A land of huge contrasts, from the minarets, markets and mosques of Istanbul, to the beaches of the Med, to the weird rock formations of Cappadocia. Click for Luxury, Mid-range or Budget. Here’s my Western Turkey blog post and here below is your Western Turkey itinerary:
| Luxury |  |
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| 1 | โIstanbul (Book >) | Dep: Morning | Arr: Afternoon | ๐จFour Seasons at Sultanahmet (Book >) | All hotels > |
| You’ll arrive in time to hear the last couple of muezzin calls to prayer – an evocative soundtrack for your visit. Get your bearings from the top of Galata Tower. | It’s recommended that you obtain an e-visa for Turkey before you arrive. Apply here. | ||||
| 2 | An action-packed day starting with a visit to the immense Aya Sofya. Just next to the mosque is the fascinating Basilica Cistern, the scene of many movies. Nearby is the unmissable (be sure to take in the Blue Mosque on the way) Topkapi Palace where you’ll find peaceful courtyards, a rich treasury and incredible views across the Bosphorus. | You will need to dress modestly in order to visit the mosques. Bear in mind that you will also have to take your shoes off before entering. | |||
| 3 | At 10:35 embark on a ferry tour from Eminรถnรผ docks up the beautiful Bosphorus to Anadolu Kavaฤฤฑ where you can walk up to the ruined Yoros Kalesi fortress and look out over the Black Sea. You’ll be back in the city at 16:40 – plenty of time to see the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market. | The sights mentioned here are within easy reach if you’re on foot. Istanbul also has a good metro system, the journey planner can be found here. | |||
| 4 | ๐Istanbul to รanakkale bus (Book >) | Dep: 07:30 | Arr: 11:55 | ๐จArtur Hotel (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Hop on the Metro to Otogar ฤฐstasyonu for your bus to รanakkale. Join a tour to Troy at 13:00 – marvel at the excavatations and reproduction Trojan horse, then return at 17:00. There’s another Trojan horse model in town if you fancy another snap. | Plan your Western Turkey itinerary so that you visit Troy mid-week and avoid it at its busiest. | ||||
| 5 | ๐รanakkale to Izmir bus (Book >) | Dep: 09:00 | Arr: 15:32 | ๐จSwissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Izmir is over 5,000 years old and you’ll want to head straight for the buzz of Konak Square. Alternatively, catch a later bus and visit the Gallipoli battlefields from รanakkale. In the evening explores the streets of Izmir’s Alsancak. | Kumru is a delicious warm sandwich made of sesame bread, Turkish sausage (veggie options also available), grilled cheese and tomatoes. | ||||
| 6 | Spend the day on a tour visiting the breathtaking ruins at Ephesus and St Mary’s House. | Avoid the dark and narrow alleys in Alsancak at night. | |||
| 7 | ๐Izmir to Fethiye bus (Book >) | Dep: 10:01 | Arr: 16:00 | ๐จYacht Classic (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Today you’re on your way to the gorgeous coastline of Lycia. | Look out for signpost number 6 and head up hill for a superb view from Ojstrica. | ||||
| 8-9 | Fethiye not only is surrounded by beautiful beaches but also boasts ancient sarcophaguses in town as well as cave tombs in the cliffs. You may also wish to go on a thoroughly enjoyable 12 Island boat cruise or take a dolmuล to the Blue Lagoon. | Consider renting a car in Fethiye for easy travel to and from the beaches. | |||
| 10 | ๐Fethiye to Kas bus (Book >) | Dep: 09:45 | Arr: 11:55 | ๐จLukka Exclusive (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Join a diving or snorkelling or diving trip in Kas then, in the evening, soak up the atmosphere in the cute streets and main square. | The old amphitheatre is safe to visit at night and looks amazing under spotlights. | ||||
