5 Most Beautiful Road Trips to Take in Turkey
Turkey is a fantastic destination to travel by car, with a diversified landscape that crosses from the ocean to the hills, not to mention a plethora of historic ruins all around. We’ve compiled a list of the most fabulous road trips available.
1. The Aegean Coastline
The Aegean coastline is one of Turkey’s most beautiful road journeys in any season, but you can always halt at one of the many inlets and relax in the refreshing sea in the summer. Explore the Turkish coast, which is marked by small villages, historic sites, and beaches. Start in Izmir and go south to Cunda, Bozcaada, and Gökçeada, all former Greek islands. You may also drive north along the coast to Kuşadas, Bodrum (including Ephesus), Datça, Marmaris, and Fethiye. It’s best to split these journeys up into a few days, stopping at each island or town for a day or two to appreciate each location.
2. Antalya to Fethiye
Because of the gorgeous, turquoise-coloured shoreline, the road from Antalya to Fethiye is also a popular route. This journey may be made independently or as part of a broader Aegean coast road vacation. Make sure to visit Butterfly Valley, one of the area’s most stunning beaches with white sands and crystal blue seas, between two mountains. Another fantastic beach may be found at Çıralı, where you can also see the relics of the Lycian city of Olympos.
3. Antalya to Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a must-see destination in Turkey. Travelling there is even more spectacular because of the stunning landscape of fairy chimneys that appear out of nowhere as you drive. In Cappadocia, having a car is particularly advantageous because many sites, like the subterranean towns, are located outside of the city centre (Göreme). Watch the landscape shift from dark blue coastline to mystical fairy chimneys as you travel from Antalya to Cappadocia, an experience you won’t soon forget.
4. Istanbul to Ephesus
When it comes to visiting Turkey, seeing Istanbul is a must-do, so starting your road trip after a few days in the endearingly chaotic Turkish city is a beautiful way to get your holiday started. Before you begin visiting the ancient wonders of Selçuk and Ephesus, be sure you stop in irince. The journey from Istanbul to Ephesus takes around seven hours, and you’ll enjoy the shift in scenery from hectic metropolitan to peaceful and nature.
5. Kusadasi to Bodrum
You may include Bodrum in your schedule after visiting Ephesus Ancient City, The House of the Virgin Mary, and its surroundings. You’re in luck since you’ll see two of the Seven Wonders of the World on your drive: Artemis Temple and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. The route is easy to drive, although it passes by two major historical cities, one of Anatolia’s largest temples dedicated to Apollo, and Lake Bafa, which will confuse you because the lake must be on your right side as you drive. Don’t forget to stop at one of the restaurants along the shores of Lake Bafa on your route to Bodrum, and also stop at the city’s entry to photograph the white homes that line the Aegean Sea. The Castle of Bodrum and the towns surrounding it are worth a day trip, and if you’re travelling farther south the next day, take the daily ferry to Datca to explore another tiny fishing hamlet on the water.
Turkey is one of the most popular Instagram destinations, yet most people only visit Istanbul and Cappadocia. So, apply for a Turkey visa online right now and take a road trip to see all of Turkey’s beauties. You may still see the most famous cities plus a few lesser-known (but equally deserved) stops along the road if you just have a week or less. Above are some of the reasons you should take a road trip to Turkey to see everything the country has to offer!
