14 Days in Turkey: The Complete Two-Week Itinerary

Two weeks in Turkey? Now you’re really going to experience this incredible country! With 14 days, you can hit all the major highlights, plus explore some lesser-known gems that most tourists skip. After spending a month driving across Turkey, we’ve put together what we think is the perfect two-week itinerary that balances must-see attractions, off-the-beaten-path discoveries, and enough breathing room to actually enjoy yourself.

This itinerary takes you from Istanbul’s layered history through Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys, down to the ancient wonders of Ephesus and Pamukkale, with stops in charming coastal towns, Turkey’s beautiful capital Ankara, and the stunning city of Konya. You’ll experience diverse landscapes, taste regional specialties, and get a real sense of Turkish culture beyond just the tourist highlights.

Before You Go: Book These in Advance

A few things sell out quickly, especially during peak season, so I’d recommend booking these as soon as you have your dates:

Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia: This is THE experience everyone comes to Cappadocia for, and the best companies fill up weeks in advance. We used GetYourGuide to book with Royal Balloon and the entire process was seamless – they handled everything from hotel pickup to insurance. The reviews on GetYourGuide helped us avoid the companies that cram 28 people into one basket.

Turkey Museum Pass: You can technically buy this at your first attraction, but if you want to skip even that first ticket line, you can order it online before you go. We bought ours in person, but having it from day one would’ve saved us 30 minutes at Topkapi Palace.

Cell Phone Service: Don’t wait until you land to figure out data. Download Airalo before you leave and activate it when you arrive at Istanbul airport. Having working Google Maps immediately made navigating so much easier. We used 5-7GB over 27 days mostly for navigation.

Day 1-3: Istanbul – Dive Deep Into History

Getting There: Most international flights arrive at Istanbul International Airport (IST) on the European side. If you didn’t pre-book a transfer, the metro runs 6am-midnight, or taxis have capped fees depending on your destination zone.

Critical advice: Do NOT rent a car in Istanbul. Traffic is standstill, streets are narrow and confusing, and you’ll walk faster than cars move. Save the rental car for when you leave the city.

Where to Stay: Book a hotel in Fatih (Old Town) so all the iconic attractions are within walking distance. We’ve stayed at a few different places in this area, and hotels near Sultanahmet put you right in the center of everything. Look for places with “Sultanahmet” or “Blue Mosque” in the location description.

Day 1 Afternoon/Evening:

After checking in, explore the free attractions:

Sultanahmet Square and Sultan Ahmet Park – beautifully maintained green spaces between major sites, perfect for photos and getting oriented.

Blue Mosque (free) – stunning 1600s mosque covered in blue tiles. Cover knees, shoulders, and hair for women, but most old town mosques provide free coverings to borrow.

Gülhane Park – former part of Topkapi Palace, now a lovely public park with tree-lined paths down to the Bosporus Strait.

Hippodrome of Constantinople – the rectangular square where chariot and horse races occurred. See the Obelisk of Theodosius and Serpent Column from the bygone era.

Evening: Wander through Grand Bazaar or Egyptian Bazaar. If you want Turkish rugs, Turkish delights, jewelry, cotton towels, or souvenirs, this is your spot. The Egyptian Bazaar was more interesting to us, but they’re close together so hit both.

Grab dinner in the old town but know that prices near major attractions are steep. Walk a few streets away for better deals.

Day 2:

Museum day – get an early start!

Topkapi Palace at 9am opening (1,500 lira combo with Harem and Hagia Irene). This palace housed Ottoman Sultans for 400+ years. Absolutely breathtaking grounds, buildings, and artifacts. Budget 3-4 hours. The audio guide is free with your combo ticket. Come right at opening as it gets packed.

Basilica Cistern (880 lira) – massive underground Roman water reservoir with 336 marble columns. Beautifully lit, genuinely impressive. Skip-the-line tickets are available and worth it during the busy season.

Hagia Sophia – controversial opinion: skip it unless it’s a bucket list item. At $25 with newly limited access (as of January 2024), many visitors are disappointed because they severely limit what you can see and where you can go inside. If you want to see a mosque, Blue Mosque is free and equally impressive.

Afternoon: Take a sunset cruise on the Bosporus. We showed up at the pier and negotiated with ticket sellers, but you can also book a Bosphorus cruise in advance which guarantees your spot and often includes drinks or dinner. The 6-9pm cruises are popular in summer. Fair warning: 3 hours felt long. The shorter 90-minute cruises are probably perfect.

Day 3:

Explore neighborhoods on foot!

Balat (2.5 miles north) – famous for brightly colored buildings. Tons of local cafes, artist shops, little stores. While in the area, check out Kariye Mosque with Christian religious art from the 6th century.

