If you have 10 days or 2 weeks in Turkey, you have to see a different side of Turkey.

I came to Turkey after reading books by Eli Shafak and dreaming of spice lanes, the cultures and the warm beaches (yes, it is possible) and the most important thing: the historical weight of an ancient civilisation that has been at the crossroads of everything.

I also would suggest to not see what everyone wants to see like Bodrum and swap it with Fethiye because the region is so underrated.

I hiked through the Lycian way but you can stay in Butterfly valley and see a whole different side of Turkey.

My Turkey itinerary is pretty much this:
- Istanbul (3 days)
- Pamukkale (1 day)
- Fethiye (3 days)
- Cappadocia (3 days)

You can extend in between Fethiye and Cappadocia if you want to drive to Kas and Antalya region. The easiest way is to rent a car here.

I flew most of the time instead of taking buses because distances in Turkey are loooong and you can totally do long bus trips if you are solo travelling or have more time. For bus bookings/overnight buses, I highy recommend booking it here.

Here is my 10 days to 2 weeks Turkey itinerary.

What You Should Know Before Travelling To Turkey?

the gorgeous mosque in istanbul and here’s my 10 days turkey itinerary

📶 SIM Card: I would highly recommend getting an eSim by Sim Local. Turkey’s inflation is nuts and it is too expensive to get a simcard in Istanbul itself. (Read my esim review experience in Turkey)
🚖 Pick-up: If you have luggage, it is so much better to pre-book your transfer here. If you’re travelling solo, you can also take the Havaist shuttle.
💳 Money & Payments: I’ll highly recommend carrying some Turkish Lira and using the rest through your Wise card just because of how crazy the prices keep fluctuating.
🚋 Getting Around: Just get the Istanbulkart for metro, trams, buses, and ferries. For taxis, use BiTaksi or Uber.
🕌 Dress Code for Mosques: If visiting mosques like the Hagia Sophia or Blue Mosque, women should dress modestly so bring scarves and cover your knees.
🛡️ Travel Insurance: Highly recommend you get a really affordable travel insurance something like SafetyWing. It costs only $56 for 4 weeks!

Day 1-3: Istanbul

at the galata bridge - fisherman spotted from afar

I loved Istanbul but it was super chaotic and the city has 15 million people so walking from one side to the other sometimes felt like walking through 5 different centuries at once.

Three is a minimum because it would take you time to get used to the chaos. If it is your first time, I highly recommend staying on the European side (read my guide on where to stay in Istanbul)

Start your day by doing Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque. Do both on Day 1 as they're steps from each other in Sultanahmet. And then visit the Grand Bazaar and in the evening take in the Bosphorus Views at the dinner cruise & private table (highly recommended!)

Day 2 & 3 the best way to explore is to see Balat. I would also recommend taking a walking tour so you have a thorough history of these places. It adds depth and stories to these buildings which you won’t really understand without a local.

In the evening, head over to the Galata bridge which serves as a connector to the other side towards Istikal street and Galata tower. On day 3, you can take the ferry to the Asian side like Kadıköy, walk around the local markets, grab a coffee, and enjoy the less touristy vibe. The ferry ride costs about 30 TL each way.

Honest note: The city is huge and it will eat your time if you are constantly crossing from one end to the other. Base yourself on the European side. The Asian side is worth a half-day trip but it is not where you want to drag your luggage.

Also read: 3 to 5 Days Istanbul Itinerary That’s Different From The Rest

Where To Stay in Istanbul?

In Sultanhamet

HaciBayramHotel (such a good hotel!)
Rast Hotel
Hotel Poem

In Beyoglu/Istikal

The Story Hotel Pera (It is the best spot to stay in istikal!)
Tomtom suites
Walton Gardens Pera

Also read: Where To Stay in Istanbul, Turkey: For A First Timer

Day 4-5: Pamukkale

If you don’t mind the long journey, the best way to go from Istanbul is to take the bus to Pamukkale. You can book your bus tickets here. It takes 10 hours though and really long!

But if you are short on time, you can even do Ephesus & Pammukale by flight from Istanbul. The easiest way is to book it here. It is a popular option for people who want to see the best and have it done by a reputable agency!

Once you are there it is enough to spend one whole day, you will see the white calcium travertine terraces cascading down the hillside called “Cotton Castle”.

