2 Weeks in Turkey: Two Itineraries for 14 Days
Quick answer: Two weeks is the ideal length for a first trip to Turkey. The classic plan is 4 nights in Istanbul, 3 in Cappadocia, 3 near Ephesus, 1 at Pamukkale and 2 on the Turquoise Coast (Fethiye or Antalya), with domestic flights for the long legs. If you prefer to see the countryside by road, our Grand Tour adds Gallipoli, Troy and Konya instead.
Plan A: The classic 14 days, with flights
| Days | Where | Highlights | Nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | Istanbul | Hagia Sophia, Topkapı, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Chora, Bosphorus, Asian side | 4 |
| 5-7 | Cappadocia | Göreme, fairy chimneys, balloons, underground city, Ihlara Valley | 3 |
| 8-10 | Ephesus area | Ephesus and Terrace Houses, House of the Virgin Mary, Priene, Miletus, Didyma, Şirince | 3 |
| 11 | Pamukkale | Aphrodisias, the travertines, Hierapolis | 1 |
| 12-14 | Fethiye or Antalya | Boat day, Ölüdeniz or Kaleiçi, Perge and Aspendos; fly home on day 14 | 2 |
This is close to our 12-Day Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale tour plus a coast extension. For a slower version with a free day on the coast, see the 13-Day tour at a slower pace.
Plan B: The Grand Tour by road
Our 14-Day Grand Tour of Turkey drives a full loop instead of flying, so you see the countryside between the sights:
- Istanbul (days 1-2)
- Gallipoli and the Dardanelles, then Troy (days 3-4)
- Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary (day 5)
- Pamukkale and Hierapolis (days 6-7)
- Antalya, with a free day and Aspendos (days 7-9)
- Konya and the Mevlana Museum, Sultanhanı caravanserai (days 9-10)
- Cappadocia (days 10-11), Ankara (day 12)
- Back to Istanbul (day 13), departure (day 14)
Choose Plan B if you like road trips, WWI history or Rumi’s Konya. Choose Plan A if you want more time in each place and fewer hours in the car.
Other two-week routes
- Ancient Aegean in depth: Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Konya and Cappadocia. See the 12-Day Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus and Cappadocia tour.
- Off the classic path: Safranbolu’s Ottoman houses, Cappadocia, Sagalassos and Fethiye. See the 12-Day Safranbolu, Cappadocia and Fethiye tour.
- Turkey and Greece: about 9 days in Turkey ending in Kuşadası, then the ferry to Samos and 5 days in the Greek islands. See Turkey vs Greece.
- Göbekli Tepe and Mesopotamia: add southeast Turkey with our 9-Day Cappadocia, Göbekli Tepe, Nemrut and Mardin tour and a few days in Istanbul.
Why two weeks works so well
Turkey is about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) from west to east, and even the classic sights in the west are hours apart. In a week you see the highlights at a brisk pace. In two weeks you get full days at each stop, a spare morning for Cappadocia’s balloons, and time on the coast at the end to rest before the long flight home. Our guide to how many days you need compares 7, 10 and 14 days.
For the shorter versions of this route, see the 7-day and 10-day itineraries.
FAQ
Is 2 weeks enough for Turkey?
Yes. Two weeks covers Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale and a few days on the Turquoise Coast at a comfortable pace.
What is the best 2-week itinerary for Turkey?
For a first trip: 4 nights in Istanbul, 3 in Cappadocia, 3 near Ephesus, 1 at Pamukkale and 2 in Fethiye or Antalya, with domestic flights for the long legs.
Should I drive or fly around Turkey in 2 weeks?
Fly the long legs (Istanbul to Cappadocia, Cappadocia to İzmir) if you want more time at each stop. Drive if you want Gallipoli, Troy and Konya on the way; our Grand Tour does this with a private driver.
When is the best time for a 2-week trip to Turkey?
April to early June and September to October, when Istanbul, Cappadocia and the coast are all pleasant. July and August are hot on the Aegean.
Can I combine Turkey and Greece in 2 weeks?
Yes. Spend about 9 days in Turkey ending in Kuşadası, take the ferry to Samos, and spend about 5 days in the Greek islands.