The Ultimate 27-Day Turkey Tour from Istanbul
This is far more than a conventional holiday. It is a carefully designed journey through the layers of Anatolian civilization — ancient Greek and Roman cities, Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, Christian pilgrimage sites, Islamic landmarks, UNESCO-listed destinations, legendary battlefields, spectacular Mediterranean and Aegean coastlines, Cappadocia's surreal landscapes, the lush Black Sea mountains and historic Ottoman towns. The History Travel specializes in exceptionally comprehensive Turkey journeys, and this 27-day program is designed to reveal far more of Turkey's history, culture and landscapes than a conventional highlights tour.
History & Archaeology
Ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman civilizations layered across 12 provinces, from Troy to Ephesus to Topkapı Palace.
Nature & Landscapes
Pamukkale's travertines, Cappadocia's fairy chimneys, the turquoise Mediterranean and the green Black Sea mountains.
Culture, Bazaars & Cuisine
Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, regional Anatolian cuisine, traditional pottery and Ottoman silk heritage.
The original tour concept is designed around 12 beautiful provinces and 22 district destinations, giving travelers a remarkably broad experience of Turkey rather than concentrating only on the country's most famous tourist centers. You travel from Istanbul → Gallipoli → Troy → Pergamon → Ephesus → Pamukkale → Fethiye → Antalya → Cappadocia → Kayseri → Trabzon → Rize → Safranbolu → Sapanca → Bursa → Istanbul, experiencing Turkey as a country of interconnected civilizations and landscapes rather than a checklist of isolated attractions.
At The History Travel, we specialize in designing journeys around Turkey's historical and cultural richness. Instead of offering only a standard "highlights of Turkey" trip, we connect major archaeological centers with lesser-known cultural and natural experiences. Our goal is not simply to take you from one destination to another — it is to help you understand the story behind each place.
What You'll Experience
- Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace & Bosphorus Cruise
- Gallipoli battlefields, ANZAC Cove & legendary Troy
- Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary & Temple of Artemis
- Pamukkale's white travertines & ancient Hierapolis
- Ölüdeniz, Butterfly Valley & Saklıkent Canyon
- Cappadocia's fairy chimneys & Derinkuyu Underground City
- Sumela Monastery, Uzungöl & Fırtına Valley
- UNESCO-listed Safranbolu & Ottoman Bursa
27 Reasons to Choose This 27-Day Turkey Tour
One journey. 27 days. 26 nights. 12 provinces. 22 district destinations. Thousands of years of history.
27 days of discovery with 26 nights of breakfast-included accommodation.
Three empires in one city: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı, the Bosphorus, Pierre Loti, Panorama 1453 and Süleymaniye.
A peaceful island escape by electric vehicle, away from the city's urban energy.
ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair and the 57th Regiment Cemetery.
The legendary Trojan Horse and the Hellenistic Acropolis with its Altar of Zeus.
The Library of Celsus, the House of the Virgin Mary and the ruins of the Temple of Artemis.
Brilliant white travertines above a UNESCO-listed Roman spa city.
Ölüdeniz, Butterfly Valley, Blue Cave and St. Nicholas Island.
Tlos's rock-cut tombs, Yakapark and dramatic Saklıkent Canyon.
The atmospheric abandoned stone village and its multicultural history.
Kaleiçi Old Town, Hadrian's Gate, plus Perge, Aspendos and Side.
Devrent Valley, Göreme Open Air Museum, Uçhisar Castle and pottery town Avanos.
Derinkuyu Underground City and the rock-cut churches of Ihlara Valley and Selime.
…and that's only the first half. The itinerary continues through Seljuk Kayseri, the Black Sea provinces of Trabzon and Rize, Sumela Monastery, UNESCO Safranbolu, Sapanca Lake and Ottoman Bursa — see the full day-by-day itinerary below.
Follow the 27-Day Route Across Turkey
Please note: the order of the itinerary below is indicative and may change; the described visits are intended to take place. Transportation and hotel arrangements may be adjusted for operational, seasonal or scheduling reasons.
Your extraordinary Turkish adventure begins in Istanbul, the city where Europe and Asia meet. Upon arrival, our welcoming staff will meet you and transfer you comfortably to your hotel.
Optional Bosphorus Dinner Cruise
An evening on the Bosphorus with Turkish cuisine, live music, a Whirling Dervish performance, folk dances and unlimited local soft drinks. Vegetarian options available on request.
Roman Hippodrome
Once the center of public life in Constantinople, home to the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column and Column of Constantine.
Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
Built between 1609 and 1617, one of Istanbul's most recognizable Ottoman monuments and still an active place of worship.
