The Ultimate 10 Day Turkey Itinerary For Your First Time

This 10 day Turkey itinerary is the best guide for planning your perfect trip. You’ll find the best activities to do in each destination, information about how best to get around, and recommendations for places to stay. Plus, so much more!

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Turkey holds a special place in my heart. When we quit our jobs and went on a 6 month travel adventure, Turkey was our first destination. You’re going to have an amazing time on YOUR 10 day Turkey Itinerary!

While 10 days seems like a lot, there is so much to see in Turkey! So, I’ve created this route based on getting a good, well rounded experience during your 10 day Turkey itinerary!

Helpful Things To Know For Your 10 Day Turkey Itinerary

There are a few helpful things you’ll want to know before you plan your trip to Turkey. Below, you’ll find information about how to best get around, how to dress appropriately in Turkey, and information on the language, currency, and weather.

Language: Turkish
Currency: Turkish Lira – most places take both card and cash, but a few places will be cash only. I recommend having some lira on you at all times in case you need them!
Weather: The weather in Turkey can vary a lot by the season and location. In the winter, it isn’t uncommon for Cappadocia to get snow! But in the summer, expect high temps on the coast, with milder temperatures inland and chilly mornings. In winter, milder weather on the coast and cold, even potentially snowy, conditions are common inland.

How To Get Around In Turkey

Some people decide to rent a car while in Turkey because they prefer to have a bit more control over their itinerary. Other people use Turkish buses and airlines to get around.

Turkey is a large country, so while renting a car might seem to make sense, you can still have long driving times when getting around. Don’t assume renting a car is the best option. If you’re comfortable driving long distances, this itinerary will do well with a car.

If you don’t rent a car, I would recommend a mix of trains, buses, and flying. You are still able to do this entire itinerary using trains, buses, and planes.

I would fly from Istanbul to Izmir, take a bus to Ephesus, take a bus to Pamukkale (Denizli), take a bus on to Antalya, take a bus to Kaş, fly from Antalya to Cappadocia, and fly from Cappadocia back to Istanbul.

Turkish Airlines, Anadolu Jet, and Pegasus airlines are all affordable ways to travel around Turkey. To find affordable flights around Turkey, search with Skyscanner.

For shorter distances, like getting from the Izmir airport to Ephesus, you could take a bus. It really depends on many factors.

I often use Omio to help me find the best routes, times, and transportation methods for my trip.

What To Wear In Turkey (As A Woman)

I’ve written an entire post about what to pack for your trip to Turkey where I go into detail about what to bring and why.

But, here is a quick rundown of best practices for what to wear in Turkey. I always recommend no matter where you travel to dress with the culture in mind. Turkey does not have a religious government, so there are no laws around what you can or cannot wear. However, much of the population in Turkey is Muslim.

So, a good rule of thumb is to cover your shoulders and knees. This is certainly not a hard and fast rule, but rather a recommendation to avoid unwanted attention and to be respectful of the culture. But, you’ll notice on the coast where it’s quite hot, the clothes tend to reflect the weather more.

The most important clothing consideration when visiting Turkey will come into play if you visit any mosques. You will be required to cover your shoulders and knees when visiting any mosques, and often women are also required to cover their heads.

I recommend bringing a scarf of some kind to cover your head with when you run into a situation that requires it. Or, you can purchase one outside of most mosques as a souvenir from your trip, like I did!

Read More: What to Pack for Your Trip to Turkey

The Best 10 Day Turkey Itinerary

Days 1-2: Istanbul

The first two days of this itinerary, spend some time in the wonderful city of Istanbul. You’ll find that Istanbul is a very large city, with vibrant and varied culture. Most of where you’ll spend your time will be near the water and in proximity to the main attractions.

Where to Stay in Istanbul

I definitely recommend staying in the Sultanahmet neighborhood, because of its proximity to the main things to see as well as to public transportation

Istanbul Hotel Recommendations
Luxury: Vogue Hotel Supreme Istanbul
Mid-Range: Hotel Miro Mansion Istanbul
Budget: Atlantis Royal Hotel

Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia

Both of these mosques are situated within the same park, and they’re pretty hard to miss. They tower over you as you approach, and demand your attention!

The Blue Mosque is named so because of the blue tiles adorning the inside. When we visited in 2021, the mosque was under construction, so be aware that it could still be depending on when you’re visiting. 

Just across the way, the Hagia Sophia is the most popular tourist attraction in Istanbul for good reason. It’s an amazing piece of architecture with an amazing history to match. The building has been both a mosque and a church at one point or another, and the inside is huge.

Both mosques are fantastic spots to add to your itinerary, but if you only have time for one, I recommend the Hagia Sophia. It has an incredible history – it has changed hands multiple times between different faiths, which gives it a really unique story.

The Hagia Sophia is a must see during your 10 day Turkey itinerary!

Galata Tower

No need to go in the tower, in my opinion, but it is a really cool fairytale looking tower in the middle of the tourist area of town. We enjoyed checking it out! And it’s surrounded by some adorable streets and restaurants.

