10 Day Turkey Itinerary: How To Spend 10 Days in Turkey

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Planning a 10 day itinerary for Turkey (Türkiye)?

This blog post will tell you where to go, what to see, and how to plan an amazing 10 days in Turkey.

In short: I recommend splitting your 10 days in Turkey between Istanbul, Cappadocia, and the Turquoise Coast, and adding on a few extra days if you can so that you don’t feel rushed.

I also have a few tips/notes for you before we dive into the Turkey 10 day itinerary:

• Turkey is technically called Türkiye now; however, I will refer to it more often as Turkey because thats what people tend to search for on Google.
• You do not need to rent a car to explore Turkey; instead, you can take cheap flights between the 3 regions, and local buses or dolmuş between towns on the coast.
• Booking.com is blocked in Turkey (even if you’re on a VPN), so if you want to use that website/app to book any accommodation, do it before you arrive in Turkey. 
• I recommend traveling between mid-September and mid-October for the best weather and lesser crowds. (Note: I visited for 3 weeks from late August to mid-September 2025).

Ok, now let’s get into this 10 days in Turkey itinerary! 

Cappadocia (3 days)

Why visit Cappadocia?

If experiencing the epic sunrise hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia has been on your bucket list, then visiting this place is a must-do.

But above all, go to Cappadocia because it’s like nowhere else on earth. The landscape is dotted with fairy chimney rock structures, caves, and picturesque valleys.

Where to stay in Cappadocia

Where I stayed: Goreme Palace Cave Suites (US$51/nt in early September 2025) – This cave hotel has one of the best rooftops in town, so you can just roll out of bed and watch the hot air balloons every morning. The free daily Turkish breakfast is massive and very good.

Other hotels in Goreme:

• Royal Stone Houses
• Yellow Stone House
• Elite Cave Suites
• Aysel Inn House
• Antique Terrace Cave Suites

What to do in Cappadocia

Rose Valley/Red Valley hike – If you do just one thing in Cappadocia, my vote is for the hike through Rose Valley and Red Valley. It’s like stepping onto another planet, with otherworldly rock formations, cave homes and churches, and views for days. It’s a 7.6km loop trail (plus the 2km return walk from Goreme).

Love Valley/Uchisar/Pigeon Valley hike – An 11.6km loop hike that starts and ends in Goreme. This is the one to do if you’re keen to see the famous phallic rock formations. The trail runs through Love Valley, with bright white rock in some spots that could easily be mistaken for snow in photos, before climbing up to the village of Uchisar. From there, descend through picturesque Pigeon Valley back to Goreme.

Hot air ballooning – Book your Cappadocia hot air balloon in advance for the first morning of your stay, in case your flight gets cancelled (as it often does due to the wind forecast). This way, you’ll still have another opportunity to fly while you’re in Cappadocia. On my trip in late August/early September 2026, the first two mornings were good to fly, but the last two mornings had all hot air balloon flights cancelled.

CLICK TO BOOK A HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT IN CAPPADOCIA

Sunset horse riding tour – If you can’t or don’t want to hike, you can book a horse riding tour through Rose Valley or Love Valley and take in the stunning landscapes of Cappadocia from atop a steed.

CLICK TO BOOK A HORSE RIDING TOUR IN CAPPADOCIA

Goreme Open Air Museum – A UNESCO World Heritage site with cave churches and Byzantine art galore. Admission is €20.

Gaia Cappadocia – Not that heavy breakable objects are what you want to be packing in your suitcase, but if you dare to shop for ceramics and then fly across the world with them, Gaia Cappadocia makes the best, most prettiest mugs (I may have crammed a couple kg’s worth of them into my carry-on).

Wooden Spoon Cave Restaurant – My favorite restaurant in Goreme for authentic, home cooked Turkish fare. They serve the best shepherd’s salad (Çoban salatası) I’ve had ANYWHERE in Turkey. Definitely also order the pottery kebab (Testi Kebabı), which is meat/veg slow cooked in a clay pot – a traditional Turkish dish that originated in Cappadocia.

Turkish Riviera/Turquoise Coast (4 days)

Spanning nearly 1000km (or 620 miles) of coastline, the Turkish Riviera is a destination that really merits its own dedicated trip. There’s no shortage of beach coves, ancient ruins, and canyons to explore.

Though if relaxing is a priority, it doesn’t get much better than sunbathing at your hotel pool or a nearby beach club with panoramic views over the Mediterranean.

