3 Weeks in Turkey Itinerary

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Turkey is a transcontinental country located mainly in Western Asia, with a small portion in Europe. It shares borders with Georgia in the Northeast, the Aegean Sea to the west, the Black Sea to the north, Syria and the Mediterranean Sea to the south, Iraq to the southeast, Bulgaria and Greece to the northwest, and Iran, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the east. 

Turkey is a haven for archaeological and historical enthusiasts as it has been through many empires and civilizations. Foodies will also thrive in this country as every region has a unique kitchen culture. Turkey is often called the meeting point between East and West.

In this itinerary of 3 weeks in Turkey, you’ll see how you can spend 20 days here and cover all the country’s must-see places. This will help you visualise what a fun and educational vacation Turkey offers.

RELATED POSTS: 3 weeks in Europe on a budget and 3 weeks in Israel, Jordan, and Palestine

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE GOING TO TURKEY

4 images - Blue Mosque, Pamukkale salt mines, Cappadocia fairy chimney, and Ephesus ruins - 3 Weeks in Turkey Itinerary

Travelling to another country can be quite challenging, especially when it’s your first time doing so. Because of this, we compiled a list of things you first need to know about the country to help you plan your trip.

When is the best time to go to Turkey

The best time to visit Turkey is during the shoulder seasons of April to May and September to November. These months offer pleasant weather, fewer tourists, and beautiful scenery. Shoulder seasons are ideal for exploring with mild weather and fewer crowds.

Peak season, with the most visitors and higher prices, is from June to August, when it’s hot, especially in places like Istanbul and the Aegean coast.

Rainy or winter season varies by region but generally falls between December and March, with cooler temperatures and rain, especially in Istanbul and the coast, while central Anatolia experiences snow.

Are 3 weeks enough for Turkey

3 weeks in Turkey is a pretty good amount of time. You can visit popular places but also go off-the-beaten paths. It’s recommended to take domestic flights, though to maximise your time.

4 weeks would be ideal, but 20 days is still a lot of time if you plan to see 5-6 cities only. Trying to see more than that will cram your itinerary and leave you exhausted from rushing from one place to another.

What to pack

Since Turkey have lots of historical and religious sites open for foreign visitors, the number one item you must pack is clothing that will cover your shoulders and legs. Many places, such as Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, will provide a massive robe for visitors.

There will also be a lot of walking as you visit cultural sites and ancient ruins, bringing comfortable shoes or walking sandals is highly recommended. These attractions are also often open-air, meaning, there won’t be a lot of shade from the sun. Make sure you have plenty of sunscreen with you.

Take a look at our general packing list for a 3-week trip. If you are coming in the summer and plan to visit the beach, we also have a summer or winter packing list for those visiting during this season.

How to get around

There are actually tons of transportation options to get around Turkey. It is advisable to use trains only if you want to reach provincial centres and you have ample time to travel as the travel time usually takes twice as long compared to other modes of transportation.

Long-distance buses are the most recommended and most commonly used transportation option. 

Other alternatives include private cars, taxis, ferries, motorcycles, planes, and dolmus, which is a small van or minibus.

The fastest option would be to ride the plane, and the cheapest option is a dolmus or shared taxi. You can opt to rent a car if you want to go to off-the-beaten-track sites and travel at your own pace. 

IMPORTANT: Turkey has one of the best airlines in the world in terms of having direct flights between Turkey and other major cities. However, flying between cities in Turkey often means you have to track back or connect in Istanbul.

Average cost of 20 days in Turkey

The cost of a 3-week trip to Turkey can be categorized into affordable, mid-range, and luxury budgets:

Affordable: Budget travellers expect to spend around $1,000 – $1,300 for three weeks. This includes staying in hostels, eating at inexpensive local eateries, using public transportation, and focusing on free or low-cost attractions.

Mid-range: If you’re looking for a more comfortable experience without splurging, a mid-range budget might be between $1,500 – $2,000. This allows for stays in 3-star hotels, dining at a mix of budget and mid-range restaurants, participating in some paid excursions, and using a combination of public transport and taxis.

