13 Days in Turkey - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Historic Turkey Highlights: Cappadocia, Antalya, Kas, Pamukkale & Istanbul

With a balance of adventure and indulgence, this well-rounded highlights itinerary is a crowd-pleaser, suited to history buffs, nature lovers, and wellness travelers alike. You'll hike in Cappadocia's Love Valley, tour Antalya by e-bike, take a boat to the sunken ruins of Kekova, visit the ruins of Termessos, and soak in the Pamukkale hot springs. Learn about Ottoman life on a walking tour of İstanbul's Sultanahmet district, lose yourself amid the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar, and reset with a spa treatment in a historic hammam. 

Start with a transfer from Kayseri's airport to Uçhisar, your base for exploring Cappadocia. Visit the rock-cut churches of the Göreme Open Air Museum and hike among the "fairy chimney" formations in Love Valley. Rise early the next day for a sunrise hot-air balloon ride, then learn about those who fled religious persecution in the Kaymaklı Underground City. Hit the road toward the coast next, stopping by the Mevlana Museum en route to see artifacts and writings of the famous philosopher Rumi. Arrive in Antalya, and hop on an e-bike through the Old Town before touring the theater ruins of Termessos.

Check out the myth-shrouded flames at Yanartaş (Burning Rock), then continue along the coast to Kaş, where you can take a boat to Kaleköy to spy the Sunken Ruins of Kekova or hike to the Lycian sarcophagi at Phellos. Your next stop is Pamukkale for a soak in the mineral-rich hot springs before you catch a flight to İstanbul. Here, you'll hear about Ottoman royal life at Topkapı Palace, view the European side of the city from the top of Galata Tower, and unwind with a spa treatment at Hürrem Sultan Hammam, where the marble and intricately tiled interior offers an oasis of calm before departure. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Turkish Food & Culture Tour: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Alacati, Sirince & Bodrum

Travelers craving a culinary-themed experience should opt for this Turkish food and culture tour. Highlights include a street food experience and folk performance in İstanbul, a stone oven baking class in Cappadocia, a whirling dervish performance in Avanos, and wine tasting at Urlice Vineyards. Step into the ancient world with a visit to Ephesus, then wind down with a seafood dinner in coastal Bodrum and the option to spend time at Selia Artisanal Farm or take a boat to the hot springs at Black Island.

Enjoy views over the Bosphorus Strait while you get your first taste of kebabs, baklava, and other Turkish cuisine at Tuğra Restaurant. Attend a folk performance, then haggle for souvenirs in the Grand Bazaar before sitting down to savor fasulye (white beans in tomato sauce with rice) at Suleymaniye Kurufasulyecisi. Catch a flight to Cappadocia next, where you'll bake bread in a stone oven and marvel at the meditative movements of a whirling dervish ritual in Avanos. Cap off your time in Cappadocia with a sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the fairy chimneys and a farm-to-table meal at Lil'a Restaurant.

Next, fly to İzmir for a wine tasting at Urlice Vineyards, followed by muska börek (layered pastry filled with cheese, meat, or potatoes) and other Aegean dishes in Alaçatı. The following day, walk the marble roads of ancient Ephesus before visiting Can Carpets in Çamlık to learn about traditional carpet making. Your driver will whisk you away to Lake Bafa for some bird-watching, and then bring you to Bodrum for a seafood dinner at Orfoz Restaurant. On your final full day, you can opt for an artisanal farm visit or a boat ride to Black Island for a dip in the hot springs before returning to İstanbul. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Ancient History & Heritage in Turkey: From Istanbul to Antalya

Packed with archaeological treasures and UNESCO-listed sites, this history and heritage trip is perfect for travelers interested in Turkey's ancient past. You'll keep a fairly quick pace as you visit some of the most significant historical places, including İstanbul's Hagia Sophia, the legendary ruins of Troy, the Celsus Library in Ephesus, the Roman spa city of Hierapolis, and one of the world's best-preserved Roman theaters at Aspendos. You'll also have time to cruise the Bosphorus Strait, sip wine at Yedi Bilgeler Vineyard, sample seafood in the harbor town of Babakale, and hike in Mount Gulluk National Park.

Ease into your journey with a refreshing spa experience within the Ottoman-era Hürrem Sultan Hammam in İstanbul. After a good night's rest, set out on a walking tour of historic sites on the city's Asian side, including the Blue Mosque, named for the blue-hued tiles you'll find lining the interior. Grab some tasty gifts to bring back to loved ones, such as dried fruits and Turkish spices, as you stroll through the Spice Bazaar on İstanbul's European side, then give your feet a rest with a boat ride along the Bosphorus. Next, your driver will take you to Troy to wander amid the crumbling ancient city walls and temples.

