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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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2 Weeks in Turkey: 3 itineraries

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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 months have great weather without a big tourist crowd. The peak season is from June to August which you should avoid if possible. Turkey in general is often dry, but the wettest month is December.

Getting around

Getting around in 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 are the cities you want to visit. For example, from Istanbul, you can pretty much reach the southern coast by land easily. 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 don’t 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 in Cappadocia but it’s 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 shoulder 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 we 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.

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, 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.

Visa and COVID-19 policy

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

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 enjoy 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.

Turkey is open to all visitors. COVID-19 protocols had been lifted, however, you must still fill out the “Traveller Entry Form” and check with your airlines if you need to submit any COVID-19-related requirements (countries and airlines might have different policies).

Other basic travel tips

To help you book your travel arrangement, 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, we’ve 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 it but only choose the ones that you’re interested in. 

Itinerary #1: 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 itinerary for Cappadocia is a captivating concoction of sights and sensations. Enjoy a hot air balloon ride as you softly drift over the arched canyons of the Cappadocian countryside in the early morning light. Although it is quite crowded, the experiences are absolutely fantastic, and Göreme, the major town, has an ethereal atmosphere that is distinctive and alluring.

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, and at night, those seaside towns transform into nightlife till the early hours. Historic landmarks abound in Antalya, from Hadrian’s Gate to Lycian Empire ruins spread out over the region. 

Istanbul for 3 days

Istanbul is a perfect setting to start your itinerary since it has a rich history in every direction as the capital of four main empires, including the Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman. 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. Visitors may see a skyline of modern buildings and domes from the turquoise waters. Discover the crowded bazaar stalls and bustling streets that have defined the city for many centuries.

Cappadocia and Goreme for 3 days

You’ve seen breathtaking photos of hot air balloons drifting over boulders and lovely breakfasts served in spacious hotel rooms with panoramic views. Cappadocia is a region of meandering valleys, hidden cathedrals, underground cities, and elegant cave hotels that appears to be in the middle of plains.

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.

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 for 3 days

It’s not difficult to understand why Antalya, which lies in Southern Turkey, is sometimes known 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.

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: 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. 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 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 flock to 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 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. 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.

Göreme is the heart of Cappadocia’s tourism economy since many traditional homes have been converted into elegant cave hotels. For good reason, it 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 included in the 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you want to explore more about Roman and Greek artefacts then head to The Izmir Archaeology Museum. 

The fastest way to get to Izmir from Goreme is through a 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: 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 stop 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 15 min.

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. Whereas, 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

• 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.

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

• Turkish tea and coffee
• meze platters
• hamsili pilav
• Turish delights

ACCOMMODATIONS

• 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 wants to see both European and Asian culture come together. Turkey has been called the “gateway between the west and the east” which 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 landscape, tasty local dishes, rich history, and being such 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 on 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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Turkey Travel Guide: The Ultimate 2-week Itinerary

Turkey is a huge country that has something to offer for every kind of traveler. This two-week Turkey travel guide will take you along a part of the Turquoise Coastline of Turkey and into the mainland to the Hot Air Balloons in Cappadocia .

Turkey Travel Guide

Transportation and destination information are provided with extra options like going by bus instead of flying from A to B. The roads we used were superb, so self-driving through Turkey is highly recommended by us!

We recommend to rent a car in Turkey through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here .

Day 1: Flying to Antalya, driving to Kas

Start your trip from Antalya. Rent a car at the airport and drive directly to Kas (about 3 hours).

If you would like to have a break to have lunch or dinner, we recommend that you pick a restaurant at The harbor of Kemer.

Day 2 – 4: Kas town and its surroundings

Kas is a beautiful and small town. It offers beautiful beaches, great food, shopping, and quite some sightseeing. Don’t forget to visit the picturesque Kaputas Beach.

Read more: 7 Things to do in Kas, Turkey

Where to Stay in Kas

Kas, Turkey, offers some great places to stay, from budget guesthouses to upscale beach resorts. Many accommodations have fantastic sea views, too!

Hotels in Kas 😴

 Day 5 – 7: Saklikent and Fethiye

Leave in the morning from Kas and drive to Kalkan for lunch. The drive is about 1,5 hours with some small stops to enjoy the view and cliff drops.

After a great Turkish lunch, head to Saklikent Gorge, which is a 300-meter-high and 18-kilometer-long canyon, one of the deepest in the world. This is about a 45-minute drive from Kalkan.

Continue your trip to the final destination, Fethiye. This is a city where you can easily wander around for two days. Paragliding is very popular and highly recommended in this area. The view from up there is unreal.

See availability for a paragliding experience in Fethiye

Tip: If you have more time, you can also add in Pamukkale. These salt baths are a well-known spot so make sure to arrive in the early morning. It can be done on a day trip, but it isn’t recommended.

Read more: Fethiye, the Hidden Gem of Turkey’s Turquoise Coast

Where to Stay in Fethiye

Fethiye is home to plenty of accommodation options for all types of travelers. Whether you’re looking to stay in a budget guesthouse or a luxury beach resort, Fethiye has it all.

Hotels in Fethiye 😴

There are enough affordable options in Fethiye, but if you really want to be on a piece of heaven on earth, then visit Hillside Beachclub.

Day 8: Turkey Travel Guide: To the Cappadocia area

Cappadocia is quite a distance from the country and can be reached in a few ways. The first option is to drive back to Antalya, return the car, and either fly out the same day or take a hotel for the night and fly out the next morning very early.

Note: Driving back from Fethiye to Antalya takes about 3 hours.

Fly from Antalya to Kayseri. Kayseri is the best airport available to reach Cappadocia because it’s just a 30-minute drive with a taxi to Goreme (a town in the Cappadocia area).

See all: Cheap flights tickets to Kayseri

The second option is to return the car to Dalaman or Pamukkale and take a touring bus to Goreme, Cappadocia. The bus will take you overnight to Goreme and can save you money, but it doesn’t save you energy. (Bus rides can be pretty hectic)

Book your bus tickets to Cappadocia in advance

Day 9 – 13: The Fairytale area called Cappadocia

Take at least two nights in Cappadocia. Even when you take four, it won’t be enough. There is so much to do in this area, and every new sunrise will be one to remember. The sky will be filled with Hot Air Balloons, and maybe you can even fly with one.

Book a Balloon Flight easily online

Other than the balloons, you can do a sunset ride on horseback, stay in one of the many cave hotels, visit Pasabag or the Open Air Museum, and many more things.

Read more: 7 Things To Do in Cappadocia

Where to Stay in Cappadocia

The caves of Cappadocia were carved out hundreds of years ago and used as houses and churches by the locals and monks. Nowadays, these rock houses have been converted into hotels, giving visitors the opportunity to live like the locals used to.

Hotels in Cappadocia 😴

There are many beautiful towns within the area in which visitors can stay. We chose to stay in Goreme, which is very convenient with many great hotels and restaurants, and centrally located to many main sights.

Day 14: Back to Antalya

On your last day (or the evening before), fly back to Antalya and make sure to stay in Antalya’s old town called Kaleici. It is surprisingly quiet and laid-back in the part of a huge city. Our hotel in Kaleici was located perfectly near all the sights in old town.

Read more: 24-hours in Antalya Old Town

Where to Stay in Antalya

Antalya offers hotels for every kind of budget, and as it’s relatively small, you can stay in most areas and be located to all the best things to do.

Hotels in Antalya 😴

Visa for Turkey

To enter Turkey, you will need to have a visa. An e-visa is easily arranged online within a day and the price starts at 51 USD per standard tourist visa. Please note that the price may go up depending on your citizenship.

Order your Visa for Turkey here

Costs of traveling through Turkey

Traveling through Turkey is much cheaper than other destinations in Europe, especially if you stay in reasonably priced guesthouses and eat local food. Prices are a rough estimate of what we spend per person.

Costs of Traveling in Turkey

Travel on a budget in Turkey, from $370 − $350 USD weekly per person, mid-range $650 − $1600 USD, and high-end from $1510 − $2200 USD. However, costs depend on factors like accommodation, transportation, and activities. We did not include flights. Check flight prices here

• Hotels: $30 − $90 USD Check available hotels
• Hostels: $15 − $25 USD Check available hostels
• Transport: $10 − $20 USD Book public transport
• Car Rental: $50 − $150 USD Book a rental car
• Food: $15 − $50 USD
• Activities: $10 − $15 USD See tickets & tours
• Sim: $1 − $3 USD Get an eSIM or SIM here
• Travel Insurance: $2 − $6 USD Get Travel Insurance

By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support. ♥️

• Find Hotels via Booking.com
• Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
• Find Flights to Turkey via Skyscanner
• Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
• Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
• Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go

Best Things To Do in Fethiye: Turkey’s Turquoise Coast

Best things to do in antalya, turkey (old town), best things to do in cappadocia: a guide to the hot air balloons.

Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.

Thank you guys for this article! It really helped me for my trip to Turkey! I really enjoyed it and I would actually suggest a stop in Bodrum and Alaçati as well for a day or two. I was very sad to not be able to do the hot air balloon ride because there was wind but it will be for next time ;)

Hi Lou, glad to read it helped and that you enjoyed Turkey! x Hannah

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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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About the Author:

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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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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Meet Lauren Juliff

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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• Itinerary Ideas

2 Weeks in Turkey: The 4 Best Itinerary Ideas for a 14-Day Vacation

Turkey is a large country and has a wealth of tourism resources, making it an ideal destination for families and couples. The delicious cuisine, stunning beaches, and distinctive geography add to its charm for celebrating a graduation, honeymoon, or anniversary.

Generally, 14 days is sufficient to fully enjoy the key attractions in Turkey at a leisurely pace, including Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, and Pamukkale. Additionally, our clients also tend to combine Greece with Turkey for extra culture plus leisure on the Aegean islands, such as Santorini and Mykonos.

Nonetheless, selecting your destinations and figuring out how to connect them could prove challenging.

Continue reading to find out a variety of itinerary ideas for 14 days, ensuring that you make the most of your time.

Itinerary List

Itinerary 1: 2-week highlights of turkey, itinerary 2: 2-week summer vacation in turkey for families with teenagers, itinerary 3: 2-week turkey inland city tour for winter scenery, itinerary 4: 2-week romantic tour in turkey and greece.

If this is your first visit to Turkey, this itinerary includes all of the must-see destinations to give you a comprehensive experience of this historic country.

From Istanbul (which has served as the capital of multiple empires) to Cappadocia (see the "fairy chimneys"), then to Izmir (for Ephesus with its Roman ruins) and Pamukkale (for natural hot springs and travertine terraces), and finally to Antalya (a world-famous beach resort city).

Below is the itinerary breakdown:

• Days 1–4: Istanbul (Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, Istiklal Avenue, and a Bosphorus sunset cruise)
• Days 5–8: Cappadocia (Love Valley, Goreme Open-Air Museum, Derinkuyu underground city, an ATV tour, and a hot-air balloon ride)
• Day 9: Izmir (a day trip to Ephesus for the Roman ruins)
• Day 10: Pamukkale (travertine terraces, the ruins of Hierapolis, and Cleopatra's Pool)
• Days 11–14: Antalya (a city tour in Kaleici district, Duden Waterfalls, sunset horseback riding, a day trip to Mount Olympos, and free days for some beach time)

Your journey would begin in Istanbul . Get ready to be amazed by its cultural heritage, modern amenities, and mouthwatering cuisine. The best way to see the beauty of Istanbul is by taking a Bosphorus sunset cruise to enjoy the views of landmarks, such as Bosphorus Bridge and Galata Tower, as they are bathed in the enchanting dusk light.

To enrich your experience, we would arrange a romantic candlelit dinner along the Bosphorus Strait. You could indulge in gourmet food while marveling at the stunning night view.

Then, you would fly to Cappadocia , which is famous for its unique volcanic landscapes. Take a memorable hot-air balloon ride to witness the valleys and "fairy chimneys", and we would provide a champagne toast for you to celebrate this magical experience.

Your journey continues to Izmir for a day trip to Ephesus to see the well-preserved ancient Roman ruins and listen to the old stories passed down through generations as told by your knowledgeable local guide.

Stay for 1 night at Pamukkale to enjoy its ivory-white travertine terraces and natural thermal springs. You would continue to your final stop at Antalya , which is renowned as a beach resort.

As well as 1 day for a city tour of the Kaleici district and a trip to Duden Waterfalls, you could choose day trips to Side to see the ancient Greek amphitheater or Cirali to visit Mount Olympos. For some relaxation, spend a few days enjoying the beaches and engaging in water activities, creating a leisurely conclusion to your vacation.

Our private tours are fully customizable. Please let us know your specific interests and we would personalize a private tour just for you.

Most families travel with kids in a relatively limited time frame, usually between June and August, which is summer in Turkey.

Given the high temperatures in the inland areas during this period, it is more enjoyable to plan an itinerary that mainly focuses on the coastal regions. This itinerary offers a range of activities that ensure a refreshing and lively vacation experience for you and your family.

• Days 1–2: Rize (Ayder Plateau, Gelin Tulu Waterfall, natural thermal springs, and taste some Turkish tea)
• Days 3–4: Trabzon (Sumela Monastery, the Pontic Mountains, and Uzungol Lake)
• Day 5: Ordu (a cable car ride to Boztepe and the Ordu castles)
• Days 6–7: Ankara (Ankara Citadel (the Hisar), the Temple of Augustus and Rome, and Anitkabir)
• Days 8–11: Istanbul (Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Istiklal Avenue, a sunset Bosphorus cruise, and a food tour)
• Days 12–14: Antalya (a tour of the Kaleici district, Duden Waterfalls, sunset horseback riding, and free days for some beach time)

In this itinerary, you would explore the vast Ayder Plateau in Rize , visit Sumela Monastery hidden in the mountains of Trabzon , take a cable car ride to see the panorama of Ordu city, and learn about Turkey's history of revolution by visiting Anitkabir in Ankara .

In addition, you won't want to miss the chance to take a Bosphorus cruise and marvel at the breathtaking beauty of Istanbul from a different perspective. Another highlight of this trip is the opportunity to ride a horse along the beach in Antalya and witness the stunning sunset scenery.

For a special experience, we would arrange a day trip to our handpicked tea garden in Rize , allowing you to savor the most authentic flavors and learn how to roast tea leaves. Your kids could also make their own "flavor" and save it as a unique souvenir for their friends.

This itinerary is perfect for families with teenagers as it offers a variety of activities, family-friendly accommodations, and flexible schedules. It is a perfect choice for celebrating a graduation or a birthday.

If this itinerary doesn't meet your requirements, please feel free to contact us. We would be happy to personalize a private tour for you, ensuring a hassle-free and tailored experience.

Winter may not be the top choice for travelers considering Turkey as their destination, due to the cold weather. However, this season offers unique experiences at a more affordable cost.

This itinerary covers northern Turkey, allowing you to immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere, witness the passion of the Turkish people, and experience the local way of life.

• Days 1–4: Istanbul (the largest city in Turkey, which was the capital of many empires)
• Days 5–6: Bursa (the first capital of the Ottoman Empire)
• Days 7–8: Bolu (famous for its stunning natural scenery)
• Days 9–10: Ankara (the current capital city of Turkey)
• Days 11–14: Cappadocia (renowned for its unique volcanic features)

In Istanbul , we have carefully selected a traditional Turkish bath, called a hammam, where you could enjoy a warm and relaxing afternoon, surrounded by foam and receiving a gentle massage. This is a perfect way to escape the cold wind outside while learning about the origins of this historic indulgence.

Bursa and Bolu both boast stunning natural scenery and are even more beautiful under the silver snow. In Bursa's Uludag National Park, you could take a cable car ride to savor the awe-inspiring views. In Bolu's Golcuk Nature Park, try your hand at fishing on the frozen lake, then grill your catch over a campfire.

Cappadocia is particularly popular among tourists during winter. Picture yourself in a silvery wonderland, soaring in a hot-air balloon, and marveling at the magical world around you. It's an experience beyond words.

However, it could be stressful to plan a winter vacation during the peak tourist period of Christmas and New Year. Please feel free to reach out to us at Global Highlights and we will plan a hassle-free private tour just for you.

With a well-planned itinerary, 2 weeks is also enough to plan a trip with Greece included, typically spending 1 week in Turkey and another in Greece.

Immerse yourselves in the romantic atmosphere of the Aegean Sea, wandering hand in hand among the white Greek-style buildings, and getting lost in the myth of Olympus.

After experiencing the historical heritage of Istanbul , exploring the unique lunar landscape of Cappadocia , and strolling through the ancient Roman city of Ephesus , Greece awaits to impress you on a whole different level.

Santorini is known for its breathtaking views as a picturesque island. Explore the iconic blue-domed churches and immerse yourself in the charm of Amoudi Bay with a stunning sunset. It would be a shame not to visit the Santo Wines Winery for a taste of exquisite local wines.

Then, transfer to Mykonos to visit Ano Mera village and discover the rich history in the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos, which houses fascinating artifacts. For a unique experience, you could enjoy horseback riding along Megali Ammos Beach, creating unforgettable memories with your loved one.

Conclude your trip in Athens , the captivating capital city of Greece. Marvel at the Temple of Olympian Zeus, discover the vibrant Athens Central Market and delicious Greek cuisine, and cherish a romantic sunset alongside your loved one.

Contact us now to create a personalized, hassle-free private tour.

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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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Two Weeks in Turkey Itinerary for First Timers

Exploring the marvels of turkey: a 14-day journey for newcomers.

From the labyrinthine bazaars echoing with centuries of whispers to the serene vistas of the Mediterranean coast, Turkey unfolds as a tapestry of vibrant cultures, ancient ruins, and culinary marvels. This guide, tailored for first-timers, promises an unforgettable fortnight journey through Turkey, land of contrasts and confluences.

