Where to go in Türkiye

Türkiye splits into four travel regions: Istanbul and the Marmara (with Bursa and Gallipoli), Central Anatolia (Cappadocia, Konya, Ankara), the Aegean coast (Izmir, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Bodrum) and the Mediterranean coast (Antalya, Kaş, Fethiye). Most first trips pair Istanbul with Cappadocia, then add one coast.

Istanbul & Marmara · Istanbul, Bursa, Çanakkale

• Istanbul: Byzantine and Ottoman monuments, bazaars and the Bosphorus (2–4 nights)
• Bursa: First Ottoman capital, silk bazaars and İskender kebab (1–2 nights)
• Çanakkale (Gallipoli & Troy): Gallipoli battlefields, Troy and the Dardanelles (2 nights)

Central Anatolia · Cappadocia, Konya, Ankara

• Ankara: The capital: Anıtkabir and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (1–2 nights)
• Cappadocia: Fairy chimneys, cave hotels and sunrise balloons over Göreme (2–4 nights)
• Konya: Rumi's city, Seljuk madrasas and the Sema ceremony (1–2 nights)

Aegean coast · Izmir, Selçuk, Pamukkale, Bodrum

• Pamukkale: White travertine terraces and the ruins of Hierapolis (1–2 nights)
• Bodrum: Whitewashed resort town, castle, boat trips and beach clubs (2–4 nights)
• Selçuk (Ephesus): Base for Ephesus, the Terrace Houses and Şirince (2–3 nights)
• Izmir: Aegean port city with a seafront promenade and a historic bazaar (2–3 nights)

Mediterranean coast · Antalya, Fethiye, Kaş

• Antalya: Kaleiçi old town, Roman sites and long Mediterranean beaches (2–4 nights)
• Kaş: Small harbour town for Kekova, diving and Kaputaş beach (2–3 nights)
• Fethiye (Ölüdeniz): Ölüdeniz lagoon, paragliding and island boat trips (2–4 nights)