Whether it’s adventure or relaxation you’re after, the Turkish Riviera delivers on both fronts.

The Turkish Riviera is also referred to as the Turquoise Coast, which tells you everything you need to know. When a region is named for its famously turquoise water, you can bet it’s gonna be worth writing home about. I’ll let my photos do the talking here:

Is it worth visiting the Turquoise Coast for just 4 days? Yes, if you stick to one main place and do short excursions from there.

However, if you’re a big beach person, 4 days will not be enough and I STRONGLY advise you to add extra days to your Turkey trip if possible. Even making it a two week Turkey trip instead of a 10 day Turkey trip would allow you to see so much more.

On the Turquoise Coast of Turkey, there are 4 areas in which you can base yourself. From north to south, they are:

• Bodrum – A pretty port city that’s a popular yachting hub and feels a little more glamorous than the rest of the Turquoise Coast. This is an ideal hub if you prefer to relax in luxury or partake in the nightlife.
• Fethiye/Oludeniz – Fethiye is a proper city and a transport hub, and Oludeniz is a small resort town nearby. Both make for a great base from which to visit nearby beaches, mountains, and ruins, but also boast incredible views and vibes themselves. There are many boat trips you can take from both, but the main attraction here is paragliding.
• Kas/Kalkan – These towns are about halfway between Antalya and Fethiye and take a bit more effort to reach. There are numerous day trip options from both, but the towns themselves are must-see destinations in their own right and feel like European villages. Some of Turkey’s most beautiful beaches are nearby, and Greece’s eastern-most island is just a 30-minute ferry ride from Kas.
• Antalya – A major hub for the Turquoise Coast region, boasting an international airport with quick connections to the city. The city itself is big and not really worth writing home about, but there are several excellent day trips nearby to beaches, ruins, and canyons. This is probably the cheapest option of the 4.

If you only have 10 days in Turkey, choose ONE of these 4 options. If you have a full two weeks in Turkey, that gives you an extra 4 days on the Turquoise Coast, which means you can choose TWO of the above options.

On my trip to Turkey, I spent two weeks on the Turquoise Coast alone and split my time between 3 of the 4 bases: Antalya, Kas, and Oludeniz.

If you only have time for one place in the Turkish Riviera, let it be Kas. Fethiye/Oludeniz are a close second choice, and depending on your preferences, it may be your top choice. I’m going to cover both options below in more detail because you can’t go wrong with either.

I personally can’t imagine skipping Kas or Oludeniz, so if you can make your Turkey trip a little longer, DO IT, and you can visit both.

In short (TLDR):

• If you have 10 days in Turkey, I recommend spending 4 days on the Turquoise Coast, based in Kas OR Oludeniz.
• If you have two weeks in Turkey, I recommend spending 8 days on the Turquoise Coast, based in Kas AND Oludeniz.

Why visit Kas and Kalkan?

Go to Kas and Kalkan if you’re craving European village vibes. Think cobblestone laneways, cute shops, and sensational sea views. Some of Turkey’s best beaches are a quick dolmus ride away from both towns. Also, the coastal road around Kas and Kalkan boasts EPIC views (many have said it’s Turkey’s version of California’s PCH).

Having stayed in both, I’d recommend basing yourself in Kas and doing a day trip to Kalkan. There’s a lot more to see in Kas, and more options for excursions.

Additionally, Kalkan is a destination aimed more at older/wealthy British tourists, and admittedly I did feel slightly out of place as a solo female budget-minded traveler from the US. Both accommodation and dining in Kalkan have inflated pricing, so this is not the place to stay if you want value for money.

But what I disliked the most about Kalkan was how, at night, you can’t go more than 10 seconds walking without someone beckoning you to dine at their restaurant. It was an annoyance I didn’t experience anywhere else in the Turkish Riviera, and it really turned me off from this town.

Where to stay in Kas and Kalkan

Word of warning: accommodation in Kas and (especially) Kalkan is expensive! I could not find a hotel in Kas within my budget in early-mid September and ended up staying in a hostel for about the same price as I paid for hotel rooms everywhere else I visited in Turkey. In Kalkan, I stayed at a very nice B&B because I had hotel credits to use.

