16 days in Turkey Itinerary

Offering both sandy beaches packed with modern amenities and a historical town center filled with Roman ruins and Ottoman mosques, Antalya serves as one of the country's major tourist destinations.

On the 23rd (Fri), take in the dramatic scenery at Lower Duden Waterfalls, then indulge in some personalized pampering at Golden Thai Foot Therapy, and then wander the streets of Ataturk Boulevard. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: browse the range of quality goods at Stem Uniquely Handcrafted, then stop by Kaleici, and then delve into the distant past at Hadrian's Gate.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Antalya online attractions planner.

Dehradun, India to Antalya is an approximately 17.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from India Standard Time (IST) to Turkey Time (TRT) is minus 2.5 hours. In December, plan for daily highs up to 19°C, and evening lows to 7°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Sat) to allow time to 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.

Get some historical perspective at Goreme National Park and Goreme Open-Air Museum. Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at Alaturca Taner and La Maison du Kilim. And it doesn't end there: soar above the sights with a balloon tour, take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback, soak in style at Turkish baths, and appreciate the extensive heritage of Güvercinlik Vadisi (Pigeon Valley).

To see photos, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Goreme route builder website.

You can fly from Antalya to Goreme in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. When traveling from Antalya in December, plan for colder days and a bit cooler nights in Goreme: temperatures range from 6°C by day to -3°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Tue) to allow enough time to fly 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.

Kick off your visit on the 28th (Wed): delve into the distant past at Hercules Gate, then explore the ancient world of Ancient City of Ephesus, and then pause for some serene contemplation at Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House).

To find reviews, other places to visit, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Selcuk tour planning tool.

You can fly from Goreme to Selcuk in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from Goreme in December, with highs in Selcuk at 15°C and lows at 3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Wed) early enough 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 29th (Thu): look for gifts at Dogan Onyx factory and then take in the natural beauty of Pamukkale Thermal Pools. On your second day here, get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour, then explore the different monuments and memorials at Anatolia Cemetery, and then explore the ancient world of Hierapolis.

For traveler tips, ratings, maps, and tourist information, read our Pamukkale trip itinerary planner.

Drive from Selcuk to Pamukkale in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Fri) to allow time to fly 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.

Do your shopping at Kapali Carsi and Mısır Çarşısı. You'll explore and learn at Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower. There's lots more to do: wander the streets of Ortakoy, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Suleymaniye Cami , steep yourself in history at Hagia Sophia Mosque, and admire the masterpieces at Istanbul Modern | Istanbul Museum of Modern Art.

To find reviews, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Istanbul trip itinerary builder app.

Traveling by flight from Pamukkale to Istanbul takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Expect a daytime high around 7°C in December, and nighttime lows around 7°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Fri) to allow time to travel back home.