Hagia Sophia
Constructed under Emperor Justinian I in the sixth century, one of the defining monuments of Constantinople through successive religious and institutional roles.
Topkapı Palace
The former imperial center of the Ottoman court, preserving extensive collections, manuscripts and architectural spaces.
Grand Bazaar
Thousands of shops selling carpets, jewelry, textiles, leather goods and handicrafts inside a legendary covered market.
Dolmabahçe Palace
One of Istanbul's most spectacular palace complexes, its European-influenced design reflecting the Ottoman Empire's 19th-century modernization.
Bosphorus Cruise
Sail the strait separating Europe from Asia, taking in Ottoman palaces, waterfront mansions and Istanbul's dramatic skyline.
Pierre Loti Hill & Spice Bazaar
A cable-car ride to panoramic Golden Horn views, followed by the colorful spices, Turkish delight and teas of the Egyptian Bazaar.
Eyüp Sultan Mosque & Tomb
One of Istanbul's most important Islamic spiritual sites, associated with Abu Ayyub al-Ansari.
Panorama 1453 History Museum
A panoramic historical presentation immersing visitors in the 1453 conquest of Constantinople.
Yedikule Fortress & Süleymaniye Mosque
A historic defensive complex followed by the classical Ottoman masterpiece commissioned by Süleyman the Magnificent.
- Optional stop: Istanbul Aquarium (family-friendly)
Leave Istanbul's urban intensity behind for the peaceful Prince's Islands, known for greenery, historic mansions and a quieter atmosphere. The itinerary includes an electric-vehicle island experience and free time on Büyükada, including swimming in summer.
Travel to the Gallipoli Peninsula, whose 1915 campaign left a profound legacy for Turkey, Australia and New Zealand. The tour is an opportunity to reflect on courage, sacrifice and national memory.
- Brighton Beach & Beach Cemetery
- ANZAC Cove & Ari Burnu Cemetery
- ANZAC Commemorative Site & Respect to Mehmetçik Memorial
- Lone Pine Australian Memorial & Johnston's Jolly
- 57th Infantry Regiment Cemetery & The Nek
- Chunuk Bair / New Zealand Memorial
Troy — The City Behind the Legend
An archaeological site with remains representing multiple historical layers — successive settlements built on the same strategic location, including the Trojan Horse replica, ancient walls and Roman-period remains.
Pergamon Acropolis & Altar of Zeus
Capital of the Attalid dynasty and a major Hellenistic political and scientific center, with a dramatic hillside theatre and the Great Altar of Zeus.
Ancient Ephesus & Library of Celsus
One of the most impressive ancient cities in Turkey, a major center of Roman Asia Minor, with the spectacular facade of the Library of Celsus and an enormous Great Theatre.
House of the Virgin Mary
Located on Mount Koressos, an important Christian pilgrimage destination traditionally associated with the final years of the Virgin Mary.
Temple of Artemis
Once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; only fragments remain, but its significance remains essential to understanding ancient Ephesus.
Pamukkale Travertines
Meaning "Cotton Castle," famous for brilliant white terraces formed by mineral-rich thermal waters — one of Turkey's most distinctive natural landscapes.
Hierapolis
An ancient Roman-period city above the travertines, associated with thermal springs and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Includes the Roman Necropolis and Theatre.
Ölüdeniz & Butterfly Valley
Brilliant blue water and dramatic mountains, followed by a boat trip into Butterfly Valley, surrounded by steep cliffs and the Mediterranean.
St. Nicholas Island
Archaeological remains of early Christian churches, traditionally associated with the historical memory of Saint Nicholas.
- Blue Cave / Cold Water Cave
- Cold Water Bay swimming stop
Tlos Ancient City
A dramatic rocky position with rock-cut tombs, connecting Lycian civilization with the later history of the region.
Saklıkent Canyon
One of the region's great natural attractions — water, rock and mountain scenery creating an adventurous landscape.
- Yakapark — relaxation beside cold mountain waters
Kayaköy
An atmospheric abandoned hillside settlement of stone houses and churches, offering a powerful glimpse into Anatolia's recent multicultural history.
Amyntas Rock Tombs
Remarkable Lycian tombs carved directly into the rock face, among Fethiye's most recognizable sights.
- Fethiye Tuesday Market — local produce, textiles & souvenirs
Düden Waterfalls & Tünektepe
Natural beauty and panoramic Mediterranean views over Antalya.
Kaleiçi Old Town & Hadrian's Gate
Narrow streets, Ottoman-era houses, the historic harbor and the monumental Roman gateway built in honor of Emperor Hadrian.
