we recommend in Istanbul are:

·    Sultanhan

·    Hotel Sultania

·    White House Hotel

Start your day with a Turkish breakfast then head out to the Sultan Ahmet district of Istanbul to visit the major attractions of the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Basilica Cistern.

For women visiting the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, be sure your knees are covered and you bring a scarf to cover your head to enter. Also note, these sites are active mosques and are not covered by the Turkey Museum Pass.

Istanbul – Bosphorus Cruise & Street Food

Today head out to see magnificent views of Istanbul from the water on a Bosphorus Cruise. You’ll see ancient fortresses and castles, Ottoman mansions, and luxury homes sitting right on the water. It gives you a new perspective of Istanbul that you won’t see anywhere else.

After your cruise, stop at the Galata Bridge for a fish sandwich from a local fishing boat. Take your time walking the streets to try any of the local dishes from durum wrap or doner to baklava and Turkish ice cream.

Next, make your way to the Grand Bazaar to spend the afternoon bargaining in the largest open market in the world. Navigate the 4,000 shops and 66 streets to find a souvenir to take home with you.

Istanbul – Topkapi Palace, Istanbul Archeological Museum, Stroll through Gulhane Park

It’s your last day in Istanbul for your 2 week Turkey itinerary! Today you’ll start at Topkapi Palace to learn more about Ottoman culture and architecture, tour the gardens and visit the harem. Then head over to the Istanbul Archeological Museum to view ancient artifacts from around Turkey. After touring the museum, stroll through Gulhane Park. If you’re visiting in the spring, this is where you find the famous Istanbul Tulip Festival.

Cappadocia, Turkey Itinerary – 3 Nights

Day 5 – fly to cappadocia – uchisar fortress, goreme open air museum & love valley.

This morning, plan a morning flight to the magical land of Cappadocia. The region is famous for its unique landscapes, fairy chimneys, and underground cities.

After getting settled at your hotel, head out to explore Uchisar Fortress and then over to Goreme Open Air Museum. If you have time, take a short hike through Love Valley to explore the landscapes of Goreme.

Where to Stay in Cappadocia

The region of Cappadocia is made up of many small towns and villages. We recommend looking in Goreme, Uchisar, or Urgup to find a place to stay in Cappadocia .

In Cappadocia, we recommend the following hotels:

·    Sultan Cave Suites

·    Museum Hotel

·    Kale Konak

Day 6: Cappadocia – Hot Air Balloon Ride & Zelve Open Air Museum, Avanos

For your first morning in Cappadocia, you’ll wake up early for the sunrise hot air balloon ride with Royal Balloon. It’s an experience you don’t want to miss. Plan this on our first morning just in case they need to reschedule due to bad weather.

After your hot air balloon ride, have breakfast then head to visit Zelve Open Air Museum – an ancient village and monastery carved into the landscape. Afterward, stop at Pasabag to walk the paths through the fair chimneys before going to the town of Avanos. Avanos is known for its pottery made with clay from the area. Go to the Chez Hakan Pottery Shop to try your hand at throwing clay.

Day 7: Cappadocia – Underground City & Ihlara Valley

Today go to the largest underground city discovered in Cappadocia, Derinkuyu. The ancient city goes 8 stories underground and has a fascinating history that dates back over 2000 years.

After visiting Derinkuyu head to Ihlara Valley a 14-km gorge that is as deep as 100m and home to many cave churches and dwellings.

Antalya, Turkey Itinerary – 4 Nights

Day 8: fly to mediterranean coast & antalya: antalya museum & kale ici.

Catch a morning flight to the Mediterranean city of Antalya . After getting settled in at your hotel, head to the Antalya Museum to learn more about the history of the area. The museum has some of the best well-preserved artifacts from historical sites in the region.

Next, head to Kale Ici also known as Old Town Antalya. Wander the cobblestone streets and see the old Ottoman houses, shops, and the old harbor. If you have time, take a boat trip to see beautiful views of the Antalya mountains, the Mediterranean Sea, Konyaalti Beach, and the dramatic cliffs along the city.

Where to Stay in Antalya

We recommend staying in the area of Konyaalti or Kale Ici while you’re in Antalya for your 2 week Turkey itinerary. If you’re planning on spending time at the beach, Konyaalti is an ideal area to stay. For couples or anyone looking for nightlife, you can also look at the Old Town area.

In Antalya, we recommend the following hotels:

·    Alp Pasa Hotel

·    Mediterra Art Hotel

·    Porto Bello Hotel & Spa

Day 9: Perge, Aspendos & Turkish Food

Have a big Turkish Breakfast at your hotel before visiting the ancient cities of Perge & Aspendos on the east side of Antalya. Both cities were conquered by Alexander the Great in 333 B.C. and are on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list.

Perge is known for its city planning and defense system. Aspendos has the largest Roman theater built in Asia Minor, which also hosts an International Opera & Ballet Festival in the summers.

After visiting the ancient cities, head back to Antalya to try some of the local Turkish food. We suggest Pasa Bey or Sultan Yar. Both Turkish restaurants have a history of making some of the best kebabs, doners, and lahmacun in town.

Day 10: Beach or Hiking Day: Beach – Konyaalti / Hiking Termessos or Lycian Way Lighthouse

Whether you’re looking for a beach day or other outdoor activities, Antalya has something for everyone. Today pick a beach day or go hiking – whichever for your preference.

If you want time in the Mediterranean Sea, go to Konyaalt Beach Park to lounge on the 7km pebble beach and swim in the sea. There are many beach cafes on site to rent lounge chairs.

If you’d rather go hiking, we suggest going to the mountain city of Termessos to hike and explore. For hiking with views along the coast, you can hike the Lighthouse section of the Lycian Way.

Day 11: Ancient City of Phaselis & Beach/ Mt. Olympos

On your last day go about 45 minutes west on the coastal road to the ancient city of Phaselis. Explore the city ruins and don’t forget to bring your swimsuit to swim in one of the 3 bays surrounding Phaselis. There are bathrooms and changing rooms on-site for your convenience.

After visiting Phaselis, ride the cable car up 2,543 meters to the top of Mt. Olympos for 360-degree views of the Tarsus mountains and the Mediterranean Sea.

Izmir & Ephesus, Turkey Itinerary – 2 Nights

Day 12 : fly to izmir & ephesus – village of sirince.

Today you’re catching a morning flight to Izmir. You’ll need an airport transfer to get to your hotel in Selcuk or Kusadasi near Ephesus about an hour away.

Drop your bags off at your hotel and then head up to the village of Sirince for a slow-paced day of local wine tasting, picturesque mountain views, and local shops.

Where to Stay Near Ephesus

There are several towns that you can stay in near the ancient city of Ephesus. We suggest the following accommodations:

·    Richmond Ephesus Resort in Selcuk

·    Nisanyan Houses in Selcuk

·    Charisma de Luxe Hotel in Kusadasi

Day 13 : Ephesus & Temple of Artemis

Get ready for a full day visiting the ancient city of Ephesus. You can visit on your own, but if you are interested in the details of the city, we suggest hiring a local guide for the day during your 2 week Turkey itinerary. There’s an entrance fee for the site, then an additional fee if you want to view the terrace houses (which we do recommend.)

After visiting Ephesus, visit the Temple of Artemis, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Ephesus Museum.

If you do have an extra day, you can plan a day trip to the thermal pools of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hieropolis

Day 14 : Fly to Istanbul to Head Home

This morning, catch a direct flight back to Istanbul for your trip home from 2 weeks in Turkey.

Conclusion: 2 Week Turkey Itinerary

In conclusion, use the ultimate 2 week Turkey itinerary to plan an amazing trip. Learn the essentials for your trip, where to go, how to get around, and what to do. The itinerary gives you a day by day travel details to plan your next trip to Turkey.

Author Bio: Dania Demirci is an American living on the Mediterranean coast in Turkey and the co-founder of Adventurefolio.com . She explores and shares her favorite things to do in Turkey with her family. She helps travelers confidently plan epic trips to Turkey.

Check out these additional related posts:

• How to Spend a Long Layover in Istanbul

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Complete 2 Weeks Itinerary Turkey

Turkey has been captivating travelers for centuries with its world-renowned archaeological sites, unique landscapes (such as those found at Pamukkale and Cappadocia), and its cosmopolitan cities (say hello to Istanbul). As such, with so much to see, this 2 weeks itinerary Turkey is here to help you uncover the best of this mesmerising country…

How long to spend in Turkey –

The first thing you need to know when planning a Turkey 2 week itinerary is that the country is huge! It’s more than 3X larger than the UK (or the combined size of Texas and Louisiana), so one of the biggest mistakes visitors can make is underestimating how long it takes to travel between destinations.

In this way, a week in Turkey doesn’t really allow enough time to see everything, making anywhere between 10-14 days preferable. With my 2 week Turkey itinerary, I was able to squeeze in visiting a lot of the most iconic sites without feeling rushed. For me, it was the perfect balance between historical cities, scenic landscapes, and all-important beach days…

Best time to visit Turkey? –

Turkey is a year round travel destination, yet April, May, and September are largely considered to be the best months to visit.

This is because the summer months are often uncomfortably hot, especially when you’re planning to spend lots of time outdoors exploring. Plus, June-August is also when you can expect the most crowds. Comparatively, winter can be quite cold, with snow in Istanbul and Cappadocia.

Therefore, I personally chose to visit in September, as there were fewer crowds, yet the weather was still warm (averaging around 18-25°C) which is perfect for both touring and relaxing.

Top Tip: Due to Turkey’s size, the weather can vary across the country. For example, Istanbul tends to be far colder than the south coast throughout the year. Therefore, it’s best to pack layers when planning a cross-country trip.

Turkey Travel Tips (Religion, Language & Currency) –

Straddling the border of two continents, Turkey’s culture is a unique melting pot of both Western and Eastern customs. Thus, whilst the vast majority of its people are Muslim, the country is still quite liberal with no restrictions on how visitors should dress, etc. Plus, whilst the official language is Turkish, English is also widely spoken.

Leading on from the above, when visiting you can expect a warm hospitality from the Turkish people. Yet it’s important to remain vigilant as the country did face political unrest in the late 2010s and has experienced some recent terrorist incidents. This said, overall it is considered safe to travel and I didn’t experience anything that made me worried or uncomfortable during my time in the country.

Luckily for your bank account, it’s also relatively inexpensive to travel in Turkey, with food, transport, and accommodation all being very affordable. The Turkish Lira (TL) is the official currency used, yet you may find that some places also accept Euros. I found it best to exchange a small amount of cash for Turkish Lira pre-travel, and then find an ATM or bank to withdraw any extra needed.

Top Tip: Whilst Turkey is not extremely conservative, I’d recommend that ladies carry a scarf or wrap to cover their heads/shoulders if needed, especially if you plan to visit any Mosques.

How To Travel in Turkey –

The cheapest option for traveling around Turkey is via public transport. Even so, whilst it’s possible to travel by train or bus (together they connect much of the country) I would suggest hiring a car to explore. This will allow you to be more flexible with your itinerary, and means you can stop off to see more places along the way!

It’s easy to navigate around Turkey as the roads are in great condition. Plus, they’re serviced by plenty of petrol stations and restaurants if you need a break. I did discover that there’s a strong police presence along the highways, so be prepared that you may be stopped at checkpoints and asked to show your passport.

You may also find that the quickest way to travel between some popular destinations is by taking an internal flight. With only 2 weeks in Turkey, time is limited, so heading to the airport for key journeys will save you many precious hours (more on this in my itinerary below).

TOP TIP: If you’re traveling solo or worried about driving in Turkey, going on a group tour is another fantastic way to discover the country!

2 Weeks Itinerary Turkey –

Ready to get into my day-by-day suggestions for what to see and do? This 2 weeks itinerary Turkey delves into Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Fethiye, and more…

Days 1-2 Istanbul:

All the best Turkey itineraries start from its cultural capital: Istanbul . The city has fantastic flight connections to most places in Europe, thus making it the easiest place to start your trip. More than this though, the city can’t be missed due to its sheer number of bucket list sites and 3,000 year history.

During my own two weeks in Turkey, my flight into Istanbul landed in the afternoon. This meant I sadly only had 24 hours to explore the city the following day. This is a tough ask since Istanbul is now one of the largest cities in Europe. Yet, with a carefully planned 1 day Istanbul Itinerary , I found enough time to see the highlights.

Leading on from above, with limited time in Istanbul, it’s important to prioritise what you most want to see and do. My top suggestions include: Topkapi Palace (the former home of Ottoman Sultans), the breathtakingly beautiful Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, and Hagia Sophia (which is argued to be the 8th wonder of the ancient world).

DID YOU KNOW? Istanbul is a “bridge” between continents. The city spreads across both sides of the Bosphorus Strait, meaning one-half of Istanbul sits in Europe, and the other in Asia. Thus, a fantastic way to see the city if you have time is by taking a Bosphorus river cruise.

Day 3 Fly or Drive to Cappadocia:

Above I mentioned that you may want to take internal flights during your Turkey itinerary for key journeys. This was mainly in reference to traveling to and from Cappadocia. Insanely beautiful, the region is a must-visit. It’s become famous for its captivating landscapes and photogenic hot air balloon rides. Yet, unfortunately, it’s around 500 miles (756km) away from Istanbul.

In this way, it takes around 8-10 hours to reach by car. In contrast, Turkish Airlines operates daily hour-long flights out of Istanbul to Nevşehir (Cappadocia’s airport) . Meaning, flying is by far the most convenient and quickest way to reach Cappadocia. This is important since you’ll want to spend as much time as possible discovering the beautiful “land of the horses”.

On the other hand, I did actually drive from Istanbul to Cappadocia during my own trip (it’s with hindsight that I suggest flying instead, as I would have loved more time in the region). This said driving is a fantastic way to see more of the country.

For example, we broke up the drive by stopping overnight in the vibrant university town of Eskisehir . Sitting along the banks of the Porsuk River, it has a cosmopolitan, modern, yet relaxing vibe, which I very much enjoyed after the chaos of Istanbul.

Another surprising destination to see on the road between Istanbul and Cappadocia is the beautiful Tuz Gölü (Salt Lake). Despite being the second-largest lake in Turkey, it’s extremely shallow. Couple this with its vast natural salt flats, and you get a seemingly endless panoramic view of glittering white as far as the eye can see!

SIDE NOTE: Tuz Gölü had dried up when I visited, somewhat minimising the sparkling reflection. But, this is not to say that the visit wasn’t worthwhile, and I’d still recommend stopping if you decide to drive from Istanbul to Cappadocia.

Days 4-6 Cappadocia:

However you decide to reach Cappadocia, with my Turkey itinerary 14 days you’ll have a minimum of 48 hours to enjoy the iconic destination and its spectacular landscapes.

Of course, the main reason a lot of people want to visit Cappadocia (myself included), is to enjoy arguably the most beautiful hot air balloon ride in the world! Most mornings, 100s of balloons take flight in the region, drifting through wondrous valleys as the sunrises. A true once in a lifetime experience!

In addition to the hot air balloons, I was pleased to discover that there are plenty of other wonderful things to do in Cappadocia. For one, there’s a plethora of unmissable viewpoints that offer different perspectives over the unique terrain and “fairy chimneys ” found in the area. Incredibly, these are thought to have been created via an eruption from the nearby Mount Erciyes 30-60 million years ago.

Another must-see is the Göreme Open Air Museum where you can discover thousand year old caves that feature intricate religious frescoes and drawings.

Furthermore, whilst in Cappadocia, I recommend basing yourself out of the uniquely charming historic village of Göreme. Close to the Open Air Museum, it feels like stepping back in time since the majority of the buildings are still carved out of the rock, including the restaurants and hotels! Staying in a so-called “Cave Hotel” is thus all part of the Cappadocia experience.

Overall, its blend of natural beauty and distinctive history made Cappadocia my favourite destination of this entire Turkey itinerary!

TOP TIP: When planning your Cappadocia itinerary make sure you try and book a hot air balloon ride for your first morning. This is because it’s worthwhile having a few “backup” days in case the flight gets cancelled, which isn’t uncommon.

Days 6-8 Antalya:

Whilst, I could have easily spent a whole two weeks exploring Cappadocia, the diversity of Turkey means that there are more beautiful destinations to discover, none more so than Antalya.

Sitting along Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, Antalya is known for its sun-drenched beaches, and as such is the perfect place to sit back and relax for a few days.

More than this though, the ‘Old Town’ is full of charm and character. Marked by Hadrian’s Gate, a triumphant triple arch that was built in 130AD to celebrate the visit of Emperor Hadrian, it’s full of Ottoman-style houses, delicious restaurants, and local shops. Plus, if you head towards the traditional harbour you’ll be treated to terrific views out across the water!

Similarly to traveling from Istanbul, there are daily flights from Cappadocia to Antalya which take around one hour. Again, this would be my recommended option as the drive is 7-8 hours long and there’s not much to see on the way.

Day 9 Travel to Fethiye (Via Saklikent Gorge):

Located in the Aegean region of southwest Turkey, Fethiye is the next stop on my suggested itinerary. As such, more immaculate beaches and turquoise waters await. But first, Saklikent Gorge can’t be missed en route from Antalya…

Pristinely beautiful, Saklikent is one of the deepest canyons in the world! 1000m deep and 18km long, it’s a delight to explore. For a slight fee, visitors are invited to traverse wooden walkways, discover waterfalls and step into ancient caves.

TOP TIP: The entrance fee to Saklıkent Gorge is super affordable at just 10TL per person.

Whilst I did find the Gorge to be quite busy, once passed the bulk of the crowds, it felt like a true adventure. I loved ambling over the rocks and wading through the refreshing river! Plus, its natural beauty is undeniably striking.

After exploring the delights of Saklikent Gorge, it’s only a short drive onto the aforementioned town of Fethiye . Framed by towering mountains and marked by a natural harbour, it’s another paradise for sun-seeking in Turkey…

Day 10 Fethiye:

With just one day of this Turkey travel itinerary to spend in Fethiye, you may be tempted to just chill at your hotel and wander the local area. However, the true highlight here is the magical Aegean Sea. Therefore a day on the water cannot be missed!

In this way, you’ll find that there are countless options when it comes to choosing a boat tour, but I’d suggest bargaining with locals to find a good deal (or you can book online ).

Prices can vary from £300 to just £30 for a tour on large ‘pirate’ styled ships. For me, these seemed extremely crowded and busy (far from the relaxing trip I was after). So, I opted to spend a bit more money to enjoy a more local experience and wasn’t disappointed. Not much can beat sailing between aquamarine bays, snorkelling, and lounging in the sun!

Once back ashore, if you’re an adrenaline seeker, you may want to head straight to Ölüdeniz beach and Mount Babadağ (which sits above the bay). This is because Fethiye is seen as one of the best places in the world to go paragliding!

This is one experience I regret missing out on during my 2 weeks in Turkey . However, I won’t complain about having a reason to return to the heavenly Fethiye!

Day 11 Pamukkale (Stay in Kusadasi):

After several days of enjoying Turkey’s fantastic Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, I felt ready to jump back into sightseeing and continue my 2 weeks itinerary Turkey by visiting more bucket-list attractions, starting with Pamukkale (which is a three-hour drive from Fethiye).

Translating to mean “Cotton Castle”, Pamukkale is one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. It’s comprised of gleaming white terraced pools that were formed via ancient hot springs flowing over the mountain’s edge.

No one quite knows when Pamukkale was created, but the springs have drawn visitors since the second century BC. With average temperatures between 35-100°C, the aquamarine water still flows, meaning visitors can still bathe in the ‘travertines’ today.

This said you won’t need long to explore the pools at Pamukkale. As one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey, the travertines get extremely busy. Thus, I found it to be more of a “dip your toes in” experience as opposed to sitting down to relax in the hot springs.

TOP TOP: The oldest travertines, found at the top of the hill, are now closed to visitors to help preserve them. This has created a wonderful viewpoint whereby you can look out over the pools without seeing any people.

Pamukkale is also home to the incredible ancient Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis , which sits atop the “Cotton Castle”. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, the “Holy City” is littered with well-preserved Byzantine ruins. These include a theatre built to accommodate 10 thousand people, and of course, a Roman Baths.

Another popular attraction is the Antique Pool, which Cleopatra is rumoured to have swum in… Today, the pool has a clear manmade influence, with retaining walls and marble columns placed at the bottom. Nonetheless, it’s definitely a unique place to take a dip!

TOP TIP: To enter both Hierapolis and Pamukkale tickets cost 25TL. Note though that access to Cleopatra’s pool is an extra 32TL.

After spending a good few hours exploring Pamukkale, continue your Turkey travel itinerary with a three-hour drive to Kusadasi (my recommended base for the next few nights). This growing modern city is home to a large cruise port, meaning it’s got a bustling atmosphere and fantastic nightlife. However, it’s also ‘the gateway to Ephesus’ and therefore can’t be missed…

Day 12 Ephesus (Visit from Kusadasi):

Ephesus was one of the attractions that I was most excited to visit during my two weeks in Turkey, and it didn’t disappoint…

Thought to have been founded in the eleventh century B.C., Ephesus is one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world! Once an important port, it was home to incredible monuments like the Temple of Artemis (one of the original 7 wonders of the world). As such, at its peak, the city was second only to Rome as a cosmopolitan center of culture.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that Ephesus is an extremely popular place to visit in Turkey. So, despite staying in Kusadasi (which is only 25 minutes away), I recommend visiting as early in the morning as possible to avoid the crowds, namely cruise day-trippers.

As such, when visiting I made sure to arrive when the gates opened at 8:30am, and headed straight for the main sights. Some of the most popular things to see at Ephesus are the iconic Library of Celsus , the amphitheatre, and the main harbour street. Walking around, I found it easy to imagine how impressive the city must have been!

TOP TIP: Tickets to Ephesus cost 200TL (10 Euros), and the summer opening hours are 8:30am to 6pm .

Another thing not to be missed is the covered Terrace House Complex. You do have to pay a small additional fee to enter, but the excavated villas offer a captivating insight into the inhabitant’s everyday lives, with graffiti-covered walls, and amazingly preserved mosaics and frescoes.

Overall, touring Ephesus will take a good few hours. Yet, by visiting early in the morning, you’ll still have time in the afternoon for a bit of relaxation back in Kusadasi. “Ladies Beach” is within close proximity to the city center and has excellent facilities with sun lounges to rent and several beach bars. Better still simply hit up your hotel pool as I did!

Day 13 Ancient City of Troy and Pergamon (Stay in İzmir):

The penultimate day of my 2 weeks itinerary Turkey, ends in the vibrant city of İzmir . Yet first, more ancient cities await starting with Hisarlik , which historians have identified as the legendary city of Troy …

Just 90 minutes from Kusadasi, this stop is honestly a slight novelty, but any fans of Greek Mythology (or the Brad Pitt movie ‘Troy’) would enjoy it. The first thing to know is yes there is a “Trojan Horse” replica, but overall, the site is quite underwhelming since the city was actually repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt.

This said I did find it fascinating to learn about the archaeological research that has gone into unpacking the city’s secrets. In addition, being able to distinctly see the different “layers” of the city, as it was rebuilt throughout each century, is quite unique.

After spending a little bit of time exploring Troy, we drove onwards towards the often-overlooked Acropolis of Pergamon, which is located just north of İzmir.

Founded in the 3rd century BC, Kale Hill sets the scene for Pergamon as it’s marked by steep sloping terrain. The Acropolis (Royal City) crowns the hill, with further Byzantine and Ottoman remains found on the lower slopes.

This hilltop position means the views at Pergamon are enough to warrant a visit alone. Plus, they can be enjoyed from the outset as you ride a cable car up towards the ancient city. What I loved most about Pergamon however was how quiet it was. We basically had the whole site to ourselves and it made exploring the ruins even more exciting!

Although less well preserved and excavated than Ephesus, notable things to look out for in Pergamon include its theatre (the steepest in the ancient world) and library, which once had an incredible collection of 200,000 scrolls, until Mark Antony gifted them all to Cleopatra…

As stated, I think Pergamon is severely underrated as in many ways I preferred it to Ephesus! Even so, you only need around an hour to discover the much smaller site, meaning you should arrive in İzmir before it gets too late.

İzmir is another Turkish city located on the Aegean Sea. With a palm-lined promenade and Instagramable streets, it undoubtedly has a youthful feel, and intriguing cross-cultural history. However, as the third largest city in Turkey, it’s the international airport that makes İzmir the perfect place to end a Turkey itinerary.

Day 14 Travel Back To Istanbul from Izmir:

The final day of my Turkey 2 week itinerary is sadly largely a travel day. As stated above İzmir is perfectly located for easy direct flights to other destinations across Europe. Likewise, there are regular flights back to Istanbul if you’d like to make your 2 weeks in Turkey a circular trip. I opted for the latter to enjoy some time back in Istanbul, which I’d highly recommend as there’s always more to see in the bustling city.

That concludes my guide on how to see the best of Turkey in 2 weeks. As you can probably tell, there is a seemingly endless amount of beautiful and interesting places to visit across the country. So, whilst this is definitely the best Turkey itinerary for seeing the highlights in two weeks, there are lots more places to discover. Thus I’m in no doubt that I’ll soon be returning…

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The Best Two Week Turkey Itinerary- How to Spend 2 Weeks in Turkey

If you’re looking for unusual landscapes, fascinating ancient history, fantastic beaches and gorgeous seaside towns, Turkey needs to be on your travel bucket list. I recently spent two weeks exploring Turkey and the trip ended up being the best adventure possible. So since so many people have asked how I planned the trip, I thought I’d share my 2 week Turkey itinerary!

I’d been to Turkey as a child and had fond memories of climbing over huge ancient ruins and sailing on deep blue seas. And although Turkey is known for its gorgeous beaches and excellent resorts, there’s so much more to see throughout the country. I most recently went to Turkey alone for a 2 week adventure, and I was surprised to find that travelling around Turkey as a solo female traveller was completely safe and fine.

My Turkey itinerary ended up including (in order): the lively beach town of Bodrum (two days), the ancient ruins in Ephesus (one day), the natural wonder of Pamukkale (one day), before a magical adventure sailing on a traditional Turkish Gulet boat (three days). The second week was spent with one day in Istanbul , before heading to the out of this world landscapes of Cappadocia (four days).

I travelled across Turkey solo and entirely on public transport, using buses, trains and planes. You can read all about this in my detailed guide to public transport in Turkey .

So this guide to a 2 week Turkey itinerary guide will cover where to go, how to get between destinations, where to stay and all of the best things to see and do. I’ll attempt to cover everything you might need to know for your own Turkey adventure, so read on and start planning your own 2 week Turkey itinerary!

2 Week Turkey itinerary: Essential things to know

How long to spend in turkey.

I’d recommend an action-packed 2 week itinerary for Turkey. Or at least of a minimum of 10 days in Turkey. This is ample time to visit the main sites and get a really good feel for the country.

However, if you have less time, for example just one week in Turkey – I’d recommend perhaps visiting just two or three destinations from this guide.

A three week Turkey itinerary could include an additional location perhaps. or more time in Istanbul to really learn about its fascinating history and mix of cultures. Alternatively, a 3 week itinerary in Turkey could be spent entirely along its beautiful coastline. You could hike the country’s famous Lycian Way which traverses beautiful craggy mountains, pine forests and weaves through typical Turkish coastal villages. The options in Turkey are endless – it is a country that really encompasses so much!

When is the best time to visit Turkey?

Quite an important question when planning your trip is deciding when to visit Turkey. The summer months (May to September) are the peak times to visit with long sunny hot days and little rain. But if you’re not keen on this, then the shoulder months (April and October) would also be a good time to visit.

If you were to visit Turkey in the winter, you might even experience Cappadocia as a winter wonderland!

However, if you’re planning on sailing the Turquoise Coast in Turkey or visiting any other coastal places, it would definitely be advisable to go in the summer months. As with many beach areas in Europe, many restaurants and hotels often do not open until early May.

Getting around Turkey

Although Turkey is a vast country, I find Turkey very easy to get around by public transport. Using the buses, trains, dolmuş (minibus services) and domestic airlines, public transport made for an efficient and convenient way to explore the country.

I found most public transport ran mostly on time, was very affordable, could be booked at the last minute and was clean/comfortable. I really enjoyed the independence that using public transport in Turkey afforded me. You can read my guide to using public transport in Turkey here.

What to take to Turkey?

What you should bring to Turkey really depends on the time of year that you visit. If you’re visiting in the summer months, you’ll need some good walking shoes for all of the sightseeing and exploring. I would also recommend a sunhat, plenty of suntan lotion and sunglasses!

As Turkey is mostly Muslim, there are some places where you need to cover up – particularly in religious buildings in Istanbul. However, the country on the whole is fairly relaxed and not too strict.

Is it safe to travel to Turkey?

Turkey has experienced periods of political unrest over the past decade, as well as several attacks. But of recent, Turkey has been declared safe to travel.

In fact, most governments around the world still advise travellers to not go near the border area with Syria. Which is understandable.

Fortunately, most of the major tourist attractions in Turkey, and all those included in this Turkey itinerary are nowhere near.

