📍 Türkiye

TURKEY GRAND TOUR: AEGEAN SHORES TO EASTERN FRONTIERS

Stone heads contemplating sunrise on summits, tea terraces cascading toward the Black Sea, golden minarets crowning plains. Turkey, north to south.

≈ 25
Days
1581
Km
19
Stops
📖 11 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Begin in Istanbul and its Byzantine grandeur, then glide toward Aegean islands, between harbors and coves. Then dive at Kaş into limpid water, before reaching Cappadocia and its sculpted landscapes. Head up to Trabzon by the Black Sea, then speed toward Mount Nemrut and Mardin, where stone takes Mesopotamian accents.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Istanbul

byzantine ottoman bosphorus ferries grand bazaar

Istanbul - Photo 1Istanbul - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Hagia Sophia Mosque
2
Topkapi Palace
3
Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet)
4
Grand Bazaar
+2 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Bosphorus Cruise
→
Princes' Islands bike tour
→
Emirgan Grove during Tulip Festival
2
Day

Canakkale

gallipoli troy dardanelles war memorials history

Canakkale - Photo 1Canakkale - Photo 2Canakkale - Photo 3Canakkale - Photo 4Canakkale - Photo 5Canakkale - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Troy Ancient City
2
Trojan Horse replica
3
Canakkale Martyrs Memorial
4
57th Regiment Memorial
+2 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Historical battlefield tour
→
Ferry crossing Dardanelles
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 56.4 km
Travel time: 56min
3
Day

Gokceada

aegean island organic farms wind surfing

Gokceada - Photo 1Gokceada - Photo 2Gokceada - Photo 3Gokceada - Photo 4Gokceada - Photo 5Gokceada - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Gokceada beaches
2
Olive groves
3
Traditional Greek villages
🎯

Activities

→
Relax under olive trees
→
Swimming in pristine waters
→
Visit local cafes
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 53.2 km
Travel time: 53min
4
Day

Bozcaada

wine island castle harbor greek village

Bozcaada - Photo 1Bozcaada - Photo 2Bozcaada - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Bozcaada Castle
2
Ayazma Beach
3
Aquarium Cove
4
Windmills
+1 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Wine tasting at local wineries
→
Sunset at windmills
→
Explore stone streets
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 238.2 km
Travel time: 2h59
5
Day

Izmir

clock tower kemeralt bazaar alsancak nightlife

Izmir - Photo 1Izmir - Photo 2Izmir - Photo 3Izmir - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Kadifekale (Velvet Castle)
2
Agora Ancient Marketplace
3
Kemeralti Bazaar
4
Historic Elevator (Asansör)
🎯

Activities

→
Walk along Izmir Bay (Kordon)
→
Visit Cesme and Alacati beaches
→
Karagol Natural Park
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 252.8 km
Travel time: 3h10
6
Day

Datca

peninsula almonds honey secluded beaches quiet

Datca - Photo 1Datca - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Palamutbuku Bay
2
Ovabuku Bay
3
Hayitbuku Bay
4
Knidos Ancient City
+1 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Swimming in turquoise bays
→
Sunset at peninsula tip
→
Olive grove walks
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 239.7 km
Travel time: 3h
7
Day

Kas

diving lycian tombs bougainvillea lanes mediterranean

Kas - Photo 1Kas - Photo 2Kas - Photo 3Kas - Photo 4Kas - Photo 5Kas - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Antiphellos Ancient City
2
Ancient Theater
3
Kekova Island Sunken City
4
Kaputas Beach
+1 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Lycian Way trekking
→
Boat tour to sunken ruins
→
Diving and water sports
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 160 km
Travel time: 2h
8
Day

Antalya

old town kaleici waterfalls roman harbor

Antalya - Photo 1Antalya - Photo 2Antalya - Photo 3Antalya - Photo 4Antalya - Photo 5Antalya - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Kaleici Old Town
2
Aspendos Ancient Theater
3
Perge Ancient City
4
Duden Waterfall
🎯

Activities

→
Konyaalti Beach
→
Lara Beach
→
Manavgat Waterfall
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 80.6 km
Travel time: 1h21
9
Day

Side

apollo temple beach roman ruins coast

Side - Photo 1Side - Photo 2Side - Photo 3Side - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Side Ancient City
2
Apollo Temple
3
Olympos and Cirali
4
Yanartas (Eternal Flame)
+1 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Beach relaxation
→
Camping in nature
10
Day

Pamukkale

travertine pools cleopatra hierapolis thermal wonder

Pamukkale - Photo 1Pamukkale - Photo 2Pamukkale - Photo 3Pamukkale - Photo 4Pamukkale - Photo 5Pamukkale - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Hierapolis Ancient City
2
Ancient Pool (Cleopatra's Pool)
3
Karahayit Red Water
4
Ihlara Valley
🎯

Activities

→
Walk barefoot on thermal terraces
→
Swim in ancient thermal pool
11
Day

Urgup

Urgup - Photo 1Urgup - Photo 2Urgup - Photo 3Urgup - Photo 4Urgup - Photo 5Urgup - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Kaymakli Underground City
2
Derinkuyu Underground City
3
Safranbolu Historic Houses
🎯