Luxury: For a luxurious experience, expect to spend upwards of $3,000 – $4,000 or more. This includes staying in 5-star hotels or resorts, dining at high-end restaurants, private guided tours, and using comfortable private transportation.

Plus your flights to Turkey and back, travel insurance (highly recommended), and travel items you might need for this trip.

Language and Currency

Turkish is the country’s main language, with 90% of the people speaking it. Aside from that, 70 other dialects and languages are spoken, including Armenian, Greek, Arabic, and some Caucasian and Kurdish dialects.

The Turkish Lira (TRY) is the country’s currency, but some places also accept Euros. Visa and MasterCard are also widely accepted, but bringing lira cash with you is best. 

Visa

Turkey has quite a visa policy in place. Passport holders in Europe, South America, Malaysia, Morocco, West Sahara, Tunisia, New Zealand, and some countries in the Gulf and Central Asia don’t need a visa in advance and can enjoy visa-free for 90 days. Passports issued by Russia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Belarus, and Turkmenistan can be visa-free for 30-60 days.

Suppose you hold a passport from North America, South Africa, Australia, China, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the Caribbean. In that case, you must apply for an evisa in advance, which is valid for 30-90 days.

At the same time, some countries such as the Philippines,s Thailand, and North Africa can also apply for an evisa under special conditions. You can check here if you can apply for an evisa.

SEE EVISA PRICES AND PROCESSING TIMES

Other travel tips

When planning a trip, dealing with multiple websites offering the same services can be confusing and overwhelming. Below is a list of my personal favourite travel sites offering services from accommodation, car rental, flights, tours, and even travel insurance and an exit ticket that is sometimes asked for by the immigration officer.

HOTELS
VISA
CAR RENTAL
TOURS
FLIGHTS
BUS (EU/US/CA)
TRAINS EUROPE
TRAIN/BUS (ASIA)
TOUR OPTIONS
TRAVEL INSURANCE
RETURN TICKET
HOSTELS
BIKE RENTAL
CRUISES
AIRPORT PICK UP

MUST-SEE PLACES IN TURKEY (pinned map)

Click the enlarge button on the top right corner. Credit: map data: Google

3 WEEKS IN TURKEY ITINERARY

The country’s English name, Turkey, translates to the land of the Turks, and the Republic was established in 1923. Before that, the Asian part of Turkey was called Anatolia, and the European part is known as Eastern Thrace.

Aside from its archaeological sites, Turkey is also well-known for its Turkish baths and is a perennial favourite. It has diverse natural scapes where you could either hike or ski, depending on the season that you visit the country. 

In 2022, the government of Turkey changed its official and worldwide name to Türkiye, which is the name and spelling that locals use. One of the biggest reasons for the change is to disassociate the country’s name from the bird “Turkey”.

NOTE: This is a super-packed itinerary. I recommend you try to skip one destination; either Ankara or Antalya or Bodrum

Day-to-day overview:

  • Day 1: Arrive in Istanbul and get transferred to your hotel. You can book a private transfer or use the bus service or taxi, but be mindful of the taxi meters, get a local sim card with data at the airport or in the city
  • Day 2: Explore Istanbul, book a city tour or get a tourist bus pass
  • Day 3: Do a Bosphorus Cruise
  • Day 4: Book a day trip to Troy
  • Day 5: Travel from Istanbul to Ankara by bus (5-6 hours) or plane (1 hour)
  • Day 6: Explore Ankara
  • Day 7: Go to Cappadocia from Ankara via a bus (4-5 hours) or plane (3-4 hours with connection) to Kayseri or Nevsehir
  • Day 8: Explore Cappadocia, perhaps do a quadbike tour
  • Day 9: Get up early for a hot air balloon sunrise flight
  • Day 10: Visit open-air museums and the caves, and explore Goreme
  • Day 11: Travel from Cappadocia to Antalya; the bus is 12 hours or a 1.5-hour plane ride
  • Day 12: Relax at the beach of Antalya
  • Day 13: Go see waterfalls, ride a cable car, and explore the Kaleici Old Town or go to Korulu Canyon
  • Day 14: Travel from Antalya to Pamukkale, the bus ride is 3-4 hours
  • Day 15: Explore Pamukkale’s travertines, Hierapolis City Ruins, and Cleopatra Antique Pool
  • Day 16: Go to Bodrum from Denizili (Pamukkale) via a 3-4 hour bus ride
  • Day 17: Discover Bodrum
  • Day 18: Book a bus (3-4 hours) from Bodrum to Izmir
  • Day 19-20: Enjoy Izmir and Ephesus’ ruins
  • Day 21: Fly back to Istanbul or, if better book your flight home from Izmir