Week 1: The Western Wonders

Day 1-3: Istanbul – The Cultural Melting Pot Begin in Istanbul, where East meets West. Explore the majestic Hagia Sophia , marvel at the Blue Mosque, and lose yourself in the Grand Bazaar. An evening cruise on the Bosphorus offers a stunning perspective of the city’s skyline.

Day 4: Bursa – The Ottoman Capital Head to Bursa, the first major capital of the Ottoman Empire. Visit the Grand Mosque , Silk Bazaar, and enjoy the city’s famous Iskender kebab.

Day 5-6: Ephesus & Pamukkale – Ancient Marvels Journey to Ephesus, one of the most complete ancient cities in the Mediterranean. Next, witness the terraced travertines of Pamukkale , a natural wonder and UNESCO World Heritage site.

Day 7: Bodrum – The Aegean Gem Conclude your first week in Bodrum, known for its vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches, and the Castle of St. Peter.

Week 2: The Anatolian Adventure

Day 8-9: Cappadocia – The Moon on Earth Fly to Cappadocia, famous for its fairy chimneys , rock-cut churches, and mesmerizing hot air balloon rides at dawn.

Day 10: Konya – In Rumi’s Footsteps Visit Konya, the spiritual heartland of Turkey, and immerse yourself in the mystique of the Whirling Dervishes.

Day 11-12: Antalya – The Turquoise Coast Drive to Antalya, a paradise on the Mediterranean, offering a blend of stunning beaches, Roman ruins, and the charming old city of Kaleiçi.

Day 13: Ankara – The Beating Heart of Turkey Explore Ankara, the nation’s capital, with highlights including the Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.

Day 14: Return to Istanbul Return to Istanbul for any last-minute experiences or shopping, rounding off your two-week odyssey in this magical metropolis.

Top Experiences & Tours in Turkey

• 7-Day Highlights of Turkey Tour : Embark on a comprehensive journey that weaves through the historical heart of Istanbul, the cotton-like terraces of Pamukkale, the ancient pathways of Ephesus, and the enchanting landscapes of Cappadocia.
• 8-Day Turkey Tour Package : Uncover the essence of Turkey by exploring Istanbul’s vibrant culture, Pamukkale’s natural wonders, the historical depths of Ephesus, and the dreamlike valleys of Cappadocia.
• 9-Day Around Turkey Tour : Set off on a grand tour from Istanbul’s bustling streets to Cappadocia’s magical valleys, Pamukkale’s thermal marvels, the ancient ruins of Ephesus, and the historical sites of Troy and Gallipoli.
• 10 Days Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya, and Cappadocia Tour : Experience the ultimate Turkish adventure, blending the cultural vibrancy of Istanbul, the ancient wonders of Ephesus, the natural beauty of Pamukkale, the coastal allure of Antalya, and the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia.
• 13 Days Comprehensive Turkey Tour : Explore Turkey’s marvels, from Istanbul’s historical grandeur, Gallipoli’s poignant sites, Troy’s ancient ruins, Pergamon’s rich heritage, Ephesus’s archaeological wonders, Pamukkale’s natural beauty, Antalya’s stunning coastlines, to Cappadocia’s mystical landscapes.

Adventurer’s FAQ

Q1: Is Turkey safe for first-time travelers? A1: Yes, Turkey is widely considered safe for travelers. However, as with any destination, it’s advisable to follow standard travel safety precautions.

Q2: What’s the best time to visit Turkey? A2: Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to November) are ideal, offering pleasant weather and thinner crowds.

Q3: Do I need a visa for Turkey? A3: Visa requirements vary by country. Many travelers can obtain an e-Visa online before departure.

Q4: Can I get by with English in Turkey? A4: In major cities and tourist areas, English is commonly spoken. Learning a few basic Turkish phrases can enhance your experience.

Euphoria at the Crossroads of Civilizations

As your two-week journey in Turkey comes to a close, you return not just with souvenirs, but with a kaleidoscope of experiences that bridge the ancient and the modern, the tranquil and the vibrant. Turkey isn’t just a destination; it’s a voyage through epochs, a sensory feast, and a homage to the enduring charm of cultural fusion. Here, the echoes of the past don’t just whisper in the annals of history; they resonate vividly, inviting you to become part of an ongoing historical saga.

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The Ultimate Two Week Turkey Itinerary For First Timers

Looking to Spend 2 weeks in Turkey? This detailed 14 days Turkey itinerary shall help you explore everything that this beautiful country has to offer.

We spent 2 weeks in Turkey and this fully-packed Turkey itinerary allowed us to explore major cities like Istanbul, surreal landscapes like Cappadocia and Pamukkale as well as beach towns like Antalya and Alanya, without feeling rushed!

Read on for more details on our experience, recommendations and essential travel tips that comprise this 14 days Turkey itinerary.

Turkey is one of the most underrated travel destinations in the world. It offers a rich heritage to explore, a beautiful and diverse landscape, delicious food, plenty of unique experiences and city vibes similar to those in Europe. All this while being one of the most budget friendly destinations in the world. With a plethora of things to do, it is quite difficult to create a Turkey itinerary that provides a wholistic experience of visiting the country.

If you’re planning a trip to Turkey, the follow blog posts may prove to be the difference between a good trip and a GREAT trip!

• A Practical guide to visiting Istanbul: 5 days in Istanbul Itinerary
• Get the best of your visit to Cappadocia: 4 Days Cappadocia Itinerary
• A hidden gem often ignored: 3 days in Alanya
• If you are a vegetarian like us and looking for Turkey vegetarian food
• All the amazing things to do in Turkey: Unique things to do in Turkey
• Turkey Shopping Guide: Get the best Turkish souvenirs

Without further ado, let’s begin our 14 Day Turkey Itinerary.

This article contains affiliate links. This means that we earn a small commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. Kindly read our full disclosure and privacy policy for more details.

Quick overview

Day 1 to 3 of 14 Day Turkey Itinerary: Istanbul

Istanbul is the most popular and the best connected of all the cities of Turkey. Hence, there is a very good chance that you shall be entering Turkey via the Istanbul airport. We also recommend leaving Turkey via Istanbul airport as it offers the best and cheapest flights to any part of the world.

Because of this, we have split our 5 days in Istanbul itinerary in two parts. Three days in the beginning of our Turkey trip and another three at the end of it.

The first part of your trip to Istanbul shall majorly involve sight-seeing while your second part shall focus more on shopping and visiting the party neighborhoods of Istanbul.

Hence, we recommend staying in the Sultanahmet area during your first trip to Istanbul. This area houses the most famous attractions of Istanbul, has a wide range of hotels, the main attractions can be easily covered on foot, it has plenty of good and cheap restaurants and is the best place to start your Turkey vacation.

Your first day in Turkey shall involve, checking into your hotel, changing your Dollars to Turkish Lira and getting a general look and feel of the area around the hotel. If you arrive in Istanbul early in the morning, you should target visiting one or more of the below mentioned places in the first day itself.

To know where to go and how to get around Istanbul for the next few days, make sure you check out our detailed itinerary for Istanbul that covers the following highlights:

Hagia Sofia

Hagia Sofia is one of the most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Turkey. Built as an Orthodox Christian Cathedral, this landmark was converted to a Mosque during the Ottoman Rule and declared as a museum in 1934. In 2020, the museum was converted back to a mosque by the Turkish government. Ever since it was converted to a mosque, there are no entrance fees for visiting Hagia Sofia but tourists are not allowed during prayer hours like all other mosques in Istanbul.

The Blue Mosque

Right across from Hagia Sofia is the next big landmark of Istanbul – The Sultan Ahmet Mosque. It is the image that you see when you google Istanbul. The mosque has beautiful blue tiles that adorn its interiors, and has hence become popularly known as the Blue Mosque. Strict dress code is to be followed while visiting the Blue Mosque where your knees and shoulders are covered. In case of women, your heads need to be covered as well- head scarfs are available free of charge at the entrance.

Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace museum used to be one of the main residence and administrative blocks of the Sultan during the Ottoman Empire. The palace complex consists of the administrative blocks, the high court, the treasury and the royal kitchens.

However, the most beautiful a part of the palace complex is the Harem, where the Sultan’s many wives and concubines lived.

The Palace Complex and the Harem are exemplary pieces of Turkish architecture and history, making them an absolute must during your trip.

The entrance fee to the Harem is charged separately at 70 TL while the palace ticket costs about 100 TL. Buy a skip-the-line combination ticket to the Palace and the Harem, so that you don’t spend most of your time in queues.

Cisterns under Istanbul

There are over a hundred cisterns underneath Istanbul and only two are open to the public. The larger and more famous of the two is the Basilica Cistern. This cistern was built in the year 532 to meet the water needs of the Royal Palace. The medusa head under two of the columns, has become popular among photographers and Instagrammers. The entrance to the cistern costs about 30TL for foreign nationals.

If you wish to save some money in Turkey and don’t want to pay to visit a cistern, head over to Theodosius Cistern . It is just a short walk away from the Blue Mosque, is equally beautiful, is way less crowded and is absolutely free to enter!

You can buy a combination ticket for all the above locations in the form of a Turkey pass to save money and time by not waiting in queues. Along with guided tours to the above, the pass also includes various day trips and special experiences like the whirling dervishes show and airport shuttles.

Suleymaniye Mosque

The Suleymaniye Mosque is a lesser known but equally beautiful mosque in Istanbul. It is located a bus ride away from the Sultanahmet square and is often less crowded compared to the Blue Mosque. When we visited Turkey, the Blue Mosque was covered in scaffolding due some refurbishment work and we weren’t able to admire its beauty like we hoped to. Hence, our hotel manager advised us to visit the Suleymaniye Mosque and we did not regret it. The mosque is beautiful, less crowded and more importantly already refurbished, so no scaffoldings!

Like for all mosques in Istanbul, make sure you are appropriately dressed and don’t visit during prayer hours.

After visiting the mosque have Turkish tea or smoke a Nargile at one of the many rooftop cafes in the adjoining street. The cafes offer amazing views of the mosque on one side and the Bosphorus river on the other.

Balat is a quiet, colorful neighborhood of Istanbul. It has beautifully colored houses, unique street art and an overall hipster vibe. Rainbow stairs of Istanbul or the Insta-famous colorful houses are located in Balat. If you reach there early in the morning, you will find the entire place to yourself. Marvel at Balat’s artistic beauty to your hearts delight, click a few Instagram worthy pictures and grab breakfast at one of the many cool cafes.

Balat is just a 9-minute bus ride away from Suleymaniye mosque, so you would’ve covered two beautiful places in Istanbul by late morning.

Galata Tower

The Galata Tower is a medieval stone tower that was built as a light house by the Byzantines. The top of the tower offers sweeping views of Istanbul and the neighborhood is lined with cute cafes.

To reach Galata Tower from Balat, catch a five-minute ferry from the Fener Ferry Terminal to the Kasimpasa Terminal. From the ferry Terminal, it is a 15-minute walk to the Tower through alleys with great street and small street side cafes.

Pro Trip: The ferry is a great way to avoid spending on an expensive Bosphorus river cruise. Admire the Golden Horn, the primary inlet to the Bosphorus river, while on the ferry and feed the seagulls flying by for a unique Istanbul photo.

For a detailed itinerary and a day-wise suggestions for things to do in Istanbul, check out our 5 Day Practical Guide to Istanbul article.

At the end of the third day, catch an overnight bus to Goreme, Cappadocia for the next part of Turkey vacation.

Note: If you are in Istanbul for more than three days, consider buying this Istanbul E-pass for 2, 3, 5 or 7 days that includes not just guided tours to all the famous attractions listed above, but also special experiences like Turkish Night shows, Whirling dervishes show, Luxury Bosphorus cruises with dinners. The pass proves to be a huge way to save money on your trip to Istanbul.

Day 4-7 of 14 Day Turkey Itinerary – Cappadocia

Cappadocia is a region in the middle of Turkey that has recently become a must visit destination during your two weeks trip to Turkey.

With its other worldly landscape, an abundance of things to do, hospitable locals and Instagram fame, Cappadocia has something to offer for every type of traveler.

We recommend spending 4 days in Cappadocia as a majority of its activities are weather dependent and you can reschedule these activities on the next day if the weather is not supportive.

Also, out of all the towns in Cappadocia, we recommend you book your stay in Goreme. Goreme is very well connected to the rest of Turkey, has some of the best cave hotels in Cappadocia and is the most tourist-friendly part of Cappadocia. By staying in Goreme, you shall be in the middle of all the action.

How to reach Goreme?

By Air: You can catch a direct flight from Istanbul airport to Nevsehir or Keyseri Airport. Upon landing, catch a shuttle bus to Goreme.

The direct flights are convenient and cost almost as much as an overnight bus if you are not carrying any heavy luggage.

Overnight Bus: This is our preferred way of traveling to Cappadocia. The bus service in Turkey is cheap, efficient and comfortable. Not only can you carry heavy baggage without incurring an additional cost but you can also save on a night of accommodation in a hotel by taking a night bus.

Also, the bus drops you in Goreme itself as compared to flight where you shall have to take a shuttle bus to reach Goreme from the airport.

Cappadocia Experiences to include in Your Turkey Itinerary:

Hot air balloon ride.

Exploring Cappadocia’s surreal landscape in Hot Air Balloon is the quintessential thing to do on your trip to Turkey . Lift off is generally early in the morning just before sunrise in your colorful balloon with hundreds of others.

We advise you to book your Cappadocia hot air balloon flight on your first full day in Cappadocia. In this way, even if your flight gets cancelled due to unfavorable conditions on your first day, the company can reschedule it for free on the next day.

You need to book your ride in advance as tickets are limited and either get sold out or become costlier.

In our experience, the best way to book a balloon flight is via a booking website like Getyourguide . They have the best tour operators in Cappadocia and have very flexible cancellation policy.

Our favorite is this Hot Air Balloon Ride as it is cost-effective, does not compromise on quality and is the most reviewed ride!

Alternatively, you can also book via your hotel. However, in our experience, it was more expensive compared to the above price as the hotel had its own mark ups.

What is included in your Cappadocia Hot air Balloon Ridfe:

A good hot air balloon ride should involve pick up form your hotel, a decent breakfast, at least one hour of flight, a champagne celebration after landing and drop off to your hotel.

The cost of this activity depends on three factors:

• The no. of people on the basket – generally ranges from 16 to 24
• The duration of flight (one hour to 3 hours)
• The availability of slots – prices are higher during peak tourist season or if you book last minute.

book your balloon flight in advance here to avoid missing out or super-high last minute prices.

Cappadocia on Horse-back

After hovering over the valleys of Cappadocia in a hot-air balloon, exploring them on the ground is a must. You can hike the valleys with a guide, go for an adrenaline boosting ATV tour or opt for our favorite option, exploring it on horseback .

Horses of Cappadocia are some of the best in the world. In fact, the name of the region -Cappadocia literally means “Land of beautiful horses”.  

A horseback tour allows you to tread along pathways that cars or ATVs can’t access.

If you book this tour, the ranch will pick you up from your hotel about 3 hours before sundown. Upon reaching the ranch, you shall be introduced to your cowboy guide and your horse. You’ll be given proper horse riding gear and instructions on how to control your horse.

The tour shall start 2 hours before the sun sets which is an ideal time to explore the valleys.

Your guide shall take you across the Red Valley, Love valley and Rose valley, making photo stops wherever the scene becomes compelling.

Make sure you book this tour in advance as the slots are limited and often get sold out quickly.

Alternatively, you can also book a sunrise tour on horseback or Camelback , where you shall travel across Red Valley and Rose Valley as the Hot Air Balloon Rise around you.

Goreme Open Air Museum

The Goreme Open air museum is a collection of churches, chapels and monasteries about 1 km uphill from the Goreme city center. What makes these churches special is the fact that they’re carved into the huge rocks that you see everywhere in Cappadocia.

It gets crowded because of its beauty and popularity so book your tickets in advance.

You can buy separate tickets for the Goreme Open Air museum or opt for the Red Tour (explained below) that includes a tour of this must visit UNESCO World Heritage site.

Visit the Underground City of Derinkuyu

Cappadocia was repeatedly under attack by Arab raiders from the East. To safeguard themselves and their possessions from the raiders, the residents built cities deep underground. Some of these cities are said to go 18 levels below the earth and are interconnected via secret tunnels.

They could easily accommodate 20,000 people and had dedicated places for their horses, food and water storage, recreational activities and even council halls!

Book a guided tour of these cities which take care of your transportation and entrance fees.

These guided tours are a must to explore the 9-storeys of the underground city of Derinkuyu and understand how the residents lived and protected themselves from the raiders. 

 You can also book the Green Tour of Cappadocia (explained below) that includes a tour of the Underground city.

The Red tour is a tour of all the things to do in North Cappadocia.

It generally starts with pick up from your hotel at around 10 o clock in the morning. The Red Tour lasts for about 8-9 hours and includes the following must visit sites of Cappadocia:

1. Goreme Open Air Museum

2. Uchisar Castle

3. Avanos Town and pottery workshop

4. Pasabag or Monk’s Valley

5. Devrent Valley aka Imagination Valley

6. Love Valley

7. Urgup wine cellars.

Some tour operators exclude one or more of the above from the tour to scam tourists so it’s better to pre-book these tours via a legit booking site here . Check if your tour operator provides lunch so that you can plan your meals accordingly.

All the notable things to do in the Southern part of Cappadocia constitute the Green Tour.

Our tour lasted a little longer than 9 hours from 9 AM to almost 7. Expect to visit the following attractions in the Green Tour:

1. Underground City

2. Ihlara Valley Hike

3. Selime Monastery

4. Pigeon Valley View Point

5. Goreme Panorama Viewpoint

6. Onyx Jewelry factory

Each of the above sites represent an important aspect of the culture, traditions, history and landscape of Turkey.

