Are you planning a round trip through Turkey and looking for a route off the beaten track? In this article, I will take you on a two-week trip from the vibrant metropolis of Istanbul, along the Turkish Riviera to beautiful bays and historical sites. Whether you are traveling by bus or rental car — this route offers you a perfect mix of culture, nature and adventure. Discover the authentic flair of small villages, immerse yourself in the history of ancient sites and be enchanted by the breathtaking landscape.
2‑week Itinerary
Day 1–3: Discover Istanbul
Istanbul is the first stop on the trip and offers an impressive mix of history and modernity. Don’t miss the famous sights such as the Hagia Sophia or the impressive sunken palace. Stroll through the Grand Bazaar, let yourself be carried away by the hustle and bustle and the scent of exotic spices, and enjoy the sunset on a boat trip on the Bosphorus in the evening.
Recommended length of stay: at least 2 nights
I then took the night bus from Istanbul to the south, to Alacati.
Read more: Discover the sights of Istanbul
Day 4–6: Alacati
I arrived in Alacati early in the morning on the night bus from Istanbul. On the way to my accommodation, I got a first impression of this small town and was already blown away.
The cobbled streets, windmills, small boutiques and many small cafés and restaurants in between give the town a unique flair. You feel more like you’ve landed in Greece than in Turkey. If you are traveling by rental car, you can make a detour to Urla on the way there or on your onward journey. The wineries in the area in particular are a real insider tip!
Recommended length of stay: at least 2 days
My length of stay: 3 days, 2 nights
All information in detail: Alacati tips and highlights
Day 7: Travel day Alacati to Ephesus
From Alacati, the journey continues, in my case by bus, via Izmir to Ephesus and the nearby town of Selcuk. Here I spend the late afternoon walking through the town and up to the nearby castle/citadel of Selcuk, from where I enjoy the sunset. I end the evening in the Amzon restaurant (you can find it here) with delicious local food.
If you have more time or are staying longer in the region, I recommend a detour to the wine town of Sirince.
Tip: Amazon Restaurant
Accommodation around Ephesus
Day 8: Ephesus
In the early afternoon, I continued directly to Denizli, the starting point for exploring Pamukkale.
Recommended length of stay: 1 day
Day 9: Pamukkale
Another day that starts early, because in the morning we head straight from Denizli to Pamukkale. My aim was to get there as early as possible before the masses of tourists arrive.
The snow-white limestone terraces, filled with turquoise, mineral-rich water, look like a surreal landscape from another planet. However, as with many other impressive natural features, the masses of tourists have already left their mark here and only a tiny fraction is still filled with water. So don’t let Instagram lead you astray here.
But there was also a positive surprise on site, as the ruins of Hierapolos, an ancient city that should not be missed, are located on the site.
After spending almost the whole day here, I get on the minibus back to Denizli in the afternoon and drive straight on to Fethiye from there.
Day 10–11: Fethiye
After arriving in Fethiye the evening before, my first day began with a relaxing day at the world-famous Ölüdeniz beach. The blue lagoon with its turquoise waters is a real highlight and perfect for a relaxing day at the beach. Those looking for more thrills should put paragliding on their to-do list! The flight from Mount Babadağ offers you one of the most spectacular views of the Turkish coast.
Another highlight in Fethiye is Butterfly Valley, which is actually a secluded bay that can only be reached on foot or by boat. Around 15 minutes outside of Ölüdeniz, there is a magnificent viewpoint overlooking the valley.
I spent my second day in Fethiye hiking along the Lycian Way, one of the most beautiful long-distance hiking trails. The hiking trail around Fethiye always runs along the coast and offers magnificent views.
Fethiye is also home to the so-called Lycian Rock Tombs, which were carved into the rocks. Those who come up here will not be surprised by an overwhelming ancient site, but will be rewarded with a great view over Fethiye.
Restaurant tip: Lokanta Fethiye
Cafe tip: Ardic Sarküteri Cafe
Personal opinion: Although Fethiye is very hyped on many blogs and in magazines, I wasn’t entirely convinced by the place. For me, Fethiye and Ölüdeniz were too touristy and too dominated by British pensioners who have obviously retired there.
Accommodation in Fethiye
Recommended length of stay: at least 2 nights
My length of stay: 2 days, 3 nights
Day 12–14: Kas
From Fethiye, the journey continues to the charming coastal town of Kas. With its relaxed atmosphere, narrow streets and many restaurants, the harbor town is a real highlight.
Don’t miss a trip to nearby Kaputas Beach and the small village of Kalkan.
Day 14: Antalya
On the last day, I continued from Kas to Antalya. I had half a day here before my flight back and spent it exploring Antalya a little and giving the place a chance.
The Hadrian’s Gate, a relic from Roman times, is the best way to reach the old town of Antalya, where there are countless restaurants, souvenir stores and narrow alleyways to discover. A short walk along the harbor and a freshly squeezed orange juice were the perfect end to my trip to Turkey.
Recommended length of stay: as short as possible
Getting around
Rental car
For a trip through Turkey as described above, a rental car is the perfect choice. On the one hand, the prices are quite reasonable, and on the other, you are incredibly flexible and can stop at many more places along the coast.
Intercity buses and minibuses
Turkey has a well-developed bus network and it is easy to get from A to B everywhere. Whether in large coaches or minibuses. Tickets for long-distance coaches can be easily booked online or at the relevant bus stations. Using the minibuses is also usually quite straightforward, especially if you simply enquire locally in good time.
Kamil Koc: belongs to the German long distance bus operator Flixbus and is a quite reliable operator. Tickets can be booked easily online.
Obilet: here you can search for bus connections throughout Turkey and find the right provider
Travel Costs Turkey: an overview
Let’s get to the figures and the exciting question: How much does such an individual trip through Turkey cost? As I ask myself this question before every trip, I won’t make a secret of it and will share all the expenses here without exception.
Travel style: I traveled alone and with a backpack on this trip. In other words, I stayed in a hostel from time to time, which is of course very cheap. In between, however, I also treated myself to an apartment or something similar. All in all, I would say that the budget I spent was medium to cheap, partly because I was traveling in the low season.
- Hotel: 30–100 € per night
- Coffee: approx. 1,50€
- Bus: 4–10€
- Restaurant: 8–20 € per person
- Drinks: approx. 8€
- Entrance fees: 15–30€
| Reisekosten Türkei 2 Wochen | Kosten pro Person |
|---|---|
| Flüge | 298,66 € |
| Unterkünfte | 398,33 € |
| Restaurants/ Cafés | 287,85 € |
| Aktivitäten | 144,57 € |
| Transport (Bus, Taxi, Minibus) | 127,86 € |
| Summe | 1.257,27 € |
Best time to visit Turkey
The best time to travel through Turkey is spring (April to June) or fall (September to October). During these months, the temperatures are pleasantly warm without being too hot — ideal for exploring the cultural highlights such as Istanbul and Ephesus as well as the beautiful coastal regions around Fethiye and Kaş. Another big advantage is that the crowds of tourists are still manageable and prices are correspondingly lower.
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