36 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.

When in Goreme, make a side trip to see Derinkuyu Yeralti Sehri in Derinkuyu, approximately Derinkuyu away. There's much more to do: soar above the sights with a balloon tour, get engrossed in the history at Goreme Open-Air Museum, take in the spiritual surroundings of TokalI Church, and look for gifts at Antik Galeri.

For other places to visit, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Goreme travel itinerary planner.

Manama, Bahrain to Goreme is an approximately 10-hour flight. When traveling from Manama in July, plan for slightly colder days and cooler nights in Goreme: temperatures range from 37°C by day to 18°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Mon) so you can catch the flight 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.

Bring the kids along to Ancient City of Ephesus and Ephesus Museum. There's much more to do: contemplate the long history of Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House), explore the historical opulence of Ayasoluk Castle, look for gifts at Moon Light Souvenir Silver Shop, and cool off at Aqua Fantasy- Aquapark Hotel & SPA.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, use the Selcuk travel itinerary planner.

Traveling by flight from Goreme to Selcuk takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Goreme in July; daily highs in Selcuk reach 41°C and lows reach 25°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sat) so you can 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.

On the 30th (Sun), delve into the distant past at Hierapolis and then witness a stunning natural landmark at Pamukkale Thermal Pools. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 31st (Mon): explore the different monuments and memorials at Anatolia Cemetery, then Head underground at Kaklik Cave, and then get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

For reviews, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, use the Pamukkale online tour itinerary planner.

You can drive from Selcuk to Pamukkale in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 31st (Mon) early enough to go by car to Kas.

An unspoiled fishing village for most of its existence, Kas now serves as a mostly quiet tourist town, located on the southern section of the country's Mediterranean coastline.

On the 1st (Tue), enjoy the sand and surf at Kaputas Beach, then take in the dramatic scenery at Gombe Yaylasi, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Tersane Koyu. On the 2nd (Wed), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: slough off your stress at Spa Marin, then take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and then browse the exhibits of LikyaArt.

To find more things to do, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Kas driving holiday planner.

Drive from Pamukkale to Kas in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus. July in Kas sees daily highs of 38°C and lows of 24°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Wed) 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.

Bring the kids along to Adrenaline & Extreme Tours and Babadag. Venture out of the city with trips to Oludeniz PlajI (in Oludeniz) and Dalyan (Lycian Rock Tombs, Iztuzu Beach 2, &more). Next up on the itinerary: admire the ancient design of Lycian D Spa & Turkish Bath and see Team Joseph.

To find photos, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Fethiye trip itinerary maker.

Getting from Kas to Fethiye by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a bus. In August, plan for daily highs up to 38°C, and evening lows to 24°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Sat) 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.

Family-friendly places like Ulu Cami and Somuncu Baba FIrInI ve Cilehanesi will thrill your kids. Change things up with a short trip to Ataturk Kosku in Termal (about 1h 15 min away). There's much more to do: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Yesil Camii, Head underground at Ayvaini Magarasi, appreciate the history behind Tombs of Osman and Orhan, and take an in-depth tour of Ordekli Culture and Art Center.

To see traveler tips, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Bursa road trip tool.

Traveling by flight from Fethiye to Bursa takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In August, daily temperatures in Bursa can reach 35°C, while at night they dip to 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Tue) 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. Family-friendly places like Ormanya and Yeni Cuma Camii will thrill your kids. Spend the 11th (Fri) exploring nature at Uzuntarla Tabiat Parki. The adventure continues: engage your brain at Kocaeli Bilim Merkezi, take an in-depth tour of Selim Sirri Pasa Konagi, and stroll around KInalI Asker ParkI.

To see where to stay, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, read Izmit road trip planner.

You can drive from Bursa to Izmit in 2 hours. Traveling from Bursa in August, plan for a bit cooler nights in Izmit, with lows around 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Fri) to allow time to drive 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.

You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Hagia Sophia Mosque and Topkapi Palace. The adventure continues: take in the spiritual surroundings of Sultan Ahmed Mosque, admire the masterpieces at Istanbul Modern | Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, visit Ortakoy, and contemplate the long history of Galata Tower.

To see other places to visit, reviews, maps, and other tourist information, use the Istanbul trip itinerary builder.

You can drive from Izmit to Istanbul in 1.5 hours. Plan for somewhat warmer nights when traveling from Izmit in August since evenings lows in Istanbul dip to 25°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Thu) to allow time to fly to Ordu.

Ordu is a port city on the Black Sea coast of Turkey, historically also known as Cotyora, and the capital of Ordu Province with a population of 205,396 in the city center. Kick off your visit on the 18th (Fri): take in the spiritual surroundings of Kapu Cami, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Haci Miktad Cami, and then take in the spiritual surroundings of Kale Cami. Here are some ideas for day two: visit a coastal fixture at Yason Burnu Feneri, then get great views at Boztepe, and then explore the historical opulence of Kurul Kalesi.

To see where to stay, ratings, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Ordu trip planner.

Getting from Istanbul to Ordu by flight takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Sat) early enough to drive to Trabzon.

Kids will appreciate attractions like Trabzon Hagia Sophia Museum and Hidirnebi Yaylasi. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Trabzon: Torul (in Gumushane) and Rize (Ataturk House & Ethnography Museum & Hemsin Organik Vadisi).

To find maps, more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Trabzon online holiday planner.

You can drive from Ordu to Trabzon in 3 hours. In August in Trabzon, expect temperatures between 32°C during the day and 27°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Wed) to allow time to drive to Uzungol.

Uzungöl is a lake situated to the south of the city of Trabzon, in the Çaykara district of Trabzon Province, Turkey. On the 24th (Thu), look for all kinds of wild species at Sultan Murat Plateau and then look for all kinds of wild species at Sarikaya Yaylasi.

To find other places to visit, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Uzungol road trip planning website.

Traveling by car from Trabzon to Uzungol takes 1.5 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Fri) so you can travel back home.