Istanbul for 4 days

The first city that you could visit during your 20 days in Turkey is Istanbul. This is Turkey’s largest city and the country’s historical, cultural, and economic hub. Istanbul is the only city in the world that sits across two continents. The Bosphorus Strait lies both in Europe and in Asia. 

Starting your trip in Istanbul is also ideal because the two airports here pretty much connect the West to the East. From anywhere in the world to Africa and Latin America.

From Istanbul, you could also do lots of day trips that will only take a few hours to get to. If you’re looking to enjoy the nightlife, that’s easily possible, but keep extra precautions – from not bringing your passport to not accepting drinks from strangers.

Interestingly, it is also the capital of four major empires: the Byzantine Empire, Roman Empire, Ottoman Empire, and Latin Empire. Many people assume that Istanbul is the capital of Turkey, which was true until October 29, 1923.

Istanbul has a vibrant nightlife, amazing landmarks, and tons of malls where you can find authentic products and spices.

If you don’t want to spend 4 days in Istanbul and add more days to other destinations, you can book a private tour of the best attractions in Istanbul (choose between 1, 2, or 3 days) to save you time. You can also get the Istanbul welcome card, which allows you to use public transportation and entrances to major attractions.

Things to do in Istanbul

Accommodations in Istanbul

2 images - the blue mosque and hagia sophia - 3 Weeks in Turkey Itinerary

Ankara for 2 days

Ankara was Turkey’s capital when it was moved from Istanbul. It is one of the most diverse tourist destinations as it is filled with entertainment parks and museums.

In order to reach Ankara from Istanbul, the most recommended option would be to take a direct flight. Travel duration lasts for more than 2 hours.

The cheapest option is to ride the train and other alternative options include riding the bus, using rideshare, riding a taxi or renting a car. The drive will take 5-6 hours.

Things to do in Ankara

  • Ankara Castle
  • Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
  • Eymir Lake
  • Anitkabir
  • Youth Park
  • Wonderland Garden
  • The Roman Bath Museum
  • Stroll at the Citadel neighbourhood
  • Ankara Art Galleries
  • Hattusa day trip
  • You can make the most out of your time if you book a full-day tour around Ankara and spend the 2nd day relaxing/trying out restaurants

Accommodations in Ankara

Cappadocia and Goreme for 4 days

2 images - fairy chimney of Cappadocia and hot air balloon - 3 Weeks in Turkey Itinerary

3 weeks in Turkey is not complete without visiting the magical region of Cappadocia. Goreme is a town in Cappadocia, which is a historical region in Turkey. Many parts of Cappadocia are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Aside from that, there are cave suits and fairy chimneys that are thrilling to see. There are also tours that offer hot air balloon rides, ATV rides, and hiking. Goreme would be a great base because it is close to various historical and natural sites. There are also tons of restaurants there.

The most affordable option to reach Goreme if you’re coming from Ankara is via bus, with a travel time between 3-5 hours. Other alternative options are to board the train, ride a taxi, or drive.

You can also take a flight to either Nevsehir or Kayseri that connects to Istanbul. You then have to take a short bus ride or book a convenient airport transfer from the airport to Goreme.

Things to do in Cappadocia/Goreme

Accommodations in Cappadocia/Goreme

Antalya for 3 days

The last but definitely not the least place to visit during your 3 weeks in Turkey is Antalya. It is the fifth most populous city and is Turkey’s golfing capital. This city is actually suitable for everyone as it is known for its beaches, adventurous sports, sailing, and festivals. It is also Turkey’s citrus capital and the starting point for a trekking route. 

