3-Week Turkey Tour Packages
Turkey in three weeks? A busy time but the sights will blow you away! Imagine exploring Ephesus's Library of Celsus, Troy's legendary walls, Cappadocia's fairy chimneys and hot air balloons, Istanbul's Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, and Pamukkale's white travertine terraces. You'll step through civilizations from Greeks to Ottomans across three weeks, understanding how Turkey’s historical depth is so mindblowing.
Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Turkey tour itineraries
Compiled by
SteffTurkey travel expert at TourRadar
20 Day Turkey Itinerary, incl. Istanbul and Cappadocia
A grand 20-day Turkish adventure covers 1500km across 10 major cities. The carefully curated stays include 4 nights at Istanbul's Levni Hotel and 2 nights at Cappadocia's Gamirasu Hotel, with visits to 6 UNESCO World Heritage sites including Ephesus and Hierapolis.
- Days 1-4
Istanbul
Start your journey in Istanbul's Sultanahmet district, where you'll find a perfect blend of Eastern and Western cultures. Take your first afternoon to walk around and get your bearings. Plan the next three days around major sites like Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, and Hagia Sophia. Get to Topkapi Palace by 9 AM to avoid the crowds. A useful tip for the Grand Bazaar: use the Nuruosmaniye Gate entrance. It's less crowded and makes it easier to find your way around.
- Days 5-6
Ankara
Take the 3-hour fast train from Istanbul to Turkey's modern capital. Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in the morning when the natural light is perfect for photos. Remember to bring a scarf for the Ataturk Mausoleum as shoulders need to be covered.
- Days 7-8
Cappadocia
Most visitors say the hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia's fairy chimneys is unforgettable. Bring warm layers for chilly mornings, even in summer. Wear shoes with good grip for the underground cities. A recent visitor shared: "The Kaymakli Underground City tunnels are narrow - if you're claustrophobic, stay near the entrance levels where spaces are larger."
- Days 9-10
Konya to Pamukkale
Visit historic Konya on your way to Pamukkale. Pack water shoes for walking on the travertine terraces. Visit in late afternoon when tour groups have left and you can catch beautiful sunset photos.
- Days 11-12
Kusadasi & Ephesus
Stay in Kusadasi while exploring Ephesus. Get to the ancient city at 8 AM opening time to avoid crowds and heat. The Terrace Houses cost extra but show the best-preserved Roman homes you'll find.
- Days 13-14
Kutahya to Ayvalik
Travel through Kutahya, Turkey's ceramic hub, before reaching coastal Ayvalik. Look for Greek Orthodox influences in the local buildings and try the region's excellent olive oil.
- Days 15-16
Canakkale & Gallipoli
Wear comfortable shoes for Gallipoli as you'll do lots of walking between sites. Summer visits can be very hot with little shade. Try the local seafood restaurants along Canakkale's waterfront.
- Days 17-18
Bursa to Istanbul
Visit Bursa's silk bazaars and Ottoman buildings. Get to the Green Mosque before 10 AM for the best photos. Stop at Iznik, known for its beautiful tiles, on your way back to Istanbul.
- Days 19-20
Istanbul
Take a morning Bosphorus cruise for the clearest views. Spend your final evening at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the lit-up mosques.
19 Day Turkey Itinerary, incl. Istanbul and Cappadocia
The extensive 19-day route spans 14 Turkish cities, from Istanbul to Kars. Guests enjoy 18 nights in select accommodations, including cave hotels in Cappadocia and boutique stays in Antalya, complemented by domestic flights, 18 breakfasts, 7 dinners, and a Bosphorus cruise.
- Days 1-2
Istanbul
Give yourself a full day to adjust before exploring. On day 2, head to the Blue Mosque early around 8:30 AM before the crowds arrive. Set aside 3 hours for Topkapi Palace and about an hour just for the Harem section. Visit the Hagia Sophia first thing to avoid the midday rush.
- Days 3-4
Gallipoli to Troy
It takes 4 hours to drive from Istanbul to the Gallipoli Peninsula. Pack good walking shoes for the ANZAC Cove sites. Visit Troy in the morning when it's cooler. The new Troy Museum will help you understand the archaeological site better.
- Days 5-6
Kusadasi & Ephesus
Stay in Kusadasi while exploring Ephesus. Spend your morning at Ephesus and wear shoes with good grip on the marble streets. See the Terrace Houses early before it gets hot. The carpet village tour takes about 2 hours. You don't need to buy anything but watching the weavers work is interesting.
- Days 7-8
Pamukkale & Fethiye
Bring water shoes for walking on Pamukkale's calcium formations. Go early to avoid crowds and heat. Swimming in Hierapolis's ancient pool costs extra but lets you swim near Roman ruins. Try the 12-island boat tour in Fethiye when the water is clearest in the morning.
- Days 9-10
Antalya Region
Start at the Antalya Museum to learn about the area's history. Check out Aspendos's amazing theater where you can hear even quiet sounds from the top rows. Stay away during the hot midday hours in summer.
- Days 11-13
Konya to Cappadocia
You'll see stunning landscapes on your drive to Cappadocia. Skip the underground city if small spaces bother you. Book balloon rides well ahead and be ready for a 4:30 AM start.
- Days 14-17
Eastern Turkey
Van shows you a different side of Turkey. Lake Van is surprisingly good for swimming despite being high up. Visit Akdamar Island's Armenian church in the morning for the best photos. Bring sun protection and water for the exposed Ani ruins near Kars.
- Days 18-19
Return to Istanbul
Use your last day to see what you missed like the Spice Bazaar or take a Bosphorus cruise. Staying in Sultanahmet puts you close to main attractions even though it's touristy.
