The Ultimate 14-Day Turkey Road Trip Itinerary: From Ancient Ruins to Hot Air Balloons

Planning a family road trip through Turkey? This comprehensive 14-day itinerary covers everything from ancient Ephesus to the magical hot air balloons of Cappadocia. Here’s our complete guide to exploring Turkey’s most incredible destinations with kids.

📑 Table of Contents

• Turkey Road Trip Overview
• Day 1: Kas to Dalyan
• Day 2: Dalyan
• Day 3: Dalyan to Ephesus
• Day 4: Ephesus (Extra Day)
• Day 5: Ephesus to Pamukkale
• Day 6: Pamukkale
• Day 7: Pamukkale to Lake Eğirdir
• Day 8: Lake Eğirdir to Konya
• Day 9: Konya to Göreme, Cappadocia
• Day 10: Cappadocia
• Day 11: Cappadocia (Extra Day)
• Day 12: Cappadocia to Konya
• Day 13: Konya to Side
• Day 14: Side back to Kas
• Complete Accommodation Guide
• Turkey Road Trip Tips for Families
• What We’d Do Differently
• Turkey Road Trip Map
• Final Thoughts

We usually like to travel slow. I work remotely, and most often, this means we can get out and about locally most days. We love connecting with the locals and living in the towns and villages with the people. This was one of our greatest blessings from 2020 - we were forced to slow our travels right down.

However, I had a couple of weeks leave from work, and we only had a bit of time left before our visas in Turkey would end. So we decided to make the most of my holiday time and road trip across Turkey!

This is the route we took with recommendations on how we’d change it. We started and finished in Kas, Antalya, but for most families, I’d recommend actually starting and finishing this one in Dalyan (because most likely, if you were to follow this loop, you’d fly to Dalaman airport, which is quite close to Dalyan).

Turkey Road Trip Overview

• Duration: 14 days
• Distance: Approximately 2,000 km
• Best time to visit: April-June or September-November
• Travel style: Family road trip with kids
• Start/End: Kas, Antalya (or Dalyan for easier airport access)
• Pace: Relaxed with extra time for exploration

Day 1: Kas to Dalyan

We kicked off our Turkey adventure with a scenic drive from Kas to Dalyan. This charming town on the Dalyan River is the perfect introduction to Turkey’s natural beauty. The town is famous for its thermal springs, ancient rock tombs, and the protected Iztuzu Beach where loggerhead sea turtles nest.

It’s an ideal destination for families looking to experience authentic Turkish culture while enjoying outdoor activities. We also found it to be less touristic than other places like Fethiye and Kas.

Getting Around

Dalyan is a small town that’s easily walkable, but renting a bicycle is a great way to explore the surrounding countryside. The boat trips along the Dalyan River are a must-do activity.

Day 2: Dalyan

We chose to visit Dalyan to call in and see a friend we met in Phong Nha, Vietnam. During our day here, we went for a walk along the river and had lunch with our friend. We’d already done boat tours from Kas, so we weren’t too concerned about missing the boat trip at Dalyan. I’m very tempted to return and spend longer in this village!

Day 3: Dalyan to Ephesus

Route: Dalyan → Akyaka → Didim (Temple of Apollo) → Kuşadası → Ephesus

For the full route map, click here.

We drove via Akyaka (could’ve stayed a night here - it’s beautiful!), then Didim to see the Temple of Apollo, and then Kuşadası before reaching Ephesus.

What we learned: Ephesus deserves more time! The ancient city is absolutely massive and incredibly well-preserved.

Day 4: Ephesus (Extra Day)

Why we added this day: Ephesus is absolutely massive and deserves at least two full days to explore properly! With the extra day, you can:

• Explore the Terrace Houses (well worth the extra ticket) - these are incredibly well-preserved Roman homes
• Visit the Ephesus Museum in Selçuk to see artifacts from the site
• Take a guided tour of the main archaeological site (highly recommended for families)
• Visit the House of the Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana Evi) - believed to be where Mary spent her final years
• Explore the Basilica of St. John - built over the traditional burial site of John the Apostle
• Visit the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World)
• Take a break at a local café and try authentic Turkish cuisine

Family tip: The Terrace Houses are fascinating for kids, but some areas might be challenging for very young children. If you’re bringing a smaller child, I totally recommend a front-pack over a stroller!

Ephesus highlights:

• The magnificent Library of Celsus
• The Great Theatre (seats 25,000 people!)
• The Terrace Houses (well worth the extra ticket)
• The Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders)

After our time in Ephesus, we headed over to Mary’s House (Meryem Ana Evi) - believed to be where the Virgin Mary spent her final years.

Day 5: Ephesus to Pamukkale

On our road trip, we headed to Pamukkale after our day exploring the Ephesus ruins. I’d recommend returning to Ephesus and spreading out your time, maybe visiting Mary’s House in the morning before the next leg of driving.