The main highlight is, of course, the travertine terraces. You’ll need to walk barefoot in certain sections, and it’s best to take your time instead of rushing through for photos. Sunset here is especially beautiful and far less crowded once the day tours leave.

Above the terraces are the ruins of Hierapolis, an ancient Roman city with a huge necropolis, theatre, and old streets to just walk through.

You should also check out Cleopatra’s Pool, a thermal pool filled with submerged ancient columns. It’s touristy, yes, but still worth doing at least once.

Where to stay in Pamukkale?

Day 5-7: Fethiye

the butterfly valley views from the lycian way hike in turkey

From Pammukale you can take a bus from Denizli bus station that takes about 3-4 hours to Fethiye. The buses are usually early in the morning and it is possible to book on Omio but sometimes it not listed, so best to ask your hotel to help you book.

When you are in Fethiye, I would highly recommend staying in the city center (called Paspatur) or in Oludeniz which is closer to the beach.

It is kind of important to rent a car here so you can visit all the iconic places like hiking to the Butterfly valley or visiting the abandoned village of Kayakoy.

However, there are day trips which can be organised like the butterfly valley boat trip with Buffet lunch in Oludeniz or sea kayaking.

I loved my time hiking some of the trails here. You can try hiking from Faralya to Kabak and spend some time on the beach here!

Also read: 12 Best Things To Do In Fethiye: A Turkish Riviera Itinerary

Where to stay in Fethiye City Centre

Roome (wonderful and gorgeous rooms!)
Reddoors Suites Sea View
Rue Rooms

Where to stay in Oludeniz

The Peal Oludeniz (lovely and sooo gorgeous!)
Unsal Hotel
Bronze Hotel

Day 7-10: Cappadocia

unbelievable views from above when taking the hot air balloon

The most surreal and stunning has been reserved for the last and though I think most of Turkey has so many underrated destinations, you can’t not miss Cappadocia.

From Fethiye, you can head to Dalaman airport and fly to Cappadocia which is what I did. There are no direct flights, so most have a layover in Istanbul airport.

In Cappadocia, everything is super stunning! I spent 5 days here but you can spend 2-3 days to see everything the city has to offer.

You can explore the churches, visiting all the scenic spots and the hot air balloon ride and if you’re up for it even go for a short hike to Love Valley which I think is super worth it!

The best thing to do in Cappadocia is base yourself in Goreme, stop by a carpet shop and watch sunset at Meskendir Valley.

On the last two days, I recommend taking the Green valley tour (with lunch & entry tickets). This tour is worth it because you get to see the Derinkuyu Underground City, visit Anatolian villages and their rock-cut churches as well as enjoy a 4km trek in the Ihlara valley.

On the last day, don’t miss out on your Hot Air balloons. I recommend checking your hot air balloon prices here and booking it! If there’s a great deal, be sure to secure it in advance. The whole journey takes about 2 hours and you’ll be back in your hotel by 7am.

Also read: Dreamiest Cappadocia Itinerary in 2, 3 or 5 Days: From Caves to Hikes

Where To Stay in Cappadocia (Goreme)?

Design Cave Hotel: Amazing hotel to stay and have views of the valley plus lavender fields.
Terra Cave Hotel: A ancient rock dwelling from the 19th century and one of the best spots to stay — the rooftop is also gorgeous!
Cappadocia Aishe Hotel: This is a modern hotel with clean spaces designed to look like a cave.

Also read: Hiking in Cappadocia: Ruins & Cafes? Best 2 Hikes You've To Do!

Option To Extend To Two Weeks

If you have two weeks instead of ten days, I would say to not add more destinations as it becomes so tiring!

The two places worth extending are Fethiye and Cappadocia:

I personally feel both have more to offer than a short stay allows. An extra day in Fethiye means you can actually do the Lycian Way hike without rushing.
An extra day in Cappadocia means a chill time in the morning after your balloon ride instead of heading straight to the airport.

Some people add Antalya after Fethiye and turn it into a longer road trip and ofcourse it is beautiful. But honestly, by that point in the trip, your body starts asking for a slower pace. I would rather you spend that time properly in a place you love than rushing through one more.

Use the last day to fly back to Istanbul and give yourself a buffer night before your international flight.

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