| 11 | ๐Kas to Antalya bus | Dep: Every 1.15 hours | Arr: About 4hrs later | ๐จHotel Barut Lara (Book >) | All hotels > |
| In Antalya visit the many sights of Kaleiรงi (the old quarter), including the famous fluted minaret, the fortified Roman port and the ruins of Kesik Minare. | Ask your hotel to call Bati Antalya on (242)-836-36-77 to book your bus ticket. | ||||
| 12 | โAntalya to Kayseri flight (Book >) ๐Kayseri to รrgรผp transfer (Book >) |
Dep: Morning
Dep: 12:30 |
Arr: Morning
Arr: 14:20 |
๐จKayakapi Premium Caves (Book >) | All hotels > |
| รrgรผp is the perfect base from which to explore this part of Cappadocia. This is also considered one of the best places in which to enjoy a hot air balloon ride, especially at sunset. | Book your transfer to Antalya airport here. | ||||
| 13 | A full day in which to explore the trails along the surrounding valleys. This site will help you to plan them out. | Be sure to take plenty of water with you on hikes, especially in summer, and aware that lone women have in the past been attacked. | |||
| 14 | ๐รrgรผp to Kayseri transfer โKayseri to Istanbul flight (Book >) โIstanbul to Home (Book >) |
Dep: 07:00 Dep: Morning Dep: Evening |
Arr: 08:50 Arr: Afternoon Arr: Evening |
Connect this Western Turkey itinerary with the Greece and Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria itinerary | |
| Book a transfer to Kayseri airport. | |||||
| Mid-range |  |
||||
| 1 | โIstanbul (Book >) | Dep: Morning | Arr: Afternoon | ๐จWhite House Hotel (Book >) | All hotels > |
| You’ll arrive in time to hear the last couple of muezzin calls to prayer – an evocative soundtrack for your visit. Get your bearings from the top of Galata Tower. | It’s recommended that you obtain an e-visa for Turkey before you arrive. Apply here. | ||||
| 2 | An action-packed day starting with a visit to the immense Aya Sofya. Just next to the mosque is the fascinating Basilica Cistern, the scene of many movies. Nearby is the unmissable (be sure to take in the Blue Mosque on the way) Topkapi Palace where you’ll find peaceful courtyards, a rich treasury and incredible views across the Bosphorus. | You will need to dress modestly in order to visit the mosques. Bear in mind that you will also have to take your shoes off before entering. | |||
| 3 | At 10:35 embark on a ferry tour from Eminรถnรผ docks up the beautiful Bosphorus to Anadolu Kavaฤฤฑ where you can walk up to the ruined Yoros Kalesi fortress and look out over the Black Sea. You’ll be back in the city at 16:40 – plenty of time to see the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market. | The sights mentioned here are within easy reach if you’re on foot. Istanbul also has a good metro system, the journey planner can be found here. | |||
| 4 | ๐Istanbul to รanakkale bus (Book >) | Dep: 07:30 | Arr: 11:55 | ๐จArtur Hotel (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Hop on the Metro to Otogar ฤฐstasyonu for your bus to รanakkale. Join a tour to Troy at 13:00 – marvel at the excavatations and reproduction Trojan horse, then return at 17:00. There’s another Trojan horse model in town if you fancy another snap. | Plan your Western Turkey itinerary so that you visit Troy mid-week and avoid it at its busiest. | ||||
| 5 | ๐รanakkale to Izmir bus (Book >) | Dep: 09:00 | Arr: 15:32 | ๐จRenaissance Izmir (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Izmir is over 5,000 years old and you’ll want to head straight for the buzz of Konak Square. Alternatively, catch a later bus and visit the Gallipoli battlefields from รanakkale. In the evening explores the streets of Izmir’s Alsancak. | Kumru is a delicious warm sandwich made of sesame bread, Turkish sausage (veggie options also available), grilled cheese and tomatoes. | ||||