Day 6: Pamukkale

On the fifth day of our roadtrip adventure around Turkey, we spent the day exploring the thermal waters and travertine terraces of Pamukkale. This had been a bucket list place for as long as I could remember - I was so happy to visit!

Pamukkale Experience

We visited in October and the temperatures were already starting to cool. We started at the top, the South Gate, and explored the ancient city of Hierapolis at the top before heading to the terraced areas. I highly recommend taking this route if you have small children who aren’t fond of walking up slippery mountains.

Regarding the travertines themselves, make sure you check a map. We somehow managed to go half way down one side before we realized we’d missed the really photographic terraces. At that point, it was too late to go back. I guess we’ll have to return.

I noticed the waters weren’t as warm as I’d expected. Being from Rotorua, we’re used to really hot pools. They were more mild than hot.

In the evening, the temperature cooled quickly. I recommend taking warm clothing to put on if you don’t enjoy being cold. It’s definitely worth staying for the sunset, the white travertine terraces are absolutely stunning and watching the hills reflect the sun as it goes down is unforgettable. Magical even.

Keep in mind you need to take your shoes off to walk along the terraces. It can be slippery in places. You’ll need to keep an eye on younger children!

Accommodation:

We decided to stay two nights in Pamukkale. We knew it would be a long day in the pools and we also had a long day of driving ahead.

We found Venus Suite Hotel was a great place for our family. Very comfortable and spacious room with a peak at the white terraces of Pamukkale.

Day 7: Pamukkale to Lake Eğirdir, Isparta

On day six, after a fairly long day of driving, we arrived at a local place, Lake Egirdir, in Isparta.

Lake Eğirdir highlights:

• Beautiful mountain lake setting
• Authentic local accommodation
• Incredible home-cooked Turkish meals
• Peaceful atmosphere perfect for families

Accommodation:

We found an apartment Hannapart Otel which was perfect for our stay. The rooms were large, and being a few days in, we were in desperate need of a washing machine. This apartment saved the day!

Day 8: Lake Eğirdir to Konya

Another long driving day, but thanks to a mix of Google maps and my ‘off the beaten path’ attitude, we found the world’s best organic strawberries (according to me and my children) in a field in the middle of nowhere (somewhere near this location).

By the time we arrived into Konya, we were quite tired and decided to sleep early. However, if you were planning to stay a couple of nights there is plenty to see and do.

Konya highlights:

• Visit the Mevlana Museum (tomb of Rumi)
• Explore the traditional Turkish architecture
• Try authentic Anatolian cuisine

Day 9: Konya to Göreme, Cappadocia

On day 8 we arrived at what I would describe as the place that motivated me to make this Turkey trip happen. A long time ago, I saw amazing photos of hot air balloons floating in the air behind my friend’s family eating breakfast. That was the moment I knew I had to hurry up and make my dream trip happen. In my original plan, we had planned to be in the area 4-8 May, 2020.

Finally, in 2021, we would get to see this spectacular place during a time where few people were travelling. It was an incredible opportunity.

Cappadocia arrival:

• The fairy chimney rock formations are even more incredible in person
• The landscape is like nothing else on earth
• Perfect for families who love adventure and unique experiences

Day 10: Cappadocia

We woke the kids up early for the views of balloons from our rooftop. No-one was impressed (typical kids!), but the sight was absolutely magical for us. Elijah was four at the time. Even now, he still remembers.

After breakfast, we walked Pigeon Valley. I thought it would just be a short walk, then turn around and return to our cosy cave. In usual Melissa style, we ended up walking UP the valley all the way to the top.

Pro tip: It’s not that long, but you should take a car to the ‘end’ and walk DOWN, not up, if you have kids. Much easier for kids and pregnant mums!

Cappadocia must-dos:

• Hot air balloon ride (weather permitting)
• Explore the underground cities
• Visit the Göreme Open Air Museum
• Try pottery making in Avanos
• Hike through the valleys

Keep in mind that there are often age restrictions on the hot air balloon rides. I couldn’t go up because I was pregnant. Manaia looked at the photos while I was writing this and told us she wants to visit so she can sit on dad and watch the balloons. I can’t wait to be back.

Day 11: Cappadocia (Extra Day)

Why we added this day: Cappadocia deserves more time! With the extra day, you can:

• Explore underground cities like Derinkuyu or Kaymakli
• Visit the Göreme Open Air Museum (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Try pottery making in Avanos - a fun activity for kids
• Hike through Love Valley or Rose Valley
• Take a sunset ATV tour through the valleys
• Visit Uçhisar Castle for panoramic views

Family tip: The underground cities are fascinating for kids, but some areas might be challenging for very young children or those with mobility issues.