Galata Tower area – cross the Galata bridge (great views) and climb steep hills toward the tower. We didn’t pay to enter the tower (pricey for just city views), but the surrounding neighborhood feels very European with adorable cafes, dessert shops, and high-end stores.

İstiklal Street – long pedestrian street with everything from designer brands to Madame Tussauds Istanbul. Great people watching, festive atmosphere.

If you want a guided experience to really understand Istanbul’s history, we’ve heard great things about the walking tours that cover multiple neighborhoods. We did it on our own, but having a guide would’ve given us so much more context about what we were seeing.

Optional Day Trip: Consider Şile (1.5 hours from Istanbul) – adorable seaside village on the Black Sea with dramatic cliffs, crystal clear aqua blue water, and fresh seafood. You can book a day tour to Şile or drive yourself if you’ve already picked up a rental car.

Day 4: Travel Day + Ankara

Getting There: Pick up your rental car in Istanbul. We used Garenta at Historia AVM mall which was super quick and easy with English-speaking rep. You can also compare prices on DiscoverCars which searches multiple rental companies. Drive to Ankara (about 4-5 hours). Highway driving in Turkey is actually pretty good because they have wide, newer roads with clear signs. Just watch out for speed demons in the left lane.

Where to Stay: Book a hotel downtown Ankara within walking distance of Gençlik Parkı. Have your hotel park your car as you probably won’t need it in the city since it’s pretty walkable. We stayed at a hotel that charged reasonable parking rates and it was so worth not dealing with Ankara traffic.

Afternoon in Ankara:

Walk through Gençlik Park – stunning place with families spread out under big trees on beautiful green grass. Large lake with fountains, vendors selling drinks and ice cream.

Explore Başkent Millet Bahçesi behind Gençlik Park – huge beautiful park with sports facilities.

Grab dinner in the Kizilay area (named after the metro stop). This has a real university vibe. Recommended restaurants:

• Flamingo Patisserie: Baked goods including gluten-free cookies, beautiful patio
• Archers Burger & Pane: Outstanding burgers and crispy fries
• Pizzaci Altan: Regular and gluten-free pizza (chef is celiac)
• Antep Sofrasi: Traditional kebabs and pide

Day 5: Ankara Museums and Parks

Ankara rarely sees tourists, which made it feel like we were just walking among locals doing normal life. Refreshing after a big touristy city like Istanbul. 

Hit the museums (we did 7 museums in one day, 10am-4pm). All free with Turkey Museum Pass:

1. Museum of Anatolian Civilizations – largest museum, fascinating artifacts dating back thousands of years. Walk up the hill to Ankara Castle (free) for city views.
2. Republic Museum (Second Parliament Building) – good history of Mustafa Ataturk.
3. Museum of the War of Independence – walk through the first parliament room.
4. Ankara Palas – former hotel for government officials. Beautiful pottery.
5. Ankara Painting and Sculpture Museum – well done with nice seating.
6. Etnografya Müzesi – traditional clothing, calligraphy, weapons.
7. Roman Baths and Open Air Museum – large and impressive ancient foundations.

Afternoon: Visit Anıtkabir, the final resting place of Mustafa Ataturk. One of the most grand and beautiful parks on a hill overlooking the city. The mausoleum is opulent. Don’t miss the changing of the guard.

Day 6: Ankara to Konya

Getting There: Drive from Ankara to Konya (about 3-4 hours). Break up the drive with a stop at Tuz Gölü (Salt Lake), about halfway. Free to enter, 10 tl for washing feet/bathroom.

Where to Stay: Book accommodation in downtown Konya, ideally within walking distance of Mevlana Museum. We stayed at Think Hotel and loved being able to walk everywhere.

Afternoon/Evening in Konya:

Konya is by far the cutest city we visited in Turkey. Bedesten Çarşı market reminds me of an old Swiss village with clean neat shops. Walk through the market. Grab lunch at Celal Bey Etli Ekmek – Etli Ekmek is super thin pide. Very good.

Walk to Alaaddin Hill Park – adorable round hill with people picnicking in shade.

Visit Kültür Park – must see! Fountains put on light show at night.

Day 7: Konya Museums and Whirling Dervishes

Morning museums (all free or low cost):

Karatay Madrasa – museum of tile work. Small but stunning ancient tile work.

Atatürk Müzesi – house gifted to Ataturk. Small but good history.

Konya Archeological Museum – artifacts from Çatalhöyük site.

Mevlana Museum and Tomb of Mevlana Rumi (free) – museum with dervish artifacts, mausoleum of Rumi inside mosque.

Evening: Attend whirling dervishes performance at Mevlana Cultural Center – every Saturday at 7pm, 100 tl per person, buy tickets at the door. It’s astonishing to watch these men spin for up to 15 minutes.