We advise that you book a tour that includes lunch as it’ll be difficult to manage in this area without prior knowledge. This Green Tour operator arranges lunch in the middle of a river! Check it out!

We booked the above tour via getyourguide as it offered a certain sense of security and flexible cancellation policies.

We have explained all of the above activities including the sites mentioned in the red and green tours in our detailed 4 day Cappadocia itinerary . Make sure you check them out to plan your trip to Cappadocia.

Insider Tip: Recently, many tour operators have started providing paragliding activities as well. along with Hot Air Ballooning, Paragliding has also started becoming one of the best experiences Cappadocia has to offer.

At the end of your stay in Cappadocia, catch an overnight bus from Goreme to Antalya for the next phase of this detailed Turkey Itinerary.

Day 8-10 of 14 Day Turkey Itinerary – Alanya

Your overnight bus from Goreme shall drop you off at Antalya bus terminal at around 7 AM in the morning.

Although our final destination is Alanya, it is not directly connected to other cities of Turkey.

You can take a shuttle to Alanya that runs every half an hour or you can make the best of the situation like we did.

There are plenty of cheap baggage storage locations in Antalya Bus Terminal. Drop your luggage there, freshen up in the squeaky clean public restrooms and head out to explore Antalya.

Places to include in Antalya for your Turkey Itinerary:

Antalya old city.

Since you’ve arrived in Antalya early in the morning, the best way to utilize your time is to explore Kaleisi, the old city of Antalya.

Kaleisi is a labyrinth of cobblestoned streets surrounded by structures built during the Byzantine and Roman eras.

The area gets pretty busy later in the day, making early morning the best time to explore the archaic alleyways.

Marvel at the quirky street art and learn about age old monuments like Hadrian’s gate.

Once you’re done, sit down at one of the many colorful, street side European style cafes for breakfast.

Antalya Archaeological Museum

If you’re a history buff, don’t miss the Anyalya Museum. The museum houses pieces that are from the Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman empire.

There are around 5000 exhibits at any point of time and they are arranged in an exemplary fashion to showcase the complex history of the region in a simple manner.

The most fascinating artifacts for us were the ancient sarcophagi and the carvings Roman Gods of Zeus, Aphrodite, Hermes and Artemis.

After visiting the museum, collect your baggage from the cloak room and catch a shuttle to Alanya. The journey takes about an hour and you shall reach your hotel exactly at your check-in time.

You can easily spend three days in Alanya which has really cheap all-inclusive hotel deals. Our hotel was $60 per night for two people inclusive of accommodation, 4 meals a day, drinks, free tour guides, discount on Spa services and free drinks and food at a restaurant at the famous Kleopetra beach.

Read all about it in our 3-days in Alanya blog post where the following were the highlights of our stay.

Alanya Castle

Alanya Castle or the Alanya Forress is a 6 km stretch of walls that sit atop a plateau overlooking the Mediterranean sea.

The castle walls and the hill, separate the old city of Alanya away from the new, bustling city down below. The best way to reach Alanya castle is by taking the gondola/cable car from Cleopetra Beach.

After reaching the top, explore the area on foot to discover ruins of the medieval city, magnificent gardens and unprecedented views of the Mediterranean sea.

The Red tower is an octagonal, 30 meter high tower that used to be a defense tower during the Seljuk area.

Apart from being an amazing Instagram spot, the tower also offers some gorgeous views of the harbor. Ticket prices can be as less as a dollar in off season.

From the top of the tower, you can also see the walls that used to connect the harbour to the Alanya castle.

Damlatas Caves

Located right at the Kleopetra Beach near the cable car station to Alanya Castle, are the Damlatas Caves. These caves were accidentaly discovered by engineers while building the Alanya Harbor. 

During World War 2, the German soldiers hid here and legend says that the air inside the cave healed their respiratory disorders.

As the cave is pretty small, you can visit it in about 20 min. There are benches provided in the cave in case if you want stay around for a longer period of time.

Kleopetra Beach

Kleopetra beach is the most popular beach strip of Alanya. The best resorts are located close to this beach.

One of our favorite things to do in Alanya was to go on an early morning walk or bike along the beautiful promenade created along the beach.

A number of beach shacks and restaurants are located across the beach, offering cheap drinks, good food and crystal clear views of the azure waters of the Mediterranean.

The beach restaurants are affiliated with with several resorts. Hence, if you’re staying at an all inclusive resorts like we were during our 3-day trip to Alanya , your food, drinks and a beach bed is taken care off! If you are a vegetarian like us, you will have plenty of Vegetarian Turkish cuisine options everywhere in Turkey.

After a refreshing and rejuvenating break in Alanya, catch a 4 – hour bus to Denizli for your next destination – Pammukale.

Day 10-11 of 14 Day Turkey Itinerary – Pamukkale

Pamukkale is going to be one of the highlights of your trip to Turkey. Pamukkale literally translates to “Cotton Castle” in Turkish.

Centuries of calcium deposits from the stream originating atop the mountain have created this white marvel of nature. The flowing water has created terraces on the side of the mountain resulting in natural thermal pools for you to relax in. 

How to Reach:

A lot of people get this wrong. Pamukkale is the name of the monument and not the city.

So, to visit Pamukkale, you need to reach the city of Denizli.

You can arrange a pick up from your hotel as the taxis at the airport or the bus stand quote exorbitant prices.

Alternatively, you can also board the shuttle that runs between the Pamukkale complex and the bus stand and then walk to your hotel nearby.

Where and how long to stay in Pamukkale:

Apart from the Pamukkale complex, there isn’t a lot to do in Denizli. Hence, one night in Pamukkale is enough.

We recommend getting a hotel near the Pamukkale complex so that you don’t spend a lot of time or money on transport. There are dozens of good properties with clear views of the white mountain. Book your stay in one of them.

If you arrive by mid day, check in and relax by the pool of your hotel. Do not visit Pamukkale in the afternoon. It is crowded, extremely hot and the highlight of your trip might just become a disappointment.

Visit the Pamukkale complex early in the morning on the next day.

The complex allows entry from sunrise (approximately 6 AM) but the ticket window doesn’t open before 8 AM.

It’s better to pre-book your tickets here and have the entire complex to yourself before the tour buses bring in their crowds by 9 AM.

Bring your swimsuit along and relax in the mineral rich thermal pools or sit in one of the hot water furrows to experience a natural jacuzzi.

You can also visit the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Heirapolis on top of the mountain and have lunch at one of the restaurants of the complex.

If you have a little more time, you can also take a Hot Air Balloon ride over the beautiful Cotton Castle.

End your day in Pamukkale with sunset views from the white terraces of the mountain. 

Grab dinner at one of the many restaurants around and catch an overnight bus back to Istanbul.

Day 12-14 of 14 Day Turkey Itinerary – Istanbul

Like i explained above, we have divided our Istanbul trip in two parts.

Spend the last couple of days of your 2 week Turkey Itinerary enjoying the party vibe of Istanbul and shopping for some of the best souvenirs you should get from Turkey.

To minimise internal and airport travel time, chose to stay in the Taksim/ Beyoglu area which is conveniently connected to the airport.

This second trip to Istanbul shall involve shopping for cheap souvenirs, amazing street food, hip areas like Besiktas (explained below) and a little bit of sight seeing.

Again, you can check out a detailed guide for the same in our 5 day Istanbul Itinerary and ensure that the following are a part of your last few days in Istanbul, Turkey:

Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar is the biggest and oldest shopping complex in the world. It has 5000 shops selling everything from cheap knock offs of luxury brands to genuine turkish carpets worth thousands of dollars.

The Grand bazaar and the area around it is probably the best place to get souvenirs. But like all popular tourist attractions, the goods are often overpriced so make sure you haggle well.

I have provided a detailed explanation on how to haggle in the Grand Bazaar in our 14 must have experiences in Turkey post . Check it out and never pay more than 50% of the quoted price.

Egyptian spice bazaar

The spice bazaar is where you should be buying your annual supply of Turkish Tea from.

The Bazaar is located a 20 minute walk away from the Grand Bazaar but the prices are more reasonable here.

You can buy various spices like cinnamon, saffron, peppers and anise as well as dried fruits like almonds, pine nuts, hazelnuts, apricots and figs.

The spice bazaar is also the best place to buy Turkish Delight for your friends and family back home. Chose from a wide range of flavors like coconut, pomegranate, pistachio, Nutella and even tiramisu.

Apart from spices, dried fruits and Turkish delight, the spice bazaar also sells artistic Turkish cutlery, nargiles and carpets. However, the collection is smaller compared to the Grand Bazaar.

Besiltas is a vibrant neighborhood of Istanbul and is known for its markets, student culture, art and night life.

It has a number of great cafes, bistros, pubs and live-music restaurants lined along the Bosphorus.

The Bosphorus riverfront was our favorite spot in Besiktas. The riverfront is lined with benches where people can sit and enjoy a Turkish Tea or eat some food from a nearby Kumpir stall.

It is the best place to enjoy a sunset after a long day of sight-seeing with some relaxing street music, a cup of Turkish Tea and the beautiful views of the Bosphorus.

Ortakoy Mosque

While in Besiktas, visit the Ortokoy Mosque located right by the river.

If you arrive to Besiktas by ferry, this beautiful mosque shall be the first thing you see as it is right by the pier. The pier itself has become a very popular Instagram photo stop to capture the Ortakoy Mosque.

Although not as grand as the Blue Mosque, the beauty and appeal of the mosque is quite evident from the picture above. 

Like all other mosques in Turkey, a strict dress code is mandatory to enter the mosque and visitors are not permitted during prayer hours. 

Dolmabahce Palace

The Dolmabahce Palace is the largest single block palace in Turkey and it served as the main administrative building of the Ottoman empire.

The palace has probably the most decorated interiors I have witnessed. 14 tonnes of gold leaf was used to adorn the ceilings of the palace.

The palace has the largest collection of Bohemian and Baccarat crystal chandeliers in the world.

At the center of the main hall, you shall find the largest Bohemian crystal chandelier in the world. It weighs 4.5 tonnes and holds 759 lamps. The Chandelier was a gift from Queen Victoria.

Another notable gift is a 150 year old bear skin from the Tzar of Russia.

All this information is not easy to come by and hence it’s imperative that you book this epic Guided Tour of the Dolmabahce Palace . The tour is steal as it includes transportation from your accommodation and also dinner on a Bosphorus and Black Sea Cruise at night.

The palace is closed on Mondays and book a guided tour of the palace to make the most of your visit.

This brings us to the end of our trip in Turkey. If you have a spare day or two, you can add a trip to the ruins of Ephesus to this trip. We weren’t really that interested in ancient ruins and its inclusion made our trip a little more hectic.

Do check out our other posts on Turkey travel.

Hope this article helps you in planning your two week trip to Turkey.

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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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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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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 need an e-Visa to enter Turkey : 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: 26 TL or 1 Euro: 28 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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Plan Your Trip

Turkey starts here.

This 2 weeks in Turkey itinerary has been a literal decade in the making. As you’ll know if you’ve been reading my site for any length of time, I visited Turkey twice during the 2010s, but barely made it out of Istanbul.

As I’ve alluded to in other posts , it’s unlikely I would’ve taken as comprehensive a Turkey trip as I did in late 2020 had it not been for the fallout of Covid-19. Regardless, I have now explored country deeply—I now love and, more importantly, understand it almost viscerally—and I’m ecstatic to share my findings with you.

For some of you, Covid still upon us as you read this, and you’ll be visiting Turkey because it’s one of the only countries open. Others might reading this from a post-corona future. All of you will find everything you need to put your Turkey trip together if you continue scrolling!

Practical Matters

When to visit turkey.

What is the best month to visit Turkey? There are merits to coming in any time of the year—a balloon flight over snowy Cappadocia in January is just as appealing as paragliding above the Blue Lagoon of Oludeniz in July—but I’m a big fan of the “shoulder” months: May, before the hottest part of summer starts; and October, after the crowds and the sweltering heat have gone. If the timing of your trip to Turkey is at the mercy of a work or school schedule, try and select your destinations based on expected weather conditions in each of them. 

Where to Stay in Turkey

The good news? Hotels in Turkey are dramatically less expensive than those you find in mainland Europe, particularly due to the endless downward slide of the Turkish lira . The bad news? They often (though not always) leave something to be desired. Notable exceptions to this rule include the TS Park Hotel in Trabzon near the Black Sea and Antalya’s White Garden Hotel , which is one of the most stylish boutique hotels I’ve ever stayed in. Alternatively, Airbnb has a robust selection of Turkey properties, particularly in Istanbul and along the coast between Bodrum and Antalya.

How to Get Around in Turkey

How best to travel around Turkey depends on the way you structure your trip. If you plan to base yourself in Istanbul, for example, you can avail Turkish Airlines ‘ extensive domestic network to get you to and from outlying destinations. However, if you plan to make a contiguous circuit around Turkey, long-distance buses are a better option; most flights require you to backtrack to Istanbul. Many cities in Turkey have walkable centers; in the absence of this, it’s easy to use and understand local rail/bus systems, and cheap to take taxis.

Money, Costs and Communication

As I referenced above, the New Turkish lira is Turkey’s currency—and what a beleaguered currency it is! While the exchange rate hovered around 3 or 4 TRY to the USD during my 2010 and 2015 trips to Turkey, it was 6.8 when I arrived in October 2020 and over 8 by the time I left! As a result of this dramatic decrease in value (and in spite of how terrible this is for the spending power of Turkish people abroad), this makes Turkey an incredibly high-value destination, which I’ll explain in more explicit terms later on in this article.

Communication-wise, the Turkish language is relatively difficult to speak and understand, at least by the standards of most other European nations. Thankfully, most Turks speak at least some English, which makes traveling pretty easy. When it comes to figurative communication, it’s easy and cheap to buy a Turkish SIM card upon arrival; WiFi is ubiquitous but not always fast. Certainly, I’d recommend having both options—in other words, buy a SIM and keep your account charged, but use WiFi when it’s available and fast—as you travel to eliminate the possibility of interruptions.

How to Get a Turkish Visa

Travelers with many passports need a visa to visit Turkey, although most people can now apply for a Turkish visa online . The valid duration of visa and its cost varies depending on your nationality; in all cases, Turkish eVisas are single entry. If you want to get a multiple entry visa, or to stay longer than 90 days, you should visit a Turkish embassy or consulate abroad prior to traveling. Note that while an eVisa can technically take up to 48 hours to issue, it is my experience (as a US passport holder, to be fair) that issuance is more or less immediate.

Where to Go in Turkey

Since the days when it was known as Constantinople (and likely before), Istanbul has sat at the center of the world, both figuratively and literally. Turkey’s largest city more than lives up to the hype built up around it, whether you’re looking out onto the historical Sultanahmet district and the picturesque Golden Horn harbor from medieval Galata Tower , shopping along trendy Istiklal pedestrian street, or boating through the Bosphorous that separates the European landmass from the Asian one. Your Turkey travel itinerary will likely start and end here.

Pamukkale and Ephesus

If I’m honest, I expected the travertine of Pamukkale not to live up to its magnificent Instagram reputation. I was wrong—the place is positively beatific—and I’m glad I was. The best way I can describe it is a massive mountain made of chalk, rising high above an arid landscape, with cold and hot springs flowing out of it. I visited three separate times in three days, and didn’t feel bored for a single second. Pamukkale is walking distance from the ancient ruins of Hierapolis , which is good if you’re visiting during Covid-19: Pandemic-related rail suspensions make visiting nearby Ephesus impossible, at least as a day trip.

The Turkish Coast

A microcosm of Turkey more broadly, the Turkish coastline is much longer and more diverse than you might believe browsing words and pictures on a travel blog; you can also kill a lot more time here than most weekend trippers from Europe seem to do. I personally chose to base myself in Oludeniz and Antalya ; I took day trips to Fethiye and Cirali , respectively, to round out my time along the coast. Other travelers choose hubs in resort-filled Bodrum or even the large (and not especially relaxing city) of Izmir ; boat trips out into various islands can give your Turkish coastal trip a decidedly Greek feel.

Cappadocia and Konya

I barely got out of Istanbul during my first two trips to Turkey; Konya (Turkey’s capital of Sufism) and Cappadocia (its capital of social media) were the only non-Istanbul places I’d been prior to early October 2020. To me, these destinations pair perfectly. After a night or two in Konya, a conservation and spiritual city famous mostly for its association with Rumi/Mevlana, a few touristy days in the Cappadocian towns of Goreme or Uchisar is just what the doctor ordered. Although I’m generally agnostic about hot-air balloon flights, one is definitely worth it (and I would almost say necessary) here.

The Black Sea

Turkey’s Black Sea region, according to Turks who discovered I would be visiting, is like a completely different country. I wouldn’t go this far, in spite of the fact that both the landscape and the pace of life is indeed distinct from anywhere else in Turkey. Certainly, cities like Rize and Trabzon are much less crowded with tourists than, say, Oludeniz or Antalya, to say nothing of how otherworldly the beauty of Cayeli ‘s tea fields or the Islamic Alpine village of Uzungol proved to be. Additionally, if you rent a car here (and it’s highly recommended you do, as a result of poor public transport options), please drive carefully.

Other Places to Visit in Turkey

I’ve just completely my most extensive Turkey trip yet; I’ve now explored the country more broadly and deeply than the vast majority of travelers. With this being said, there are plenty of spots I haven’t yet visited, most notably the national capital of Ankara. I’d also like to head east on my next trip to Turkey, both to more traditionally touristic cities like Gaziantep and Sanliurfa , as well as to Van , a town near the Armenian border that sits amid hundreds of “ghost” churches. Finally, I’d love to spend even more time along Turkey’s coasts, both the Aegean and the Black Sea, in particular near the western hub of Samsun .

