Turkey road trip: Istanbul to Mardin, 9 stops
Explore Turkey's top 10 destinations across 2,781 km, from Istanbul's historic landmarks like Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace to the otherworldly white terraces of Pamukkale. The route connects ancient ruins at Ephesus, the fairy-tale rock formations of Cappadocia, and coastal gems including Antalya and Mardin's sandstone old city.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Ephesus & Aegean Sea
- End
- Antalya
- Stops
- 9
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Ephesus & Aegean Sea — Ancient Greek-Roman city ruins showcasing the Temple of Artemis and Library of Celsus, overlooking the turquoise Aegean coastline.
- İstanbul, Türkiye
- Istanbul
- Ephesus — Ancient ruins featuring the Temple of Artemis, Theater, Temple of Hadrian, and Library of Celsus
- Pamukkale — White terraced hot springs landscape in western Turkey, meaning 'cotton castle'
- Konya — One of the world's oldest cities, prospered as a capital under the Seljuk Dynasty with Aladdin Mosque and Seljuk Palace
- Cappadocia — Central Anatolia region known for fairytale landscape of unusual rock formations
- Mardin — Southeastern Turkey hilltop city overlooking Mesopotamian plains with Old City of cascading sandstone buildings
- Antalya — Turkish Riviera city on Mediterranean coastline with historic Old Quarter
Useful for your trip
- Tip
- Visit Pamukkale's white terraces made of travertine deposited by hot springs with high mineral content. People have bathed in its pools for thousands of years.
- Tip
- Explore the ancient Greek city of Hierapolis built on top of hot springs by kings of Pergamon. Ruins of baths and Greek monuments are still visible at the site.
- Tip
- In Mardin's Old City, navigate the maze of meandering streets lined with terraced sandstone buildings, mosques, churches and mansions cascading down the hill.
- Where to stay
- Mardin offers boutique hotels fashioned from charming old buildings, along with a few upmarket hotel options.
- Tip
- Visit Konya to see buildings from the Seljuk Dynasty era (12th-13th centuries) including the Aladdin Mosque and ruins of the Seljuk Palace.
- Tip
- See Rumi's mausoleum in Konya. His followers founded the Whirling Dervishes Order, known for religious ceremonies where they spin on the left foot in white gowns.
- Food
- Edirne offers lots of delicious cuisine due to its proximity to Greece and Bulgaria, and has a European feel.
- Timing
- Visit Edirne in summer when the traditional oil-wrestling festival takes place.
- Tip
- In Side, explore excavated ancient Hellenistic and Roman ruins including remnants of a colossal amphitheater and various temples on a small peninsula.
- Where to stay
- Some caves in Cappadocia region have been converted into hotel accommodations for tourists.
- Tip
- Shop at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, which has been in operation since 1461.
- Tip
- Istanbul is the only city in the world spanning two continents, stretching across a narrow strait connecting Asia and Europe.
Video on this route
10 Best Places to Visit in Turkey - Travel Video