The grand tour of Turkey in 12 days
12 days · First big trip to Turkey, couples, friends, families with teenagers · April to June, September and October
Twelve days and eleven nights covering the great places of western Turkey: three nights in Istanbul's old city, three nights in a hotel of stone houses and caves in Uçhisar, Cappadocia, three nights in Şirince for Ephesus and Pamukkale, then two nights in Bodrum facing the castle, linked by two domestic flights.
from 2,250 € per person
Price collected on 22 October 2026. Based on 2 adults, listed hotels, domestic flights, private transfers, excursions and entry fees, breakfast included unless stated; international flights, other entry fees and meals not included. Indicative price, taxes included, to be confirmed with your request.
Itinerary
- Days 1–4 Istanbul, Sultanahmet · 3 nights — Hotel Ibrahim Pasha
- Days 4–7 Cappadocia, Uçhisar · 3 nights — Taşkonaklar
- Days 7–10 Şirince, above Ephesus · 3 nights — Kirkinca Houses & Boutique Hotel
- Days 10–12 Bodrum, facing the castle · 2 nights — METT Bodrum
Activities included in the indicative price
- Private transfer from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet (price per vehicle) · 52 € per vehicle
Public price collected on: Civitatis, transferts à Istanbul — accessed 23 October 2026
- Guided tour of Istanbul's highlights: Topkapı Palace and harem, Süleymaniye, Grand Bazaar, Pera, lunch included (7 hours) · 107 € per person
Public price collected on: Civitatis, visite guidée des lieux incontournables d'Istanbul — accessed 23 October 2026
- Long Bosphorus cruise on the municipal ferry, Eminönü to Anadolu Kavağı, return (about 6 hours) · 6 € per person
Public price collected on: feribotseferleri.com.tr, croisière sur le Bosphore en vapeur, tarifs et horaires 2026 — accessed 22 October 2026
- Direct flight Istanbul – Nevşehir-Cappadocia, Turkish Airlines, one way (fare for 4 June 2027) · 67 € per person
Public price collected on: Google Flights, Istanbul – Nevşehir, 4 juin 2027 — accessed 23 October 2026
- Private transfer from Nevşehir airport to your Cappadocia hotel (price per vehicle) · 63 € per vehicle
Public price collected on: Civitatis, transferts en Cappadoce — accessed 23 October 2026
- Sunrise hot-air balloon flight, basket of up to 20 passengers, transfer and breakfast included (1-hour flight) · 260 € per person
Public price collected on: Voyager Balloons, vol « Standard » — accessed 22 October 2026
- Museum Pass Cappadocia: museums and sites in Nevşehir and Aksaray provinces for 3 days (Göreme, Zelve, underground cities, Ihlara) · 75 € per person
Public price collected on: KTB, tarifs Museumpass pour les visiteurs étrangers à partir du 1er avril 2027 (reproduits par alomaliye.com) — accessed 22 October 2026
- Group day trip to Derinkuyu, Selime and the Ihlara Valley, hotel pick-up; entry fees (covered by the Museumpass) and lunch not included (8 h 30) · 30 € per person
Public price collected on: Headout, circuit vert d'une journée en Cappadoce (option sans entrées ni déjeuner ; prix affiché pour le 28/11/2026, dates de 2027 non ouvertes) — accessed 23 October 2026
- Private transfer from your hotel to Kayseri airport (price per vehicle) · 64 € per vehicle
Public price collected on: Civitatis, transferts en Cappadoce — accessed 23 October 2026
- Direct evening flight Kayseri – İzmir, Pegasus, one way (fare for 7 June 2027) · 90 € per person
Public price collected on: Google Flights, Kayseri – İzmir, 7 juin 2027 — accessed 23 October 2026
- Private transfer from İzmir airport to Selçuk (price per vehicle) · 64 € per vehicle
Public price collected on: Civitatis, transferts à İzmir — accessed 23 October 2026
- Ephesus site entry, Ephesus Experience digital museum included · 45 € per person