Hotels in Kas

Where I stayed: Sole’n Blu (US$42/nt for a dorm bed in early/mid-September 2025) – A new-ish hostel overlooking the sea, located on the peninsula out from Kas town. There is a frequent dolmus that stops right by the hostel and will drop you off in the center of Kas (it’s not really walkable, so you do have to rely on this shuttle). But it’s worth it because you get to enjoy the best sunset view in Kas from the hostel sundeck (the bartender has carefully choreographed the sunset to Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here’, which he plays every night – a little ritual I adored!).

Sole’n Blu offers both private rooms (with hammocks and sea views) and dorm rooms, a complimentary breakfast cooked by the hostel volunteers (not very good, but hey, it’s free), a pool with sunbeds, and a TV/study room.

Other hotel options in Kas:

• Luna Kaş
• Hideaway Hotel
• Rhapsody Hotel Kas

Hotels in Kalkan

Where I stayed: The White House (US$115/nt in mid-September 2025) – A very nice, simple B&B run by very sweet people. They serve a massive Turkish breakfast every morning on their balcony overlooking the sea, and have a beautiful courtyard full of sitting nooks that was a joy to stroll through on my comings and goings.

What to do in Kas and Kalkan

Things to do in Kas

Çınarlar Plajı – One of Kas’s many beach clubs. I chose to spend a day at this one because of the stunning blue gradient of the little cove it’s perched on (so many different shades of blue!).

Büyükçakıl Plajı – The best beach within walking distance of Kas (though you could also catch a dolmus). It’s well worth the 25-minute walk from town (though be warned, the beach itself is VERY rocky).

N8 Bakery – BEST COFFEE IN TURKEY (that I found, anyway). They also serve excellent croissants, and all their other baked goods look amazing as well.

Antiphellos (Hellenistic Amphitheatre) – A very old Greek amphitheatre that you can visit for free. The sea views here are stunning, and it’s one of the best sunset spots in Kas.

Things to do in Kalkan

Stroll the cobblestone streets at night – Kalkan comes alive at night, and if you can withstand the pushy waiters shouting at you to come dine with them, this is the best time to go for a stroll and browse the shops.

Yali Beach Club – There are a few beach clubs in Kalkan, but I went to Yali because of its more aesthetic sunbeds and umbrellas (most beach clubs have tacky/branded ones), the gorgeous turquoise water around it, and the serenity (being slightly more removed from town).

Zeugma Restorant – Excellent affordable Turkish food that’s worth the uphill walk from town.

Day trips from Kas or Kalkan

All of the below can easily be done as excursions from Kas and/or Kalkan:

Kaputas Beach – 15 minute drive or dolmus ride from Kalkan, or 30 minute drive or dolmus ride from Kas. This is THE most ogled and photographed beach in Turkey; a must-see. Get there early if you want to snag a beach chair and umbrella to rent.

Kastellorizo (Greece) – 30 minute ferry ride from Kas. Buy your tickets from a waterfront vendor in Kas the day before departure. Note that you will go through immigration to enter/exit Greece, as Turkey is not in the EU, so bring your passport. It is VERY worth the trip! Be sure to book a Blue Grotto tour with one of the many vendors in Kastellorizo’s port, and spend some time at the stunning St. George Beach.

READ MORE IN THIS BLOG POST: Visiting Kastellorizo, Greece on a Day Trip From Turkey

Kekova Boat Trip – You can book a sailing trip or kayaking trip to explore the sunken ruins of Kekova, departing from Kas.

CLICK TO BOOK A KEKOVA SEA KAYAKING TOUR

Olympos Ancient City – 2.5 hour drive or dolmus ride from Kas. Ancient ruins by the beach.

Saklikent Gorge – 1.5 hour drive or dolmus ride from Kas. A very popular canyon you can walk through that’s about 1000 feet deep and 11 miles long. Water shoes or hiking boots are highly recommended.

Patara Ancient City & Sand Dunes – 20 minute drive from Kalkan or 1 hour drive from Kas. Patara hosts both an ancient amphitheatre and expansive sand dunes.

Why visit Fethiye and Oludeniz?

Go to Fethiye and Oludeniz if you want to go paragliding in one of the best places in the whole world for it. Otherwise, this area is very worth visiting for the Blue Lagoon, panoramic mountain views, and the stunning Butterfly Valley.

Note that Fethiye is a transport hub, so most boat trips and bus trips you take will start from there. So if you’re staying in Oludeniz, you’ll need to take the 20-minute dolmus trip down to Fethiye if you want to take the bus to Kas or Antalya, or catch the dolmus to Saklikent or Tlos.

