Grand Turkey Non-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
• Anitkabir
• 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
• 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
• Pergamon Ancient City UNESCO
• Red Basilica (Red Hall)
• 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 Pamukkale

   • 245 km
   • 3 hrs 15 mins

   Visit Termessos Ancient City and/or Karain Cave before leaving Antalya. Karain Cave was used as a settlement center half million years ago. Termessos which couldn’t be captured even by Alexander the Great due to its spectacular position is literally at the top of a mountain. When you are through continue to Pamukkale. Depending on when you arrive you may visit the world-famous travertines or Ancient City of Hierapolis.

   Dinner and overnight Pamukkale

   

9. Day 8

   Pamukkale to Sirince

   • 185 km
   • 2 hrs 55 mins

   Discover the Ancient City Hierapolis and the world famous Pamukkale Travertines in this part of your self-drive tour. This ancient city used to be the center of Christianity from the 4th century AD due to the killing of Philip, one of the Disciples of Christ, in 80 AD. Pamukkale, which is also used for treatment purposes, has attracted tourists throughout the history thanks to its healing groundwaters. You may also swim in the ancient pool which has been being visited by health seekers for centuries. End your day by exploring Aphrodisias, an ancient city dedicated to the Goddess Aphrodite. The city used to be an important art center, especially for sculpting.

   Dinner and overnight in Sirince.

   

10. Day 9

    Sirince to Bergama

    • 185 km
    • 2 hrs 15 mins

    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. When you are done with your visits continue to Bergama.

    Dinner and overnight in Bergama.

    

11. Day 10

    Bergama to Canakkale

    • 215 km
    • 3 hrs 15 mins

    Discover the Ancient City of Pergamon which was the northern most of the seven churches of Asia cited in The New Testament Book of Revelation. Explore its steepest amphitheater of all and enjoy the spectacular view. Further ahead at Asklepion, which is an ancient healing temple dedicated to the Asklepius - god of medicine - feel like an ancient time healer who inspired the whole world for centuries. Next stop of the day would be to the Red Hall Basilica which is one of the early seven churches mentioned in St. John’s Bible. 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 Çanakkale.

    

12. Day 11

    Canakkale to Gallipoli

    • 60 km
    • 1 hr 20 mins

    Today a visit to the ancient city of Troy is a must before your self-drive to Gallipoli. The Ancient City of Troy, where the Trojan War took place, was mentioned in the ancient epic poem Iliad attributed to Homer. Afterwards, make a Gallipoli tour including areas of Canakkale (Dardanelles), Gallipoli Battles Zones in the First World War, the Anzac Cove, the war cemeteries, and the Lone Pine, preferably with a guide. You will be thrilled with the stories there.

    Dinner and overnight in Gallipoli

    

13. Day 12

    Gallipoli to Istanbul

    • 270 km
    • 4 hrs

    Get ready for your last day after the breakfast in Gallipoli. When you arrive Istanbul, make the most of your time until your transfer to the airport in your self-drive tour in Turkey. Make sure you don't forget any of your belongings.

    We hope you enjoyed your adventure in Turkey. Hope to see you on your next trip.

Make it mine

Usually included

Inclusions are confirmed in your personal itinerary.

Tour's location