Continue your historical tour with a stop at Assos, where Aristotle taught, and a walk along Pergamon's colonnaded street. Then it's on to Şirince, your base for wine tasting at Yedi Bilgeler Vineyard and a tour of Ephesus that includes time to browse the excavated items at Ephesus Archaeological Museum. Pause for a soak in Pamukkale's hot springs and a visit to Hierapolis, an ancient Roman spa city, before heading to Antalya. Take a tour of historic Kaleiçi, starting at Hadrian's Gate, then wrap up your trip with a hike in Mount Gulluk National Park and a visit to the Greco-Roman ruins of Aspendos. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Explore Turkey's Turquoise Coast by Land & Water

This scenic Turquoise Coast itinerary is a match for those looking to pair historical sites and culinary experiences on land with relaxed adventures at sea. After sampling street food in İstanbul, touring the ruins of Ephesus and Herakleia, and browsing the shipwreck artifacts at the Museum of Underwater Archaeology in Bodrum, you'll set sail on a four-day sailing cruise with options for shipwreck diving and lagoon swimming. You'll also have the chance to stay in a treehouse hotel in Çıralı, see the temples and tombs of Herakleia, eat home-cooked olive oil-based dishes in Kapıkırı, and picnic at Manavgat Falls. 

On arrival in İstanbul, you'll have free time to visit Byzantine and Ottoman-era landmarks in the Sultanahmet district, shop for souvenirs in the Grand Bazaar, and snack on dürüm (Turkish wraps filled with meat, vegetables, herbs, and spices) and other street food. The next morning, fly to Izmir, where your guide will be waiting to take you to a local vineyard for wine and pizza. En route to coastal Kuşadası, stop by Ephesus to admire the Great Theater and other preserved ruins of the ancient city. Next, you'll see the temples and tombs of Herakleia and eat olive oil-based dishes at Agora Pension in Kapıkırı.

Continue to Bodrum and tour the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, then check out the shipwreck artifacts collection at the Museum of Underwater Archaeology. In the morning, you're off to Fethiye, where you'll board a four-day Turquoise Coast cruise that includes options to swim in the Ölüdeniz blue lagoon and scuba dive near Kaş. Disembark in Üçağız and transfer to your treehouse hotel in Çıralı, where you can choose a Jeep safari in Olympos National Park or a climb up Mount Chimaera. Celebrate your adventure with a picnic at Manavgat Falls. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Turkey Active Adventure: Cappadocia, Antalya, Kas & Adrasan

Pack your hiking boots and your sense of adventure for this active Turkey trip. Perfect for energetic outdoor enthusiasts, this itinerary will take you through the whimsical rock formations of Cappadocia to archaeological sites and villages along the legendary Lycian Way trail. As you trek through Turkey, you'll also get a taste of local history, culture, and cuisine with a traditional Turkish cooking class in Uçhisar and visits to significant sites like the Kaymaklı Underground City and Sultanhani Caravanserai, an important stop on the Silk Road.

Begin in Uçhisar, where a local family will teach you to make manti (Turkish dumplings in a spicy sauce) or other traditional dishes. Rise early the following morning for a hot-air balloon ride over Cappadocia's otherworldly landscape, then get a closer look at the rock formations on a hike through Love Valley. You'll also have the opportunity to see Selime Monastery, a rock-cut construction with a cathedral-sized church dating back to the eighth or ninth century BCE, on a trek through Ihlara Valley. En route to Antalya, you'll visit Sultanhani Caravanserai, a 13th-century shelter for those who traveled the Silk Road.

A boat trip from Antalya's old harbor takes you to secluded coves and the Düden Waterfall before your transfer to Kaş. Walk a section of the Lycian Way from the ancient city of Phellos to a viewpoint overlooking the Bay of Kaş. The following day, trek another part of the ancient route from the archaeological site of Apollonia, where you'll find sarcophagi and mosaics. Then, catch a bus to Adrasan for a hike along the cliffs to the Gelidonya Lighthouse. End your adventure on a high note with a trek and cable car ride up Mount Tahtalı for views of the Taurus Mountains and Antalya's bay. Learn more

More Great Turkey Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Turkey? Check out these other Turkey itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.