16 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Goreme: Derinkuyu (Derinkuyu Yeralti Sehri & Kaymakli Underground City). There's much more to do: enjoy unforgettable views with a balloon tour, admire the masterpieces at Guray Museum, see Off-Road Tours, and take in the dramatic natural features at Fairy Chimneys.

To see maps, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Goreme tour builder tool.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Goreme is an approximately 10-hour flight. You can also do a combination of ferry and car. Expect little chillier weather when traveling from Jeddah in July: highs in Goreme hover around 37°C, while lows dip to 18°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Fri) to allow enough time to travel 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.

Istanbul is known for historic sites, museums, and shopping. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: take in the spiritual surroundings of Hagia Sophia, take an in-depth tour of Galata Tower, explore the world behind art at Chora Museum, and browse the eclectic array of goods at Kapali Carsi.

To find more things to do, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Istanbul trip itinerary maker site.

Fly from Goreme to Istanbul in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and train. When traveling from Goreme in July, plan for slightly colder days and a bit warmer nights in Istanbul: temperatures range from 34°C by day to 23°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Wed) early enough to travel 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): explore the different monuments and memorials at Anatolia Cemetery, then delve into the distant past at Hierapolis, and then take in the natural beauty of Pamukkale Thermal Pools. Keep things going the next day: get outside with Outdoor Activities, then get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour, and then explore the fascinating underground world of Kaklik Cave.

To find reviews, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Pamukkale road trip app.

Getting from Istanbul to Pamukkale by flight takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive 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.

When in Selcuk, make a side trip to see Magnesia Antik Kenti in Germencik, approximately Germencik away. There's still lots to do: delve into the distant past at Ancient City of Ephesus, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Isa Bey Mosque, admire the local landmark of Trajan's Fountain, and see the interesting displays at Ephesus Museum.

To see traveler tips, maps, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Selcuk road trip planning site.

You can drive from Pamukkale to Selcuk in 3 hours. Another option is to take a bus. In July, daytime highs in Selcuk are 41°C, while nighttime lows are 25°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Mon) early enough to drive 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 3rd (Tue): take in the awesome beauty at Babadag, explore the fascinating underground world of Mavi Magara, then stroll through Oludeniz PlajI, and finally head outdoors with Outdoor Activities.

To see other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, use the Oludeniz trip builder.

Traveling by car from Selcuk to Oludeniz takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of flight, bus, and taxi. Traveling from Selcuk in August, expect nights in Oludeniz to be about the same, around 24°C, while days are slightly colder, around 38°C. On the 4th (Wed), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.