Turkey Grand Panorama Loop
From the historic battlefields of the Dardanelles to the Lycian Coast and the Anatolian heartland, experience a comprehensive loop of Turkey.
This is the backbone route of classic group tours: Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, and Pamukkale, followed by hiking and boating along the Mediterranean coast, before crossing the mountains to Konya and Cappadocia. The journey relies primarily on buses or private transfers with frequent changes of location, but it allows you to see all the major historical and coastal highlights in one go. By replacing the long overland return journey of traditional tours with a domestic flight, this itinerary is much more relaxing and ideal for travelers with plenty of time.
Around Anzac Day in late April, accommodation in Gallipoli and the surrounding areas becomes extremely tight.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Istanbul
Istanbul（Hippodrome of Constantinople、Blue Mosque）
Take the airport shuttle bus or metro with a transfer to the tram to the Old City (approx. 1.5 hours). Spend the evening exploring the surrounding area on foot.
Stay: Sultanahmet
Day 2 · Old City Highlights
Istanbul（Hagia Sophia、Basilica Cistern、Topkapi Palace、Grand Bazaar、Spice Bazaar）
Spend the entire day exploring the Old City on foot. In the afternoon, walk down the slopes to the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar.
Stay: Sultanahmet
Day 3 · Gallipoli Battlefields
Çanakkale（Anzac Cove、Lone Pine Cemetery & Memorial、Chunuk Bair (Conkbayırı)、Trojan Horse & Kordon Waterfront）
Take a bus or hire a private driver to the Gallipoli Peninsula (approx. 4–5 hours). After visiting, cross the strait by ferry to Çanakkale (approx. 30 minutes).
Stay: Çanakkale Waterfront City Centre
Day 4 · Troy & Southward to Selçuk
Assos (Behramkale)（Troy Archaeological Site、Museum of Troy） → Selçuk
Drive from Çanakkale to Troy (approx. 40 minutes), then take a bus or private transfer to Selçuk (approx. 5–6 hours).
Stay: Selçuk Town Centre
Day 5 · Full Day in Ancient Ephesus
Selçuk（Ephesus、Library of Celsus、Terrace Houses of Ephesus、Temple of Artemis、İsa Bey Mosque）
Take a taxi from town to the archaeological site (approx. 10 minutes). Return to town in the afternoon for a walk around the local area.
There is no shade at the ruins. Enter as soon as the gates open in summer and bring plenty of water.
Stay: Selçuk Town Centre
Day 6 · Transfer to Pamukkale Terraces
Pamukkale（Pamukkale & Hierapolis、Theatre of Hierapolis、Antique Pool (Cleopatra's Pool)）
Take a train or bus from Selçuk to Denizli (approx. 3 hours), then transfer to a dolmuş (minibus) to Pamukkale village.
Stay: Pamukkale Village
Day 7 · Head Down to the Coast & Kayaköy
Take a bus or private transfer from Pamukkale to Fethiye (approx. 3.5–4 hours), then transfer to a dolmuş to Kayaköy.
Stay: Kayaköy
Day 8 · Hike the Ancient Trail to the Blue Lagoon
Fethiye（Lycian Way (Fethiye section)、Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon）
Hike along the Lycian Way for about 3 hours to Ölüdeniz, then return by dolmuş (approx. 20 minutes).
Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good grip. Start as early as possible in summer and carry plenty of water.
Stay: Kayaköy
Day 9 · Coastal Drive to Kaş
Kaş & Kalkan（Kaputaş Beach、Kaş、Antiphellos Theatre & King's Tomb）
Take a bus or drive along the scenic D400 highway (approx. 2–2.5 hours), stopping at Kaputaş Beach along the way.
Reaching Kaputaş Beach requires walking down a long flight of steps.
Stay: Kaş Old Town and Seafront
Day 10 · Kekova Sunken City
Kaş & Kalkan（Kekova Sunken City、Simena Castle (Kaleköy)）
Drive from Kaş to Üçağız (approx. 1 hour), then board a wooden gulet for a 3–4 hour cruise before returning.
Landing and swimming/diving are strictly prohibited in the protected underwater archaeological zone.
Stay: Kaş Old Town and Seafront
Day 11 · Myra Rock Tombs to Antalya
Kaş & Kalkan（Myra） → Antalya City（Kaleiçi Old Town、Hadrian's Gate）
Drive from Kaş via Demre to Antalya (approx. 4 hours). The mountain roads have many sharp bends. Arrive in the Old Town in the afternoon.
Stay: Kaleiçi Old Town
Day 12 · Cross the Taurus Mountains to Konya
Konya（Mevlana Museum、Alaeddin Mosque & Hill）
Take a bus or drive from Antalya to Konya (approx. 5 hours), mostly along winding mountain roads.
Stay: Mevlana and Alaeddin Hill
Day 13 · Silk Road to Cappadocia
Konya（Sultanhanı Caravanserai） → Cappadocia（Rose Valley / Red Valley）
Drive from Konya to Göreme (approx. 3.5 hours), stopping at Sultan Hanı along the way. Arrive in the afternoon.
Stay: Göreme
Day 14 · Full Day in Cappadocia
Cappadocia（Göreme Open-Air Museum、Paşabağ (Monks Valley)、Kaymaklı Underground City、Uçhisar Castle）
Join a day tour or hire a private driver. Travel time between sights is 10–30 minutes; the underground city is about a 40-minute drive one way.
Stay: Göreme
Day 15 · Watch the Balloons & Fly Back to Istanbul
Cappadocia（Love Valley (Hot Air Balloon Viewpoint)） → Istanbul
Watch the hot air balloons at sunrise, then take a shuttle to Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport for a flight to Istanbul (approx. 1.5 hours).
Schedule your international flight home for that evening or the following day to allow a buffer for the domestic flight.