You can reach Galata Tower by taking the Karaköy funicular, since the walk up to it from the water is quite steep. The funicular is a fun way to get up the steep incline from Karaköy to Galata.

Grand Bazaar

You should spend hours wandering around the Grand Bazaar smelling the spices, admiring the handmade items, and chatting with the store owners.

It’s a true maze, so I recommend having your phone maps ready to lead you out of the middle of it once you inevitably get lost. For the most part, Google Maps works pretty well in here.

A good rule of thumb in the market – haggle! The store owners will be willing to haggle with you on prices, so this is a great place to get some souvenirs from your trip.

It’s a huge place, so it’s actually not a bad idea to get a guide to show you around to the best spots and tell you the history. Being that the bazaar is over 550 years old, these walls have lots to tell!

Here is a great tour that includes the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia, and Blue Mosque!

Bosphorus Strait

Istanbul is located on the Bosphorus Strait, which is a waterway that has been used for thousands of years for sea trade. It allows ships to pass from the Aegean sea to the Black Sea and back. 

The strait cuts right through the middle of Istanbul, and actually separates two continents, Europe and Asia.

Because of this, Istanbul sits on two continents, and you can take a ferry from Europe to Asia and back in one day.

Ferry to Asia

You’ll likely be staying on the European side of Istanbul, so you should hop on one of the many ferries that will take you over to Asia while visiting the city. Not only is it a fun activity, but there are wonderful little neighborhoods to explore, including Kadiköy. 

Istanbul is one of the only cities in the world situated on two continents. To take a ferry from one continent to another is a fun experience! And there really is a slightly different feel to the Asia side of Istanbul.

You can also opt to stay on this side of town if you like, as there is an airport on the Asia side as well. And, many domestic flights will leave from the Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.

Book your ferry using Ferryhopper to find available times, rates, and routes.

Beylerbeyi Palace

While on the Asian side of Istanbul, visit Beylerbeyi Palace, a former summer residence for the Ottoman Emperor.

The audio tour costs money, but it’s a fun activity to do if you have the time. We took a bus from the ferry port to the palace. I was really impressed with the opulence of the palace and the views from the grounds.

Day 3: Ephesus & Selçuk

What to See in Ephesus

There is a ton to do in Ephesus, and you could spend hours upon hours here. So, I will give you a pretty large list of things to see while visiting Ephesus, and you should decide what you are interested in and what you have time for.

Ephesus is an ancient city that changed hands many times as empires rose and fell. Today, it’s most famous for its role in the early church of Christianity. Beyond the religious importance of the historical site, it’s also an amazingly preserved example of the living style of the time.

You can see where the wealthy of Ephesus lived, the public library, and even the communal toilets.

It’s truly amazing what is still standing in Ephesus today and the feeling that you’re walking back in time as you meander through the streets of the ancient city. 

• Library of Celsus
• Ephesus Ancient Theater
• St. John’s Basilica
• Terrace Houses
• Ephesus Archaeological Museum

If you go to Ephesus, I recommend booking a tour with a guide to get the full experience! I wish we had gone to Ephesus with a guide who could tell us more about the historical significance of what we saw.

Recommended Ephesus Tours
– Ephesus Tour From Izmir (4.9 ⭐️)
– Ephesus Tour From Selcuk (5.0 ⭐️)
– Ephesus Walking Tour (4.8 ⭐️)

Where to Stay Near ephesus

Selçuk is the closest town to Ephesus, and has its own charm you should explore. It’s where I recommend you stay.

Selçuk Hotel Recommendations:
Hotel Mary’s House

We ate an amazing, quick lunch in Selçuk and met the nicest Turkish man who owned the restaurant. We wandered through the local market on Sunday and we loved it.

Day 4: Pamukkale

Now, I have mixed feelings about Pamukkale but I’m mentioning it because it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Turkey. But that’s just it: it’s an ‘attraction’. 

Over-tourism has contributed to the monetization and subsequent degradation of the naturally beautiful landscape that is Pamukkale. 

So what’s my suggestion? If you really want to go to Pamukkale, go as early in the morning as possible. I’m talking 6am kinda early. Why? Because by 8am, the place is crawling with tourists.

But, the thing is that getting there that early is really only possible if you rent your own car. So… just think about that. You can rent a car in Selçuk if you wanted to do a day trip to Pamukkale. 

There is a real problem here. Tour buses drop off oogles of people every day to walk around in the natural pools.

There is no limit to the number of visitors, so it is often so crowded you can hardly walk, let alone even see the pools. 

We made a YouTube video about our experience so you can see what we’re talking about. 

If you decide not to visit Pamukkale, take the extra day and spend it on the beautiful Turkish Riviera!

Days 5-7: Antalya & Turkish Riviera

Wow. Just wow. The Turkish coast is unbelievably beautiful. Spend some time swimming in the wonderful Mediterranean Sea and experience the resort feel of the coast. What a place!

