5-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary in Turkey

  • Day 1: Istanbul Old City
    20 minutes (8 miles) from Istanbul Airport

    Start your trip by exploring the historic Istanbul Old City. Visit the Blue Mosque with its iconic domes and six minarets, then head to the Topkapi Palace Museum to learn about the Ottoman Empire's history. Finally, end the day with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, where you can buy traditional souvenirs and taste delicious Turkish cuisine.

  • Day 2: Cappadocia Region
    1h 25m flight from Istanbul (IST) to Kayseri (ASR)

    Take an early morning flight to Kayseri and discover the unique landscape of the Cappadocia Region. Marvel at the rock formations in Goreme National Park and experience a hot air balloon ride over the valleys. End the day with a visit to the underground city of Kaymakli, which offers a glimpse into Turkey's fascinating underground history.

  • Day 3: Pamukkale
    5-hour drive from Cappadocia

    Start with a drive to Pamukkale and explore the natural wonder of the Cotton Castle, where hot springs have left mineral deposits creating picturesque white terraces. After a soak in the thermal waters, visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, with its impressive Roman ruins and the unique Cleopatra Pool.

  • Day 4: Mediterranean Coast
    3-hour drive from Pamukkale

    Begin your day by driving to the Mediterranean Coast and spend some time at the Olympos Beach. After that, head to the ruins of Phaselis, an ancient city located on a serene beach. End your day with a walk through the Antalya Old Town, discovering the charming streets and colorful marina.

  • Day 5: Troy & Gallipoli
    6-hour drive from Mediterranean Coast to Istanbul

    Start with a trip to the Troy Archaeological Site, where you can learn the story behind the Trojan War. Then head to the Gallipoli Peninsula and visit the World War I battlefields and memorials, paying respects to the thousands of soldiers who lost their lives here. Drive back to Istanbul to end your trip.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Blue Mosque (1 hour, free)
  • Topkapi Palace Museum (2 hours, 100 TL)
  • Grand Bazaar (2 hours, free entry)
  • Goreme National Park (3 hours, 60 TL)
  • Hot air balloon ride (1 hour, 750 TL)
  • Underground city of Kaymakli (1.5 hours, 50 TL)
  • Pamukkale (3 hours, 120 TL)
  • Hierapolis (2 hours, 50 TL)
  • Olympos Beach (2 hours, free entry)
  • Phaselis (2 hours, 35 TL)
  • Antalya Old Town (1 hour, free entry)
  • Troy Archaeological Site (3 hours, 45 TL)
  • Gallipoli Peninsula (2 hours, free entry)
  • Total Estimated Costs: 1,150 TL (excluding flights and transportation)

Transportation

To get around during the trip, travelers can either rent a car or use public transportation. The estimated cost of renting a car is around 200-300 TL per day, while costs for public transportation vary depending on city and distance. Flights between Istanbul and Kayseri cost around 200-300 TL per person.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting the charming town of Safranbolu or taking a boat tour in the stunning Fethiye Bay. If you have less time, consider skipping the Gallipoli peninsula or the Mediterranean coast and spend more time in Istanbul or Cappadocia. Be sure to budget additional time and money for unforeseen circumstances, such as traffic or weather delays.

Airports

There are two main international airports in Turkey: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). Istanbul Airport is the busiest and largest airport in Turkey, located in the Arnavutkoy district, approximately 40 km outside of the city center. Sabiha Gokcen International Airport is located in the Asian side of Istanbul, approximately 35 km away from the city center. Kayseri Erkilet International Airport (ASR) is the closest airport to Cappadocia, located approximately 80 km from the region.

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