How Long Should You Spend in Turkey?

I’ll start my answer to this question by saying that Turkey is much bigger than it looks on the map; covering even short distances can take longer than you expect, largely as a result of the country’s hill topography. Unless you plan to focus on a single destination (Istanbul or somewhere along the coast, most probably), I’d generally say that 2 weeks in Turkey is the shortest trip you should consider. I finished the trip I described in the preceding paragraphs in about three weeks, although I could’ve condensed it into two if absolutely necessary.

Istanbul is an eminently livable city, a fact I mention because another way to structure your Turkey trip is to base yourself there, and simply visit outlying destinations as weekend excursions. If you do this, you could spread your travels out over a month or two. This requires more flexibility—ideally, being able to work from your laptop—but will also allow you to explore Turkey more deeply and slowly, and with almost no stress. Feel free to reach out to me directly if you want tailored advice on how to put your Turkey trip together.

FAQ About Traveling to Turkey

What can you see in turkey in 10 days.

10 days in Turkey sounds like a lot, but in reality this will be a relatively superficial trip, not to mention a pretty fast-paced on. After spending 2-3 days in Istanbul, you can fly to Nevsehir or Kayseri for 1-2 days in Cappadocia, and then travel by bus (optionally, via the spiritual city of Konya) to Antalya, for 3-5 days along the coast in Oludeniz, Fethiye and/or Bodrum.

How much does a trip to Turkey cost?

While this answer depends somewhat on the value of the Turkish lira, I’d say most travelers can get by in Turkey for between 50-100 USD per day. As a result, if you spend 10 days in Turkey, you can expect to spend between $500-1,000, not including the cost of flights between your home city and Istanbul.

Is it safe to vacation in Turkey?

Turkey is a relatively safe country to visit, but there are some precautions you should take. This include reports about bars serving bootlegged alcohol, suspicious deaths  related to medical/dental tourism and dangerous roads, particularly along the Black Sea. Moreover, Turkey is prone to earthquakes, made more dangerous by shoddy architecture in some parts of the country.

The Bottom Line

I’d be shocked if you haven’t made significant progress planning your 2 weeks in Turkey, assuming you’ve read all the way to this point. After talking you through practical aspects of traveling in the country, I succinctly laid out top places to visit in Turkey, from must-see destinations like Istanbul and Cappadocia, to coastal paradises like Antalya, Fethiye and Oludeniz, to underrated gems like the Pamukkale travertine and the Black Sea coast. Of course, if you would simply prefer for someone to plan your Turkey trip for you, that’s an option as well. Hire me as your Travel Coach—and let me sweat the details! 

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The Ultimate Two Week Travel Itinerary For Turkey

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• Last Updated On: September 20, 2022

Turkey is a country that is so rich in history and culture. From the Ancient Greeks, to the Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans, numerous civilizations and religions have called this place home. It also has immense natural beauty as dramatic mountains meet the tranquil and blue Mediterranean. The food is also world class. Anyone that’s a fan of meats grilling on a stick, fresh seafood, and meze will love Turkey.

I had just under two weeks in this country which I thought gave me a good amount of time to see the country. I think one to two weeks is enough to do the country some justice, with a preference to two weeks of course. There’s a lot more to Turkey than just Istanbul .

In total, our trip was 13 days and included the following highlights. This itinerary would work for someone with even 10 days to spare. You’ll just need to condense accordingly.

• Izmir/Kusadasi & Ephesus

If you’re curious about the safety situation in Turkey, make sure to read my Is Turkey Safe to visit guide!

Full Itinerary for Turkey

Below is my map laying out exactly how I traveled around Turkey during my two weeks. I used a combination of flights, buses, and day tours to get around from place to place. Of course there are numerous methods to organize a trip around fabulous Turkey and this is just merely how I did mine.

If you’re not looking to plan anything yourself, there are numerous travel agents that can take care of this for you. I would recommend One Nation travel that specializes in Turkey vacation packages. They organize day trips, multi-day trips, and entire trips around Turkey that made my trip easier to navigate. Click here to book on www.onenationtravel.com

Detailed Posts

• Guide To Istanbul
• Cappadocia and Hot Air Ballooning
• Ephesus and Pamukkale

Concerned about the safety in Turkey? You’re probably not the only person either. No worries, read my detailed post about whether Turkey is safe to travel or not .

Day 1 to 4: Exploring Istanbul

After landing in Ataturk International Airport, we took a cab to our Airbnb in the Taksim Square area of Istanbul. We spent the first three nights exploring this wonderful city that straddles Europe and Asia. An alternative option is to fly straight to another Turkish destination like Cappadocia and save Istanbul for the end. Either option will suffice but I’m a fan of saving the relaxing part of the trip for the end (Olu Deniz).

Istanbul is a big city with so much to see. The area between Taksim Square to Sultanahmet is the main tourist grid. Here you’ll find attractions like Taksim Square, The Blue Mosque, Basilica, Hagia Sofia, The Grand Bazaar and more. I wouldn’t have minded an extra day here as there is just too much to see and eat. I didn’t even make it to the Asian side of the city!

Much of the city is organized in a disorderly angular grid making it very difficult to figure out directions. We only managed to find the restaurants and bars we wanted to see because of Google Maps (thank god).

Sultanmahet District

Sultanmahet is the main historical area of Istanbul; the old part of the city. All the famous mosques and churches are congregated in this area and all walking distance from one another. The main points of interest here are the Blue Mosque, Ayasofya, Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern. The Ayasofia is closed on Sundays, and Topkapi Palace is closed Tuesdays. When visiting the inside of any mosque in Istanbul, it is required to take off your shoes and women must cover their heads (any scarf will suffice).

Blue Mosque

Ayasofya (Hagia Sofia)

Once a Basilica during the Byzantine era, it was converted into an imperial Mosque during Ottoman Rule and has been a museum since 1935. This is the most visited tourist site in Istanbul and is right across the way from the Blue Mosque. Unlike the Blue mosque, this museum has an entrance fee of 25L but is a no brainer, must pay, fee to see this place. The inside is nothing short of incredible.

Basilica Cistern

Built in the Byzantine times, this underground basilica, yes underground, is one of several of its kind in Istanbul. I wasn’t sure that this was at first but was instructed that we had to go. The entrance is unassuming as it is just a small house but as you descend the steps to the basilica, wow what an amazing sight.

The columns and overall structure of the basilica are still very intact. The basilica was used as a water filtration system in the old days and provided water to the Topkapi palace and even into modern times. The entire sight is covered in water with fish swimming in it but there are plenty of walking paths. Lights have been added in modern times to beautifully illuminate this place allowing for some amazing pictures and views. Entrance is 15L.

Day 4-6: Cappadocia

Cappadocia is one of the most popular places in Turkey. It’s famous for its aerial views of the rock chimneys from the hundreds of hot air balloons. There is an overnight bus option from Istanbul that drops you off near Goreme (the main town within Cappadocia). We elected for the flights to the nearby city of Kayseri as they were very cheap (100 TRY 1 day).

Cappadocia is also famous for its cave hotels. We booked a 2 night stay at the Erenby Cave Hotel.  Would highly recommend staying in one of these hotels! In olden times, the people of this region fashioned houses into the rocks here to hide from Roman soldiers. Nowadays, they’ve since been turned into hotels and Airbnbs.

Hot air ballooning

The highlight of this area is the hot air balloon tour. Not doing a hot air balloon tour here is like not visiting the pyramids in Cairo . It was as amazing as the pictures looked and I probably should have gone a second time because why not? There are hundreds of agencies selling tours in town and almost all of them will try to rip you off by charging obscene rates like 150 euros per person. Make sure to ask around for the best rates as it should be no more than $100 per person.

There are a handful of other tours that go to the surrounding areas of Goreme. I would also highly recommend doing at least one of these tours. They are color coded; red, blue, and green tours. I opted for the Green tour but if time permits, do the others ones as well!

Two nights in Cappadocia is sufficient to see some of the highlights of the town, especially if you’re leaving late on the last day. Ideally, I would have liked to have at least 2 full days here, or three nights. The cave hotels alone are worth it!

Day 6-8: Ephesus and Pamukkale

From Cappadocia, we took a direct flight from Kayseri to Izmir via Pegasus Air. From Izmir, we took a taxi to the port town of Kusadasi, which would be the base of operations for us to explore the nearby highlights of Ephesus and Pamukkale. We stayed at an amazing hotel at Charisma De Luxe with great views of the Aegean

Ephesus is one of the largest and most well preserved ancient Roman cities in the world. Archaeologists are still discovering new ruins so expect the ruins to be more grandiose every time you visit. We took a day tour to Ephesus which can be booked just about anywhere. The Turkish take their tourism seriously and you will always have a hundred different operators giving you a thousand different options. We also stopped at the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. There isn’t much of it left sadly as it was destroyed long ago.

We went to Pamukkale the second day to observe its beautiful salt pools. The surreal, brilliant white travertine terraces are filled with warm soothing mineral water making this a popular destination for all tourists. Pamukkale is also home to the ancient Roman city of Hierapolis, an attraction in its own right. While not as impressive as Ephesus, there is still plenty to see.

I wasn’t quite as impressed with this part of my trip. The pictures I saw outclassed the actual salt pools. There were also thousands of people here but that could have just been the time of year we came. Also, given the current geopolitical landscape in Turkey, tourism numbers are likely down.

Day 9-13: Fethiye and Olu Deniz

The last leg of the trip was spent in the Lycian peninsula in southern Turkey. This area is highlighted by it’s beautiful jagged mountains, and impossibly turquoise seas. The most famous attraction in Olu Deniz is by far the paragliding from the top of Babadag mountain. This is one of the highest paragliding destinations in the world at over 2km high. The ride lasted a good 5 minutes in the air. The views of the ocean and surrounding scenery was unforgettable. There are also some absolutely stunning hotels in Olu Deniz with great views of the Bay.

In addition, there are a number of tours we took here as well. The 12 islands tour visits a number of the nearby islands (12 in total) and is well worth the trip. We also took a tour of the famous Blue Lagoon. There are also ferries that run daily to the Greek island of Rhodes. This is a perfect day trip from Olu Deniz. Sadly, those boats only run after Easter, which was after our stay.

If this is all too much, the beach is quite nice here as well!

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Land in Istanbul, explore town Day 2:  More Istanbul Exploration Day 3:  Istanbul continued Day 4:  Istanbul in the morning, flight to Cappadocia in the afternoon Day 5:  Early morning hot air balloon tour, Green tour in the afternoon Day 6:  Cappadocia blue tour in morning, Fly to Izmir at night Day 7:  Day tour around Ephesus Day 8:  Day tour to Pamukkale Day 9:  Take bus to Fethiye, check out Fethiye in the afternoon Day 10:  Olu Deniz Day 11:  Olu Deniz Day 12:  Olu Deniz Day 13:  Fly back to Istanbul via Dalaman

If I had another day or two , it would have been perfect. I would have done the following:

• One more night in Cappadocia
• one more night in Kusadasi

On the other hand, I think this itinerary can also be done in 10-11 days by doing the following

• One less night in Istanbul or 1 less night in Cappadocia
• Immediately after the Pamukkale tour, take a bus to Fethiye as it’s much closer than from Izmir

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Hi,Jonny how are you? Please help me to organise a itinerary for8-10days in Turkey travel. I would like to travel Istanbul,Cappadocia,pamukkhee and Ephesus. Please suggest me the type of transportation also for different places.Thanks in advance.

Just follow the itinerary on this page mate.

Hi! I am planning a two-week trip to Turkey and I was thinking how could I possibly visit all the must-see places. I think I will use your guide! Thanks!

Hi – for families with kids and grandparents, would you recommend Antalya or Olu Deniz? We can only do one of these, so I’m curious what you’d recommend? Thanks,

Hi siddharth, would Def recommend olu deniz for kids! Lots of things suitable for adults and kids in that town!

Hi Johnny, I had another query – When you took the balloon ride in Cappadocia, where did you take it from? Do you recollect the company’s name? You mentioned that it shouldn’t cost more than $100, and that the other travel companies overcharge.

Hi Cyrus, I went on my trip 4 years ago and it seems like prices have adjusted since then. I dont see anything under 130 euros now so that is perhaps the best rate out there. Last resort, I would book a guesthouse in Cappadocia and see if the owners have some preferential rate they can give you. They will usually have some sort of connection for these type of things. Worst case, at least you pay everything else in Lira which is at all time lows right now 🙂

Hi johnny, I wanted to ask you which hotel you stayed in at Kusadasi? Any top recommendations?

Hi Cyrus! We stayed st the charisma deluxe in kusadasi. Highly recommended!

Hi Johnny, very helpful writeup and was just what I was looking for! I’m curious but did you feel unsafe at any point in Turkey? I would imagine it is just like any other country in the world but wanted to get your first hand view of it. Cheers!

Hi Martin, I did indeed feel safe the entire time I was in Turkey. Like pretty much any other city in the world, as soon as I got out of Istanbul, I felt liek the people were much friendlier as well. But in no capacity did I feel unsafe at any point. When we arrived in Oludeniz via the bus from Fethiye, it was completely deserted as their tourism season doesn’t start up until after Easter. We had no idea how to get to our hotel and someone ended up walking us 20 minutes to our hotel! People went out of their way to help us when we were lost.

Orange Wayfarer

Culturally Immersive & Responsible Travel

Two Weeks in Turkey Backpacking Guide: Things To Do, Costs, Budget [2021] for the First Time Traveler!

From this two weeks backpacking Turkey travel guide, you will find loads of Turkish experiences, including things to see and do, approximate travel costs, how to get around in Turkey, average daily budget, travel tips, and how to say hello in Turkish. I am sure these information will make you well equipped before you make that trip of a lifetime to Turkey!

Turkey: The Pearl of the World!

Turkey is the heart of Mediterranean where two different world of Europe and Asia straddle at a meeting point. The Middle East, the Balkans, The obscure rolling hills of Central Asia, all find a definitive identity from Turkey, once the sprawling heart of Byzantine empire, followed by the mighty Ottomans until the first world war! 

Surge of historical events define Turkey’s endless heritage monuments and beautiful locales. Despite a prolonged strife at the border that faces Syria, and bouts of political unrest Turkey is a safe place to visit and stands at the sixth place in the list of most visited destinations of the world!

In this Turkey Travel Blog, we will try to highlight unique places to visit in Turkey, including the definite highlights like Hot air balloon ride of Cappadocia, turquoise water of Antalya, old dinghy narrow cobblestoned roads of Istanbul dotted with colorful souqs, endless ruins dating back to Greeks and the Romans etc. Visiting Turkey is easy with the new introduction of e-visa. I can not even begin to praise Turkish delicacy, ranging from various Koptes and Baklava!

Quick Facts About Turkey

After the lockdown, there is no restriction for any nationality to enter Turkey. However quarantine rules might be in place.

Turkey is allowing tourist entry with a negative PCR testing. The test must be conducted within 72 hours. Flights from Brazil and South Africa are restricted at this moment. People who have been to Brazil, India and South Africa in past 10 days are required to quarantine for 14 days. You need to carry a completely filled Travel Entry form to enter Turkey. Hotels are operating in limited capacity and restaurants are giving takeaway orders. Weekend curfews are in place so are weekday curfew from 7 pm.

Also read: Best places to visit in Italy for the first time traveler!

Suggested Two Weeks Itinerary for Turkey

Traveling to Turkey for two weeks is going to be a memorable experience. Turkey is a considerably large country with plenty of attractions, world famous sites and UNESCO heritage monuments. It is wise to take your time and slow travel to experience Turkey at her best!

Suggested Turkey Travel Itinerary 1

Istanbul (4 days)- Cappadocia (5 days) – Bodrum (6 days)

This is a slow travel itinerary for Turkey suitable for those interested in a historic old city (Istanbul), beach town and beautiful historical landscapes.

• Day 1: Reach Istanbul at the Ataturk International Airport 
• Day 2: Visit Hagia Sophia and Explore the old city of Istanbul with a heritage walk
• Day 3: Topkapi Palace Museum & Bosphorus cruise (Istanbul)
• Day 4: Check out the Flower Passage in Istanbul. Relax at a Turkish Hammam.
• Day 5: Flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia
• Day 6: Hike to Rose valley in Cappadocia
• Day 7: Hot air balloon ride during Sunrise (world famous) & Goreme Open-Air Museum in Cappadocia
• Day 8: Day at leisure in Cappadocia
• Day 9: Travel day from Cappadocia to Bodrum Coast
• Day 10: Beach day at the Bodrum Coast loved by who’s who of star town!
• Day 11: Day trip to the ancient Greek city of Ephesus and Sirince (2.5 hours drive)
• Day 12: Rest Day at Bodrum
• Day 13: Take a traditional Gulet blue cruise ride (traditional Turkish yacht)
• Day 14: Travel to Istanbul and leave for homeland!

Please Note: This itinerary does not have Pamukkale and Izmir. I suggest do not miss out on Pamukkale and add a couple of more days to your trip to pay a visit to that stunning destination!