Day 8: Konya to Cappadocia

Getting There: Drive from Konya to Cappadocia (about 3 hours).

Where to Stay: This is where your accommodation choice really matters for the full Cappadocia experience.

Book a cave hotel in Göreme if you want to be in the action (restaurants, shops, easy access). Look for properties with “rooftop terrace” or “balloon view” in the description. We stayed at Cratus Stone Palace. It has beautiful rooms carved into rock and hands down the best Turkish breakfast we had in the entire country.

Or book a cave hotel in Çavuşin (4km away) for quiet with spectacular balloon views. We stayed at Azure Cave Hotel. Watching balloons float right overhead at sunrise is magical. The balloons get much closer to you than in Göreme. The rooftop terrace here was incredible.

Pro tip: Book accommodation with “balloon view terrace” specifically as it makes a huge difference for the morning experience.

Afternoon: Settle in, explore Göreme town, have dinner, rest up for your early balloon ride tomorrow.

Day 9-11: Cappadocia – The Highlights

Day 9:

4:00am wake-up for a hot air balloon ride. If you didn’t book in advance, hopefully you did it when you arrived yesterday because companies do fill up. We flew with Royal Balloon through GetYourGuide and can’t recommend it enough. They limit basket sizes (20, 16, or 8 people options), provide light breakfast before flight, and are incredibly professional and safe. One of the top experiences of our entire lives.

Pro tip: Book for your first morning. If canceled due to wind, you’ll have backup days to reschedule.

After balloon ride (back at hotel 8-9am), rest, eat proper breakfast, then afternoon exploring:

Zelve Open Air Museum – THE one to see. Drive out (farther from town), free parking. You can walk through all the cave rooms, explore freely. Rooms are much larger than Göreme Open Air Museum. 

Göreme Open Air Museum – closer to Göreme town. The Dark Church has incredibly well-preserved paintings. Included in Museum Pass.

Day 10:

Hiking day! This is where Cappadocia really shines.

Rose Valley (our favorite) – moderately challenging with elevation changes. Do the loop. Walk ridge through rock formations and return through the valley. Don’t miss Column Church.

If you’re not confident hiking on your own, several companies offer guided hiking tours of the valleys with transportation included. The guides know all the hidden spots and provide historical context we definitely missed on our own.

Download maps.me app as it shows way more trails than Google Maps, works offline.

Love Valley – easier, more accessible. Park along the main road, mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys, flat sandy path.

Meskendir Vadisi to Red Valley – walk through wind-carved tunnels, unique rock formations. Stop at Meskendir Valley Cafe for tea/coffee.

Wear hiking boots for all valleys. Everything gets dusty so we won’t recommend wearing new cute shoes.

Day 11 Morning:

Get up by sunrise to watch balloons from the hotel rooftop at sunrise. Even in summer, mornings are cold so bring a jacket or blanket.

Explore underground cities.

Derinkuyu Underground City (Museum Pass or separate ticket) – biggest, capacity for 20,000 people across 8 levels. Most raw and rugged. 

Kaymakli Underground City – more developed, better lighting. Combined underground city tours are available if you want transportation and a guide.

Wear suitable shoes (hard mud floors), expect stairs and crouching.

Day 11 Afternoon:

Shopping time! Look for red clay pottery unique to the Avanos area.

Shops we loved:

• Asma Ceramics in Göreme (under Koi-Sa restaurant)
• Buldan’s Store & Cafe: Turkish cotton goods
• Boutique Carpets & YASTIKS: Handmade items
• Gaia Cappadocia in Avanos
• Chez Bircan in Avanos

Dinner recommendations:

• Le Mouton Rouge in Uçhisar
• Quick China in Göreme
• India Gate in Göreme
• Cappa Gusto in Çavuşin

If you want to try other unique Cappadocia experiences, there are horseback riding tours through the valleys, ATV tours at sunset, and even Turkish cooking classes where you learn to make pottery kebab.

Day 12: Cappadocia to Ephesus/Selçuk

Getting There: This is a long travel day. You have two options:

1. Drive from Cappadocia to Selçuk (about 8 hours). Totally doable but tiring. Leave early in the morning.
2. Drop your rental car in Cappadocia, fly from Kayseri to Izmir (1.5 hours), then pick up a new rental car at Izmir airport and drive 1 hour to Selçuk. This is what we’d do if we did it again, less exhausting.

Where to Stay: Book a guesthouse in Selçuk, a walkable charming town. Look for places in the “old town” area with rooftop terraces. We stayed at ANZ Guesthouse. It was basic but the owner and family were incredibly friendly.

Evening: Rest up, wander Selçuk, grab dinner.

