Grand Turkey for Summer

Overview

Highlights

• Cumalikizik Village UNESCO
• Gordion Ancient City UNESCO tentative
• Abant Lake
• Golcuk Lake
• Yedigoller National Park
• Salt Lake UNESCO tentative
• Hattusas Ancient City UNESCO
• Ankara
• Safranbolu UNESCO
• Cappadocia UNESCO
• Ihlara Valley
• Çatalhöyük UNESCO
• Mevlana Museum
• Great Karatay Madrasa UNESCO tentative
• Side Ancient City
• Perge Ancient City UNESCO tentative
• Aspendos Ancient City UNESCO tentative
• Antalya
• Termessos Ancient City UNESCO tentative
• Karain Caves UNESCO tentative
• Phaselis Ancient City UNESCO tentative
• Flaming Rocks
• Olympos Ancient City and Beach
• Kas
• Kekova Sunken City UNESCO tentative
• Myra Ancient City UNESCO tentative
• St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) Church UNESCO tentative
• Pamukkale Travertines UNESCO
• Hierapolis Ancient City UNESCO
• Sirince
• Ephesus Ancient City UNESCO
• House of Virgin Mary UNESCO
• St. John Basilica
• İsa Bey Mosque
• Aphrodisias Ancient City UNESCO
• Foca
• Pergamon Ancient City UNESCO
• Red Basilica (Red Hall)
• Ayvalık
• Zeus Altar
• Troy Ancient City UNESCO
• Gallipoli UNESCO tentative

Photos from the route

Sample itinerary

A starting point, not a fixed package. Every day can be changed, shortened or extended to suit you.

1. Day 1

   Istanbul to Ankara

   • 450 km
   • 4 hrs 45 mins

   See the capital of Turkey on this selfdrive tour. Pick up your car and start your journey! You can visit the village of Cumalikizik on the way. This is the only village in Turkey where the rural architecture of early Ottoman period is well preserved. The ancient city of Gordion, the historical capital of Phrygia, can also be seen en route to Ankara. The legendary king of Phrygia, Donkey Ears Midas once lived in this ancient city.

   Dinner and overnight in Ankara.

   

2. Day 1 · alternative

   Istanbul to Safranbolu

   • 410 km
   • 4 hrs 20 mins

   Safranbolu has a unique and well-preserved architectural texture. You will be enjoying the old Turkish architecture in a peaceful small village in this self-drive tour. You may take a break at Abant Lake or Golcuk Lake, located on the Safranbolu road. Depending on the season you may also visit the Yedigoller National Park which is famous with its breath-taking landscape in Turkey. Eat in the local restaurants in the center of Bolu or one of the restaurants we will be recommending you on the road.

   Dinner and overnight in Safranbolu.

   

3. Day 2

   Ankara to Cappadocia

   • 350 km
   • 4hrs 20 mins

   Before you leave Ankara, make an early visit to Anitkabir, Turkey’s great leader Ataturk’s Mausoleum, and Anatolian Civilizations Museum. You can take a break at Salt Lake on the road to Cappadocia. Salt Lake is the second largest lake in terms of surface area of Turkey. You would enjoy amazing views there. We also recommend you visit The Hattusas Ancient City. Hattusas, the capital of the Hittite State, is one of the most important cities in history in the field of art and architecture.

   Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

   

4. Day 2 · alternative

   Safranbolu to Cappadocia

   • 510 km
   • 6 hrs 20 mins

   You can take a break at Salt Lake on the road. Salt Lake is the second largest lake in terms of surface area of Turkey. You would enjoy amazing views there We also recommend you visit The Hattusas Ancient City. Hattusas, the capital of the Hittite State, is one of the most important cities in history in the field of art and architecture.

   Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

5. Day 3-4

   Cappadocia

   After a local breakfast, leave the hotel to discover Cappadocia. There are many activities and unlimited options available. Here you can plan your time as you wish. We will always be with you with our recommendations in this self-drive tour. We will take care of your dinner reservations as well if necessary. Below are some of your options.

   • Take a tour the Goreme Open Air Museum
   • Explore Goreme valleys with guided valley tours
   • Bicycle tours, trekking or horseback riding is possible
   • Explore the surrounding villages
   • Visit underground cities
   • Take the hot air balloon tour
   • Cappadocia is a very ancient wine production center. Visit the local wine producers.

   Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

6. Day 5

   Cappadocia to Konya

   • 235 km
   • 2 hrs 45 mins

   If you wish you can spend more time in Cappadocia if you haven’t found enough time for some activities. When ready, set out to go to Konya where you would be visiting the Mevlana Museum and The Great Karatay Madrasa. A trip to Catalhoyuk should be made on the road. Catalhoyuk is a large Neolithic Age and Chalcolithic Age settlement in Central Anatolia, which has been inhabited 9 thousand years ago. You will stay in a small village near Konya. In this village, you will eat local food and stay in a local village house.

   Dinner and overnight in Konya

   

7. Day 6

   Konya to Antalya

   • 300 km
   • 4 hrs

   Take your first break in the holiday town Side, which is also famous for the ancient city. Perge Ancient City, which is only 18 km away from Antalya city center, can also be visited on the way. Exploring the ancient city of Aspendos, famous for its well-preserved ancient theater, is possible, too. You may also enjoy one of the beautiful beaches around Antalya before the sunset.