Public price collected on: KTB, barème des musées et sites pour les visiteurs étrangers à partir du 1er avril 2027 (reproduit par alomaliye.com) — accessed 22 October 2026
- Guided day trip to Pamukkale and Hierapolis, hotel pick-up in Selçuk, entry fees and lunch included · 99 € per person
Public price collected on: Headout, excursion guidée à Pamukkale depuis Selçuk (prix affiché pour le 30/11/2026, dates de 2027 non ouvertes) — accessed 23 October 2026
- Private transfer from Selçuk to Bodrum (price per vehicle) · 182 € per vehicle
Public price collected on: Kiwitaxi, transfert privé Selçuk – Bodrum (relevé pour le 10/06/2027) — accessed 23 October 2026
- Bodrum Castle and Museum of Underwater Archaeology entry, audio guide included · 22 € per person
Public price collected on: KTB, barème des musées et sites pour les visiteurs étrangers à partir du 1er avril 2027 (reproduit par alomaliye.com) — accessed 22 October 2026
- Private transfer from Bodrum to Milas-Bodrum airport (price per vehicle) · 60 € per vehicle
Public price collected on: Civitatis, transferts à Bodrum — accessed 23 October 2026
How it works
Western Turkey brings together, a few hours apart by air or road, many of the country's UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the old city of Istanbul, Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia, Ephesus, and Hierapolis-Pamukkale. This trip links them in four stages, from the Bosphorus to the Anatolian plateau, then to the Aegean coast.
Two domestic flights avoid long drives: Istanbul – Nevşehir, about 1 h 20, then Kayseri – İzmir, about 1 h 25. Private transfers between airports and hotels, and from Selçuk to Bodrum (169 km, about 2 h 25), are included in the price, as is the group excursion to Derinkuyu and Ihlara. You fly into Istanbul and out of Bodrum, which is 3h35 from Paris by direct flighta few hours' flight from Europe's main cities, direct or with one stop.
At a glance
| Day | Plan | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Istanbul, Sultanahmet in the late afternoon | Hotel Ibrahim Pasha |
| 2 | Guided tour: Topkapı and its harem, Süleymaniye, Grand Bazaar | Hotel Ibrahim Pasha |
| 3 | The Bosphorus by ferry to the mouth of the Black Sea | Hotel Ibrahim Pasha |
| 4 | Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, evening flight to Cappadocia | Taşkonaklar |
| 5 | Balloon at dawn, Göreme open-air site, Zelve and Paşabağları | Taşkonaklar |
| 6 | Derinkuyu underground city, Ihlara Valley | Taşkonaklar |
| 7 | Free morning in Uçhisar, evening flight from Kayseri to İzmir | Kirkinca Houses |
| 8 | Ephesus | Kirkinca Houses |
| 9 | Pamukkale and Hierapolis | Kirkinca Houses |
| 10 | Drive to Bodrum, Bodrum Castle | METT Bodrum |
| 11 | Bodrum: the Mausoleum, a boat trip or the beach | METT Bodrum |
| 12 | Fly home from Milas-Bodrum |
Days 1 to 4: Istanbul
Istanbul Airport is 46 km from Sultanahmet, about an hour without traffic, by private transfer. Hotel Ibrahim Pasha has 24 rooms in two Ottoman houses by the old Hippodrome; its rooftop bar looks over the Blue Mosque and the Sea of Marmara. It was priced at about €245 a night for early June, breakfast included.
On day two, a seven-hour guided tour covers Topkapı Palace, with its treasury and harem, the Süleymaniye and the Grand Bazaar, lunch and tickets included. Topkapı is closed on Tuesdays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays.
On day three, the municipal ferry's long route sails up the Bosphorus from Eminönü to Anadolu Kavağı, at the mouth of the Black Sea: about six hours return including the stop, for 320 Turkish lira, about €6. It passes Dolmabahçe Palace, the fortress of Rumeli Hisarı and the yalı, wooden Ottoman mansions on the water.