Day 13: Ephesus Day

Ephesus Archaeological Site:

Get there at 8am, right as it’s opening. It gets hot and crowded fast. Bring sunscreen, a hat, umbrella for shade, and lots of water.

You can buy skip-the-line combo tickets that include Ephesus Archaeological Site, Terrace Houses, and sometimes the House of Virgin Mary (5km away). Way easier than buying multiple tickets. The guided tours of Ephesus provide so much historical context – we learned this reading reviews afterward and wished we’d booked one.

Two entrances, one walking path inside. Parking 120 tl on either side.

See along 1km road inside:

• Library of Celsus – 3rd largest library in ancient world
• Ephesus Ancient Greek Theatre – holds 24,000 people
• Terrace Houses – DO NOT SKIP. Where the rich lived. Preserved tiles and vibrant colors are remarkable.

Afternoon in Selçuk (all within 1km):

• Temple of Artemis – one of 7 Ancient Wonders with remains still standing
• Ephesus Museum – closer look at artifacts from site
• Basilica of Saint John – well-preserved 6th century AD ruins
• Ayasuluk Citadel – well-preserved walls, mountain views

Extra time: Drive 15 minutes to Şirince which is an adorable mountain town with wine bars, coffee houses.

Where to Eat:

• Ali Baba & Mehmet Kebab House
• Selcuk Pidecisi
• Old House Rest & Cafe

Day 14: Pamukkale and Return

Getting There: Drive from Selçuk to Pamukkale (2.5-3 hours).

Where to Stay (if overnight): Book a thermal spa hotel in Karahayıt for the full experience. Look for properties that include “thermal pools” and “buffet meals” – that’s the authentic Pamukkale hotel experience.

Travertines and Hierapolis:

There are three entrance gates but we recommend using the south gate. Entry €30 (Museum Pass accepted).

Travertines first – brilliant white mineral pools. Barefoot required. Our feet hurt briefly after but it goes away quickly.

Hierapolis ruins: Well preserved with theater, Gates to Hades, Philip martyrdom site. Do some research before you go.

Cleopatra Antique Pools: Additional ticket required. Bring a swimsuit/towel if going but if your hotel has a thermal pool, consider skipping this. 

Best times: Early (6-7am) for balloons and cool temps, or sunset to catch the beautiful colors. Avoid midday as it can be too hot and crowded.

For even more history in the area, check out the nearby Laodicea Ancient City (one of the 7 churches in Revelation) which is totally worth seeing.

Return Options:

• Drive to Izmir (2.5 hours) and fly to Istanbul
• Drive to Denizli (30 minutes) and fly to Istanbul
• Drive all the way to Istanbul (8-10 hours)

Money-Saving: Turkey Museum Pass

Absolutely get the TÜRKİYE Museum Pass (15 days, €165). You can order it online or buy the physical card at your first attraction. Covers everything:

• All Istanbul attractions (Topkapi, Basilica Cistern)
• All Cappadocia sites (open air museums, Dark Church, underground cities)
• All Ankara museums
• All Konya museums
• All Ephesus/Selçuk sites
• Pamukkale and Laodicea

Skip all ticket lines – scan and enter. Saves tons of money and time.

What to Pack

Get these items before you go:

• Hiking boots for Cappadocia valleys
• Comfortable walking shoes for cities
• Universal adapter to charge all your devices
• Portable charger for long days of sightseeing
• Modest clothing for mosques (lightweight scarves work great)
• Daypack for carrying water and essentials
• Sunscreen and hat
• Reusable water bottle

Practical Tips

Cell Phone: Airalo worked perfectly for us. We used 5-7GB in 27 days mostly for navigation.

Cash: Kuveyt Türk ATMs have English and work with foreign cards.

Car Rental: Compare prices on DiscoverCars for best deals. Book automatic transmission if you’re not comfortable with manuals.

Flights: Turkish Airlines and Pegasus have the most routes.

Food: Get ready for meat-heavy meals, amazing breads, spectacular Turkish breakfasts. Turkish tea and coffee flow all day.

Language: Tourist areas have English. Useful words: merhaba (hello), teşekkürler (thank you), tuvalet (bathroom), su (water).

Final Thoughts

Two weeks gives you the perfect Turkey experience. It’s all the major highlights plus hidden gems, without breakneck pace. You’ll see diverse landscapes, experience regional differences, taste local specialties, and get a real sense of Turkish culture.

Book your accommodation and key experiences (especially that hot air balloon!) as early as possible, especially if traveling during peak season. The popular cave hotels in Cappadocia and thermal hotels in Pamukkale fill up fast.

Turkey is magical, and two weeks is just enough time to truly appreciate it while still leaving you wanting to return and explore more.

Safe travels!