A unique geography where four seasons are experienced simultaneously, turning into an open-air museum of thousands of years of civilizations... From the enchanting chaos of Istanbul to the olive-scented tranquility of the Aegean, from the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia to the fierce and misty green of the Black Sea, the most comprehensive discovery guide. Get ready to draw your own route.
Turkey is a vast country of experiences that makes you feel it's not just a classic "sea-sand-sun" holiday destination from the moment you step within its borders, harboring a different epic and story at every kilometer. On one side, the thousand-year-old stone roads of the Roman and Byzantine Empires, on the other, the elegant architecture of the Seljuks and Ottomans; on one side, the sparkling turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, on the other, the snowy peaks and steep canyons of Anatolia await visitors.
However, this incredible cultural and geographical richness can turn into a confusing labyrinth without proper planning. Drawing the most efficient route in your limited holiday time, absorbing the cultural heritage, and enjoying the natural beauties requires serious preparation. The best way to explore the country properly is to get behind the wheel and freely travel on scenic highways without being tied to the strict schedules of tour buses.
Here are 8 special road trip routes covering every corner of the country, prepared for you to experience Turkey not just superficially as a "tourist" but deeply as an "explorer."
Make sure to note these details for a flawless Turkey tour:
This massive metropolis, which legendary commander Napoleon Bonaparte admired by saying "If the world were a single country, its capital would undoubtedly be Istanbul," is the zero point where every traveler should start their Turkey adventure. Istanbul, separating Asia and Europe with the cool waters of the Bosphorus, is the heart of the world.
In the Historic Peninsula (Sultanahmet), you can breathe in Byzantine and Ottoman history with the grandeur of Hagia Sophia, the mysterious rooms of Topkapi Palace, and the dim corridors of the Basilica Cistern filled with Medusa heads. When you step out of the dusty pages of history into the streets of Karaköy, Galataport, and Balat, you encounter a wonderful modern life created by modern art galleries, design boutiques, and third-wave coffee shops.
Located in the heart of Central Anatolia, Cappadocia (Nevşehir region) is unlike any other geography on earth. The fairy chimneys, intricately carved by wind and rain from the lava erupted by Mount Erciyes and Mount Hasan millions of years ago, transport you to another planet.
You can have a magnificent drive in the Ürgüp, Göreme, and Avanos triangle with a car rented from Kayseri or Nevşehir airport. Getting lost in ancient underground cities like Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı, hiking in Ihlara Valley, and making your own pottery from Kızılırmak clay in Avanos should be on your list.
Antalya is not just about massive "All-Inclusive" resorts. When you hit the winding and stunningly scenic D400 highway with your rental car, the real Mediterranean begins. You can discover the untouched coves of Çıralı, Olimpos, and Adrasan, merging with pine forests.
The star of the route is definitely Kaş and Kalkan. It is the center of boutique hotels, bohemian lifestyle, narrow streets adorned with bougainvillea, and Turkey's best scuba diving spots. Don't return without swimming in the unique turquoise of the world-famous Kaputaş Beach and kayaking over the sunken city of Kekova.
Located at the intersection of the Aegean and Mediterranean, Fethiye is a center for adventure and nature enthusiasts. You can glide down to the unique beaches of Ölüdeniz by paragliding from Babadağ, one of the world's best paragliding centers at about 2,000 meters high.
Additionally, the starting point of the ancient Lycian Way hiking trail is here. You can drive to Gizlikent Waterfall or the icy waters of Saklıkent Canyon, visit Butterfly Valley accessible only by sea with boat tours, and take photos in the mystical streets of Kayaköy (Ghost Village), an old Greek settlement.
When you fly to Izmir, the pearl of the Aegean region, an incredible gastronomy and history route awaits you. The Ephesus Ancient City, one of the largest and most important metropolises of ancient times, transports you to the Roman era with its massive amphitheater and enchanting Celsus Library. You can stroll among the historical mansions in Şirince Village and taste the famous fruit wines.
When you steer further west, you will be greeted by Urla's world-renowned gastronomy restaurants and vineyards, the cool waters of Çeşme, and Alaçatı's windsurf-friendly beaches and narrow streets adorned with stone houses.