On day four, visit Hagia Sophia in the morning, by the paid upper-gallery route for foreign visitors, then the Blue Mosque, outside prayer times. The direct Turkish Airlines flight to Nevşehir leaves Istanbul Airport in the evening.
Days 4 to 7: Cappadocia
Stone houses in Uçhisar
A private transfer takes you to Uçhisar, above the valleys. Taşkonaklar has 24 rooms in old stone houses and caves around gardens; its restaurant, Moniq, serves Cappadocian food from recipes handed down by local women. It was priced at about €300 a night for early June, breakfast included.
Balloon, Göreme, Derinkuyu and Ihlara
Day five starts before dawn with the balloon flight: an hour in a basket of up to 20 passengers, transfer and breakfast included. Every morning, Turkish civil aviation allows or bans flights depending on wind and rain; a cancelled flight is usually moved to the next morning, and this trip leaves three mornings in Cappadocia. The hot-air ballooning in Cappadocia guide explains the rules.
Then visit the Göreme site, an open-air museum of rock-cut monasteries and frescoed churches, followed by Zelve, a valley inhabited until the 20th century, and the multi-capped fairy chimneys of Paşabağları. The Museum Pass Cappadocia, included in the price, opens the museums and sites of Nevşehir and Aksaray provinces for three days.
On day six, the underground city of Derinkuyu, the deepest of those open to visitors, is 33 minutes from Göreme; the Ihlara Valley, a canyon lined with rock-cut churches, 1 h 25. On day seven, the morning is free in Uçhisar, then a private transfer takes you to Kayseri airport, about 1 h 10 away, for the direct evening flight to İzmir.
Days 7 to 9: Ephesus and Pamukkale
A village above Ephesus
From İzmir airport, a private transfer reaches Selçuk in 52 minutes, then Şirince, a former Greek village 8 km away with white houses and stone lanes; you arrive late in the evening. Kirkinca Houses, family-run since 1999, has ten village rooms and six mountain cottages around a pool. It was priced at about €133 a night for early June, breakfast included.
Ephesus
Day eight is devoted to the Ephesus site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015: Curetes Street, the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre. Entry, €45 from 1 April 2027 including the Ephesus Experience digital museum, is included in the price; the Terrace Houses need a separate €16 ticket. In Selçuk, the Basilica of St John, at the foot of the Ayasuluk citadel, and the Ephesus Museum round off the day.
Pamukkale
On day nine, a guided excursion with hotel pick-up in Selçuk goes to Pamukkale, 196 km away: its white travertine terraces and the ancient city of Hierapolis have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, with their ancient pool. Entry to the site, €35 from 1 April 2027, and lunch are included in the excursion.
Days 10 and 11: Bodrum
The drive from Selçuk to Bodrum is 169 km, about 2 h 25. Bodrum Castle, built in the 15th century by the Knights of St John at the harbour entrance, houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology; entry, €22 with audio guide, is included in the price. METT Bodrum, a five-star resort of 103 rooms, suites and villas in Haremtan cove, faces the castle; it has a private cove and a spa with hammam. It was priced at about €190 a night for early June, breakfast included.
On day eleven, the site of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, shows its foundations and fragments in a site museum. The Bodrum peninsula page describes the bays and boat trips.
Day 12: departure
Milas-Bodrum airport is 38 km away, a 38-minute drive, by private transfer.
Good to know
- The pace. The trip has two evening flights, on days four and seven; you reach Şirince late in the evening.
- When to go. Average June highs are 26.9 °C in Istanbul, 25.6 °C in Nevşehir and 31.8 °C in Selçuk. In Cappadocia, dawn is cool all year: a warm jacket is useful for the balloon.
- Domestic flights. Fares were checked for dates in June 2027; they vary with the day and time.