Perge & Aspendos
One of the most important ancient cities of Pamphylia, followed by one of the best-preserved ancient theatres in the Mediterranean world.
Side
An ancient port city where history and the Mediterranean meet, its peninsula setting creating a unique archaeological landscape.
Optional Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon
Strongly recommended: watching Cappadocia's valleys and fairy chimneys emerge beneath the morning light is one of Turkey's most memorable experiences.
Göreme Open Air Museum & Uçhisar Castle
Rock-cut churches with historic Christian art, and a monumental natural rock fortress offering one of Cappadocia's best viewpoints.
- Devrent Valley — fairy-chimney rock formations
- Esentepe Viewpoint
- Avanos — pottery traditions beside the Kızılırmak River
Derinkuyu Underground City
One of Cappadocia's extraordinary underground settlements, with multiple levels of protected space beneath the volcanic landscape.
Ihlara Valley & Selime Monastery
A dramatic canyon of rock-cut churches, plus a spectacular rock-cut religious complex carved into the volcanic landscape.
- Belisırma — rural Cappadocian village life
Sultan Sazlığı National Park
A remarkable wetland and bird sanctuary offering a very different side of central Anatolia, with rich bird diversity.
- Erdemli Valley — shaped by Mount Erciyes volcanic activity
- Soğanlı Valley — quiet rock-cut churches
Kayseri Castle & Museum of Seljuk Civilization
Defensive heritage spanning Roman, Byzantine and Seljuk periods, and a museum of Anatolian Seljuk culture, art and science.
Hunat Hatun Mosque & Complex
A magnificent Seljuk complex of religious and social buildings.
- Kayseri Clock Tower & Grand Bazaar
- Güpgüpoğlu Mansion / Ethnographic Museum
Trabzon Hagia Sophia Mosque
One of Trabzon's most important historic religious monuments, distinct from Istanbul's Hagia Sophia.
- Atatürk Mansion — European-influenced architecture
- Trabzon Botanical Park & Aquarium
- Boztepe — panoramic Black Sea views
Uzungöl
An extraordinary mountain lake landscape surrounded by forested slopes — one of the Black Sea region's most photographed spots.
- Local tea factory tour
- Sürmene traditional knife-making outlet
- Hapsiyaş Bridge & observation terrace with waterfalls
Fırtına Valley & Zil Castle
A spectacular river valley surrounded by dense forests, with a dramatic historical fortification perched amid green mountains.
Seven Lakes (Yedigöller)
High-altitude crater lakes with spectacular seasonal scenery.
- Çal Cave
- Optional rafting & zipline
Sumela Monastery
An undisputed Black Sea highlight — the Monastery of the Virgin Mary clings dramatically to the mountainside above the forested Altındere Valley, combining extraordinary architecture with religious history.
- Zigana mountain pass between Trabzon and Gümüşhane
- Karaca Cave — formed over millions of years
- Hamsiköy — mountain scenery and waterfalls
Additional time in the Sumela–Zigana–Karaca Cave–Hamsiköy mountain region before departing for Safranbolu, allowing the itinerary to retain its broad regional coverage of the eastern Black Sea landscape.
Safranbolu Old Town
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994, renowned for historic streets and beautifully preserved Ottoman houses.
- Bulak Cave & İncekaya Aqueduct
- Tokatlı Canyon & Crystal Terrace glass observation platform
- Yörük Village & Arasta Bazaar
Sapanca Lake & Maşukiye
Walking, cycling and lakeside dining beside one of the region's most popular natural attractions, followed by a green escape surrounded by forests and streams.
- Mahmudiye — rural atmosphere & local cuisine
- Optional: ATV safari, zipline, UTV
- Summer: Darıca Zoo & Botanical Park · Winter: Kartepe Ski Resort
Green Mosque & Green Tomb
One of the finest examples of early Ottoman architecture, commissioned during the reign of Sultan Mehmed I.
Bursa Cable Car & Uludağ
A scenic ride toward one of Turkey's premier mountain destinations.
- Historic Inkaya Plane Tree
- Bursa silk heritage & the historic Silk Road
Your remarkable 27-day journey through Turkey comes to an end. Depending on your flight schedule, our transfer service will collect you from your hotel and take you to Istanbul Airport in time for your international departure. We hope you leave Turkey not simply with photographs, but with a deeper understanding of its civilizations, landscapes, traditions and people.
Key Destinations on This Turkey Journey
A closer look at the principal regions this itinerary connects — each with its own history, landscape and character.
Istanbul
The only city in the world spanning two continents, layered with Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history — Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, the Grand Bazaar and the Bosphorus.