Suggested Turkey Travel Itinerary 2

Cappadocia (3 nights)- Ephesus (1 night)- Fethiye (3 nights)- Pamukkale (1 night)- Alaçatı (3 ngihts)- Istanbul (3 nights)

• Day 1: Fly to Cappadocia. Kayseri- Erkilet International Airport -ASR or Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport or NAV
• Day 2: Uchisar Castle, the Goreme Open Air Museum
• Day 3: The Pasabag Fairy Chimneys, Rose Valley, Derinkuyu Underground City and book a hot air balloon ride
• Day 4: light to Izmir and reach Ephesus, the ancient Greek (later Roman city)
• Day 5: Drive to Fethiye
• Day 6: Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon, Butterfly Valley and the the Amyntas Rock Tomb
• Day 7: Rest day at Fethiye
• Day 8: Drive to the Cotton castle of Turkey, Pamukkale at Denizli province
• Day 9: Visit the Travertines near Pamukkale. Drive to Alaçatı.
• Day 10: Explore Alaçatı at the West Coast of Turkey
• Day 11: Rest day by the beach at Alaçatı 
• Day 12: Flight to the old town of Istanbul!
• Day 13: Visit Hagia Sophia and Explore the old city of Istanbul with a heritage walk
• Day 14: Topkapi Palace Museum & Bosphorus cruise (Istanbul). Fly out the last day!

This is a pacy itinerary for Turkey with lots of moving around. This two weeks itinerary for Turkey is more suitable if you can drive around. Although paced up, this itinerary lets you see more and do more of Turkey indeed!

How to score a Visa for Turkey

Scoring a visa for Turkey is an easy affair, especially with the introduction of the new e visa system for Turkey. A 30 day single entry e visa can be obtained by applying online for a visa. 

The Electronic Visa (e-Visa) may be obtained from the website ( www.evisa.gov.tr ). It takes 3 minutes only. 

You need to provide following information:

• Necessary ID proof (passport valid for at least 6 months) 
• Travel dates
• Visa fees ( USD 43)

Please note, Indian passport holders with a valid visa from the US, UK, Schengen and/or Ireland (or a residence permit) can apply for a Turkish e visa. Those who do not have it can apply for a regular sticker visa at the Turkish embassy.

As per the latest travel norm for Turkey, passengers over the age of 12 must have a document showing a negative COVID-19 test result to enter Turkey. To know more about the eVisa to Turkey visit, Natvisa .

Also read: 20+ heirloom recipes from India to try at home when you can not travel!

Amazing Things to Do and See in Turkey!

From ancient metropolis to world class thriving urban landscapes and ocean hues with ultramarine waves, turkey is beautiful beyond words! We will highlight some of the destinations in Turkey based on which you may choose where to go when you are heading for the country.

Part of Istanbul belongs to Europe and the other half belongs to Asia. Needless to say, standing in Istanbul, you can witness the gradual cultural transcendence from East to West. Istanbul is a living and breathing testimony to the greatest of the empires of yesteryears. I am talking about the Byzantines, followed by the Ottomans. 

The Hagia Sophia, presently a mosque, is quintessentially the most important landmark dominating the skyline of Turkey. It was a church in the initial days, then it turned into a mosque and many years later, it remains a mosque and has become an integral part of political identity and aspiration of the region. 

Istanbul is one of the cities where you can wander around aimlessly for days and the old alleyways will welcome you with open arms. The old Turkish jazz bars would play mellow instrumental music in your passionate pursuit of the city’s soul! It was Istanbul where I first fell in love with Middle-east which got a definitive stamp while traveling to Cairo in Egypt in later years! 

Be sure to take the evening cruise at the Bosphorus waterway while in Istanbul. The Grand Bazar of Turkey is a five century old marketplace renowned in the world for a thriving collection of fine lifestyle ware. From spices, to coffee, to lamps and refined carpets: the Grand Bazar of Istanbul sells everything a tourist asks for! And when the city tires you, rejuvenate at one of the old Hammam baths in Istanbul!

Although famed as a resort beach town in modern days, Fethiye has recorded history that dates back to 5000 years. The port city has a natural harbour, beautiful lagoons, turquoise waters and stunning beaches. While in Fethiye, pay a visit to the old market of Fethiye, Saklıkent Canyons, Calis beach, ghost village of Kayakoy where a miniscule Orthodox Christian community prevails. The Lycians of ancient Telmessos had distinct burial rituals and the rock tombs (Tomb Of Amyntas) remain as a living testimony to that. 

World famous for the hot air balloon rides, Cappadocia in Turkey is a beautiful historic destination which is way more than what Instagram portrays. It is well worth nothing that Cappadocia in Turkey is a huge region, centrally located and consists of a number of towns, like  Ürgüp, Göreme, Ihlara Valley, Selime, Guzelyurt, Uçhisar, Avanos and Zelve (most important for the tourists). Try to book one of the cave hotels of Cappadocia and rent a scooty to move around.

The the Aydın Kırağı sunset view point is one of the most ethereal looking locales of Cappadocia, Turkey, specially during golden hour. Visit the Goreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar Castle and Pigeon Valley, Rose valley, the underground city etc while traveling in Cappadocia, and reserve a few spots early morning for the much coveted hot air balloons. The hot air balloon rides depend on weather condition as well as ticket being sold out, especially during the tourist seasons. So keep a couple of days in hand!

Also read: Practical travel tips for traveling to Egypt!

Remember the stepped salt flats where the Bollywood song “Tu jane na…” from the movie Ajab Prem ki Gajab Kahani was filmed? That, my dear friend, is the extremely pretty destination, Pamukkale! Located at the Denizli state of Southwestern Turkey, Pamukkale is also known as the Cotton Castle. often critiqued for being overtly touristy, Pamukkale is a natural wonder, seldom found in the world. It’s intricate cascading geological formation due to age old Hot Spring paints the canvas with sky blue water on salt deposits. The aqua marine water is guarded with mountain cliffs. By nature of its distinct beauty, Pamukkale is often plundered with hoards of over enthusiast tourists, crazy to click the perfect picture for the gram. If that annoys you, assign only a few hours but visit Pamukkale at least once in this lifetime!

Pamukkale houses the ancient Hierapolis Greek theatre, a UNESCO world heritage site! One of the largest open air podium from old world, Hierapolis also houses ruins of an ancient Greek city.

You may base yourself at Selcuk and take a small hike to the ancient town of Ephesus. You can also stay at Izmir and make a day trip to this old city dotted with ruins of Roman empire. Make sure to check out the prolific Library of Celsus. Also check out the Ephesus Archaeology Museum. 

Do check out the ruins of Temple of Artemis, one of the ancient seven wonders of the world! This is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I prefer to keep Bodrum for the last lag of an Istanbul itinerary. The coastal town by Aegean Sea at the southern part of Turkey is a land dotted with old world castles, ruins, non pretentious villages where time stand still till date. From Bodrum, you can make day trips to Turgutreis , Kos, Pamukkale, Ancient Ephesus and even Pammukale. 

The capital of Turkey, Ankara is home to the remains of the founder of modern day Turkey, the one and only Mustafa Kamal Ataturk. His body is preserved at the Anitkabir Museum but his idea persists. Ankara travel includes customary visits to places like,  Ankara Castle (Kalesi), Atakule Tower, Beypazarı neighbourhood famed for silver works, Roman Bath and Haci Bayram Mosque etc. Pay close attention to the stray cats of the city although they are frequent everywhere in Turkey!

The gateway to Turkey’s Mediterranean region, Antalya is a sprawling resort town. It is a thrilling experience to explore the Old town of Antalya! The souks surrounding the old Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque is worth a visit. The mosque was a Roman temple, followed by a brief Byzantine identity of being a church.

The sweeping coastline of Konyaalti Beach is one of the main tourist attractions of Antalya. For a more serene experience, visit the pristine lara beach in the south. 

There are plenty of day trips from Antalya. The Karain Cave with a built in museum, the old Lycian port of Phaselis that once paved the marching way for Alexander the Great, the delapidated stadium of Perge, the Köprülü Canyon National Park with emerald blue water are amazing destinations from Antlya. However, if I am to pick one destination, I would recommend day trip to the pristine villages of Olympos and Çirali. The laid back vibes of the twin villages are perfect for backpackers seeking a quiet holiday while exploring both the azure waves and ruins of old world!

Home to the prolific figure in Sufiam, Mevlana Rumi, Konya is often considered as a favorite stop while exploring the Anatolia region. Once a stronghold of the Seljuk sultanate, Konya is home to the Mevlaka museum and the tomb of the whirling dervish. Also check out the intricate architectural style of Aziziye mosque and Selimiye mosque in the region.

Located by the black sea coast of turkey, Trabzon has a plethora of beautiful old churches, ruins of olden empires and picturesque locales. A part of the ancient silk route, Trabzon was an important port city connecting Persia to the western world. At the Sumela monastery built by the Greek Orthodox devotees, Virgin Mary has been worshipped since forth century. The Trabzon Castle showcase the grandeur of Byzantine era! Trabzon also houses many important historic mosques, museums, castles that helps connect the history of the region, for example the church turned mosque Trabzon Ayasofya Müzesi, Atatürk Köşkü Müzesi, a museum which served as winter home for Kamal Ataturk, the nature reserve of Uzungöl etc.

Also read: Complete Guide to visiting Kargil, the conflict zone between India and Pakistan!

One of the oldest hilltop villages in the region, Mardin has a diverse cultural heritage dating back to the times of Mesopotamia empire. The hilltop is stepped with old sandstone buildings which adds to the beauty of the region. 

For a wayfaring soul, Mardin’s Old City is a thing of joy. With a camera and some water in hand, you can meander through its old busy streets, taking some time to appreciate the symmetry of the  terraced houses. Stop by at the Deyrü’z-Zafaran Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the world, and the Sultan Isa Medresesi, a medieval monument that once served as an astronomical observatory. The towering minaret of the great mosque stands at a distance, rising above all of these! Shop for beautiful Turkish souvenirs like pottery, silverware, leather and traditional headdresses.

A gem in the crown of Turkish riviera, Marmaris is a picturesque coastal town boasting of ultra marine waters, plethora of historic ruins, towering mountains dotting at the horizon. Marmaris is the place if you seek a buzzing nightlife after a day of making merry in the water under the glorious sun! Do not miss visiting the old quarter of Marmaris, leading to the 16th century Castle of Suleyman the Magnificent. Ride a horse and revisit his legacy along the mountain ridge that passes through dense pine forests, blooming orange groves, old villages overlooking bays and hidden waterfalls!

An offbeat destination in the tourist map of Turkey, Kayseri is a skiing spot especially during the prolonged winters of Turkey. Mount Erciyes opens her rolling slopes for skiing enthusiasts.

Also read: Best cities in Europe for a Gourmand traveler!

Backpacking Turkey Travel Costs

Always use Turkish Lira while traveling in Turkey. While Euro is largely accepted, the rate is lower compared to many other European countries. The best exchange rate for Euro or USD can be found only at the airport or bank.

It is always wise to travel during shoulder season to save on that extra buck. Turkey is no exception. Turkey is a moderately large region that is well connected with long train journey. I highly recommend hopping onto these trains to cover long distance instead of taking flights for a more budget saving travel experience in Turkey. In Istanbul, use public transport, as well as the beautiful Trams. They are cheap and cover large distances touching almost every tourist spots and save huge on bucks.

While traveling in Turkey, stay at hostel dorm rooms, especially while you are traveling solo. Dorn rooms should charge you anywhere between USD 10 to 30 per night with a clean bed and a common toilet. I think that is a good deal in Istanbul during peak travel season. While drifting to offbeat destinations, try an stick to family run guest houses. they are pretty and authentic stays which directly gives back to the locals. the resort towns might rip you apart hence stay away unless you are in a moon to splurge!

Generally speaking Turkey is not as expensive as many European countries. However there are options for a luxurious travel which will bite hard on your travel cost if you are willing to splurge. For a seasoned backpacker Turkey is a cakewalk with minimal costing! Housesitting, work away, couch surfing are some of the options to reduce cost even further while traveling in Turkey.

Do not forget to invest in a good travel insurance (many times a pre requisite for a visa).

Also read: 30+ UNESCO Cultural Destinations for Europe Lovers’ Bucket Lists

How to get around Turkey

Use train, the long distance trains in Turkey for traversing long journey. you can spend the night in a train and save ig on travel budget. You may also take bus, train, tram, flight and other modes of transport.

Turkey has a massive bus route connecting the tourist hotspots. Bus journey in Turkey is comfortable, lets you look at picturesque locals, are excellent value for money. You may also rent a car and drive around in Turkey. Traffic in Turkey is not as punishing as many places in the US hence you will be able to enjoy a comfortable and safe ride!

Also read: Traditional Attire from Europe!

Best Places to stay in Turkey on a Budget

While Turkey is still taking it slow to make it in the global map route for digital nomading, primarily due to political hesitations, the country has huge potential to emerge as the Bangkok of Middle East! There are plenty of friendly affordable neighborhoods in Turkey where staying long term could be a delightful experience. For long weekends, you may easily head towards the coastal area or the towering mountains, thanks to smooth connectivity. But base yourself out of Istanbul where wifi connectivity has gradually become as effortless as the practice of breathing!

Some of the beautiful destinations in Turkey for a budget stay:

• Izmir: A town located close to many important destinations, like Pamukkale and Ephesus
• Fethiye: A beautiful beach town with great food!
• Konya: a historic city
• Iskenderun: right in front of Mediterranean Sea!
• Hatay: beautiful nature however a bit far from the busy cities

Also read: Most Beautiful Scenic Journey Around Europe By a Locomotive!

Turkish Traditional Food and Drinks

Mezes  .

The small sized snacks on offer that is the ubiquitous start of an elaborate Turkish meal, mezes are made of meat and vegetables alike! The appetizers served in the Middle eastern region are often termed Mezze. 

Mezze includes (but not limited to) fried eggplant with yogurt and tomato sauce, stuffed zucchini blossoms, feta cheese “cigarette” pastries, olives, grilled fish wrapped with walnut crush etc.

Although the thick sauce-like appetizer was first invented by the Orthodox Christians of the Coptic Cairo to feed the community during the fasting calendar, it was soon adopted by the entire Middle east. Turkey was a close call! 

A Turkish (or Arabic, generally speaking) meal will meet a sweet end with beautiful Baklava, a classic puff pastry loaded with chopped nuts and honey!

Do try Saksuka, a one pot meal often served at breakfast with beautiful spiced poached eggs sharing space with myriad vegetables. Also try Dolma, kopte, kisir salad, kag kebab, Pilav (a rice and meat dish): all bearing some semblance with the typical food cooked in many regions of South Asia, with only exception being over emphasis on spices!

Raki is the local moonshine of Turkey made of from twice-distilled grapes and aniseed.

Do visit the famed Hamdi Restaurant in Istanbul which shows city’s relentless love for streetfood!

Also read: Historic Mosques In Europe for the History Lovers!

Daily Budget for Backpacking Turkey

For a budget friendly holiday in Turkey, you need to take care of a few stuff. Starting from getting a museum pass to signing up for group tours can at large help save your cash.

I will try to give you a broader picture of what it may cost you travel in Turkey on a modest budget. You can get more creative and save on more by refraining from many tourist spots. Depending on what truly catches your interest, you may decide to spend on certain experiences.

For example, entering many museums and monuments may become repetitive. Instead, you can go to a hammam bath and relax for a day. Instead of visiting the resort heavy coastal beaches, you may drift further to the pristine islands and spend a few days by the beach. Visiting Cappadocia is a must but you may refrain from spending for a hot air balloon ride. Just get creative!

Accommodation cost in Turkey

Everyday accommodation cost in Turkey can range anywhere between 20 Turkish Lira to 50 Turkish Lira. For luxury holiday, sky is the limit as the say!

Transport cost in Turkey

For a 10/12 hour long journey, train ticket in Turkey costs you TL 40. The Eurail travel pass works in Turkey, making train travel a very sweet deal. Flight fare is slightly more. So is bus fare. A tram or a metro ride in cities like Istanbul starts from TL 2 and way more affordable than a taxy ride (TL 22).

Food cost in Turkey

Turkey offer varied food items, especially a wide range of freshly prepared streetfood at an astonishing price. It is very affordable and healthy as well. If you love to eat meat, Turkey will never disappoint you with its never ending offering of kebabs.

For street food, you will have a full stomach for as little as TL 20. But it significantly increases if you decide to dine in at one of the upscale restaurants, order a sea food platter etc.

Generally speaking, for a stringent backpacking budget, you can spend as low as USD 11 per day in Turkey.

Also read : 9 Community Tourism Initiatives in Europe that gives back to Local!

Turkish Language

For the first time visitor to Turkey it is wise to learn a few basic phrases to greet the locals, say what you need direly, and learn to say yes and no. In case you find yourself caught between a wildfire, this linguistic skills may fetch you a glass of water. Otherwise, rely on your body language.

Also read : Offbeat Destinations in Greece for this summer!

Best time to visit Turkey

Turkey experiences the extremes of the both: scorching summer and bitter winter. It is wise to tarvel during spring and autumn to ensure you enjoy the best of Turkey. However, remember spring in Turkey is a peak season, meaning you end up spending more mulah. Slow down till the crowd eases on the aegean coast and hop on to Turkey for the shoulder months. That ensures a budget friendly experience.

Best months to visit Turkey: April, May, and mid-September through mid-November

This is the time when Turkey flaunts a clear weather, with bright azure sky awashed with sunshine. Moderate temperature ensures comforting breeze!

December in Turkey: Rumi festival

January: Orthodox Christmas and Camel Wrestling

February: Gastronomy festival in Istanbul

March: Navruz festival (Spring), Mesir Macunu (huge festival dating back to Ottoman era)

June: Music festivals in Istanbul

Also read : Complete Guide to Visiting Goa, India’s Beach Paradise!

Is Turkey Safe for Traveling?

Tagging a destination as safe or unsafe feels trivial when we are discussing a popular tourist hotspot like Turkey. I mean, more than 45 million people visited Turkey every year before this freaking virus came to be! How can Turkey be unsafe?

