Turkey route: Istanbul to Cappadocia and Pamukkale, 18 stops

Explore Turkey's most spectacular sights on an 8,226.9 km route connecting Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, the Aegean coast, and the Mediterranean. From the fairy chimneys of Göreme to the white travertine terraces, passing ancient ruins like Ephesus and the Bosphorus, which divides Europe and Asia.

Mode
Places
Start
Turkey: Land of Empires and Natural Mirage
End
Fairy Chimneys
Stops
18
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Turkey: Land of Empires and Natural Mirage — A transcontinental country that merges ancient civilizations with unique natural landscapes between Europe and Asia.
  2. The Bosphorus: Dividing and Uniting — A strategic strait that separates continents and connects the Black Sea with the Mediterranean through Istanbul.
  3. Goreme: Village in the Stone — Settlement in Cappadocia with houses carved into multicolored volcanic tuff rock formations.
  4. Pamukkale: White Travertine Terraces — White travertine terraces formed by thermal waters that create stepped natural pools.
  5. Istanbul: City of Two Continents — A metropolis that embraces two continents with imperial mosques, historic bazaars, and multicultural heritage.
  6. Ephesus: The Eternal Ancient City — Ruinas grecorromanas que revelan la grandeza de una antigua metrópolis comercial de Asia Menor.
  7. Library of Celsus: Ancient Roman Marvel — Monumental marble facade in Ephesus, the second largest library of the ancient Roman Empire.
  8. Göbekli Tepe: Older Than Pyramids — 9,500-year-old Neolithic sanctuary with carved pillars, predating the Mesopotamian civilization.
  9. Antalya: Mediterranean Jewel — Turquoise coastal city with golden beaches, scenic cliffs and mild weather all year round.
  10. Kaleiçi: Historic Heart of Antalya — Old walled quarter with restored Osman houses, winding alleyways and picturesque natural harbor.
  11. Kas: Tranquil Coastal Town — Small Mediterranean village with traditional architecture, unspoiled beaches and crystal clear waters for diving.
  12. Valley of the Butterflies — Natural valley landscape beginning with emptiness rather than beach
  13. Ani: Ruins on the Border — Abandoned medieval Armenian-Persian city on the border, with churches and fortresses among arid mountains.
  14. Lake Van: Inland Sea — Türkiye's largest lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains, with historic islands and panoramic views.
  15. Bodrum: Aegean Coast Icon — Aegean coastal destination with medieval castle, bustling marina and golden sand beaches.
  16. Aegean Coast (Rejeo) — Western coastal region with white villages and hidden bays
  17. Cappadocia — Central volcanic valleys with surreal rock formations and fairy chimneys
  18. Fairy Chimneys — Famous volcanic rock formations created by natural erosion

Useful for your trip

Timing
Visit Cappadocia at dawn to see the hot air balloons slowly rise over the valleys, the region's most famous moment.
Where to stay
In Göreme you can stay in hotels integrated within the rock and mountains, a unique cave accommodation experience.
Timing
Visit Pamukkale at sunset when the white of the terraces becomes more intense and the water reflects the sky as if it were shining from within.
Transport
In Fethiye, practice paragliding from Mount Babad to fly directly towards the Mediterranean for several minutes over lagoons and cliffs.
Tip
Explore underground cities in Cappadocia that had ventilation tunnels, wells, warehouses, kitchens, and stone doors where people lived without going above ground.
Transport
In Istanbul, use the ferries to cross the Bosphorus and see the city from the water, connecting the European and Asian sides.
Tip
In Kaş, visit the remains of an ancient city partially submerged underwater after earthquakes, visible from boats with preserved walls and staircases.
Timing
Climb Mount Nemrut at dawn to see the 2000-year-old stone heads emerge from the darkness as the sun rises.
Tip
Access Butterfly Valley by boat or by walking along trails among rocks; it is wilder than other parts of the coast due to its difficult access.
Where to stay
Visit the Sumela monastery built directly on the rock hundreds of meters above the valley, accessible through a dense forest.

Video on this route

Wonders of Türkiye | Between Europe and Asia | The Most Spectacular Places in Türkiye | 4K

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