Highlights
- Byzantine & Ottoman imperial monuments
- Bosphorus Cruise between Europe and Asia
- Grand Bazaar & Spice Bazaar shopping
Gallipoli Peninsula
The historic landscape of the 1915 Gallipoli campaign — a place of remembrance for Turkey, Australia and New Zealand alike, with ANZAC Cove and Lone Pine among its most solemn sites.
Highlights
- ANZAC Cove & Ari Burnu Cemetery
- Lone Pine Australian Memorial
- Chunuk Bair / New Zealand Memorial
Troy & Pergamon
The archaeological remains behind Homer's legend at Troy, followed by the Hellenistic capital of Pergamon with its dramatic hillside Acropolis and Altar of Zeus.
Highlights
- The legendary Trojan Horse
- Multiple archaeological city layers
- Pergamon Acropolis & Ancient Theatre
Ephesus
One of the great archaeological cities of western Turkey and a major center of Roman Asia Minor, home to the Library of Celsus and the nearby House of the Virgin Mary.
Highlights
- Library of Celsus & Great Theatre
- House of the Virgin Mary pilgrimage site
- Temple of Artemis — one of the Seven Wonders
Pamukkale & Hierapolis
Brilliant white travertine terraces formed by thermal springs, crowned by the UNESCO-listed Roman spa city of Hierapolis.
Highlights
- Cotton Castle travertine terraces
- Hierapolis Roman Theatre & Necropolis
- Optional Cleopatra Antique Pool
Fethiye & the Turquoise Coast
Turkey's most photogenic Mediterranean scenery — Ölüdeniz's lagoon, Butterfly Valley, ancient Tlos, Saklıkent Canyon and the ghost village of Kayaköy.
Highlights
- Ölüdeniz & Butterfly Valley
- Saklıkent Canyon
- Kayaköy abandoned village
Antalya & Pamphylia
Roman, Ottoman and Mediterranean influences meet in Kaleiçi's old town, framed by Hadrian's Gate and the ancient cities of Perge, Aspendos and Side nearby.
Highlights
- Kaleiçi Old Town & Hadrian's Gate
- Aspendos — best-preserved ancient theatre
- Düden Waterfalls
Cappadocia
A surreal volcanic landscape of fairy chimneys, cave churches and underground cities — with an optional sunrise hot-air balloon flight as the signature experience.
Highlights
- Göreme Open Air Museum
- Derinkuyu Underground City
- Ihlara Valley & Selime Monastery
Kayseri
The Seljuk heritage of central Anatolia, from Kayseri Castle to the Museum of Seljuk Civilization, alongside the wetlands of Sultan Sazlığı National Park.
Highlights
- Hunat Hatun Mosque & Complex
- Sultan Sazlığı bird sanctuary
- Kayseri Grand Bazaar
Trabzon & Uzungöl
Lush Black Sea heritage — Trabzon's Hagia Sophia Mosque, panoramic Boztepe, and the celebrated mountain lake of Uzungöl.
Highlights
- Trabzon Hagia Sophia Mosque
- Uzungöl mountain lake
- Boztepe panoramic viewpoint
Rize & Fırtına Valley
Turkey's tea capital, framed by the Fırtına Valley's forests, Zil Castle's mountain fortifications and the high-altitude Seven Lakes.
Highlights
- Fırtına Valley & Zil Castle
- Seven Lakes (Yedigöller)
- Optional rafting & zipline
Sumela Monastery
One of the undisputed highlights of the Black Sea region — a monastery clinging dramatically to a cliffside above the forested Altındere Valley.
Highlights
- Cliffside monastery architecture
- Zigana mountain pass
- Karaca Cave
UNESCO Safranbolu
One of Turkey's best-preserved Ottoman towns, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994 for its historic houses and streets.
Highlights
- Safranbolu Old Town
- Tokatlı Canyon & Crystal Terrace
- İncekaya Aqueduct
Sapanca & Maşukiye
A lakeside pause for walking, cycling and lakeside dining, followed by a green forest escape in Maşukiye with optional outdoor activities.
Highlights
- Sapanca Lake
- Maşukiye forest scenery
- Seasonal zoo, ATV or ski options
Bursa
The first major Ottoman capital, home to the Green Mosque and Tomb, the Uludağ mountain cable car and centuries of silk-trading heritage.