- Ramadan and holidays. Opening hours change at some places: see Ramadan and holidays 2027 in Turkey.
- Entry requirements. The visa and entry requirements guide covers the document required and the length of stay. The rule for your country:
Entry requirements
| Nationality | Visa | Travel document | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| French | No visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, continuous or split | National ID card or passport, valid for at least 150 days after the date of entry and in good condition; an expired passport is not accepted. An ID card extended by five years is officially accepted, but a valid passport is strongly recommended | France Diplomatie, Conseils aux voyageurs, Entrée / séjour (Site last updated 15 September 2026) |
| Details: Minor travelling without one of their parents: ID card or passport valid 150 days after entry and a return travel authorisation signed by the parent(s) (service-public.fr form). French-Turkish dual nationals: carry a valid French document for the return; the Turkish authorities do not always inform the consulate of an arrest. Always carry ID. Registration on Fil d'Ariane recommended. According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, French citizens entering with their ID card are exempt from the 150-day validity rule, and a French passport expired for less than five years is accepted; France Diplomatie nevertheless requires 150 days' validity and states that an expired passport is not accepted. Travelling with a document valid for at least 150 days avoids any refusal, at boarding or on arrival | |||
| Belgian | No visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days | See the official page | SPF Affaires étrangères (Belgique), Voyager en Turquie, Informations pratiques (Site last updated 2 July 2026) |
| Details: Belgian (European) driving licences are valid. Travel insurance with assistance, repatriation and legal cover is considered absolutely necessary. Belgian-Turkish dual nationals: no Belgian consular assistance in Turkey; exit bans have been reported. Registration on Travellers Online recommended. According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, entry is possible with an ID card, with no 150-day validity requirement; a Belgian passport expired for less than five years is accepted; otherwise, the passport must remain valid for 60 days after the end of the stay, i.e. 150 days for a 90-day stay | |||
| Swiss | See the official page | The FDFA asks travellers to always carry their passport or ID card for checks — See the official page | DFAE (Département fédéral des affaires étrangères, Suisse), Conseils pour les voyages – Turquie (Site last updated 30 September 2026) |
| Details: Swiss-Turkish dual nationals: treated exclusively as Turkish, in principle without Swiss consular protection; those liable for military service should check with the Turkish representation before travelling, as they could be called up. Major medical procedures and hospital stays must be paid in advance. According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, entry is possible with an ID card, with no 150-day validity requirement; a Swiss passport expired for less than five years is accepted; otherwise, the passport must remain valid for 60 days after the end of the stay, i.e. 150 days for a 90-day stay | |||
| British | No visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, for tourism or business, on a full 'British citizen' passport; other British passport types should check with the Turkish Embassy | Passport with an expiry date at least 150 days after the date you arrive and at least 1 blank page | GOV.UK (FCDO), Turkey, Entry requirements (Site last updated 19 October 2026) |
| Details: Carrying photo ID is a legal requirement. When leaving Turkey with a dual British-Turkish child aged 18 or under, you may need permission from the Turkish parent; some hotels refuse under-17s without a parent unless written consent is provided. Driving: a 1968 international driving permit, obtained in the UK, or a UK licence notarised in Turkish; the 1949 permit is no longer accepted; a green card for third-party insurance is required | |||
| German | No visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; leaving for a day no longer starts a new 90-day stay. The exemption does not give an absolute right of entry | Passport, temporary passport, ID card or child passport, accepted even if expired for up to one year; temporary ID card accepted but not recommended. A passport needs one blank page | Auswärtiges Amt, Türkei: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise, « Einreise und Zoll » (Site last updated 20 October 2026) |
