Turkey Itineraries
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Top Turkey Travel Packages
Top Turkey Experiences
Turkey offers a plethora of diverse experiences for every type of traveler. From exploring ancient ruins and stunning landscapes to indulging in world-class cuisine and engaging with local traditions, our Turkey tours promise unforgettable adventures that cater to all interests and preferences.
- Gazing in awe at the massive Ottoman Empire treasures in Istanbul’s Topkapi Museum
- Marveling over the Byzantine architecture of Hagia Sophia
- Dining at a rooftop restaurant situated between Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque in Istanbul, as the sun sets and the iconic, exotic structures are illuminated
- Kayak above the underwater, ancient ruins of Kekova, off Turkey’s south coast along the Lycian Trail
- Riding the ferries across the Bosphorus while crossing from Europe to Asia or vice versa
- Wandering through the seemingly endless market stalls in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar
- Attending a Sufi dance performance of whirling dervishes twirling and swaying for hours on entrancing rhythms of Sufi music
- Relishing the fresh grilled fish sandwich sold at a sidewalk stand near the Bosphorus
- Taking a hot air balloon ride over the amazing landscape at Cappadocia
- Staying overnight in a Cappadocia cave hotel in Göreme
- Taking a self-driving tour through the mountains of Kaçkar, Karçal, and Yalnızçam
- Exploring the old town Antalya, Turkey’s largest beach resort, situated on a dramatic cliffside perch overlooking the Mediterranean
- Exploring the underground city of Derinkuyu and its cave system
- Visiting the ancient city of Ephesus, one of Turkey’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites and home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, a frequent cruise-ship stop
- Sailing down the Turkish coast in a traditional gulet, a two- or three-masted wooden vessel
- Soaking in the hot springs at Pamukkale and exploring the nearby Hierapolis ruins
- Touring the historic Basilica Cistern underground colonnade
Classic Turkey Itineraries
Turkey in 1 Week
There’s a lot of ground to cover in Turkey, depending on what you’d like to get out of your tour. This week-long guided Turkey itinerary focuses first on Istanbul’s highlights before delving into the archaeological treasures of Ephesus.
Alternatively, you might look for tours that move from Istanbul to Cappadocia if you’re more interested in unique land formations and mysterious landscapes.
Day 1, Istanbul: Start your immersive Turkey week as soon as you arrive - most transatlantic flights will land late morning, so you’ll have time to regroup, then head out to visit the old city of Sultanahmet and the Blue Mosque, perhaps the ancient underground Yerebatan Cistern and the St. Savior in Chora church, famous for its Byzantine mosaics.
Day 2, Istanbul: You’re ready to roll on your second day in Istanbul. Join your small group tour for visits to Topkapi Palace, the Istanbul Archaeology Museum and the Grand Bazaar.
Day 3, Cruise on the Bosphorus: Today, your tour guide take you on a half-day guided sightseeing tour up the Bosphorus, stopping at the Egyptian Bazaar, Rumeli Castle and to the appealing seaside village of Ortaköy.
Day 4, Ephesus: Your Turkey vacation continues with a flight to Izmir, where you’ll stay in either Selçuk or Kusadasi as a homebase for Ephesus exploration. Visit the Ephesus Museum, Temple of Artemis, St. John’s Basilica and more.
Day 5, Pamukkale: Spend a day with your expert local guide in Pamukkale, a must-see Turkey destination, particularly for archaeology buffs. Don’t miss taking a dip in the Sacred Pool.
Days 6-7, Bodrum: Lovers of Greek history adore this part of their tour, exploring the ancient sites of Priene, Miletus and Didyma. Continue on to Bodrum to visit the Underwater Archaeology Museum, St. Peter’s Castle and the waterside village and submerged ruins of Gümüslük.
Turkey and Beyond
While Turkey offers such a breadth of experience for the world traveler, if you’ve flown so far, why not take the time to add on a neighboring country to up the ante on your European vacation?
Turkey’s enviable position in Europe and Asia, and on both the Mediterranean and Black seas, making it an easily combinable trip with other cultures.
Turkey and Greece: Lovers of antiquity will enjoy small-group tours of Turkey and Greece. The two countries are geographically close, making it easy to combine them, and both have a plethora of beautiful landscapes, storied history and rich culture to share.
Turkey and Georgia: Consider an off-the-beaten path tour of Georgia as an add-on to your vacation in Turkey. Experience the melting pot of diverse cultures in Tbilisi, the Georgian capital, and its impressive Forte Narikala. From there, it’s easy to hop over to Istanbul for an in-depth visit to Turkey.
Turkey and Uzbekistan: It’s unlikely you’ll meet too many friends and travelers who have visited Uzbekistan. Combine this exotic country with your Turkey trip and you’ll have so much to share at your next dinner party! It’s less than a five-hour flight from Istanbul to the ancient city of Tashkent. Once there, your tour guide can lead you to incredible Islamic architecture the Khast Imam temple, the Chorsu bazaar and so much more.
Turkey and Egypt: Topping many a traveler’s bucket list, Egypt is another country that combines easily with a Turkey tour vacation. Hop a quick flight from Istanbul to Cairo and find yourself in Egypt’s chaotic and exotic capital, with incredible museums, sarcophagi and, of course, the Pyramids of Giza nearby.
Read more about great tours to Greece, Georgia, Uzbekistan and Egypt and consider adding at least one or two to your Turkey travel itinerary.
Top Turkey Tours
Turkey Reviews & Ratings
V
Victoria
Jan 2025
Walking in Cappadocia
This was the first time I've been on an organised group tour, and I was very uncertain. Explore were helpful and approachable and made the whole experience a pleasu...
T
Todd
Jan 2025
Walking in Cappadocia
Our guide was fantastic, helping our group appreciate both the cultural and natural wonders we experienced firsthand. His infectious positive attitude brought everyo...
J
Josephine
Jan 2025
Highlights and hidden gems of Western Turkey
The trip was well organised on a day by day experience. We followed the trip notes and each day were given a briefing on the next day's itinerary. We knew therefor...
G
Gillian
Jan 2025
Walking in Cappadocia
Great trip . Walking not difficult at all . We were raked to good ...
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