15 days in Turkey Itinerary

Famed for its landscape of unusually shaped stone formations and churches cut into the natural rocks, Goreme sits in the central part of the country, an area originally settled during Roman times.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Goreme: Derinkuyu (Kaymakli Underground City & Derinkuyu Yeralti Sehri). Next up on the itinerary: soar above the sights with a balloon tour, see Off-Road Tours, explore the striking landscape at Fairy Chimneys, and explore the fascinating underground world of Uchisar Castle.

For more things to do, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Goreme day trip planning site.

Muscat, Oman to Goreme is an approximately 11.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Gulf Standard Time (GST) to Turkey Time (TRT) is minus 1 hour. While traveling from Muscat, expect slightly colder days and much colder nights in Goreme, ranging from highs of 38°C to lows of 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Mon) so you can travel to Istanbul.

A physical and cultural bridge between Europe and Asia, the transcontinental city of Istanbul serves as a living reminder of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.

Istanbul is known for historic sites, museums, and shopping. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: admire the striking features of Hagia Sophia, take an in-depth tour of Topkapi Palace, steep yourself in history at Basilica Cistern, and browse the eclectic array of goods at Kapali Carsi.

For photos, traveler tips, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Istanbul visit planner.

Getting from Goreme to Istanbul by flight takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of bus and train. When traveling from Goreme in August, plan for a bit cooler days in Istanbul, with highs around 34°C, while nights are a bit warmer with lows around 25°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Fri) early enough to travel to Pamukkale.

A popular spa since the second century BCE, the modern city of Pamukkale continues to draw worldwide attention with its hot springs and travertines--naturally formed calcite bathing pools.

Start off your visit on the 21st (Sat): get outside with Outdoor Activities, then enjoy unforgettable views with a balloon tour, and then take in the natural beauty of Pamukkale Thermal Pools. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 22nd (Sun): delve into the distant past at Hierapolis, explore the different monuments and memorials at Anatolia Cemetery, and then explore the fascinating underground world of Kaklik Cave.

To see reviews, other places to visit, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Pamukkale sightseeing planner.

You can fly from Istanbul to Pamukkale in 4.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Cap off your sightseeing on the 22nd (Sun) early enough to go by car to Selcuk.

An ideal base camp for exploring the Aegean coastline, Selcuk draws big tourist crowds due to its proximity to the ancient city of Ephesus.

Kick off your visit on the 23rd (Mon): contemplate the long history of Public Latrine, then explore the ancient world of Ancient City of Ephesus, then see the interesting displays at Ephesus Museum, and finally look for gifts at La Tulip Art Gallery. Keep things going the next day: cool off at Aqua Fantasy- Aquapark Hotel & SPA, then explore the ancient world of Temple of Hadrian, then contemplate the long history of Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House), and finally examine the collection at Camlik Locomotive Museum.

For more things to do, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Selcuk day trip planning website.

Getting from Pamukkale to Selcuk by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 41°C in August, and nighttime lows around 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Oludeniz.

Famous for its big lagoon, Oludeniz acts like a magnet for mass tourism, featuring some of the most photographed beaches on the Mediterranean.

Kick off your visit on the 25th (Wed): take in the awesome beauty at Babadag, explore the fascinating underground world of Mavi Magara, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Oludeniz PlajI, and finally get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour.

To find traveler tips, ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Oludeniz travel itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Selcuk to Oludeniz takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of flight, bus, and taxi. Traveling from Selcuk in August, you will find days in Oludeniz are a bit cooler (38°C), and nights are about the same (24°C). You'll have a few hours on the 26th (Thu) to wrap things up before traveling home.