A perfect stop you can add to your Aegean tour. Pamukkale, within the borders of Denizli province, is on the UNESCO World Heritage list with its white travertine terraces created by thermal waters. In the Hierapolis Ancient City located just above, swimming in the "Cleopatra Pool" among thousands of years old ancient columns offers a unique thermal experience. On the way back, you can take great photos at Salda Lake, known as Turkey's Maldives, with its white sandy beach and turquoise water.
If you are tired of the heat and want to rise above the clouds and fill up on oxygen, it's time to hit the Black Sea highway. With a powerful rental SUV under you, you can start from Trabzon and see the historical Sumela Monastery almost carved into steep cliffs. When you pass to Rize, Ayder Plateau, Pokut Plateau, and the waterfalls of Çamlıhemşin will greet you with views that rival the Swiss Alps. Don't forget to eat local muhlama (kuymak) and go rafting on the Fırtına River.
Thanks to the Osmangazi Bridge, you can reach Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, in just 1.5 hours by car from Istanbul. You can have an organic village breakfast in the 700-year-old Cumalıkızık village, which is on the UNESCO list, examine the majestic architecture of the Grand Mosque, and eat the original "Iskender Kebab" in the historical bazaars. Then, you can either take the cable car or drive your car through winding mountain roads to Uludağ National Park, where you can ski in winter or cool off in pine forests in summer.
To explore these countless beauties of Turkey, without being tied to crowded tour buses or flight schedules, at your own pace and with your family, you will need a car. Hit the road with LenaCars' wide and safe fleet, draw your own route on the map, stop at any ancient city you wish, and take a free break in scenic coves.
Explore Rental Cars → 📞 24/7 Reservation & Support*All our rental cars are automatically equipped with the HGS system for highway passes. Our nationwide airport delivery options are available.
10 dk
7 dk
12 dk
A unique geography where four seasons are experienced simultaneously, turning into an open-air museum of thousands of years of civilizations... From the enchanting chaos of Istanbul to the olive-scented tranquility of the Aegean, from the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia to the fierce and misty green of the Black Sea, the most comprehensive discovery guide. Get ready to draw your own route.
Turkey is a vast country of experiences that makes you feel it's not just a classic "sea-sand-sun" holiday destination from the moment you step within its borders, harboring a different epic and story at every kilometer. On one side, the thousand-year-old stone roads of the Roman and Byzantine Empires, on the other, the elegant architecture of the Seljuks and Ottomans; on one side, the sparkling turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, on the other, the snowy peaks and steep canyons of Anatolia await visitors.
However, this incredible cultural and geographical richness can turn into a confusing labyrinth without proper planning. Drawing the most efficient route in your limited holiday time, absorbing the cultural heritage, and enjoying the natural beauties requires serious preparation. The best way to explore the country properly is to get behind the wheel and freely travel on scenic highways without being tied to the strict schedules of tour buses.
Here are 8 special road trip routes covering every corner of the country, prepared for you to experience Turkey not just superficially as a "tourist" but deeply as an "explorer."
Make sure to note these details for a flawless Turkey tour:
This massive metropolis, which legendary commander Napoleon Bonaparte admired by saying "If the world were a single country, its capital would undoubtedly be Istanbul," is the zero point where every traveler should start their Turkey adventure. Istanbul, separating Asia and Europe with the cool waters of the Bosphorus, is the heart of the world.
In the Historic Peninsula (Sultanahmet), you can breathe in Byzantine and Ottoman history with the grandeur of Hagia Sophia, the mysterious rooms of Topkapi Palace, and the dim corridors of the Basilica Cistern filled with Medusa heads. When you step out of the dusty pages of history into the streets of Karaköy, Galataport, and Balat, you encounter a wonderful modern life created by modern art galleries, design boutiques, and third-wave coffee shops.
Located in the heart of Central Anatolia, Cappadocia (Nevşehir region) is unlike any other geography on earth. The fairy chimneys, intricately carved by wind and rain from the lava erupted by Mount Erciyes and Mount Hasan millions of years ago, transport you to another planet.