I found the Turkish people to be nothing but kind and hospitable throughout the country. The only city to use some extra caution would be Istanbul, just as with any other city in Europe.

Itinerary Planning for 2 Weeks in Turkey

Turkey is a popular summer tourist destination for countries across Europe. Therefore, its coastal towns have large airports so you might not have to start your trip in Istanbul.

You could for example fly into Bodrum, Izmir, Antalya or Dalaman Airports, all of which are on the coast and mean you wouldn’t necessarily need start your Turkey itinerary in Istanbul.

As mentioned, Turkey is one of the best countries to travel around independently. It has a very comprehensive, well-priced and convenient public transport system in place. So no matter where you start your Turkey trip, it’s likely you’ll be able to travel to your next destination with ease.

Useful tips for travelling in Turkey

• Check visa/entry requirements to enter Turkey . Visa costs depend vary depending on nationality. You can apply for your visa ahead of time on the official Turkish government e-visa website  here .
• Currency . The main form of currency is the Turkish Lira (often referred to as TL). ATMs are widely available.
• Language . Turkish is the most spoken language in Istanbul. Most people, especially those in hospitality or food & beverage, speak English very well so you shouldn’t have a problem with communication.

The Museum Pass  

This excellent pass is a great buy if you are visiting several places in the city, especially for many of the destinations in this two week Turkey itinerary. It covers your entry to many attractions and archaeological sites across Turkey, including Ephesus , Pamukkale and Istanbul . You can buy it online here , or at any of the attractions that offer it.

Example route for 2 weeks in Turkey

I travelled in late August and chose to fly from London to Bodrum as this was the most affordable flight. It actually worked out to be a brilliant first stop.

I knew I was interested in visiting Ephesus and as soon as I realised the public transport would be straight forward to get there, I decided Bodrum would be a great place to start my Turkey itinerary.

Bodrum was charming, lively, interesting and beautiful. It was such a pleasant surprise and Bodrum town centre has none of the large all-inclusive resort hotels I expected. The big resort hotels are located just out of town, leaving the centre of Bodrum to be a delightful car-free place. You could easily spend just one or two days in Bodrum, or a whole week soaking up the sun and enjoying the beaches. I’ve written a longer guide on what to do and in see in Bodrum , which will give you everything you need to know before deciding whether or not to include Bodrum in your Turkey itinerary.

Where to stay in Bodrum

There are plenty of brilliant budget hotels in Bodrum, as well as more luxury options. I stayed at the excellent Eskici hotel (you can check rates here at  Booking.com ).

A few suggestions for some other great budget hotels in Bodrum: 

• Istankoy Hotel
• Asmin Hotel Bodrum
• 7. Art Feslegen Hotel

In terms of luxury hotels in Bodrum, there are many to pick from. I’ve listed some of the best below:

• Mandarin Oriental
• The Bodrum EDITION
• LUX* Bodrum Resort & Residences
• Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay

The best things to do in Bodrum

From wandering its charming streets and visiting the historic Bodrum Castle, to sampling the best of Turkish cuisine in the atmospheric restaurants, there’s plenty of attractions to see and things to do in Bodrum .

If you’re only visiting for a short time, one idea could be to book a local tour. I’ve suggested a few with GetYourGuide below covering all of the must-see attractions in Bodrum:

• Full Day Orak Island Boat Trip
• Pirate Boat Trip from Bodrum
• Traditional local hammam
• Bodrum City Sightseeing Tour

Ephesus and Selçuk

Next stop, Ephesus and the nearby town of Selçuk. Travel time: 2h30 on public bus direct from Bodrum.

The ancient ruins of Ephesus are definitely one of the top things to do in Turkey. Located relatively nearly Izmir and also the cruise port of Kusadasi, the ruins are popular with cruise day-trippers. Huge crowds arrive at Ephesus everyday. I’ve written a long guide you can read here covering how to visit Ephesus without the crowds.

I chose to visit Ephesus and the adjacent town of Selçuk after Bodrum, as I realised it was a straight forward bus from between the two. I spent a full day exploring Ephesus, before spending the night in Selçuk.

Where to stay near Ephesus

As I mentioned, Selçuk is the nearest town to Ephesus. There are several mid-range hotels here to choose from, all catering for tourists visiting Ephesus. I stayed at the Saint John Hotel, which was about a five minute walk to the train station and offered a really pleasant stay. 

The lovely hotel is family-owned and run, and they made me feel right at home. You can check rates for  Saint John Hotel here .

What to see at Ephesus?

The main archeological sites include the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Artemis and the amphitheatres. At the entrance you can pick up a map, and there is signage throughout, so you could give yourself a self-guided tour through Ephesus. However, you can arrange a tour through a local tour company in town, or book on a tour with GetYourGuide advance:

• Ephesus 2 hour small group walking tour
• Full day Ephesus tour with lunch
• Full day tour to Ephesus from Bodrum

Next stop: Pamukkale. Travel time from Selçuk to Denizli: 3hr30 by direct train.

This spectacular natural wonder is unusual and distinctly different to anything else in Turkey. I’d highly recommend including a visit to Pamukkale on any Turkey itinerary. Not only can you submerge yourself in these pools, but you also explore Hierapolis at the top. Here are some more fantastic ancient ruins, which are perhaps even more spectacular than Ephesus – and definitely more overlooked.

We took the train from Selçuk to Denizli, which was just over 3 hours. From Denizli, we took the local bus to Pamukkale which was really straightforward.

However, a day trip to natural wonder of Pamukkale does require a bit of pre-planning. It’s almost essential to try and arrive before the day tripper crowds arrive. It’ll make for a much better experience and you can enjoy an hour or more of the pools to yourself.

Visiting Pamukkale can be done as a day trip from nearby Denizli (and other towns in Turkey). You see many tours offering this and I’ve popped a few suggestions below:

• Pamukkale Small Group Tour from Kusadasi & Selcuk
• Antalya: Full-Day Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour & Lunch
• Pamukkale and Hierapolis Full-Day Guided Tour
• Private Pamukkale (Hierapolis) Tour: Full-Day from Izmir
• Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour from Marmaris
• Ephesus and Pamukkale: Day Trip by Plane from Istanbul

However, I strongly recommend spending the night before in the town of Pamukkale for a less hurried experience. My guide to visiting Pamukkale is well worth a read if you’re planning on going.

However, one full day and one night is sufficient time to explore Pamukkale.

Where to stay in Pamukkale

If you choose for the convenience of an overnight stay in Pamukkale, there are several mid-range hotels to pick from. I stayed at the Melrose House Hotel which was the perfect base from which to explore Pamukkale. You can check rates for this great hotel  here .

If you’re looking for something a little more fancy, you could choose Doğa Thermal Health & Spa or Richmond Pamukkale Thermal .

Sailing the Turquoise Coast

Next stop: Fethiye for a gulet cruise. Travel time from Denizli to Fethiye: 2hr40 by direct bus

Sailing along the Turquoise coast is a magical way to spend time in this beautiful country. If you can include a gulet cruise in your Turkey itinerary, you will definitely not regret it. The stunning coastline is lined with deep emerald green pine forests, craggy rock faces, charming Turkish villages and fascinating history. It is also where you can go paragliding above Ölüdeniz.

Spending a few nights on board a traditional Turkish wooden gulet cruise boat is a fantastic and authentic way to sail the coastline. The gulet boats tend to sail between Fethiye and a town near Antalya called Olympos. I departed from Fethiye for my gulet sailing trip.

I’d say I definitely wouldn’t choose to return to Fethiye for a longer trip on another occasion as I found it to be over commercialised and the total opposite of quaint.

There are plenty of local companies to pick from for your sailing trip in Turkey. I would definitely recommend local company Alaturka Cruises who I found online in advance of my visit. The gulet boat was great, the team fantastic and their email support before the gulet departed was brilliant.

I’ve written a much longer and extensive guide to sailing the Turquoise Coast in Turkey here. I’ve covered everything you’d need to know including when to go, how to get to the departure points, what to take on the sailing trip and what to do in each of the ports.

The sailing trips along the Turkish coastline tend to finish in a small town called Olympos. A unique town in itself as it offers treehouse stays in a densely forested gorge. However, instead of staying here, I took a quick domestic flight from Antalya to Istanbul.

Travel time from Olympos to Antalya airport on a bus: 1h30. Flight from Antalya to Istanbul: 1hr.

Istanbul is a city like no other. Straddling two continents, Asia and Europe, it is a true melting pot of religions, cultures, backgrounds and traditions. I only had one day in Istanbul but I felt I visited a good number of the best attractions in the city. I’ve written a detailed guide on all of the top things to see and do in Istanbul if you only have one day or maybe a weekend to spend in the city. However, if you’re looking for a slightly longer guide to the city, then do check this two day guide to Istanbul here.

An absolute must visit destination in any 2 week Turkey itinerary, Istanbul offers a mesmerising experience. From its Grand Bazaar, one of the biggest indoor markets in the world, to the fascinating Hagia Sofia, a religious structure that has been used by Christians and Muslims through time.

Where to stay in Istanbul

Istanbul has thousands of hotels to choose from, covering budget bases to ultra-luxurious palatial stays.

I enjoyed an excellent stay at the  Intercontinental Istanbul , which was well located and adjacent to Taksim Square. It offered the most impressive breakfast and had a lovely pool to enjoy after a long day of sightseeing in the city. You can check rates for this hotel  here . 

Some of the other best luxury hotels in Istanbul include: 

• Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At Sultanahmet
• Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus
• Raffles Istanbul

If you’re looking for somewhere as more of a comfortable base, these are some of the best value for money hotels in Istanbul: 

• Pera Palace Hotel 
• Georges Hotel Galata
• Yasmak Sultan
• Neorion Hotel

Travel time from Istanbul to Kayseri: 1hr flight

From Istanbul, it’s a quick and easy flight to Kayseri, which is the nearest airport to Cappadocia.

I think a visit to this surreal town withits magical fairy chimneys and mesmerising sunrises, is essential on any Turkey trip. Most of the best attractions and sites in Cappadocia can be visited in a two or three day visit. Plus, with regular flights from several Turkey airports, it’s pretty easy to include Cappadocia on any Turkey itinerary.

I spent four days in Cappadocia and thought it was one of the best places I have ever visited in the world. Staying at a cave hotel is an absolute must-do whilst in Cappadocia – we stayed at the beautiful Sultan Cave Suites . This cave hotel has become super famous thanks to Instagram and its incredible terrace, which is the perfect place to capture a Cappadocia sunrise photo .

The best cave hotels in Cappadocia

There are so many cave hotels in beautiful Cappadocia to choose from, so it isn’t an easy decision to decide where to stay.

Sultan Cave Suites is one of the most popular cave hotels to stay in Cappadocia. You can read my full guide to staying at this amazing cave hotel – it was incredible! Check rates for the Sultan Cave Suites here!

However, if it is fully booked, there are still so many other amazing cave hotels from which to pick.

Some of other best cave hotels in Cappadocia include:

• Kelebek Special Hotel
• Aydinli Cave Hotel

The best attractions in Cappadocia

One of the very best things to do in Cappadocia is to witness one of the incredible sunrises. If you can, do it twice. Once from a beautiful viewpoint, such as the terrace at the Sultan Cave Suites hotel (you must be a guest) and once from a hot air balloon ride.

But that’s not all there is to do in Cappadocia. Some of the other main attractions include the visiting the Göreme Open Air Museum, exploring the nearby village of Uçhisar and some of the incredible rock formations at Pasabag and Devrent. This detailed guide here covers all of the best things to do and see in Cappadocia .

If you’re short on time, it’s best to see all the top attractions in Cappadocia on an organised day tour. You can arrange this through your hotel, or you can plan your time in advance by booking a tour through GetYourGuide:

• South Cappadocia tour with trekking
• Quadbike safari through the valleys
• Cappadocia highlights tour with lunch
• Cappadocia full day private tour

Turkey Itinerary

So that’s my 2 week Turkey itinerary. The perfect mix of historical sites, a sailing adventure, a cosmopolitan and cultural city, and the otherworldly magic of Cappadocia. As mentioned, I got around purely by public transport in Turkey which I found to be safe, especially as a solo female traveller, as well as cost efficient.

I do hope this guide for a 2 week Turkey itinerary is useful. Naturally, the more time you have, the places you can visit. Although some places, such as Pamukkale, you really you don’t need to spend more than one day in.

Feel free to drop me a line if you would like any advice or further recommendations? If you’ve enjoyed this post, please do share using the below links!

Wanna see more? Check my Instagram  here , my Facebook  here  or my Twitter  here !

Disclaimer: This visit to Turkey was entirely paid for by myself and there was no involvement from the tourism board or a hotel. This is an independent guide.

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looks amazing! especially pamakullae pics. so white. I have seen pictures which usually seem so crowded but this one shows the actual beauty

Wow! Your pictures confirm how Turkey is one of the best places to visit in the world. And your itinerary help a lot for us who has never been there and plan to make a visit.

Thanks for this great overview of the best escapes in Turkey; really liked the layout of this post. We didn’t visit it on our last trip in that part of the world, but hopefully we’ll visit this gem on our next vacation. We love your photos too much!!

your pictures are amazing, they took me right there. What time of the year did you go? Great Itinerary for people who are getting ready to visit.

Thank you! I went in late August, early September! Hot but perfect! x

This is perfect timing! Im hoping to go here soon and this blog is a fabulous and full of great info! I should have went with you! If you only had a week, what 2 places were your favorite? Thank you for sharing!

Ah awesome!! Definitely visiting Cappadocia which was a bit surreal to be honest, and then also sailing along the turquoise coast! 🙂 x

Wowowow!! Turkey is on my bucket list from such a long time!! Reading your post I was asking myself why I didn’t visit it yet. Answer was because I didn’t know where to start from. Now I have a very good starting point! Thanks for sharing ??

Hope you get to go soon! Glad my post was of use! x

Thank you for sharing your amazing experience. This country is absolutely beautiful. I’ve wanted to visit for awhile, definitely considering a trip to the coast.

Thanks for your kind words! It is an amazing country, I hope you get a chance to visit! x

I love all of the Blue on the buildings in Bodrum. We love exploring ruins like the ones you saw in Ephesus. Kitty!!!! There is so much o do in Turkey it seems. You captured so much and it looks so beautiful!

I know, the buildings were so cute! Definitely wasn’t expecting that 🙂

Great timing for us. We have been looking at planning a trip to Turkey and seems like a perfect itinerary has come our way. Istanbul and Cappadocia is definitely going to be there. I love all the images but the last one against the balloons with hands up in the air- lovely!

Ah so glad to hear it! Do let me know if I can help with any of your planning, it really is the most amazing country!! x

perfect itinerary. trying to do the same. thanks so much for beautiful pics and guides.

Hi There, Do you have an itinerary on how many days you stayed In each place? I am also planning on traveling to Turkey late august early September. We are looking at Istanbul, Cappadocia, Bodrum, Izmir – Ephesus – Selcuk, Pamukkale, and I am not sure if Antalya fits in here. We are going for 14 days.

This has been immensely helpful and has great suggestions! Thank you!

Could you please tell how much was the tour cost except the airfare.

Hey! Just wondering if you tracked how much this trip cost? I am working on a budget for two weeks in Turkey. Any advice would be great!

hi we did your turkey itinerary but back to front, with very few exceptions and we LOVED it! Everything was beyond our expectation except Pammukale. The blue cruise was fantastic, we were on the revenge. Cappadoccia was out of this world and the sultan suite caves was perfect. So thank you for your wonderful advice.

Hi Shannon,

Ah thank you that’s amazing feedback! It’s such a special country – so glad you enjoyed the itinerary!

Hi Looks amazing. Can you please let me know how many days did you spend at each place your visited?

Hi Tahir! I’ve updated my post to make that more clear, sorry about that! These are the timings of my itinerary: Bodrum (two days), the ancient ruins in Ephesus (one day), the natural wonder of Pamukkale (one day), sailing on a traditional Turkish Gulet boat (three days). The second week was spent with one day in Istanbul, before heading to Cappadocia (four days).

Hi, Claire.

I just happened onto your website today. As I’m getting ready to plan a 2-week family vacation in Turkey myself, this is a great read and thank you so much for all the suggestions.

Originally, I was thinking about driving and doing a road trip, from Istanbul, east to Cappadocia, then circle westward thru Konya to Bodrum, Izmir on the west coast. However, in the name of saving time, I’m now leaning towards just flying from one major town to the next (namely, IST -> Kayseri ->Antalya ->Bodrum/Izmir->IST), and rent a car locally if necessary. May I know on what website you booked the domestic flights?

Are Konya and Antalya charming places to visit, in your opinion? Or, perhaps I should just do the east (Cappadocia) and west (Bodrum, Ismir, Ephesus)? I’m very interested in lingering in Istanbul, so am budgeting at least 5 days in the city out of the 2 weeks.

Any suggestion is much appreciated. Thank you.

Hi there. Glad you found the post helpful! I would say that the driving distances are vast, and as domestic flights (or trains/buses) are so easy and so straight forward, it would be easier to use public transport in a 2 week trip.

The route you mention is almost mine in reverse. I booked all my flights directly on the airlines’ websites (Turkish Airlines or Pegasus). Both are great but Turkish is especially good for domestic, I loved it.

I didn’t go to Konya so I cannot comment sorry, and I didn’t spend too long in central Antalya, but I think going Istanbul > Cappadocia > direct to Bodrum/Izmir/Ephesus is perfect and if you only have 9 days after Istanbul, you can easily spend 9 days in those places. I squeezed a bit more in, but I was travelling solo so didn’t have to factor in others’ needs or preferences haha. I hope that’s helpful!

This looks like an incredible trip! Do you mind giving a rough idea of the budget you were on? The total cost for the two weeks and general accomodation cost?

Taxi is too pricy . From bus station to hostel by Dolmus. Is there any space to fit my carry on 9X14X22 with wheels in Dolmus?

This is an amazing travel blog! It easily takes readers to a variety of locations with engrossing stories, striking images, and useful ideas A priceless source of real experiences.

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How to Spend Two Weeks in Turkey: An Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Some people only know Turkey for its sparkling blue sea, lined by long stretches of beach. Others make the trip to see its utterly unique natural wonders, such as the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia or the travertine-lined thermal springs of Pamukkale. If you’ve got two weeks in the country, though, why would you not see it all?

Even though it’s a sizable nation, 14 days in Turkey is enough time to cover a lot of what makes it such a wonderful place to explore. By balancing nature hikes with beach days, pilgrimages to Ottoman mosques with strolls through Ancient Greek ruins, you’ll quickly see why so many different types of visitors have fallen in love with the country.

A Note on Travel in Turkey

Turkey can be a time-consuming country to traverse. The easiest option would be to rent a car, but you can also manage by using the modern, air-conditioned long-distance buses or through cheap domestic flights with local airlines like Pegasus or Anadolujet. Bear in mind, however, that if you’re planning on taking public transport, you may want to simplify your Turkey itinerary by cutting out some of the south coast towns and adding a day in Cappadocia, Antalya, or Bodrum to catch your breath. 

Day One: Istanbul

As always, we like to hit the ground running! While Istanbul may not be the official capital of Turkey, it is the nation’s most exciting city by a mile. Start at one of the enduring symbols of the city: Hagia Sophia. Originally a church, then converted into a mosque, before becoming a museum and then, controversially, being turned back into a mosque, it has survived almost 1,500 of historical and political upheaval. 

The muted pastel colors of the exterior speak to its centuries-old age but belie the shimmering surfaces that await on the inside. Ostentatious, low-hanging chandeliers sparkle only slightly more than the golden Byzantine mosaics of Jesus in the vestibules or the golden Arabic script inscribed upon circular wooden plaques attached to columns. Hanging over it all is the remarkable dome, an architectural first when it was built that has been restored to reveal bright blue and gold paintwork meant to resemble the heavens.

Directly opposite the Hagia Sophia is the slightly more modern Sultan Ahmed Mosque, built in the 1600s. It’s commonly known as the Blue Mosque, not because of the outside but because of the stunning blue tilework that decorates the interior’s walls and pillars.

Not all of Istanbul’s wonders are above the surface. A few steps away from the city’s most famous mosques is the Basilica Cistern, an eerie Roman-era water storage space that echoes with the sound of tourist footsteps. Don’t miss the Medusa head column bases.

Grab a soft, warm simit (sesame-coated bread similar to a bagel) from a street stall, as you make your way up towards the Topkapi Palace. A fitting headquarters for the Ottoman Empire, there’s a lot to cover in this sprawling complex, from the Disney-like Gate of Salutation to the opulent Harem. Innumerable tiles and geometric patterns in bright hues decorate the walls and pillars, even managing to outdo in color the flowers that fill the courtyards and gardens.

If you aren’t completely exhausted, spare a moment to visit other parts of the Topkapi complex. The İstanbul Archaeological Museum preserves mosaics, marbles and other treasures from old Constantinople, while the Hagia Irene is the city’s oldest surviving church, now completely bereft of its former splendor and a somber contrast to the Hagia Sophia.

Where to stay in Istanbul: There are a lot of reasonable options not far from the center of town, but the Peradays B&B is a bit quirkier than some of the other comfortable and clean but rather bland accommodations. The breakfast is awesome, and the location is very conveniently situated for the main sights.

Day Two: Istanbul

Turkey is famous for its scrumptious breakfast platters, consisting of vegetables (particularly olives, tomatoes and cucumber), cold cuts, local cheeses, dips and, of course, freshly baked bread. If your accommodation doesn’t offer this morning repast, Dogaciyiz Gourmet is consistently a great place to go for the full spread, washed down by a glass of sweet tea.

After you’ve prepared for the day with a hearty meal, head to nearby Dolhambace Palace, Istanbul’s more modern alternative to the Topkapi. Built along the Bosporus in the mid-19th century, it’s a much more Western-style exhibition of luxury, featuring plentiful gilt finishings and glittering crystal chandeliers. 

Time your trip to the Galata Tower to coincide with the midday call to prayer. Standing atop the hundreds-year-old stone edifice and enjoying the 360-degree views as the city’s many mosques echo the adhan all around is a completely unique and moving experience.

In Taksim Square, you can sample some of the country’s favorite street eats from the surrounding stalls, like durum (kebab wrap) and kofte (a kind of ground meatball). If you have an interest in historic luxury hotels, pop into the nearby Pera Palace for a leisurely drink in the Orient Bar. This hotel has played host to such luminaries as Ernest Hemingway, Alfred Hitchcock and Agatha Christie. You can also pay a visit to the famous Room 101, which now hosts an exhibit that memorializes Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Turkey’s first president.

Cross the Golden Horn to the old town where you spent most of the previous day to visit the Grand Bazaar, sometimes described as the oldest shopping mall in the world. It’s a sprawling series of covered streets filled with tchotchkes, decorative objects and apparel, making for a gloriously chaotic shopping experience. 

Finish the day with a boat ride on the Bosporus. You can take a public ferry and cross over into Kadikoy on the Asian side of Istanbul for an evening meal, or opt for a dinner cruise with a tour company. While dining on local delicacies, you’ll pass by such sights as the Rumeli Fortress, the Beylerbeyi Palace and the Maiden’s Tower, as well as the striking neoclassical Haydarpasa Train Station.

Day Three: Bursa

While you could easily spend at least another day or two checking out some of the further afield parts of Istanbul, there are a lot of other cities to see in Turkey!

Just south of Istanbul is Bursa, once the capital of the Ottoman empire, now the fourth most populous city in the country. At its heart is the bazaar, which is particularly famous for the Kozi Han courtyard, dotted with cafes and surrounded by luxurious silk emporiums for big spenders. We just stuck with a coffee and some people watching.

Next door is the city’s Grand Mosque, a 20-domed building with a beautiful marble fountain at the heart of its gold-accented white walls, though overall it’s fairly plain compared to what you’ll see in Istanbul.

Venture 20 minutes to the northwest where the Muradiye Complex boasts a number of early Ottoman tombs in greatly varying degrees of splendor, though the most ornate have some truly dazzling bright blue Iznik tiles.

End the day by trying Bursa’s local specialty, the Iskender kebab: thin slices of meat layered atop pide flatbread and slathered with spicy tomato sauce, yoghurt, and butter. Delicious, but not something we’d recommend every day if you want to keep your cholesterol in check!

Where to stay in Bursa: The family-run Avlu Tophane guesthouse is just a short saunter away from the city center, but what sets it apart are the excellent, welcoming staff, who are happy to help answer all questions, including one of the most important: where to go for good food.

Day Four: Day Trip to Uludag Mountain

In addition to the remnants of early Ottoman history, Bursa is the gateway to Uludag National Park. In the winter, it becomes one of Turkey’s most popular ski resorts, but we visited in the summer when the slopes are a rich green – though you’ll still need a jacket for the upper climes, which can be chilly even in July.

A cable car runs from the outskirts of town up Uludag Mountain, giving you gorgeous views of the city as well as of the natural beauty below. More than 8 kilometers long, the ride takes just over 20 minutes from the bottom to the top, gliding over vertiginous heights. Once you’ve arrived, there are numerous hikes you can do, wandering absently through alpine meadows and woods. It makes for a nice change of pace after darting about cities for a few days.

On your return from the cable car station, consider eschewing the local bus and walking back towards your accommodation. This way, you can pass by a few local landmarks that aren’t worth going out of your way for but still hold some interest: the Green Mosque, with its elaborate mihrab; the Green Tomb, a hexagonal building with tiles that look more blue than green, but are no less striking for all that; and the Irgandi Bridge, a rebuilt 15th-century construction lined with cute-looking shops selling the usual tourist souvenirs.

Day Five: Izmir and Ephesus

While Izmir itself has limited appeal as a tourist destination, it is a great jumping off point to reach one of Turkey’s most iconic destinations, Ephesus. Once a prominent Ancient Greek city, it is now a collection of picturesque ruins that attract biblical tour groups (thanks to its association with the New Testament) as much as history buffs. It also lends its name to Turkey’s most popular beer, Efes.

Ephesus’ most famous attraction is one you’ll probably have seen before, perhaps as a screensaver: the Library of Celsus. All that remains is a colonnaded marble façade that hints at former grandeur, but it still holds an atmospheric allure. As you wander amidst the rubble and the half-standing buildings, make sure you don’t miss the sizable amphitheater (said to once hold 25,000 people, although we didn’t count the seats) or the terraced houses, which give an idea of how the former inhabitants used to live.

The easiest way to get to Ephesus is through a tour , though you can also make the trip from Izmir using a combination of train and bus.

Where to stay in Izmir: While Izmir isn’t short of well-known, brand-name hotels, we like the small, local spot called Deka Evleri because everything feels more personalized and unique. Plus, it’s in a good location for the train to Ephesus.

Day Six: Day Trip to Cesme/Alacati

Later on in this Turkey itinerary, we’ll take you through our favorite parts of the Turquoise Coast, named because of its sparkling blue waters. Before that, however, make a day trip to the Izmir peninsular and the towns of Cesme and Alacati. Compared to the southern resort towns, this area hasn’t yet attracted the same degree of international tourism and so still retains more of its local flavor. In fact, it used to be predominantly where locals holidayed, as it isn’t quite so far from the major cities of Istanbul, Izmir, or Bursa.

The peninsula is dotted with sandy beaches and relaxed dining options. While Cesme has its picturesque marina and castle, Alacati is where you’ll find pretty stone houses lining cobbled, higgledy-piggledy streets reminiscent of charming Greek villages.

You’ll also see plenty of people windsurfing, as this part of Turkey is known for having some of the best conditions for the activity, though we haven’t yet had a chance to try it here ourselves.

Day Seven: Cappadocia 

Cappadocia is one of the most magical places you’ll spend your 14 days in Turkey, a landscape full of fairy chimneys, hidden cities, and rugged terrain that’s perfect for energetic hiking. We recommend basing yourself out of Goreme, which is a convenient village from which to reach most of the major sights.

Start your day at the Goreme Open Air Museum, a complex of churches cut out of the rock face just 15 minutes from the town center. Each of these has its own distinctive shape and its own distinctive frescoes, many of which are incredibly preserved considering they date mostly from the 10th, 11th and 12th centuries. 

In the afternoon, head out to Love Valley, named because the rock spires (coyly called fairy chimneys) resemble enormous phallic pillars. There are well-worn trails through the countryside, though that didn’t prevent us from getting lost. Still, with the help of Google Maps it’s fairly easy to get yourself back on track. If you have the time, we recommend hiking all the way to Uchisar Castle and back, as it has great views over the surrounding country and is itself a landmark, visible for miles around.

Where to stay in Cappadocia: Cappadocia is as famous for its cave hotels as it is for anything else, but not all are created equal. We love Luvi Cave because it has spacious stone rooms, a great location and one of the best terrace views in Goreme.

Day Eight: More Cappadocia

Get up early to catch the sunrise and ride a hot-air balloon. There are numerous tour companies offering different kinds of packages to suit your desires, including this one that includes hotel transfers and a light breakfast prior to the ascent.

