The Ultimate 4 Days in Turkey Itinerary
Turkey is a unique and diverse country.
There are so many different landscapes and attractions that you could spend years there and still find new things to see.
its that amazing?
Whether you have just a few days to explore the country or plan to stay a while, here are some of the best things to do in Turkey.
If you're traveling to Turkey for the first time with limited time, it can be tough to decide what places are worth visiting and which ones can be skipped.
Fortunately, we have created this handy 4-day in Turkey itinerary that covers the most important sights.
This Itinerary also includes a few optional day trip from Istanbul that take you to interesting places outside of the city center.
If you have the time and money, we highly recommend taking one of these trips.
Day 1 : Visit The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia And The Basillica Cistern
The Blue Mosque is one of the most famous mosques in the world and one of the most beautiful examples of Ottoman architecture.
The mosque was built between 1609 and 1616 and takes its name from the millions of blue tiles that cover the interior and create a unique atmosphere inside.
The mosque is open daily to visitors, both Muslim and non-Muslim, who are expected to follow the same rules of conduct as worshipers.
Because the mosque is so busy, we recommend getting there as early as possible to avoid crowds and find a good spot to view the mosque.
You can then visit the nearby Hagia Sophia, also known as the church of holy Wisdom, due to its history as a church, the building is decorated with christian mosaics and artifacts that have been protected since the Ottoman conquest.
Inside the cistern is a large underground cavern that was once used as a water storage and distribution facility.
The cistern was used as a water source until the 1930s.
Day 2 : Travel To Kusadasi And See The Great Temple Of Artemis
The Temple of Artemis is one of the most important and famous treasure in the world.
Was build in the 8th century BC by the great King Croesus,it once stood as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Unknown people destroyed the temple in the 7th century AD which was a shame.
A modern version of the temple that was build in the 1990s can been seen today.
The temple is one of the most important places to visit in Turkey and is arguably the highlight of a trip to the country.
Because of the temple's popularity, we recommend getting there as early as possible to avoid crowds and ensure that you have enough time to properly explore the site.
Day 3 : Visit Ephesus And See The Ruins Of Ancient Ephesus
Ephesus was once one of the most important cities in the world. Today, it is one of the most visited places in Turkey.
The city is most famous for the ruins of the temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Because Ephesus is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Turkey, we recommend getting there as early as possible to avoid the crowds.
Once there,explore the ruins and play a bit of where's Waldo trying to find the many-eyed monster!
Day 4 : Travel To Pamukkale And See The Terracing Wells
We've saved the best for last.
Pamukkale is one of the the most unique and spectacular places in the world.
The cotton castles are formed by water running through limestone, forming travertines. The best way to explore the cotton castles is by foot.
Hike through the Pamukkale landscape, taking in the natural beauty of the area. Exploring the area on foot is the best way to see the famous cotton castles for yourself.
We recommend ending your trip to Turkey with a visit to the terraced wells.
The wells were created by the ancient Hittite civilization and are one of the most important archaeological sites in the country.
Other Activities In Turkey
Unfortunately, there just isn't enough time to visit all of the attractions in Turkey.However, if you're able to extend your stay, there are plenty of other activities and attractions that are worth visiting.
The Bosphorus Cruise, the Aquarium and the Grand Bazaar are some of the most popular activities in Istanbul.
If you have a few more days to spend in the country, you should also visit the Archaeological Museums in Istanbul,Pamukkale and side, and Cappadocia.
You should also consider taking an optional excursion to the East or Southeast regions of the country to visit the ancient cities of Ephesus, Hieropolis and Urgup, as well as the Cappadocia region.