2-week Turkey Itinerary – Ruins, Istanbul & Cappadocia

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A rustic wealthy in custom, tradition and mint tea emerged from our 2-week Turkey Itinerary. From mesmerising landscapes to intriguing ancient towns, right here’s the way to benefit from it.

Turkey is an intoxicating vacation spot.

The nice empires that clashed right here have left towering Roman and Greek ruins, frescoed Byzantine church buildings, Islamic Mosques, Center Jap palaces, and an unique cultural DNA.

This melting pot of influences is felt in every single place from the remnants of Istanbul’s mighty previous to its recent artwork scene and cafes lining busy squares. And but modernity has no longer unfold in every single place. Power in the course of the backroads outdoor the key towns and you are going to in finding rural villages the place a subsistence dwelling remains to be the lifestyle.

From the traditional crumbling ruins to the original landscapes of Pamukkale and Cappadocia, Turkey is a mesmerising position. The place the land, just like the tradition, has been sculpted over aeons.

It is a nation with a tale to inform – right here’s the way to spend 2 weeks in Turkey.

Reserving your go back and forth by means of the hyperlinks in this web page (or on our e book web page) will earn us a small fee, at no further price to you. Thank you to your reinforce – Paul & Mark.

Get started // To start out those 2 weeks in Turkey fly into Izmir’s Adnan Menderes Global Airport, rent a automobile and force to Selçuk (45 mins), in a position to start out this itinerary day after today.

DAY 1 / ANCIENT & BYZANTINE RUINS

Keep – Selçuk | Commute – About 10 mins; force to Ephesus.

TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS

This morning, prevent off on the Temple of Artemis, some of the Seven Historic Wonders of the Global, simply outdoor Selçuk. In its day it was once the biggest temple on the planet, lately it’s only a unmarried column made up of particles from the web site.

EPHESUS

Subsequent, proceed directly to Ephesus. Because the capital of Roman Asia Minor, it’s full of historical structure reflecting the ability and wealth of town; it’s most likely the most efficient Roman damage on the planet. The Library of Celsus is its iconic symbol of Ephesus, however pay the additional ₺20 to head within the coated terrace homes for the extremely well-preserved frescoes. It takes about 2 hours to discover all the web site and its one in every of our favorite ancient puts in Turkey.

Grasp lunch in Selçuk, a compact the city with a soothing vibe. There are a couple of vacationers on this house however maximum keep at Kudasai at the coast, so Selçuk is a refreshingly native enjoy.

CHURCH OF ST JOHN IN SELÇUK

After lunch head as much as the Church of St. John and Ayasaluk Citadel. The church itself a long way outdid our expectancies. It’s constructed at the resting position of St John who believers say spent his ultimate days in Ephesus the place he wrote his gospel and died elderly 100 years outdated. He’s buried right here consistent with his final request.

The ruins you spot lately are from the 6-domed church that was once rebuilt within the sixth century and survived for nearly 800 years. It was once in any case destroyed by way of a big earthquake round 1360.

AYASALUK CASTLE

From the church ruins, stroll as much as the Ayasaluk Citadel. It was once in the beginning constructed by way of the Byzantines within the sixth century, then reconstructed by way of the Ottomans.

After all take a look at the Ephesus museum, a exceptional selection of statues and reliefs discovered at Ephesus, sooner than grabbing dinner on the town.

WHERE TO STAY IN SELÇUK

Ancient ruins in Turkey, Basilica of St John

DAY 2 / ANCIENT RUINS & VILLAGES

Keep – Selçuk | Commute – 4 hours using across the ruins and again to Selçuk.

PRIENE

This morning force to Priene, 55 mins’ from Selçuk. Priene is an historical Hellenistic hill the city with incredible perspectives overlooking the valley and bits of historical rubble littering the bottom. Take a look at the theatre, the basilica and the Temple of Athena.

MILETUS

Then force an additional 20 mins to the traditional web site of Miletus – an enormous sprawling web site that might eat many hours. On the other hand, as lots of the house is an unexciting pile of rubble persist with the theatre, the large Faustina Baths and the Iconic Colonnade.

TEMPLE OF APOLLO

Subsequent, head to the Temple of Apollo (every other 25 mins’ force) in Didim. The massive columns of this historical web site are a reminder of ways colossal this temple as soon as was once. Nowhere else in this 2-week Turkey itinerary demonstrates so obviously the scale, energy and would possibly with which the Romans honoured their Gods.

KAPIKIRI & HERAKLEIA

From Didim, force 50 mins to Kapıkırı in the course of the stunning Bafa Gölü Nationwide Park. Kapikiri – a rural farming village this is slowly soaking up tourism – sits simply above the lake and provides an enchanting perception into subsistence dwelling in Turkey. It takes not up to an hour to walk each and every lane and watch the area people pass about their day by day lives.

