If you’re looking for unusual landscapes, fascinating ancient history, fantastic beaches and gorgeous seaside towns, Turkey needs to be on your travel bucket list. I recently spent two weeks exploring Turkey and the trip ended up being the best adventure possible. So since so many people have asked how I planned the trip, I thought I’d share my 2 week Turkey itinerary!
I’d been to Turkey as a child and had fond memories of climbing over huge ancient ruins and sailing on deep blue seas. And although Turkey is known for its gorgeous beaches and excellent resorts, there’s so much more to see throughout the country. I most recently went to Turkey alone for a 2 week adventure, and I was surprised to find that travelling around Turkey as a solo female traveller was completely safe and fine.
I travelled across Turkey solo and entirely on public transport, using buses, trains and planes. You can read all about this in my detailed guide to public transport in Turkey.
So this guide to a 2 week Turkey itinerary guide will cover where to go, how to get between destinations, where to stay and all of the best things to see and do. I’ll attempt to cover everything you might need to know for your own Turkey adventure, so read on and start planning your own 2 week Turkey itinerary!
Turkey is a captivating country that straddles Europe and Asia. With its rich history stunning landscapes and mouthwatering cuisine, it’s no wonder Turkey is rising in popularity as a travel destination. If you have two weeks to spare, you can see the best of Turkey with this 14 day itinerary.
Why Visit Turkey
From majestic mountains to pristine beaches, Turkey has something for every type of traveler Here are some of the highlights
- Explore historic sites like the Hagia Sophia and Ephesus that transport you back in time.
- Take a hot air balloon ride over the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia.
- Relax on the turquoise coast with stops in Fethiye, Kas and Bodrum.
- Delight your tastebuds with fresh seafood, kebabs and baklava.
- Experience the vibrancy of Istanbul, where Europe meets Asia.
- Turkey offers great value, so your money goes further compared to other European destinations.
With so much diversity packed into one country, Turkey deserves a spot on your bucket list!
When to Go
The best times to visit Turkey are April-May and September-October when temperatures are mild and crowds are smaller. Summer (June-August) is peak season with very hot weather inland. Winters are rainy but you’ll have sites to yourself.
Getting Around
Turkey is a large country, so you’ll need to fly between some destinations on this 2 week Turkey itinerary. Turkish Airlines has many domestic flights and connections through Istanbul. Buses are also a cheap way to travel between cities. Hiring a car is another option for flexibility.
14 Day Turkey Itinerary
Days 1-3: Istanbul
Kickstart your Turkey trip in the vibrant capital of Istanbul. With three days you can see the top sights like:
- Blue Mosque
- Hagia Sophia
- Topkapi Palace
- Grand Bazaar
- Spice Bazaar
- Bosphorus River Cruise
- Basilica Cistern
- Dolmabahce Palace
- Galata Tower
Be sure to sample street foods, try Turkish coffee and unwind at a hammam (Turkish bath).
Days 4-6: Cappadocia
Next up is the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia Fly into Kayseri or Nevsehir airport and base yourself in Goreme or Urgup. Highlights include
- Hot Air Balloon Ride – Float over volcanic cones and valleys at sunrise
- Underground Cities – Explore vast underground networks where ancient people lived
- Ihlara Valley – Hike this gorge with rock-cut churches
- Red & Rose Valleys – Walk through unique rock formations and cave dwellings
- Avanos & Uçhisar – Wander around these charming towns
Days 7-9: Coast & Ephesus
After three days inland, head west for beach time. Fly into Dalaman and stay in Fethiye, Kas or Kalkan. Relax by turquoise waters and explore ruins at:
- Ölüdeniz Beach & Blue Lagoon – Famous for ocean colors
- Saklikent Gorge – Hike through steep cliffs and waterfalls
- Patara Beach – Over 10 miles of white sand beach
- Xanthos – See a UNESCO listed ancient ruins
- Myra & Demre – Site of colorfully carved rock tombs
Next take a drive to Selçuk to tour Ephesus, one of the world’s best preserved Roman cities.
Days 10-12: Bodrum
Continue south to beautiful Bodrum on the Aegean coast. Top attractions include:
- Bodrum Castle – Dramatic medieval fortress
- Boat Trip – Sail around the turquoise bays
- Mausoleum at Halicarnassus – One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
- Underwater Archaeology Museum – Artifacts from shipwrecks
- Blue Cruise (optional) – Join a multi-day sailing charter
There are great beaches, boutique shops and a lively nightlife scene here as well. It’s easy to extend your stay in Bodrum if you have extra time.
Days 13-14: Return to Istanbul
Hop a flight back to Istanbul for your final 1-2 days. Catch up on any sites you missed earlier and shop for souvenirs at the Grand Bazaar. Savor one last incredible Turkish meal before your departure.
Extension Ideas
If you can extend this 2 week Turkey itinerary, I’d recommend adding time in Cappadocia, extra days to relax on the coast or doing a 3-4 day classic Turkey tour from Istanbul to visit Gallipoli, Troy and Pamukkale’s white travertines.
Itinerary Planning for 2 Weeks in Turkey
Turkey is a popular summer tourist destination for countries across Europe. Therefore, its coastal towns have large airports so you might not have to start your trip in Istanbul.
You could for example fly into Bodrum, Izmir, Antalya or Dalaman Airports, all of which are on the coast and mean you wouldn’t necessarily need start your Turkey itinerary in Istanbul.
As mentioned, Turkey is one of the best countries to travel around independently. It has a very comprehensive, well-priced and convenient public transport system in place. So no matter where you start your Turkey trip, it’s likely you’ll be able to travel to your next destination with ease.
When is the best time to visit Turkey?
Quite an important question when planning your trip is deciding when to visit Turkey. The summer months (May to September) are the peak times to visit with long sunny hot days and little rain. But if you’re not keen on this, then the shoulder months (April and October) would also be a good time to visit.
If you were to visit Turkey in the winter, you might even experience Cappadocia as a winter wonderland!
However, if you’re planning on sailing the Turquoise Coast in Turkey or visiting any other coastal places, it would definitely be advisable to go in the summer months. As with many beach areas in Europe, many restaurants and hotels often do not open until early May.
Although Turkey is a vast country, I find Turkey very easy to get around by public transport. Using the buses, trains, dolmuş (minibus services) and domestic airlines, public transport made for an efficient and convenient way to explore the country.
I found most public transport ran mostly on time, was very affordable, could be booked at the last minute and was clean/comfortable. I really enjoyed the independence that using public transport in Turkey afforded me. You can read my guide to using public transport in Turkey here.
How to travel Turkey | The perfect 14-day Travel guide
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