While riding over the gorgeous scenery as the morning light filters through it is an utterly incredible experience, those who really can’t bear heights can rest assured that hiking up to a nearby hill and watching the sky fill with colorful balloons is an incredible vista in itself. In fact, if you decide to spend an extra day in Cappadocia, it’s definitely worth forcing yourself out of bed early twice and experiencing both sides of the coin.

Another thing you absolutely have to do while in Cappadocia is visit one of the underground cities. Personally, we’d recommend Kaymakli, partly because it’s a bit closer to Goreme (you’ll still need to hire a taxi) and partly because it’s generally less crowded than the other main option, Derinkuyu. Parts of the city are almost 3,000 years old, though it’s been expanded many times over the centuries. Only a small portion is open to visitors today, however, for safety reasons. 

At the entrance, you’ll find people offering their services as guides. While you might not need their assistance to find your way through (the one-way route is clearly marked), it’s worth hiring someone to give you context about the purpose of the different rooms, especially because most of them are hard to identify without aid.

Be aware that it can get a bit claustrophobic underground, as many of the passageways between the rooms are narrow – not so much that you will get stuck, but you should at least expect to crouch down to fit through. In fact, it’s incredible to think that people once inhabited these rooms, admittedly usually only for short periods of time in order to flee persecution.

If you’re still aching for adventure once you return to Goreme, you can take a leisurely stroll through the Rose Valley, admiring the pink hue of the landscape under the sun. 

Day Nine: Konya

Konya has a long-standing association with Sufism, and several of the city’s attractions are connected to this Islamic practice. Turn up on the right day of the week and you can even see a mystic dance performance by whirling dervishes at the Mevlana Cultural Center.

Even if your schedule doesn’t coincide with the ritual, however, there are still informative exhibits about Sufism at the Mevlana Museum. This modest complex sticks out of the cityscape like a sore thumb thanks to its copper-green tower. Here, you can learn about the Sufi beliefs and visit the rather grand mausoleum of one its most famous adherents, the poet Rumi. 

Just a short walk away, the Aziziye Mosque is worth visiting just to get a glimpse of the unusual blending of Ottoman and Western architecture into a curious puzzle of a building. 

Spend the rest of your time in the city wandering around Alaaddin Hill, where another beautiful mosque awaits. Don’t miss the dazzling domed ceiling of the nearby Karatay Madrasa, a museum whose display of Seljuk tiles is underwhelming compared to the tiled décor of the building.

Where to stay in Konya: Accommodation options in Konya are limited, so don’t expect anything as spectacular or unique as you’ll find in Cappadocia. Bablin Butik is a reliable option, situated nearby the main sights and with clean rooms. We have to admit the somewhat over-egged décor might not be to everyone’s taste, but as long as you plump for at least a king room, you won’t find yourself overwhelmed by the dark wood furniture. 

Day Ten: Antalya

You can’t visit Turkey for two weeks and not spend some time by the sea. Built overlooking beautiful blue water, Antalya is one of the easternmost points of the Turkish Riviera, a region filled with seaside resorts that trace their way along the southwest of the country. 

In Antalya, Konyaalti Beach is the city’s most easily accessible hotspot, its pebbled surface stretching for eight kilometers and framed by the Taurus Mountains, which make for a rather lovely backdrop.

Once (or perhaps if) you tire of lounging beside the cooling waters, head into Antalya’s old town, where you’ll find such landmarks as the stocky Hadrian’s Gate and the Hidirlik Tower, both built in the 2nd century. Mainly, though, the point of visiting this part of Antalya is just to enjoy meandering through the quaint streets, before eventually ending up at the old marina for a meal and to watch the sun set.

Where to stay in Antalya: The big question in Antalya is whether you want to be closer to Konyaalti Beach or closer to the old town. Despite the fact that, from what we’ve seen, rooms in the old town tend to be a bit more compact, we still lean that way because the buildings are more atmospheric, in particular Hotel Lykia , which is located in a cute stone edifice and offers a lovely patio and pool area.

Day Eleven: Kas/Oludeniz/Fethiye

Turkey isn’t short of pretty beach towns. If you’ve rented a car, we’d recommend driving along the coast, stopping at the various villages as you go. If you’re going by public transport and have to travel according to the set timetables, however, it might be wise to limit your meanderings.

There are three spots we particularly recommend visiting. Kas is the smallest of the trio but perhaps all the more charming for that, with a relaxed vibe and cool bars. Whitewashed houses with terracotta roofs crowd a small piece of land encircled by hills.

Oludeniz’s Blue Lagoon is surrounded by some of the nicest beaches we saw in Turkey. Not only that, but paragliding off the nearby Babadag Mountain is a legendary (if terrifying) experience. 

Fethiye is the largest of the three and also has the most interesting historical sight, the Lycian rock tombs. These final resting places are carved out of the cliff wall above the town. Climbing up a series of steps set into the slope, you can even enter one, the Tomb of Amyntos, though most people will probably find the views down upon Fethiye more engaging than the now-barren stone vault. 

Where to stay in Fethiye: We particularly love the crisp modern furnishings at the Yacht Boheme Hotel – as well as lounging about by the pool. As its name suggests, this boutique spot overlooks the marina, where luxury yachts are berthed. It’s also about 15 minutes’ walk from the downtown area.

Day Twelve: Bodrum 

The last stop on our exploration of the Turquoise Coast, Bodrum has more of a party atmosphere than the other beach destinations we’ve mentioned so far, probably because it’s somehow simultaneously gained a reputation for being a good option for a cheap getaway and become a destination where the wealthy anchor their yachts. Many resorts have staked a claim to sections of sand here, but there’s also the sizable public Yahsi Beach, which packs in the loungers and umbrellas.

Thanks to its advantageous coastal position, Bodrum also boasts an impressive fortification. Officially called the Castle of St. Peter, it was originally constructed by crusader knights but later seized by the Ottomans. Today, its battlements are patrolled by peacocks. There are great views of the harbor from the stone walls, but also spend a little time exploring the building’s (amusingly random) museum of underwater archaeology, which details the finds that have been retrieved in the nearby waters.

If, like us, this inspires you to go on your own treasure hunt of sorts, there are several scuba diving businesses in operation, which rent equipment and take visitors down into the blue depths of the ocean in search of reefs and wrecks.

Where to stay in Bodrum: There are a ton of enormous resorts in this part of the world, but with just three rooms the Townhouse offers something much more unique and personalized. The accommodation boasts spectacular views as well as its own bar and restaurant if you’re feeling too lazy to go anywhere. Having said that, the prime location means you’re not far from a host of alternative eating options.

Day Thirteen: Pamukkale and Hierapolis

Pamukkale is arguably one of Turkey’s most Instagram-famous attractions. Its name literally means ‘cotton castle’ due to the white mineral deposits that have formed over the years as a result of the thermal springs. These waters have been revered for their healing properties at least since Ancient Greek times, when a spa town, Hierapolis, was built here to cater for tourists.

You can still bathe in the pools even today, though there are strict rules around where you can and can’t go, as the Turkish government attempts to preserve the site from rampant tourism. Regardless of these restrictions, it’s worth making the trip to see the strange formations of travertine, which lend everything here a slightly otherworldly appearance, like the surface of a foreign planet.

While in the area, you may as well visit Hierapolis, though it is little more than ruins bar an impressive theater and some tombs in the necropolis. Nearby, the Antique Pool feels rather more like a water park than the remnants of a Roman bathing place, though there is something romantic about the ruined pillar fragments submerged beneath the transparent waters.

Where to stay in Pamukkale: The large rooms at the WhiteHeaven Suite Hotel make up for some of the, um, questionable designs on the soft furnishings. We are particularly keen on the breakfast, served poolside, and the complimentary shuttle bus to the travertines.

Day Fourteen: Istanbul

After gallivanting across the country, you’ll probably be in need of some much-deserved rest and relaxation. Fortunately, Istanbul is not just famous for its delicious cuisine and storied historical sites. It’s also renowned for its traditional Turkish baths, where visitors are steamed, scrubbed, and massaged into bliss. One of our favorites is the Kilic Ali Pasa Hamam, which maintains its beautiful old stonework but also offers the comfort of modern-day amenities. 

If you didn’t manage to pack in everything we recommended from the first two days in Istanbul – and it is admittedly a very full schedule – you can squeeze the rest in today. Alternatively, prolong your post-hamam relaxed state by ending your trip at one of the chilled bars overlooking the Bosphorus, gulping back a nice cold Efes as you watch the boats go by, before making your way to the airport to catch your flight out.

And That’s How to Spend Two Weeks in Turkey!

Traversing Turkey in just 14 days is bound to be an exhausting experience, but there are just so many wonderful experiences you won’t want to miss. If you feel you absolutely must simplify your visit and spend a couple of extra days just chilling out, we would recommend skipping Konya (which is culturally fascinating and breaks the journey between Cappadocia and Antalya, but still not as interesting as the other cities listed here) or picking one of the Turquoise Coast locales and sticking there for a few days, rather than visiting them all

If, on the other hand, you want to extend your trip, it’s worth exploring some of the cities further east, like Gaziantep and Mardin. In recent times, visits here have been curtailed due to their proximity to the Syrian border. As government advice about travel to the region relaxes, however, it’s worth considering exploring a different aspect of Turkey’s culture and history.

Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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The Ultimate 2 Week Turkey Itinerary in 2024

By Author Delilah

Posted on Last updated: February 9, 2024

Turkey is an incredible country packed with breathtaking scenery, ancient ruins, tasty food and a unique culture. It is also huge and working out all the logistics of your own Turkey itinerary can be complicated and just about impossible.

We found budgeting difficult thanks to the extremely high inflation and navigating the transport system was terrifying (until we worked it out). That’s why we decided to put together this extremely detailed itinerary, which when complemented by our Turkey travel guide , should give you everything you absolutely need to plan the perfect trip to Turkey.

Below we’ve outlined our perfect itinerary which ensures you hit all the essential, most impressive sights across Turkey, including Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Pamukkale and Ephesus.

The itinerary is extremely detailed, including prices (in US dollars due to the inflation in Turkey), timings, accommodation picks and our top tips. You should be able to plan your trip completely right here without needing to look anywhere else, however, we always encourage additional research prior to arriving at each of the sights – especially if you aren’t booking guides along the way.

The Perfect Itinerary

Two weeks in turkey, getting around turkey, how long should you spend in turkey, how much does it cost to visit turkey, where to stay in turkey.

We spent weeks travelling around Turkey to come up with what we consider to be the perfect itinerary for first timers. It is designed around a fast-paced, whirlwind 14 day trip, however, you can easily adjust it for shorter trips by removing any destinations below.

Similarly, if you have extra time, I’d highly recommend adding extra time to either Istanbul or the coastal towns of Antalya, Kas and Fethiye. Istanbul has so much culture and history to soak up whilst the coastal towns perfectly combine beachside relaxation with ancient ruins.

If you prefer a slower pace of travel, then you could easily cut out the coastal towns of Antalya, Kas and Fethiye and add some days to the other destinations. I guarantee you won’t regret spending more time in Istanbul or Cappadocia.

Taking into account geographic proximity and the number of things to do in each location, here is our recommended guide:

3 days: Istanbul (must-do)

+3 days: Cappadocia (must-do)

+2 days: Antalya

+1 day: Kas

+1 day: Fethiye

+0.5 day: Pamukkale

+2 days: Selcuk (Ephesus)

+2 days: Cannakale (Gallipoli)

This route is what we recommend as the ‘standard’ Turkish holiday route and it really is perfect for first-timers. It ticks off all the must-dos and for this reason we consider it the perfect two weeks.

If you only have a week in Turkey, go with 4 days in Istanbul and 3 days in Cappadocia, or maybe squish in Selcuk for Ephesus.

What is Missing From the Perfect Itinerary?

Well, we’ve had to leave out a lot. Turkey is a huge country and it is packed with incredible tourist attractions. We’ve made the call to only include the essentials in the Turkey itinerary above, but we’ve left out about half the country.

If you have extra time and enjoy exploring further off the typical tourist track, then consider visiting Ankara (the capital), Uzungol, Lake Van, Trabzon, Karz, Gaziantep, Adana and Mount Nemrut.

Although we’ve left a lot out, don’t worry, we’ve also included a lot. We’ve made sure that you’ll tick off the best of Turkey in just two weeks with this itinerary.

With the outline above, we’re ready to dive into a day by day breakdown of how your trip will look. Remember, it’s generally pretty easy to remove any of the destinations below if you have less time.

Day 1 – Istanbul

Sim Cards & Cash

Firstly, you’re going to need to sort a few admin things before you get your trip started. I recommend reading our entire Turkey travel guide for everything you need to know before visiting Turkey. 

To get set up with a sim card, head straight to Airalo and purchase a Turkish esim online here for around $12 or $18 USD. You can do this from your hotel’s wifi or with the free airport wifi. The tourist sims in Turkey are essentially scams at roughly $41 USD each. They don’t deserve to have customers which is why we wrote an entire guide to purchasing a tourist sim card in Turkey . You can also read more about buying Turkey sim cards here.

Next, make sure to withdraw a few thousand Turkish Liras from an ATM. Locating your nearest Ziraat Bankasi ATM will enable you to save ATM withdrawal fees, but pretty much any ATM is safe to use in Turkey.

Top Travel Tip!

We’ve been using Wise travel card to pay for EVERYTHING while we travel all around the world! Trust me, it’s better than your bank card and it costs less than $10 then it’s free forever.

If your phone doesn’t support esims then you’ll need to seek out a Turkcell or Vodafone shop and pay the extortionate prices.

Now you’re ready to get your day started. Today we will be exploring the touristic centre of Istanbul, Sultanahmet. If you’re staying in Karakoy (which we highly recommend) you’ll want to catch the T1 Tram. If you’re staying in Sultanahmet then you’ll be able to walk everywhere today.

To use the tram (or any public transport in Istanbul) then buy an Istanbulkart from a ‘Biletmatik’ machine and load some cash onto the card.

To help you navigate Sultanahmet, you can save the Google Maps Route for today here.

Hagia Sophia – 8:30am

Head straight to the Hagia Sophia mosque in the heart of Sultanahmet. It is only a few minutes walk from the Sultanahmet tram stop. If you are running early, I recommend walking to the Fountain Sultan Ahmed III located here . This location offers a lovely view of the mosque.

At 8:30am, join the queue which will begin forming around the courtyard. At 9:00am sharp the mosque will open and the queue will begin moving into the mosque fairly quickly. If you arrive later than 8:30am then you may be waiting a lot longer to get in. I would ignore the ‘tour guides’ offering to skip the line as it moves fast once it opens.

Women will need to remember to wear a headscarf out of respect for the muslim religion. If you have something already, by all means, wear it. If you do not, then you should purchase it at the Hagia Sophia from the kiosk right after the security checkpoint. Nicer ones cost around $3 USD.

At almost 1,500 years old, the Hagia Sophia is a magnificent sight to behold, both internally and externally. It was originally built as a church, interestingly on a paganistic ritual site, and was later converted into a mosque, then a museum and then into a mosque again. I highly recommend reading more about the history before visiting here .

Price: Free

Time Required: About an hour

Food Suggestion: When queuing you can buy ‘simit’ from the vendors in the red carts. They cost around $0.40 USD.

Blue Mosque – 10:30am

Take your time at Hagia Sophia before wandering over to the nearby Blue Mosque. Fortunately, the lines at the Blue Mosque tend to be a lot shorter due to the fact that people spend less time here. 

The Blue Mosque, or Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is a much newer mosque which was built during the Ottoman Era around 1609 to 1616. Although lighter on the history, it still rivals Hagia Sophia’s beauty thanks to its more than 20,000 handmade tiles.

You’ll be fine to spend around half an hour looking around and sitting down on the carpet.

Time Required: 30 minutes

Arasta Bazaar – 11:15am

You’ll be visiting the Grand Bazaar tomorrow, but the much smaller Arasta Bazaar is still a nice shopping street to head on a stroll along. It is conveniently located next to the Blue Mosque and worth checking out briefly.

After this, find a spot to eat lunch. Unfortunately, most of the restaurants in this area are overly touristy and overpriced. We opted to eat snacks but you can pick from any of the restaurants nearby.

TIme Required: 30 minutes

Basilica Cistern – 12:45pm

After lunch, make your way over to the Basilica Cistern. There will most likely be a short queue of around 15-20 minutes. The location of the Basilica Cistern on Google Maps is actually the exit, which is a bit silly if you ask us. If you’re having a tough time finding it you can look around here .

The interesting thing about Istanbul is that despite being surrounded by two seas and a strait, there is actually no drinkable water. This means that providing water for the population in the city has been a significant priority for centuries. 

Around 150 cisterns such as this were built in the city, with Basilica Cistern, built in the 6th Century, being the largest. These cisterns were used to store and distribute water for the needs of the city’s populace.

It is clear a lot of restoration work has gone into restoring this attraction and it is well worth visiting. The changing coloured lights and somewhat irrelevant artworks dotted throughout make it feel a bit more like an attraction than an important part of the city’s history.

Price: $16 USD

Time Required: Up to 45 minutes

Topkapi Palace – 2:00pm

Located just on the other side of Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace was home to the Sultans and their families and servants from the 1460s until 1856. The scale of this palace is breathtaking and the amount of history packed into it now that it’s a museum is impressive. 

We were a bit hesitant at first given the exorbitant ticket prices but we can assure you this attraction is very much one of the best things to do in Istanbul. 

When you arrive at the gate to the palace grounds you’ll continue through until you arrive at some ticket machines. You can skip the queue by purchasing here. Definitely purchase the ticket combined with access to the harem. 

With your tickets, continue up to collect your audioguide. You will require an ID to deposit in exchange for the device so please make sure to bring something like a drivers’ license. Never leave your passport with someone else. The guide doesn’t say anything that isn’t written on the boards already, but it’s nice to have.

The palace museum is surprisingly large so make sure you have a few hours to explore. The harem section, which you hopefully bought tickets for, is the most interesting part of the entire museum. Here you learn all about the lives of the Eunuchs, the Sultans’ wives and the Sultans’ mothers.

Price: $33 USD

Time Required: 3 hours

Optional: Galata Bridge – Sunset

If you are staying near Karakoy, our favourite evening activity is to wander along the waterfront and along the Karakoy bridge. This is one of the best spots to enjoy the sunset in Istanbul.

Food Suggestion: Balik Durum, or fish wrap, from the men at the other end of Karakoy. They’re located on the path around the fishermen here . It’s really delicious and costs about $4 USD.

Where to Stay in Istanbul

Our favourite part of Istanbul to stay in is Karakoy. This suburb is just across the Galata Bridge and a short tram ride from Sultanahmet. The waterfront here is a beautiful spot to stroll along in the evenings and the food here is much less touristy and overpriced then what you’ll find in Sultanahmet.

Budget & Mid-Range: Archeo – they have a fantastic cafe downstairs to chill in and nice rooms, perfectly located in Karakoy near the tram to Sultanahmet. We can’t recommend Archeo enough.

Luxury: Wings Hotel – an upper mid-range to luxury hotel located right in the heart of Karakoy with all the best amenities you’d expect.

Day 2 – Istanbul

Alright, today is going to be another busy day exploring Istanbul. This time make your way over to the Beyazit Square where we’ll be starting the day. As with Hagia Sophia, you can get here either by walking if you stay nearby, or with the same T1 tram from Karakoy.

Grab a Simit and a couple of pastries, then walk around Beyazit Square until 8:30am. 

Here is your Google Maps walking route for the morning section of today.

Grand Bazaar – 8:30am

The Grand Bazaar opens at 8:30am so make your way through the gate around this time to beat most of the crowds. 

The Grand Bazaar is deceivingly large. The structure spans an area of 31,000 m2 and contains around 4,000 shops. The key here is to allow yourself to get lost as you wander the lanes and browse all the stores.

For the most part, the stores are tailored for tourists so you can expect higher prices than more local stores for a lot of the same things, however, it is still a good experience.

There are, however, two things that can be worth looking into when you’re here. Firstly, the money changers in the Grand Bazaar have some of the more competitive rates in the city so if you need to change money then consider doing it at the Grand Bazaar.

Secondly, we’ve heard that this can be a good place to purchase jewellery. We’re not experts in buying jewellery or precious stones and metals so we just looked.

Time Required: Up to an hour, unless you plan to buy lots.

Büyük Valide Han – 10:00am

Buyuk Valide Han is a popular rooftop made famous by Instagram. The unfortunate side effect of this is the man who lets you in now charges an exorbitant price to visit. We last visited in April 2023 and he was charging 600 Turkish Lira, which was around $30 USD – outrageous!

It is quite a pity because we weren’t just interested in taking photos of the view. It is the largest historic han, or caravanserai, in Istanbul. For this reason, we’d recommend visiting to take a look around either before or after visiting the Grand Bazaar. But don’t pay the fee to go on the roof, we’ve got another rooftop later.

Time Required: 10 minutes

Spice Market – 10:30am

The Spice Market, or Egyptian Bazaar, is a sensory explosion with vendors selling spices, teas, dried fruit, coffee, Turkish delights and more, all stacked up brilliantly outside and throughout their stores.

As with the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Market is largely a tourist attraction and as such the prices and quality won’t be quite as good as other places. 

If you are looking to take a bag of Turkish coffee home with you then you should head right outside the Spice Market to Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi . This shop is usually hectic as it is such a popular local spot to buy coffee. They roast some of the best in Turkey.

For Turkish delights, it would be easy to buy a box at the Grand Bazaar or Spice Market, and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. But if you want the best then you should head outside to Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir Lokumları. 

We’ve tried lokum, or Turkish delights, all around Turkey and the prices and quality absolutely do vary. Haci Bakir is the most expensive but it is by far the best. If you’re only in Turkey for a holiday then we think it’s worth seeking out the best in this case.

Suleymaniye Mosque – 11:30am

Lalezar Teras Cafe is a hidden gem that can be reached on the walk from the Spice Market up to Suleymaniye Mosque. Stop here for an apple tea or Turkish coffee and enjoy one of the most impressive views of Istanbul. The owner doesn’t speak English but he is an exceptionally kind and genuine human. We highly recommend visiting.

After your quick break here, carry on up to Suleymaniye Mosque. This mosque was designed and built for Sultan Suleyman in 1557 and for 462 years was the largest mosque in Istanbul. 

It is a popular tourist stop for visitors, typically the third mosque after Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Suleymaniye Mosque is particularly popular for its commanding views over Istanbul and the Bosphorous.

After visiting the mosque you’ll want to have lunch. Lokantasi is a sort of local restaurant with a variety of very Turkish dishes to choose from. The food is all homemade and hearty. We found a fantastic one near Suleymaniye Mosque called Suleymaniye Lokantasi located here . We recommend trying the chicken (tavuk), meatballs (kofte) and rice (pilav). 

Time Required: 30 minutes for mosque, 1.5 hours including lunch

Balat Walking Tour – 1:30pm

After visiting Suleymaniye Mosque, you can either head back to your hotel and explore around there, or make the short journey to Balat where we can go on a short walking tour around the neighbourhood.

Walk down to Eminonu bus stop then catch any of the 48E, 99, 99Y, 99A, 36CE and 44B buses which all head past Balat and Fener. Get off at the Fener stop which should take around 10 minutes. You can top up your bus card or purchase tickets at the ‘biletmatik’ machines.

Here is a Google Map for your walking tour this afternoon. Here are the stops:

Saint George’s Church – the main orthodox cathedral in Istanbul. It is a small church due to the restrictions imposed by the Ottoman Empire’s Islamic laws. 

Private Fener Greek High School – Built between 1881 and 1883, this school poses dauntingly on the hill overlooking the Bosphorus. The architecture is unique and worth checking out.

Saint Stephen’s Orthodox Church – An ornately decorated church with a gorgeous interior.

Merdivenli Yks – A series of brightly coloured houses lining a short, but steep, street near Balat Town. Very picturesque and Instagram-y. 

We’d also recommend allowing yourself some time to browse the shops and to sit down for a drink or a meal.

Price: All free

Time Required: A few hours

How to Get From Istanbul to Cappadocia

The best way to get from Istanbul to Cappadocia is by night bus, and for the purposes of this relatively fast-paced itinerary it’s important that you choose the bus. 

Cappadocia is a 10-hour bus ride from Istanbul so doing this during the day, twice, would mean you will need to remove two days from this itinerary. For this reason, we recommend taking the night buses.

Flying is also an option, but with travel time to the airport, customs and check-in times it can easily take 8+ hours to fly and it’s much less comfortable than the bus in Turkey.

Kamil Koc is the largest and most reputable bus company in Turkey. It was recently bought by Flix Bus and you can now book buses in English directly on the Flix Bus website here. 

You will probably want to book the bus from Istanbul Esenler Otogar (otogar means station) to Goreme Otogar. You can order an Uber to take you from your accommodation to Istanbul Esenler Otogar in under half an hour.

The bus takes 10 hours and costs around $30 USD equivalent in Turkish Lira.

Day 3 – Cappadocia

We’re going to assume you took the night bus to Cappadocia, in which case there’s a good chance you will have had limited sleep. The first thing you should do is head straight to your cave hotel and drop your bags. Most hotels are within walking distance but you can also catch a taxi.

If you’re exhausted, you can take today to rest a bit and go for a wander around the shops in Goreme. However, if you are full of energy we’d recommend heading out on a hike to Uchisar Castle.

Here’s a badly drawn map:

Uchisar Castle – Leave before 1pm

The track begins in town and continues for about 50 minutes to the base of Uchisar Castle. I’ll include a photo of a map illustrating the walk, but I’d highly recommend asking your accommodation for advice as it’s quite easy to miss. 

From there, it is a short, steep walk up the hill to the top of the castle. The entrance fee will be the lira equivalent of around 5 USD. The views from the top are awesome – if you can make it during sunset then it would be even better! 

The castle is also really cool as you can explore all the different caves and stairways through the structure. On the top you will find holes, some of which were used for storage whilst a few were likely to be graves.

Price: $5 USD

Time Required:  Spend around 30 minutes at the castle

Love Valley – 3pm

After Uchisar Castle you will head back down the hill to the Onyx shop. Feel free to head inside if you’re interested, but bear in mind a few things:

• The prices listed are typically double what they will sell the items for.
• They will try to sell you Zultanite and convince you it is real, but it’s actually made in their lab. Same with their American Diamond jewellery.
• Their certificate of authenticity is not real, you can read more here .

Real Zultanite is actually quite rare and very expensive.

Next to the Onyx shop you should see an obvious trail, begin following this. At the end, there was a man selling fruit last time we visited, you will need to descend a steep, rocky slope down into the valley.

It is then an easy 2-hour walk through the valley. The views are spectacular and were definitely a highlight for us during our time in Cappadocia. 

Where to Stay in Cappadocia

Budget & Mid-Range: Arch Palace Cappadocia – If you’re on a budget, this is the best place you can stay in Cappadocia. Although not as ‘cavey’ as the more expensive options, the rooms here are really cool and the rooftop has an incredible view.

Day 4 – Cappadocia

Okay, days 4 and 5 are going to be the big ones and they’re going to be some of the best days on your entire Turkey itinerary. The first thing you’re going to do is get picked up early for your hot air balloon ride. Yup, you’re going to watch the sunrise over Cappadocia from the sky.

Hot Air Balloon in Cappadocia – 4:30am – 7am

How early your day will start depends on the time of year and how early sunrise is in Cappadocia. This will usually be around 5am – 6am but can be earlier or later at certain times. 

It is crucial that you book your hot air balloon ride for today as it is very common for poor weather to cause the flight to be rescheduled. Having it planned for today means you can head out tomorrow instead in the case of any difficulties.

The entire tour usually takes around 2 hours with 1 hour spent up in the air watching the sunrise. The feeling of being in the sky as you drift along with the wind is truly magical and is certainly one of the best things to do in Cappadocia .

We’ve heard all sorts of experiences from different travellers, ranging from good to bad, and we have to say that booking with a good tour operator is essential to having an amazing (and safe) experience.

Royal Balloon are our preferred choice and who we’ll go with next time we’re in Cappadocia. We recommend booking with them immediately if they’re available on your dates, however, you will need to book well in advance. You can check their availability and book here if they’re free.

How to Get Around Cappadocia

There’s really two ways to get around Cappadocia:

• By rental car
• With a tour

Both options are fantastic and have their own pros and cons. A rental car works out cheaper if you have a group of 3 or more, whilst a tour is cheaper if you’re travelling solo. Couples will find both options fairly similarly priced.

With a rental car you gain freedom. The freedom to go where you want, when you want, without having to rush through the best places. However, with the tour you gain an experienced guide who can tell you about the places you are visiting. 

We reckon having a tour guide is invaluable and for this reason we recommend this ‘ green tour ’ and this ‘ red tour ’ for most travellers. 

That said, a rental car is also a great option. For this we recommend using Discover Cars to book in advance (to avoid missing out). It’s also a fantastic platform as you can check the reviews of each rental company to avoid any of the dodgier places.

Green Tour – 11am

It doesn’t really matter which day you do which tour, but for the sake of this itinerary you’re going to be picked up from your accommodation at 11am to head out to explore the Southern part of Cappadocia.

We highly recommend booking this Green Tour to tick off all the sights. Your driver will get you from attraction to attraction without any stress and your guide will tell you all about the locations. 