Across the lake there are some outdated ruins and rock tombs from the traditional sight of Herakleia price exploring. And then, have a swim within the lake, and experience a lager at some of the small cafes in Herakleia. Now not many of us come right here, which makes it the entire extra particular and a spotlight of our Turkey itinerary.

Head again to Selçuk for the night.

DAY 3 / WILDERNES SITES & PAMUKKALE

Keep – Pamukkale | Commute – 3 hours, 40 mins using from Selçuk to Pamukkale.

APHRODISIAS

Power to Aphrodisias, a Roman town set within the Anatolian desert (2 hour 20 mins from Selçuk). The very good museum has a room devoted to the marble reliefs that used to decorate the Sebasteion, a temple to deified Roman Emperors and their Gods. It’s a totally attention-grabbing ancient web site and a ravishing spot to walk round. The entire position takes about 2 hours to discover.

Returning to the automobile force 1 hour 20 mins to Pamukkale, thru verdant inexperienced fields dotted with timber, as though designed by way of artists.

HIERAPOLIS & PAMUKKALE

There are two exellent websites to discover in Pamukkale; the Roman town of Hierapolis and the white calcite tavertine swimming pools. The ruins take a seat windswept at the hill and comprise a well-preserved theatre and the Martyrium of St. Philip the Apostle.

However the Travertines – blue water set in clean white calcite swimming pools – are the principle explanation why to talk over with Pamukkale. You’ll stroll at the Travertines (with out sneakers) and shower in them if you want, so carry your swimmers. We propose you head to the balcony west of the Travertines for sundown, it’s the most efficient position for footage and it was once one in every of our favorite stories in Turkey.

The doorway price ticket covers each websites, and it’s essential to spend 5 to six hours exploring the whole thing. You’ll simplest input right through opening hours, however you’ll depart anytime you prefer. Take meals or drink with you as a result of, for the one time in this 2-week Turkey itinerary, costs have been natural extortion.

WHERE TO STAY IN PAMUKKALE

DAY 4 / EGYPTIAN & ROMAN TEMPLES

Keep – Bergama | Commute – 3 hour 40 minute force from Pamukkale to Bergama.

MODERN-DAY BERGAMA

This morning take the three hours and 40-minute force to Pergamon (modern day Bergama) and take hold of lunch at Paksoy Pide (Turabey Mahallesi, İstiklal Meydanı, 39 Bergama) within the centre of the city for a standard Turkish chunk.

Maximum vacationers who come to Bergama, keep at the coast and make an afternoon go back and forth to Pergamon. However at the coast, you’ll be eating on bowls of chips from overpriced vacationer venues with laminated menus. Bergama then again is a real Turkish the city stuffed with pleasant attractive locals. If you happen to don’t perceive the menu, simply level at one thing and also you’ll be away.

THE RED HALL

After lunch, head to the Crimson Corridor. Within the 2^nd Century CE when it was once finished, it was once the biggest advanced of structures in Pergamon. Even lately its scale is spectacular. It’s concept the advanced in the beginning honoured Egyptian deities, however within the fifth century, the Christians constructed a church within the huge Crimson Corridor. The ruined partitions are nonetheless there lately.

PERGAMON ACROPOLIS

Within the overdue afternoon, stroll to the teleferik and take the cable automobile as much as Pergamon Acropolis. The hillside is dotted with very good ruins, however the unmissable highlights are the Trajan Temple with its ultimate columns protecting up a well-preserved pediment; the grand theatre constructed into the hillside; and the discarded ruins that lay within the overgrown weeds on the base of the temple of Dionysus. Unfortunately, the Pergamon Nice Altar is only a heap of stones in comparison to what now stands within the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.

WHERE TO STAY IN BERGAMA

For a small pleasant stick with nice amenities, we extremely counsel Attalos Suites.
The home made breakfast at Aristonicus Boutique Lodge is a brilliant begin to the day.
For panoramic perspectives of Pergamon Acropolis, Hera Lodge additionally has an overly well-stocked wine cellar.

DAY 5 / AYVALIK, THEN FLY TO ISTANBUL

Keep – Istanbul | Commute – 1 hour, 20-minute force from Bergama to Ayvalik; 2 hours force from Ayvalik to Izmir; 1 hour, 10-minute flight; 1-hour connection into Istanbul.

AYVALIK

This morning, force to Ayvalik. Ayvalik is a diving centre with an atmospheric outdated the city a couple of lanes again from the entrance. It’s stuffed with crumbling facades, adorable bohemian cafes and more than a few flea markets. The most efficient house is alongside Barbaros Caddesi close to the Aivali Meals and Artwork store. Parking at the entrance or in a carpark simply off the entrance could be very easy.

GETTING FROM İZMIR TO ISTANBUL

This afternoon force to İzmir, drop off the rent automobile and fly to Istanbul. Home flights arrive at both Sabiha Gokcen Global Airport or the brand new Istanbul Airport. From each airports, you’ll take the Havaist Travel into Istanbul which can take any place between 1 and 1.5 hours relying on site visitors. On the other hand, take a Yellow Taxi from the reliable taxi ranks outdoor the terminals.

