Everyone’s first time in Turkey should start in Istanbul, once known as Constantinople and capital of the Roman Empire. The city boasts amazing historic sites, ruins, architecture dating back millennia, great museums detailing the history, and ample dining, drinks, and shopping options. Ephesus is an ancient city and archaeological site filled with Greek and Roman ruins in the Aegean region of Turkey, just outside of Selçuk. Once an essential city in Mediterranean trade, it features history from Christian and Islamic roots to modern-day markets and fascinating museums. When a city is home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, you know it’s chock full of amazing landmarks, architecture, and cool history.

Ani: The Ghost City Of A Forgotten Empire

As far as quick and easy snacks go, it’s hard to pass up simit, a bread similar to a sesame-encrusted bagel. Carts selling simit can be found at bus and train stations, main streets and other busy thoroughfares. As well as restaurants serving traditional Ottoman and contemporary cuisines, there are countless street stalls and markets serving all sorts of Turkish favorites. Blessed with vast areas of fertile soil, Turkey also ranks among the world’s top agricultural producers, featuring many farms, orchards, vineyards and olive groves which you can visit to taste the produce yourself.

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Itinerary At A Glance

Istanbul is one of my favourite city break destinations, so I’m always stopping over for a few days whenever I’m travelling between Europe in Asia. I’ve travelled overland using public transport from Istanbul to Fethiye with stops in Cannakale, Troy, Selçuk, Ephesus, and Pamukkale. I’ve hopped aboard a yacht for an in-depth look into the southwest coast of the country, visiting Göcek, Gökkaya, Kekova Roads, Kalkan, Karakaören, Kaş, Kayaköy and Uçagiz. Bodram is one of my favourite seaside destinations in Europe and I think Cappadocia is one of the most impressive landscapes I’ve encountered. For a more relaxing trip, the best part of Turkey to go to are its coastal cities and villages on the Mediterranean and Aegean seas.

Day 9: Historical Istanbul (and Dan Brown’s Istanbul) + Map

Friendly staff, social common areas, and a convenient location for exploring the city and beaches. Another option would be to rent a car Viaggi in Turchia in Istanbul and make the 6 hour drive. From Denizli, you will need to get on a minibus to complete the 30 min drive to Pamukkale.

We’ve put together a list of the most beautiful places in Turkey (including fun things to do!) for the ultimate Turkey bucket list itinerary. Ephesus is hands down the most spectacular archaeological site we visited in Turkey and it is worth committing an entire day to visit the site alone. The ancient Greek city of Ephesus was built in the 10th Century BC and contains successive settlements from the Neolithic, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Selçuk and Ottoman periods. It’s impossible to describe the feeling of standing in front of the magnificent Celsus library in Ephesus as the morning light washed over the ruins. The brilliant white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, meaning cotton castle, are topped with turquoise hot pools cascading down the mountainside above the town of Pamukkale. Bring swimwear to bathe in Cleopatra’s Pool, an antique pool where Cleopatra the Queen of Egypt once swam.

Packed full of quality inclusions, we give you so much more for your money on every no-hassle trip. July and August are the most popular months to visit, with temperatures regularly peaking over 30 degrees Celsius and little chance of rain disrupting your plans. If you’re here specifically for the beach and activities on the water, this is peak season. May, June, September, and October are the prime time for Turkey travels, with plenty of blue skies and sunshine and softer light for photography, but fewer crowds. Just remember to pack a warmer layer for after dark and a jacket in case of rain. Non-worshipping visitors are welcome to visit outside of prayer times.