12 days in Turkey Itinerary

A physical and cultural bridge between Europe and Asia, the transcontinental city of Istanbul serves as a living reminder of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.

On the 30th (Tue), contemplate the long history of Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya) and then steep yourself in history at Historic Areas of Istanbul. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 31st (Wed): don't miss a visit to Hippodrome (At Meydani), take in the spiritual surroundings of Sultan Ahmed Mosque, get engrossed in the history at Topkapi Palace, then hunt for treasures at Kapali Carsi, then explore the ancient world of Basilica Cistern, and finally wander the streets of Sultanahmet District.

For more things to do, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Istanbul trip planner .

Cairo, Egypt to Istanbul is an approximately 5.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and shuttle; or drive. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Cairo to Istanbul. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from Cairo in July, with highs in Istanbul at 34°C and lows at 23°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Thu) to allow enough time to travel to Goreme.

Famed for its landscape of unusually shaped stone formations and churches cut into the natural rocks, Goreme sits in the central part of the country, an area originally settled during Roman times.

Start off your visit on the 2nd (Fri): appreciate the views at Gulludere Vadisi, then look for gifts at Alaturca Taner, then Head underground at Cappadocia Cave Dwellings, and finally enjoy unforgettable views with a balloon tour.

To see photos, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Goreme day trip planner.

Fly from Istanbul to Goreme in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of shuttle and flight; or drive. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from Istanbul in August: highs in Goreme hover around 38°C, while lows dip to 19°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Fri) so you can travel to Adrasan.

Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Sat): enjoy the sand and surf at Adrasan Sahili, kick back and relax at Bucht Von Adrasan, and then take in the dramatic natural features at Chimaera.

For maps, photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, refer to the Adrasan holiday maker website .

The Route module can help you plan travel from Goreme to Adrasan. Plan for somewhat warmer nights when traveling from Goreme in August since evenings lows in Adrasan dip to 28°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Sat) so you can go by car to Kas.

An unspoiled fishing village for most of its existence, Kas now serves as a mostly quiet tourist town, located on the southern section of the country's Mediterranean coastline.

On the 4th (Sun), enjoy the sand and surf at Kekova Sound, then kick back and relax at Akçagerme plajı, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Kaputas Beach.

For where to stay, other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, read Kas trip itinerary maker .

You can drive from Adrasan to Kas in 2 hours. Prepare for slightly colder weather when traveling from Adrasan in August: high temperatures in Kas hover around 38°C and lows are around 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Sun) early enough to drive to Oludeniz.

Famous for its big lagoon, Oludeniz acts like a magnet for mass tourism, featuring some of the most photographed beaches on the Mediterranean.

Start off your visit on the 5th (Mon): kick back and relax at Oludeniz PlajI, then glide through the air with a parasailing or paragliding tour, then see a world frozen in time at Kayakoy, and finally kick back and relax at Calis Beach.

For reviews, photos, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Oludeniz road trip planner.

Traveling by car from Kas to Oludeniz takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In August in Oludeniz, expect temperatures between 38°C during the day and 24°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Mon) early enough to drive to Dalyan.

Although it once seemed destined to become a stereotypical coastal resort, Dalyan remains unspoiled by commercial tourism because of its location within an environmentally protected area.

Kick off your visit on the 6th (Tue): delve into the distant past at Lycian Rock Tombs, explore the ancient world of Kaunos, then explore the activities along Dalyan Nehri, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Iztuzu Beach.

To see photos, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Dalyan trip website .

Traveling by car from Oludeniz to Dalyan takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In August, daily temperatures in Dalyan can reach 38°C, while at night they dip to 24°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 6th (Tue) so you can go by car to Icmeler.

İçmeler is a popular Turkish holiday resort situated 8 kilometres from Marmaris. On the 7th (Wed), kick back and relax at Icmeler Beach, stop by Kurt Jewellery, then kick back and relax at Turunc Sahil, and finally kick back and relax at Amos Beach.

Plan a Icmeler trip in moments using our itinerary builder.

You can drive from Dalyan to Icmeler in 2 hours. The time zone difference moving from Eastern European Time (EET) to Eastern European Time (EET) is minus 1 hour. Plan for a bit warmer nights when traveling from Dalyan in August since evenings lows in Icmeler dip to 29°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Wed) early enough to travel to Pamukkale.

A popular spa since the second century BCE, the modern city of Pamukkale continues to draw worldwide attention with its hot springs and travertines--naturally formed calcite bathing pools.

On the 8th (Thu), take in the natural beauty of Pamukkale Thermal Pools, delve into the distant past at Hierapolis, explore the different monuments and memorials at Anatolia Cemetery, then contemplate the long history of Byzantine Church, and finally Head underground at Kaklik Cave.

To find maps, traveler tips, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Pamukkale trip maker app .

Take a bus from Icmeler to Pamukkale in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from Icmeler to Pamukkale due to the time zone difference. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Thu) so you can drive to Selcuk.

An ideal base camp for exploring the Aegean coastline, Selcuk draws big tourist crowds due to its proximity to the ancient city of Ephesus.

Kick off your visit on the 9th (Fri): explore the ancient world of Public Latrine, delve into the distant past at Ephesus Terrace Houses, explore the ancient world of Efes Antik Kenti Tiyatrosu, then explore the ancient world of Ancient City of Ephesus, then explore the ancient world of Bibliotheque de Celsus, and finally explore the ancient world of Temple of Hadrian. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: delve into the distant past at Curetes Street, delve into the distant past at The Temple of Artemis, then see the interesting displays at Ephesus Museum, and finally make a splash at Aqua Fantasy- Aquapark Hotel & SPA.

To see reviews, ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Selcuk trip itinerary planner .

You can drive from Pamukkale to Selcuk in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In August in Selcuk, expect temperatures between 41°C during the day and 26°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Sat) to allow time to travel back home.