Last reviewed: · Prices in Turkish Lira (₺ TRY) and Euros (€ EUR) are approximate and for orientation only.
Route at a glance
Two full weeks covering every UNESCO icon in western and central Türkiye—maximizing the 15-day Museum Pass Türkiye (€165) across Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Kaş, Fethiye, Pamukkale, and Ephesus.
Estimated Trip Budget: ₺46,000–₺95,000 (€1,240–€2,560) per person · Primary Transport: Domestic Flights + Coastal Car/Dolmuş + Museum Pass Türkiye (€165)
Day-by-day plan
Arrive in Istanbul — Sultanahmet & Galata (Istanbul)
Settle into Istanbul and enjoy sunset views across the Golden Horn.
Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace & Basilica Cistern (Istanbul)
Tour the imperial monuments of Sultanahmet.
Bosphorus Ferry, Grand Bazaar & Kadıköy (Istanbul)
Bazaars in the morning, Asian Side food walk in the afternoon.
Fly to Cappadocia — Uçhisar & Pigeon Valley (Cappadocia)
Morning flight to NAV/ASR and afternoon valley walk.
Sunrise Balloon Flight & Göreme Open-Air Museum (Cappadocia)
Dawn balloon flight and frescoed cave churches.
Derinkuyu Underground City & Ihlara Canyon (Cappadocia)
Explore underground refuges and canyon monasteries.
Direct Flight or Drive via Konya to Antalya (Antalya)
Fly direct Kayseri/Nevşehir→Antalya (or drive via Konya Mevlana Museum) and check into Kaleiçi.
Aspendos, Perge & Düden Waterfalls (Antalya)
Tour Pamphylia's finest Roman ruins and Antalya Museum.
Kekova Sunken City & Kaş Coastal Drive (Kaş)
Boat over Kekova and spend the night in Kaş.
Kaputaş Beach, Kayaköy & Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon (Fethiye / Ölüdeniz)
Swim at Kaputaş and arrive at Ölüdeniz.
Butterfly Valley Boat Cruise & Babadağ Viewpoint (Fethiye)
Full day on the turquoise waters of Fethiye gulf.
Mountain Drive to Pamukkale & Hierapolis (Pamukkale)
Cross the Taurus foothills to Pamukkale's white travertines at sunset.
Ephesus, Library of Celsus & Terrace Houses (Selçuk (Ephesus))
Morning rail or drive to Selçuk for a deep dive into ancient Ephesus.
İzmir Airport (ADB) Return Flight via Istanbul (İzmir → Istanbul)
45-minute transfer to ADB Airport for your departure flight.
Transport & rail/flight notes
Domestic Flights + Coastal Car/Dolmuş + Museum Pass Türkiye (€165). Book TCDD YHT high-speed trains 15–30 days ahead on e-Bilet and domestic flights on Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, AJet, or SunExpress.
What to book ahead
- Cappadocia sunrise hot air balloon flight for your first morning in Göreme (€180–€280).
- TCDD YHT high-speed rail seats and domestic flights with 15–20 kg checked baggage included.
- Museum Pass Türkiye (€165) or Museum Pass Istanbul (€105) to skip ticket booth queues at Topkapı Palace and Ephesus.
Ways to adapt this route
- Add 2 extra days on the Turquoise Coast in Kaş or Bodrum for a wooden gulet boat excursion.
- Swap a domestic flight for the 250 km/h TCDD YHT high-speed train between Istanbul, Eskişehir, Ankara, and Konya.