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Trip to Turkey in June

Hi,

We are planning a seven day trip to Turkey in early June - two adults and two teenagers (11 and 13 years old). We have been to Istanbul several times and would like to spend very little time there (maybe 1 night max - our flight gets to Istanbul). We have also visited Antalya two years ago and would like to visit a new place this time. We have been discussing a combination of beach time and a trip to historical places. We looked at Dalyan and Bodrum for a beach destination (didn't decide which one is better) and discussed visiting Pamukalle or Cappadocia. Could you please recommend a route that has a nice beach and would be easy to get to flying from Istanbul and then easy to reach Pamukalle or Cappadocia? Any trip itineraries?

thank you!

Posted by
338 posts

Without knowing what kind of traveler you are, here is one idea that assumes a driving route:

From Istanbul fly to Alanya (your beach), pick up your car and work your way along the coast to Mersin. There are lots interesting historical sites along the route and plenty of nice beaches. From Mersin drive north to Cappadocia. Fly back to Istanbul from Nevsehir or Kayseri.

Cappadocia is my favorite area in Turkey. I'd recommend it over Pamukalle.

Have fun!

Posted by
11613 posts

I loved Pamukkale and Bodrum. Haven't gotten to Cappadocia yet. What about Bergama (Pergamum) for someplace new?

Posted by
90 posts

Fly to Dalaman Airport from Istanbul. See nearby Iztuzu Beach. Take bus from Iztuzu and go to Fethiye to see Oludeniz. After Fethiye , take small buses to Pamukkale for 3 hours trip and see Pamukkale. After Pamukkale, take 3-4 hours bus ride to Antalya Airport to fly Nevsehir/Cappadocia or take a bus from Denizli/Pamukkale to Nevsehir/ Cappadocia.
If u got time after Fethiye or Denizli, I would recommend u to see Kas/Kalkan and Patara Beach with Patara Antique Theatre..

Posted by
2125 posts

You didn't mention Ephesus. If you haven't been there, I think it's a must-see. You could fly into Izmir, see Ephesus, spend a night or two on the coast nearby for your beach time. Then make your way to Cappadocia by plane via Istanbul or bus (there's a nonstop very nice inexpensive bus from Izmir but it does take 12 hours).

Or, after Ephesus, skip the beach town, rent a car in Izmir and drive down the coast, stopping in Bodrum and/or Dalyan, then drive over to Cappadocia.

If you've already seen (or are not interested in) Ephesus, Dalyan is a good option. You can fly into nearby Dalaman airport. Dalyan doesn't have a really fabulous beach, but it does have a sea turtle rehab center on Iztusu beach, which we found fascinating, and has Lycian tombs in the rock wall along the river. You can take a riverboat ride to see the tombs and have a mud bath. From Dalyan, you could again fly to Cappadocia (via Istanbul) or take a very long bus with several stops, or you could rent a car and drive.

If you are driving and are still looking for a great beach, the best one we found was at Patara, a tiny town south of Dalyan. It has 12 miles of sandy white beach, and a great little place to stay in Patara (Akay Pension). You could stop there for a night, then make your way to Goreme.

In any case, you'd fly back to Istanbul from Cappadocia (Kayseri or Nevsahir).

Check out various routes and options on Rome2Rio.

Posted by
1 posts

If you are planning to spend 7 days in Turkey and except Istanbul, you may divide into two destinations one is to fly İzmir which is approxiametley around 1one our flight to Istanbul and spend a night and see Ephesus the scond biggest ancient city of Hellenistic period after Pompei in Italy and also summer sea town Kuşadası (bird island) spend tow nights there and also half a drive away Miletus (the first grid plan city in the World) and Priene and Dydima (magnificent Apollo Temple half finished) you could do these three ancient sites in half day by rented car and in the afternoon beach at Didim close to the Apollo Temple beautiful sandy beach kms long very relaxing. And The Next day visit Ephesus and Virgin Mary's House at the top of the mountain which the Ephesus city walls built. There were 250.000 lived in Ephesus in the glorious times third fourth century B.C. It taes three hours to see the ancient city plus the museum of the city in today's town Selcuk. The only column or the location of one of the seven wonders of Archaic World Temple of Artemis could be seen from Selcuk Fortress this is in today's town center.
Next day you and your family could fly to Cappadocia nearest airport Nevsehir (city name) (Land of Fairy Chimneys) like bad land in Dacota but this are is 4000 km square. It is the escape location of early Christians in the forth century who escaped from Arabs and settled in central Turkey (Anatolia). The kids love this place because you may hike rent mountain bikes to ride around. Goreme (ancient name Korama) is one of the center today's town start with visiting "Open Aır Museum" There there are carved churches several of them frescoes painted restrored and the arly Christians illustrated all about Jesus' teachings and miracles on these old church walls ceilings. There are also fascinating underground hiding places which could take in 5000 people. It is a must see place in Turkey.
Do not forget Aegean coastline till Bodrum (British call bedroom because of Bohemein life style) late night parties entertainment, very busy starting in the evening after the strong sun gone after 19:00 p.m. The sun is very strong in Bodrum average 36 dgrees celcius but in June around 32 degrees celcius.
Of course sedan type family cars are not as large and luxuries as the American type ones. Best Ford manufactured in Turkey and very economical but prices are not very reasonable.
I am a tour guide and has done these tours ten years, ı hope the reply will help you.

Three days will be best to spend there.