Turkey brings Ottoman bazaars, otherworldly landscapes and Roman ruins on the Aegean together in one trip. And it is one of the best-value destinations around.
What to see in Turkey
A classic tour covers Istanbul, central Anatolia and the Aegean coast. These are its main stops.
Istanbul
Capital of three empires, it packs Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar, with some 4,000 covered shops, onto a few hills. A boat ride on the Bosphorus, between Europe and Asia, is the best way to understand the city.
Give it at least three days; all our tours start here.
Cappadocia
Fairy chimneys, rock-cut churches in the Göreme Valley and underground cities where early Christians took refuge. At sunrise, hundreds of hot-air balloons fill the sky.
The balloon flight is optional and weather-dependent; book it for your first morning so you have a second as backup.
Pamukkale
The “cotton castle”: white travertine terraces filled with thermal water, next to the ruins of the Roman city of Hierapolis.
You walk barefoot on the travertine; bring a bag for your shoes.
Ephesus
One of the best-preserved Roman cities in the Mediterranean, with the Library of Celsus and the great theater. Nearby is the House of the Virgin Mary, a pilgrimage site for Catholics and Muslims alike.
Troy and Pergamon
The ruins of Homer’s Troy, with its wooden horse, and the acropolis of Pergamon, home to one of the largest libraries of antiquity.
Ankara and the Salt Lake
The capital, with the mausoleum of Atatürk, founder of modern Turkey, and on the way to Cappadocia the Salt Lake, one of the largest salt lakes in the world.
Best time to visit Turkey
Spring and fall are the best seasons, with mild temperatures in Istanbul and Cappadocia.
- Jan Cold
- Feb Cold
- Mar Good
- Apr Ideal
- May Ideal
- Jun Good
- Jul Peak
- Aug Very hot
- Sep Ideal
- Oct Ideal
- Nov Good
- Dec Cold
April to June and September to November are ideal for sightseeing. July and August are peak season and very hot at Pamukkale and Ephesus, though it is the best time to add a beach stay.
In winter Cappadocia is often snowy, beautiful but cold, and days are shorter. Balloons fly year-round when the wind allows.
Entry requirements for Turkey
The rules depend on your passport: US citizens need no visa, while Mexican citizens apply for an e-Visa.
US passport (including Puerto Rico)
No visa for up to 90 days
- Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
- A return or onward ticket.
Mexican passport
Electronic visa (e-Visa)
- Apply online on the official portal, evisa.gov.tr.
- You generally need a valid visa or residence permit from the US, the EU, the UK or Ireland.
- Without one, apply for the visa at a Turkish consulate.
Use only the Turkish government’s official portal for the e-Visa; some sites charge extra fees for the same form. When you book, we confirm what you need for your passport.
Official sources: Turkey e-Visa (official portal) · U.S. State Department travel advisories
Is it safe to travel to Turkey?
Turkey welcomes more than 50 million tourists a year, and the areas on our tours are well visited. As in any big city, watch your belongings in crowded parts of Istanbul.
- To enter mosques, take off your shoes; women cover their hair and everyone covers shoulders and knees.
- Hotel tax and tips are paid separately. On our tours the hotel tax is $15 per person and tips are $30 or $45, depending on the series.
- Arriving at Sabiha Gökçen airport (SAW)? Tell us when you book: transfers from that airport carry a supplement.
- Carry some lira in cash. For bazaars and tips; cards are accepted almost everywhere.
Our Turkey tours
Eighteen tours with guaranteed departures and Spanish-speaking guides. These are the most popular; prices per person in a double room, without international flights.
- Classic Turkey Istanbul · Ankara · Cappadocia · Pamukkale · Kuşadası or Izmir · Istanbul See the tour
- All of Turkey Istanbul · Ankara · Cappadocia · Pamukkale · Kuşadası or Izmir · Çanakkale · Istanbul See the tour
- Istanbul & Cappadocia by Air Istanbul · Cappadocia · Istanbul See the tour
- Istanbul Mini Package Istanbul See the tour
See all 18 tours, with day-by-day itineraries and price tables, on our Turkey page.
Suggested itinerary: Turkey in 10 days
This is the route of our Classic Turkey tour, by coach with a guide.
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Days 1–3
Istanbul
The Süleymaniye Mosque, a Bosphorus cruise and the Spice Bazaar.
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Day 4
Ankara
Atatürk’s mausoleum and a night in the capital.
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Days 5–6
Cappadocia
Via the Salt Lake; valleys, rock churches and the balloon option.
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Day 7
Pamukkale
The travertine terraces and Hierapolis.
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Day 8
Ephesus and Kuşadası
The Roman city and the House of the Virgin Mary.
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Days 9–10
Bursa and Istanbul
Back through Bursa, the first Ottoman capital, and the flight home.
Frequently asked questions
Is Turkey expensive to visit?
Turkey is one of the best-value destinations in Europe and the Middle East. Our tours start at $1,085 per person (4 days in Istanbul), and a full 10-day tour with hotels and a guide costs from $1,510, without flights.
Do US citizens need a visa for Turkey?
No. US citizens can visit Turkey for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa, with a valid passport.
What do Mexican citizens need to travel to Turkey?
Mexican citizens apply for an e-Visa at evisa.gov.tr; you generally need a valid visa or residence permit from the US, the EU, the UK or Ireland. Without one, apply at a consulate.
How many days do you need in Turkey?
Nine to eleven days for Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus. With only a week, Istanbul and Cappadocia with domestic flights is the best choice.
When can you take a balloon ride in Cappadocia?
Year-round, whenever the wind allows: the authorities cancel flights when conditions are not right. That is why it is best booked for your first morning in Cappadocia.