| 6 | Spend the day on a tour visiting the breathtaking ruins at Ephesus and St Mary’s House. | Avoid the dark and narrow alleys in Alsancak at night. | |||
| 7 | ๐Izmir to Fethiye bus (Book >) | Dep: 10:01 | Arr: 16:00 | ๐จJiva Beach Resort (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Today you’re on your way to the gorgeous coastline of Lycia. | Look out for signpost number 6 and head up hill for a superb view from Ojstrica. | ||||
| 8-9 | Fethiye not only is surrounded by beautiful beaches but also boasts ancient sarcophaguses in town as well as cave tombs in the cliffs. You may also wish to go on a thoroughly enjoyable 12 Island boat cruise or take a dolmuล to the Blue Lagoon. | Consider renting a car in Fethiye for easy travel to and from the beaches. | |||
| 10 | ๐Fethiye to Kas bus (Book >) | Dep: 09:45 | Arr: 11:55 | ๐จHotel Sonne (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Join a diving or snorkelling or diving trip in Kas then, in the evening, soak up the atmosphere in the cute streets and main square. | You may want to invest in your own snorkelling kit to visit Kucuk Cakil or Buyuk Cakil beach for free | ||||
| 11 | ๐Kas to Antalya bus | Dep: Every 1.15 hours | Arr: About 4hrs later | ๐จDogan Hotel (Book >) | All hotels > |
| In Antalya visit the many sights of Kaleiรงi (the old quarter), including the famous fluted minaret, the fortified Roman port and the ruins of Kesik Minare. | Ask your hotel to call Bati Antalya on (242)-836-36-77 to book your bus ticket. | ||||
| 12 | โAntalya to Kayseri flight (Book >) ๐Kayseri to รrgรผp transfer (Book >) |
Dep: Morning
Dep: 12:30 |
Arr: Morning
Arr: 14:20 |
๐จPerimasali Cave Hotel (Book >) | All hotels > |
| รrgรผp is the perfect base from which to explore this part of Cappadocia. This is also considered one of the best places in which to enjoy a hot air balloon ride, especially at sunset. | Book your transfer to Antalya airport here. | ||||
| 13 | A full day in which to explore the trails along the surrounding valleys. This site will help you to plan them out. | Be sure to take plenty of water with you on hikes, especially in summer, and aware that lone women have in the past been attacked. | |||
| 14 | ๐รrgรผp to Kayseri transfer โKayseri to Istanbul flight (Book >) โIstanbul to Home (Book >) |
Dep: 07:00 Dep: Morning Dep: Evening |
Arr: 08:50 Arr: Afternoon Arr: Evening |
Connect this Western Turkey itinerary with the Greece and Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria itinerary | |
| Book a transfer to Kayseri airport. | |||||
| Budget |  |
||||
| 1 | โIstanbul (Book >) | Dep: Morning | Arr: Afternoon | ๐จCheers Lighthouse Hostel (Book >) | All hostels > |
| You’ll arrive in time to hear the last couple of muezzin calls to prayer – an evocative soundtrack for your visit. Get your bearings from the top of Galata Tower. | It’s recommended that you obtain an e-visa for Turkey before you arrive. Apply here. | ||||
| 2 | An action-packed day starting with a visit to the immense Aya Sofya. Just next to the mosque is the fascinating Basilica Cistern, the scene of many movies. Nearby is the unmissable (be sure to take in the Blue Mosque on the way) Topkapi Palace where you’ll find peaceful courtyards, a rich treasury and incredible views across the Bosphorus. | You will need to dress modestly in order to visit the mosques. Bear in mind that you will also have to take your shoes off before entering. | |||