| Details: No special rules for minors travelling alone or with one parent if they left Germany legally; a German-Turkish child needs a German document to return to Germany. German-Turkish dual nationals: treated only as Turkish, consular help limited or impossible; leave on the passport used to enter. Germans, especially those with ties to Turkey, have been refused entry or arrested over social media posts or activities in Germany. German driving licences are recognised for tourist stays. Travel health insurance with repatriation strongly recommended | |||
| Dutch | No visa for stays of up to 90 days with a Dutch passport or ID card; for longer stays, check with the Turkish embassy in the Netherlands | Passport or ID card valid for at least 150 days on arrival; a passport needs at least 1 blank page | Nederland Wereldwijd (ministère néerlandais des Affaires étrangères), Reisadvies Turkije (Site last updated 16 October 2026) |
| Details: Each child needs their own passport or ID card; an adult travelling alone with children under 18 should carry the documents required for travelling with a minor. Dutch driving licences are valid. Dutch-Turkish dual nationals: treated as Turkish; questioning, phone searches, arrest or exit bans are possible. Always carry your passport or ID card. According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dutch citizens entering with their ID card are exempt from the 150-day validity rule; the Dutch ministry requires 150 days for both passport and ID card | |||
| Luxembourgish | Not checked by Sabaro: see mae.gouvernement.lu | ||
| Irish | Not checked by Sabaro: see ireland.ie (DFA) | ||
| Swedish | Not checked by Sabaro: see Regeringen (UD) | ||
| Danish | Not checked by Sabaro: see Udenrigsministeriet (um.dk) | ||
| Norwegian | Not checked by Sabaro: see Regjeringen | ||
| Polish | Not checked by Sabaro: see Odyseusz (MSZ) | ||
| Czech | Not checked by Sabaro: see MZV ČR | ||
| Austrian | Not checked by Sabaro: see BMEIA | ||
| Italian | Not checked by Sabaro: see Viaggiare Sicuri | ||
| Spanish | Not checked by Sabaro: see exteriores.gob.es | ||
| Portuguese | Not checked by Sabaro: see Portal das Comunidades | ||
| Finnish | Not checked by Sabaro: see Ulkoministeriö (um.fi) | ||
Rules change: always check the official website before you travel.
- Safety. None of the stops is in an area advised against by the foreign ministries Sabaro follows. The safety in Turkey guide goes through the country area by area. The advice from your country:
| Country | Official advice | Source |
|---|---|---|
| France | The country is under heightened vigilance and the terrorist risk remains high nationwide. Keep away from gatherings and demonstrations, which can lead to arrest; political statements, including sharing posts on social media from abroad, can lead to an entry or exit ban. Advised against (red): the immediate vicinity of the Syrian and Iraqi borders; movement may be restricted in Reyhanlı, Kırıkhan, Siirt, Şırnak and Hakkari districts. Advised against unless essential (orange): Hatay, Kilis, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Diyarbakır and Batman provinces, where an escort arranged with the local authorities is recommended. Iran is advised against; the land border has been closed in the direction of Iran since 2 March 2026. Earthquakes are frequent (those of 6 February 2023 devastated the south-east): install the AFAD Acil app. Balloon flights in Cappadocia: check the operator's safety measures. From 9 to 20 November 2026, COP31 in Antalya may disrupt travel and limit hotel availability. | Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères (France Diplomatie), Conseils aux voyageurs, Sécurité (Site last updated 15 September 2026) |
| Belgium | The risk of terrorist attacks persists nationwide: stay alert and avoid crowds, political gatherings and the vicinity of official buildings. All travel near the Turkish-Syrian and Turkish-Iraqi borders is strongly advised against; as a precaution, the Iranian border areas are advised against. When travelling to Adana, Hatay, Gaziantep, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Şırnak, Muş, Bingöl, Bitlis, Batman, Kars, Iğdır, Ağrı, Van, Diyarbakır, Hakkari, Siirt or Tunceli provinces, also inform the Belgian embassy in Ankara. The earthquakes of 6 February 2023 severely hit eleven south-eastern provinces, including Gaziantep, Hatay, Şanlıurfa and Adıyaman. Forest fires in summer in the south and south-west; illicit alcohol causes dozens of deaths every month: buy only from official shops and bars. | SPF Affaires étrangères, Commerce extérieur et Coopération au Développement (Belgique), Conseils aux voyageurs (Site last updated 2 July 2026) |