If you happen to’re in a gaggle, pre-booking a personal switch is also a cheap strategy to get into Istanbul.

As soon as in Istanbul, spend the overdue afternoon acclimatising to this humming city sooner than discovering a rooftop bar to absorb sundown. All our highlights are in our height stories in Istanbul.

DAY 6-10 / EXPLORING ISTANBUL

Traditionally vital, politically various and artistically cool, Istanbul is one in every of our favorite towns on the planet. Walk thru exquisitely designed mosques and historical Byzantine church buildings; discover the playground of 2 exceptional international empires, and uncover full of life neighbourhoods spanning either side of the Bosphorus.

DAY 11-14 / CAPPADOCIA

Cappadocia is a beguiling panorama with fairy story chimneys and magical sizzling air balloon rides. However there may be so a lot more to this pint-sized appeal. Whilst it’s a well-liked vacationer centre, the encircling villages have maintained a comfortable native really feel, and the climbing is one of the most most unusual we have now skilled any place.

GETTING FROM ISTANBUL TO CAPPADOCIA

There are two airports at Cappadocia either one of that have arrivals from Istanbul. Nevşehir is round 40 mins from Göreme, the principle centre in Cappadocia. Kayseri Airport is round 1 hour from Göreme. To get for your lodge, it’s essential to e book an airport switch prematurely. On the other hand, we advise hiring a automobile for Cappadocia which can assist you to see much more.

HOW TO GET TO TURKEY

Maximum travellers will want an access visa for Turkey, which is able to simply be organised on-line right here: https://www.e-visaturkey.org

For this itinerary, we arrived in Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to discover the traditional damage websites, sooner than flying to Istanbul, then flying to Cappadocia.

Condo automobiles may also be accrued from, and returned to Izmir Airport and all main automobile condominium corporations running there. Automobile condominium cubicles are within the global and home arrivals halls. In Cappadocia, Kayseri Airport has a greater vary of rent automobiles than the airport at Nevşehir.

HOW TO GET AROUND TURKEY

Istanbul’s public shipping device is very good. Metro, funiculars, and trams all interconnect offering reasonable, simple and fast get entry to throughout the city. Purchase an Istanbul Commute card and simply stay topping it up as you pass.

Out of doors of Istanbul, the general public shipping device is ready up for locals and no longer for vacationers and using in Turkey is far more uncomplicated than many suppose. Hiring your personal automobile for the 5 days travelling across the historical ruins and the 4 days in Cappadocia will save a large number of time.

Automobile Condo // We use rentalcars.com who evaluate costs throughout the entire main automobile condominium corporations.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO TO TURKEY?

Many reliable museums in Turkey have summer season and iciness opening instances. In iciness the websites close 2 hours previous, which considerably curtails how a lot you’ll see, so it’s higher to try this 2-week Turkey itinerary between overdue April and Oct.

Turkey will get highly regarded in summer season, so the most efficient time to talk over with is the shoulder seasons of April/Would possibly or Sep/Oct.

If you need the massive websites to your self, coincide your go back and forth with Ramadan. Only a few Turks trip right through Ramadan, so the whole thing is far much less busy.

Ramadan // In 2023 Ramadan shall be March 22 to April 21, in 2024 it’ll be from March 10 to April 9. Those are the most efficient time to visit Turkey over the following couple of years.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO VISIT TURKEY?

With the have an effect on of the worldwide pandemic, the Turkish Lira has hit report lows in opposition to the Euro and the United States greenback. Consequently, Turkey is usually an overly reasonable vacation spot for vacationers.

Be expecting to pay round ₺17 (£1.60) for a lager; ₺7 (£0.70) for a kebab and ₺40 (£3.80) for dinner for two in a regular eating place. For a top-end Michelin-starred eating enjoy be expecting to pay round ₺460 (£44).

Through a long way the one most costly enjoy would be the sizzling air balloon journey in Cappadocia. On the other hand, in comparison to different international locations this may be reasonably affordable. Be expecting to pay between £90 and £150.

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED IN TURKEY?

Turkey is a huge nation. With the intensive array of historical ruins, the preferred centres of Istanbul and Cappadocia, there’s greater than sufficient to stay you occupied for two weeks.

When you’ve got much less time to spend in Turkey – and also you’re no longer a historical past buff – it’s essential to flip this right into a 10-day Turkey itinerary by way of aside from the traditional ruins. Practice our 5-day Istanbul itinerary and our 4-day Cappadocia itinerary to mix right into a go back and forth that captures essentially the most compelling spaces of Turkey.

TURKEY ITINERARY MAP

All of the implausible places we visited in Turkey are at the underneath map to assist get your making plans underway.

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The right way to use this map / Click on at the height left of the map to show the listing of places, then click on at the places to show additional data. Click on at the height proper nook of the map to open a bigger model in a brand new tab or the famous person to save lots of for your Google Maps.