If you’ve decided to rent a car instead, you of course won’t have your own tour guide. We’ve decided to jot down the stops here to help you know where to go! You’ll still be able to appreciate the beauty of Cappadocia without a guide but I’d recommend Googling each of the stops along the way to learn about what you’re seeing.

Uchisar Castle

Kaymakli and / or Derinkuyu Underground City

Love Valley Panorama

Selime Monastery

Ihlara Valley

Rose Valley

Day 5 – Cappadocia

Sunrise at lover’s hill sunrise lookout.

Hopefully yesterday you made it up into the sky for sunrise, but if you really want some great photos or an epic view, we reckon it’s just as impressive seeing the hot air balloons as it is to be in them.

If you have a rooftop with a great view then make your way here to watch the balloons take to the skies. Alternatively, the best viewpoint in Goreme for sunrise is at Lover’s Hill, the entrance for which is located precisely here on Google Maps. 

There is an entrance fee of around $1 USD, then from the entrance marked on the map it is another 5 – 10 minutes to reach the view looking out to the sunrise. It’s a very popular spot but there is plenty of space.

Red Tour – 11am

The Red Tour is very similar to the Green Tour, however, this time you will be exploring the Northern part of Cappadocia. This part of Cappadocia is equally as beautiful and interesting as the South and is absolutely an essential part of this Turkey itinerary.

As above, we recommend booking this Red Tour. You’ll have a driver and a tour guide to take you all around and to teach you about the sights.

Here is a list of the sights and attractions for those of you who have opted to self-drive.

Goreme Panorama

The Three Beauties

Imagination Valley

Pasabag Valley

Red River in Avanos

Ceramic Workshop in Avanos Town

Zelve Open Air Museum

How to Get to Antalya

Again, flying here is an option but we recommend taking the night bus. Kamil Koc is the most reliable and reputable bus company in Turkey and can be booked online in English via Flixbus.

The bus takes about 9 hours and costs around $18 USD per person.

Day 6 – Antalya

As you’ll arrive first thing in the morning, drop your bags off at your accommodation and take some time to sit down and rest. We always find buses quite exhausting so it’s good to reset with a cup of coffee and something to eat.

The first thing I want to point out is 2 days isn’t really enough time in Antalya. Ideally, you’d be able to allocate a week to this part of Turkey, so if you have extra time to spare then we reckon this is a great place to put it. But even if you only have two days you can still enjoy this city so it’s 100% worth including in your itinerary.

Antalya Old City / Kaleici

After resting, head out to explore the Old City, or Kaleici. There are a handful of stops around here with the most impressive being Hadrian’s Gate. We’ve put together a quick map of the route we’d take but it’s a good idea to also allow yourself to get lost a bit. 

Along the way make sure to grab lunch.

Antalya Archeological Museum

The Antalya Archeological Museum is one of Turkey’s most impressive and important museums so we felt like it deserved a place in this Turkey itinerary. The museum contains over 5,000 artefacts across 7,000m2 of space. 

Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to see artefacts, sculptures and remnants from numerous civilizations across thousands of years. It’s simply not possible to explain everything you’ll see here but if you can go to only one museum in the whole of Turkey, this would be the one to go to.

Price: $10 USD

Time Required: 3 hours, longer if you are enthusiastic about history.

Day 7- Antalya

I mentioned earlier that two days isn’t enough to do everything in Antalya, so I’m going to give you the choice between two days. By now you’ve done a lot of travelling and walking, so if you’re feeling like spending a day relaxing then take the day to relax on the beaches.

If you still have energy and enjoy seeing ancient ruins, then spend the day exploring some of Turkey’s best restored and most impressive ancient ruins.

Your beach day is really up to you how you wish to spend it! The best beach in Antalya, in our opinion, is Lara Beach which can be easily reached by public transport or car. Lara Beach is much less busy and has far more pleasant white sand.

If you wish to visit two beaches, or just want to keep the day as a rest day then Konyaalti Beach is a beautiful and clean beach located right in Antalya town. It’s easy to reach by bus or you can walk here from almost anywhere. Konyaalti Beach can be pretty crowded during Summer due to its location, and instead of sand it has pebbles.

Both beaches are gorgeous, great for relaxation and, most importantly, safe for swimming.

We’d also recommend making your way to Lower Duden Waterfall to see the unique and picturesque landscape where the water flows off a cliff into the Mediterranean Sea.

Ancient Ruins Day

Antalya is conveniently located near a lot of incredible ruins and we can’t easily tell you which ones are the best to visit. For today we’ve chosen to go with the popular day trip to Apollo Temple Side, Perge, Aspendos & Kursunlu waterfall.

Again, you’ll need to choose between either renting a car or booking a day tour. We recommend this tour that covers all the sights throughout a packed day, includes lunch, all transport and entrance fees to the sights.

You’ll learn all about these ancient ruins on the tour (which is the benefit of booking day tours for sights like this), but in case you opt to rent a car and drive, here is the order of attractions (and a Google map in case it’s helpful):

Temple of Apollo

Kursunlu Waterfall

Price: $82 USD for the tour

How to Get to Kas

It’s quite easy to get to Kas, however, you won’t be able to use FlixBus for this route. Head to Antalya Main Bus Station first thing tomorrow and ask at the counter for a bus to Kas. They run regularly throughout the day and you won’t be able to book in advance.

Day 8 – Kas

Kas is one of the most beautiful places in the entire country. It is a seaside village that is growing in popularity, but is still quiet enough to not be as overly touristy as its neighbouring towns.

Kas is another example of somewhere that would benefit from a few extra days – there’s a surprising amount of things to do here! Exploring the old town, beach hopping and even heading over to Greece (it takes just 20 minutes).

Within one day you can get a taste of this gorgeous village by starting your day off by exploring the old town, one of the cutest destinations on the Turquoise Coast. 

Once you’re tired of exploring the town, head to ruins of Antiphellos’ amphitheater before wandering to the beach. 

Kucuk Cakil is a picturesque beach right in town and as such is the most popular beach in Kas, however, with just a day it is likely your only option so make sure to visit!

How to Get to Fethiye

Again, this is a deceptively easy route to take. Head to the same bus station you were dropped off in and look for a bus heading to Fethiye. They will run regularly throughout the entire day, roughly once an hour. The bus should cost around $7 USD.

Note: This itinerary has focussed on bus transport so far, but if you are driving a car then make sure to visit the Saklikent Gorge on the way to Fethiye. If you’re busing then it is going to be a bit hard.

Day 9 – Fethiye

Fethiye is another beautiful, beachside town located along the coast of the Aegean sea, known as the Turquoise Coast because of the incredible colour of the water.

Explore Fethiye Town

Go for a walk around the town, the shops and the bazaars and make sure to grab some lunch at Yeşil Asma Yapraği, a popular Lokanta, or restaurant, for the locals.

The Old Orient Carpet Bazaar is also a unique and interesting place to check out if you have time.

Food Recommendation: Yeşil Asma Yapraği

Calis Beach

Calis Beach is one of the most popular beaches to visit in Fethiye, and definitely the most convenient. Technically within walking distance, you will probably want to either taxi or catch a bus from the main bus station in Fethiye. It will only take about 15 minutes.

Once you’re here simply relax on the beach, soak up some sun (or rent an umbrella and sun lounger and avoid the sun) and go swimming.

Day 10 – Fethiye

The main reason we wanted to include Fethiye in this itinerary is to easily connect Kas with Pamukkale, but while you’re here you should really take the opportunity to see one of the most picturesque beaches in Turkey: Oludeniz Beach.

Oludeniz is just 14km from Fethiye so getting there is pretty easy. You’ll need to catch either a taxi or a dolmus (minibus) from the centre of town (near the big mosque) to Oludeniz.  

On arrival to Oludeniz, head directly to the Blue Lagoon which is the most famous part of Oludeniz. This is a very beautiful spot, but ensure you manage your expectations – the crowds that flock here in Summer can ruin the experience a bit.

If you get sick of the crowds, you can also head to a similarly beautiful spot, Oludeniz Beach. This is not quite as postcard-perfect, but there is more space to relax.

Alright, this is not for everyone (definitely not us!), but a lot of people head to Fethiye specifically to go skydiving – it’s famous for it! We felt we had to mention it. If you want to go paragliding then make sure to do your research and pick a safe provider.

Alternative: Boat Tours

Oludeniz and the Blue Lagoon get super crowded, so if your budget can allow it we’d recommend checking out this boat tour of Butterfly Valley and St Nicholas Island  instead. It’ll be a lot less crowded out on the water plus the boat will head to quieter bays such as St Nicholas Island. We’ll definitely be doing this when we head back.

Price: $43 USD

Time Required: 7 hours.

How to Get to Pamukkale

You won’t want to take the Kamil Koc bus for this route as it runs in the middle of the night. Take a bus from Fethiye to Denizli. You can check out Obilet for the best bus to catch that fits with your schedule, and you can book it through the platform. Fethiye Seyahat would be our recommendation.

The bus should cost around 8 USD and take 3-4 hours.

Once you arrive in Denizli, head to ‘Emanet’ to store your bags for the day, then you can descend to the lower level (down the escalator) below the Intercity Departures. Walk to Gate 76, if you get lost just ask any bus attendant for ‘peron 76’ or ‘Pamukkale’, they’ll understand and point you in the right direction.

The bus departs frequently from Gate 76 to Pamukkale and takes about 20 minutes and costs about $1 USD.

Day 11 – Pamukkale & Selcuk

Today is quite a big day as you’ll need to make your way from Fethiye to Denizli to Pamukkale then back to Denizli and on to Selcuk. Try to catch the bus from Fethiye at 8am to allow enough time.

When you get dropped off in Pamukkale town make your way to Tikir Grill House for a delicious and cheap lunch, but don’t take too long. Then walk over to the entrance to the Pamukkale Travertines here . For this itinerary, you can ignore the other two entrances.

Pamukkale Travertines – 8:30am

Pamukkale is an incredible sight and it’s well worth visiting. Visually, it looks like a large, white mountain. The white colour is a result of calcite-laden water being pushed up from hot springs under the surface. Once the water reaches the surface, it degasses and the calcium carbonate is deposited on the ground before crystallising into the surface you see today.

As cool as this sounds, it’s important to lower your expectations. The photos you’ve seen on the internet are not what it looks like today. The entire place is almost dry now, with only a few man-made pools remaining along the walk up. It is still a very interesting place to visit but it just isn’t as beautiful as it once was.

When you reach the gates you’ll pay a fee of around 25 USD to enter the park. It is then a short hike up the travertines to the pools. To preserve the calcium formations you will need to remove your shoes. The calcium can be quite rigid and sharp which makes it uncomfortable to walk on. If you have sensitive feet then consider wearing some old socks for the hike up.

At the top you can swim (sort of, they are about knee-deep) in the few pools available and take photos. Then continue on to explore Hierapolis. 

Price: $25 USD a (tour is more convenient but will cost a lot more)

Time Required: Up to an hour for the travertines

Hierapolis is an ancient city located right next to the Pamukkale hot springs. Thanks to the theoretically therapeutic properties of the waters, the site was a popular location for over a thousand years with various civilizations settling there.

The ruins there today are from the Roman reconstruction of Hierapolis in approximately AD 14 – 37 and are in some places very well restored. They are a unique example of a Greco-Roman spa retreat.

Allow a couple of hours to explore the ruins, making sure to walk to the end of the trail heading North until you reach the Necropolis as well as up the hill to the amphitheatre.

Once you’re finished, head back down and make your way to Selcuk before the evening.

Alternative Tour: This entire day is quite a challenge. We like it because it reduces travel time and allows you to visit Pamukkale on the way to your next destination. If it seems like too much for you, then consider taking this day tour from Fethiye instead.

Price: Included

Time Required: 1 – 2 hours

Where to Stay in Pamukkale

Budget: Hotel Pamukkale – Perfect location and really nice rooms for cheap, you can’t fault it. Tikir Grill House is just down the road which is our favourite restaurant in Pamukkale.

How to Get to Selcuk

Generally the best way to reach Selcuk is by bus from Denizli. If you’re in Pamukkale, you can head to this exact spot and wait for a dolmus, or minivan, to arrive to take you to Denizli. Of course, mention your destination to the driver just in case. This bus should cost under 1 USD in Lira.

This will drop you off at the bus terminal in Denizli. You can pick up your bags here if you need to then head across the road to the train station, it’s very easy to find. Ask here for tickets to Denizli and ask for the platform and directions. 

The train takes 3 hours and costs about $5 USD. 

Day 12 – Selcuk

The reason we’re visiting Selcuk is to have easy access to the ancient city of Ephesus. In addition to Ephesus, the town of Selcuk is quite nice with plenty of good spots to eat as well as a few additional sights. 

Ephesus Ancient City – 8:00am

During much of the reign of the Roman Empire, Ephesus, or Efes, was the second largest city with an estimated 250,000 citizens. Construction of Ephesus began around 1,000 BC, 3,000 years ago, but was rediscovered by an archeologist during the 19th Century and restoration has continued through the late 20th Century.

It’s hard to describe how incredible this place is and we consider it an absolute must-do for anyone visiting Turkey. It is one of the best restored examples of an ancient city anywhere in the world.

After your breakfast, head straight to the main road at this location and wait for a van heading to Epehesus to stop. The bus will cost about $1 USD and will drop you off directly at Ephesus. Alternatively, you can catch a taxi from the same spot but head to the North Gate instead.

We’d advise getting here when they open at 8:30am to beat at least some of the crowds. When you arrive, grab your ticket for around $35 USD. This is for the combined ticket which includes the Terraced Houses, St John’s Basilica and Ephesus Museum, but you can skip the audio tour.

Walk directly through the park until you reach the Library of Celsus. If you are lucky, you’ll beat the tour groups and have the chance to enjoy this incredible ruin by yourself for a bit. Then carry on to the end of the path as you will begin your the tour of Ephesus from the other end.

For your tour we recommend downloading the Rick Steve’s Ephesus Audio Tour (I also recommend his app). He will walk you through all the sights, we found it really amazing. The information panels weren’t amazing so a tour guide (either audio or in person) is a fantastic idea.

Price: $37 USD (including transport)

Time Required: 2 – 3 hours at a slow pace

Isa Bey Mosque, St John’s Basilica & Ayasuluk Hill Fortress – 1:00pm

After Ephesus, head back into town for lunch and a short rest before making your way to Isa Bey Mosque. Your walking route will look like this.

The mosque was closed when we visited due to some sort of construction or restoration work. It looks pretty cool so we still recommend making your way here to check if it’s open now.

It is then a short walk up the hill to the ruins of St John’s Basilica. These are the ruins of an ancient church that existed in Selcuk 1,500 years ago. Little is known about the church apart from the theory that it was built upon the resting place of Apostle John. 

If you head further up the hill you will reach Ayasuluk Fortress. This fortress has been used for millennia, from the indigenous Anatolian people through to most recently the military. Now it is mainly visited for the view as it looks out over Selcuk. 

Time Required: 2 hours

Ephesus Museum

Entrance to the Ephesus Museum is included in your Ephesus ticket so it’s a good idea to stop off here for a quick browse. It’s a small museum but the artefacts on display are worth checking out. 

The museum is worth visiting before the Temple of Artemis as it has a scale version of what the temple would have looked like 1500 years ago.

Time Required: About 30 minutes

The Temple of Artemis

Your last stop for today is the somewhat underwhelming, but surprisingly important, Temple of Artemis. This is the location of one of the world’s greatest wonders, the Temple of Artemis. Unfortunately, it had a pretty rocky history over the centuries, including being subjected to arson in 356 BC and a flood around 700 BC.

In Antipater of Sidon’s list of the world’s natural wonders, he stated:

“I have set eyes on the wall of lofty Babylon on which is a road for chariots, and the statue of Zeus by the Alpheus, and the hanging gardens, and the colossus of the Sun, and the huge labour of the high pyramids, and the vast tomb of Mausolus; but when I saw the house of Artemis that mounted to the clouds, those other marvels lost their brilliancy, and I said, “Lo, apart from Olympus, the Sun never looked on aught so grand”.”

Which I think beautifully sums up how miraculous this wonder would have once been. It is quite devastating to see it today. There is not much to see with just a few pieces of it scattered around.

Food Recommendations

Kural Doner – amazing donors made with a pide wrap.

Pinar Pide – tasty, cheap pide and lahmacun, as well as other dishes which we didn’t try but looked good.

Ali Baba & Mehmet Kebab House – lovely owner and really delicious food, still reasonable prices for a big plate of food.

Where to Stay in Selcuk

Budget & Mid-Range: ANZ Guesthouse – Owned by an Aussie named Harry, ANZ Guesthouse is the most homely and wholesome place you can stay in Selcuk – plus it has free breakfast.

How to Get to Istanbul

Your best option is to catch a Flix Bus / Kamil Koc bus again for around 30 USD. There are a few times throughout the day but for this route I would recommend another night bus as it takes around 8 hours. If you’re sick of night buses then there is the option to depart tomorrow and spend the day on the bus and missing out on a day in Karakoy, Istanbul.

How to Get to Cannakale

If you’re planning to stop at Canakkale you can book a Kamil Koc bus via Flix Bus for $22 USD which takes 7 hours. There is no night bus option so you’ll need to spend tonight in Selcuk. 

Important to note that this bus arrives at the Canakkale Otogar (bus station) which is located outside of the main town. You can book a tax or jump on the bus into town from here.

Optional Extra Day 1 – Canakkale

As mentioned above, today will need to be a travel day. You’ll depart at 12pm arriving in Canakkale at 7pm. This is a good time to check in and head to bed, but you can explore the city as well and get a bite to eat or enjoy a drink by the waterfront.

Where to Stay in Canakkale

Optional Extra Day 2 – Canakkale

Visiting Canakkale is all about heading to Gallipoli and optionally Troy. Troy can be reached by bus but there’s not really much point as you’ll want to be booking a Gallipoli Tour anyway. Gallipoli is the kind of place you really need to have a tour guide to be able to visit properly.

As New Zealanders, this area holds a lot of significance for us. Gallipoli was the landing site of the ANZAC soldiers during WWI. For us, a lot of our ancestors were lost fighting for our freedom. 

For the Turkish people, this location is the key to conquering Istanbul and their successful defense of this small piece of land meant the survival of Turkey as we know it today. Although the Ottoman Empire collapsed shortly after, it is possible that ‘Turkey’ would never have existed.

The Gallipoli tour offered by Crowded House can be booked here . It is the exact tour we took and we can genuinely say it was worth it. Our tour guide was fantastic, he was so passionate about Gallipoli and the war, explained everything, ensuring to explain the history and the locations in a thorough and accurate way. 

Fortunately, they also offer a tour that includes Troy in the morning, and although we only visited Gallipoli, it makes more sense to combine them as you will have the morning free. The Troy + Gallipoli tour can be booked here . 

If you’re short on time and are really passionate about Gallipoli (ie. if you’re a New Zealander or Australian) then you could also book a tour from Istanbul . We met someone doing it and, although it was a long day, he said it was absolutely worth doing.

Price: About $110 USD including Troy

Time Required: Whole day.

Food Recommendation: ULUDAĞOĞULLARI HELVACILIK FIRINLANMIŞ PEYNİR HELVASI (yeah, long name, check it out here ).

From Canakkale Otogar you can easily catch another FlixBus to Istanbul’s Esenler Otogar. The bus takes 4.5 hours and costs $23 USD.

Day 13 – Istanbul

You’ve finally completed your loop of Turkey. You’re probably entirely sick of buses (I know we were). If you’ve run out of time you could definitely depart Istanbul today, but we still have a couple of days worth of exploring to do in this incredible city.

Taksim Square

From wherever you are staying, make your way to Taksim Square. This may be a walk or a combination of buses and trains. This is the starting point for today and is a bustling area worth a wander. Food here is cheap and delicious and it is a great spot for some shopping.

If you need to change money then you will easily find a handful of money changers near Taksim Square as well. This is the best spot in Istanbul to change money apart from the Grand Bazaar.

Istiklal Street, Galata and Galata Tower

Open up your map here for today . If you don’t mind walking we recommend walking from Taksim all the way down through Galata and ending in Karakoy. Along the way you will get to walk down a popular shopping street where you will see the Istiklal tram.

You should also stop to check out any of the shops, cafes or eateries along the way that interest you. 

As you reach the end of the street, make your way down to Galata Tower. You can climb the tower for around $20 USD to get some nice views of Istanbul. We reckon this is a waste of money and would instead encourage you to wait until you reach Galata Bridge in Karakoy later today.

The best photos can be taken from a side street next to the tower. You’ll find the spot easily as you’ll see the crowds. If you want the best photo you’ll want to head here for sunrise, otherwise you can still get some cool photos with a few people in them.

Continue along your walking route and you will reach the Kamondo Stairs, which you will descend and continue on down to Karakoy. 

Price: Free ($20 USD to go up the tower)

Time Required: A couple of hours

Karakoy is our favourite part of Istanbul and we reckon it’s the most beautiful area to stay. If you’re hungry, then make sure to seek out a fish wrap (balik durum). They’re everywhere but our favourite is located here . They cost around $4 USD. 

You’ll start near Karakoy Bridge, take some time to wander along the waterfront. Feel free to take some photos and sit down at any of the restaurants. This is a good chance to lose some time by sipping a tea (or cay).

Try Baklava

As you continue along, keep going through the streets until you reach Gulluoglu . This is where you can try some of the best baklava in Istanbul. It is mind blowingly good so don’t skip this. 

If you’re like us and you love baklava, then you can also head to Koskeroglu afterwards to try some more.

Make sure to try the standard pistachio and walnut baklava as well as the cold baklava.

Price: Free (but you’ll want to buy some food)

Galata Bridge

Wander back along Karakoy’ waterfront until you reach Galata Bridge. The views both on and beneath the bridge are some of the best in Istanbul. This is our favourite spot to watch the sunset so see if you can time this around sunset.

Day 14 – Istanbul

For your final day in Istanbul you should head over to see the Asian side of the city, Kadikoy. This will only take a few hours so it’s perfect if you have an afternoon or evening flight or bus to catch.

Kadikoy – Morning

Catch the ferry from either Karakoy or Eminonu to Kadikoy. You’ll want to use your Istanbulkart and it will cost less than $1 USD each way. 

You might have noticed that we’ve intentionally omitted a Bosphorus Cruise from this itinerary. By all means, book one in for one of your evenings in Istanbul. However, if your goal is to just see Istanbul from the water then your best and cheapest option is to jump on this exact ferry.

Your walking route for today should look something like this . You’ll disembark the ferry, check out Kadikoy Square then walk along the waterfront to Moda. Walk through Moda then back to Kadikoy Square for lunch. 

We don’t have any specific attractions to reach this morning, instead spend your time wandering and exploring. Kadikoy is known for its food and we tried a few nice spots which we’ll suggest below. However, we did realise once we were there that knowing the best places to try was a bit challenging. Booking a food tour such as this one would have been a much better idea, but unfortunately outside of our budget.

Food Suggestions

Fazil Bey’s Turkish Coffee – One of the best places in Turkey to try Turkish Coffee.

Kadikoy Merkes Borekcisi – Good, cheap borek. Have a tea and start your day here if you like.

Ali Muhiddin Haci Bekir – Probably the best Turkish Delights in Istanbul, if not Turkey (though a bit pricey)

Halil Lahmacun – closed when we visited, however it has a reputation for one of the best lahmacuns in Istanbul, and we love lahmacun. To eat lahmacun, squeeze some lemon on it, throw in some greens then roll it up.

Ciya Sofrasi – Known for its local food, but it looks a bit overpriced these days due to its reputation. We didn’t eat here but it could be worth checking out as a lot of the food tours stop here.

Getting around Turkey is easy! The public transport is effective all over the country. Istanbul’s public transport works efficiently as long as you have the Istanbulkart which gives you access to MRT, buses, trams and ferries. The T1 tram will be your main way of getting around. 

To get between cities we highly recommend the buses. Flying is an option, but with all the customs and security processes combined with the location of the airports it doesn’t usually work out quicker than busing, just more expensive.

Kamil Koc is the largest operator in Turkey and was recently bought out by FlixBus, the largest bus company in Europe. You will want to book directly with FlixBus as their website is in English. The buses are all luxury coaches.

Everything you need to know is in our Turkey Travel Guide .

The perfect amount of time to spend in Turkey is around 17 days. This will allow you to see everything along the standard tourist route without having to rush. However, with smart planning, a two week itinerary will be absolutely amazing! It’s entirely up to you how much time you have.

To explore the entire country we’d set aside at least a month to enable you to head to some of the more remote locations such as Trabzon and Mount Nemrut.

Turkey is a very affordable country to visit if you’re coming from a wealthy country such as the United States, Australia or Western Europe. On the cheap end, two weeks should cost around $50 USD a day including food, activities and accommodation for a single person. Double it for a couple.

There’s heaps of fantastic places to stay in Turkey. These are a few of our favourites, either places we’ve stayed or places we’ve heard great things about along the way. We’ll update these as we stay in more places or hear from other travellers.

Budget & Mid-Range: Archeo – they have a fantastic cafe downstairs to chill in and nice rooms, perfectly located in Karakoy near the tram to Sultanahmet.

Cappadocia / Goreme

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Highlights of Turkey: A 2 Week Turkey Itinerary For First Time Visitors

Turkey is an underrated tourist destination that has so much to offer, from archaeological ruins and cities to a spectacular aquamarine coastline.

Are you overwhelmed trying to plan a trip to Turkey ? Don’t know where to go and what to see in Turkey? Believe me, I was in your shoes not so long ago.

Turkey (now officially known as Türkiye ) is such a massive country with so many cities to visit, it’s hard to figure out where to start , let alone how to get around, where to stay and what to do in each destination.

If you’re feeling a bit lost, read on for an easy, customizable 14 day Turkey itinerary for first time visitors to the country that straddles 2 continents.

Is this Turkey itinerary right for me?

If you are planning your dream Turkey trip then you need to realize that Turkey is a really, really big country: one of the biggest travel mistakes you can make when planning your Turkey itinerary is underestimating the time it takes to travel between cities.

Personally, if it is your first time I would not recommend spending fewer than 7 days in Turkey as you won’t be able to cover much ground – it’s best to aim for no less than 10 days to 2 weeks in Turkey.

If you’ve read my overly ambitious Mainland Greece road trip itinerary , you’ll know that I do not like wasting time. This Turkey travel itinerary is for you if you:

• don’t want to waste time traveling between destinations…
• …but also want to take in the sights and attractions in Turkey without feeling rushed
• don’t want to travel with a tour group and prefer to travel independently
• are comfortable renting a car in Turkey and embarking on a Turkey road trip
• are happy to take a few domestic flights to save time between certain destinations
• are a first-time visitor and want a taste of what Turkey has to offer

At the end of the day, the best itinerary for Turkey is one that works for your travel schedule and is in line with what you’re looking to accomplish during your dream trip. Read to the end of this 2 week itinerary for Turkey for some ideas on how to modify it to either shorten it or add more stops!

You might also enjoy: Common Turkey travel mistakes to avoid making

Is it safe to travel to Turkey?

The country underwent an attempted coup in July 2016 and has experienced political unrest over the past couple of years. A state of emergency was imposed after the coup attempt but has since been lifted in 2018. There have also been a number of attacks in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and other Turkish cities.

Multiple governments have travel advisories telling its citizens to reconsider traveling to Turkey. Should you cancel your travel plans? It depends. From personal experience, we experienced nothing but warm hospitality from the Turkish people, except for some minor scams here and there – 1 taxi driver in Istanbul overcharged us by almost 5 times the normal rate (taxi scams are common in Turkey), and a shopkeeper in Cappadocia tried to scam us out of 60 bucks when we exchanged our US Dollars to Turkish Lira.

But that’s not to say that you shouldn’t be aware and cautious, just as you would at home or abroad in any other country. Here are a few precautions to take according to the U.S. Department of State:

• Stay alert in locations frequented by Westerners
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds
• Stay at hotels with identifiable security measures
• Monitor local media and adjust your plans based on new information

Most governments also agree that you should avoid traveling to the border region with Syria .

Essential Turkey travel tips

✈️ To get into Turkey you have a few international airport options as the country is well-connected by air. You are most likely to fly into Istanbul (which as two international airports), Antalya, Ankara, Izmir, Dalaman or Bodrum as your first port of arrival for your Turkey trip. You can take a taxi to your hotel, or use Uber if you are arriving in Istanbul, Izmir or Ankara. If you are arriving into Istanbul save yourself some hassle and  pre-book your Istanbul Airport Private Transfer  or  pre-book your Sabiha Gokcen Airport Private Transfer .

🛂 You may need an e-Visa to enter Turkey : Check your eligibility here . Visa fees for Turkey vary depending on your nationality. You can apply for your visa ahead of time on the official Turkish government e-visa website here .

💱 The local currency is the Turkish Lira (TL) : The exchange rate is approximately US$1: 32 TL or 1 Euro: 35 TL. When we visited in 2018 it was closer to US$1: 5-7 TL or 1 Euro: 8-10 TL. Euros and USD are occasionally also accepted (and sometimes preferred) by shops and tour companies.