But that must not stop you from taking basic precautions. Besides, I am an Indian. My safe and your safe (when you are a westerner) will greatly differ! Turkey is a country straddling the border between two culturally rich and diverse continents, Europe and Asia! Besides, it is an Islamist nation, meaning people here obey certain rules and lifestyle whose value stems out of the teachings in Islam. For example, neither the government nor the tourist infrastructure is open to receiving LGBT tourists in the country as yet. 

Please note, Turkey borders with Syria, the erstwhile stronghold of Islamic State and has witnessed multiple incidents of human trafficking, terror attacks, border skirmishes across that particular border. Usually, tourists do not visit that area, neither the regime allows tourists to take unnecessary risks. Only journalists with special pass can near that place. But I thought I would mention this just in case you had been unaware!

Petty crimes take place occasionally. I recommend you take caution and never let your guards down. Drink responsibly and refrain from drinking with unknown strangers.

Istanbul is a big beautiful city in Turkey located by the historic Bosporus straight. Backpacking Istanbul is usually described as an exciting experience, with tourist friendly faces and beautiful cafes. 

At this juncture, many countries in the world are standing at a vulnerable joint where political equilibrium is dangerously leaning towards extremism. Turkey under Erdogan’s rule is not much different! 

Refrain from discussing politics, and joining protests or demonstrations. You will be deported before you even know it!

Turkey’s tourism industry heavily runs on cash, hence carrying loose bills is a good idea. But I think you would be a sane person not to flash your cash everywhere. Like many other tourist destinations, Turkey too runs heavy on scams. Educate yourself on prevalent scams in Turkey, learn to say a firm no to any nagging request and stay away from places where scams are likely to take place. 

Ramadan is the holi month in Islam when devotess observe fast until sundown. Be respectful and extra cautious during Ramadan. You will find places to eat and drink as tourists while locals abstain. Dressing conservatively in Turkey (or any other conservative society) will instantly help you to blend in! Visiting mosques requires women to cover hair with a headscarf and men to wear a piece of cloth that covers his legs. 

Be vey wary of the countless mosquitos and the stray dogs of Turkey. Last thing you want is to end up with malaria or rabies. 

Turkey government bans any kind of drug use. If you are caught, you will end up in prison, for up to 20 years. Decide for yourself! 

Many monuments and graffiti inside Turkish monuments do not allow tourists to photograph. Please educate yourself on the rules. Take trusted guides with you for walking in old neighbourhood, especially if you love to learn about culture and heritage. If you are lost while exploring places by yourself, bringing out the hotel’s business card will help. If you can speak a few phrases in Turkish, you are good to go!

Travel tips for Visiting Turkey as a Solo Woman

Traveling as a solo woman traveler in Turkey is a rewarding experience as long as you plan ahead. Please try to blend in as much as you can. I hjave seen Turkish women wearing head scarves and smoking right on the streets of Istanbul. But then Istanbul is a big cosmopolitcal whichj may not depict the actual reality of obscure rural areas of Turkey. Hence I suggest always always dress in a way that provides minimal skin show! That alone will place you a few notches ahead when it comes to safety.

Do not tell people that you are traveling alone. never. In addition tell your group is awaiting you at the hotel roonm. It is a good idea to tag along with a large tourist group when you are visiting tourist attactions like Pamukkale or Ephesus. Firstly you have company when you start at the wee hopur of the day. Secondly you will invarialy end up spending less.

Istanbul is a tourist froienly city and perefct for you if you prefer a more frugal style of travel, specially when traveling alone!

As a solo woman traveler, I encourage you to say no and trust your instinct while traveling. This is a thumb rule of solo travel not just in Turkey. Sexual assaults against solo female travelers in Turkey is not unheard of. Be cautious whom you call a friend. I mean friend enough to drink together! Trust Uber or Bitaksi (a local app to find nearby yellow taxis) for your commute. Do not miss traveling by those beautiful bright red hued trams in Istanbul. 

Eating street food in Turkey is a must have experience but you should be gentle on your stomach. Insist them to fry the meat or fish in front of you. Ensure you only consume the freshest of sea food and I can not stress enough on this for the best experience!

Movies and Books on Turkey Travel

Movies to watch about turkey before you visit.

The historic novel Troy was depicted in a Hollywood blockbuster with élan by the stars Brad Pitt, Eric Bana and Orlando Bloom. While technically Troy bears zero to zilch semblance with modern day Turkey, it was shot at some of the stunning sites. For a more accurate historic take on Turkey, watch Mel Gibson starrer Gallipoli where a troop from Australia is sent to take part in world war one!

For the Agatha Christie thriller lovers, there is an entire novel dedicated for teh iconic city of Constantinople (erm, Istanbul as you know it today). Watch the thriller The Murder on the Orient Expres for a Sunday eveing well spent!

Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul is a beautiful documentary dedicated to the city of Istanbul, her melody and clamors. The cats of Istanbul has got a dedicated docu-film too, named Kedi.

Istanbul Tales is an anthology depicted on five stories, Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood and Pied Piper and entirely shot in Turkey, portraying stunning locales. Chekov’s short story The Wife has been adapted on Big Screen in the Turkish drama Winter Sleep shot at the fairy tale chimneys of Cappadocia!

If crime thrillers fascinate you, allow some time to watch The Two Faces of January starring Viggo Mortensen and Kirsten Dunst. You will drool over the Grand Bazar apart from following the pacy sequences. Once Upon a Time in Anatolia is another arty dark film for an intense watch.

Books to read about Turkey before you visit!

While reading about Turkey, start with the maestro, Orhan pamuk. All of his books are unputdownable, however My Name Is Red is an extra ordinary read. Follow up on this beautiful read of love, mystery and art with Pamuk’s other favortites, Istanbul: Memories and the City and Museum of Innocence. “The Other Side of the Mountain” by Erendiz Atasü is a complex novel transcending time tracing back the life during Ottoman empire! “Dear Shameless Death” by Latife Tekin is a woman’s take on growing up in modern day Turkey told through various shades of magic realism. “Five Sisters: A Modern Novel of Kurdish Women” by Kit Anderson tells about the marginal women’s life, struggle, fateful journey from a distant Kurdish mountain. The Bastard of Istanbul” by Elif Şafak examines Turkey’s role in the Armenian Massacre. It irked the Turkish government at some point of time for depicting brutal truth about the regime!

In case if you have been backpacking in Turkey, and have noticed any significant change with the new normal being in place, kindly let is know in the comment section below. Has the land of empires changed much?

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I was visiting Turkey last year and would love to go back some day ! So many beautiful places I hear about for the first time!

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Home > 14 Day Turkey & Greece Itinerary – Best 2 Weeks In 2024

14 Day Turkey & Greece Itinerary – Best 2 Weeks In 2024

Written by our local expert SJ

Sarah-Jane has lived in Croatia for 10+ years. SJ, as she is known, has been traveling the Balkans & beyond since 2000. She now shares her passion for traveling with her husband & kids.

Have a remarkable 14-day journey filled with history, culture, & breathtaking landscapes using our 14-day Turkey and Greece itinerary. 

If you want to go on a beautiful European holiday and make memories that’ll last a lifetime, consider touring Greece and Turkey.

Now, Turkey is actually in both Europe and Asia. Greece, on the other hand, is an entirely European country. Regardless of the technicalities, however, both countries are home to an incredible melting pot of cultures just waiting to be explored!

It’s not just about experiencing eclectic cultures and rich traditions. Both countries are known for their ancient history, and you can learn all about the past and visit fascinating historical sites.

And don’t forget about the gorgeous scenery and natural landscapes. Both countries – Greece in particular – are known for their pristine beaches and beautiful Mediterranean shorelines. But they also both have unique inland landscapes, including looming mountains, rolling hills, and some very unusual rock formations.

So, the question is, how many days in Greece and how many days in Turkey are ideal for your holiday? Well, you could easily spend a month in each, but for our purposes, a week in each country is sufficient to get a good feel for things.

A Greece and Turkey vacation will allow you to enjoy a little bit of everything – intriguing cultures, ancient histories, beautiful beaches , and beautiful scenery everywhere you look.

Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!

Why You Should Visit Greece And Turkey In One Holiday

The countries are near each other, and Greek and Turkish history is very much intertwined. The records of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires play a significant role in both countries’ heritages and histories, and there was even a significant amount of movement of people between the two countries.

Greece declared independence from the Ottoman Empire in the 1830s, and the Turks became independent in 1923 after the First World War. The two countries’ relationship has always been tense due to their shared history, but today, they’re both members of NATO, and they’re on reasonably good terms – at least for tourists traveling between the two nations!

Thus, a 14-day trip to travel Greece and Turkey is an excellent idea because the intermeshing of cultures and history undoubtedly makes for an exciting experience! From a practical perspective, it’s also reasonably easy to travel within and between the two countries. Many transport options are commonly used, so they’re efficient, reliable, and relatively cost-effective.

So, if this sounds like an epic holiday to you, you’re in luck because we’re here to help ensure your trip goes off without a hitch!

Without further ado, let’s dive right into how to plan a trip to Turkey and Greece for fourteen days.

Turkey And Greece Itinerary: 14 Days Of Adventure

When you’re planning a big trip like this, there are two main things you want to make sure you get right: going to the right places and doing everything in a logical order. The last thing you want to do is waste time and money traveling unnecessarily!

But luckily for you, I’ve already done all the hard work, so you don’t need to worry about how to plan a trip to Turkey and Greece. On top of getting the logistics right, I will give you all the extra insider info you need based on my personal experience of traveling to both countries.

Day 1: Istanbul

Start the best Turkey itinerary by flying directly into Istanbul Airport, the ultimate European and Asian travel hub that falls perfectly between the two continents. The city even has an international airport on each side of the continental border!

A few places will be most frequently recommended when it comes to where to stay, but I recommend the Taksim area – more specifically, Galata. It’s a beautiful, lively, and safe area with loads to do and see both during the day and at all hours during the night.

Start your day wandering around Galata and find a café for breakfast – make sure you try a traditional Turkish breakfast (Kahvalti) and Turkish coffee as you have a full day ahead. Then, make your way to the historic 14th-century Galata Tower. You can either pay to go up to the top or enjoy the view from the bottom.

Continue your walk down to Karaköy on the water’s edge and cross the bridge over the Golden Horn, past the local fishermen, towards Eminönü. From there, you’ll need to walk up to Sultanahmet – you can take a tram, but it’s far more interesting to wander the streets.

Sultanahmet is where you’ll find the city’s most visited tourist attractions: the iconic Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Basilica Cistern. They’re within a few minutes of each other, so it makes sense to try and see them in one day. You can spend the rest of the day in this area with ease.

Top tip: Buy a ticket for the Basilica Cistern online to skip the queue!

Head back across the bridge to your accommodation in Taksim. When you’re ready for dinner, take a stroll around the neighborhood and wander off the main streets to find the best local food spots .

Day 2: Istanbul

Your second day in Istanbul will take you a little further out of the main touristy spots to an area called Kadıköy (not to be confused with Karaköy), found on the Anatolian (or Asian) side of the city.

So, head back down to Karaköy on the shore front – this time, stick to the lefthand side of the bridge and head straight to the ferry station. From there, jump on the ferry heading to Kadıköy – best of all, it’s not just about the destination. You’ll cross the Bosphorus Strait during the ferry ride, a bucket-list item.

Spending the day in Kadıköy is about wandering around the stores, exploring the gorgeous coastline, and visiting the local markets. The highlight will be visiting the local Kadıköy Fish Market, where you’ll find vendors selling fresh fish and other local eats – make sure you try the stuffed mussels!

Take a walk down the coastal pathway towards Moda and visit Umbrella Street, a popular main street bustling with shops and vendors. It’s also known for its colorful aesthetic and historic tramline that runs through it.

The atmosphere feels quite different in Kadıköy than it does on the European side – everything is a little quieter, and you can wander into the mosques and see them in all their glory without being stuck in a noisy crowd. Just ensure you’re dressed appropriately; for women, always take a headscarf just in case.

Head back to your accommodation and try out some local seafood for dinner. There are several restaurants along the shoreline in Karaköy that are known, in particular, for their fish wraps.

Once you’ve eaten, wander down Istiklal Street – it’s sure to be full of people until the early morning hours, and you’ll find plenty of bars and live music venues up the alleyways. If you’re unsure, ask a local.

Day 3: Istanbul

It’s your last day and night in Istanbul , and it’s free time to hit up the bazaars. The Grand Bazaar is located in the Fatih district, and you can get there easily by foot if you walk up from the Eminönü area. The Bazaar was built in the 15th century and has been used by locals to sell spices, clothing, sweets, tea, food, and just about anything else you can think of for centuries.

Today, it’s an absolute hub of activity, and the atmosphere is electric – make sure you do some haggling before settling on a price!

Once you’ve had enough of the Grand Bazaar, return to Yenii Cami (the New Mosque) and check out the Egyptian Spice Bazaar. It’s also super busy and sure to overwhelm your senses with oodles of color and plenty of different smells – in the best way possible.

After the bazaars, catch a bus over to the charming little neighborhood of Balat. It’s a historic area full of colorful streets, plenty of artwork, and cultural heritage. This is a fantastic place to spend the afternoon and evening – Balat is known for its epic food scene and awesome nightlife. Or if you prefer palaces, head to Topkapi Palace and museum.

Getting back to Taksim is also relatively easy – the buses normally run until about 23:00, but you can even walk if you feel up to it.

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Day 4: Selçuk

Next up, you’re heading to Selçuk. It’s pretty easy to get there, and you have a few options – you can get there by bus, train, or plane – but I’d suggest flying.

But your one night in Selçuk is actually all about visiting Ephesus, the ruins of what used to be the largest and most important city in the ancient Mediterranean world.

You only have one day and a lot to see; you’re only a few minutes away from Ephesus, and you can easily get there via public transport. So, arrive at your accommodation in the morning, freshen up, and hit the road because the sooner you get there, the quieter it’ll be.

The Ephesus tour covers 415 hectares, and visitors can wander around from one site to the next, exploring the ancient ruins – you can also do a guided tour if you prefer.

Here are the top sites you ought to visit:

• The Library of Celsus
• The Temple of Hadrian
• The Temple of Artemis
• Ephesus Great Theater
• The Baths of Ephesus
• The Terraced Houses
• The Winged Nike
• Hercules’ Gate

…and last but not least, the Ephesus Museum if you really want the full experience. Of course, this is a lot to fit into one day, so you may have to pick and choose. But make sure you spend some time wandering around the city center .

• Complete Guide To Ephesus

After exploring the ancient city , head back to Selçuk before a relaxed dinner near your accommodation. Among my top recommendations would be SelçukKoftecisifor, a traditional Turkish meal of koftas and other delicious treats!

Day 5: Cappadocia

Head straight to the airport bright and early for a quick flight to Kayseri – the flight is about an hour and a half – and then a bus ride to the gorgeous, arid town of Göreme in the Cappadocia region.

Now remember, Cappadocia – the famous home to Turkish hot air balloons , fairy chimneys, underground cities, and interesting rock formations often called “lunar landscapes” – is a region, and there are several places you can stay. But I personally think Göreme is the best. It’s conveniently situated, the town has a lovely atmosphere, and the scenery is just breathtaking – every morning, you can see the hot air balloon rides take flight no matter where you are in the town!

When you arrive in Göreme, the best thing to do is explore on foot and take it all in. Wander the streets and hire some bicycles in the town center – it’s cheap and a great way to explore. Take a ride out to Love Valley and see the unique rock formations – you can even take a picnic along and enjoy a Turkish lunch out in the open.

If you still have energy in the evening, book a sunset horseback ride around the nearby valleys – this is more appropriate than you think because Cappadocia is known as “the Land of Beautiful Horses.” Afterward, pick one of the many local restaurants to enjoy a delicious meal with a view !

Top Tip: Try the testi kebab – it’s a traditional meal from Cappadocia, and it’s a yummy kebab cooked in a local clay pot.

Day 6: Cappadocia

Get ready for lots of sightseeing because today, you’re going on a tour! While in Göreme, you can do three main tours – red, green, and blue. They all involve different sites and main attractions, but I’d suggest the green – it involves attractions you can’t see without your own mode of transport.

You’ll be collected from your accommodation at around 9:30 in the morning, and you’ll visit a plethora of different attractions – some are scenic viewpoints, and others involve a little more interaction. A few of the tour’s highlights include:

• Ihlara Valley
• Pigeon Valley
• Derinkuyu Underground City
• Nar Crater Lake

At around 14:00, you’ll be treated to a lovely lunch right on the banks of the Melendiz River, and you’ll be able to choose between various delicious local meals.

Although this tour involves a fair bit of driving, it doesn’t feel like you’re spending ages in the car because you stop frequently and get to see and do various things. You also enjoy an easy-to-moderate hike at one point, so you get to stretch your legs and get out into nature.

Finally, the tour ends with a final stop at a local Turkish sweet shop, where you’ll get to taste a variety of traditional sweets, including Turkish delight and halva.

You’re unlikely to feel like a big meal when you get home, but if you want something small, I’d suggest picking a restaurant with a terrace and enjoying a light bowl of lentil soup – it’s a Turkish favorite and delicious.

• Package Deals From Istanbul To Cappadocia
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• Red Valley, Cappadocia
• Pigeon Valley, Cappadocia
• Red Tour Vs. Green Tour, Cappadocia

Day 7: Antalya

Get ready for a change of scenery because you’re heading to the South-East Coast of Turkey . Catch a quick, hour-long flight from Kayseri to Antalya (you can also take a bus that takes about 10 hours) and arrive in this Mediterranean haven. I’d suggest staying in Kaleici (also known as the Old Town) – it’s full of life, and there are loads to do and see!

Head out immediately and start exploring the old town and the Old Harbor – just walking there is a treat as you wind your way through the alleyways filled with shops and restaurants.

