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Istanbul to the Turquoise Coast — a 10-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
The 10-day version for May: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 6-day plan · 8-day plan · 10-day plan · best time to go.
10
days
2888 km
distance
36.1 h
driving
51
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Balloon-friendly dawns in Cappadocia and a coast warm enough to swim by late May — spring is the window.
- Heavy transit: day 5 (6h22), day 6 (6h22), day 8 (7h46) run over 6 hours on the road. Around 10 days would keep daily driving comfortable on this route — or keep the dates and start each of those days by 08:00.
Day 1 Istanbul → Ankara
🌡 -2.6–32.0°C · 🌧 ~7 rain days · ☀ 14.2h light
09:00
MegaPass Istanbul
Enjoy seamless access to Bosphorus cruises and key city attractions.
50 min · Istanbul · €116–€284, depending on the pass
09:50
Tourism Police
50 min · Istanbul
10:40
Argentina
50 min · Istanbul
16:43
Golden Pavilion Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagaslocal & traditional
Stroll through an eccentric Ottoman-style mansion turned museum.
50 min · Ankara · 250 tl
open: Tu-Su - 10:30 - 16:30
18:30
James Cook Pubcraft beer & pubs
Enjoy good value meals and a relaxed pub atmosphere.
75 min · Ankara
open: Daily 10:30-01:00
Overnight: Ankara
e.g. Sheraton Ankara · Bihostel
Day 2 Around Ankara
🌡 -2.6–32.0°C · 🌧 ~7 rain days · ☀ 14.2h light
09:00
Chess Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Discover an astonishing variety of ancient and modern chess sets.
50 min · Ankara · Adult 15 TL
open: Tu-Su 10:00-18:00
09:50
Atatürk Forest Farmmuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Tour a model farm turned museum, showcasing historic farming methods.
50 min · Ankara · Free
open: W-Su 09:00-17:00
10:40
Mehmet Akif Ersoy Home Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Step into the reconstructed home of Turkey's national anthem composer.
50 min · Ankara · Free
open: Tu-Su 10:00-17:00
11:30
Ankara Castlevolcanic
Wander ancient cobbled streets and climb double stone walls.
50 min · Ankara · Free
open: Daily 10:00-20:00
12:20
Roman Theatremuseums & heritage
Explore sparse stage remains and scattered statues from the past.
50 min · Ankara · Free
open: M-Sa 09:00-19:00, Su 10:00-17:00
13:10
Museum of Anatolian Civilizationsmuseums & heritage
Discover a rich tapestry of artifacts from prehistory to Roman times.
50 min · Ankara · Adult 80 TL
open: Daily 08:30-17:30
14:00
Kıtırcraft beer & pubs
Once a rock bar, now a vibrant restaurant with diverse offerings.
60 min · Ankara
open: Daily 12:00-00:00
Overnight: Ankara
e.g. Sheraton Ankara · Bihostel
Day 3 Around Ankara
🌡 -2.6–32.0°C · 🌧 ~7 rain days · ☀ 14.2h light
09:00
Roman Bathsswimming & baths
Stroll through the ruins of a large, classically-designed Roman bath complex.
50 min · Ankara · Adult 20 TL
open: Daily 10:00-16:30
09:50
Cermodernmuseums & heritage
Explore bold contemporary art in a repurposed railway power plant.
50 min · Ankara · Adult 40 TL
open: Tu-Su 10:00-19:00
10:40
Painting and Sculpture Museummuseums & heritage
Admire Turkish art from the late 1800s to today in a historic building.
50 min · Ankara
open: Tu-Su 09:00-18:00
11:30
Hacettepe Art Museummuseums & heritage
View extensive Turkish art from the Republic era to present times.
50 min · Ankara
open: M-F 10:00-16:00
12:20
Kocatepe Mosquehistory & sagas
Marvel at the neoclassical Ottoman architecture of this grand mosque.
50 min · Ankara · Free
open: 24 hours
13:10
METU Science and Technology Museummuseums & heritage
Gaze at military aircraft and a large steam locomotive in this tech museum.
50 min · Ankara · Free - appointment only
open: M-F 09:00-17:00
14:00
Uludağ Kebapçısılocal & traditional
Relish above-par kebaps inspired by the mountain above Bursa.
60 min · Ankara
open: Daily 11:00-22:00
Overnight: Ankara
e.g. Sheraton Ankara · Bihostel
Day 4 Göreme (Cappadocia)
🌡 -1.7–31.0°C · 🌧 ~6 rain days · ☀ 14.1h light
12:19
Göreme Open Air Museummuseums & heritagevolcanic
Marvel at frescoed cave churches and unique fairy chimneys.
50 min · Göreme (Cappadocia) · Adult 480 TL plus 130 TL for the Dark Ch
open: Daily 08:00-19:00
13:09
El Nazar Churchvolcanic
Visit the "Church of the Evil Eye" nestled in a fairy chimney.
50 min · Göreme (Cappadocia)
open: Daily 08:00-16:30
13:59
Aynalı Church
See stunning frescoes in a monastery church above Ortahisar road.
50 min · Göreme (Cappadocia) · Adult 20 TL
open: Daily 09:00-17:00
14:49
Cappadocia Kebap Centermuseums & heritage
Savor good food at competitive prices in a welcoming atmosphere.
60 min · Göreme (Cappadocia)
open: Daily 09:00-23:00
18:30
Fırın Expres
Enjoy speedy, inexpensive meals in a friendly environment.
75 min · Göreme (Cappadocia)
open: Daily 11:00-22:00
Overnight: Göreme (Cappadocia)
e.g. Local Cave House Hotel · Kelebek Special Cave Hotel
Day 5 Göreme (Cappadocia) → Konya
🌡 -1.7–31.0°C · 🌧 ~6 rain days · ☀ 14.1h light
12:11
Mevlana Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Explore Rumi's legacy in a revered space.