Highlights
- Green Mosque & Green Tomb
- Uludağ mountain views
- Bursa silk heritage
Inclusions & Exclusions
What Is Included
- 26 nights of accommodation with breakfast
- 6 internal bus tickets
- Professional English-speaking tourist guides on scheduled tours
- Transfers between hotels, airports and bus stations
- Museum and archaeological site entrance fees
- Set-menu lunches on the group tours (vegetarian on request)
- Ground transportation in air-conditioned, non-smoking coaches, minibuses and vans
What Is Not Included
- Drinks with group lunches
- Dinners
- Cleopatra Antique Pool entrance at Pamukkale
- Personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional activities and experiences not specifically listed as included
Accommodation
The standard package is based on boutique and 4-star hotels. Travelers who prefer a higher level of accommodation can request a hotel upgrade for an additional cost. Alternatively, you may arrange your own accommodation and receive a revised package price excluding hotel accommodation.
Cleopatra Antique Pool
Guests who wish to swim in the Antique Pool at Pamukkale may do so by paying the entrance fee directly on-site. Please bring suitable swimwear and a towel if you plan to participate.
Our Recommended Optional Experiences
To make this already comprehensive itinerary even more memorable, we recommend considering:
One of the world's most iconic sunrise experiences.
Explore the valleys from a different perspective.
A spectacular photographic experience among the valleys.
Explore the volcanic valleys by quad bike.
An unforgettable aerial perspective over the Cotton Castle.
Relax in the famous thermal waters of the ancient pool.
Upgrade your Aegean experience with a private outing.
A sunrise or aerial perspective over the white travertines.
Private Turkey Tour or Group Tour?
This itinerary is designed as a semi-regular group tour but can also be arranged as a private tour at an additional cost.
Semi-Regular Group Tour
Ideal for travelers who want excellent value, enjoy meeting other travelers, prefer organized sightseeing and appreciate fixed group departures. Regular group tours may include shopping stops.
Private Turkey Tour
Recommended for families, couples, senior travelers, photography enthusiasts and Christian pilgrimage travelers. A private version allows us to adapt the pace, accommodation, sightseeing sequence and optional experiences to your requirements.
Approximate Turkey Tour Market Price
Turkey's 27-day multi-region tour packages are a niche, premium category — most operators offer 4 to 10-day itineraries, so pricing for a journey of this length is best understood on a per-day basis against the broader Turkish tourism market.
- 26 nights + 6 internal bus tickets
- Guides, transfers & entrance fees
- Group-tour lunches included
- Private vehicle & guide throughout
- Flexible pace & sequence
- Customizable hotel category
- Upgrade select or all 26 nights
- Or arrange your own hotels for a revised quote
- Priced per property & season
These figures are an approximate market guide, not a fixed quotation. Actual pricing depends on season, group size, hotel category, currency exchange rates and departure dates. Long-format 27-day tours are uncommon in the Turkish market — most comparable multi-day packages run 4–10 days at roughly €120–220 per person, per day, for guided, hotel-inclusive travel; a 27-day itinerary of this scope, hotel standard and inclusion level sits within that same per-day range once averaged across the full journey. Request a personalized quotation for exact, date-specific pricing.
AI Travel Recommendations
Planning Suggestions for This 27-Day Journey
Twenty-seven days is a long, rewarding journey. These recommendations are based on the itinerary's structure, pace and regional variety, to help you plan ahead and get the most out of it.
27 days is long — families and travelers with children often benefit from the flexibility of a private vehicle and guide.
If budget allows, prioritize premium accommodation in Istanbul, Cappadocia, Fethiye, Antalya and Trabzon — the most memorable hotel destinations on this route.
Hot-air balloon flights are weather-dependent with limited availability. Request it when making your reservation.
Independent time is valuable for shopping, dining or exploring neighborhoods at your own pace before or after the tour.
Ephesus and Pamukkale contain so much historical detail that a private guide can provide a deeper archaeological experience.
Essential — the route includes ancient cities, valleys, canyons, historic towns and mountain landscapes.
Istanbul, the Aegean, the Mediterranean, Cappadocia and the Black Sea can have very different weather. Layered clothing is recommended.
Set aside extra budget for balloon flights, horse riding, ATV tours, paragliding, yacht cruises and thermal pool visits.
Who is this tour for? First-time visitors to Turkey, history and archaeology enthusiasts, families, couples, Christian heritage travelers, photography enthusiasts, nature lovers, and anyone seeking a long, immersive holiday that combines Turkey's major regions in a single trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book Your 27-Day Turkey Tour
- 26 nights accommodation with breakfast
- 6 internal bus tickets included
- Licensed English-speaking guide
- Set-menu lunches on group tours
- All museum & site entrance fees
- All airport & city transfers
- Secure payment options
- Free cancellation (48 hrs prior)
0090 536 560 10 38
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Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the tour date. Cancellations within 48 hours are non-refundable. Date changes are accommodated subject to availability.