3-Week Turkey Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Turkey tour itineraries

Compiled by

SteffTurkey travel expert at TourRadar

• 21 Days in Turkey & Georgia, incl. Istanbul and Tbilisi

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Istanbul & Gallipoli

    Start with an evening walk through Istanbul's historic district. Visit the Grand Bazaar early morning to avoid crowds. Drive 4 hours to Gallipoli Peninsula on Day 2 to visit ANZAC Cove and war cemeteries. Take the ferry to Çanakkale afterward.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Ancient Cities & Selçuk

    Start at Troy's archaeological site before traveling to Ayvalik. Stop by the local women's handicraft cooperative, Çöp(m)adam. Visit Ephesus in Selçuk by 8:30 AM before tour groups arrive. Learn to make traditional pide before taking the overnight train to Cappadocia.

    
  • Days 5-7

    Cappadocia's Wonderland

    "The fairy chimneys of Cappadocia are best explored at sunrise - bring sturdy shoes as the volcanic terrain can be slippery," notes a TourRadar traveler. Visit the Kaymakli underground city and enjoy dinner with locals. Consider a hot air balloon ride if weather permits. Fly back to Istanbul.

    
  • Days 8-10

    Eastern Turkey Adventure

    Fly to Adiyaman to see the Ataturk Dam. Plan your Mount Nemrut visit for sunset but bring warm clothes. Visit ancient Gobekli Tepe before continuing to Urfa.

    
  • Days 11-14

    Lake Van & Turkish-Georgian Border

    See UNESCO-listed Mardin before visiting Lake Van. Take a boat trip to Akdamar Island and explore Van Castle. Visit Ishak Pasha Palace in Dogubeyazit with Mt. Ararat views. Check out the medieval Armenian ruins of Ani in Kars.

    
  • Days 15-17

    Georgian Beginning

    Enter Georgia and head to Tbilisi. Tour the old town and Narikala Fortress. Take a 3.5-hour drive to Stepantsminda to see Gergeti Trinity Church. A traveler advises: "The jeep ride up is bumpy but the mountain views are incredible. Pack motion sickness pills if needed."

    
  • Days 18-21

    Western Georgia & Tbilisi

    Visit Stalin's birthplace in Gori and the cave city of Uplistsikhe. Take a boat through Martvili Canyon in Kutaisi. Finish in Tbilisi with a cooking class at Terragarden and visits to historic churches.

    

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• 19 Day Turkey Itinerary, incl. Istanbul and Cappadocia

  The extensive 19-day route spans 14 Turkish cities, from Istanbul to Kars. Guests enjoy 18 nights in select accommodations, including cave hotels in Cappadocia and boutique stays in Antalya, complemented by domestic flights, 18 breakfasts, 7 dinners, and a Bosphorus cruise.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Istanbul

    Give yourself a full day to adjust before exploring. On day 2, head to the Blue Mosque early around 8:30 AM before the crowds arrive. Set aside 3 hours for Topkapi Palace and about an hour just for the Harem section. Visit the Hagia Sophia first thing to avoid the midday rush.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Gallipoli to Troy

    It takes 4 hours to drive from Istanbul to the Gallipoli Peninsula. Pack good walking shoes for the ANZAC Cove sites. Visit Troy in the morning when it's cooler. The new Troy Museum will help you understand the archaeological site better.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Kusadasi & Ephesus

    Stay in Kusadasi while exploring Ephesus. Spend your morning at Ephesus and wear shoes with good grip on the marble streets. See the Terrace Houses early before it gets hot. The carpet village tour takes about 2 hours. You don't need to buy anything but watching the weavers work is interesting.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Pamukkale & Fethiye

    Bring water shoes for walking on Pamukkale's calcium formations. Go early to avoid crowds and heat. Swimming in Hierapolis's ancient pool costs extra but lets you swim near Roman ruins. Try the 12-island boat tour in Fethiye when the water is clearest in the morning.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Antalya Region

    Start at the Antalya Museum to learn about the area's history. Check out Aspendos's amazing theater where you can hear even quiet sounds from the top rows. Stay away during the hot midday hours in summer.

    
  • Days 11-13

    Konya to Cappadocia

    You'll see stunning landscapes on your drive to Cappadocia. Skip the underground city if small spaces bother you. Book balloon rides well ahead and be ready for a 4:30 AM start.

    
  • Days 14-17

    Eastern Turkey

    Van shows you a different side of Turkey. Lake Van is surprisingly good for swimming despite being high up. Visit Akdamar Island's Armenian church in the morning for the best photos. Bring sun protection and water for the exposed Ani ruins near Kars.

    
  • Days 18-19

    Return to Istanbul

    Use your last day to see what you missed like the Spice Bazaar or take a Bosphorus cruise. Staying in Sultanahmet puts you close to main attractions even though it's touristy.

    

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• 20 Day Turkey Itinerary, incl. Istanbul and Cappadocia

  A grand 20-day Turkish adventure covers 1500km across 10 major cities. The carefully curated stays include 4 nights at Istanbul's Levni Hotel and 2 nights at Cappadocia's Gamirasu Hotel, with visits to 6 UNESCO World Heritage sites including Ephesus and Hierapolis.

  

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  • Days 1-4

    Istanbul

    Start your journey in Istanbul's Sultanahmet district, where you'll find a perfect blend of Eastern and Western cultures. Take your first afternoon to walk around and get your bearings. Plan the next three days around major sites like Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sophia. Get to Topkapi Palace by 9 AM to avoid the crowds. A useful tip for the Grand Bazaar: use the Nuruosmaniye Gate entrance. It's less crowded and makes it easier to find your way around.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Ankara

    Take the 3-hour fast train from Istanbul to Turkey's modern capital. Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in the morning when the natural light is perfect for photos. Remember to bring a scarf for the Ataturk Mausoleum as shoulders need to be covered.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Cappadocia

    Most visitors say the hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia's fairy chimneys is unforgettable. Bring warm layers for chilly mornings, even in summer. Wear shoes with good grip for the underground cities. A recent visitor shared: "The Kaymakli Underground City tunnels are narrow - if you're claustrophobic, stay near the entrance levels where spaces are larger."

    
  • Days 9-10

    Konya to Pamukkale

    Visit historic Konya on your way to Pamukkale. Pack water shoes for walking on the travertine terraces. Visit in late afternoon when tour groups have left and you can catch beautiful sunset photos.

    
  • Days 11-12

    Kusadasi & Ephesus

    Stay in Kusadasi while exploring Ephesus. Get to the ancient city at 8 AM opening time to avoid crowds and heat. The Terrace Houses cost extra but show the best-preserved Roman homes you'll find.

    
  • Days 13-14

    Kutahya to Ayvalik

    Travel through Kutahya, Turkey's ceramic hub, before reaching coastal Ayvalik. Look for Greek Orthodox influences in the local buildings and try the region's excellent olive oil.

    
  • Days 15-16

    Canakkale & Gallipoli

    Wear comfortable shoes for Gallipoli as you'll do lots of walking between sites. Summer visits can be very hot with little shade. Try the local seafood restaurants along Canakkale's waterfront.

    
  • Days 17-18

    Bursa to Istanbul

    Visit Bursa's silk bazaars and Ottoman buildings. Get to the Green Mosque before 10 AM for the best photos. Stop at Iznik, known for its beautiful tiles, on your way back to Istanbul.

  • Days 19-20

    Istanbul

    Take a morning Bosphorus cruise for the clearest views. Spend your final evening at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the lit-up mosques.

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