50 min · Konya · Free
open: Daily 09:00-17:00
13:01
Karatay Medresesi Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
View exquisite Seljuk tiles in a historic medrassa.
50 min · Konya · Adult 60 TL
open: Daily 09:00-19:00
13:51
Iplikçi Mosquehistory & sagas
Admire a brick Seljuk structure with rich history.
50 min · Konya · Free
open: Daily 06:00-21:00
14:41
Restoran Malaysia
Relish a break from Turkish cuisine with diverse Malaysian dishes.
60 min · Göreme (Cappadocia)
open: Daily 11:00-23:00
Overnight: Göreme (Cappadocia)
e.g. Local Cave House Hotel · Kelebek Special Cave Hotel
Day 6 Göreme (Cappadocia) → Konya
🌡 -1.7–31.0°C · 🌧 ~6 rain days · ☀ 14.1h light
12:11
Ince Minare Museummuseums & heritage
See rich stonework in a stumpy minaret museum.
50 min · Konya · 60 TL
open: Daily 09:00-19:00 (temporarily closed as of Dec 2023)
13:01
Archaeology Museummuseums & heritage
Discover regional artifacts and carved sarcophagi.
50 min · Konya · Free
open: 09:00-17:00 (temporarily closed as of Dec 2023)
13:51
Science Centremuseums & heritage
Engage with interactive exhibits and a planetarium.
50 min · Konya
open: Tu-F 09:00-17:00, Sa Sun 10:00-18:00
14:41
Safran Cafe
Start your day with a good breakfast at this friendly small cafe.
60 min · Göreme (Cappadocia)
open: Daily 09:00-22:00
Overnight: Göreme (Cappadocia)
e.g. Local Cave House Hotel · Kelebek Special Cave Hotel
Day 7 Konya
🌡 -1.0–32.5°C · 🌧 ~5 rain days · ☀ 14.0h light
12:11
Semamuseums & heritage
Witness the mystical dervish ceremony.
90 min · Konya · 100–250 TL; tickets are sold online
13:41
Butterfly Garden
Wander through tropical butterflies in a sleek greenhouse.
50 min · Konya · 150 TL, concessions for domestic visitor
open: 09:00-17:00 (closed M)
14:31
Mithat Tiritlocal & traditional
Delight in Tirit kebab, served without choice.
60 min · Konya
open: M-Sa 11:00-18:00
18:30
Sifa
Savor hearty soup and meat in a friendly spot.
75 min · Konya
open: Daily 09:00-23:45
Overnight: Konya
e.g. Dedeman Hotel · Hotel Ulusan
Day 8 Konya → Antalya
🌡 -1.0–32.5°C · 🌧 ~5 rain days · ☀ 14.0h light
12:53
Antalya Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Journey through 5000 items of Mediterranean history.
50 min · Antalya · Adult 340 TL
open: Apr-Sept daily 08:30-20:00, Oct-Mar Tu-Su 08:30-18:00
13:43
Somatçı Fihi Ma Fih
Savor flavorful Mediterranean dishes in a serene mansion courtyard.
60 min · Konya
open: Daily 09:30-21:30
Overnight: Konya
e.g. Dedeman Hotel · Hotel Ulusan
Day 9 Antalya
🌡 7.7–37.3°C · 🌧 ~6 rain days · ☀ 14.0h light
12:53
Ethnographic Museummuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Discover traditional arts and crafts on display.
50 min · Antalya · Free
open: Daily 08:30-17:30
13:43
Atatürk House Museummuseums & heritage
Step through memorabilia from Atatürk's visits.
50 min · Antalya · Free
open: Daily 08:30-17:30
14:33
Fluted Minaret Mosquehistory & sagas
Admire the elegant six-domed structure and tall minaret.
50 min · Antalya
15:23
King's Poolswimming & baths
Relax by a scenic pool nestled in a canyon landscape.
50 min · Antalya · Free
16:13
Kurşunlu Waterfall
Marvel at impressive waterfalls, lush greenery around.
50 min · Antalya
open: Daily 08:30-19:30
17:03
Hıdırlık Tower
Stand beneath the ancient bastion and lighthouse.
50 min · Antalya · Free
open: 24 hours
Day 10 Around Antalya
🌡 7.7–37.3°C · 🌧 ~6 rain days · ☀ 14.0h light
09:00
Antalya Aquarium
Walk through huge tanks and long viewing tunnels.
50 min · Antalya · Adult or child 950 TL
open: Daily 09:00-23:00
09:50
Sandland
Marvel at ever-changing sand sculptures glowing at night.
50 min · Antalya · Adult 250 TL, child 125 TL
open: Daily 09:00-23:00
10:40
Aksu Dolphinarium
Watch dolphins leap and sea lions splash in a lively show.
50 min · Antalya
open: Daily 09:00-18:30
11:30
Antalya Zoo
Stroll through spacious enclosures with diverse animals.
50 min · Antalya · 20 TL per car
open: Tu-Su 10:00-18:00
12:20
Tünek Tepe
Enjoy panoramic city and coast views from a hilltop.
50 min · Antalya · Cable car 400 TL (closed April 2024)
open: Tu-Su 10:00-19:00
13:10
Perge
Explore grand Roman ruins, from theatres to temples.
50 min · Antalya · Adult 250 TL
open: Daily 08:00-19:30
14:00
Ayar Meyhanesiswimming & baths
Feast on fresh fish in a friendly restaurant.
60 min · Antalya
open: Daily 12:00-01:00