10-Day Adventure Itinerary in Turkey

• Day 1: Cappadocia
  1 hour 15 minutes (57 miles) from Kayseri Airport

  Start your adventure in Cappadocia, known for its unique rock formations, hot air balloon rides, and underground cities. Visit the Göreme Open Air Museum to see ancient rock-cut churches, hike the Red and Rose Valleys, and take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise.

• Day 2-3: Antalya
  2 hours 50 minutes (162 miles) from Cappadocia

  Head south to Antalya, a coastal city on the Mediterranean sea. Explore the old town known as Kaleici, hike to the top of the cliff at sunset to see the view from Karaalioglu Park, and take a Jeep safari to see the waterfalls of the Manavgat River.

• Day 4: Kas
  2 hours 7 minutes (105 miles) from Antalya

  Take a day trip to Kas, a seaside town with crystal clear waters for snorkeling and kayaking. Explore the ancient Lycian tombs cut into the cliffside and visit the Kaputas beach for some relaxation.

• Day 5: Pamukkale
  5 hours (337 miles) from Kas

  Drive to Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its natural hot springs which spill down the travertine terraces. Explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, swim in Cleopatra's Pool, and watch the sunset from the top of the travertine terraces.

• Day 6-7: Fethiye
  2 hours 40 minutes (104 miles) from Pamukkale and 3 hours 30 minutes (144 miles) from Antalya

  Head to Fethiye, a seaside town on the Aegean coast. Take a paragliding tour for a birds-eye view of the town, visit the Lycian Rock Tombs, and relax on the secluded Oludeniz Beach.

• Day 8-9: Istanbul
  1 hour 30 minutes (7 miles) from Sabiha Gökçen Airport or 30 minutes (21 miles) from Istanbul Airport

  End your adventure in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city. Visit the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, cruise down the Bosphorus Strait, and wander through the Grand Bazaar for some shopping.

• Day 10: Istanbul

  End your adventure in Istanbul by exploring the Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, or the Suleymaniye Mosque.

Time and Costs Estimates:

• Göreme Open Air Museum (2-4 hours, 50 TL)
• Hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia (1 hour, $150-250 USD)
• Jeep safari in Antalya (6 hours, 200-350 TL)
• Kas Boat Tour (6 hours, 80 TL)
• Pamukkale entrance fee (2-3 hours, 130 TL)
• Fethiye Paragliding tour (2 hours, $80-100 USD)
• Topkapi Palace entrance fee (2-3 hours, 100 TL)
• Bosphorus Cruise (2 hours, 25-40 TL)
• Grand Bazaar in Istanbul (2-3 hours, free)
• Total Estimated Costs: $400-500 USD

Transportation:

Trains and buses are readily available for travel throughout Turkey. A rental car is recommended for destinations outside of major cities, such as Cappadocia and Pamukkale.
Estimated travel costs for trains and buses range from 20-100 TL. Rental cars can range from $25-50 USD per day.

Useful Tips:

If you have extra time, consider adding a beach day in Bodrum or visiting the historic city of Troy. If you have less time, consider skipping Fethiye and Antalya, or taking a day away from Istanbul.

Airports:

Istanbul has two airports, Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) and Istanbul Airport (IST). Sabiha Gökçen is located on the Asian side of Istanbul, approximately 20 miles from the city center. Istanbul Airport is located on the European side of Istanbul, approximately 25 miles from the city center.