📱 Stay connected and buy a local SIM card: There are usually counters on arrival at the international airports in Turkey or shops operated by Vodafone locally where you can buy a Turkish SIM card.

🌤️ Weather in Turkey: When we visited in September, it was already significantly cooler in Istanbul than other coastal areas like Izmir, Alacati , Fethiye and Oludeniz . The temperature in spring and autumn dips, and the country experiences snow during the winter months.

🗓️ Best time to visit Turkey : In general, tourism numbers are far lower than they have historically been, so in my opinion there is no “bad” time to visit Turkey if you want to avoid tourist crowds. However, the weather is more pleasant from April to about October/November, after which it can get bitterly cold.

🎟️ Invest in the Museum Pass : The Museum Pass Turkey is a great card to purchase if you are visiting multiple cities in Turkey. It is accepted at most museums and archaeological sites including ones in Istanbul , Ephesus , Pamukkale and Fethiye and allows you to skip-the-queue – all you need to do is swipe or present the card at the entrance and you can sail right in.

The Museum Pass Turkey is valid for 15 days and currently costs 3500 TL (as of August 2023) though the price does tend to go up every year. Nevertheless, you end up saving a lot in entrance fees if you put it to good use. It can be purchased at pretty much any landmark that accepts it as well as online.

👚 Dress code in Turkey : Most of the population in Turkey are Muslim, yet Turkey as a whole is not extremely conservative. Men can walk around with sleeveless tops and female tourists are not required to wear headscarves. The only exception is when you enter a mosque, in which case you will need to abide by the dress code (in general, men must wear long trousers and women must cover their hair, arms and knees). That being said, to be respectful of cultural norms I wouldn’t recommend walking around with too much exposed skin.

🌐 Language in Turkey: Turkish is the most spoken language in Istanbul, and most people, especially those in hospitality or food & beverage, speak English very fluently so you shouldn’t have a problem with communication.

🛏️ Booking hotels in Turkey : This is an important Turkey travel tip to be aware of before you hop on a plane – you can not book hotels in Turkey using Booking.com when you are in Turkey, as it has been blocked by the Turkish government (so has Wikipedia, and they’re looking to extend the ban to other websites including AirBnB and Expedia).

Instead, make sure you book hotels for your stay in Turkey before your trip , or use Hotels.com for any last-minute hotel bookings that you need to make when you are already in the country. These two websites don’t appear to be blocked – yet – but either way you’ll want to book ahead, especially if you’re visiting during the peak travel season.

For even more information on Turkey travel dos and don’ts click here!

How to get around Turkey

There are a number of options to get around Turkey. We ended up traveling around using a combination of domestic flights, rental car, scooter (in Cappadocia ) and by public transportation or on foot. You can also take buses if you are on a budget.

At the beginning of our trip, we flew into Istanbul and immediately caught a domestic flight to Cappadocia as the drive would have taken 10-12 hours. Next, we caught another domestic flight from Cappadocia to Izmir and rented a Hyundai i20 car from Alamo Rental Cars to embark on the Turkey road trip portion of our trip: we traveled from Izmir-Ephesus-Fethiye-Pamukkale-Alacati-Izmir. It cost us just US$110/100 Euros for 8 days and tolls are virtually non-existent in Turkey.

For any drives longer than 5-6 hours I would recommend trying to take a domestic flight. Sometimes it’s just easier to fly between cities as there are many domestic flights operated by Turkish Airlines, Pegasus and SunEpxress, and they are fairly reasonably priced.

After dropping the rental car off at Izmir we then ended the trip by flying back to Istanbul and spending our last 3 days in Turkey exploring the attractions and landmarks in the city that spans two continents.

Looking for the best prices for rental cars around the world? Click here to book your rental car in Turkey. Bookings can be cancelled or amended if your plans change!

14 day Turkey itinerary

Turkey surprised me. There, I said it. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I did not expect it to be as diverse as it was, especially as most of what you read in news headlines doesn’t always exactly paint the country in the most positive light.

In just 2 weeks in Turkey, we explored centuries-old archaeological ruins; swam off the pristine Turquoise Coast; saw dolphins frolicking in the Bosphorus Strait; visited gilded palaces, museums and mosques; sampled a plethora of Turkish cuisine; soared above otherworldly terrain in a hot air balloon and much much more.

My biggest tip for visiting Turkey is this: keep an open mind. The country is rich in history and culture, and the landscapes are unreal. Here is how I recommend spending your 14 days in Turkey!

Note: For our 2 week Turkey itinerary we essentially did a “big loop” from Istanbul-Cappadocia-Izmir, and then a “small loop” from Izmir-Ephesus-Fethiye-Pamukkale-Alacati. This itinerary is also do-able in reverse and is a rough guide to help you decide how many days to spend in each city. We did it this way to minimize our time on the road and to cover as much ground as possible in just 2 weeks in Turkey.

Day 1-4: Cappadocia (3 nights)

Cappadocia is an iconic Turkey travel destination, and it is one of the most popular places in the world to go hot air ballooning – but as we learned, there’s more to Cappadocia than hot air balloons, carpet shops and Instagram rooftops.

To get there, we got off our long-haul flight in Istanbul and hopped straight onto a domestic flight to Cappadocia – you can fly into either Kayseri (Erkilet International Airport or ASR) or Nevşehir (Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport or NAV).

Most people will recommend that you don’t skip Cappadocia from your Turkey trip itinerary, but make sure you don’t overlook what the region has to offer beyond hot air ballooning! It is also home to sprawling underground cities, a plethora of viewpoints, open air museums and archaeological sites.

You’ll want to spend at least 3 nights here to explore Cappadocia, and you’ll need a few “back-up” mornings in case your hot air balloon ride is cancelled (which does happen!) and you need to reschedule.

Read more: 10 things to know before you go hot air ballooning in Cappadocia

Don’t miss Uchisar Castle, the Goreme Open Air Museum, the Pasabag Fairy Chimneys, Rose Valley, Derinkuyu Underground City and book a hot air balloon ride. For more information about what to do in Cappadocia click here.

Hotel recommendation for Cappadocia: The majority of the hotels are located in Göreme, Ürgüp and Uçhisar, but in my opinion, the best place to stay in Cappadocia is in Göreme as the town has lots of tour companies, grocery stores, restaurants and hotels. Hanzade Suites is located right off the main street in Goreme and is within walking distance to the Goreme Sunset Point. Our room was spacious and cozy, and the rooftop is a great place to hang out for tea or coffee – you can also watch the balloons fly overhead in the mornings. Click here to check current rates at Hanzade Suites or head on over here to see other highly rated hotel options in Cappadocia! We also considered staying at Sunset Cave (located just up the hill from Hanzade Suites and similarly close to the sunset viewpoint), Tulip Cave Suites (a boutique hotel with a rooftop terrace and family rooms), and Naif Hotel (modern adults-only boutique hotel with private parking available).

Day 4-5: Ephesus via Izmir (1 night)

The ancient Greek (and later, Roman) city of Ephesus is home to some of the most wondrous UNESO-listed ruins in the world including the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. Present day Ephesus is located in Selçuk in western Turkey.

We left Cappadocia on the morning of the 4th day and took a flight to Izmir (there are direct domestic flights between Cappadocia and Izmir during the summer months, or flights via Istanbul during the other months of the year).

From Izmir, we drove just under an hour to Selcuk and arrived in the early evening. After a light dinner, we turned in for the night to wake up refreshed and energized to go sightseeing on the morning of the 5th day.

The sprawling Ephesus ruins can easily be explored within 2 hours, and you should also stop at the Ephesus Archaeological Museum and Temple of Artemis. Don’t miss the Library of Celsus, the Terrace Houses and the Antique Theatre. Click here for more information on visiting the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Ephesus in 1 day.

To make the most of your time in Turkey, move onto the next top after you’ve explored Ephesus – 1 night in Selcuk is more than enough.

Hotel recommendation for Selcuk: I highly recommend Akanthus Hotel Ephesus , just minutes away from the ancient ruins. It is a beautiful and cosy boutique hotel with elegant, country chic décor. The owner is incredibly welcoming and the staff are very helpful and warm. The hotel also has a pool for those extra warm days and free street parking outside. Click here to check current rates at Akanthus Hotel Ephesus . Based on glowing reviews, we would also consider staying at Celsus Boutique Hotel (a cottage-chic hotel with spacious rooms and a wonderful staff) and Livia Hotel Ephesus (an adults-only boutique hotel with beautiful, peaceful grounds). These two alternatives to Akanthus are also a 5-10 minute drive away from the Ephesus ruins. You can check out other highly rated options in Selcuk . Prefer to stay overnight in Izmir instead? Here are some popular hotels in Izmir.

Day 5-8: Fethiye (3 nights)

After leaving Ephesus in the early afternoon, we drove south from Selcuk for about 5 hours and arrived at the seaside town of Fethiye (with a quick stop in Dalyan) in the early evening.

Fethiye was once known as the ancient city of “Telmessos”, one of the most important cities of the Lycian civilization. It is located in the Aegeon region in southwest Turkey, about 4 hours south from Izmir.

Fethiye is surrounded by outrageously cool heritage sites, archaeological wonders, pristine beaches and lagoons and towering mountains. It’s also one of the best places in the world to go paragliding, or you can watch the paragliders take off one after the other from Mount Babadağ.

Don’t miss the Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon, go on a day trip on a boat around the ultra blue bays of Fethiye, see Butterfly Valley (from above and by boat) and visit the Amyntas Rock Tomb.

Many people also do a day trip to Saklikent Gorge from Fethiye. Click here for the best things to do in Fethiye!

Hotel recommendation for Fethiye: Book yourself into Yacht Boheme Hotel , an adults-only beach chic hotel steps away from the marina. The décor is beautiful and very bohemian, the rooms are extremely spacious and the breakfast spread is amazing and fresh. The hotel is just a 5 minute stroll away from the “downtown” area of Fethiye with restaurants and shops, and there is also free parking – the staff even provides valet services at no extra cost. Click here to check current rates at Yacht Boheme Hotel (Adults Only) in Fethiye or head on over here to see some other highly rated hotel options in Fethiye and Oludeniz . If you like the look and feel of Yacht Boheme , you might also want to consider its sister hotel Yacht Classic Hotel (which also accepts families traveling with children), or check out the rustic-yet-chic rooms at Hotel Unique (like Yacht Boheme, it is adults only). This group of boutique hotels in Fethiye has consistently positive reviews for the attentive service, cleanliness and location.

Day 8-9: Pamukkale (via Kayaköy and Tlos) (1 night)

After a glorious 3 nights in Fethiye, we were more than half way through the 2 week Turkey itinerary. We reluctantly peeled ourselves away from the glistening water and made our way towards Pamukkale in Denizli province .

Enroute, we stopped at Kayaköy and Tlos: Kayaköy is less than half an hour away from Fethiye and is often referred to as a “ghost village” that was once home to nearly 20,000 Greek Orthodox residents.

The Tlos ruins are only about 40 minutes away from Fethiye, and it is believed that the hero Bellerophon once resided in Tlos. Bellerophon was a Greek hero credited with slaying the dreaded Chimera, a monster with a lion’s head, goat’s body and a serpent’s tail. You can read more about Kayaköy and Tlos here. Both are easy day trips from Fethiye if you have more time, or you can do a quick pitstop on your way from Fethiye to Pamukkale.

Once you have explored the ghost town and archaeological ruins, make your way onwards to Pamukkale, or Turkey’s “cotton castle”, one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the world.

Pamukkale was formed when a spring with a high content of calcium bicarbonate cascaded over the edge of the mountain cliff, which cooled and hardened leaving white-coloured calcium deposits and aquamarine mineral-rich water.

We stayed overnight in Pamukkale and visited the travertines on the morning of the 9th day – you should only need a few hours to see the travertines and the Hieropolis ruins.

Head on over here for more tips on visiting Pamukkale and how to be a responsible visitor at the travertines.

Hotel recommendation for Pamukkale: The town of Pamukkale has very limited accommodation options and Bellamaritimo Hotel is probably your best bet for a 1-2 night stay in the area. Many people plan a day trip to Pamukkale from Bodrum or Izmir, but I would recommend spending 1 night in Pamukkale so that you can visit the travertines early in the morning. Click here to see availability and current rates at Bellamaritimo Hotel , or head on over here for some other hotel options near the Pamukkale travertines. Looking for more Pamukkale hotel options? Based on extensive research, I would also personally consider staying at Venus Suite Hotel (clean, modern-ish hotel 15-minute walk from the ticket office or take their shuttle service into town), or Hotel Pamukkale (family-run hotel located near the Pamukkale lower gate entrance).

Day 9-11: Alaçatı (2 nights)

We left Pamukkale around noon after visiting the travertines on day 9, and drove to Alaçatı in just under 4 hours – right in time to check into our next Turkey boutique hotel stay. Alaçatı (pronounced “Ala-cha-ti”) is a small town just a hop and skip away from Izmir on the west coast of Turkey.

The charming town is a hidden gem that most people haven’t heard of, and the majority of first-time visitors leave Alaçati off their Turkey itinerary.

Alaçati is not one of those places where you follow a list of things to do to the letter. There aren’t a ton of landmarks, archaeological sites or museums to add to a checklist – instead, wander through the cobblestone streets and check out the colourful buildings.

On a bright summer’s day head to the coast and spend the frolicking in the Aegean, or head straight to one of the local wineries and taste the wonderful Turkish wine. Read more about what to do in Alaçati here.

If you are fortunate enough to spend more than 2 weeks in Turkey then I highly recommend spending a few more days relaxing and sipping on cocktails in Alaçati and exploring the neighboring city of Çeşme.

Hotel recommendation for Alaçati: I highly recommend staying at GAIA ALACATI , a stylish boutique hotel in the heart of the old town. One of the best parts of the small boutique property is the enclosed internal courtyard-slash-restaurant where you can get your fix of mouthwatering food and drinks. Click here to check current rates at GAIA ALAÇATI or head on over here to see even more Alacati boutique hotels! If you love the look of GAIA ALAÇATI , you might also like their new properties – check out GAIA Bazaar which is also in the old town, and GAIA By The Sea which is their adults-only property located on the seafront in nearby Çeşme.

Day 11-14: Istanbul (3 nights)

On the morning of day 11 in Turkey, we drove back to Izmir to return the rental car and hopped on a short 1-hour flight to Istanbul . Domestic flights take just over 1 hour and are extremely reasonably priced, or you will need to embark on a 5-hour long drive from Izmir to Istanbul which eats up a huge chunk of your 2 weeks in Turkey.

End your 2 weeks in Turkey in the city of Istanbul. The city is absolutely buzzing with things to do and see, if you only have 3 days in Istanbul make sure you go on a food tour around the city ( this is the one I recommend ), cross the Bosphorus Strait on a ferry and visit the 17th century Egyptian Bazaar.

Istanbul is a wonderful city to explore on foot. Make sure you go for a wander through the Grand Bazaar, tour the Topkapi Palace Museum and Harem and visit the famous Blue Mosque just to name a few. Head on over here for more ideas of things to do in Istanbul!

Istanbul is a fantastic place to start your Turkey adventure or to end your trip – you’ll want to spend a minimum of 2 to 3 nights in Istanbul to make the most of your time in the city.

Hotel recommendation for Istanbul: We stayed in the Beyoglu district, just steps away from the Galata Tower and Istiklal Street. Pera Neuf is a stylish and classy yet comfortable boutique apartment in the thick of it all. We loved how clean the apartment was – the beds are extremely comfortable and the shower pressure is fantastic. Click here to check current rates and availability at Pera Neuf or click here to see other centrally-located and highly-rated accommodation options in Istanbul ! Following extensive research, we would also consider staying at Be Mate Casa Di Bava which is also in the Beyoglu area. Like Pera Neuf, Be Mate Casa Di Bava offers one-bedroom apartments with small kitchenettes and also “deluxe” apartments which have a small balcony. Reviewers love the spacious apartments, helpful manager and in-building elevator. Click here to check availability and rates at Be Mate Casa Di Bava.

Is 2 weeks enough for Turkey? Other suggestions for your Turkey itinerary

If it is your first trip to Turkey, it’s best to aim to spend no less than 10 days to 2 weeks in this sprawling country. Like I mentioned earlier, you need to account for lengthy travel time between regions as there is a lot of ground to cover in Turkey in 2 weeks – there is also a lot to see and do, and even more to eat!

I would have happily stayed in Turkey an additional week or two to explore some of the lesser-visited regions such as Trabzon and other cities along the coast of the Black Sea in the north; Kaş and more of the Turquoise Coast towards Antalya ; or ventured inland to visit the stone heads guarding the royal tombs at Mount Nemrut in eastern Turkey.

Have more than 2 weeks in Turkey? If you are able to spend more than 3 weeks in Turkey you might also want to add a few of these destinations to your itinerary: Bodrum on the Turkish Riviera, Apollo’s Temple in Didim , the Gallipoli peninsula in Çanakkale , Pergamon or Troy .

I hope this Turkey 2 week itinerary helps you to better plan your dream Turkey trip, and gives you an idea of how long to stay in each place, what to do and where to stay.

You can easily shave off a few days here and there or skip a destination to convert this into a 10 day Turkey itinerary. Been to Turkey before? Leave a comment below with your favorite landmark!

You might also find these Turkey destination guides helpful:

• Here are some of the top Turkey travel mistakes to avoid
• Most people begin or end their Turkey trip in Istanbul – here is my guide to spending 3 days in Istanbul
• Head to this charming coastal town near Izmir – read on for the top things to do in Alaçati in Turkey
• History lovers can’t skip the UNESCO-listed ruins of Ephesus. Head here for my guide to exploring Ephesus
• Cappadocia is famous for its dreamy landscape and hot air balloons, but there’s so much more to see and do in this region. Here are the top things to do in Cappadocia
• And here are all my best tips for booking a hot air balloon experience in Cappadocia
• Wondering if it’s worth visiting Turkey’s cotton castle? Read this for my thoughts on visiting Pamukkale
• You’ll love Turkey’s Turquoise Coast: read my guide to Fethiye and Oludeniz

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19 Comments

Hi Flo, Just wanted to check what was the budget you allocated for this itinerary?

Hi Charlotte, we generally allocate US$150-250/night for accommodation and don’t have a fixed budget for rental cars/tours/meals as it varies so much. We do dine out frequently but found meals to be very reasonably priced in Turkey – even at the more upscale restaurants. The Cappadocia balloon will cost anywhere between US$190-350 per person, I would recommend that you splurge a little for the more “premium” tours as they have fewer people in the baskets and longer flight times which make for a more comfortable balloon experience. I share a little more about this here: https://www.yogawinetravel.com/what-to-know-about-hot-air-ballooning-in-cappadocia-turkey/

Hope this helps!

Hi Flo, Thanks a lot for such an informative article. We are going in May end from 20th may till 3rd Jun. We are following the itinerary to the tee but I have one question, should we do 2 nights in fethiye n 4 nights in Istanbul or 3 nights in fethiye n 3 nights in Istanbul. Your suggestion will really help. Also, in alacati where do we park our car given the cobbled streets in the old Town are very narrow. We are also flying out the same day to capadoccia the day we are landing in Istanbul, how many hours of gap should we keep between the arrival flight n the flight to capadoccia? 2 hours is ok or to be on the safer side keep it longer than that? Regards Anubrata

Hi Anubrata, thanks for taking the time to read this. I’m happy to hear you found it helpful in trip planning.

It really depends on what you’re after – city or beach. If you’d rather explore Istanbul then you can stay 4 nights in the city. However we personally found 3 nights to be enough for a first trip and preferred to spend more time by the sea.

You should park your car in Alacati at your hotel – ask them if they have on-site parking. We parked on the street next to Gaia, and while it was street parking we had no issues.

Depending on which airport you land at you may want to leave a solid 2 hours between flights, we found the international airport to be very busy. And you should ensure that your flights are from the same airport as there are 2 in Istanbul. Hope that helps,

Hello! Just wondering if you booked all your hotel accommodations before arriving in Turkey? Thanks!

Hi Star, yes we did but our plans changed between Pamukkale and Istanbul, and we ended up going to Alacati for 2 nights. When I tried to using Booking.com for Alacati it didn’t work (it is blocked in Turkey), which is why you’ll need to use an alternative booking engine like HotelsCombined. Best of luck!

Hi I am planning to visit turkey in December for about 2 weeks will follow your itenary but you have not mentioned anything for Antalya,Bodrum, Ankara are these places worth visiting as I am going to self drive from Istanbul

Hi Chetan, apologies but we did not make it to those areas. If you plan on following this itinerary for 2 weeks you might find that you’ll need closer to 3 weeks to visit Antalya and Ankara as well. You can likely stop in Bodrum on your way down to Fethiye if you’d like to slot that in. Safe travels!

Hi .. Hope your doing well. Thank you for this article . I am planning a trip and will be following this itinerary . You mentioned that on your way to Fethiye you did a quick stop in Dalyan. I would like to know if it will be possible to visit the beach and do a mud batch and still be able to reach by late evening to Fethiye.

Thank You in advance, Sylvia Dsilva

Hi Sylvia, yes that is do-able as the drive from Dalyan to Fethiye takes only about an hour. You will need to be prepared for a fairly long travel day though!

Hi, great article. I might follow your itinerary for my trip with my brother and dad. I do not know if my father will understand why we will take flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia without visiting it first. Though I think it will feel a lot more magical . I just wanted to ask what is the average cost ? I know it can be different but what is the scale for budget travelling? My budget is 12-1500 per person. Also do you buy the domestic flight tickets before or during the trip? I am not really that experienced. Thank you.

Hi Hasan, great to hear that you found this itinerary helpful. Turkey is very budget friendly but each person’s budget is going to vary depending on which hotels they stay at, restaurants you choose to eat at, transportation costs (whether you’re hiring a driver/taxi vs. self-driving) etc. You should buy your domestic tickets before the trip.

Best of luck!

Thank you so much! BTW, just booked my room at Hanzade!

Hi Flo! Your article is great in helping me plan my trip to Turkey in May. I usually book hotels once I’m there so very grateful for your tips on Booking.com. I do plan to take domestic flights to Cappadocia/Ismir/Istanbul, but for getting around to other areas I’m not sure I can drive. How hard is it to drive and navigate in Turkey? I w/be solo. What do you recommend? Thanks in advance.

Hi Lan, so glad you found this helpful! It’s not too difficult to drive in Turkey, the roads we were on were in pretty good condition and there is lots of free parking. Alternatively, perhaps you could arrange 1-way transfers between cities. In that case, I would advise that you ask your hotel for recommendations and pricing. Happy travels!

hello i really liked your article , but i have just one question , do i need to have visa to visit turkey if i am from Italy ?

Hi Kalifaa, please see this page: http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa

“Italy: Ordinary and official passport holders are exempt from visa for their travels up to 90 days.”

Hi, when u say u took a flight from cappadocia to izmir … did u take the keyseri or the other one? Thanks

Hi Sal, Pegasus has direct flights to Izmir from Kayseri, or you can also go with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (also from Kayseri). Both airports are approximately the same distance from Goreme so it doesn’t matter if you fly from Kayseri or Nevsehir – just go with whichever offers the flight time you need.

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2 Week Turkey Itinerary (Best Highlights of Turkey In 14 Days)

In this post, let’s read about the Turkey Itinerary 14 Days. So check the detailed 2 week Turkey Itinerary with things to do, where to shop, hotel stays, and other valuable tips for first-timers. 

• Ultimate Turkey Itinerary 8 Days (Best of Turkey + Day-wise Things To Do)
• Best Istanbul Itinerary 4 Days ( 4 Days In Istanbul )

2 Week Turkey Itinerary – Turkey Itinerary 14 Days

Read the day-wise split up of your Turkey 2 week tour with things to do, where to stay, and the best itinerary for Turkey. 

VISA TO TURKEY

Turkey gives e-Visa to 99 countries. You can click this link to check and apply for your e-Visa . Indians having valid USA visas get e-Visa to Turkey within 2 to 3 working days by applying online. 

Turkey Itinerary 14 Days

Read things to do in Turkey itinerary 14 days or 2 week Turkey itinerary with hotel stay options.

Day 1-3: Istanbul (3 days)

• Visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, and Grand Bazaar.
• Stay in the Sultanahmet area, such as Hotel Sultania or Sultanahmet Palace Hotel.

Day 4-5: Cappadocia (2 days)

ALSO READ👉🏼: Best Cappadocia Itinerary 3 Days + Workshops +Folk Shows + Tours Guide

• Take a hot air balloon ride, explore the unique rock formations and cave dwellings, and visit Goreme Open Air Museum.
• Stay in Goreme, Kelebek Special Cave Hotel, or Sultan Cave Suites.

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Day 6-7: Pamukkale (2 days)

• Visit the white terraces of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis.
• Stay in Pamukkale, Doga Thermal Health & Spa, or Venus Suite Hotel.

Day 8-9: Ephesus (2 days)

• Explore the ancient city of Ephesus, and visit the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis.
• Stay in Selcuk, such as Hotel Nilya or Kalehan Hotel.

Day 10-11: Antalya (2 days)

• Visit the old town of Kaleici, explore the Antalya Museum, and relax on Konyaalti Beach.
• Stay in Antalya, such as Puding Marina Residence or Mediterra Art Hotel.

Day 12-13: Fethiye (2 days)

• Take a boat tour of the stunning coastline and visit the Blue Lagoon.
• Stay in Fethiye, such as Alesta Yacht Hotel or Infinity Exclusive City Hotel.

Day 14: Istanbul (1 day)

• Explore any remaining attractions in Istanbul, such as the Dolmabahce Palace or the Chora Church. 

FAQs for first-time tourists to Turkey – Best of Turkey in 2 Weeks

• Do I need a visa to enter Turkey? 

Yes, most visitors to Turkey need a visa. Check with your country’s embassy or consulate for specific requirements. You can apply for an e-Visa online before your trip or get a visa on arrival at the airport.

• What is the currency in Turkey?

 The currency in Turkey is the Turkish lira (TRY). You can exchange currency at banks and exchange offices or withdraw cash from ATMs.

• Is it safe to travel to Turkey?

Overall, Turkey is a safe country for tourists. However, like any destination, you must be aware of your surroundings and take precautions against pickpocketing and other petty crimes. It’s also a good idea to avoid large crowds and political demonstrations.

• What should I wear in Turkey?

 Turkey is predominantly Muslim, so it’s essential to dress modestly, especially in religious sites. Women should cover their heads, shoulders, and knees, and men should avoid wearing shorts in mosques. Outside of sacred sites, you can dress more casually.

• What are some must-see attractions in Turkey? 

Turkey has a rich history and culture, so many must-see attractions exist. Some of the most popular include the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque in Istanbul, the ancient city of Ephesus, the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, and the thermal pools of Pamukkale.

• What is the language spoken in Turkey? 

The official language of Turkey is Turkish, but many people speak English, especially in tourist areas. It’s a good idea to learn some basic Turkish phrases, such as “Marhaba” (hello) and “teşekkür ederim” (thank you).

• What is the best time to visit Turkey? 

The best time to visit Turkey depends on your interests and itinerary. Generally, spring (April to May) and fall (September to November) are the best times to visit, as the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds. However, if you plan to visit the beach or participate in outdoor activities, summer (June to August) is the best time. Winter (December to February) can be cold and rainy, but visiting ski resorts is a good time. 

• Can We Drive To Turkey?

Driving Laws:  In Turkey, vehicles drive on the right side of the road. The speed limits vary depending on the type of road, with limits ranging from 50 km/h (31 mph) in cities to 120 km/h (75 mph) on highways. Yes, you can drive in Turkey with a valid driver’s license, which permits driving in Turkey or having an International Driving Permit (IDP).

Internal Flight Budget & Details for Turkey Itinerary Planning

If you plan to visit Cappadocia, take a domestic flight from Istanbul to Kayseri, the closest airport to the region. Internal flights in Turkey are a convenient and relatively affordable way to travel between different parts of the country. Here’s some information on the cost of internal flights: 

• Flight Cost : The cost of domestic flights in Turkey can vary depending on the airline, time of year, and how far in advance you book. However, as of April 2023, the average one-way fare for a flight from Istanbul to Kayseri is around $40-60 USD, depending on the airline and time of day.
• Airlines:  Several airlines offer flights from Istanbul to Kayseri, including Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, and SunExpress. Comparing prices and checking the baggage allowance and any additional fees before booking your flight is always recommended for low-cost internal airlines.
• Flight Duration:  The flight from Istanbul to Kayseri takes approximately 1.5 hours, making it a quick and convenient way to travel between the two cities.
• Transportation to/from Airports:  In Istanbul, you can take the metro, tram, or bus to the airports, depending on your location. You can take a taxi or shuttle bus to your hotel or other destination in Kayseri.

Remember that a domestic flight may add to your overall travel expenses if you’re on a budget. However, it can save you time and provide a more comfortable travel experience than taking a long bus or train ride.

Budget of 2 Week Turkey Itinerary for One Person?

