15 days in Turkey Itinerary

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 National Park and Uchisar Castle will appeal to history buffs. Goreme Open-Air Museum and La Maison du Kilim will appeal to museum buffs. The adventure continues: enjoy unforgettable views with a balloon tour, soak in style at Turkish baths, stop by Avanos Carsi Seramik, and see Off-Road Tours.

To find reviews, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Goreme trip itinerary builder.

Muscat, Oman to Goreme is an approximately 11.5-hour flight. Traveling from Muscat to Goreme, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Muscat in May, expect Goreme to be cooler, temps between 27°C and 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Tue) to allow time to fly to Trabzon.

On the 10th (Wed), examine the collection at Trabzon Hagia Sophia Museum, then contemplate the long history of Gulbahar Hatun Turbesi, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Gulbahar Hatun Cami, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Yeni Cuma Camii.

To find photos, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Trabzon trip planning website.

Traveling by flight from Goreme to Trabzon takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect little chillier weather when traveling from Goreme in May: highs in Trabzon hover around 22°C, while lows dip to 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Wed) to allow enough time to fly to Oludeniz.

Famous for its big lagoon, Oludeniz acts like a magnet for mass tourism, featuring some of the most photographed beaches on the Mediterranean.

On the 11th (Thu), take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Babadag and then hike along The Lycian Way. On your second day here, push the limits with an extreme tour, enjoy the sand and surf at Oludeniz PlajI, and then relax and rejuvenate at Lycian D Spa & Turkish Bath.

For maps, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Oludeniz trip builder site.

You can fly from Trabzon to Oludeniz in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. While traveling from Trabzon, expect somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Oludeniz, ranging from highs of 29°C to lows of 16°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive 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 13th (Sat): stroll the grounds of Anatolia Cemetery and then explore the ancient world of Hierapolis. Keep things going the next day: take in the natural beauty of Pamukkale Thermal Pools, then get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour, and then soar above the sights with a balloon tour.

For where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Pamukkale road trip planner.

Drive from Oludeniz to Pamukkale in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 14th (Sun) early enough to catch the flight to Istanbul.

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.

Your inner history buff will appreciate Hagia Sophia Mosque and Galata Tower. Let the collections at Topkapi Palace and Great Palace Mosaics Museum capture your imagination. The adventure continues: delve into the distant past at Basilica Cistern, steep yourself in history at Historic Areas of Istanbul, admire the striking features of Dolmabahce Palace, and browse the eclectic array of goods at Kapali Carsi.

To find where to stay, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Istanbul trip itinerary planner.

Getting from Pamukkale to Istanbul by flight takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. In May in Istanbul, expect temperatures between 25°C during the day and 15°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Fri) so you can drive to Bursa.

The first Ottoman capital and a World Heritage Site, Bursa is known as "The Royal Springs" for its famous hot mineral waters--though it offers much more than your typical spa destination.

Start off your visit on the 20th (Sat): admire the striking features of Ulu Cami.

For other places to visit, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Bursa trip itinerary planning tool.

Traveling by car from Istanbul to Bursa takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and taxi; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 26°C in May, and nighttime lows around 16°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 20th (Sat) to allow time for the flight back home.