About 16 days, adjustable
Cumalikizik Village, Gordion Ancient City, Abant Lake, Golcuk Lake and Yedigoller National Park and more
- Length
- About 8 days, adjustable
- Start / end
- Istanbul → Antalya
- Travel style
- Self-drive
- Plan
- Tailor-made for you
Overview
This route leaves Istanbul for the Black Sea hinterland instead of the main highway. The first night is in Safranbolu, a UNESCO-listed Ottoman town of timber-framed mansions, reached past the forested shores of Abant Lake and the Yedigöller (Seven Lakes) valley.
From there the road turns south across the Anatolian plateau, with optional stops at the seaside town of Amasra, the Hittite capital Hattusas and the nearby site of Alacahöyük, before you settle into Cappadocia. The last leg drops over the Taurus Mountains to Antalya and the Mediterranean coast.
Highlights
- Safranbolu UNESCO
- Abant Lake
- Yedigoller
- Amasra
- Hattusas UNESCO
- Alacahoyuk
…and more along the way.
Photos from the route
Suggested outline
The order of stops on this route idea. It is an outline we tailor with you, not a fixed program.
- 1
Istanbul
Start: pick up your car
- 2
Safranbolu
On the way
- 3
Cappadocia
On the way
- 4
Antalya
End: return the car
Along the route: Safranbolu, Abant Lake, Yedigoller, Amasra, Hattusas, Alacahoyuk, and more. How many nights you spend at each stop is up to you.
This route is a starting point. We prepare the day-by-day plan together with you, based on your dates, pace and interests.
For an idea of how our itineraries look, see the sample plan of Istanbul – Cappadocia – Antalya.
- Plan your trip. Determine your destinations and tour duration and contact us.
- Customize your itinerary. We help you plan your itinerary based on your preferences.
- Make your reservations. We handle all reservations, including accommodations and car rental.
- Explore at your own pace. Experience the simplicity and the flexibility of our self-drive system!
- Get support. Enjoy our dedicated virtual support for any issues or emergencies.
- Share your feedback. At the end of the tour, share your feedback with us to help us improve.
Guides for this road trip
Driving, car rental and the places on this route.
Istanbul to Cappadocia by Car: Route, Stops and Tips
About 730–750 km and 8–9 hours of driving. Compare the Ankara, Safranbolu and Bolu lakes routes, the best stops on the way and how to drive in Cappadocia.
What to do in Cappadocia?
If you ask yourself what to do in Cappadocia, your answer is endless! Even simple activities such as taking a walk in the magical atmosphere of Cappadocia can turn into deep experiences. Therefore, our recommendation is that you do the Cappadocia activities that we mentioned here while making your trip plan about Cappadocia. In addition, …
Renting a Car in Turkey: What to Know
Licence, deposit, insurance, one-way drop-off, automatic gearboxes, HGS tolls and ferries: a clear guide to renting a car for a road trip in Turkey.
More route ideas
About 10 days, adjustable
Antalya, Olympos Ancient City and Beach, Thermessos Ancient City, Goynuk Canyon and Karain Cave and more
About 12 days, adjustable
Cumalikizik Village, Gordion Ancient City, Abant Lake, Golcuk Lake and Yedigoller National Park and more
Tell us where you want to go
Leave your details and a few words about how you like to travel. We reply with a personal itinerary made for you.
Or call +90 533 258 64 12