15-Day Luxury Travel Itinerary for Turkey

  • Day 1: Istanbul
    1 hour (15 km) from Istanbul Airport

    Explore the iconic Hagia Sophia Museum and the Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet Square, and take a Bosphorus boat tour to see the city from the water. End the day with a luxury Turkish bath experience at a traditional hammam like Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamam.

  • Day 2: Cappadocia
    1 hour 45 minutes (760 km) by plane from Istanbul Ataturk Airport

    Visit the unique landscapes of Goreme National Park with its cave dwellings and churches, and take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise over the fairy chimneys. Stay in a luxury hotel carved into the rock formations like Mithra Cave Hotel.

  • Day 3: Antalya
    1 hour 30 minutes (800 km) by plane from Kayseri Airport

    Relax at the Lara Beach resort with its turquoise waters and fine sand, and explore the ancient Hadrian's Gate and old town area with its charming Ottoman-era houses. Dine at a seaside restaurant like Mangal Shish & Kebab and enjoy the sea views.

  • Day 4-5: Bodrum
    1 hour (950 km) by plane from Antalya Airport

    Relax at the luxurious Amanruya resort with its private beach, spa, and infinity pool. Visit the Bodrum Castle and Amphitheatre, and enjoy a sunset dinner at a seafood restaurant like SuperFresh Restaurant.

  • Day 6-7: Pamukkale
    3 hours 30 minutes (285 km) by car from Bodrum

    Experience the natural beauty of the White Travertine Terraces and the nearby ancient city ruins of Hierapolis, and relax at the thermal pools of the Cleopatra Pool. Stay at a unique hotel like Lycus River Thermal Hotel with private hot spring pools in each room.

  • Day 8-9: Izmir
    3 hours (210 km) by car from Pamukkale

    Visit the Historic Elevator with panoramic views over the city, the Kemeralti Bazaar for souvenir shopping, and the Alsancak district for its vibrant bars and restaurants. Stay at a luxury hotel like Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir with its rooftop pool and spa facilities.

  • Day 10-12: Fethiye
    4 hours (320 km) by car from Izmir

    Relax at the Calis Beach resort with its clear waters and stunning sunsets, and visit the Butterfly Valley for a scenic hike and a swim in a natural pool. Take a private boat tour to visit the Lycian tombs and secluded beaches, and stay in a luxury villa like Villa Nirvana Dalyan.

  • Day 13-15: Marmaris
    1 hour 30 minutes (125 km) by car from Fethiye

    Take a Marmaris Dolphin Park experience or relax on the Icmeler Beach, and enjoy the lively nightlife of the Bar Street area. Visit the nearby Marmaris Castle and the Grand Bazaar for shopping, and stay at a luxury resort like D Maris Bay with its private beach and spa.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Hagia Sophia Museum (2 hours, 100 TL)
  • Bosphorus boat tour (2 hours, 200 TL)
  • Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamam (3 hours, 900 TL)
  • Goreme National Park (3 hours, 150 TL)
  • Hot air balloon ride (1 hour, 900 TL)
  • Lara Beach resort (full day, 350 TL)
  • Mangal Shish & Kebab (dinner, 200 TL)
  • Amanruya resort (2 nights, 5,000 TL)
  • Bodrum Castle (2 hours, 50 TL)
  • SuperFresh Restaurant (dinner, 300 TL)
  • White Travertine Terraces (2 hours, 50 TL)
  • Lycus River Thermal Hotel (1 night, 1,200 TL)
  • Historic Elevator (1 hour, 20 TL)
  • Kemeralti Bazaar (2 hours, 100 TL)
  • Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir (2 nights, 3,500 TL)
  • Butterfly Valley (2 hours, 50 TL)
  • Lycian tombs boat tour (4 hours, 1,500 TL)
  • Villa Nirvana Dalyan (2 nights, 4,000 TL)
  • Marmaris Dolphin Park (2 hours, 200 TL)
  • Icmeler Beach (full day, 250 TL)
  • D Maris Bay resort (2 nights, 8,000 TL)
  • Total Estimated Costs: 27,020 TL

Transportation

The recommended transportation method for this itinerary is a combination of domestic flights and car rentals. Domestic flights between major cities in Turkey are provided by Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines, with prices ranging from 200 to 500 TL per person depending on the season and booking time. For ground transportation, car rentals are available at the airports and the cost is around 250 TL per day. It is recommended to rent a car for the days in between flights to allow more flexibility in exploring the areas.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider adding a visit to the historic city of Troy or the seaside town of Alacati. If you have less time, consider skipping some locations or shortening the stay at each location. It is recommended to bring comfortable shoes and clothing for the natural sites and a swimsuit for the beaches and thermal pools.

Airports

Turkey has several international airports including Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST), Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW), Adnan Menderes International Airport (ADB), Milas-Bodrum International Airport (BJV), and Dalaman International Airport (DLM). The distance between the airports and the city center ranges from 15 to 90 km. It is recommended to use airport transfer services or rent a car for transportation from the airport.

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