| Switzerland | Travel to certain parts of the country is advised against. The risk of terrorist attacks persists at all times nationwide; most attacks have taken place in the south-east, Istanbul and Ankara. Regular protests and demonstrations, especially in Istanbul, with possible local curfews. Advised against: travel to the border areas with Syria and Iraq (landmines along the eastern border). Advised against for tourism and any non-urgent travel: Şırnak and Hakkari provinces. In the other provinces bordering Syria and Iraq, the greatest caution: travel by day, avoid rural roads, be accompanied by a trusted local person. Much of the country lies in an earthquake zone; forest fires in summer. | Département fédéral des affaires étrangères (DFAE, Suisse), Conseils pour les voyages (Site last updated 30 September 2026) |
| United Kingdom | Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Turkey, mostly in the south-east, Ankara and Istanbul; targets include public buildings, places of worship, airports and large gatherings. Regular demonstrations in Istanbul and other cities, which may turn violent: avoid them. Against all travel: within 10 km of the Syrian border. Hakkari province: permission from the Governor's Office is needed for areas near the Iraqi and Iranian borders. Mount Ararat (Ağrı province): special military zone, paid permit from the Doğubayazıt government office. Earthquakes are frequent (magnitude 6.2 in the Sea of Marmara in April 2025); wildfires in summer. Travelling against FCDO advice can invalidate travel insurance. | Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO, ministère britannique des affaires étrangères), Foreign travel advice (Site last updated 19 October 2026) |
| Germany | Terrorist threat in all parts of the country, especially the large cities; frequent demonstrations in big cities, to be avoided. In the immediate border area with Syria (Şanlıurfa and Mardin provinces) and with Iraq, avoid all travel that is not strictly necessary; landmines near the Syrian border, where all photography is forbidden. German citizens have been arbitrarily arrested, banned from leaving or refused entry, often over social media posts, shares or likes, a petition or membership of a Kurdish association in Germany; phones may be checked on arrival. People with family ties in Turkey and dual nationals are most affected. The 2023 earthquakes caused tens of thousands of casualties in eleven south-eastern provinces. Any road accident can lead to an exit ban. | Auswärtiges Amt (ministère fédéral des affaires étrangères, Allemagne), Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (Site last updated 20 October 2026) |
| Luxembourg | Luxembourg's foreign ministry publishes no Turkey-specific advice: it refers travellers to the travel advice of Belgium, France and Germany. | Ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes, de la Défense, de la Coopération et du Commerce extérieur (Luxembourg), Avis de voyage (accessed 22 October 2026) |
| Ireland | High degree of caution nationwide (level 2 of 4). High terrorist threat, with attacks in Istanbul and Ankara; the situation in the south-east is particularly serious. All travel strongly advised against within 10 km of the Syrian border; all but essential travel advised against to Hatay, Kilis and Şırnak provinces. A ban on demonstrations is in force in Istanbul: avoid all gatherings. The earthquakes of 6 February 2023 hit ten south-eastern provinces, including Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman and Hatay. Hot-air balloon accidents in Cappadocia and paragliding accidents at Ölüdeniz and Fethiye: use reputable operators and check your insurance. | Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA, ministère irlandais des affaires étrangères), Travel advice (Site last updated 30 September 2026) |