If you don’t plan on doing many excursions that depart from Fethiye, I recommend staying in Oludeniz. It feels more touristy, but it’s got more of a small town feel. Also, it’s closer to the Blue Lagoon, Babadağ (for paragliding), and some really nice beaches to the south (accessible by boat or dolmus from Oludeniz).

Where to stay in Fethiye/Oludeniz

Oludeniz is divided into two parts: the upper part (town) and the lower part (beach). Upper Oludeniz has a lot more affordable hotel and food options, while lower Oludeniz is more resorty and right on the water.

Hotels in Oludeniz

Where I stayed: Casa De Levissi (US$55/nt in mid-September 2025) – A solid hotel located on a quiet side street in the upper part of Oludeniz. My room was spacious and affordable, and the hotel has two pools and a free buffet breakfast (though not very good).

Other hotel options in Oludeniz:

• La Boutique Maya (lower)
• Unsal Hotel (lower)
• Residence 222 Hisarönü (upper)
• Sea Breeze Hotel and Apartments (upper)

Hotels in Fethiye

• La Casa Marina Suites & Rooms
• Ozgur City Residence
• Kalender Pansiyon Fethiye

What to do in Fethiye/Oludeniz

Paragliding – If paragliding is on your bucket list, Oludeniz is an excellent place to check it off. It’s considered one of the best paragliding locations worldwide thanks to its ideal conditions and epic scenery.

CLICK TO BOOK PARAGLIDING IN OLUDENIZ

Cable Car (Babadağ Teleferik) – Even if you’re not paragliding, you can still enjoy similar views from just as high up. Take the Babadağ cable car from Oludeniz up nearly 2000m to Babadağ Peak and watch the paragliders take off into the sunset.

Blue Lagoon (Kumburnu Plajı) – I have to include this because it’s epic, particularly when viewed from above. However, from ground level it’s much less impressive, the water isn’t nice for swimming in, and you have to pay to access it.

Lycian Way – Walk part of the famous long distance hike through Turkey’s coastal mountains. The trail runs for about 760km (470mi) from Fethiye to Antalya, and is easily accessible from upper Oludeniz through the campground, from approximately here. It’s a flat and easy half-hour walk to Montana Seyir Tepesi, which offers a sensational view over the Blue Lagoon and the surrounding mountains. From here, you can follow the trail south along the coast, or return to Oludeniz.

Butterfly Valley (Kelebekler Vadisi) – I recommend seeing it from both ground level and above. Take a dolmus from Fethiye/Oludeniz to Faralya and get off around here to glimpse it from 1000m up. Then take a water taxi from Oludeniz Beach to Butterfly Valley and spend a few hours exploring the valley and swimming. (Note: The beach here is filled with noisy tour boats at nearly all times, except for just after lunch. To avoid the chaos, climb up to the little beach bar in the rocks on the north end of the beach and you’ll be able to swim and sunbathe in peace).

Kidrak Beach – Besides Butterfly Valley, this is probably the nicest beach around.

Amyntas Rock Tombs – On the south end of Fethiye. You can glimpse these photogenic tombs carved into rocks from the road, or pay a few dollars admission to walk amongst them.

12 Islands Boat Trip – There are numerous boat trips running out of Fethiye, but the 12 Islands one seems to be the most popular. Jerry’s Boat is highly recommended.

CLICK TO BOOK A 12 ISLANDS BOAT TRIP

Saklikent Gorge – 1 hr drive or dolmus ride from Fethiye. A very popular canyon you can walk through that’s about 1000 feet deep and 11 miles long.

Istanbul (3 days)

Note: Istanbul has two airports, and odds are high that you’ll be using both on this 10 day Turkey trip.

IST is the main international airport north of the city, and likely where you will be flying in/out of. It’s used for long-haul international flights with major carriers (e.g. Turkish Airlines).

SAW is a smaller airport south of the city and a bit further away. It’s used more for shorter flights with budget airlines (e.g. Pegasus).

Why visit Istanbul?

The better question is why NOT visit Istanbul?

First off, this city straddles two continents, which is endlessly cool. The main touristy part of Istanbul is in Europe, but cross the Bosphorus and you’re in the Asian part of Istanbul.

And more importantly, Istanbul is absolutely teeming with culture and history, much of it unlike anything you’re used to at home. From ornate mosques to colorful markets to rich and flavorful food, Istanbul is truly a sensory joy.

