In-depth discovery of Turkey in three weeks
2025
Highlights of the trip
During your stay you can enjoy the following highlights: Culture / Heritage.
Best times to go
The best time(s) to go is/are : Printemps, Eté, Automne, Hiver.
The map of your stay "In-depth discovery of Turkey in three weeks"
Detail of the stay : In-depth discovery of Turkey in three weeks
How to get there - Istanbul
First steps in Istanbul
Steps: Istanbul
Morning visit to Topkapi Palace and the harem. The afternoon is devoted to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Basilica, which are located in the same area. On leaving Sainte-Sophie, plunge into the fantastic lair of the Basilica Cistern, just a few meters away. In the evening, a visit to Beyoğlu is a must, to enjoy some of Istanbul's nightlife. Restaurant terraces have completely invaded the pavement, and laughter and singing are everywhere. Mezze, grilled fish and raki are served to the sound of gypsy or Turkish orchestras, and soon all the customers are dancing the night away. For lovers of a nightcap, there's no shortage of bars in the area.
Places of interest : SAINTE-SOPHIE (AYASOFYA CAMII) CITERNE BASILIQUE (YEREBATAN SARNICI) PALAIS DE TOPKAPI (TOPKAPI SARAYI MÜZESI) MOSQUÉE BLEUE (SULTANAHMET CAMII)
Between bazaars and mosques
Steps: Istanbul
Not far from Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar is a must-see in Istanbul. To recover from your emotions, treat yourself to a cup of tea in a kahve (picturesque café) or in the gardens of an old medersa. Heading west out of the bazaar, a pleasant little book market leads you to Beyazit Square. Enthusiasts can cross the university gardens to reach the mosque of Soliman the Magnificent, the largest in the city. From here, take in the scents and colors of the Egyptian Bazaar before heading to the Eminönü quays. A fish sandwich will satisfy even the hungriest of appetites, and you'll never tire of watching the hustle and bustle of this lively district.
Places of interest : PLACE BEYAZIT (BEYAZIT MEYDANI) GRAND BAZAR (KAPALI ÇARŞI)
Bosphorus Walk
Steps: Istanbul
Balade to the European shore of the Bosphorus with a visit to the magnificent palace of Dolmabahçe. One hour walk to the Ortaköy district to take you down the water and enjoy it to make some purchases and finish the day by enjoying the famous waffles or kumpir served in this neighborhood. Dinner on the water.
Places of interest : PALAIS DE DOLMABAHÇE (DOLMABAHÇE SARAYI)
Ankara, Turkey's modern capital
Steps: Ankara
We head for the Museum of Anatolian Civilization and visit Atatürk's mausoleum. The Gazi died in 1938, but this mausoleum was built between 1944 and 1953. Also buried here is the second president of the Turkish Republic and loyal companion of the Turkish leader, İsmet İnönü. You can also visit a museum, where Atatürk's personal effects and his many cars are on display. Departure for Cappadocia by bus or plane.
Places of interest : MUSÉE DES CIVILISATIONS ANATOLIENNES MAUSOLÉE D'ATATÜRK (ANITKABIR)
Arrival in Cappadocia
Steps: Ürgüp
Arrival in Göreme or Uçhisar. Cappadocia is a magical region, where it's hard to believe you're still on earth. Whatever the season, the simply lunar landscapes are breathtaking. After a hearty breakfast, the Göreme open-air museum is a good place to start. Stop off at the viewpoint between Göreme and Ürgüp, where the view over the pink valley is breathtaking. And for a cooler afternoon, visit the village of Uçhisar and its kale. In the evening, opt for a troglodyte hotel to make the change of scenery last.
In the maze of underground cities
Steps: Antalya
Visit the Ihlara Valley, one of the largest canyons in the world, full of rock churches and where nature is breathtaking. Then go up through one of the magnificent underground cities, Derinkuyu or Kaymakli being the most famous. To protect themselves from the attacks of the barbarian hordes, the inhabitants of the region had decided to build huge underground cities, where they took refuge in case of invasions, making believe that their villages had already been razed. They then waited for the intruders to leave. Wonderful! Departure by bus or plane to Antalya.
Meeting the dervishes
Visit of the Dervish Brotherhood Centre. In the 13th century, the mystical poet Rumi settled there and developed the Mevlevi order. A must for any admirer of Islamic art. On the program, visit the Tekke of Mevlana. Continue the road to Antalya.
