Ultimate Turkish Delight
Türkiye
The great Anatolian loop from Istanbul, Cappadocia's fairy chimneys and hot air balloons at dawn, Ephesus's Roman ruins (the best-preserved in the world outside of Rome), the Aegean coast's gulet harbours, Pamukkale's calcium-white terraces above ancient Hierapolis, and the return via Ankara's Atatürk mausoleum. A drive through five millennia of history.
Explore on the interactive map →Stops along the route
- Istanbul
Hagia Sophia (537 AD), the Blue Mosque's six minarets, Topkapi Palace's Treasury, and the Grand Bazaar's 4,000 shops fill the world's only city spanning two continents.
- Ankara
Turkey's capital and home to Anıtkabir, Atatürk's monumental mausoleum, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, housing the world's finest Hittite and Phrygian collections.
- Cappadocia
Volcanic tuff eroded into fairy chimneys and cone pillars across a surreal landscape. Early Christians carved underground cities here; hot air balloons drifting over Göreme at sunrise is Turkey's defining image.
- Pamukkale
Calcium-white travertine terraces cascade down a hillside above ancient Hierapolis. The Antique Pool lets swimmers float among submerged Roman columns in warm mineral-rich water.
- Ephesus
The finest Roman ruins outside Rome, home to 250,000 at its peak. The Library of Celsus, a 25,000-seat theatre, and the intact Terrace Houses with 1st-century mosaics are all unmissable.
- Bodrum
The Aegean's most glamorous port, where the Knights Hospitaller built their castle in 1404 using stones from the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. Gulets, hammams, and a hilltop amphitheatre complete the scene.
- Antalya
The Turkish Riviera's capital, with a Roman harbour enclosed by a perfectly preserved Ottoman old town. The Antalya Museum holds one of Turkey's greatest collections of Greek and Roman sculpture.
Where to Eat
- Asitane RestaurantOttoman Cuisine
Offers authentic Ottoman dishes in a historic setting near the Chora Church.
- Trilye RestaurantSeafood
Renowned for its fresh seafood and elegant atmosphere in Ankara.
- Topdeck Cave RestaurantTurkish
Family-run eatery serving traditional Turkish meals in a cozy cave setting in Göreme.
- White House Restaurant & CafeTurkish
Offers a variety of Turkish dishes with a view of the travertines in Pamukkale.
- Selçuk PidecisiTurkish
Famous for its delicious Turkish-style pizzas (pide) in Selçuk near Ephesus.
- Kocadon RestaurantMediterranean
Offers Mediterranean cuisine in a charming courtyard setting in Bodrum.
- 7 MehmetTurkish
Historic restaurant known for its traditional Turkish dishes and sea views in Antalya.
Things to Do
- Hagia SophiaHistoric Site
Iconic former cathedral and mosque, now a museum, showcasing Byzantine architecture in Istanbul.
- AnıtkabirHistoric Site
Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, in Ankara.
- Göreme Open-Air MuseumMuseum
UNESCO World Heritage site featuring rock-cut churches with frescoes in Cappadocia.
- Pamukkale Thermal PoolsNatural Feature
Famous for its white travertine terraces and thermal waters in Pamukkale.
- Library of CelsusHistoric Site
Ancient Roman library facade, one of the most photographed structures in Ephesus.
- Bodrum CastleHistoric Site
Medieval castle housing the Museum of Underwater Archaeology in Bodrum.
- Antalya Old Town (Kaleiçi)Historic Site
Charming historic district with narrow streets, Ottoman-era houses, and the ancient harbor in Antalya.