City routes
Ten curated multi-day city itineraries. Pick one, change the order, or add a slow morning. These are routes, not a complete list of Turkish cities.
3 days Istanbul
Istanbul is the only city that has been capital of three empires. You can see Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman layers within a short walk, then take a ferry to Asia.
2 days Cappadocia (Nevşehir)
A surreal landscape of fairy chimneys, cave churches, underground cities and hot-air balloons.
3 days Antalya and the Lycian Coast
A mix of Roman ruins, turquoise water, pine-covered mountains and small coastal towns.
2 days İzmir and Ephesus
İzmir is a relaxed Aegean city with a strong food scene; nearby Ephesus is the best-preserved Roman city in the region.
2 days Bursa
The first Ottoman capital, with imperial mosques, thermal baths, silk, Cumalıkızık and İskender kebab.
2 days Gaziantep
One of Türkiye's great food cities, with baklava, pistachios, kebabs and a rich museum scene.
2 days Şanlıurfa and Göbeklitepe
Göbeklitepe rewrote the history of monumental architecture; Urfa adds prophets, pools, bazaars and a distinctive food culture.
2 days Mardin
A honey-coloured stone city above the Mesopotamian plain, with churches, mosques, monasteries and a strong multicultural heritage.
3 days Trabzon and the Black Sea
Green mountains, Sumela Monastery, Uzungöl, tea plantations and a distinctive Black Sea food culture.
3 days Bodrum and the Aegean
White houses, turquoise bays, a Crusader castle, boutique hotels, nightlife and nearby ancient sites.
Looking for a city that is not here? Every one of the 81 provinces has its own guide in Destinations.
All 81 provinces
Browse the full province directory by region, or open a province guide for places, food and practical information.