Find a local tour company at the harbor and book a boat trip – you can choose between a short, 45-minute trip to the waterfalls or a longer excursion that involves swimming, lunch, and more. It all depends on what you feel like, and the scenery is gorgeous regardless! Just make sure you bargain down the price.

Enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants in the harbor afterward, and then make your way to Mermerli Plaji, about five minutes away. This is a paid beach, but it’s really nearby, and it’s totally worth it.

In the afternoon, visit Perge – the city’s most famous ancient Roman ruins only 20 minutes from Keleici. For dinner, find a friendly local spot in the Old Town and grab something delicious – you’ll find different types of kebabs everywhere you look.

Day 8: Antalya

Grab your beach gear and slip on your walking shoes because you’re heading to the beach. Arguably, the nicest beach in Antalya is Konyaalti Beach – it’s about a 40-minute walk, but it’s scenic, and you get to see the city simultaneously. You’ll wander along the old tram line and gaze out at the Mediterranean Sea over the cliffs.

Enjoy the beach park in all its glory – this is an excellent place to hang out all day on the beach, in the restaurants, and perusing the shops. There are plenty of public bathrooms and changing rooms, too. Also, if you’d like to get some exercise, the park has a cool pathway for runners and cyclists. There are also many pretty grassy patches in the shade if you want to picnic.

End your day back in Kaleici for dinner, and make sure you explore the alleyways through Hadrian’s Gate at night – you’ll find plenty of cool bars with live music.

• Cappadocia To Antalya
• Is Antalya Worth Visiting
• Antalya In Winter
• Day Trips From Antalya
• Antalya Vs. Alanya

Day 9: Rhodes

Start your morning early and hop on a bus to Fethiye because you’ll travel from Turkey to Greece. Now, when it comes to Greek islands near Turkey , Rhodes is the closest, and that’s where you’re going – take a ferry from Fethiye to Rhodes Island and get ready to start your Greek adventure. It’s just less than two hours – at least it’s not a ferry from Turkey to Santorini!

You’ll arrive in Rhodes in the afternoon, so stretch your legs after your morning of traveling by exploring Rhodes’ Old Town. Walk through the Old Town city gates and climb to the top of the Roloi Clock Tower for a gorgeous view of the city. Afterward, make sure you visit the Palace of the Grand Master and the Knights of Rhodes and then stroll down the iconic Street of the Knights of Rhodes.

If you still have energy, end your afternoon off by checking out the Acropolis of Rhodes, the ruins of the upper part of the ancient Greek city . Make sure you check out the Odeon – the old marble theater.

End the day on your own terms and find somewhere cool in the Old Town for dinner – you certainly won’t be short of options!

Day 10: Rhodes

Head down to Mandraki Harbor and breathe in the fresh salty air – the old city walls and gorgeous blue sea will surround you. Make sure you have a look at the two deer statues at the entrance of the harbor. This is where the Colossus of Rhodes used to stand.

Wander around the streets near the shorefront, and if you’re in the mood for a morning dip, there’s a little beach near the harbor.

Take a walk around the outskirts of the harbor and check out the Rhodes Windmills, also known as the Windmills of Mandraki. The windmills are no longer in use, but back in the day, they were used to grind grain that was brought into Rhodes via ships. Today, you can wander around the windmills and catch a boat from there to explore other parts of the coastline!

Spend the rest of your afternoon at Akti Miaouli Beach, a gorgeous, spacious beachfront that stretches a few kilometers long.

For dinner, find yourself a lovely traditional taverna in the Old Town, and make sure you try the local dishes – Lacan is an absolute favorite in Rhodes!

Day 11: Karpathos

Start your day with a four-hour ferry from Rhodes to the gorgeous, lesser-known, beautiful island of Karpathos. Located on the southern side of the Aegean Sea , it’s the second largest of the Greek Dodecanese islands, and it’s known for its gorgeous greenery, golden sandy beaches, and traditional and colorful villages.

The best way to get around the island is by hiring a car or scooter, so try and get that sorted as soon as you arrive. Once you’ve got your wheels, head to Olympos Village and wander around the traditional town – you’ll find locals dressed in traditional clothing and getting on with old Greek tasks.

In the afternoon, go to Pigadia, the capital of Karpathos. You can decide what you feel like doing and see when you get there, but here are a few options:

• The Archaeological Museum
• Pigadia Acropolis
• Aperi Basilica

Spend the evening wandering around the restaurants, cafes, and bars – the area will surely be a hustling and bustling hive of activity!

Day 12: Karpathos

Enjoy your next day in Karpathos by doing beach hopping – that’s the point of visiting Greece , after all.

Begin at the gorgeous Apella Beach. It’s the perfect spot to spend all day relaxing, and the crystal-clear is breathtaking. There’s even a cute little 13th-century church down the end of the beach if you take a wander!

Next up is Ahata Beach – it’s known for its exquisite blue-blue waters and pebbly shore. It’s a great place to chill out, read your book, and take a few photos.

When you start getting hungry, make your way to Kyra Panagia – this is, arguably, the most popular beach on the island, so it’s sandier and has loads of tavernas and restaurants around. This is the perfect beach if you want to enjoy the Greek sun and a fun, bustling vibe.

If you want to get active, consider either Markis Gialos Beach or Agrilaopotamos – they offer windsurfing and kitesurfing, respectively.

Finally, enjoy the sunset at Agios Nikolaos – you’ll enjoy a gorgeous view of Kasos Island , and if you want to stretch your legs, you can walk up to Paleocasto. Head somewhere scenic for dinner – Gioma Meze is a gorgeous little spot near Agios Nikolaos where you can enjoy good food and a beautiful view.

• Guide To Karpathos Island

Day 13: Athens

Fly from Karpathos to Athens in just over an hour. Since you only have two nights in the city, I’d suggest you stay in Syntagma Square – it’s historically significant, and now, it’s just super central, and there’s always a buzz. Check out the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier while you’re there!

Head out to the Panathenaic Stadium, the location of the first-ever Olympic Games in 1896. If you want to walk on the track, you can pay to get in and get decent photos from outside.

Next up, make your way to the absolutely massive Temple of Olympian Zeus. The sheer size of the ruins is enough to make it worthwhile!

On your way to the Acropolis , you’ll pass by Hadrian’s Arch, a structure commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Note the link to Hadrian’s Gate you visited in Antalya!

The Acropolis was once the heart and soul of ancient Athens and is still a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Ensure you also check out all the main sites and the Acropolis Museum!

End your afternoon with a walk around the quaint (quintessentially Greek) Anafiotika neighborhood.

Top Tip: If you’re looking for an authentic Greek dinner spot, try To Filema in the Syntagma Square area.

Day 14: Athens

It’s the last day of your Turkey and Greece tour, and it starts with a visit to Monastiraki Square – there are lots of shops and even a little flea market. Just two minutes away, you’ll find Hadrian’s Library, another fascinating set of ancient ruins to wander around.

Head down to the Central Athens Market (also known as Varvakios) and check out where local vendors sell meat, vegetables, fruit, spices, and fish. It’s located close to the Psiri Neighborhood of downtown Athens , and going to the market will give you a really authentic feel for Greek culture.

After the business of the market, make your way to the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, where you’ll see some of the oldest Greek artifacts from all periods of the country’s ancient history.

And finally, end off your holiday by watching an incredible sunset from the top of Mount Lycabettus, the highest point of Athens.

If you want to treat yourself to a special dinner for your last night, make a booking at Orizontes Lycabettus – you’ll be able to enjoy delicious Greek-style food and seafood.

• Where To Stay In Athens
• Day Trips From Athens
• Closest Islands To Athens

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Final thoughts on your 14-day turkey and greece itinerary.

And that’s a wrap on your trip from Turkey to the Greek islands – and more! After fourteen days in two of the most beautiful countries in the world (in my humble opinion), you now know that deciding between Greece and Turkey isn’t necessary; you can do both!

Can I visit Greece and Turkey in one trip?

Absolutely – the countries are easy to travel between and have a connected history, making it great to explore both places together.

What is the best way to get from Turkey to Greece or from Greece to Turkey?

Taking a ferry from the Turkish mainland to one of the Greek islands (or vice versa) is the easiest way to get between the countries.

What Greek islands are close to Turkey?

• Chios can be reached from Cesme .
• Rhodes can be reached from Marmaris or Fethiye
• Lesbos can be reached from Ayvalik
• Kos, Patmos, Leros, or Kalymnos can be reached from Bodrum
• Samos can be reached from Seferihisar

How many days do I need to explore Greece and Turkey?

We’d recommend no fewer than ten days; however, 14 days or more is optimal.

• Choosing Between Greece And Turkey
• Greece To Turkey Transport Guide
• Greek Food Guide
• Turkish Food Guide
• Do’s And Don’ts Of Visiting Turkey

Comments (4)

PLEASE QUOTE ME FOR THIS TRIP IN 2024 SEPTEMBER, I LIVE IN SOUTH AFRICA AND MY CURRENCY IS RANDS

Sorry we do not do travel agency jobs.

how much per person for march 30 onwards? how many persons, minimum? do you have a shorter trip, like 10 or 12 days only?

I do not sell tours, so I can not give you a quote, sorry.

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Avoid These Mistakes to Kill Your First Turkey

Few things rival the sense of accomplishment that accompanies killing your first turkey. This is especially true if you commit a few seasons’ worth of blunders along the way.

The season I killed my first bird, I managed to miss or spook a legion of turkeys all in the first two weeks. I put on a masterclass for how not to kill a turkey, and more than a few longbeards honed their survival instincts that year. However, those mistakes made my first turkey even sweeter. So sweet that when I finally ran to grab that 17-pound gobbler, his pencil beard, which might’ve eclipsed eight inches, felt like a world record to me.

While I believe those mistakes were invaluable to my growth as a turkey hunter, a heads-up still would have been nice. So, if you’re trying to kill your first gobbler , here are some mistakes you can avoid on your way to punch a tag.

Learning how to set up on turkeys in the woods requires repetition. This skill also requires you to learn how to judge the general area where a gobbler is roosted if you’re not quite sure. I made this mistake a lot early in my hunting career. I’d locate a gobbler and either set up immediately or sit in a place where I wanted the gobbler to be, not where he would actually go. I took myself out of the game well before any of those turkeys ever pitched down.

If you’re new to turkey hunting and running solo, judging a gobbler’s distance can be difficult. You can read all you want about how to do this, but time in the field is your best teacher. However, if you hear a turkey gobble and it’s faint, you need to close the distance. You run the risk of bumping a longbeard off the roost, but if you’re not in his bubble, you’re not in the game. I’m not saying you can’t call in a gobbler from over 500 yards away, but your chances aren’t great. Depending on the time of year, vegetation, and terrain, try getting within 100 to 150 yards of where you think he’s roosted. But don’t stop there.

Once you’ve closed the distance, survey the area and see if there are any terrain or vegetation traps that might cause a gobbler to hang up outside of shotgun range. Is there an impenetrable thicket between you and the bird? What about a creek that he would have to cross? If so, set up in a way that allows the gobbler to come in without any of those potential barriers. Sometimes, there’s no way around these terrain or vegetation traps, but if you can eliminate any setup mistakes , it only works in your favor.

Overcalling

There’s a time and place to go toe-to-toe with a gobbler, but if you’re just learning the ropes, try to call as little as possible. It’s tempting to keep calling when you’re working a bird that gobbles at everything.

Unless that bird comes running in, he’s probably strutting around and waiting for a hen to appear. In that case, he’s either going to break and come in or drift away. Unless you’re in a position to ambush him, there’s not much you can do about it, and even the best turkey mouth calls can’t change that. That’s why it’s important to lay off the calling and pique his interest.

Minimal calling helped me kill my first turkey more than anything. I went in blind to a spot and as soon as that turkey gobbled on the limb, I decided I would only call every thirty minutes, no matter how much he gobbled. Obviously, you don’t have to be that rigid, and this isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, but it helped keep my calling to a minimum, which eventually broke that gobbler.

After three hours of calling every thirty minutes, a 45-minute window passed without a gobble. When my self-imposed 30-minute wait ran up, I decided not to call and just wait him out. Another twenty minutes passed before he gobbled again. When he did, he was clearly on the way. A few moments later, he strutted into shotgun range.

Leaving Too Soon

Whenever I talk to new or inexperienced turkey hunters, if they have a turkey story, it usually ends with them leaving a turkey that went quiet or getting up too soon and spooking a gobbler that came in silent. I did this more times than I care to admit, but it should only take a few putting longbeards to realize why patient hunters kill more turkeys .

I remember several hunts during my teens where a turkey would go quiet for thirty minutes or more. Instead of waiting, I would either go look for that turkey or leave all together. Looking back, I’m sure some of those gobblers were on their way, and I either left too soon or spooked them without knowing it.

As humans, we’re consciously aware of time. Turkeys, on the other hand, have no schedule. It’s tempting to think that a quiet turkey has gone to greener pastures. In reality, he’s probably bugging around, strutting, catering to hens, or on his way to your setup. Instead of bailing after twenty minutes, try to impose an hour-long wait from the time of his last gobble. In the best-case scenario, he comes in silent. Worst case, you level up your patience. Either will eventually lead to a dead turkey.

Putting Your Gun Down

Whenever I take a new turkey hunter to the woods, I almost always have to remind them to have their gun at the ready. You can get away with some movement in the turkey woods, but this requires time in the field. When you’re first starting out, it’s best to assume the turkey can see every move you make and sit with your gun at the ready (propped on your knee).

One bonehead mistake that’s burned into my brain happened a few hunts before I harvested my first longbeard. I set up on a bird that morning without much luck, and he eventually went quiet. After an hour or so of no gobbling, I decided to get comfortable and lay my gun beside me on the ground. Not ten minutes later, I could see something coming through the brush, but by that time, it was too late. Not one but two longbeards strolled within five yards of my setup, looked at me, turned, and went back the way they came. With my gun on the ground, I could only watch in disbelief as they bobbed out of sight.

It can be uncomfortable and seem unnecessary to sit with your gun at the ready for long periods of time, but when you’re dealing with silent toms , it can be the difference in going home empty-handed.

While these tips can help you kill your first turkey, experience and time in the woods are the best ways to sharpen your turkey hunting skills. Misses and blunders will happen along the way, but they’ll make your first bird that much sweeter when it finally comes together.

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How to Kill Your First Gobbler

Almost as soon as the tom landed in the clearing, he gobbled and puffed up. After four days of getting beat by the birds, it was a surreal sight. It was even more surreal when he dropped out of strut and bee-lined it for the logging road I was positioned next two with my 20-gauge laid across my knee. That suicidal two-year-old took me from a turkey hunter to a turkey killer. In the nearly three decades since that moment, there have been plenty of...

3 Common Mistakes Turkey Hunters Make

Sunrises, ticks, and mistakes are all parts of turkey hunting. Some days the planets align and we can sling a dead turkey over our shoulder regardless of how many errors we made. But most other days we leave the woods frustrated and empty-handed. Sometimes it’s because the turkeys simply didn’t want to cooperate. Other times it’s because we screwed something up along the way. Failing to thoroughly scout your hunting areas or pattern your turkey...

3 Turkey Timing Mistakes All Hunters Make

Turkeys sleep in the trees because it’s safer than sleeping on the ground. Now that I’ve written probably the dumbest (and simplest) turkey statement any outdoor writer has ever conjured up, let me redeem myself. Don’t Approach at Dusk While those gobblers and hens are all safe from ground predators on their favorite oak limbs, they also have one hell of a vantage point. If you’ve spent any time in a treestand you probably understand this. From...

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U.S. issues travel warning for Israel with Iran attack believed to be imminent and fear Gaza war could spread

By Debora Patta , Tucker Reals

Updated on: April 13, 2024 / 5:25 PM EDT / CBS News

Update: Iran launched drone attacks against Israel on Saturday. Read CBS News'  latest coverage here .

Tel Aviv  — Israel is bracing for a worst-case scenario that U.S. officials believe could materialize within just hours — the possibility of a direct attack on Israeli soil by Iran in retaliation for a strike almost two weeks ago that killed seven Iranian military officers. Iran has vowed to take revenge for Israel killing its commanders, who were hit by an April 1 strike on the Iranian embassy in Syria's capital.

Two U.S. officials told CBS News that a major Iranian attack against Israel was expected as soon as Friday, possibly to include more than 100 drones and dozens of missiles aimed at military targets inside the country. Sources have told CBS News the retaliation could include attacks carried out both by Iranian forces, and proxy groups around the region that it has been funneling additional arms to for weeks.  

The officials said it would be challenging for the Israelis to defend against an attack of that magnitude, and while they held out the possibility that the Iranians could opt for a smaller-scale attack to avoid a dramatic escalation, their retaliation was believed to be imminent. 

Asked Friday how imminent he believes an attack is, President Biden responded, "I don't want to get into secure information, but my expectation is sooner than later." The president urged Iran not to move forward, saying his message to Tehran was: "Don't."

Tehran has not indicated publicly how or when it will return fire, so it's unclear how far Iran's leaders will go. If they decide to carry out a direct attack on Israel, there's fear it could blow Israel's ongoing war against Iranian ally Hamas up into a much wider regional conflict.

With the Iranian retaliation expected at any time, the U.S. State Department on Thursday warned Americans in Israel not to travel outside major cities, which are better protected from incoming rocket fire by the country's Iron Dome missile defense system. The latest guidance noted that travel by U.S. government employees in Israel could be further restricted with little notice as things develop in the tinderbox region.

"Whoever harms us, we will harm them," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Thursday as he visited troops at an Israel Defense Forces airbase. "We are prepared … both defensively and offensively."