You can have a magnificent drive in the Ürgüp, Göreme, and Avanos triangle with a car rented from Kayseri or Nevşehir airport. Getting lost in ancient underground cities like Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı, hiking in Ihlara Valley, and making your own pottery from Kızılırmak clay in Avanos should be on your list.
Antalya is not just about massive "All-Inclusive" resorts. When you hit the winding and stunningly scenic D400 highway with your rental car, the real Mediterranean begins. You can discover the untouched coves of Çıralı, Olimpos, and Adrasan, merging with pine forests.
The star of the route is definitely Kaş and Kalkan. It is the center of boutique hotels, bohemian lifestyle, narrow streets adorned with bougainvillea, and Turkey's best scuba diving spots. Don't return without swimming in the unique turquoise of the world-famous Kaputaş Beach and kayaking over the sunken city of Kekova.
Located at the intersection of the Aegean and Mediterranean, Fethiye is a center for adventure and nature enthusiasts. You can glide down to the unique beaches of Ölüdeniz by paragliding from Babadağ, one of the world's best paragliding centers at about 2,000 meters high.
Additionally, the starting point of the ancient Lycian Way hiking trail is here. You can drive to Gizlikent Waterfall or the icy waters of Saklıkent Canyon, visit Butterfly Valley accessible only by sea with boat tours, and take photos in the mystical streets of Kayaköy (Ghost Village), an old Greek settlement.
When you fly to Izmir, the pearl of the Aegean region, an incredible gastronomy and history route awaits you. The Ephesus Ancient City, one of the largest and most important metropolises of ancient times, transports you to the Roman era with its massive amphitheater and enchanting Celsus Library. You can stroll among the historical mansions in Şirince Village and taste the famous fruit wines.
When you steer further west, you will be greeted by Urla's world-renowned gastronomy restaurants and vineyards, the cool waters of Çeşme, and Alaçatı's windsurf-friendly beaches and narrow streets adorned with stone houses.
A perfect stop you can add to your Aegean tour. Pamukkale, within the borders of Denizli province, is on the UNESCO World Heritage list with its white travertine terraces created by thermal waters. In the Hierapolis Ancient City located just above, swimming in the "Cleopatra Pool" among thousands of years old ancient columns offers a unique thermal experience. On the way back, you can take great photos at Salda Lake, known as Turkey's Maldives, with its white sandy beach and turquoise water.
If you are tired of the heat and want to rise above the clouds and fill up on oxygen, it's time to hit the Black Sea highway. With a powerful rental SUV under you, you can start from Trabzon and see the historical Sumela Monastery almost carved into steep cliffs. When you pass to Rize, Ayder Plateau, Pokut Plateau, and the waterfalls of Çamlıhemşin will greet you with views that rival the Swiss Alps. Don't forget to eat local muhlama (kuymak) and go rafting on the Fırtına River.
Thanks to the Osmangazi Bridge, you can reach Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, in just 1.5 hours by car from Istanbul. You can have an organic village breakfast in the 700-year-old Cumalıkızık village, which is on the UNESCO list, examine the majestic architecture of the Grand Mosque, and eat the original "Iskender Kebab" in the historical bazaars. Then, you can either take the cable car or drive your car through winding mountain roads to Uludağ National Park, where you can ski in winter or cool off in pine forests in summer.
To explore these countless beauties of Turkey, without being tied to crowded tour buses or flight schedules, at your own pace and with your family, you will need a car. Hit the road with LenaCars' wide and safe fleet, draw your own route on the map, stop at any ancient city you wish, and take a free break in scenic coves.
Explore Rental Cars → 📞 24/7 Reservation & Support*All our rental cars are automatically equipped with the HGS system for highway passes. Our nationwide airport delivery options are available.
10 dk
7 dk
12 dk
Ücretsiz filo analizi ile tasarruf fırsatlarını keşfedin.
Türkiye'nin en geniş araç filosu ile güvenli ve konforlu yolculuklar.
Ücretsiz filo analizi ile tasarruf fırsatlarını keşfedin.
Türkiye'nin en geniş araç filosu ile güvenli ve konforlu yolculuklar.