Turkey Adventure Vacation to Istanbul & Beyond
Of all our adventure vacations we’ve taken, Turkey is at the top of the list. Here you’ll find adventure around every corner, not just from the many different outdoor activities available, but also from the country’s rich cultural and archaeological history.
On our page here, we’ll tell you about the best places to visit in Turkey including what to see and do along the coast, as well as in-land destinations like Ankara, Goreme, Cappadocia and more.
Best Places to Visit in Turkey
Cappadocia: The landscape here is like no other place in the world. For an unforgettable adventure, stay overnight in the many cave hotels scattered throughout the area.
And for adventure activities, try exploring around on bike. The landscape is perfect for cycling – and if you want to get off the beaten path, there’s a number of different areas to do some off-road mountain biking.
Ephesus: Take a step back in time as you visit one of the largest ruins in all of Turkey.
See the Temple of Artemis (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world) and the Library of Celsus. You can also cycle and hike around the nearby towns of Selcuk and Kusadasi!
Antalya: This city located on the Mediterranean coast is a must see.
Check out the nearby ruins of Perga and the old city (Kaleici) which is an unforgettable experience. There are some great places to scuba dive and snorkel along the coast too.
Fethiye: I was told to go here by a colleague of mine, and was so glad that I took his advice. This charming little town is fast becoming one of the most popular tourist areas in the country.
Nearby attractions include the seaside town of Kas, scenic OluDeniz lagoon and Lycian Rock Tombs!
Pamukkale: Hot thermal baths next to historic ruins makes this place a relaxing “must see” destination. You can hike and cycle around this area as well.
Recognized as a World Heritage Site - theres a number of historical areas to explore nearby including the Hierapolis Archaeology Museum
Istanbul: This will probably be your starting point in Turkey. Make sure to spend at least 3 or 4 days here to see all of Istanbul’s attractions.
Sultan Ahmet (the Blue Mosque), the Aya Sofya (Hagia Sophia), Topkapi Palace and Dolmabahce Palace! And make sure to take a cruise up the Bosphorus.
Ankara: The capital of Turkey doesn’t offer much in the way of adventure, but its on our list because of the fantastic views from the citadel and from the ‘old quarter' of Ankara that leads up to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
Turkey Adventure Vacation – Organized Adventure ToursWe planned our Turkey adventure vacation by ourselves. Doing so allowed us to go at our own pace, and gave us greater flexibility to stay longer in certain areas and shorter in others.Wondering whether to book an organized Turkey adventure tour or a do-it-yourself excursion? Only you can decide! We found that is was very cheap in Turkey for accommodations and to travel around. If we stayed at a little bed and breakfast in one town, the owners would almost always ask where we were headed and offer to book us in at one of their “friends” places at our next destination. We did this for three weeks! We always knew we had a place to stay before we arrived, and most “B&B”or “Pension” owners had pictures of the accommodations for us to look over.
If you feel that you would like to have someone else plan your Turkey adventure vacation, then check out these great deals on Turkey Vacations Adventure Activities in TurkeyBecause the country is so large – you’ll find that the changing terrain offers a number of possibilities for adventure activities in Turkey!Along many parts of the coast you can scuba dive and snorkel. In the many National Parks and Preserves, you can hike, swim, raft, cycle and ski.
Savings on Pamukkale Adventure Tours & Museums
Uludag National Park near Bursa is one of the most popular areas to visit throughout the year! Another great activity is to explore the many historic sites or archaeological ruins that are scattered everywhere throughout Turkey. It’s a fantastic learning experience that makes for an unforgettable family adventure vacation.
Turkey Adventure Vacation – Is it Safe to Travel to Turkey?One of the reasons that Turkey tops our adventure vacation list is the people. They are extremely friendly and hospitable. You’ll be offered a cup of tea no matter where you go.Some wonder if it’s safe to go to Turkey? Yes! Although you need to exercise caution, especially in larger centers like Istanbul and Ankara, you’ll find that smaller townships and tourist areas along the coast are safe. It’s unfortunate that some unrest has developed lately – but these incidents are few. We always recommend that you check with government travel advisories issued by your home country before planning any overseas vacation. For years, the general rule has been to not travel to eastern Turkey around Mt. Ararat or to southeastern Anatolia close to the Syria and Iraq borders. It’s too bad because there are some great sights and adventure activities in these areas that outdoor enthusiasts long for! Turkey Adventure Vacation - Bus TravelOne of the easiest and best ways to see Turkey is by bus. With an ever-expanding network of buses and routes, road travel in Turkey is very efficient and care free.For long journeys including overnight travel, you ride in luxury style buses that are very comfortable. If you're part of an adventure tour in Turkey – you’ll no doubt be on the road a lot. The great thing about travel in Turkey is that there are bus stations in almost every town (called Otogars). So whether you plan an adventure vacation in Turkey by yourself or with a tour group – you’ll be able to get to almost anywhere by bus.
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We paid around $15 to $25 USD a night including breakfast in the morning. Another fantastic thing about traveling throughout Turkey is the excellent meals that you can enjoy with your host family (at your accommodations) in the evening.