9 days in Turkey Itinerary

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.

Get some cultural insight at Hagia Sophia Mosque and Basilica Cistern. Visit Sultan Ahmed Mosque and Suleymaniye Cami for their historical value. Next up on the itinerary: take an in-depth tour of Topkapi Palace, contemplate the long history of Historic Areas of Istanbul, explore the world behind art at Chora Museum, and explore the galleries of Galata Tower.

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

Mumbai, India to Istanbul is an approximately 10-hour flight. You can also drive. Traveling from Mumbai to Istanbul, you'll gain 2.5 hours due to the time zone difference. Expect colder temperatures when traveling from Mumbai in May; daily highs in Istanbul reach 25°C and lows reach 15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Tue) to allow enough time to 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.

To find other places to visit, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, read Bursa travel planner.

Traveling by car from Istanbul to Bursa takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and taxi; or take a bus. In May in Bursa, expect temperatures between 26°C during the day and 16°C at night. On the 24th (Wed), you're off 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.

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Wed): do a tasting at Kocabag Winery, get to know the fascinating history of Goreme National Park, then steep yourself in history at Goreme Open-Air Museum, and finally stop by Tribal Collections Nomadic Rugs and Textiles. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 25th (Thu): trot along with a tour on horseback, soar above the sights with a balloon tour, and then see Off-Road Tours.

For ratings, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, read Goreme sightseeing planning app.

Fly from Bursa to Goreme in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and train. Traveling from Bursa in May, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit cooler in Goreme, with lows of 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Fri) early enough to fly 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.

On the 26th (Fri), explore the galleries of Hacivat Shop, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kaleici Camii, see the interesting displays at Ephesus Museum, then steep yourself in history at Ancient City of Ephesus, and finally walk around Kusadasi Gazi Begendi Park.

To find maps, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Kusadasi online sightseeing planner.

You can fly from Goreme to Kusadasi in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. The time zone changes from Turkey Time to Eastern European Standard Time, which is usually a -1 hour difference. Traveling from Goreme in May, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit warmer in Kusadasi, with lows of 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Sat) to allow 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 27th (Sat): explore the ancient world of Hierapolis, get engrossed in the history at Hierapolis Arkeoloji Muzesi, and then look for gifts at Babadaglilar Ishani. Here are some ideas for day two: take in the natural beauty of Pamukkale Thermal Pools, then wander the streets of Karahayit, and then get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour.

To find ratings, maps, photos, and more tourist information, read our Pamukkale day trip planning tool.

Traveling by car from Kusadasi to Pamukkale takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Traveling from Kusadasi to Pamukkale, you'll lose 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 29th (Mon) so you can catch the flight back home.