| 3 | At 10:35 embark on a ferry tour from Eminรถnรผ docks up the beautiful Bosphorus to Anadolu Kavaฤฤฑ where you can walk up to the ruined Yoros Kalesi fortress and look out over the Black Sea. You’ll be back in the city at 16:40 – plenty of time to see the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market. | The sights mentioned here are within easy reach if you’re on foot. Istanbul also has a good metro system, the journey planner can be found here. | |||
| 4 | ๐Istanbul to รanakkale bus (Book >) | Dep: 07:30 | Arr: 11:55 | ๐จAnzac House Youth Hostel (Book >) | All hostels > |
| Hop on the Metro to Otogar ฤฐstasyonu for your bus to รanakkale. Dolmuses leave รanakkale for Troy every hour on the hour, with the last one returning at 17:30. There’s another Trojan horse model in town if you fancy another snap. | Plan your Western Turkey itinerary so that you visit Troy mid-week and avoid it at its busiest. | ||||
| 5 | ๐รanakkale to Izmir bus (Book >) | Dep: 09:00 | Arr: 15:32 | ๐จShantihome Hostel (Book >) | All hostels > |
| Izmir is over 5,000 years old and you’ll want to head straight for the buzz of Konak Square. Alternatively, catch a later bus and visit the Gallipoli battlefields from รanakkale. In the evening explores the streets of Izmir’s Alsancak. | Kumru is a delicious warm sandwich made of sesame bread, Turkish sausage (veggie options also available), grilled cheese and tomatoes. | ||||
| 6 | Take a dolmus to Selcuk bus station and then another to the breathtaking ruins at Ephesus and St Mary’s House. | Avoid the dark and narrow alleys in Alsancak at night. | |||
| 7 | ๐Izmir to Fethiye bus (Book >) | Dep: 10:01 | Arr: 16:00 | ๐จSakura Hostel (Book >) | All hostels > |
| Today you’re on your way to the gorgeous coastline of Lycia. | Look out for signpost number 6 and head up hill for a superb view from Ojstrica. | ||||
| 8-9 | Fethiye not only is surrounded by beautiful beaches but also boasts ancient sarcophaguses in town as well as cave tombs in the cliffs. You may also wish to go on a thoroughly enjoyable 12 Island boat cruise or take a dolmuล to the Blue Lagoon. | Either dolmus or regular buses can take you to and from the beaches. | |||
| 10 | ๐Fethiye to Kas bus (Book >) | Dep: 09:45 | Arr: 11:55 | ๐จCan Mocamp (Book >) | All hostels > |
| Join a diving or snorkelling or diving trip in Kas then, in the evening, soak up the atmosphere in the cute streets and main square. | You may want to invest in your own snorkelling kit to visit Kucuk Cakil or Buyuk Cakil beach for free. | ||||
| 11 | ๐Kas to Antalya bus | Dep: Every 1.15 hours | Arr: About 4hrs later | ๐จWhite Garden Pansiyon (Book >) | All hostels > |
| In Antalya visit the many sights of Kaleiรงi (the old quarter), including the famous fluted minaret, the fortified Roman port and the ruins of Kesik Minare. | Ask your hotel to call Bati Antalya on (242)-836-36-77 to book your bus ticket. | ||||
| 12 | ๐Antalya to Gรถreme bus (Book >) |
Dep: 22:00 | ๐จNight bus | ||
| Chill out on Konyaalti Beach or visit the Dรผdenb waterfalls before your night bus. | Take ear plugs and a sleeping mask for the bus. | ||||
| 13 | ๐Antalya to Gรถreme bus | Arr: 07:15 | ๐จAntique Terrace Hotel (Book >) | All hostels > | |
| Gรถreme is the perfect base from which to explore this part of Cappadocia. This site will help you to plan out some hikes. | Be sure to take plenty of water with you on hikes, especially in summer, and aware that lone women have in the past been attacked. | ||||
| 14 | ๐Gรถreme to Kayseri bus (Book >) โKayseri to Istanbul flight (Book >) โIstanbul to Home (Book >) |
Dep: 06:15 Dep: Morning Dep: Evening |
Arr: 07:30 Arr: Afternoon Arr: Evening |
Connect this Western Turkey itinerary with the Greece and Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria itinerary | |
| If you don’t want to get up so early you can book a transfer to Kayseri airport. | |||||
A Plan To Go 