14 days • 13 nights • Turkey
Two weeks to see all of Turkey: Istanbul, the cave hotels of Cappadocia, the historic Konya road, Antalya's beaches, then Trabzon and Uzungöl.
The 14-day Turkey tour program is the grand tour for anyone who wants to see the different faces of Turkey in a single trip: Istanbul with its history and markets, Cappadocia with its valleys and balloons, Konya, the city of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, Antalya with its turquoise beaches, and then the green north in Trabzon and Lake Uzungöl. Each region has its own character, weather and cuisine, and that is what makes the trip so rich.
We planned the route so the travel makes sense: a domestic flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia, then a road trip via Konya to Antalya that becomes a tour in its own right, then a domestic flight to Trabzon, and finally a flight back to Istanbul for shopping before departure. Domestic flights are included, and in every city you have a private car with a driver. The program suits families and friends, and a destination can be dropped or another extended to fit your vacation. We send you the final offer with the available domestic flight times.
Your driver meets you at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) and takes you to the hotel. After a rest, enjoy a light evening walk around Taksim Square and İstiklal Avenue. We hand you a SIM card and go over the details of your domestic flights.
We visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern, then Topkapı Palace, which overlooks the meeting point of the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. In the afternoon we see the Süleymaniye Mosque, then the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar in Eminönü. We end the day on the Galata Bridge at sunset.
We start at Dolmabahçe Palace, then Ortaköy, Bebek and Rumeli Hisarı Fortress, and take a boat tour of the Bosphorus of about an hour and a half. Then we cross to the Asian side to visit the Çamlıca Mosque and watch the sunset from its hill. An optional seafood dinner can be added.
A morning domestic flight to Nevşehir Airport (NAV) or Kayseri (ASR), about an hour and a quarter, then roughly an hour by car to the cave hotel. In the afternoon we visit Uçhisar Castle and Pigeon Valley, and watch the sunset from a viewpoint over the Red and Rose Valleys. The evening is free at the hotel or in one of the cave restaurants.
Before dawn, take the optional balloon flight or watch it from the viewpoints. After breakfast we visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum, Paşabağ Valley and Devrent Valley, then the pottery workshops in Avanos. In the afternoon we visit the underground city of Kaymaklı or Derinkuyu, with its floors carved into the rock.
A long road day (about 7 hours of driving) that we break up with memorable stops. First we stop at Sultanhanı, one of the largest Seljuk caravanserais on the caravan route. Then we reach Konya to visit the Mevlana Museum, home to the tomb of Jalaluddin Rumi, and have lunch. In the afternoon we cross the Taurus Mountains down to Antalya and reach the hotel in the evening.
We begin at the Roman Hadrian's Gate and the old lanes of Kaleiçi down to the old harbor, then take a boat trip to see the Lower Düden Waterfall plunge into the sea (in season). In the afternoon we visit the Upper Düden Waterfalls, then watch the sunset at Konyaaltı Beach. The evening is left free in the lanes and restaurants of Kaleiçi.
We head to Kemer and ride the Olympos cable car to the top of Mount Tahtalı for views over the coast, then swim or stroll in Moonlight Park and on its beach. If you prefer to rest, you can spend the whole day at the hotel beach or pool. We recommend packing your bags in the evening for tomorrow's trip to Trabzon.
A domestic flight from Antalya to Trabzon, direct if available in season or via Istanbul, set according to the schedule at the time of booking. Our driver meets you at Trabzon Airport, and if time allows we visit Trabzon's Hagia Sophia and, before sunset, go up Boztepe Hill overlooking the Black Sea. The evening is free in Meydan Square, near the hotel.
We drive to the Altındere Valley in about an hour to visit Sümela Monastery, perched on the cliff; reaching it takes a walk uphill of a few minutes. Then we go up to the village of Hamsiköy to taste rice pudding with hazelnuts. On the way back we stop at Lake Sera, west of the city, for a stroll, then enjoy a free evening in Meydan Square.
We set off for Uzungöl, about two hours with stops, at the Sürmene knife shops, a tea house and waterfalls along the way. After check-in we walk around the lake and go up to the Uzungöl panoramic viewpoint, visiting a horse farm and honey shops. A quiet night by the lake.
A quiet morning by the lake before it fills with visitors, then we drive to Trabzon Airport, about two hours, for the domestic flight to Istanbul (about two hours). The driver meets you in Istanbul and takes you to the hotel. The evening is free to rest after a day of travel.
A free day with the driver for shopping at one of the big malls or the clothing markets in Laleli and Osmanbey, and for gifts from the Grand Bazaar. Alternatively, you can visit the Princes' Islands by ferry. We suggest a farewell dinner on the Bosphorus.
A free morning, depending on your flight time. The driver picks you up at the hotel and takes you to the airport about three hours before departure. We wish you a safe journey home.
| City | Nights | Suggested |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul | 5 | 4-star hotel in Taksim, Şişli or Sultanahmet (3 nights at the start and 2 nights at the end). |
| Cappadocia | 2 | Cave hotel in Göreme or Uçhisar. |
| Antalya | 3 | 4–5 star hotel or resort in Lara or Konyaaltı, on a breakfast basis with an all-inclusive option. |
| Trabzon | 2 | 4-star hotel in the city center near Meydan Square. |
| Uzungöl | 1 | Hotel or bungalow with a lake view. |
Book this program
Add your arrival date, the number of travelers and the hotel level, and you will receive a written offer with the final price via WhatsApp.
Questions & answers
It is enough to see the four main tourist regions without rushing: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya and Turkey's Black Sea region. If you want more time by the sea, you can add nights in Antalya, and if you prefer nature, add nights in Uzungöl.
A suitable direct flight may not be available on your travel date, and flying via Istanbul takes up most of the day. The road route via Konya (about 7 hours of driving) turns the transfer day into a tour of Sultanhanı and the Mevlana Museum, and it can be replaced by a flight.
Yes. For example, you can drop Antalya to make it a 10-day trip close to the 10-day Istanbul and Trabzon program, or drop the Black Sea region and keep only Istanbul, Cappadocia and Antalya.
Yes, though note that the road day to Antalya is long and can be replaced by a flight. We provide family rooms, a spacious van and child seats on request.
From the OYA guide
A balanced 10-day family itinerary in Turkey that combines city, nature and snow or lakes, with ideas for children's activities and practical tips on accommodation and getting around with little ones.
Instead of generic numbers that don't fit your trip, we explain the components of travel costs in Turkey and what raises and lowers them, with a simple way to calculate a one-week budget and practical saving tips.
Turkey has varied climates, so what suits Istanbul may not suit Antalya or Uzungöl in the same month. A month-by-month guide helps you choose the timing and the destination together.
You may also like
Five balanced days in Istanbul: the Old City, the Bosphorus between two continents, and a day trip to Lake Sapanca and Maşukiye, with a selected hotel and an English-speaking driver.
A full week in Turkey without changing hotels: you stay in Istanbul and make day trips to Sapanca and Maşukiye, to Bursa and Mount Uludağ, and to the Princes' Islands, in a private car with an English-speaking driver.
A week that combines Istanbul's magic with Bursa's calm: the Old City and the Bosphorus, then two nights in Bursa with the Uludağ cable car and the first Ottoman mosques.
Personal service from start to finish
We design a custom program for you, with the number of days, cities and hotels you want — just tell us.
