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), admire the striking features of Hagia Sophia Museum 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 reviews, maps, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Istanbul road trip app.

Cairo, Egypt to Istanbul is an approximately 3.5- 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 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 soar above the sights with a balloon tour.

For photos, reviews, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Goreme day trip planning app.

Fly from Istanbul to Goreme in 3 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 ratings, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, read Adrasan road trip planning app.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Goreme to Adrasan. 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.

On the 4th (Sun), kick back and relax at Kekova Sound, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Akçagerme plajı, and then stroll through Kaputas Beach.

To find photos, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Kas route planner.

Traveling by car from Adrasan to Kas takes 2 hours. Traveling from Adrasan in August, expect Kas to be a bit cooler, temps between 38°C and 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.

For traveler tips, ratings, photos, 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 photos, other places to visit, maps, 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 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, 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.

For maps, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, you can read our Pamukkale trip planner.

You can do a combination of taxi and bus from Icmeler to Pamukkale in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. 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 traveler tips, ratings, more things to do, 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 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) early enough to travel back home.