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 and then contemplate the long history of Historic Areas of Istanbul. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 31st (Wed): make a trip to Hippodrome, take in the spiritual surroundings of Sultan Ahmed Mosque, get engrossed in the history at Topkapi Palace, then browse the eclectic array of goods at Kapali Carsi, then admire the landmark architecture of Basilica Cistern, and finally get to know the fascinating history of Sultanahmet District.

To find maps, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Istanbul road trip app.

Cairo, Egypt to Istanbul is an approximately 6-hour flight. You can also drive. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Cairo to Istanbul. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from Cairo in July; daily highs in Istanbul reach 34°C and lows reach 23°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 1st (Thu) early enough to catch the flight 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 soar above the sights with a balloon tour.

To find photos, traveler tips, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Goreme day trip planning app.

Fly from Istanbul to Goreme in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Istanbul in August, you will find days in Goreme are a bit warmer (38°C), and nights are little chillier (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): kick back and relax at Adrasan Sahili, kick back and relax at Bucht Von Adrasan, and then explore the striking landscape at Chimaera.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, photos, and more tourist information, read Adrasan road trip planning app.

Traveling by car from Goreme to Adrasan takes 8.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and flight. Traveling from Goreme in August, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be somewhat warmer in Adrasan, with lows of 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sat) early enough to drive 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.

Start off your visit on the 4th (Sun): head off the coast to Kekova Island, then kick back and relax at Akçagerme plajı, and then stroll through Kaputas Beach.

To find maps, reviews, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Kas travel planner.

Traveling by car from Adrasan to Kas takes 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) to allow time 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.

On the 5th (Mon), enjoy the sand and surf at Oludeniz PlajI, glide through the air with a parasailing or paragliding tour, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Calis Beach.

Plan a Oludeniz trip in moments using our itinerary builder.

You can drive from Kas to Oludeniz in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi. In August, daily temperatures in Oludeniz can reach 38°C, while at night they dip to 24°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 5th (Mon) early enough to go by car 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.

Start off your visit on the 6th (Tue): delve into the distant past at Lycian Rock Tombs, then steep yourself in history at Kaunos, then contemplate the waterfront views at Dalyan Nehri, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Iztuzu Beach 2.

To see maps, where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Dalyan route app.

Getting from Oludeniz to Dalyan by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of taxi and bus. In August, daily temperatures in Dalyan can reach 38°C, while at night they dip to 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Icmeler.

İçmeler is a popular Turkish holiday resort situated 8 kilometres from Marmaris. Start off your visit on the 7th (Wed): enjoy the sand and surf at Icmeler Beach, then stop by Kurt Jewellery, then enjoy the sand and surf at Turunc Sahil, and finally kick back and relax at Amos Beach.

To find where to stay, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, read our Icmeler trip itinerary planner.

You can drive from Dalyan to Icmeler in 2 hours. The time zone difference moving from Turkey Time to Eastern European Standard Time is minus 1 hour. Traveling from Dalyan in August, Icmeler is somewhat warmer at night with lows of 29°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Wed) so you can drive 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, explore the ancient world of 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 where to stay, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Pamukkale trip planner.

You can drive from Icmeler to Pamukkale in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Icmeler to Pamukkale. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Thu) early enough to 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, explore the ancient world of Ephesus Terrace Houses, delve into the distant past at Efes Antik Kenti Tiyatrosu, then delve into the distant past at Ancient City of Ephesus, then delve into the distant past at Bibliotheque de Celsus, and finally explore the ancient world of Temple of Hadrian. On the 10th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: explore the ancient world of Curetes Street, explore the ancient world of The Temple of Artemis, then examine the collection at Ephesus Museum, and finally make a splash at Aqua Fantasy- Aquapark Hotel & SPA.

To see where to stay, more things to do, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Selcuk trip itinerary maker website.

Traveling by car from Pamukkale to Selcuk takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can 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) early enough to fly back home.