The Perfect 10 Day Itinerary for Türkiye: History, Culture and Sea

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Türkiye contains so many of the great things about travel. Rich history, natural beauty, delicious cuisine and thriving modern culture all contribute to the enduring charm of Türkiye. In fact, thanks to these attributes, Türkiye came in as the fifth most visited country in the world according to 2024 figures.

It should be very clear already that Türkiye is one of Travel Insighter’s favorite destinations for 2025. Whether it’s the cosmopolitan city of Istanbul, the shimmering water of the Mediterranean coast, the ancient wonder of Ephesus, or even these hidden seaside getaways, our team repeatedly show how Türkiye is one of the world’s most versatile and worthy travel destinations.

With so much to see and do, piecing it all together can be a tricky task – and this is where our 10 day Türkiye itinerary comes in handy.

Why 2025 is the year to visit Türkiye

Türkiye’s attractions have been no secret on the travel scene. Istanbul has long been one of Europe’s prime city break destinations, and coastal resorts in the areas of Bodrum, Dalaman and Antalya have very well developed tourist infrastructure.

But in recent years, post-Covid travel to Türkiye has been characterized not only by higher spending on vacations, but also by tourists branching out further away from these popular spots. With this shift in demand, tourist infrastructure has improved, accommodation options have expanded, and Türkiye is more welcoming than ever.

What’s more, a wide variety of airlines consistently link European cities to destinations all over Türkiye.

The ultimate 10 day Türkiye itinerary

This 10 day Türkiye itinerary aims to show you a little from each of the diverse experiences that Türkiye can offer.

Remember, this is just a small snapshot of a hugely varied country, and any of the destinations listed here could be enjoyed even deeper with more time and flexibility.

Days 1-3: Istanbul

As Türkiye’s most significant, cosmopolitan, exciting and well-connected city, it makes sense to begin (or end) your 10 day Türkiye itinerary in Istanbul. Dissected by the Bosphorus Straits, this transcontinental city is also one of the world’s most picturesque cities of its size.

Make sure to save our detailed three-day schedule where we lay out in detail the ultimate Istanbul itinerary. Since Istanbul carries so many identities with it, three days would be the absolute minimum to get a feel for the city. Any less time would be an injustice to the Istanbul’s historical, cultural and gastronomic importance.

At the same time as being truly international, Istanbul is one of the cornerstones of Turkish identity. You cannot understand Türkiye as a whole without getting to know Istanbul.

On your first day, it’s best to get to know Istanbul’s most emblematic area – Sultanahmet. The Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace and Blue Mosque are essential tourist sights. However you should also take time to lose yourself in the Grand Bazaar or enjoy a hammam at Cağaloğlu Hamamı.

Spend your second day in of Beyoğlu, still on the European side but north of the Golden Horn. Beyoğlu includes neighborhoods like Galata (great for restaurants and boutique hotels) and Nişantaşı (recommended for high-end chic). Also be sure to check out Beyoğlu’s laidback backstreet café culture and local art galleries.

Your last full day in Istanbul allows you to explore the low-key but characterful neighborhoods of Kadıköy and Üsküdar on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. In particular, there are some nice authentic eateries in Kadıköy, and Icadiye Street (Kuzguncuk) near Üsküdar is an exceptionally pretty area of the city. The ferry trip across the Bosphorus is a memorable experience in itself.

Day 4: Choose your own day-trip excursion

Lying with a convenient radius of Istanbul, there are some great destinations for interesting day trips. Choose from one of the following options for the fourth day of your 10 day Türkiye itinerary.

For Ottoman architecture: Edirne

In the far western corner of European Türkiye is the small and charming city of Edirne, just near the borders with Greece and Bulgaria.

Why do I recommend visiting this relatively small city? The Selimiye Mosque is perhaps the most striking examples of Ottoman architecture that I have seen anywhere in Türkiye. Inscribed as a World Heritage Site, the Selimiye Mosque is the masterpiece of imperial architect Mimar Sinan. The Selimiye Mosque is also adjoined by a small museum showcasing artwork and information about the architecture.

Among the various other smaller mosques and madrasahs in Edirne, the “Three Balconies” Mosque is another inspiring building to visit. Beside these, Edirne is also a pleasant city to enjoy its streets of wooden houses, parks, marketplace and local restaurants.

For WWI history: Gallipoli

In 1915-16, the infamous Gallipoli campaign was fought between the Ottoman Empire and the Entente Powers, on a peninsula to the southwest of Istanbul. The campaign is remembered for its huge loss of life on both sides.

You’ll first pass through the town of Çanakkale, facing the peninsula on the other side of the Dardanelles Straits.

As a visitor, you’ll most likely want to see monuments to remember the ANZAC forces. For many Australian and New Zealand visitors to Türkiye, a trip to ANZAC Cove is an important place to pay their respects. Specifically, memorial services are held there every year on 25^th April.

It is best to visit Gallipoli with the logical assistance and information of a tour guide.

For the birthplace of Ottoman Türkiye: Bursa

The city of Bursa lies around two and a half hours southeast of Istanbul. Beside being the fourth most populated city in Türkiye, Bursa is also one of the most important cities in the Ottoman Empire’s establishment.

Museums and diorama exhibitions tell the story of the arrival of the Selcuk Turks from the eastern portion of Anatolia, and the establishment of the Ottoman Empire court.