The total budget for 2 week Turkey itinerary will depend on several factors, such as the level of comfort and the activities you choose to do. However, here’s a rough estimate of the costs in US dollars:

• Flights : Round-trip flights from the US to Istanbul can range from $500 to $1000, depending on the time of year and airline.
• Accommodation:  A budget hotel or hostel can cost around $15-40 per night, while mid-range hotels can cost about $60-120 per night. Luxury hotels can cost upwards of $200 per night.
• Food:  Food in Turkey can be very affordable, especially if you eat at local cafes and restaurants. A basic meal can cost around $5-10, while a mid-range meal can cost around $15-20. Fine dining options can cost $50 or more per person.
• Transportation:  Local transportation, such as buses and trains, are relatively cheap, with fares starting at around $1-2. Taxis can be more expensive, with a starting fare of approximately $3-4.
• Activities:  Admission fees for attractions such as the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace can range from $10-20. Guided tours and activities, such as hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia, can cost upwards of $150 per person.

A budget traveler can expect to spend around $500-800 for an 8-day trip to Turkey, while mid-range travelers can expect to pay about $1000-1500. Luxury travelers can expect to spend upwards of $2500 or more. Remember that these are rough estimates, and prices can vary depending on several factors.

Do We Get Vegetarian Food In Turkey?

Turkish cuisine is famous for its diversity and the blend of many cultures. As Istanbul lies on two continents, it is a perfect melting pot of Western and Eastern cultures, also reflected in their culinary skills. You can have much vegetarian Turkish food with Asia’s aromatic spices and herbs, making Turkish food unique and worth trying.  

Shopping In Turkey – Turkey Itinerary 2 Weeks

Turkey is a shopper’s delight and offers various things ranging from local produce to locally handcrafted items, artisan products, handwoven textiles, and many Turkish products. Once known as Constantinople and Byzantium, Istanbul has been an important trade and commerce center between Europe & Asia since ancient times. 

I hope you loved reading about the 2 Week Turkey itinerary and will soon plan a Highlights of Turkey. There are so many beautiful things to do in Turkey that you can arrange for two weeks if you have more time. 

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The Ultimate Turkey Itinerary (2024)

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A fascinating mix of modern and ancient, where East meets West, Turkey is one of the most incredible countries in the world. After many visits and months of planning our Turkey itinerary, we settled on a route that led us through some of the country’s highlights: from the capital Istanbul to the otherworldly Cappadocia, to the ancient ruins of Ephesus and Troy to the beautiful turquoise coastline and beaches. We were blown away by the variety of sights and scenery on our journey. We’ve put together the ultimate Turkey Itinerary below, including our suggested route, where to stay and the best things to do in each place.

Table of Contents

Turkey Itinerary Route

Our Turkey itinerary took us on a loop of all the popular locations throughout western Turkey, starting and ending in Istanbul. The entire route can be completed in two weeks at a rush or three to four weeks to explore at a more relaxed pace. This Turkey itinerary can be extended or reduced depending on what sights you want to see and the time you have available. We did this route in 3 weeks which was around the right amount of time, however we had been to Istanbul previously so only spent 3 days there on this trip.

You can reduce the time by flying to Cappadocia or simple flying to Antalya and driving back to Istanbul via the coast road.

Route Summary:  arrive by air to Istanbul (1) – Safranbolu (2) – Cappadocia/Goreme (3) – Konya (4) – Antalya (5) – Kas (6) – Feithye (7) –Pamukalle (8) – Ephesus/Selcuk (9) – Izmir (10) – Troy  (11) – Istanbul (1)

Map of our Turkey Itinerary Route

How to Use This Google Map:  Click on the grey star at the top of the map and this map will be added to your Google Maps account. You can then view it on your phone or computer in Google Maps by clicking on the menu button, going to “Your Places” and selecting this map. We use these maps all the time as you can set out your itinerary ahead of time and quickly reference the saved maps.

How to get around Turkey

Renting a car.

Renting a car in Turkey is very safe and it’s the best way to explore the country. We rented a car to explore Turkey and it was a great way to see the country. Driving is relatively easy and having your own car gives you the flexibility to travel at your own pace and see places that are simply not possible on group tours or public transport. Check out our tips for renting a car in Turkey

We’re huge fans of road trips and have driven rental cars in almost 50 countries so we have a lot of experience renting cars in foreign countries. Book your car now with Booking.com , where you will find the best rental car prices

Book your Turkey rental car now

Public Transport

Much of this route is also possible by bus although it will likely take a little longer to allow for public transport schedules.

Turkey Itinerary: The Daily Itinerary

We’ve listed our itinerary in a loop coming from and returning to Istanbul. Feel free to reverse the order as it works just as well backward

Turkey itinerary tip:  if you are planning on visiting a lot of the sights listed in our itinerary make sure to pick up a  Turkey Museum Pass  which provides one time access to over 300 museums and sites affiliated to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey. It costs around US $35 and covers most of the ancient sites and museums and also avoids queuing for tickets. We used ours everywhere from Ephesus to Aphrodisas to Hagia Sofia and the open air museums in Cappadocia.

Day 1: Arrive in Istanbul

Most visitors to Turkey arrive and depart via the new Istanbul International Airport. After a late flight, we picked up our rental car and opted to spend a night at an airport hotel before we started our Turkey road trip. We’ll return at the end of the trip for a few relaxing days in Istanbul.

Turkey itinerary tip: Istanbul can be explored at either end of this itinerary: we preferred to save it to the end of our trip and spend a few days in the city before we left Turkey.

Where to stay at Istanbul International Airport

• Bricks Airport Hotel Istanbul – excellent reasonably priced option a short taxi ride from the airport –  check prices now!
• Rox Hotel Airport – well-appointed hotel a short taxi ride from the airport  –  check prices now!
• WOW Airport Hotel: –  spacious and comfortable rooms, free airport shuttle –  check prices now!

Click here for Istanbul airport hotel prices!

Days 2 & 3: Safranbolu

The Ottoman City of Safranbolu is perfect for a one or two-night stop. We opted for two nights as the drive to Cappadocia requires an early start and we wanted to have a day to explore Safranbolu. If you prefer, you can go straight from Istanbul to Cappadocia using our guide on how to travel between them.

Drive time: 5 hours from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Safranbolu

Safranbolu is almost frozen in time. It is a typical Ottoman city with well-preserved architecture: there are 2,000 traditional Safranbolu houses which are incredible examples of traditional Turkish housing. Safranbolu played a key part in the caravan trade as the main commercial link between the Orient and Europe.

Where to Stay in Safranbolu

• Hilton Garden Inn Safronbolu –  great modern option in Safranbolu. Rooms are clean and spacious –  check prices now!
• Gulevi Safranbolu Hotel – lovely hotel set in restored 220-year-old Ottoman mansions in the historic centre –  check prices now!
• Safranbolu Seyir Konak Otel – traditional hotel with great breakfast and wonderful views overlooking the historic centre of Safranbolu –   check prices now!

Click here for hotel prices in Safranbolu

Things to do in Safranbolu

• Explore Çarşı, the Old Town district, a maze of cobblestone alleyways winding up the hillside
• Shop for local crafts and delicacies
• Visit Cinci Hamam, a beautifully restored bathhouse

Turkey itinerary tip: we decided to drive from Istanbul to Cappadocia via Safranbolu and the archaeological site of Hattusha, both awesome historical sites. If you prefer to start your trip in Cappadocia it’s worth checking out connecting flight options to Cappadocia as it’s an 8 hour direct drive from Istanbul.

Day 4: Safranbolu to Cappadocia via Hattusha

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hattusha is an interesting stop between Safranbolu and Cappadocia and, after spending the afternoon exploring the ancient site, we arrived in Cappadocia just in time for sunset.

Drive time:  the total drive is 500km and takes around 7hours: 4hours from Safranbolu to Hattusha and 3hours from Hattusha to Cappadocia

Hattusa was the capital of the Hittite Empire, an ancient Anatolian people, in the late Bronze Age and the archaeological site consists of ruins of temples, a royal residence and fortifications. A second site close to Hattusha, Yazilikaya, contains a fascinating ensemble of rock art. The highlights are the Lions’ Gate and the Royal Gate, the rock art and the Great Temple, the best-preserved ruin of a Hittite Temple from the 13th century BC.

Things to do

• Drive around the ancient site of Hattusha
• Stop by Yazlilkaya for ancient rock art
• Watch the sunset in Cappadocia

Days 5 to 8: Cappadocia

With its whimsical landscape, ethereal beauty and balloon-filled sky Cappadocia is otherworldly. Magical valleys stretch as far as the eye can see and the sunrise hot air balloons are a once in a lifetime experience. Check out our guide to choosing where to stay in Cappadocia here.

Turkey itinerary tip: We recommend spending at least 3 nights as there are lots of things to do in Cappadocia. If a hot air balloon ride is on your must do list then make sure to leave a few extra days in case the balloon ride is cancelled due to weather. We visited in March and the balloons only flew on one of our three mornings in Cappadocia.

Where to stay in Cappadocia

We stayed in three different hotels during our time in Cappadocia and recommend each of them!

• Sultan Cave Suites – the ultimate spot to watch the balloons rise over the Cappadocia sky at sunrise, we loved waking up to a balloon filled sky. Guests have exclusive sunrise access to the rooftop terraces which over the best views –  check prices here !

Click here for Goreme Hotel prices!

• Rox Cappadocia – located right next to the highest point in Cappadocia at Uchisar Castle, the hotel has incredible views of Goreme and Guvercinlik Valley from its rooftop. We stayed in a beautiful cave room and breakfast was a real treat –  check prices here !
• Taskonaklar Hotel – we spent a few nights in a cave room at the luxury Taskonaklar Hotel. Awesome rooms, great food and fantastic views over the valley –  check prices here
• Museum Hotel – one for the bucket list, the Museum Hotel is based on the concept of a living museum. The view of the hot air balloons from the hotel’s Roman Pool is breathtaking –  check prices here !

Click here for Uchisar hotel prices!

You can read more about our stay at the Sultan Cave Suites and our guide to the Cappadocia hotels with the best view of the balloons .

Things to do in Cappadocia

There are so many awesome things to see and do in Cappadocia that your three days will be packed! Our favourite things to do were:

• Take a sunrise hot air balloon ride – this is a bucket list Cappadocia item and a must for anyone visiting. This is one of the best yours and includes hotel pickup – click here to book a hot air balloon flight

Book your Hot Air balloon ride now

• Hunt for the best Instagram photo spots in Cappadocia
• Watch the sunset over the red valley
• Explore Imagination Valley
• Stock up on rugs at a Turkish carpet shop
• See the iconic Cappadocia fairy chimneys
• Explore the underground city’s
• Visit the open-air museums
• Hang an evil eye charm on the evil eye trees

For all the photographers reading we’ve put together a list of our favourite photo locations in Cappadocia (hint: there are lots!)

Day 9: Konya

After an incredible few days in Cappadocia, it’s time to head towards the stunning Turkish coast. Konya, a compelling mix of ancient and modern and the home of the whirling dervish orders, is the perfect overnight stop before Antalya. On the way check out the Sultanhanı Caravanserai, an ancient trading outpost with an incredible entrance gate.

Drive time : 3 hours (235km)

Where to stay in Konya

Hotels in Konya were extremely affordable and you can stay in some very nice modern hotels for a reasonable rate.

• Hilton Garden Inn Konya  – clean, spacious and modern in an excellent location close to all the major Konya sights –   check prices here!
• Novotel Konya – great facilities and clean, modern rooms with minibus access to sights –  check prices here!
• Ramada Plaza Konya – modern hotel with hammam and pool, located close to the tram stop –   check prices here!

Click here for Konya Hotel Prices

Things to Do in Konya

• Çatalhöyük – located just outside Konya, this stunning UNESCO World Heritage site is an ancient city over 9,000 years old and one of the oldest Neolithic settlements in the world.

• Mevlana Museum – home to the tomb of Rumi, a philosopher, poet and Islamic scholar who founded the whirling dervish sect of Sufism.
• Kyoto Park – a slice of Japan in the middle of Turkey!
• Mevlana Whirling Dervishes:  synonymous with Konya, the Turkish Dervishes perform a ceremony of worship, spinning in deep prayer.

Days 10 and 11: Antalya

Antalya is known as Turkey’s Turquoise Coast and offers a change of pace and scenery in addition to some of the best sunsets we’ve ever experienced. Antalya is packed with very affordable luxury beach resorts and has a stunning coastline, so we recommend spending a few days relaxing and recovering from the so far packed itinerary and long drives.

Drive time: 4 hours (300km)

Where to Stay in Antalya

Hotels in Antalya are very reasonably priced so we opted for some luxury during our stay!

• Akra Hotel – a five-star hotel on the sea, we loved our ocean view room and the amazing facilities. One of our favourite hotels in Turkey! –  check prices now!
• Crown Plaza Antalya – set along the beautiful  Konyaalti Beach, another great five-star option with great facilities –  check prices now!
• Rixos Downtown Antalya – overlooking the  sea  and the Taurus Mountains, Rixos Downtown is located close to Konyaalti Beach and has a host of dining options and great pools. –  check prices now!

Click here for Antalya hotel prices!

Things to do in Antalya

• Aspendos Theater:  the theatre at Aspendos is one of the best preserved in Turkey and is still used for performances to this day

• Termessos – located in the mountains just north of Antalya, Termessos is one of the best ancient sites we visited in Turkey. This mountaintop city is a must for anyone visiting Antalya and the views from the theatre are incredible.

• Perge – the UNESCO site of Perge is another must see in Antalya. This ancient city prospered during the bronze age.

• Hadrians Gate:  iconic entrance gate to the Old Town Kaleiçi district which was erected in honour of a visit by Emperor Hadrian in AD 130.
• Manavgat waterfall:  beautiful waterfalls located just east of Antalya, these are very popular and busy.
• Düden Waterfalls:  a beautiful group of waterfalls in Antalya, be sure to stop at the source and by the sea.

Day 12 –  Coast Drive between Antalya and Kas

After a few relaxing days in Antalya, it’s time to move west along the stunning Turkish coastline. There are so many stops along the coast that it’s worth making an overnight stay half-way in the seaside town of Kas.

Drive time: 3 hours (190 km)

 Where To Stay in Kas

• Hotel Cachet – located on the peninsula outside Kas, Hotel Cachet is one of the best in the area. The hotel is secluded and quiet with stunning views of the ocean – check prices now!
• Olea Nova Hotel – this beautiful hotel is located just outside Kas and has amazing ocean views and a beautiful outdoor pool . The local bus stops just outside the hotel every 30 minutes for a short trip into the town of Kas – check prices now!
• Nur Hotel – one of the best hotel options in Kas town is the Nur Hotel.  With beautiful sea views and a 5 minute walk to the town centre, the location is perfect for relaxing and enjoying all Kas has to offer – check prices now!

Click here for hotel prices in Kas

Things to do on the Coast Drive between Antalya and Kas

• Butterfly Valley:  only accessible by boat, Butterfly Valley is a large and picturesque canyon   that is home to a diverse population of butterflies, beautiful scenery and a beautiful beach
• Phaselis: take a step back in time at the ancient Lycian port of Phaselis where the contrast of ruins and turquoise water is mesmerising
• Kaputas Beach:  sheltered beach with huge waves and amazing viewpoints above
• Theimussa ancient place:  sunken ruins from 4BC of the ancient city of Theimussa
• Ancient Myra ruins:  incredible ruins with an amphitheater and Lycian rock tombs

Day 13: Fethiye

The bustling marina town of Fethiye is another excellent base along the coast and we recommend a one-night stopover en route to Pamukkale.

Drive time:  90 minutes from Kas to Fethiye (100km)

Things to do in Fethiye

• Xanthos and Letoon:  a joint UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient city of Xanthos was the capital of Lycia and Letoon, a cult sanctuary of Leto and one of the most important religious centres in the region, is located nearby.
• Fethiye waterfront and Old Town: from the bustling waterfront, a hub of restaurants, bars and yachts to the character filled Old Town, it’s lovely to wander through Fethiye
• Lycian Rock Tombs: incredible Lycian tombs carved into the cliffside above Fethiye 
• Kayakoy Ghost Town:  a ghost town now preserved as a museum village. Kayakoy was a thriving town of 10,000 until the early 1920s when, at the conclusion of the Greco-Turkish War, it was emptied of its Christian inhabitants.

Where to Stay in Fethiye

• Yacht Classic Hotel – seafront hotel with beautiful decor, spacious rooms and excellent food. The Yacht Classic is another of our Turkey favourites –  check prices now!
• Ece Boutique Hotel – located on the Island of Sovalye, a 10-minute boat ride from Fethiye –  check prices now!
• Letoonia Club & Hotel – excellent resort style option with a huge range of restaurants and facilities –  check prices now!

Click here for Fethiye hotel prices

Day 14: Aphrodisias, Pamukkale and Hierapolis

The brilliant white travertine of Pammukale is on the cover of nearly every Turkey guidebook and, with over two million visitors annually, Pamukkale is Turkey’s single most visited attraction. The ancient Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis, a thermal spa city, is located on the hot springs of Pamukkale. We spent a night in a hotel in Pamukkale to give us the chance to explore at less crowded times.

Drive: 3 hours (230km)

The brilliant white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, meaning cotton castle, are topped with turquoise hot pools cascading down the mountainside above the town of Pamukkale. Pamukkale, while still beautiful, doesn’t quite look like the iconic images that you might be familiar with – some of the travertines have suffered from the effects of mass tourism over the decades and are closed off to allow them to heal. Bring swimwear to bathe in Cleopatra’s Pool, an antique pool where Cleopatra the Queen of Egypt once swam.

Turkey itinerary tip: shoes and sandals are not permitted when visiting Pamukkale to prevent further erosion.

The ancient Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis was a thermal spa city located on the hot springs of Pamukkale in the classical kingdom of Phrygia. The ruins of Hierapolis ruins sit atop the natural site of Pamukkale and there are panoramic views for miles around. The ancient Theatre and the Museum are both unmissable. Together Pamukkale and Hierapolis are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the mix of natural and ancient is still breathtaking today.

Turkey itinerary tip: visiting Pamukkale and Hieropolis takes around half a day depending how much you wish to explore Hieropolis. Make sure to stop at the nearby site of Laodikeia where an active excavation is underway. Most of this site remains underground however it’s an incredible place.

Aphrodisias

Around an hours drive from Pamukkale is the UNESCO world heritage site of Aphrodisias. You can visit as an afternoon trip from Pamukkale or en route to Selçuk plan to spend a few hours exploring the most recent UNESCO site in Turkey, the ancient site of Aphrodisias. The small ancient Greek Hellenistic city was named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and the highlights include the monumental gateway leading into the site, the temple of Aphrodite which dates from the 3rd Century, the stadium which is one of the best preserved of its size and the museum which house the friezes from The Sebasteion building.

Where to stay in Pamukkale

• Hal Tur Hotel – family run hotel with the best view of Pamukkale, all rooms have a balcony/terrace overlooking the site. We stayed here and it was a minutes walk to the Pamukkale entrance. – check prices now!
• Hotel Sahin – another great family run hotel on the main street with excellent views and close to the entrance –   check prices now!

Click here for Pamukkale hotel prices!

Days 15 to 18: Selçuk & Ephesus

Our visit to Ephesus was one of the absolute highlights of our Turkey trip and it really is unmissable. Ephesus is located in the town of Selcuk and, together with ancient Ephesus, there are lots of  things to see and do in Selçuk:   the area deserves at least 2 to 3 full days to allow you to explore fully.

Ephesus is hands down the most spectacular archaeological site we visited in Turkey and it is worth committing an entire day to visit the site alone. The ancient Greek city of Ephesus was built in the 10th Century BC and contains successive settlements from the Neolithic, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Selçuk and Ottoman periods. It’s impossible to describe the feeling of standing in front of the magnificent Celsus library in Ephesus as the morning light washed over the ruins.

Turkey Travel Tip: Aim to visit Ephesus first thing in the morning when it’s relatively quiet and after a few hours return to your hotel to relax during the hottest part of the day. This avoids the immense crowds that visit the site each day and the worst heat of the day. Although it cost us an extra ticket, we returned around 90 minutes before closing when the tour groups had left.

Things to do in Ephesus and Selcuk

The ancient city of Ephesus is located in Selcuk and there is much to explore in the town. For a more detailed guide, check out our article on things to do in Ephesus and Selcuk

• The ancient city of Ephesus:  the ancient Greek city of Ephesus was built in the 10th Century BC and was home to over 300,000 people at its peak.
• The terraced houses: an excavation site in Ephesus, the terraced houses were once luxurious residential villas and were known as the houses of the rich.
• Ephesus Archaeological Museum:  exhibits artifacts that were excavated from the nearby ancient city of Ephesus
• Basilica of St John: ruins of the 6th Century Basilica where the Apostle John, having travelled from Jerusalem to Ephesus, is said to have spent his remaining years
• House of Mary, Meryemana:  the house of the Virgin Mary is a pilgrimage site close to the ancient ruins of Ephesus and is considered to be the place where Mary, the Mother of Jesus, lived and died after being taken there by Saint John
• Ayasuluk Fortress: built to protect St John’s Basilica, the Ayasoluk Fortress dominates the skyline of Selcuk
• Isa Bey Mosque:  the Isa Bey Mosque was constructed in the late 1300s and is based on the Great Mosque of Damascus
• Sirince:  small village close to Ephesus is famous for its fruit wine and red-roofed houses
• Grotto of the Seven Sleepers: tombs of seven young Christians, who, having refused to renounce their Christian beliefs, were said to have hidden in a cave close to Ephesus to escape religious persecution by the Roman Emperor Decius.
• Temple of Artemis:  Dedicated to the goddess Artemis, it is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

Where to Stay in Selçuk

• Hotel Mary’s House – family run hotel with handmade woodwork in bedrooms, a beautiful breakfast and a great location in the heart of Selcuk. We stayed here during our visit to Ephesus and loved it –  check prices now!
• Cella Boutique Hotel & Spa:  luxury boutique hotel with outdoor pool, a spa and Turkish baths close to the centre of Selcuk –  check prices here! – check prices now!
• Hotel Bella –  another great boutique option with Ottoman style furniture and a rooftop restaurant with great views of the fortress –  check prices here!

Click here for  Selçuk hotel prices

Days 19 and 20: Pergamon, Çanakkale, Troy and Gallipoli

After leaving Ephesus, we made a stop at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pergamon before spending two nights in Canakkale, a seafront town where the 2004 movie version of the wooden horse of Troy stands. Canakkale is a great base to explore Tory and Gallipoli.

Founded in 281 BC, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Pergamon was one of the most important cities of the ancient world. The city housed theatres, gymnasiums, the Great Altar and the library. The Trajan Temple is impressive and the theatre, the steepest surviving Roman Theatre, is a highlight. The nearby Asclepieion healing center is also an interesting visit.

With 4,000 years of history, the world famous archaeological site of Tory was immortalised by Homer in the Iliad as the site of the Trojan War. In an early beauty contest, Paris of Troy had to choose between the three beauties Hera, Athena and Aphrodite. Paris chose Aphrodite who had promised Paris the love of Helen, the Queen of Sparta. Paris’ subsequent abduction of Helen to Tory provoked the Trojan war.

The battlefield of Gallipoli saw immense bloodshed during World War I and many visit to pay their respects to the thousands of soldiers who lost their lives in the battle.

Where to Stay in Çanakkale

• Buyuk Truva Oteli:  simple and comfortable hotel overlooking the Sea of Marmara – check prices now!
• Hotel Limani:  a nice seafront hotel with functional rooms –  check prices now!
• Kervansaray Canakkale Hotel:  charming hotel located in an old mansion in the heart of Canakkale  – check prices now!

Click here for Çanakkale hotel prices

Day 21: Çanakkale to Bursa and Istanbul

After leaving Çanakkale we made a stop in the UNESCO city of Bursa before travelling to Istanbul, the final city in our Turkey itinerary.

Between 1335 and 1363 Bursa was the first major capital of the Ottoman State and was known as  Hüdavendigar, or God’s Gift, during the Ottoman period. Some of the highlights of the Bursa UNESCO include the Ulu Camii Mosque and the Osman and Orhan Gazi Tombs.

Days 22 to 25: Istanbul    

It’s hard not to fall in love with the vibrant, hip city of Istanbul and we recommend spending at least 3 nights exploring the city.  The eclectic mix of Europe and Asia, East and West and old and new make Istanbul an amazing spot.

Things to do in Istanbul

• The Blue Mosque
• Hagia Sofia
• Topaki Palace
• Basilica Cistern
• Grand Bazaar
• Istiklal Street
• Galata Tower and Bridge
• Bosphorus Strait
• Dolmabahçe Palace
• Chora Church
• Check out the best photo spots in Istanbul

Where to stay in Istanbul

We love staying in the historical district as the hotels are close to many of the major sights and we can walk or take the tram to sightsee.

• White House Hotel:  a fantastic hotel in a great location close to Hagia Sofia, Topaki Palace and the Blue Mosque. We’ve stayed here on many visits to Istanbul, it’s the perfect spot for exploring the city –   check prices now!
• Hotel Amira Istanbul:  a luxury hotel in the Sultanahmet district close to many of the major sites. The roof terrace has lovely sea views –  check prices now!
• Osmanhan Hotel:  another great option in the historical district, the Osmanhan has a rooftop terrace overlooking the Blue Mosque and the Marmara Sea – check prices now!

Click here for Old City hotel prices!

Extending the itinerary

Our detailed itinerary is ideal for a two-three week trip but there are other Turkey highlights which you might wish to include if you have additional time in the country:

• Mount Nemrut: deep in the Anatolian heartland massive statues of Greek and Persian gods scattered across a mountaintop. The road is closed during the winter months.
• Van: Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey and has many historical sites.
• Trabzon: once an important stop on the Silk Road, Trabzon’s Hagia Sophia was built in the 13th Century and has served as a hospital, a museum and a mosque.
• Kars:  as a result of the 19th Century Russian Occupation Kars is like stepping into Russia. It’s also a base for exploring the ruins of an abandoned medieval Armenian city, Ani.
• check for travel advice before travelling. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to within 10 km of the border with Syria and to the city of Diyarbakir and all but essential travel to other parts of the south-east.
• Selimiye Mosque:  a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Erdine, 3 hours north-west of Istanbul. The Ottoman mosque is considered a highlight of architect Mimar Sinan’s work and one of the greatest achievements in Islamic architecture.

For more on Turkey

• Check out our guide to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites

4 thoughts on “The Ultimate Turkey Itinerary (2024)”

This itinerary blew my mind with its eye for detail. 👌

Thanks Elaine and Dave. We just visited Turkey for 13 days from 6 – 19 June and enjoyed every bit of it. Istanbul, Izmir, Seljuk, Pamukkale, Antalya, Cappadocia – all done in a hurriedly planned itinerary. Our regret was not visiting Sirince, the famous waterfalls, etc., but we were lucky to have enjoyed the hot air balloon ride with a parachute jumper with us because of whom we were taken to a height of 2000 metres. Overall, an amazing trip, good food, lovely people and awesome weather.

I found this super helpful to plan my trip. Thank you very much for all the information.

So happy it is useful. Have a great trip!

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The Little Adventurer

Turkey: A 2 week itinerary

There’s much more to Turkey than Istanbul and Cappadocia. If you get off the well beaten tourist path, you’ll discover ancient ruins, hot springs, castles and some of the friendliest people you’re likely to meet in your travels.

Read on to discover my recommendations for a two week adventure across Turkey.

Days 1-3 Istanbul

If this is your first time in Turkey, then the best place to start is Istanbul.

You’ve probably all seen the photos and know that the must see sights include the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, Galata Tower and the Bosporous River.

Istanbul is spread across two continents. You’ll likely spend most of your time on the European side, but can easily take a boat across the river to the Asian side.

Days 4-5 Selcuk and Ephesus

From Istanbul, head south to the small town of Selcuk and visit the nearby ancient ruins of Ephesus. To save yourself a long bus ride, you can fly from Istanbul to Izmir and then head to Selcuk by train or bus.

Selcuk is worth a look with an interesting castle and the ruins of St John’s Basilica. The ticket price is 15 TL ($2.50 USD).

Selcuk is the gateway town to Ephesus and you can walk the two kilometres to the ruins from Selcuk.

Entrance to Ephesus is 60 TL ($10 USD). Allow at least two hours to explore the UNESCO Heritage Site, which is believed to have been first settled more than 2,000 years ago.

The amphitheatre, Roman streets and Library of Celsus are highlights of Ephesus.

Day 5 Pamukkale

From Selcuk, take a bus or a train to Denizli. Denizli is the gateway town to access the  Pammukale Mineral Hot Springs.

From the Denizli Bus Station, you can take a mini bus to Pammukale. You can buy tickets from the driver. The bus leaves when full from bay #76 on the lower level of the bus station.

Get to the hot springs as the sun rises and you’ll be treated to the sight of hot air balloons floating over the top of the limestone terraces.

Once you reach the top of the springs, you can explore the ancient ruins of Heirapolis, which has both Greek and Roman influences.