Where to stay in Istanbul

Where I stayed: ROCO Beyoglu (US$59/night in mid-September 2025) – A small hotel with spacious and very nicely renovated rooms. Conveniently located in Taksim within walking distance of the airport shuttle bus stop and the metro. My only gripe was that I could hear EVERYTHING on the street below, no different than if I’d pitched a tent there and spent the night. Definitely request a room away from the street if you stay here.

Other Istanbul hotels:

• Enderun Hotel (Sultanahmet)
• Lovely History (Sultanahmet)
• Ayramin Exclusive Hotel (Taksim)
• The Westist Hotel & Spa (Taksim)
• Union Hotel (Karaköy)

What to do in Istanbul

There are endless things to see and do in Istanbul. Here are just a few:

Sightseeing in Istanbul

Hagia Sophia – You can’t visit Istanbul and not see its most famous site. Your €25 (US$29) admission gives you access to the top level of the mosque, from which you can ogle all the sparkly gold mosaics. Note: if you buy a skip-the-line ticket, you only get to skip the short ticket line on the side; you still must wait in the main line to get inside, which can be very long at peak times (~10am-3pm).

CLICK TO BUY A HAGIA SOPHIA TICKET

Blue Mosque – Free to enter, and very worth seeing the stunning blue ceiling art.

Basilica Cistern – Buy skip-the-line tickets and tour this very cool underground cavern. The space is dark, but the arches and columns are lit with changing color lights, which makes for some interesting reflections in the water. Admission is 1950TRY (US$43) during the day and 3000TRY (US$66) after 6:30pm.

CLICK TO BUY A BASILICA CISTERN SKIP-THE-LINE TICKET

Topkapi Palace – This one’s for the avid art and architecture buffs. Very pricey, very expansive; definitely allot the better part of a day to make the most of 2750TRY (~$60USD) admission!

CLICK TO BUY A TOPKAPI PALACE SKIP-THE-LINE TICKET

Bosphorus Sunset/Dinner Cruise – A very popular tourist activity where you can cruise up and down the Bosphorus, straddling the Europe/Asia border and admiring Istanbul’s skyline and architecture from the water.

CLICK TO BOOK A BOSPHORUS CRUISE

Fener/Balat – These two multi-ethnic neighborhoods are rife with colorful buildings and cute sidewalk cafes. And if you need more convincing: they’re also UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

CLICK TO BOOK A GUIDED WALKING TOUR OF FENER & BALAT

Kadıköy – A very cool neighborhood on the Asian side of Istanbul, accessible via ferry or metro. It’s a joy to wander aimlessly, people watching and window shopping, and looking out for the many murals on buildings

Activities in Istanbul

Hammam – You MUST schedule a hammam visit in your 10 day Turkey itinerary! It’s one of those “When in ______” travel experiences you just do without question. I promise, you will never be so thoroughly scrubbed in your life. Add on a massage to the experience for maximum relaxation. I booked a private bath + massage at Felicity Hamam in Taksim, which also allowed for some time in the spa’s sauna and pool afterwards.

CLICK TO BOOK A HAMMAM EXPERIENCE IN ISTANBUL

Note: Hammams vary widely in quality and luxury level: there are many aimed at tourists that are very expensive and showy, but not as traditional. Do your research beforehand and choose a hammam that is well-reviewed, reasonably priced, and looks good in photos. Also, pay attention to whether you’ll be bathed in private or in a room with other people: you typically wear underwear and no top for the scrub down, so if you’d rather not be topless in front of strangers, consider booking a private bathing experience.

Traditional Turkish breakfast – Another thing that must make your 10 day itinerary for Turkey. If you haven’t already experienced a traditional Turkish breakfast where you’re served 10+ plates of various meats, veggies, cheeses, and dips elsewhere on your trip, Istanbul is the place to do it.

Mosaic Lamp Workshop – Make your own colorful mosaic lamp as a souvenir from your 10 day trip to Turkey.

CLICK TO BOOK A MOSAIC LAMP WORKSHOP IN ISTANBUL

Perfume Workshop – Apparently Istanbul is renowned for its perfumes (something to do with its Ottoman roots). As a result, there are many perfume-making workshops offered here – very affordable, too!

CLICK TO BOOK A PERFUME WORKSHOP IN ISTANBUL

Coffee Workshop – Learn how to make Turkish coffee (it involves sand!) by booking a coffee-making workshop.

CLICK TO BOOK A COFFEE WORKSHOP IN ISTANBUL