   Dinner and overnight in Antalya

   

8. Day 7

   Antalya to Olympos

   • 85 km
   • 1 hr 30 mins

   Explore the Kale ici area in the city center of Antalya after the breakfast. You have a lot of options on your way to Olympos in this self-drive tour. One of the best preserved ancient cities in Turkey Termessos Ancient City which is a well-preserved ancient city, 1.150 meters above the sea level and couldn’t be captured even by the Alexander the Great due to its spectacular position, Karain Cave which was used as a settlement center half million years ago and Phaselis where you can enjoy both history and the beautiful sea at the same time are all on your way. Phaselis, an ancient Greek and Roman city in Lycia, is a must-see location. Flaming Rocks (Yanan Kayalar), an unusual spot to relax, is best to visit in the evening after dinner.

   Dinner and overnight in Olympos.

   

9. Day 8

   Olympos to Kas

   • 125 km
   • 2 hrs 15 mins

   Before you leave, discover Olympos, which is a protected area, not for only being an ancient city, but also as a Caretta Caretta breeding site. Afterwards, head towards the Myra Ancient City. This ancient city used to be a Lycian metropole during the 4th century. St. Nicholas (also known as Santa Claus) who was born in Patara served as an archbishop in Myra during the 4th century. St. Nicholas Church is very close to Myra Ancient City and must be visited.

   Dinner and overnight in Kas.

   

10. Day 9

    Kas

    Kas is simply beautiful. This is a place which is popular among its regular visitors, but unexpectedly unknown by the crowds. Take a Kekova boat tour or do a kayaking tour. Kekova is an ancient sunken city which can only be reached by boats or kayaks. On the island, which is the remaining of the sunken city above the sea level, there is an ancient church belonging to the Byzantine Period. Today you will fully experience the crystal-clear sea.

    Dinner and overnight in Kas.

11. Day 10

    Kas to Sirince

    • 400 km
    • 5 hrs

    En route to Sirince you must visit the ancient city of Hierapolis and the world famous Pamukkale Travertines. Depending on the season you may swim in the ancient pool which is famous for its natural healing water. Hierapolis is an ancient city located near Pamukkale. The Martyrdom of Saint Philip, a very important relic for Christianity, is in Hierapolis. Loadikeia, a very close ancient city to Hierapolis, is the home of one of the seven churches mentioned in The New Testament. Your last stop for the day would be Aphrodisias, the ancient city named after the Goddess Aphrodite.

    Dinner and overnight in Sirince.

    

12. Day 11

    Sirince to Foca

    • 140 km
    • 2 hrs

    Self-driving programme of today includes exploring the great Ancient City of Ephesus. The city was famous for the nearby Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Ephesus was one of the seven churches of Asia that are cited in the Book of Revelation. Afterwards you should visit the House of Virgin Mary where you will find peace no matter which religion you believe in. Then, you may discover St. Yohannas Basilica and Isa Bey Mosque. You may also have an evening swim in Foca if you like.

    Dinner and overnight in Foca.

    

13. Day 12

    Foca to Ayvalik

    • 140 km
    • 1 hr 45 mins

    It is possible to start your self-driving day with a morning swim in Foca. On your way you should explore the Ancient City of Pergamon which was the northern most of the seven churches of Asia cited in The New Testament Book of Revelation. It is also famous for its steepest ancient theatre of all. Afterwards you can visit the Red Basilica (Red Hall) which is also one of the seven churches mentioned in The New Testament. Depending on your arrival time to Ayvalik you can walk through the historical and charming streets or swim in Sarimsakli Beach or Badavut Beach.

    Dinner and overnight in Ayvalik.

    

14. Day 13

    Ayvalik to Canakkale

    • 170 km
    • 2 hrs 40 mins

    En route to Canakkale, you can stop at Adatepe Village and visit the Olive Oil Museum. Zeus Altar is on the side of Adatepe Village overlooking the sea. Afterwards, a visit to the ancient city of Troy is a must. The Ancient City of Troy, where the Trojan War took place, was mentioned in the ancient epic poem Iliad attributed to Homer. When you arrive Canakkale, the city bazaar or the Sea Museum are good options to enjoy if you have any time left.

    Dinner and overnight in Canakkale.

    

15. Day 14

    Canakkale to İstanbul

    • 315 km
    • 4 hrs 40 mins

    Today is the day back to Istanbul in your self-drive tour. Make a Gallipoli tour including ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and The Lone Pine, preferably with a guide. You will be thrilled with the stories there. Soon after your tour, you will drive to Istanbul. When you arrive İstanbul you will have so many options before you go to bed.

    Dinner and overnight in İstanbul.

16. Day 15

    Istanbul to Home

    Prepare your luggage after the breakfast. Enjoy your last hours as best as you can in Istanbul. Make sure you don't forget any of your items.

    We hope you enjoyed your journey and see you on your next trip.

Make it mine

Usually included

Inclusions are confirmed in your personal itinerary.

Tour's location