36 days in The Balkans Itinerary

Nestled between the Taurus Mountains and the sun-kissed beaches of the Mediterranean coastline, Manavgat serves as a regional center of tourism, offering easy access to a long stretch of sandy beaches.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Manavgat: Alanya (Alanya Kalesi & Kleopatra Beach). There's still lots to do: admire the striking features of Apollon Temple, get engrossed in the history at Manavgat Kent Muzesi, delve into the distant past at Ancient Theater, and admire the sheer force of Manavgat Waterfall.

To find more things to do, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Manavgat tour planner.

Doha, Qatar to Manavgat is an approximately 7-hour flight. Traveling from Doha in December, things will get slightly colder in Manavgat: highs are around 19°C and lows about 7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Sat) so you can drive 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.

Take a break from Antalya with a short trip to The Land of Legends Theme Park in Kadriye, about 34 minutes away. There's still lots to do: take a stroll through Kaleici, stroll around Kecili Park, take in the dramatic scenery at Lower Duden Waterfalls, and indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas.

For traveler tips, more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Antalya trip itinerary builder tool.

Getting from Manavgat to Antalya by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. December in Antalya sees daily highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Wed) early enough to drive to Demre (Kale).

Start off your visit on the 8th (Thu): make a trip to Andriake Ancient City, then get a new perspective on things with Kekova kardesim-m boat, and then explore the ancient world of Myra Antik Kenti.

To find where to stay, ratings, photos, and tourist information, go to the Demre (Kale) trip tool.

Traveling by car from Antalya to Demre (Kale) takes 2.5 hours. December in Demre (Kale) sees daily highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Fethiye.

A prosperous hub of tourism on the Mediterranean coastline, Fethiye boasts one of Turkey's finest natural harbors.

Get out of town with these interesting Fethiye side-trips: Oludeniz (Babadag & Oludeniz PlajI), Wishes & Co Jewellery (in Kalkan) and Kas (Lions Tomb, Kaputas Beach, &more). Next up on the itinerary: push the limits with an extreme tour, stroll through Calis Beach, appreciate the history behind Tayyareci Fethi Bey Aniti, and step into the grandiose world of Fethiye Kalesi.

For ratings, more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, use the Fethiye trip itinerary maker site.

Traveling by car from Demre (Kale) to Fethiye takes 2.5 hours. In December in Fethiye, expect temperatures between 19°C during the day and 7°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 12th (Mon) early enough to go by car to Marmaris.

One of Turkey's major port towns and tourist resorts, Marmaris sits on the stretch of the Mediterranean coastline popularly known as the "Turkish Riviera." Nestled between verdant mountain ranges and the sea, Marmaris draws sailors and divers from around the globe, its marinas packed with private yachts and tour boats.

Step out of Marmaris with an excursion to Incegiz Kanyonu in Denizli--about 1h 50 min away. And it doesn't end there: explore the activities along Dalyan Nehri, take in the spiritual surroundings of Siteler Sirinyer Cami, look for gifts at Selma Jewellery, and take in the waterfront activity at Marmaris Marina.

To see where to stay, reviews, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Marmaris attractions website.

You can drive from Fethiye to Marmaris in 2 hours. Another option is to take a bus. In December, daytime highs in Marmaris are 19°C, while nighttime lows are 7°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Fri) early enough to drive to Bodrum City.

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

Get out of town with these interesting Bodrum City side-trips: Aleyna Tours (in Turgutreis) and Oba Beach & Restaurant (in Gulluk). And it doesn't end there: find something for the whole family at Candyland Bodrum, head outdoors with Beach Club at The Bodrum EDITION, relax and rejuvenate at The Spa at The Bodrum EDITION, and go for a stroll along the water at D-Marin Turgutreis.

To find ratings, reviews, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Bodrum City online attractions planner.

Getting from Marmaris to Bodrum City by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. Expect somewhat warmer evenings in Bodrum City when traveling from Marmaris in December, with lows around 11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Kusadasi.

Unreservedly dedicated to tourism, Kusadasi sits on the Aegean coastline and acts as a gateway to the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the country's major Greco-Roman archaeological sites.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Kusadasi: Magnesia Antik Kenti (in Germencik) and Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House) (in Selcuk). There's much more to do: explore the ancient world of Ancient City of Ephesus, examine the collection at Camlik Locomotive Museum, explore the historical opulence of Ayasoluk Castle, and surround yourself with nature on Troy Tours.

Make your Kusadasi itinerary with Klarna Trips to find out what to see and where to go.

Traveling by car from Bodrum City to Kusadasi takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. The time zone difference moving from Turkey Time to Eastern European Standard Time is minus 1 hour. When traveling from Bodrum City in December, plan for slightly colder days in Kusadasi, with highs around 17°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Izmir.

The birthplace of Homer, the ancient port city of Izmir boasts a colorful heritage that includes traces of Greek, Armenian, and Jewish cultures.

Izmir is known for sightseeing, shopping, and parks. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: take in the exciting artwork at Arkas Art Center, stop by Alsancak, make a trip to Tarihi Asansor, and stop by Has Deri Leather Shop.

For where to stay, reviews, maps, and other tourist information, read our Izmir vacation planner.

Drive from Kusadasi to Izmir in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Kusadasi to Izmir. Prepare for a bit cooler weather when traveling from Kusadasi in December: high temperatures in Izmir hover around 9°C and lows are around 6°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 28th (Wed) to allow enough time to fly 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.

Bursa is known for sightseeing, shopping, and historic sites. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: admire the striking features of Ulu Cami, take in the spiritual surroundings of Somuncu Baba FIrInI ve Cilehanesi, take an in-depth tour of Bursa Archaeological Museum, and appreciate the history behind Tombs of Osman and Orhan.

To find photos, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Bursa online road trip planner.

Getting from Izmir to Bursa by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In December, daytime highs in Bursa are 12°C, while nighttime lows are 6°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Sun) to allow time to drive to Izmit.

İzmit, ancient Nicomedia, is a city in Turkey, the administrative center of the Kocaeli Province as well as the Metropolitan Municipality. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Izmit: Delmece Yaylasi (in Cinarcik) and Yalova (Osmangazi Koprusu, Termal Cinarl Hiyaben Yolu, &more). Spend the 3rd (Tue) exploring nature at Uzuntarla Tabiat Parki. There's lots more to do: take in the spiritual surroundings of Yeni Cuma Camii, engage your brain at Kocaeli Bilim Merkezi, get to know the resident critters at Ormanya, and stroll around Yeni Cuma Parki.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Izmit online travel route planner.

Traveling by car from Bursa to Izmit takes 2 hours. Traveling from Bursa in January, Izmit is little chillier at night with lows of 0°C. On the 5th (Thu), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.