Entrance to the hot springs and Heirapolis is 50 TL.

Days 6-9 Turkish coast

From Denizli, it’s a three hour bus ride to the Turkish coast. You can choose from a number of cities to enjoy ocean views, but the most popular destinations are Antalya and Fethiye.

Antalya not only offers ocean views and beautiful ocean side parks – but it also has many ancient ruins nearby such as Termessos and Perge. Make sure you also catch a sunset or two while on the coast.

Day 9-12 Cappadocia

While very touristy these days, Cappadocia is a must on any first time Turkey itinerary.

You can take a hot air balloon ride to see the sunrise over the unique landscapes; go hiking;  and explore the Goreme Open Air Museum.

The best town to base yourself in during your stay in Cappadocia is Goreme as it offers many guesthouses and restaurants, but surrounding areas such as Uchisar also offer many accommodation options.

There’s a number of hiking trails in the Goreme region such as through Love Valley, and from Goreme to Uchisar Castle via the Pigeon Valley. Most of the hikes only take about 2-3 hours and are not too strenuous. The hikes can easily be done independently, but if you want a more guided approach, every tour agency in town offers hiking tours.

Day 12-15 Explore the east

Not many tourists explore the east of Turkey, partly because of its proximity to Syria.

However, intrepid travellers will be rewarded by seeing beautiful castles, old towns and meeting a host of friendly people in the east.

From Nevsehir (the major transport hub in the Cappadocia region), it’s a long overnight bus ride to Urfa – then you need to change buses to reach the charming town of Mardin .

The long bus ride will be worth it once you see the old town of Mardin – one of Turkey’s many hidden gems. You can spend hours wandering the old town laneways, stopping for sweet tea, and enjoying traditional Turkish food served by smiling, enthusiastic locals.

Unfortunately you can’t go inside the castle above Mardin anymore but you still get a good view from the Old Town. For a panoramic view of the city, head to the top of the Kasimaye Madrasa (Islamic school).

The bus rides are shorter from here on in – and from Mardin, you can head to Van for a night. The drive itself is worthwhile as you drive the length of pretty Lake Van with towering mountains all around you. Van is also home to an interesting fortress – and also the famous Van breakfast.

There’s a whole street dedicated to the most important meal of the day called Breakfast Street. The Van breakfast includes an array of dishes including cheese, bread, olives, eggs, jams and of course bottomless cups of tea.

From Van, you can head to Kars , which is a quaint town with a beautiful castle situated above the town.

From Kars, you can finish your Turkish adventure and head into Georgia. Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines also offer flights back to Istanbul from many destinations in Turkey.

Things You Should Know

• English is widely spoken in Istanbul and Antalya, but you’ll be hard put to find an English speaker in the east. The good news is people are very friendly in the east and will try and help you despite the language barrier.
• Buses in Turkey are very modern and clean and run frequently to tourist destinations on a schedule. It’s easy to buy bus tickets at the bus station. Trains are also possible in some areas such as between Izmir and Denizli. Flights within Turkey may also be an option and Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines offer competitive prices if you don’t want to sit on a bus all night.
• While in Turkey, you have to make sure to try local food. Meat eaters will find they eat a lot of kebabs in Turkey. Other must haves are kunefe (a dessert made with cheese and rosewater syrup), borek (a layered puff pastry typically filled with meat or cheese) and lahmacun (a flat bread topped with a mix of minced meat and vegetables).
• There’s lots of hostels in Istanbul, but fewer hostel options elsewhere in the country. In the east, there’s a hostel in Van, but only hotels in Mardin and Kars, however the east is cheaper than the west.
• Most nationalities need a visa to enter Turkey. You can apply easily for an e-visa online . The cost of the e-visa varies depending on your nationality.

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Vibrant Dreamer

Globe Travel & Financial Independency Tale

Remarkable Self-Drive 2 Weeks Turkey Itinerary with Children – 4000 KM

For those of you who don’t know, here is how we ended up in Iraq during the Covid-19 global pandemic. We then took a bus from Baghdad to Istanbul through some adventures but tiring ride and toured Istanbul’s main historical and tourist attractions in 4 days.

Related : Adventurous Iraq to Turkey Journey & Amazing 4 days in Istanbul with Children

In this post, I will take you through our 2 weeks Turkey itinerary with children outside Istanbul where we set for a fantastic self-drive journey in a rental car. We first headed to the south before driving all the way to the north and back to Istanbul.

For our expenses, I mostly used my HSBC World Elite and Brim Financial Mastercard . Both cards offer no foreign transaction fees which is what I always take advantage when traveling abroad. You can sign-up for the Brim Financial Mastercard for free by going to this link .

I also withdrew money from an ATM twice by using STACK Mastercard which offers no foreign transaction and no international ATM Fees. Apply to STACK using my link to get a $5 bonus.

Last Day in Istanbul & Heading South

In our last day in Istanbul, as we had our rental car, I decided to drive a bit outside the main historical area of Istanbul to the Miniaturk which is a miniature park at the northeastern shore of Golden Horn in Istanbul.

Miniaturk displays 135 models, in 1:25 scales, of structures around Turkey and some Islamic historical structures from other parts of the world. Miniaturk contains bridges, stadium, pools, and waterfalls.

There was also a very nice 30 minutes 4D movie for extra charge flying you around Istanbul and the whole Turkey. This was one of the best 4D movies I’ve ever seen. There is also a helicopter ride simulation and a nice kids’ playground. We didn’t do the simulation, but the kids enjoyed playing in the playground including the small maze and huge chess game.

We spent 3 hours in Miniaturk before heading to Izmir which is 481 KM / 5 hours drive from Istanbul. The plan was to tour Izmir and stay somewhere close to our next destination.

After a bit of research, I booked a place called Ephesus Centrum in Selcuk for 1 night. This was a 1 night in a Quadruple Room with Balcony with no breakfast for $38 CAD or €26.48 .

We kept driving with one stop for lunch to make it to our destination before midnight. There was a bit of traffic before getting into Izmir, but everything went smoothly. We enjoyed a nice sunset view along the highway.

We made it to Izmir around 9 PM and went straight to the main landmark of the, Izmir Saat Kulesi . Izmir Saat is a historic clock tower located at the Konak Square of İzmir.

We then walked around the city, sat by the waterfront, had some snacks, and back to the car and drove to our amazingly great hotel in Selcuk. I was so much surprised by this nice hotel and its wonderful owners who are a family.

Parking was just by the front door. Its location was so convenient by the traditional town Bazaar with local vendors. We bought breakfast in the following day from lovely women who were baking it in their tent. She was so kind and asked us to take her photo.

Visiting the Ancient Greek City of Ephesus & Virgin Mary’s House

Today is going to be a busy day like most our days as we have some historical lands to visit. We first headed to the ancient Greek city of Ephesus which was founded in 10 th century BC and is one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world.

This is truly a massive and beautiful site with so many details. I leave you with the photos below.

After enjoying Ephesus and learning more about the Greek empire, we headed toward Virgin Mary’s status and house. The House of the Virgin Mary is 7 km from Selcuk which was discovered in the 19 th century.

Catholic pilgrims believe that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken to this stone house by Saint John and lived there for the remainder of her healthy life. The Catholic Church has never pronounced in favor or against the authenticity of the house.

• Related : Why not checking out some of our Europe Adventures ?

There isn’t much to see in the house and they don’t allow taking photos inside. The outside is just a simple small stone house. Surprisingly, we also found a street sign pointing to the Grotto of the Seven Sleepers in Ephesus . There are different versions about the Seven Sleepers and their cave, so I leave the judgment about the authenticity of this place to the readers. Regardless, if you find yourself in Ephesus, go visit this place which takes just half an hour.

Do you think we are done for the day? Wrong answer! We are travelers not tourists, so we headed to the Ephesus Museum to enjoy the fantastic artifacts from the same Ephesus site we earlier visited. These artifacts were initially split between the British and Vienna Museums until 1964 when Ephesus Museum was founded.

We spent 2 hours in the museum before hitting the road to our next hotel, Pamukkale Batu Termal . This was for a 1 night which cost us €19 or $27 CAD .

Everything was perfect from the freezing AC to the super friendly owner and his Syrian wife. He was even waiting for us by the street to tell us where to park the car which was just in front of the hotel.

WiFi worked fine in the room. In addition, the location is super convenient which is by the entrance of the local bazaar where we bought food and had delicious Turkish Chai. We also bought clothes for the kids from this bazaar.

The only weird part of the motel is the bath. As advertised, this place is full of thermal water. This meant there is no clean water and we had to fill the tub with the brownish thermal water to take a shower. We weren’t in the mood of doing this so skipped the shower for that night.

The following morning, we just walked around the bazaar and picked a nice looking restaurant for the breakfast which ended up being way more than what we need and super delicious.

Pamukkale Thermal Pools & Hierapolis Roman Site

After breakfast, it was time to go check out Pamukkale Thermal Pools and the adjacent Hierapolis Roman site . This was one of the most beautiful places we have ever visited anywhere. I am so glad we did the 3 hours detour north of Selcuk to come see this majestic place especially during the sunset.

Pamukkale means cotton castle in Turkish which is famous for its mineral rich thermal pools water flowing down white travertine terraces on a nearby hillside. The ancient Greek city of Hierapolis was built around 190 BC on top of the travertine formation which is in total about 2,700 metres (8,860 ft) long, 600 m (1,970 ft) wide and 160 m (525 ft) high.

I didn’t expect this site to be so massive. It consists of many sites which makes the Pamukkale Thermal Pool a small attraction in comparison with the roman site itself. We spent the whole day here and were exhausted and ready to hit the bed by the time we left around sunset.

On our way out, we spotted a wedding briefly in the parking lot. After Pamukkale, we once again hit the road for another 3 hours drive to reach Antalya .

Antalya & Alanya for the Cheapest 5 Star AI Resort

While driving, I made a booking at Exporoyal Hotel for 2 night. This was €61.20 ($88 CAD) with breakfast include. After taking some good sleep and healthy breakfast, we hit the road to tour Antalya. I didn’t really have anything listed for Antalya but thought we could go to Antalya Aquarium.

However, when we got there and after checking the price and size, we decided to leave and just go to 5M Migros Shopping Center and walk around.

After some walking in the mall, we drove around the waterfront and then headed to Kursunlu Selalesi park which is 19 Km from Antalya. Kursunlu is a very beautiful park with fantastic waterfalls which I highly recommend it to other travelers in the region.

We walked around and through the park for 2 hours. By the time we left, it was almost getting dark, so we skipped the nearby Perga Archaeological Site and went straight to see the Sandland . We also heard that Sandland is more beautiful at night with all the colorful lightening.

One thing we didn’t know was that the ticket allows entry twice on the same day. Once during the daylight and a second time after it gets dark. The place is full of sand sculptures of iconic global landmarks & mythological creatures which was beautifully lit up at night. There was also a movie at the entrance showing how it the artists built the enormous sand sculptures.

After our visit, we went had some great Turkish Kebab before driving around Antalya at night seeing Hadrian’s Gate with its super bustling surrounding. We then went back to the hotel to rest and be ready for another full of adventures day.

The following day, after having breakfast at the hotel, we turned on the car and started driving toward Alanya with a stop at Dim Cave (Dripstone) .

I had no idea what to expect here and didn’t even have plans to stay in this city anymore. However, the kids insisted they wanted to stay somewhere with a waterpark.  

I wasn’t sure if I am going to spend couple hundreds in this touristy place where everything is priced in Euro rather than Turkish Lira. However, we just opened Booking.com app and started scrolling up and down without any hope until I eyed something unbelievable! An All-Inclusive with pools and multiple slides for $85.5 CAD per night.

I couldn’t believe the deal and was afraid to book it. Conveniently, as we had the car, I drove to the place and wow! This is a 5 star resort. I confirmed they do have pools and waterslides. I then asked if they could book it for me. However, their price was double what I saw on Booking.com so I ended up booking 2 nights initially before adding a 3 rd night in the reception by the app using my phone.

They then told me it can take up to 1 hour to get confirmation and prepare the room, so we just entered the facility and walked around enjoying our finding. Kids were so happy. Happy kids happy parents!

This was one of the best stays we have ever had during our many years of traveling and the price is unbelievable as the delicious food with its endless variety. There is also a nightly show and daily games to attend.

Everyone is Club Paradiso on Alanya was super friendly and attentive. I paid $256 CAD for our 3 nights stay including meals, snacks, drinks, and everything in between. My little one enjoyed it so much that she didn’t want to take off the bracelet.

Funny thing was that when I took the kids to the real beach, they were complaining saying it is hot and they don’t like the salty water. So we returned immediately to the pools and slides.

We have never been All-Inclusive resort kind of travelers and I think Club Paradiso raised the bar so high that we will probably will never find something with the same quality in this price range anytime soon.

Overnight In a Cave Hotel & the Underground City

After some fantastic relaxing time, we hit the road again to go to another fantastic Turkish attraction, Cappadocia in which was 7 hours away. However, we chose to stay in Nevsehir for a new experience I am going to talk about soon.

Before reaching Nevsehir, we stopped in 80 Binde Devri Alem Parki which is another very interesting park. The park’s name gets translated to Around the World in 80 Thousand Park. I underestimated this park which ended up being big and remarkable. The park is filled with dinosaur replicas, fairy tale figures and miniatures of historical significance.

We spent at least 2 hours in this park before continuing toward our destination, Nar Cave Hotel . Exactly! This is the unique experience of sleeping inside a room inside a real cave. It was such a special stay. Everything was perfect including the super delicious breakfast with magnificent views in the hotel.

The stay here cost us $59 CAD which was very much worth it. The whole area was full of houses inside the mountain. On the following day, we left early after breakfast to go to Cappadocia when spotted a castle on top of a hill which of course we had to go visit.

There was an elderly doll seller at the top which we bought 2 dolls for the kids from him. The views were worth the drive to the top and there were also some Greek ruins here and there.

After this short stop, we drove to Derinkuyu Underground City. The city is believed to have been built bythe Phrygians, an Indo-European people, in the 8th to 7th centuries BCE. After the population became Christian in Roman times, they began to include chapels in their underground dwellings.

The underground city felt never ending and we were glad it was very well lid and signage so we can navigate through it without stress. This visit took about 2 hours. However, there are some really narrow passages which sometimes get crowded, and visitors have to wait a bit to have it cleared.

Pigeon Valley in Cappadocia (No Balloons Sadly)

It was time to go see one of Turkey’s most visited places, the Pigeon Valley in Cappadocia with its Fairy Chimneys and magnificent views. By the time we got there, it started raining heavily so we just drove around and took quick pictures.

The following day, it was a better day to visit so we drove, stopped numerous times, took tens of photos, enjoyed the views, before leaving this amazing region. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t cooperating during our 2 nights stay so we couldn’t ride a balloon.

We stayed in Cappadocia Apartments for $32 CAD which was by far the worst place we stayed at ever. I won’t go into details but avoid this place.

After taking many photos from the amazing views, it was time to decide what to do next. We had time to explore Turkey more and enough kilometers to stay within our 4000 allowance. Well, we decided to see more of Turkey.

Initially, we decided on going to Nemrut Mount , but we were warned by locals that our tiny car won’t make it to the top plus it is too cold there. So instead, we opted to go to the north, Trabzon . This was the longest single day drive we did in Turkey. It took us all day to reach Trabzon where we stayed for 2 nights at White Golden Suit Hotel for 94 CAD .

We didn’t have any plans for Trabzon except enjoying the nature and seeing Sumela Monastery. We arrived at Sumela Monastery around 4 PM and the gate was closing by the time we reached its entrance. It was also pouring rain and we were super tired. We just took pictures from outside and walked down.

Luckily, as we were going to visit Greece after Turkey, we knew there are some wonderful monasteries in Greece to visit which made us feel less pathetic about missing on Sumela Monastery.

We enjoyed Trabzon’s nature during our short stay there before heading back to Istanbul with a short stop in Samsun and an overnight stay along the way in Kayi Apart Hotel in Bolu which is 3 hours from Istanbul. This hotel charged us $56 CAD .

For our last night, we stayed at Kervan Hotel which is the most budget place I could find close to the airport for $66 CAD a night including breakfast. The night before our flight, I dropped off the car at the airport and took a taxi back to the hotel.

We took another taxi to the airport on the following day to say Goodbye to Turkey and Hello to Greece!

In total we spent $921 CAD for our hotels in Turkey.

Final Thoughts About Our 2 Weeks Turkey Itinerary with Children

This was a truly fantastic experience. It was tiring but the rewards we gained especially the kids are uncountable. I am so thankful we had the opportunity to do this journey during the pandemic.

We usually go with a fast pace and you might think we lost a lot of time on the road. I think it is the opposite. It is not about the destination but the journey. We enjoyed all the scenery that Turkey provided.

Of course, I wish we had more time to spend in Turkey and surely we will be back in the future, but, I think we saw enough of Turkey during our first trip. Turkey is affordable, beautiful, full of history and culture, delicious food, and friendly helpful people.

Driving in Turkey is easy especially outside Istanbul. Tailgating and using high beam is normal especially by the German car drivers approaching with light speed! Gas stations are everywhere and they all accepted payment with credit card.

Gas (Benzine) is cheap but the tolls on the main highway are expensive. After paying for 3 tolls, I told Google to “Avoid Toll Roads” which led to some fantastic mountain or village views.

I hope you enjoyed reading and seeing the photos but I need to be honest. The pictures don’t do justice to any of the places we visited. You need to see it with your own eyes to absorb the history, culture, and beauty.

Thanks for reading & Stay tuned for next episode for our Greece adventure coverage!

Other Posts You Might Enjoy Reading

• Adventurous Iraq to Turkey Journey & Amazing 4 days in Istanbul with Children
• Best 7 Day Trip Full of History and Nature Driving Around Greece in a Week
• Our Scandinavia Trip – Sweden to Norway Drive Astonishing Fjords
• Our Scandinavia Trip – Almost Got My Family Killed in Sweden

2 thoughts on “ Remarkable Self-Drive 2 Weeks Turkey Itinerary with Children – 4000 KM ”

Wow, nice pictures, looks like a fantastic trip! Too bad there were no hot air balloons, but still looks very nice. Do you stay all together in one room or do you usually find 1 bedroom accommodation with your daughters?

Thanks GYM! Yes, it was one of our most unforgettable adventures ever!

For the accommodation, we get what we find at a reasonable price. Usually, if it is an Airbnb, there are multiple rooms. We had multiple rooms in the resort as well.

If we travel to chill and relax which doesn’t happen often, we make sure we have separated rooms.

Fun fact: Once we ended up in a place with 1 kind and 1 twin bed. My wife took the twin bed and the rest of us had a kind bed sleepover! We are flexible.

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Your Road Trip Close to Home adventure guide for June 20

Here's a look at all the great spots to hit from this week's episode of road trip close to home..

Brian Heyman

Jun 20, 2024, 8:00 AM

Updated 6 hr ago

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• 37 Nolans Point Park Road | Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849
• 694 Eighth Ave. | New York, NY 10036
• Open 8 a.m. - 12 a.m. Monday through Sunday.
• 277 Canal St. | New York, NY 10013
• Open at 10 a.m. daily, last entrance at 7:15 p.m.
• 735 Anderson Hill Road | Purchase, NY 10577
• Summer schedule 2024: Open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
• 44 Jericho Turnpike | Mineola, NY 11501
• Open 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Open 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Open 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday.
• 668 Lake Ave. | Greenwich, CT 06830
• 325 Lighthouse Road | New Haven, CT 06512

Interested in more adventures? Check out last week's destinations close to home .

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Las Vegas to Zion National Park: A One Week Road Trip

A re you looking for a great family road trip? We’ve got the perfect itinerary that is full of natural beauty! Let’s travel from Las Vegas to Zion National Park, and explore the amazing destinations along the way. 

Las Vegas to Zion National Park – Southwest Road Trip

It is possible to take a day trip from Las Vegas to Zion. The drive is 2.5-hours each way, but why rush? You don’t want to breeze past the natural wonders and incredible memories that await you in the American Southwest. And you’ll want at least a couple of days exploring Zion. So we created an 8-day itinerary that showcases some of America’s most unique beauty, even if it means taking a few detours. 

So pack your bags and come along as we create the ultimate Las Vegas to Zion National Park itinerary. 

When is the best time for a Las Vegas to Zion National Park road trip?

Fall is an amazing time for a southwest road trip. The weather is cooler and the crowds are thinner. Winter and even spring might include a rare snowfall, and summer can reach extremely high temperatures, especially in the desert. If you have the time, we choose fall, but spring is a good alternative.

Day 1: Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon

Begin your journey at the Las Vegas airport (LAS), where you will hire a rental car and head to stop #1 – Grand Canyon National Park. It’s about a four-hour drive to the main park, so we recommend skipping any Vegas sightseeing for now. 

The sooner you arrive at the Grand Canyon, the better. You’ll likely want to allow enough time to check out the visitors center at the park entrance and use the free shuttles to access different viewpoints. Plus, you can stretch your legs along part of the Canyon Rim Trail, which has fantastic views of the canyon and the Colorado River. 

For the best sunset views, head to Hopi Point. After that, you’ll likely be ready to rest up for another exciting day tomorrow. 

Where to Stay

El Tovar Hotel is a historic hotel right on the rim of the Grand Canyon. There’s an onsite restaurant, a nice little gift shop, and free parking. 

Under Canvas Grand Canyon offers a unique glamping experience less than 30 minutes from the National Park. Luxe tents feature private bathrooms and comfortable beds. Plus, there’s a restaurant and fire pits onsite. 

Clear Sky Resorts is about 25 minutes from Grand Canyon Village. Here, you can stay in unique glamping domes with fantastic star-gazing opportunities. 

Day 2: Grand Canyon to Page

On the second day of your adventures, you’ll take your time heading to Page, Arizona. There’s no huge rush to begin this two-hour drive, so finish up any Grand Canyon sightseeing in the morning to make it to Page by early afternoon.

Just south of Page, you’ll want to stop at Horseshoe Bend, which features a ¾-mile hike out to the scenic overlook. This is a great place to see the Colorado River in action, and stretch your legs for a bit. 

The next stop is Glen Canyon Dam, a massive dam set among the beautiful sandstone cliffs of Arizona. This is an easy and quick stop with lots of nice scenery. 

Glen Canyon Dam created Lake Powell, the final stop on today’s journey. It’s stunning to see, as the lake reflects the desert scenery. It’s a popular destination for all kinds of watersports. 

Where to Stay in Page

Hyatt Place Page/Lake Powell has a great location near Page’s best destinations, so you won’t have to drive far after seeing Glen Canyon Dam and Horseshoe Bend. There’s also onsite breakfast, a pool, and nice views. 

Shash Dine’ EcoRetreat is a unique opportunity for glamping in the Navajo Nation. The property features bell tents, covered wagons and a cabin, so families are sure to find an accommodation to suit their needs. Star gazing here is second to none and guests can enjoy cookouts and stories around the fire pit.

Day 3: Page, Upper Antelope Canyon, & Lake Powell

Get an early start on Day 3, as you’ve got a lot to see in and around Page, Arizona. One of the most memorable attractions nearby is Upper Antelope Canyon, a slot canyon located on Navajo land. You must book a tour to see the canyon – visit  the official Antelope Canyon site here  to see approved tour companies. Tours typically last about an hour and a half. 

Another great thing to do in the area is join a boat tour on Lake Powell . These guided journeys are the best ways to see the lake’s scenery without worrying about navigating the tricky waterscape. 

There are many great options, so consider choosing something that aligns with your tour of Upper Antelope Canyon. A Lake Powell day tour could include hiking stops, or you can opt for a simple (and scenic!) dinner cruise. 

You’ll stay put in Page tonight, so there’s no need to change hotels yet. 

Day 4: Page to Zion National Park

It will take a little under two hours to reach Zion National Park . We recommend leaving early, as there’s so much to do once you arrive. Begin your adventure at the Visitors Center, as it will help you get your bearings and allow you to learn about this unique place. 

After you get your bearings, hop back in the car and head to the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. This is a can’t-miss, and you may want to explore some of the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive as well. 

Today is a great day for a couple of short hikes: Pa’rus Trail is 3.5 miles roundtrip and close to the Visitors Center. Or, for something even easier, consider the 1-mile Grotto Trail, which has excellent wildlife viewing. 

Plan to spend a little time exploring the nearby town of Springdale, Utah. It has a charming small downtown area and is close to Grafton Ghost Town, which kids of all ages will love to see. 

Where to Stay near Zion National Park

Zion Wildflower Resort has covered wagons that sleep up to six people – they’re a unique stay and are super Instagram-worthy. Or, opt for one of their private bungalows or glamping tents. 

Cliffrose Springdale is a riverfront hotel within walking distance of the Zion Visitor Center. There’s onsite breakfast, a seasonal pool, and a waterfall hot tub. 

Best Western Plus Zion Canyon Inn & Suites is in a quiet, scenic setting just outside the park. Enjoy free breakfast, a seasonal pool, and private balconies. 

Day 5: Zion National Park

Today is your full day in Zion National Park! You’ll get to see some of the best sights around the park and simply enjoy the breathtaking surroundings. 

The most popular hike in Zion is the Narrows, so if the weather is right, you should plan on including this. You’ll walk through the narrowest parts of the gorge, surrounded by thousand-foot walls.

It can be tricky since you have to wade through the river, but it’s a really fun adventure for kids who are old enough to enjoy it. Be sure to check in with a local outfitter to ensure you have the right gear.

If you’re lucky enough to get a permit to hike Angels Landing , it’s an incredible adventure. However, it is steep and strenuous, so make sure the entire family is up for it (or willing to sit it out while the rest of the group embarks). 

Have you ever heard of Zion’s Emerald Pools? Hiking the lower Emerald Pool will take you to a stunning waterfall. Upper and Middle Emerald Pool trails will take you to even more sweeping views. 

Beyond hiking, you can also swim in the Virgin River or bike along the Pa’rus Trail. Be sure to explore the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive if you didn’t get it in yesterday!

This will be your second night staying in Zion, so there’s no need to change hotels tonight.

Day 6: Zion to Las Vegas

It’s time to return to Vegas, but our adventure isn’t over yet! We’ll get to see Snow Canyon State Park , a true gem that’s just an hour west of Springdale. 

Here, you’ll be surrounded by sandstone cliffs, volcanic cinder cones, and petrified cliffs. There are 38 miles of hiking trails throughout the state park. We recommend Johnson’s Canyon and Lava Flow trails for their varied landscapes. 

To really get into the Western spirit, consider joining a horseback riding tour through Snow Canyon State Park – it’s a great way to enjoy the incredible scenery. 

If you have extra time, check out nearby St. George, Utah. Kids will love the Dinosaur Discovery Site, and its downtown area has cute shops and restaurants. 

St. George is less than two hours away from Las Vegas. You’ll spend the next day out on the town, so you can take your time getting there. 

Where to Stay in Las Vegas

Feel free to opt for a family-friendly Vegas hotel tonight. For family vacations, we recommend the  Bellagio Hotel & Casino ,  Wynn Las Vegas , or  The Venetian Resort Las Vegas .

Day 7: Las Vegas

You’ve seen some of the best scenery in the American Southwest. Now it’s time to enjoy a short visit to Sin City. 

For family-friendly fun near the Las Vegas Strip, we recommend checking out Stratosphere Adventures, TopGolf, the Pinball Hall of Fame, and the Bellagio Fountains Nighttime Show.  If you need more ideas, you’ll want this list of the best family-friendly activities in Las Vegas or the best things to do in Las Vegas with teens .

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, consider checking out Red Rock Canyon or taking an off-roading tour of the desert . 

This will be your second night in your Las Vegas hotel. 

Day 8 – Las Vegas to Home

Your Las Vegas to Zion National Park road trip has come to an end. Now it’s time to return to the airport and fly back home. Some families plan for a later flight to pack in a little more Vegas excitement. Or, you might be ready to catch an early flight and rest up at home. 

What was your favorite day of your road trip? From the noisy streets of Las Vegas to the echoing walls of Zion, you’ve seen some of the best scenery in the United States. Now it’s time to plan for your next family road trip!

The post Las Vegas to Zion National Park: A One Week Road Trip appeared first on Kids Are A Trip™ .

The Ultimate New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary

With its snow-capped mountains, ancient glaciers, rolling verdant hills, incredibly friendly locals, and abundant world-class wine, New Zealand is as wonderful as you’ve heard. In fact, take what you’ve heard and times it by ten. Because New Zealand will simply blow your mind when you visit.

People think because it’s a small country, you can see it all in two weeks. Unfortunately, that’s not true. There’s a lot to do here. From the north island to the south island, you need a lot of time here to see the highlights. You could literally fill months with activities and still only scratch the surface. New Zealand may be small but it punches above its weight with things to do.

But what if you don’t have months? What do you do then? What route do you take? What island should you start with? Where do you go?

Or what if you do have a month to spend? Then what? Where do you begin planning your New Zealand itinerary?

Below are my suggested itineraries that can help you plan your New Zealand road trip for maximum efficiency. Whether you have two weeks, one month, or even longer, these itineraries will ensure that you see the highlights and get off the beaten path.

