18 days in Turkey Itinerary

More than a million tourists visit Bodrum City each year, drawn by its sandy beaches and luxury hotels.

On the 15th (Sat), learn about winemaking at Vinbodrum, then kick back and relax at Yahsi Beach, and then head outdoors with Outdoor Activities. On the 16th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: see the interesting displays at Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology and then step into the grandiose world of Castle of St. Peter.

For ratings, maps, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Bodrum City attractions planning website.

Johannesburg, South Africa to Bodrum City is an approximately 15.5-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Johannesburg to Bodrum City. Plan for much warmer temperatures traveling from Johannesburg in July, with highs in Bodrum City at 41°C and lows at 28°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sun) so you can drive to Bozcaada.

Tenedos or Bozcaada is an island of Turkey in the northeastern part of the Aegean Sea. On the 17th (Mon), visit a coastal fixture at Bozcaada Rüzgar Enerji Santrali, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Meryem Ana Kilisesi, then kick back and relax at Akvaryum Koyu, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Alaybey Camii. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: head off the coast to Bozcaada.

To find other places to visit, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, read Bozcaada day trip planning website.

You can drive from Bodrum City to Bozcaada in 7.5 hours. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from Bodrum City in July; daily highs in Bozcaada reach 36°C and lows reach 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 18th (Tue) to allow time for the car ride 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.

Kick off your visit on the 19th (Wed): explore the historical opulence of Fethiye Kalesi, then enjoy the sand and surf at Patara Beach, and then take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Babadag. Here are some ideas for day two: get outside with Outdoor Activities, kick back and relax at Blue Lagoon, and then slough off your stress at Turkish baths.

For maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Oludeniz holiday planner.

Drive from Bozcaada to Oludeniz in 9 hours. In July, daytime highs in Oludeniz are 38°C, while nighttime lows are 24°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Thu) so you can go by car to Olympos.

Kick off your visit on the 21st (Fri): take in the dramatic natural features at Chimaera, then steep yourself in history at Phaselis, then head outdoors with Outdoor Activities, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Göynük Köyü Mer. Cami. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: explore the ancient world of Olympos Archeological Site and then enjoy the sand and surf at Cirali Beach.

Quickly create a custom-made itinerary for Olympos using our trip planner.

You can drive from Oludeniz to Olympos in 4 hours. In July, plan for daily highs up to 41°C, and evening lows to 27°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sat) so you can go by car to Alanya.

A modest coastal town for most of its long history, Alanya became a cosmopolitan tourist destination in the 1990s, drawing big crowds with its nightlife and long stretch of sandy beaches.

Start off your visit on the 23rd (Sun): step into the grandiose world of Alanya Kalesi, then brush up on your military savvy at Kizilkule, and then take in the pleasant sights at Alanya LimanI. On the 24th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: explore the fascinating underground world of Dim Cave, admire the sheer force of Dimcay, and then delve into the distant past at Syedra Castle.

To find maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Alanya online route maker.

Drive from Olympos to Alanya in 3.5 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 24th (Mon) early enough to go by car to Antalya.

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 25th (Tue), examine the collection at Antalya Muzesi, explore the ancient world of Hadrian's Gate, and then admire the sheer force of Kursunlu Waterfalls.

For maps, photos, and tourist information, you can read our Antalya trip planner.

You can drive from Alanya to Antalya in 1.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. In July, daily temperatures in Antalya can reach 41°C, while at night they dip to 27°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Tue) so you can catch the flight 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.

On the 26th (Wed), contemplate in the serene atmosphere at TokalI Church, then get to know the fascinating history of Goreme National Park, and then explore the fascinating underground world of Uchisar Castle. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 27th (Thu): learn about winemaking at Kocabag Winery, take in the dramatic natural features at Fairy Chimneys, then head outdoors with Outdoor Activities, and finally admire the masterpieces at Guray Museum.

To see photos, traveler tips, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Goreme holiday planner.

Getting from Antalya to Goreme by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. Plan for slightly colder temperatures traveling from Antalya in July, with highs in Goreme at 37°C and lows at 18°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Thu) so you can 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 some cultural sightseeing at Hagia Sophia Mosque and Basilica Cistern. Appreciate the collections at Topkapi Palace and Rumeli Fortress. When in Istanbul, make a side trip to see Sinan Pasa Turbesi in Gallipoli, approximately Gallipoli away. There's lots more to do: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Sultan Ahmed Mosque, explore the world behind art at Istanbul Modern | Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, slough off your stress at Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamam, and steep yourself in history at Historic Areas of Istanbul.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Istanbul trip itinerary planning website.

Fly from Goreme to Istanbul in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and train. Expect a bit cooler weather when traveling from Goreme in July: highs in Istanbul hover around 34°C, while lows dip to 23°C. You'll have a few hours on the 31st (Mon) to wrap things up before traveling home.