| Sweden | The Swedish ministry advises against all travel to the area near Syria and Iraq, up to 10 km from the Syrian and Iraqi borders, and against non-essential travel to the whole of the border provinces of Hatay, Kilis, Şırnak and Hakkari (decision of 28 March 2022, in force until further notice). The embassy in Ankara asks for particular caution near the Iranian border and reports temporary security zones, closed or restricted, in several border provinces. Stay alert to the risk of attacks in crowded places; avoid demonstrations. | Utrikesdepartementet (UD, ministère suédois des affaires étrangères), UD avråder (Site last updated 28 March 2022) |
| Denmark | The whole country except the orange and red zones: take extra care because of the risk of unrest and terrorism. Orange (non-essential travel advised against): the south-eastern provinces of Hatay, Kilis, Şırnak and Hakkari; if you go, use main roads only, travel outside towns by day only and never alone. Red (all travel advised against): within 10 km of the borders with Syria and Iraq. Security zones may be closed at short notice, especially in the east; do not trek alone in the south-eastern mountains. Risk of severe earthquakes and of forest fires in summer. | Udenrigsministeriet (ministère danois des affaires étrangères), Rejsevejledninger (Site last updated 17 June 2026) |
| Poland | Level 1, normal caution, for the country. Level 4 (do not travel): the 30 km border strip with Syria, Iraq and Iran in Hatay, Kilis, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Şırnak, Hakkari, Van, Ağrı and Iğdır provinces. Level 3 (avoid travel): Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Mardin and Van provinces outside the cities of the same name, and Adana, Osmaniye, Hatay, Kilis, Şırnak, Hakkari, Ağrı, Iğdır, Diyarbakır, Siirt and Batman provinces. Level 2 (increased caution): the cities of Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Mardin and Van. Terrorist and earthquake risk; do not photograph military sites or fly drones near them. | Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych (ministère polonais des affaires étrangères), service Odyseusz (Site last updated 15 October 2026) |
| Czechia | Increased caution. Weigh carefully any travel to the big cities (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir) and to the regions bordering Syria, Iraq and Iran, where Turkish armed forces are heavily present. The main tourist areas, such as the Mediterranean riviera from Antalya to Alanya and the Aegean region, are considered safe. Strictly avoid crowds and demonstrations; transport may be disrupted. | Ministerstvo zahraničních věcí (ministère tchèque des affaires étrangères), Upozornění na cesty (Site last updated 12 March 2026) |
| Netherlands | Yellow for most of the country: specific security risks. Red, do not travel: the Turkey-Syria border area and the Turkey-Iraq border area. Orange, essential travel only: Şırnak and Hakkari provinces, where violence occurs regularly, especially at night in remote rural areas, and the Habur border crossing (Iraq), keeping to the main road. Higher risk of terrorist attacks nationwide (PKK, Islamic State); regular demonstrations, especially in Istanbul. Turkey's disinformation law provides up to 3 years in prison for sharing messages deemed false. Earthquake-prone country; forest fires in summer. | Nederland Wereldwijd (ministère néerlandais des Affaires étrangères), Reisadvies Turkije (Site last updated 16 October 2026) |
| Norway | Not checked by Sabaro: see Regjeringen | |
| Austria | Not checked by Sabaro: see BMEIA | |
| Italy | Not checked by Sabaro: see Viaggiare Sicuri | |
| Spain | Not checked by Sabaro: see exteriores.gob.es | |
| Portugal | Not checked by Sabaro: see Portal das Comunidades | |
| Finland | Not checked by Sabaro: see Ulkoministeriö (um.fi) | |
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Frequently asked questions
Can the trip be shortened?
Yes: the Istanbul and Cappadocia in 8 days idea keeps the first two stages, and the ancient Aegean coast in 9 days develops the last part, from Pergamon to Bodrum.
Can we end on the Lycian coast instead of Bodrum?
Yes, by replacing Bodrum with Fethiye and Çıralı and flying home from Antalya: see the Lycian coast in 9 days.
Can we avoid the evening flights?
Yes. The Istanbul – Nevşehir flight also runs in the morning; between Cappadocia and İzmir, direct flights are mostly in the evening, and morning flights connect in Istanbul.
Is this trip suitable for children?
Yes, for children who cope with travel days: the balloon, the underground cities and the Bosphorus appeal to them. Some balloon operators do not take children under 6.
A travel advisor replies by email. Free, no commitment.