Visit Antalya
Steps: Perge
A short stroll through Antalya's old town, the only interesting part of the city, and departure for a Hellenic site. The superbly preserved theater ofAspendos is magnificent, as are the ruins of Perge or the ancient city of Thermessos. Overnight in the old town (Kaleiçi).
The charming ports of Phaselis
Steps: Olympos
Less than 60 km from Antalya, the beautiful archaeological site of Phaselis is one of the most charming visits in the region where you can visit and swim. Three small harbors, dating back to the ancient times, had the chance to welcome Alexander the Great and enchant the visitors. You can admire a theater large enough to accommodate 1,500 people, the agora, an arch, a paved avenue ... and beautiful enchanting coves. Visit the famous chimeras in Olympos at nightfall and spend the night in the trees in Olympos or in the quiet village of Çirali.
Cruise from Olympos
Steps: Demre
Departure from Olympos for a 4-day cruise. Possibility of following the same route by car, with days of boat visits here and there, or on foot. Visit Myra, Demre and its magnificent Lycian tombs embedded in the mountain. Overnight in Kekova Bay.
Visit Kaleköy
Steps: Kaleköy - Simena
This site is located in the ancient town of Kekova. Take a break in Kaş and stroll through this charming little town with its fabulous craft stores. Afterwards, relax and swim on one of the many beaches nearby. A visit to the theater for the more adventurous.
In the valley of the butterflies
This valley is only accessible by boat. A baba cool village located in front of the beach, a half hour walk allows to reach a magnificent waterfall where more than 200 butterflies are visible in spring. Even if there are no butterflies, the beauty of the place is worth the detour. Then visit the bay of Ölüdeniz, and the site of Saint-Nicolas for the sunset.
To the Dalyan lagoon
Steps: Dalyan
Arrival in Fethiye in the middle of the afternoon, stroll in the village and departure for Dalyan, village famous for its fish restaurants and its beautiful lagoon.
At the meeting of giant turtles
Steps: Kaunos
Boat excursion on the ancient site of Caunus or Kaunos, which has been one of the main Lycian cities until the sea is enslaved. For more than 7 centuries, Perses, Greeks and Romans succeeded. You can admire rock tombs, acropolis, theater and Byzantine basilica. Next direction the Iztuzu beach (beach to turtles), long strip of sand of 10 km, where giant turtles come to lay eggs every year!
Departure for Bozburun peninsula
Steps: Bozburun
Bozburun is home to small shipyards where tapered wooden caiques are built. We pass by Hisarönü, a kind of small terrestrial paradise with beautiful beaches via Marmaris. Numerous ancient vestiges in the region.
Beach, promenade and ancient site
Steps: Datça
Departure to Datça and visit Knidos, the ancient city of Knidos. To get there you have to pass by the beautiful beach of Palamüt Bürkü. Knidos, one of the richest cities of the Dorian confederation in the 6th and 7th centuries. You can admire a theater, the temple of Aphrodite and many ruined buildings. The view on the Greek islands in front is superb. Nice walk in perspective.
Departure to Bodrum with the morning boat
Steps: Yalikavak
Visit the museum of underwater discoveries in the Crusader castle and the peninsula. Bodrum is also famous for its nightlife and its many shopping opportunities. Bodrum is the ancient Halicarnassus, conquered by Alexander the Great in 334 BC. Dinner in Yalikavak, a small fishing village on the peninsula. Overnight stay.
One night in Heraklion
Steps: Priene
Departure by boat (from Yalikavak) to Didymes and visit the site dedicated to the oracle of Apollo. Then go up to Millet (the most important of the Ionian cities with the most beautiful theater of Asia Minor) and Priene (with its great temple of Athena). These sites are among the most interesting in Turkey. Night on the lake Bafa and its site Heraklion.
Under the spell of Ephesus
Steps: Selçuk
The site of Ephesus is undoubtedly one of the highlights of a visit to Turkey. How can you remain insensitive to the charm of this site? The marvellous Celsius Library and Hadrian's Temple are just two of the countless gems to be found here. Best visited in the morning or late afternoon, due to the heat in summer. You can also admire the Isabey mosque in Selçuk. Overnight in the charming Greek village of Şirince.
Places of interest : MOSQUÉE D'ISABEY (ISABEY CAMII) SITE ARCHÉOLOGIQUE D'ÉPHÈSE
Inland
Steps: Pamukkale
Departure inland to Pamukkale and visit the archaeological site of Hieropolis and natural travertines, a splendid "cotton castle". The visit takes only two hours. Then leave for Aphrodisia, one of the most beautiful ancient sites in Turkey. Drive back to Istanbul.