Activities

→
Hiking in canyon with rock churches
→
Photography in unique landscapes
12
Day

Safranbolu

ottoman mansions safran bazaars unesco heritage

Safranbolu - Photo 1Safranbolu - Photo 2Safranbolu - Photo 3Safranbolu - Photo 4Safranbolu - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Hidirlik Hill
2
Cinci Han and Hamam
3
Historic Clock Tower
4
Sumela Monastery
🎯

Activities

→
Explore Ottoman architecture
→
Visit local cafes in historic mansions
13
Day

Trabzon

sumela monastery black sea hagia sophia

Trabzon - Photo 1Trabzon - Photo 2Trabzon - Photo 3Trabzon - Photo 4Trabzon - Photo 5Trabzon - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Trabzon Hagia Sophia
2
Ataturk Pavilion
3
Uzungol (Long Lake)
4
Sera Lake
+1 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Lakeside walk at Uzungol
→
Boat tour at Sera Lake
→
Cal Cave exploration
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 77.2 km
Travel time: 1h17
14
Day

Rize

tea plantations green slopes cay culture

Rize - Photo 1Rize - Photo 2Rize - Photo 3Rize - Photo 4Rize - Photo 5Rize - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Rize Castle
2
Firtina Valley
3
Zilkale (Storm Castle)
4
Tea plantations
+1 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Thermal springs at Ayder
→
Hiking in pine forests
→
Rafting in Firtina Stream
+1 Optional activities
15
Day

Adiyaman

nemrut gateway commagene kingdom base town

Adiyaman - Photo 1Adiyaman - Photo 2Adiyaman - Photo 3Adiyaman - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Giant stone heads and statues
2
Sunrise viewpoint
3
Gobekli Tepe
🎯

Activities

→
Watch sunrise over ancient monuments
→
Photography at Commagene Kingdom ruins
→
Stargazing at mountain summit
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 105.9 km
Travel time: 1h46
16
Day

Sanliurfa

abraham pools gobeklitepe cradle civilization sacred

Sanliurfa - Photo 1Sanliurfa - Photo 2Sanliurfa - Photo 3Sanliurfa - Photo 4Sanliurfa - Photo 5Sanliurfa - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 16
🔍

Discover

1
Ancient temple complex
2
Balıklıgöl (Pool of Abraham)
3
Urfa Castle
4
Mardin Grand Mosque
🎯

Activities

→
Explore world's oldest temple
→
Visit archaeological museum
→
Traditional bazaar shopping
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 223.1 km
Travel time: 2h47
17
Day

Mardin

stone terraces mesopotamian views syrian orthodox

Mardin - Photo 1Mardin - Photo 2Mardin - Photo 3Mardin - Photo 4Mardin - Photo 5Mardin - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 17
🔍

Discover

1
Deyrulzafaran Monastery
2
Kasımiye Madrasah
3
Zinciriye Madrasah
4
Hasankeyf ancient settlement
🎯

Activities

→
Walk stone-paved streets
→
Panoramic view of Mesopotamian Plains
→
Sunset photography
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 93.6 km
Travel time: 1h34
18
Day

Batman

hasankeyf ancient town tigris river archaeology

Batman - Photo 1Batman - Photo 2Batman - Photo 3Batman - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 18
🔍

Discover

1
Historic cave dwellings
2
Medieval bridge ruins
3
Rock fortress
4
Lake Van
🎯

Activities

→
Explore 12,000-year-old settlement
→
Tigris River views
→
Visit relocated monuments
19
Day

border crossing iran overland adventure gateway

- Photo 1 - Photo 2 - Photo 3 - Photo 4 - Photo 5 - Photo 6 - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 19
🔍

Discover

1
Akdamar Island
2
Armenian Church of Holy Cross
3
Van Castle
4
Château de Van
🎯

Activities

→
Boat trip to Akdamar Island
→
Swimming in alkaline lake
→
Try Van breakfast
+1 Optional activities

🗺️ Itinerary map

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🛡️ Travel advice - Türkiye

Check official recommendations

UK Foreign Travel Advice →

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-May): Perfect weather (15-25°C) with blooming landscapes, comfortable temperatures, and excellent conditions for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Ideal for Istanbul, Cappadocia, and coastal regions.

Autumn (September-October): Excellent temperatures after summer heat with stable weather and fewer crowds. Perfect for all regions, cultural exploration, and outdoor adventures.

Summer (June-August): Hot temperatures (25-40°C) with peak tourist season and crowded attractions. Excellent for Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, challenging for inland areas.

Winter (December-February): Cool temperatures (5-15°C) with occasional snow but lowest prices and authentic experiences. Good for Istanbul and covered attractions, limited beach activities.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 20 and 30 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Türkiye?

Cultural bridge between Europe and Asia with ancient heritage, stunning landscapes, and vibrant traditions. Experience Byzantine and Ottoman treasures, incredible cuisine, and authentic Turkish hospitality. The country offers cultural immersion with natural beauty and historical significance. Turkey provides transformative cultural experiences with natural wonders and culinary excellence. ⚠️ SAFETY WARNING: Generally safe but avoid areas near Syrian border due to conflict spillover and terrorism risks. Exercise caution regarding petty crime in tourist areas, political tensions occasionally, and earthquake risks. Monitor current political situation and regional developments.