TürkiyeCennetRoutes
Itineraries built from the places on this site, in order. Every stop links to its own page.
The Lycian coast
From Ölüdeniz to Tahtalı along the coastline of ancient Lycia: a lagoon, a gorge, an ancient city built behind a beach, a settlement under water, and a cable car climbing from sea level to 2,365 m.
Ölüdeniz → Saklıkent Gorge → Patara → Kekova → Çıralı & Yanartaş → Mount Tahtalı
Southeastern history
From Göbeklitepe to Nemrut: the oldest known temple complex on earth, and a terrace of colossal statues a king built on a mountain summit. Between them, a city the colour of honey.
Göbekli Tepe → Mardin → Mount Nemrut
Cappadocia and the Hittite lands
From a landscape carved out of volcanic tuff to the capital of Anatolia's first great empire. Fairy chimneys, a canyon, and city gates that have stood for 3,500 years.
Cappadocia → Ihlara Valley → Hattusa
Eastern Anatolia
From an Armenian church on an island in Lake Van to the stonework of a palace built onto a cliff, and an abandoned capital on the Akhurian river. Türkiye's highest and emptiest route.
Akdamar Island → Ishak Pasha Palace → Ani
The Black Sea coast and highlands
From a harbour town on the western Black Sea to a monastery clinging to a cliff, and on to a highland pasture at the foot of the Kaçkars. The greenest and wettest line in Türkiye.
Amasra → Sümela Monastery → Ayder Highland
Aegean classics
From a coastal town to the best-preserved ancient city in the Mediterranean, and on to white travertine terraces. The most sensible opening route for a first visit to Türkiye.
Çeşme → Ephesus → Pamukkale and Hierapolis