15 days in Turkey Itinerary

A physical and cultural bridge between Europe and Asia, the transcontinental city of Istanbul serves as a living reminder of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.

Istanbul is known for sightseeing, historic sites, and museums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: admire the landmark architecture of Hagia Sophia Mosque, hunt for treasures at Kapali Carsi, see the interesting displays at Ural Ataman Classic Car Museum, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Sultan Ahmed Mosque.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, read Istanbul online journey planner.

Chennai, India to Istanbul is an approximately 13.5-hour flight. You'll gain 2.5 hours traveling from Chennai to Istanbul due to the time zone difference. Plan for much colder temperatures traveling from Chennai in February, with highs in Istanbul at 11°C and lows at 11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Sat) so you can fly to Pamukkale.

A popular spa since the second century BCE, the modern city of Pamukkale continues to draw worldwide attention with its hot springs and travertines--naturally formed calcite bathing pools.

Start off your visit on the 12th (Sun): enjoy unforgettable views with a balloon tour and then stop by Dogan Onyx factory. Here are some ideas for day two: take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, witness a stunning natural landmark at Pamukkale Thermal Pools, and then steep yourself in history at Hierapolis.

For ratings, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Pamukkale itinerary planner.

Fly from Istanbul to Pamukkale in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Selcuk.

An ideal base camp for exploring the Aegean coastline, Selcuk draws big tourist crowds due to its proximity to the ancient city of Ephesus.

Start off your visit on the 14th (Tue): see the interesting displays at Camlik Locomotive Museum, then pause for some serene contemplation at Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House), and then contemplate the long history of Ancient City of Ephesus.

For reviews, traveler tips, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Selcuk vacation maker tool.

You can drive from Pamukkale to Selcuk in 3 hours. Another option is to take a bus. In February, daytime highs in Selcuk are 16°C, while nighttime lows are 4°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Tue) so you can fly to Goreme.

Famed for its landscape of unusually shaped stone formations and churches cut into the natural rocks, Goreme sits in the central part of the country, an area originally settled during Roman times.

Goreme is known for museums, historic sites, and nature. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: get outside with Outdoor Activities, soak in style at Turkish baths, take an in-depth tour of Goreme Open-Air Museum, and steep yourself in history at Goreme National Park.

For more things to do and more tourist information, refer to the Goreme trip planning tool.

You can fly from Selcuk to Goreme in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from Selcuk in February, with highs in Goreme at 12°C and lows at -1°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Fri) early enough to catch the bus to Ankara.

Turkey's capital and second-largest city, Ankara supports a large population of foreign diplomats and young students, contributing to the city's international feel.

On the 18th (Sat), see the interesting displays at Rahmi M. Koc Muzesi, then steep yourself in history at Mehmet Akif Ersoy Evi, then get engrossed in the history at Anitkabir, and finally get lost in a book at Cin Ali Muzesi.

To find maps, traveler tips, more things to do, and tourist information, use the Ankara road trip planner.

You can take a bus from Goreme to Ankara in 4.5 hours. Another option is to drive. Traveling from Goreme in February, you will find days in Ankara are a bit cooler (5°C), and nights are a bit warmer (4°C). Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Sun) so you can fly back home.