21 Days in Turkey & Greece, incl. Istanbul and Athens
A comprehensive 21-day tour through 8 major Turkish cities showcases UNESCO sites including Troy's ruins and Hierapolis-Pamukkale. Comfortable stays at 4-star hotels like Nidya Galataport Istanbul and Avrasya Cappadocia, with 9 dinners and professional English-speaking guides.
- Days 1-3
Istanbul, Turkey
Begin your trip in Istanbul where eastern and western cultures blend. Visit the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace on your first full day. Plan to arrive at the Blue Mosque around 8:30 AM after morning prayers to avoid tourist crowds. Walk through the historic Spice Market in Eminonu where merchants have sold exotic spices since 1660. Take a late afternoon Bosphorus ferry ride for the best lighting to photograph the city skyline.
- Day 4
Gallipoli & Canakkale
Head south to visit the WWI battlefields at Gallipoli, a powerful historical site. Stay overnight in Canakkale to explore Troy. The 5-hour drive from Istanbul has limited stops so pack some food and drinks.
- Days 5-6
Izmir & Ancient Cities
See the ruins of Troy on your way to Izmir, Turkey's third-largest city. Visit the ancient medical center of Pergamon and consider a trip to Ephesus, one of the Mediterranean's most intact Roman cities. Take an evening walk along Izmir's waterfront. A local traveler noted: "Have coffee at Kizlaragasi Han Bazaar - the Ottoman architecture and atmosphere are incredible."
- Days 7-8
Antalya & Mediterranean Coast
Visit Pamukkale's white travertine pools before reaching coastal Antalya. Stay in the historic Kaleici district. Visit Hadrian's Gate and the Roman harbor early for peaceful photos. Stop by the Antalya Archaeological Museum to learn about local history.
- Days 9-10
Cappadocia
Plan two full days to explore Cappadocia's unique landscape. Book a hot air balloon ride well ahead as spots fill quickly. Visit the underground cities and Göreme's open-air museum. A past visitor shared: "Wear sturdy shoes with grip - the cave churches have smooth worn steps that can be slippery."
- Days 11-13
Athens Introduction
Fly to Athens and start exploring the ancient city. Visit the Acropolis in early morning or late afternoon to avoid heat and crowds. The New Acropolis Museum helps put everything in context. Spend your evenings in the Plaka area where tavernas fill with music and local food.
- Days 14-16
Paros Island
Take a 4-hour fast ferry to Paros. The island balances great beaches with traditional villages and Byzantine sites. Choose Parikia or Naoussa as your base for good food and transport options. Visit the historic Panagia Ekatontapiliani church from the 4th century.
- Days 17-19
Santorini
Travel by ferry to Santorini (2-3 hours from Paros). Get the best caldera views from Imerovigli or Oia. Book a sunset boat trip to escape the crowds. One traveler advised: "Stay in Fira for central location and bus access - the walk to Oia is beautiful but takes 3+ hours."
- Days 20-21
Final Days in Athens
Return to Athens on a 5-hour fast ferry. Shop in Monastiraki and find authentic food in Psyrri. Spend your last night at a rooftop bar near Syntagma Square looking out at the lit-up Acropolis.
Turkey 21 Day Tour Packages You'll Love
What people love about 3-week Turkey tours
- All About Turkey (5 & 4 Star Hotels)
travel talk is poor at providing information ahead of time - However, the guides are excellent at providing daily information, coordinating side trips, fees, places/stores/venues to visit on free time for best food and prices. They are amazingly knowledgeable and well-seasoned guides. Hotels were more 3 and 4 than 4 and 5 but pleasant each with their own hidden gem. The Gullet could have used a sprucing up - but again the crew was amazing. The charter busses were excellent with great drivers. I had an amazing time touring almost the entire country - I'm not a tour kind of person but this was the right choice for this trip. AND all my fellow travelers were terrific company
- The Great Odyssey (Small group tour)
The tour of Turkey was great! I have to start by saying our tour guide, Kamari, in Turkey was amazing. He was very knowledgable, interesting and funny. He made everyone feel comfortable. That can be very challenging given that you are guiding 7 strangers for 10 days. The tour covered everything that we wanted to see in Turkey and more. We could have spent a couple more days in Istanbul at the beginning or end of the tour. Transportation arranges were excellent. We traveled in a Mercedes Van, which was very comfortable for 7 people. Our connections between airports and hotels were right on time. Our hotels were adequate, although not 4 star by American standards. The food in the hotels was good for buffets and very filling. Much appreciated with early starts and long days touring. I would highly recommend this leg of the tour for anyone interested in learning about Turkey for the first time. We then spent a week in Greece on our own, with arrangements also made through the tour company. Once again, the transport and connections were excellent. Also, once again the hotels were fine but not 4 star plus by American standards, which was more disappointing given that we were looking for a more relaxing stay at the hotels. The price of hotels in the Greek Islands seemed very reasonable so there no reason not to spend a little extra on a nicer hotel. Overall, we loved the Greece tour too.
Overall the tour was great. Our CEO went above and beyond to make it enjoyable for everyone. We did have an issue with the transportation. Considering it was a winter trip there should have been some above seat storage for coats, hats, gloves etc. as the seating was very tight, the temperature varied depending on direction of the sun and to have winter coats on our laps for longer rides was not comfortable. We also thought the back seat having 4 people was not comfortable (person size and familiarity was an issue). And a few of the lunch stops could have been shorter giving more time to visit the days sites.
Absolute Turkey: Winter
