Turkey in 12 Days: 4 Recommended 12-Day Itineraries to Turkey

Putting together a vacation to spend 12 days in Turkey? See the sights at Istanbul, hop on a gulet cruise, and relax on amazing beaches at Kas by following our Turkey 12 days itinerary suggestions.

Spend 12 days in Turkey exploring the popular sights in Istanbul, like the St. Sophia Museum and Spice Bazaar, alongside the Galata Tower and beautiful Bosphorus Strait. Head to the dramatic coastline with boat tours around the stunning Iztuzu Beach, which is also known as Turtle Beach. Combine this luxurious relaxation with historical excursions to the ruins of Tlos, made famous by the Greek legends of Bellerophon and Pegasus. After further relaxation in the beachy settlement of Ucagiz and Tersane Island, visit the Lycian town of Myra, home to Saint Nicholas of Myra, who is more commonly known as Santa Claus. Conclude your tour snorkeling around Antalya or exploring the old city of this popular nightlife destination. Here, you can enjoy a 12-day Turkish itinerary that balances history and sightseeing with beachy vibes. See all tour packages in Turkey.

If you’re an active person, Turkey has no shortage of heart-pumping adventures. Hike around the fairy chimneys of the Goreme Open Air Museum with inclines around the Love Valley and pink-hues of the Red Valley. Along the way, you’ll stop off at the 14th-century Isa Bey Mosque in Selcuk. Then, tour Konya, where you will discover the Mevlevi Order, which is home to the whirling dervishes. Strap on your hiking boots and journey around the historic Lycian Way, experience Oludeniz’s Blue Lagoon, the stunning Esen Valley, and the wonder of Mount Babadag. After all that hiking, head to the water, where you can enjoy kayaking around Kekova Bay. Return to Istanbul to see the sunset over the Galata Bridge and hear the calls to prayer emanate from the famous Blue Mosque.

Experience the best of Turkish history, natural beauty, and nightlife with a 12-day Turkey itinerary that encompasses visits to the Old City of Istanbul with sights like the Hippodrome and Galata Tower. Then head to the historic ANZAC Cove of Gallipoli to the steps of Achilles at Troy. Board a gulet and swim in the picturesque Boncuklu Bay, and the underwater ruins of Sunken Bath Bay. Let your hair down with the thriving coastal nightlife scene of Fethiye, and visit the Roman baths of Hierapolis before hiking in the mystical Red Valley in Cappadocia and exploring the stunning Devrent Valley. Describe your ideal 12-day holiday for a customized trip to Turkey.

With 12 days to spare, you can explore not just Turkey, but neighboring Greece as well. Enjoy the mystical and magical fairy chimneys and underground cities of Cappadocia before experiencing the ancient temples of Ephesus, the Library of Celsus, and the calcified waterfalls of Hierapolis. On the Greek half of the itinerary, enjoy island-hopping between islands with 11th-century monasteries on the isle of Patmos, to the site of the legendary Colossus of Rhodes, which has some of the best archeological sites in Greece, and to the iconic white caldera cliffs of Santorini. Here you can enjoy trips around the black sand beaches or to the nearby volcanic national park that gives Santorini its distinctive topography. Of course, spend a morning exploring the Greek capital, Athens, complete with a visit to the legendary Acropolis and Archeological Museum, before rubbing shoulders with celebrities on the stylish island of Mykonos.

When you have 12 days in Turkey, you can really take your time and enjoy everything that this country has to offer, from cultural wonders in Konya to breathtaking scenery in Cappadocia to relaxing sail trips around the Aegean. You can also combine your trip to Turkey with a tour around the beautiful islands of Greece. However, if you’re shorter on time or aren’t sure how long to spend in Turkey, you can check out our handy guide.

If you need help organizing your trip to Turkey, read our guides here. Get in touch with our travel experts in Turkey, who can build Turkey 12 days itinerary plans, tailored to your specific needs. If you need suggestions on the duration, check out our guides for 9 days in Turkey and 10 days in Turkey. For a seasonal overview, check out our guide on the best time to visit Turkey.

Other related articles:
5 days in Turkey
7 days in Turkey