Antalya is a perfect location to end your three weeks in Turkey as there’s just something to do for everyone. Antalya is a favourite not only among the locals, but even among foreign travellers, so much so that there are tons of international flights from North America, Asia, and Europe towards this city. 

There are a couple of ways to reach Antalya from Goreme including riding a bus, driving, and flying. The flight between Nevsehir and Kayseri to Antalya connects to Istanbul. The journey will take betweenv4-9 hours, depending on the connection. While the bus or driving will take between 7-8 hours.

TIP: If you want to see Pamukkale, you can easily book a day tour to Pamukkale from Antalya, then head to Bodrum from here

Things to do in Antalya

Accommodations in Antalya

Pamukkale for 2 days

2 images - Pamukkale salt mines and Antalya coastline - 3 Weeks in Turkey Itinerary

Pamukkale is a natural site located in the province of Denizli in southwestern Turkey. This area is also known as the Cotton Castle and is famous for carbonate minerals left by the flowing of thermal springs. It is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site and people flock to the thermal pools that could be found there.

Most of the tourists opt to stay in Denizli and then take a minibus towards Pamukkale, but you could also remain in the town itself should you wish to do so.

In order to reach Pamukkale from Antalya, you can take a bus towards Denizli, which is the main town of Pamukkale or drive your rented car. The trip will take 3-4 hours.

Things to do in Pamukkale

  • Travertines of Pamukkale – book a guided tour
  • Hierapolis City Ruins/Archaeological Museum
  • Hot Air Balloon Flight – check the tour price
  • Salda Lake
  • Cleopatra Antique Pool
  • Pamukkale Amphi Theatre
  • Northern Necropolis
  • Aphrodisias
  • Karahayit Hot Springs
  • Ride Denizli Cable Cars/Denizli Teleferik

Accommodations in Pamukkale

Bodrum for 3 days

Bodrum is a port city located in the province of Mugla. It is a major summer hotspot with beaches and historic castles. It also has open-air bazaars, boutique hotels, and even places considered hidden gems if you prefer to stay in locations with fewer crowds.

Bodrum is famous for the Mausoleum of Mausolus, which is included in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The most recommended option to reach Bodrum for those from Denizli is riding a bus or driving. The travel time for this is more than 4 hours.

Things to do in Bodrum

Accommodations in Bodrum

Izmir and Ephesus for 4 days

2 images - bodrum harbour and Ephesus ruins - 3 Weeks in Turkey Itinerary

Izmir is a coastal town in the southwest of Turkey, it’s also known as the capital of the Smyrna region, founded by the Greeks. It was conquered by the Romans and was renovated by Alexander the Great. However, the Ottoman Empire gained control of the city in the 15th Century.

Visiting Izmir is a popular place to base yourself if you plan to explore the archaeological and historical sites of Ephesus. Izmir is a busy harbour town as well, which means that if you want to enjoy the beautiful Aegean Sea, it’s recommended to head to Cesme.

To get to Izmir from Bodrum, you can drive your car, which will take 3-4 hours or the bus, which is about 5-7 hours. From Izmir, you can take a flight back to Istanbul or check if there’s a flight from Izmir to your next destination.

Things to do in Izmir

Accommodations in Izmir

SUMMARY OF 3 WEEKS IN TURKEY ITINERARY

Turkey is a must-visit country with gorgeous beaches, calm turquoise waters, and historical ruins. Aside from that, the natural scenery is also divine, with plateaus comparable to the Swiss Alps and mountainous backdrops with plenty of hiking opportunities.

I hope that you found this 3 weeks in Turkey itinerary helpful in writing your own travel plan. You of course don’t have to follow this religiously, but perhaps it will help you visualise what your vacation in Turkey will look like.

SAVE THIS TRAVEL ITINERARY ON YOUR PINTEREST:

Discover Turkey over three weeks: Wander through Istanbul's historic bazaars, float in Cappadocia's hot-air balloons, explore ancient Ephesus, and relax on the Aegean coast. Savor rich cuisine, soak in thermal pools, and experience diverse cultures. via @threeweektraveller