On Saturday, all U.S. embassies in the Middle East were put on high alert and required to hold emergency action committee meetings. Diplomats in Lebanon and Israel were specifically told not to travel to certain areas within those countries.

Sima Shine, a security expert and former official with Israel's national intelligence agency Mossad, told CBS News it was a dangerous moment for the region, and the "most worried" she has been. She said anxiety over an all-out war was likely just as high "on both sides, in Israel and in Iran."

If Iran does choose to strike Israel directly, it could involve a complex missile and drone attack similar to the one Iranian forces launched against a Saudi oil facility in 2019 .

"They will try to do it on the military or some military asset," Shine predicted. "But the question will be the damage. If there would be many injured people, killed or injured … I think it has the potential for a huge escalation."

Shine stressed, however, that she still believes neither side actually wants a regional conflict.

U.S. "really trying to avoid war"

The U.S. sent a senior general to Israel this week to coordinate with the close American ally on any response it might make to an Iranian attack. Speaking Friday on "CBS Mornings," America's top military officer said, "we're really trying to avoid war."

"This is part of the dialogue that I have with my counterparts within the region, to include the Israeli chief of defense, who I talked to yesterday," said Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., adding that the U.S. military was "doing things not only to prevent a war, but at the same time, one of my primary things is to make sure all the forces in the region are protected."

"My role, as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, is to plan and prepare," Brown said. "That's one thing we do very well."

Brown's Israeli counterpart, Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, "completed a comprehensive situational assessment on the readiness of the IDF for all scenarios," Israel's military said Friday. 

"The IDF is very strongly prepared, both offensively and defensively, against any threat," Halevi was quoted as saying in the statement. "The IDF continues to monitor closely what is happening in Iran and different arenas, constantly preparing to deal with existing and potential threats in coordination with the United States Armed Forces." 

The IDF said the visiting U.S. general, Central Command chief Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, was taking part in the IDF's situational assessment.

The dilemma for Iran, said Israeli expert Shine, is to figure out how to deliver its promised response to Israel's attack in Syria, but in a way that does not lead to further escalation. Likewise, Shine said Israel could choose to show restraint when it responds to whatever Iran eventually does.

If either side gets the balance wrong, the consequences for the region, and even the world, could be dire.

Weijia Jiang, David Martin, Margaret Brennan and Olivia Gazis contributed reporting.

• Middle East
• Benjamin Neta​nyahu

Debora Patta is a CBS News foreign correspondent based in Johannesburg. Since joining CBS News in 2013, she has reported on major stories across Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Edward R. Murrow and Scripps Howard awards are among the many accolades Patta has received for her work.

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The Israeli military said artillery and fighter jet strikes had hit around 40 targets in southern Lebanon on Wednesday as the intense fighting of recent days continued to escalate, with Hezbollah firing dozens of rockets at an Israeli border village.

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Thousands mark Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand

Thousands gathered across Australia and New Zealand on Thursday at Anzac Day services to commemorate those who fought and died in major conflicts in the nations' history.

Money latest: TSB announces big increases to mortgage rates - as 'market thrown into turmoil'

TSB has followed other major lenders in hiking mortgage rates. First-time buyer, mover and remortgage rates are going up by as much as 0.45%. Read this plus all the latest consumer and personal finance news below - and leave your thoughts in the box.

Wednesday 24 April 2024 20:19, UK

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MPs have voted in favour of the government's Renters' Reform Bill - despite it including an indefinite delay to the end of no-fault evictions.

A debate on the legislation ran throughout Wednesday afternoon, including around a new clause from the government which would hold off outlawing Section 21s until a review of the courts system had taken place.

But despite outrage from charities, campaigners and opposition parties around the measure, it got the backing of the majority of MPs - and the bill passed its final stage in the Commons shortly after 6.30pm.

A Section 21 notice is the legal mechanism allowing landlords to evict tenants without providing a reason, which creates uncertainty for those who rent their homes.

The government first promised to ban the notices five years ago, back when Theresa May was still in Number 10.

But it has faced numerous delays amid threats of rebellion from Tory backbenchers - some of them landlords - who said they feared ending Section 21s would see the courts overwhelmed with more complex eviction cases.

Ministers agreed to amend the bill to ensure no ban was enacted until a probe into the courts had been held.

But the clause offers no timeline - leaving no clear date for when Section 21s will actually be scrapped.

Read more here... 

By Daniel Binns , business reporter

Ryanair is suing air traffic control body Nats over last summer's flight chaos when more than 700,000 passengers were hit by cancellations and delays.

The low-cost carrier's chief executive Michael O'Leary said his company had been forced to pay out around £15m in compensation following the  widespread disruption  around the August Bank Holiday Monday.

An investigation into the meltdown found it was caused by a  National Air Traffic Services (Nats) technical glitch .

Around 300,000 people suffered cancellations, while approximately 95,000 endured delays of over three hours, and at least a further 300,000 were hit by shorter delays.

Airlines lost a total of £100m in refunds, rebookings, hotel rooms and refreshments.

Mr O'Leary told Sky's  Business Live with Ian King : "When things go wrong in the airline industry, we have to compensate our passengers and we want to recover those costs directly from Nats."

A spokeswoman for Nats told Sky News: "Our legal team is reviewing the claim and will respond as required."

Yesterday we reported on a Which? survey ranking Virgin Media as having the worst overall customer service among broadband providers...

Virgin Media hit back - saying the annual survey used a sample size of 0.01% of its customer base, and on average 95% of customer complaints were resolved during a customer's first initial call.

And they told the Money blog improvements were being made to customer service...

"We are investing and making changes across our business to deliver tangible customer service improvements and ensure all customers receive the best possible service," the company said.

"For example, we're multi-skilling our teams and rolling out new IT platforms that make it easier for customers to get support and have issues resolved the first time they get in touch." 

Our comments section has been bombarded with people saying they are Virgin Media customers and sharing their experiences - all but two were negative.

Here's a selection...

Virgin Media broadband keeps dropping down in speed, sometimes it drops out all day. Phoning them makes no difference. We will change supplier when our contract is up. Alan Francis

I completely agree. I've had a year of unbelievably bad service relating to the installation of broadband in our new house. It's impossible to communicate with Virgin Media without severe trauma. Everything goes through one number into an automated system that simply doesn't work. Frank

Been with Virgin Media for 13 years and they have really dropped in customer service, they don't value loyalty and all their call handlers seem to be working from home. If there is a problem they transfer you to somebody else who you have to explain your issue to again. Plumby

We moved from Virgin Media for our broadband/TV a few years ago for precisely that reason - very poor customer service. Carol Bell

I left Virgin this week too. New customers get a good price whilst existing customers see prices triple. Non-UK call centre that just pass you around when anything goes wrong. Just cancelling took an hour on the phone. Glad there are new fibre providers in my area. Digger

Current Virgin Media customer and it gives me anxiety knowing I have to call them as it takes too long to get anyone on the call or they have disconnected me, or they say they cannot help and transfer me to another department and then drop the call. LisaJ

A reader calling themselves GH was more positive, saying: "I have just renewed with Virgin Media, great customer service."

And Wells85 said: "I am a Virgin customer and have been for the last nearly seven years and I think their broadband service is top notch and their customer service."

There are only a few weeks left until all cats in England need to be microchipped.

From 10 June, every moggie must have a chip and be registered on a database by the time they are 20 weeks old.

The numbered device, which shows up whenever an animal is scanned, is placed under the skin, usually around the shoulder area.

It is likely to cost £20-£30 and will be used to identify your cat if it gets lost.

Owners who miss the deadline could be fined up to £500.

There are also fears that pet insurance may be affected - if, for example, your cat is stolen and you make a claim.

There are more than nine million pet cats in England, and up to 2.3 million are unchipped, the environment department said.

Your feline's microchip "must be fitted by a trained professional", the government website says.

Vets, local councils, rescue and rehoming centres may all be able to help.

Owners are asked to keep the chip information up to date - for example, if they move house.

There are various databases that meet government standards on which to register the chip, including Animal Data, Animal Tracker and Lost Paws.

TSB has followed other major lenders in hiking mortgage rates this week - and theirs are pretty big.

First-time buyer, mover and remortgage rates are going up by as much as 0.45%.

Shared ownership/equity products will rise by up to 0.75%.

The lender is also withdrawing some tracker mortgages - and all house purchase and remortgage products (two and five-year fixed) without a fee.

It follows upward moves from NatWest, Barclays, Accord, Leeds Building Society and HSBC on Monday, and Coventry last week.

They are responding to swap rates - which dictate how much it costs to lend money - rising on the back of higher than expected US inflation data, and concerns this could delay interest rate cuts there. 

US trends often materialise elsewhere - though many economists are still expecting a base rate cut from 5.25% to 5% in the UK in June.

Ken James, director at Contractor Mortgage Services, told Newspage: "As lenders scramble for safety, the mortgage landscape appears increasingly grim. 

"With swap rates on the rise, lenders are transparent about their need for profit margins, prompting them to hike up their rates accordingly. 

"The significant uptick in rates for shared ownership mortgages suggests that TSB is distancing itself from this sector, leaving aspiring homeowners with even fewer options. 

"While TSB may be the latest target of criticism, they are not alone in seeking refuge in lifeboats, as more lenders follow suit.

"The mortgage market is once again thrown into turmoil, echoing past upheavals."

Holiday price increases may be starting to ease heading into the summer as competition heats up across the sector, Jet2 says.

Trips booked for this summer have seen "a modest increase" in cost compared with last year, the tour operator says - but prices have recently become "more competitive, particularly for April and May departures".

Russ Mould, an analyst at AJ Bell, said: "This could be a sign that the pricing power enjoyed by the sector, with people prepared to pay whatever it takes to get their week in the sun, is starting to ease."

People visiting Venice for day trips will have to pay a tourist tax from tomorrow.

The €5 charge is being implemented in part to tackle overtourism in the picturesque Italian city.

It won't be in place every day - the first charging period lasts from 25 April to 5 May. 

It will then come back into play on May 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26, June 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30, and July 6, 7, 13 and 14 - between 8.30am and 4pm.

Some UK banks have potential loopholes in their security systems which leave customers at risk from online scammers, according to consumer champion Which?

The group looked at the apps and websites of 13 current account providers with assistance from experts.

Despite all using multi-layered security to try and prevent security breaches, some still fell below the expected standard.

Which? gave TSB a score of 54% for its mobile app security and 67% for online security - the lowest and second-lowest scores respectively.

The Co-operative Bank placed last for online security, with a score of 61%.

A lucky EuroMillions player in the UK has just one week left to claim their £1m prize.

The punter, who bought the ticket in Northumberland, won the cash in the UK Millionaire Maker draw on 3 November 2023.

Ten UK players were made millionaires that night - but one is still yet to come forward and collect their prize.

If the money is not claimed by 1 May, 180 days from the draw date, it will be put towards funding National Lottery projects across the country.

Andy Carter, senior winners' advisor at The National Lottery, said: "While there is still time, there is still hope - we've received valid claims on major National Lottery unclaimed prizes right up to the very last minute before - but time is running out fast. 

"Our appeal is simple, take five minutes out of your day to dig out and check your EuroMillions tickets. Those five minutes could be the most profitable five minutes of your life!"

The Northumberland player is not the only one missing out on a life-changing sum of money - four more major prizes remain unclaimed with just weeks to go.

By Daniel Binns, business reporter

The index, of the 100 most valuable companies on the London Stock Exchange, hit a record closing high of 8,023 points on Monday. It then went one better on Tuesday, when it closed at 8,044. And now it has achieved an all-time intraday (during the day) high of 8,090 this morning - and looks to be on course for another closing record this afternoon.

The score, up around 0.5% this morning, is based on a calculation of the total value of the shares on the index.

The figures will help boost investors and London markets after a disappointing few years, commentators have said.

However, as Sky's business presenter Ian King pointed out yesterday , the gains are modest in comparison with other stock markets around the world.

The highs are also the result of a fall in the value of the pound, rather than the UK's improving economic outlook. Currently, £1 buys $1.24 US or €1.16, a slight improvement on the five-month lows seen earlier this week.

One of the best-performing companies on the FTSE 100 this morning is British firm Reckitt Benckiser. It makes health, hygiene and nutrition products - including well-known brands such as Cillit Bang, Durex and Nurofen.

Shares in the Slough-based company have leapt more than 5% following the publication of its first-quarter results, which showed it beat like-for-like sales estimates despite price rises.

In contrast, shares in Lloyds Banking Group slipped 2% in early trading after the lender reported that pre-tax profits for the first three months of the year fell by 28% . However,  it has since made a modest recovery.

Section 21 notices allow landlords to evict tenants with two months' notice after their fixed-term contract ends. They don't have to give a reason - hence the "no fault" eviction label.

The Renters (Reform) Bill, which is set for its final stages in the  Commons today, includes a promise to ban them - but now Michael Gove, the housing secretary, has refused to recommit to his pledge to act before a general election.

Compounding this, the Renters Reform Coalition says several rounds of "damaging concessions" have "fundamentally weakened" a bill which will maintain a "central power imbalance" in favour of landlords.

Labour has suggested the no-fault eviction ban is "collapsing under the weight of vested interests".

Research from Sky News has found more than 100 MPs have earned over £10,000 a year as landlords over the course of this parliament.

A total of 83 Tories have declared they received the sizeable rental payments since the last election in December 2019, along with 18 Labour MPs, four Liberal Democrats and one member of the SNP.

Read that story here ...

Housing Secretary Michael Gove told the BBC he "hopes" the bill will become law ahead of the general election, but it was up to the House of Lords "to decide the rate of progress that we can make".

He said: "If opposition parties are supportive - and I believe that while they have some quibbles, they are supportive of the essential principle that we're bringing forward - then we can have Section 21 ended before the general election. That's the aim."

Research by YouGov, commissioned by homelessness charity Shelter, showed 943,000 tenants had been served Section 21 notices since April 2019.

Consumer champion Jane Hawkes, also known as  Lady Janey , has explained when Britons should use holiday booking and comparison websites - and the circumstances when it's advisable to book directly.

Jane tends to book her UK-based trips directly through the accommodation provider , because you can...

• Get lower rates as the host saves money on any online commission and agent fees;
• Negotiate additional benefits such as upgrades, late/early check-in and free add-ons;
• Take advantage of last-minute availability bookings with discount prices;
• Have one port of call for changes/cancellations/refunds;
• Avoid third party processing fees;
• Accrue loyalty points. 

Jane says she does this herself when booking one of her "go-to" self-catering holiday cottages in Wales, and benefits from reduced rates as a returning guest. 

"We have built a relationship with our hosts over the years and we appreciate being able to contact them directly to discuss bookings," she says. 

If you're booking a holiday cottage, she recommends choosing the letting agency carefully as many online platforms are simply affiliate or listing sites for other companies. 

"If you make a booking using an affiliate or listing site things can get confused and complicated if things go wrong. Always ask who takes responsibility if there is a problem and check the terms and conditions of contracts carefully," Jane says. 

What about trips abroad? 

Conversely, Jane doesn't recommend booking directly for trips abroad as "you will have far less financial protection should one of the elements go wrong". 

You'll have more protection when something goes wrong if you book a package holiday with a reputable travel agent, she says, so your holiday is covered under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements 2018. 

It is also advisable to pay by credit card for additional Section 75 protection or debit card for chargeback. 

"They are also a direct port of call for help when you need it, unlike third party online booking sites."

If she is just booking a flight , Jane says she will use comparison sites to compare prices but then book directly with the airline . 

"Third party booking platforms may be able to offer cheaper flights due to bulk-buy discounts from the airlines. However, the discount might not be worth it should any issues arise," she says. 

Jane explains that if there are cancellations or changes to bookings, additional fees may be applicable for both the airline and the third party. 

"Refund or compensation requests for cancelled or delayed flights tend to be more difficult when a third party is involved," she says. 

Plus, contacting third parties to discuss a claim can prove a challenge as many companies offer customer service support online only, she says. 

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At least 21 migrants dead after boat capsizes off coast of Djibouti

Children among those killed in second fatal incident in two weeks close to the Horn of Africa, says UN agency

At least 21 people have died after a boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti , the UN’s migration agency has said.

It was the second fatal maritime accident in two weeks off the Horn of Africa nation, which lies on the perilous so-called eastern migration route from Africa to the Middle East.

Another vessel carrying mainly Ethiopian migrants sank in the same area on 8 April, claiming the lives of several dozen people.

Tanja Pacifico, the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) chief of mission in Djibouti, told AFP in Nairobi that 21 bodies had been recovered, while 23 people were still missing.

Another 33 people survived the disaster, she said late on Tuesday.

“Tragedy as boat capsizes off Djibouti coast with 77 migrants on board including children,” the IOM had said in an earlier post on X, giving a toll of at least 16 dead and 28 missing.

It said the Djibouti IOM branch was “supporting local authorities with search and rescue effort”.

Yvonne Ndege, a spokesperson for the agency, told AFP the fatalities included children and a baby, without offering further details.

Berhanu Tsegaye, Ethiopia’s ambassador to Djibouti, said on X that the vessel was carrying Ethiopian migrants from Yemen when it went down on Monday night off Godoria in north-eastern Djibouti. He said 33 people, including one woman, survived.

Berhanu expressed his “deep sorrow ... over the succession of horrific disasters”, adding: “I reiterate that legal measures should be taken against illegal human smugglers who put the lives of our citizens at risk.”

Another vessel carrying more than 60 people sank off the coast of Godoria on 8 April, according to the IOM and the Ethiopian embassy in Djibouti.

The IOM said at the time that the bodies of 38 migrants, including children, were recovered, while another six people were missing.

The Ethiopian embassy had said the boat was carrying Ethiopian migrants from Djibouti to war-torn Yemen.

• Middle East and north Africa
• United Nations

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