New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary

New Zealand Itinerary Highlights

Choosing the right vehicle.

• Two-Week North Island Route
• Two-Week South Island Route
• One Month Itinerary
• Things to Remember

Note : Two weeks is the minimum recommended time for a New Zealand road trip. There’s so much to see and do here, yet you still don’t want to be rushed or spend all your time in the car. If you only have two weeks, focus on one island.  

• Hike the Franz Josef Glacier
• See the Waitomo Glowworm Caves
• Visit Hobbiton
• Experience a Maori Cultural Show
• Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
• Go skydiving or bungy jumping
• Explore Fiordland National Park

Want more info on these activities (and many others)? I cover them all below!  

• Travellers Autobarn
• Wicked Campers

Prices vary a lot. Your daily rate will change depending on where you pick up the vehicle, if you are dropping it off at a different place, how long you are renting it for, how far in advance you book, and when you book (in the high season, prices seem to double!).

If living out of a van for a few weeks doesn’t sound like your idea of a fun time, simply rent a normal car and book accommodation along the way. To book a car, check out Discover Cars , which searches rental agencies big and small to find the best deals.

If you plan to drive New Zealand, you can use this widget to get a free quote for your car rental:

New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary: A Two-Week North Island Route

Days 1–2: auckland.

Spend some time hanging out on the Auckland Domain, go snorkelling on Goat Island , and if you love wine like I do, take a wine tour on Waiheke Island .

For a list of more things to do in Auckland, check out my guide to the city!

Where to Stay : The Albion – This historic accommodation began as a “pub hotel” in the 19th century. Today there’s still a nice old tavern in the hotel. The rooms are comfortable and the place is quiet.

Days 3-4: Bay of Islands

While you’re here you can visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds (one of the most important historical sites in the country), explore Cape Reinga (the northernmost point of New Zealand), and see wild dolphins on a boat tour .

For a list of more things to do in Bay of Islands, check out my complete guide!

Where to Stay : Haka Lodge – Located in Paihia, Haka Lodge has a lot of common spaces, a large kitchen, and great views over the harbor. Everything is super clean and the beds are comfortable. It’s a good place to meet people.

Day 5: Hobbiton

To see Hobbiton, you’ll have to take a tour that starts with a drive through the owner’s 505-hectare (1,250-acre) sheep farm, offering epic views over the Kaimai Range. From here, you can explore Bag End, wander around the hobbit holes, and visit the Green Dragon Inn. Tours start at 89 NZD.

Where to Stay : Cosy Country Stay B&B – This is a cute bed-and-breakfast located in Matamata just a few miles from Hobbiton. The hosts are fantastic, there’s complimentary breakfast, and the property is quiet and tranquil, with roaming cats and goats for added atmosphere.

Days 6–7: Rotorua

The Maori were the original inhabitants of New Zealand, having arrived from Polynesia between 1320 and 1350. This is the best area to learn about Maori history and culture . Don’t miss seeing a Maori cultural show while you’re here (the Te Pa Tu Maori Cultural Experience is the one I attended).

The region is also known for its geothermal activity, and the dynamic landscape makes for exciting nature walks, trips to smelly sulfuric geysers, and soaks in luxury spas with water from the hot springs.

Where to Stay : Rock Solid Backpackers – This is a centrally located hostel with an expansive array of facilities, including a cinema, a bar, a communal kitchen, and even a rock-climbing wall.

Day 8: Waitomo

You can walk, abseil, or float down an underground river to see them. A 45-minute rafting trip is the standard visit, but if you want to go abseiling (also known as rappelling) there’s a five-hour option too. Prices start at 55 NZD for a boat tour and 195 NZD for extended tours with abseiling.

For a complete list of things to do in Waitomo, check out my guide on the town.

Where to Stay : Juno Hall – Close to the glowworm caves, Juno Hall has a swimming pool and tennis court on-site. There’s a large kitchen as well as an outdoor grill for barbecuing.

Days 9-10: Taupo

It’s also one of the best places to go skydiving in New Zealand thanks to the views and clear skies (though I didn’t do this while I was there).

I loved the small-town feel of Taupo, sitting by the lake, and being able to do so many hikes. I could have stayed here for weeks.

For a list of more things to do in Taupo, check out my guide!

Where to Stay : Finlay Jack’s has a huge kitchen, a big common room, a spacious patio with BBQs, fun and welcoming staff, bike rentals, and a super friendly hostel dog. Everything in the hostel is updated, with new, modern pod-style beds so you can get a great night’s sleep. In short, everything a backpacker or budget traveler would want from a hostel.

Day 11: Tongariro Alpine Crossing

As you wind your way through Tongariro National Park, you’ll walk through volcanic terrain (including where Mordor in Lord of the Rings was filmed), past high peaks and sulfur lakes, and end the day in a dense forest. It’s easy in parts (the beginning and end) and steep in others (especially the portion after “Mount Doom”), so you’ll get a good mix of difficulty levels.

Be sure to bring water, sunscreen, a hat, toilet paper, and a sweater or jacket (the weather can change rapidly). Expect to pay around 50 NZD per person for a round-trip shuttle to and from the trail or 325 NZD for a full-day guided hike .

Where to Stay : National Park Alpine Lodge – Located in National Park Village (the best place to stay if doing the trek), this lodge features budget-friendly private rooms, a communal kitchen and common area (with a cozy fireplace for cold nights!), and a helpful staff.

Otherwise, you can stay in Taupo, which is where people usually base themselves when they do this trek.

Days 12–14: Wellington

For a list of more things to do in Wellington, check out my detailed guide to the city.

Where to Stay : The Marion – This boutique hostel is just blocks away from everything you’ll want to see. It’s cozy, with comfy beds and large bathrooms, and the staff really go out of their way to make you feel welcome. It’s a clean, social spot to relax and meet other travelers.

If you’ve only got two weeks and are ending your 14-day New Zealand itinerary in Wellington, you can fly out of the airport here to wherever you need to go next. If you have more time, you’ll take the car ferry (around 3.5 hours) to Picton on the South Island to continue your trip (in which case, follow the following two-week South Island itinerary, but in reverse).  

New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary: A Two-Week South Island Route

If you choose the South Island for your two-week road trip, start in Queenstown. Even if your international flight lands in Auckland on the North Island, you can easily get a cheap flight to Queenstown. Queenstown also has direct flights to many major cities in Australia if your trip to New Zealand is part of a larger adventure in Oceania.

Days 1-3: Queenstown

Known as “the adventure capital of New Zealand” (it’s the launching pad for every sort of adventure activity you can think of), Queenstown lives up to the hype. Even though it has become hugely popular, I cannot express my love of Queenstown enough. I love sitting by the lake, watching the sunset with a bottle of wine, and hiking the nearby trails.

Explore nearby vineyards, enjoy the waters of Lake Wakatipu, or go bungy jumping, ziplining, rafting, or skydiving . There’s a lot to do here.

For a list of more things to do in Queenstown, check out my detailed city guide.

Where to Stay : Nomads Queenstown – Most rooms have balconies, the showers have excellent water pressure, and the pillows are thick. There are activities every night and a free dinner and quiz night on Sunday. Overall, this is a great place to stay.

Days 4-6: Fiordland

Milford Sound is an amazing fjord that’s best known for the towering Mitre Peak and its surrounding rainforest. You can walk the wooded trail along the sandy shore for perfect views of the peak, or take the Chasm Walk on the Cleddau River to get close to powerful waterfalls.

The fjord itself is home to seal and penguin colonies. You can often see pods of dolphins frolicking in the waters too. Explore by boat and check out the Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory to see rare black coral and other underwater life. Southern Discoveries is the only company doing cruises that include the Underwater Observatory. Cruises start from 165 NZD .

While less well-known than Milford, Doubtful Sound is the deepest and second-largest fjord in the country. You can only get to Doubtful via boat. A wilderness cruise of Doubtful Sound costs 299 NZD.

Where to Stay : Milford Sound Lodge – This is quite literally the only place to stay within about 50 kilometers (31 miles). It’s not cheap, but the views are unmatched, the complimentary breakfast is delicious, and the contemporary rooms are cozy yet modern. Otherwise, if you have a car, you can stay in the closest town, Te Anau where you’ll find cheaper accommodation.

Days 7-8: Wanaka

For a list of more things to do in Wanaka, check out my detailed city guide.

Where to Stay : Mountain View Backpackers – This hostel has a huge outdoor space with a grill, space to lie in the sun, and a big table to congregate around (there were many enjoyable nights spent drinking wine outdoors).

Day 9: Franz Josef Glacier

Hiking the glaciers here is an unforgettable experience. Sadly, because they have receded and are melting quickly due to climate change, the caves and walks have been shut down. Now, the only way to trek on the glaciers is via heli-hike ( an epic half-day or full-day helicopter/hiking experience ). These are expensive (500 NZD), but the helicopter ride, trekking, and experience as a whole are worth the price in my opinion.

Conversely, you can just hike to the glacier face and take photos from a distance. There are tons of viewing points (and you’ll see photos of just how far the glaciers have receded over the years).

Where to Stay : Chateau Backpacker & Motels – Just a ten-minute drive from the glacier, this lodging offers free homemade soup every night, free breakfast (homemade waffles and pancakes!), two communal kitchens, and a hot tub.

Days 10–11: Abel Tasman National Park

The best way to see the park is by kayak, so you can explore the little coves and beaches that really make the area special. Full-day rentals start at around 110 NZD, or you can join a guided kayaking tour starting at 190 NZD. You can also take a scenic cruise around the park for 95 NZD.

Where to Stay : Marahau Beach Camp – Offers both dormitories and small private cottages, a communal kitchen, and a seasonal restaurant. There are also tent and campervan sites if you want to save money.

From here, pick your last stop: either drive onwards to Christchurch and end there or take the ferry over to Wellington (an adventure in and of itself!) and end there. Either way, you’ll be able to catch a cheap and quick flight back to Auckland for your international flight home.

If you’re heading to Christchurch, keep reading. If you’d like to visit Wellington, scroll back up and follow the tips in the North Island itinerary section.

Days 12-14: Christchurch

While there’s not a lot “to do” per se, the vibe here is really relaxed, and it’s worth not rushing through if you aren’t short on time. Be sure to ride the gondola , visit the Canterbury Museum, and tour Quake City (a unique and interactive museum that recounts personal stories from the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes).

For a list of more things to do in Christchurch, check out my city guide.

Where to Stay : Urbanz – This is an awesome hostel located in downtown Christchurch with friendly staff and a huge kitchen. There’s also a hostel bar, a pool table, fast Wi-Fi, laundry, movies, and comfy couches, as well as a parking lot.

If you need to get back to Queenstown, it’s a 6 hour drive from here. Alternatively, you can fly to Auckland. The flight is just over an hour and tickets can be found for as low as 65 NZD if you book in advance.  

New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary: One Month

Again, these are just recommended itineraries — I encourage you to adapt as needed!  

Things to Remember When Road-Tripping New Zealand

To help you make the most of your road trip, please remember the following rules:

• Traffic flows on the left here (not the right, like in the US or Canada).
• You must always park your car in the direction that traffic is going (or risk a fine).
• There are plenty of pull-off points for taking photos — use them instead of stopping at a random spot along the side of the road, which can be quite dangerous given how tight the roads are here.
• Roads here are winding, so remember that it might take longer than you expect to cover a particular distance.
• As long as your current and valid driver’s license is in English, you don’t need an International Driver’s Permit.
• If you’re traveling by campervan, use the CamperMate app to find nearby campsites, gas stations, and dump stations.

New Zealand is an unforgettable country, loaded with epic landscapes, friendly Kiwis, and a rich culture. Due to its remote location, visiting is usually a once-in-a-lifetime trip for most travelers. Taking a road trip is the best way to make the most of your time here, tailoring your itinerary to your own preferences and New Zealand bucket list.

Book Your Trip to New Zealand: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

If you’re looking for specific places to stay, here is a complete list of my favorite hostels in New Zealand .

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on New Zealand? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on New Zealand for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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• Best overall
• Best for cruises
• Best for reputation
• Best for preexisting conditions
• Best for digital nomads
• Best low-cost
• Best for road trips
• How we reviewed travel insurance companies

Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Travel Insurance in June 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Traveling is an adventure, a leap into the unknown, a story waiting to unfold. But every story needs a safety net, and that's where travel insurance comes in. In this guide to the best travel insurance, we'll embark on a journey to help you better understand travel insurance and uncover the benefits that make it an indispensable companion for any traveler.

Our Picks for the Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best overall: nationwide travel insurance.

• Runner-Up: AXA Assistance USA
• Best for Cruises: Travel Guard
• Best Reputation:  C&F Travel Insured
• Best for Pre-existing Conditions:   Tin Leg Travel Insurance
• Best for Digital Nomads:   WorldTrips Travel Insurance
• Best Low-Cost Option:   Trawick International Travel Insurance

Best for Road Trips: Travelex Travel Insurance

How we rate travel insurance »

Compare the Best Travel Insurance Companies

The best travel insurance companies offer comprehensive coverage options for a wide range of people and needs. For this guide, we looked at coverage options, customizability, and the best companies for specific situations, such as pre-existing conditions.

Here are Business Insider's picks for the best travel insurance companies in 2024. 

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of trip costs (for cruises) or up to $30,000 (for single-trip plans)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three cruise-specific plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel insurance plans available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong trip cancellation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR insurance not available with every single plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is lower than what some competitors offer

Nationwide Travel Insurance offers many of the standard benefits you might see with a travel insurance policy. This can include things like trip cancellation coverage, so you can recover pre-paid costs or trip interruption in the event your vacation is interrupted by an unexpected event. There's also baggage delay coverage and medical coverage.

• Cancel for any reason coverage available

Nationwide Travel Insurance is of the largest players in the travel insurance space, offering nearly endless options for any customer on the travel spectrum, including annual travel insurance plans which can offer frequent travelers the flexibility to "set it and forget it" on their travel insurance coverage.

Nationwide Essential also offers some of the most affordable policies in the market compared to similar plans from competitors, which makes it a great pick for just about anyone. Buyers can discuss bundling options as Nationwide also sells homeowners, auto, pet, and other insurance products. Its travel insurance quoting is just as easy as it has been with other Nationwide insurance products.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review here.

Best Travel Insurance Runner-Up: AXA Assistance USA

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical evacuation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1,500 per person coverage for missed connections on cruises and tours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage ceilings per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage only available for most expensive Platinum plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR coverage ceiling only reaches $50,000 maximum despite going up to 75%

AXA Assistance USA keeps travel insurance simple with gold, silver, and platinum plans. Emergency medical and CFAR are a couple of the options you can expect. Read on to learn more about AXA.

• Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans available
• Trip interruption coverage of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000

AXA Assistance USA  offers consumers a great option for no-stress travel insurance: low-priced plans, generous coverage limits on key categories including primary insurance on lost luggage, and up to 150% reimbursement for qualifying trip cancellations.

While add-ons are limited and rental car coverage is not included by default on cheaper plans, AXA is a perfect fit for travelers who don't plan to drive (or who already hold a travel credit card with rental car coverage), and don't need any additional bells and whistles.

Read our AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance review  here.

Best for Cruises: AIG Travel Guard

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the cost, for all three plan levels
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR covers up to 75% of total trip costs (maximum of $112,500 on some plans) 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Medical coverage of up to $500,000 and evacuation of up to $1,000,000 per person
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes COVID coverage 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Above average baggage loss and delay benefits
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical evacuation coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums may run slightly higher than competitors

Travel Guard is a well-established and highly rated name in the travel insurance industry. It offers three main coverage options to choose from, and in general its policies have above-average coverage for baggage loss and baggage delays, plus high medical evaluation coverage limits.

• Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Preexisting medical conditions exclusions waiver must be purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment
• Annual travel insurance plan and Pack N' Go plan (for last-minute trips) available

Travel Guard is well-known insurance provider, and a great fit for travelers who want to ensure that they can get their money back in the event of canceled or interrupted travel plans.

While the company's policies can be pricey compared to its competitors, the high medical and evacuation limits make AIG a solid choice for older travelers who value peace of mind and simplicity over highly customizable plans that may be bolstered with medical upgrades.

Read our AIG Travel Guard review here.

Best for Reputation: C&F Travel Insured

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers 2 major plans including CFAR coverage on the more expensive option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancellation for job loss included as a covered reason for trip cancellation/interruption (does not require CFAR coverage to qualify)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Frequent traveler reward included in both policies
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million in medical evacuation coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is only $100,000
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews on claims processing indicate ongoing issues
• C&F's Travel Insured policies allow travelers customize travel insurance to fit their specific needs. Frequent travelers may benefit from purchasing an annual travel insurance plan, then adding on CFAR coverage for any portions of travel that may incur greater risk.

While every travel insurance company has negative reviews about its claims process, C&F Travel Insured 's claims process has a consistent stream of positive reviews. One customer wrote that C&F processed a claim within 48 hours. Additionally, C&F regularly responds to customer reviews within one business week, making reviews a consistent way to reach the company.

Additionally, in C&F's fine print, it mentions that any claims that take more than 30 days to pay out will begin to accrue interest at 9% APY.

C&F's reputation isn't the only thing to speak highly of. It offers an array of add-ons uncommon in the travel insurance industry, such as Interruption for Any Reason insurance and CFAR coverage for annual plans. C&F also offers discounts for children on its Protector Edge plan and free coverage on its Protector plan.  

Read our C&F Travel Insured review  here. 

Best for Pre-Existing Conditions: Tin Leg Travel Insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Policy coverage includes most pre-existing health conditions
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical and evacuation amounts for peace of mind
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. COVID coverage included by default on all insurance plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers a wide range of plans for various budgets and travel needs
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans offer CFAR, “cancel for work reasons,” financial default, and unemployment coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited add-on coverage options
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage loss and delay coverage is low compared to competitors

Tin Leg travel insurance offers eight travel insurance plans to meet the unique needs of travelers.

• Tin Leg was founded in 2014 by the travel insurance industry experts at Squaremouth. Designed to meet the most common needs of travelers, these policies offer comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits, and a range of Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation limits.

Tin Leg Travel Insurance is a great fit for travelers with medical issues in particular. Seven of Tin Leg's eight travel plans include coverage for pre-existing conditions as long as you purchase your policy within 15 days of your initial trip payment.

Thanks to coverage for pre-existing medical conditions as well as for potential COVID-19 infection while traveling, this company offers some of the best financial investment options for travelers who are or will be exposed to higher health risks and issues.

Read our Tin Leg Travel Insurance review here.

Best for Digital Nomads: WorldTrips Travel Insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable base plans that can be customized with add-ons including rental car, pet care, hunting and fishing, and vacation rental coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Insurance plans available for international student travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage benefit that kicks in after just five hours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Pre-existing conditions waiver can be purchased within 21 days of initial trip payment
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Lower medical, evacuation and accidental death limits
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited, secondary baggage loss coverage although baggage protection can be upgraded at a low cost
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No special coverages for pets, sports equipment, etc.

WorldTrips has been a reputable travel insurance provider for more than 20 years. Unsurprisingly, it boasts an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and positive reviews from thousands of customers.

• Travel medical insurance (Premium, Group, Annual, and International Student options)
• Trip cancellation insurance
• Trip protection insurance

WorldTrips Travel Insurance has affordable premiums, highly customizable add-ons, and generous coverage for core categories of travel insurance. All this makes it a great option for digital nomads, students studying abroad and backpackers.

However, travelers should keep in mind that plans are not particularly flexible, and coverage amounts are limited unless you plan ahead to pay for the areas and amounts that you need.

Read our WorldTrips Travel Insurance review here.

Best for Affordability: Trawick International Travel Insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Useful for adventurous travelers headed to higher-risk destinations
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable plans with varying levels of coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 10-day free look option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage loss replacement policy
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage kicks in after just six hours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some policies allow a CFAR add-on
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million medical evacuation coverage limit
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage and trip delay coverages don’t kick in until after the 12-hour mark
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. International student policies available for temporary stints abroad
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Complaints about claims not being paid or involving an intermediary to resolve claims

Trawick International travel insurance offers plans customized to diverse travelers' needs. We look at coverage options, claims processing, pricing, and other important factors for savvy travelers.

• Travel medical insurance
• Trip protection and cancellation
• International student insurance
• Visitor medical insurance (for traveling to the US)

Trawick International Travel Insurance is another insurance provider with robust medical travel insurance that can help higher-risk and anxious travelers find peace of mind while on the road. This company offers one of the most generous medical evacuation policies in the market, although travelers will need to remember to add on rental car coverage if they need it.

Read our Trawick Travel Insurance review here.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Options to cover sports equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Option to increase medical coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Can cancel up to 48 hours before travel when CFAR option is purchased
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable coverage for budget-conscious travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Optional "adventure sports" bundle available for riskier activities
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Only two insurance plans to choose from
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage maximum is low at up to $50,000 per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Pricier than some competitors with lower coverage ceilings
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Some competitors offer higher medical emergency coverage

Travelex travel insurance is one of the largest travel insurance providers in the US providing domestic and international coverage options. It offers a basic, select, and America option. Read on to learn more.

• Optional CFAR insurance available with the Travel Select plan
• Trip delay insurance starting at $500 with the Travel Basic plan
• Emergency medical and dental coverage starting at $15,000

Travelex Travel Insurance  offers three plans:

• Travel Basic
• Travel Select
• Travel America

The Travelex America plan is meant for trips limited to the U.S., but it has the highest coverage limits in many areas compared to its other programs. If you're flying somewhere, the lost baggage limits are higher. Its natural strengths shine for road trippers, though. Travelex America adds coverage for roadside service and rental car coverage for unexpected accidents. It also covers pets should you be involved in an accident while on the road.

While your standard auto insurance does extend to car rentals within the U.S. for a limited time, any accident would affect future rates. Travelex would eliminate the risk of reporting to your auto insurance provider for minor incidents within its purview.

Read our Travelex Travel Insurance review  here.

Introduction to Travel Insurance

Why travel insurance is a must-have.

The unpredictable nature of traveling – from flight cancellations to medical emergencies – can turn your dream vacation into a nightmare. Travel insurance acts as a personal safeguard, ensuring that unexpected events don't drain your wallet or ruin your trip.

Understanding Different Types of Travel Insurance

Not all travel insurance policies are created equal. From single-trip travel insurance policies to annual travel insurance plans , from minimal coverage to comprehensive protection, understanding the spectrum of options is your first step in finding the right fit for your journey.

Key Features to Look for in Travel Insurance Coverage

Travel insurance for medical emergencies.

Imagine falling ill in a foreign country; daunting, right? A robust travel insurance plan ensures you don't have to worry about how much emergency medical care while traveling will cost, even in the most remote corners of the globe. This coverage will often come in tandem with emergency medical evacuation coverage.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Benefits

Life is full of surprises, some less pleasant than others. Trip cancellation and interruption coverage ensures that you're not left out of pocket if unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel or cut your trip short. You may also look for cancel for any reason and interruption for any reason options, which will reimburse you for a percentage of your nonrefundable fees, but expands the covered reasons you can cancel a trip. You can find our guide on the best CFAR travel insurance companies here.

Coverage for Personal Belongings and Baggage Loss

Losing your belongings is more than an inconvenience; it's losing a piece of your world. Insurance that covers personal belongings and baggage loss ensures that you're compensated for your loss, helping you to rebound and continue your adventure.

Support and Assistance Services

In times of trouble, having a lifeline can make all the difference. Look for insurance that offers 24/7 support and assistance services, giving you peace of mind that help is just a phone call away. Also, check websites that field customer reviews like Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, and InsureMyTrip , to see how well a company responds to customer requests.

Choosing the Best Travel Insurance

Reputation and reliability of the travel insurance provider.

A provider's reputation is not just about being well-known; it's about reliability, customer satisfaction, and the ability to deliver on promises. Researching and choosing a reputable provider is a cornerstone in ensuring your safety and satisfaction.

Understanding the Policy's Fine Print

The devil is in the details, and understanding the fine print of what your travel insurance policy covers is crucial. Be aware of coverage limits, exclusions, and the process for filing a claim to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

In the age of information, customer reviews and feedback are goldmines of insight. Learn from the experiences of others to gauge the reliability and customer service of the insurance provider you're considering. While the ratings are important, you should also look at whether or not a company responds to customer complaints.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Travel Insurance

Knowing your policy inside out.

Familiarize yourself with every aspect of your policy – what it covers, what it doesn't, how to file a claim, and who to contact in an emergency. Being informed means being prepared. 

Steps to Take When a Problem Arises

If you face an issue during your travels, knowing the immediate steps to take can make all the difference. Keep important contacts and your policy details handy, and remember, your insurance provider is there to assist you.

How to Pick the Best Travel Insurance Company for You

There isn't a one-size-fits-all policy that works perfectly for every traveler. Young, healthy solo travelers can opt for much cheaper plans that offer bare-bones coverage, while families juggling complex itineraries will do best by investing in a robust policy that can help defray any costs associated with lost baggage, delayed transportation or other trip-impeding obstacles.

That being said, you can't go wrong with a travel insurance provider that boasts a reputable history and offers a wide range of customizable plans. In some cases, you may be comparing plans that are only a few dollars' apart from each other. In such situations, you should generally opt for the insurance company that offers the strongest customer service. It's also worth considering whether or not the travel insurance provider has been reviewed by other travelers with similar itineraries to your own. 

An insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth is one of the best tools for searching travel insurance policies. Once you input the specifics of your travel itinerary, you'll be able to see hundreds of search results to compare the ones that catch your eye. If the options are too overwhelming, use the filters to the left of your search page to eliminate as many irrelevant plans as possible.

How We Reviewed the Best Travel Insurance Companies

To come up with our list of the best travel insurance companies, we evaluated each insurer based on the following factors:

Guide Methodology: What We Considered

Policy Types

Travel insurance is essential, but often underused partly because people aren't getting what they want. Business Insider's 2023 travel study showed 10.65% of travelers surveyed bought cancel for any reason insurance. Cost may be a factor, but in many cases, the coverage is more affordable than you might think. Regardless, companies must offer a diverse range of coverage options. We award five stars to companies offering all standard coverages and additional options like pet and sports equipment protection.

Our 2023 travel study indicated the majority of purchases were made through the travel provider (ex: flight protection insurance when you're purchasing your airline tickets). While these may be sufficient for some customers, we look for companies offering a more comprehensive range of services.

According to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, the average cost of travel insurance will be between 4% and 8% of total travel expenses. Anything beyond that price point should include additional benefits beyond the standard inclusions, such as CFAR protection or upgraded medical coverage. Anything below that 4% threshold may leave you lacking important or sufficient coverage in an emergency.

Convenience and Flexibility

Whether you're an infrequent traveler or a suitcase warrior, a good travel insurance company should have you covered. In many cases, you might not even have to talk to a person in order to purchase your policy.

Many people think of travel insurance in context with specific trips, but most of these top contenders sell both single-trip and multi-trip policies, also known as annual travel insurance. Some companies also offer plans specifically designed for cruisers, students abroad, and business travelers. (Read our guide to the best cruise travel insurance companies for more details.) Finally, all of these providers offer multiple options for getting the specific areas and amounts of coverage that you want.

Claims Handling

Most travelers never have a large claim. Premiums are low, and it provides peace of mind for the just in case situations. So they leave reviews based on their reduced stress levels. But what happens if you lose your luggage or have to stay a few extra days due to an unexpected accident? Will your insurance carrier cover your claim without all the hassle? We check real customer reviews to sort this out for you.

Ease of Use and Support

When purchasing, during your trip, and throughout the claims process, you may need extra support. Does the company have a 24/7 help line? Does it have an online or mobile system allowing you to self-manage? Essentially, what are the options when you need help? We look at the big picture to evaluate the average customer experience with each company.

You can read our full insurance rating methodology for even more details.

Best Travel Insurance FAQs

There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for every traveler. Determine the benefits that are most important to you, like baggage delay coverage, medical coverage, and trip delay coverage, then look for a company with solid customer ratings, especially when it comes to processing claims.

Travel insurance will pay out if you experience a covered event, such as a travel delay or delayed or lost baggage. If you're looking to get travel insurance for a specific reason, such as needing to potentially cancel your trip due to work reasons, make sure your policy will cover you in that situation before purchasing it. You should also check customer reviews to see other travelers' claims experiences, as it varies wildly from company to company.

The average cost of travel insurance is 4% to 8% of your total trip cost, so it could vary widely depending on where you're traveling and the length of your trip. Your age, the number of people in your group, and other factors can also influence how much you'll pay.

Most comprehensive travel insurance policies include travel medical coverage that can come in handy if an emergency occurs and you need medical evacuation. Some travel insurance plans offer more specialized coverage for travelers with pre-existing conditions , so shop around if medical coverage is a top priority for you. 

$100,000 should be a sufficient medical coverage limit for travel insurance. If you're planning on doing extreme sports or anything particularly risky on your trip, you may want to increase your coverage level. A high medical coverage limit is especially useful when you're purchasing cruise travel insurance, since medical evacuations are more involved at sea.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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