Bursa is also notable for its markets, mosques and mausoleums (don’t miss the Green Tomb). Koza Han is a tranquil haven of peace in the city – relax in the shaded courtyard of this historical caravanserai rest stop and enjoy a Turkish coffee.

Days 5-7: Izmir

For the middle part of your 10 day Türkiye itinerary, you’ll want to base yourself in the second city of Türkiye – Izmir.

In the later days of the Ottoman Empire, Izmir (formerly known as Smyrna) was one of the most multicultural and cosmopolitan cities in the region – seen as a beacon of tolerance and coexistence. Izmir bears many vestiges of this history today, especially in its architecture and food.

The pleasant waterside promenade often hosts outdoor events in the summer and is a beautiful place to enjoy the Aegean scenery. Spend at least one of your days in Izmir enjoying the colorful bazaars and picturesque cobblestone streets.

Excursion to Ephesus

Ephesus (Efes in Turkish) is a true wonder of the ancient world. It is rightfully ranked right up there as a symbol of classical Western civilization – something like Türkiye’s answer to the Acropolis in Athens or the Colosseum in Rome.

This sprawling site is most recognizable for its huge amphitheater, temples and library. Dedicate some time to really get under the skin of Ephesus, and to read up about its historical importance.

To get to Ephesus independently, you can take the train to Selçuk, and get a taxi (or take a long walk) to the site from there. Alternatively, join a tour for a convenient transfer from Izmir to Ephesus. A trip to the pleasant port town of Kuşadası is also a nice add-on to your Ephesus visit.

Optional side-trip: Pamukkale

The famous pools at Pamukkale are also relatively easy to reach from Izmir.

Natural thermal waters from the spring have left behind carbonate minerals, forming pools which allow for bathers to take a tip in their waters. The ancient Greek city of Hierapolis was established above the natural springs, and the ruins which remain today are well worth a visit. Since its natural waters boast health benefits, Pamukkale is quite popular among Turkish and foreigner visitors alike.

Personally, I would recommend spending more time in Izmir than Pamukkale. If you don’t feel like another city day, however, Pamukkale is still recommended as a fun option.

Days 8-10: Aegean Coast – Kaş and Antalya

You’ve enjoyed some of Türkiye’s great cities, so now kick back and relax towards the end of your 10 day Türkiye itinerary. Türkiye’s coastline is one of its major touristic drawcards – often matching Greece’s Aegean islands without the high prices (I still highly recommend visiting both though!).

My main piece of advice would be to avoid the huge resort towns (like Bodrum or Fethiye). They have all the useful tourist infrastructure such as transport connectivity and car rentals, but they don’t really show off the beauty of the Turkish coast as much as smaller towns down the coast.

Hidden archaeological gem: Letoon

You’d be forgiven for having never heard of Letoon, but that is exactly what makes it so memorable.

Roughly halfway between Fethiye (where you might have hired your car), hidden among olive groves and with the only sounds being cicadas and the local mosque’s call to prayer (rather than the noise of tourist crowds), Letoon is one of the best hidden gems of Türkiye. Imagine a sight like the Roman Agora in Athens, or even a mini version of Ephesus, just without any of the crowds.

Letoon is a perfect pitstop on your drive down the coast from Fethiye, before you get down to the highlight of the Turkish Riviera. It is a detour of approximately ten minutes from the main road.

Kaş

Instead of sticking around in the big towns, head to Kaş (pronounced “cash”). As the steep cliffs of Anatolia fall dramatically into the crystal-clear waters of the eastern Mediterranean, this vivid little town of flower-lined cobbled streets, colorful houses and boutique gift shops is one of the most attractive seaside towns in the region. The drive along the cliff road here itself is stunning in itself.

Kaş doesn’t really have many sandy beaches. The swimming spots are mainly accessible through waterside cafés and bars. Nevertheless, the swimming here is second to none – in the summer the water is a perfect temperature, and the visibility is truly fantastic.

Be sure to take a boat trip from Kaş to a sunken city on Kekova Island. From the boat, you will be able to see the underwater remains of a city dating back to ancient times, just a few feet below the water. Many tours also take you to a pretty town called Kaleköy, just along the coast, where you can climb up the ruins of Simena Castle.

Antalya

A much bigger tourist town than Kaş, Antalya is where you will probably fly out from, and it is the end point of your 10 day Türkiye itinerary. Expect a huge range of accommodation to choose from, whether you feel like a budget-friendly guesthouse or a large all-inclusive resort.

The public beaches of Antalya are quite impressive. Having said that, many of the nicer swimming spots are in the bigger resorts. To get to these beaches might require buying a day pass.

Optional extension: Cappadocia

If you can extend your trip, Antalya has the airline routes or bus services to travel inland to ancient Cappadocia. You’ve almost definitely seen dreamy pictures of hot air balloons drifting over the moon-like landscape. Be sure to check out our full guide to Cappadocia.

The caves in this otherworldly environment house underground swellings and churches, which were inhabited by early Christians. The historical significance of Cappadocia makes it a very worthy final stop, and indeed it is many people’s ultimate idealized destination when it comes to planning a trip to Türkiye.

The nearest city to Cappadocia is Nevşehir, with its small airport only really being connected to Istanbul. Alternatively, Kayseri is not too far away, and it has one weekly direct flight to London with Sun Express. You could also fly home from Kayseri via bigger cities such as Istanbul, Izmir or Antalya.

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