You can choose to stay in either Antalya or Kaş depending on what you prefer. However, Antalya is going to be the easiest base for these next two days as it has an airport and bus station that are very well connected.

How to spend a day in Antalya

Antalya is a beautiful, large city on the southern coast of Turkey. You should spend a day here enjoying the beaches after exploring Kaş and before hopping on a plane to Cappadocia.

Old Town Antalya (Kaleiçi)

The best thing to do while in Antalya is walk around Old Town and visit Hadrian’s Gate, before heading to the beach.

In Old Town (Kaleiçi), you’ll find cute shopping, adorable streets, and restaurants. It’s a great area to wander around in for a while and get some steps in.

Hadrian’s Gate is something you should definitely visit, and it’s free to see. It was built around 150 CE and was named after the Roman Emperor Hadrian after he visited the city. It’s a very old piece of Roman history right in the middle of Old Town Antalya.

Restaurant Recommendation:

Antalya Beaches

My favorite beach in Antalya is Mermerli Plaji, located near Hadrian’s Gate. To get there, you must go through Başka Restaurant and pay a small entry fee. I didn’t mind the entry fee (250 lira when we went) to enjoy a slightly more secluded beach with loungers and attendant staff. Note that this is a rocky beach, so it may not be your style and that’s alright!

Another great beach in Antalya that is popular and highly rated is the Lara Beach area. It’s known for more luxury resorts and nice sandy beaches, if that is more what you prefer. And for an easy to get to beach with a mix of locals and tourists, check out Konyaaltı Beaches.

Helpful tip: ‘plaji’ means beach.

What To Do In Kaş

Your second day on the Turkish Riviera should be spent in Kaş, one of the most beautiful places in Turkey!

And if you have just one day in Kaş, I recommend doing a tour by boat or kayak to see as much of the coastline as possible. Most boat tours from Kaş are full day excursions that include lunch and drinks, but you can also opt for a half day tour to give you some time to hang out at the beach on your own.

RECOMMENDED BOAT TOURS IN KAŞ

If boats aren’t really your thing and you’d rather see the coast by land, consider hiking the Lycian Way. This is a hiking trail that passes through the town of Kaş and stretches along the coastline. You can walk as much or as little as you want and stop at the beaches along the way, like Küçük Çakıl.

BEST BEACHES IN KAŞ

Where to Stay in Antalya

Akra Hotel
Mavi Avulu Old Town Apartments

Where to Stay in Kaş

Sunset Villa Hotel
Mandalina Luxury Boutique Otel

Days 8-10: Cappadocia

We’ve saved the best for last!

That’s right, Cappadocia will absolutely blow your mind.

There are a lot of really cool things to do in Cappadocia, so again I will give you a list and let you choose what you’re interested in!

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon

The most iconic activity in Cappadocia is a sunrise hot air balloon, and for good reason. Seeing the otherworldly geography of Cappadocia from above is the best way to grasp the unique landscape.

There are lots of tour companies to choose from, but we highly recommend the one we chose, Turquaz Balloons.

Our pilot was knowledgable, funny, and very skilled at flying a hot air balloon. They picked us up from our hotel very early in the morning and then took us to their office for breakfast and coffee. And after the ride, they provided us with a congratulatory champagne and snacks before taking us back to our hotel.

RECOMMENDED HOT AIR BALLOONS IN CAPPADOCIA

Sunset Horse Ride Through The Valley

The other activity we chose to do while in Cappadocia was a horse ride at sunset. It was such a fun and unique way to see the valley, and we loved it!

Here is the sunset horse tour we booked and I highly recommend!

Cappadocia ATV Tour

Another common tour in Cappadocia is an ATV tour, which will take you through the valley and show you many of the most popular spots, like Love Valley.

If you prefer motorized vehicles over horses, this might be the tour for you! If I were to book an ATV tour in Cappadocia, this is the one I would choose.

Open Air Museums

We were very pleasantly surprised at how interesting the open air museums in Cappadocia were. We went to both the Goreme Open Air Museum and the Zelve Open Air Museum. Of the two, I’d recommend you go to Zelve.

These museums show where people lived in caves carved into the soft rock of the valley for centuries. Mostly, these were Byzantine Era Christian settlements. Today, you’ll find the well preserved 6th century churches that Zelve is most known for.

A fascinating history lesson in Cappadocia that you should definitely add to your itinerary!

There are tons of affordable hotels in Göreme, which is where I would recommend you stay. You can easily find a beautiful hotel with amazing views for less than $100/night.

You should definitely stay in a cave hotel built into the rocks of the landscape. So cool!

In the mornings, you can see the hot air balloons from anywhere in town.

Final Thoughts – 10 Day Turkey Itinerary

Now you’re ready to plan your 10 day Turkey itinerary! Please leave a comment if you have other suggestions of places to visit, or questions about visiting Turkey.

Also check out our YouTube videos from our time in Turkey!