Day 12: Cappadocia to Konya

On day 11, it was another early start for me and Rimaha. We let our kids sleep in and went up to the roof to enjoy our final morning watching the balloons at sunrise.

After breakfast, we packed again, and set off on our drive back to Konya.

Accommodation

In Cappadocia, we knew we wanted a special stay in a cave. After hunting through countless hotels (some were very pricey) we settled on Tulip Cave Suites.

This is a smaller cave hotel, with fewer rooms. Interestingly, the hotel incorporates an early-Christian chapel dating back to the 5th century, adding a unique historical charm to our stay.

One that we’d looked at was Sultan Cave Suites but I noticed there were a lot more rooms and some of the reviews seemed people were a bit unhappy at having to line up behind quite a few influencers to get a nice shot. We didn’t have this issue and really enjoyed our stay with a very similar view.

Day 13: Konya to Side

Day 14: Side back to Kas

We finished our loop by driving along the Turkish Riviera coast from Side, Antalya back to Kas. What an amazing adventure this was!

Final day highlights:

• Scenic coastal drive
• Beautiful Mediterranean views
• Perfect ending to an incredible journey

Complete Accommodation Guide

Here’s a consolidated list of all the accommodations we stayed at during our Turkey road trip:

Dalyan (2 nights)

• Location: Dalyan town center
• Why we chose it: Perfect base for exploring the Dalyan River and ancient tombs
• Family-friendly features: Close to boat trips, thermal springs, and turtle beach

Ephesus (2 nights)

• Hotel: Ephesus Centrum
• Why we loved it: Great location, comfortable beds, warm and cozy atmosphere. I chose this place because of the great ratings and the low price tag.
• Family tip: Perfect for families who want to spend two full days exploring Ephesus and surrounding sites

Pamukkale (2 nights)

• Hotel: Venus Suite Hotel
• Why we loved it: Spacious family rooms with views of Pamukkale’s white terraces
• Family tip: Perfect for families who want to spend a full day exploring the thermal pools

Lake Eğirdir (1 night)

• Hotel: Hannapart Otel
• Why we loved it: Large rooms, washing machine (essential for road trips!), beautiful breakfast views
• Family tip: Great for families who need to do laundry mid-trip

Konya (2 nights)

• Hotel: Pasapark Collection Selcuklu Hotel
• Why we chose it: Convenient stopover between Lake Eğirdir and Cappadocia and the Antalya coast, comfortable accommodation for families. We stopped here one night either side of our Cappadocia stay.
• Family tip: Good base for exploring Mevlana Museum and traditional Turkish architecture. Perfect for breaking up the long drive between Cappadocia and Side.

Cappadocia (3 nights)

• Hotel: Tulip Cave Suites
• Why we loved it: Authentic cave hotel with fewer rooms, incorporates 5th-century chapel
• Alternative: Sultan Cave Suites (larger, more popular with influencers - be warned, you may have to line up for photos)
• Family tip: Book early for the best cave rooms with balloon views

Side (1 night)

• Why we chose it: A great coastal stop with beautiful beaches on the way to Kas
• Family tip: Great for families who want to combine history with beach time

💡 Turkey Road Trip Tips for Families

Best Time to Visit

• Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, fewer crowds
• Autumn (September-November): Great weather, harvest season
• Avoid: July-August (too hot) and December-February (cold in some areas)

Driving in Turkey

• International driving permit required
• Roads are generally good quality look out for the chicken lane (lane in the middle of the road for both sides to use as a passing lane)
• Don’t stop abruptly if lights change to orange it’s totally normal for traffic, in particular large vehicles, to run the red light. If you have cars behind you, make sure they can see you stopping, be prepared to speed through if needed to avoid rear-ending.
• Toll roads are well-maintained
• Download offline maps for remote areas

Family Accommodation

• Book family rooms in advance
• Many hotels offer connecting rooms
• Consider apartments for longer stays

🎯 What We’d Do Differently

1. Spend more time in Ephesus (2-3 nights instead of 1) ✅ Included in our 14-day version
2. Add a night in Akyaka (beautiful coastal town) - highly recommend this addition
3. Book hot air balloon ride in advance (weather dependent)
4. Plan more time in Cappadocia (3-4 nights minimum) ✅ Included in this itinerary
5. Start and end in Dalyan for easier airport access
6. Consider adding Antalya as a final stop before returning to Kas

📍 Turkey Road Trip Map

Interactive map showing the complete route from Kas to Dalyan, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Lake Eğirdir, Konya, Cappadocia, Side, and back to Kas

If you want to open this map in Google Maps, click here.

🏆 Final Thoughts

Our 14-day Turkey road trip was absolutely incredible. From the ancient ruins of Temple of Apollo, to Ephesus to the magical hot air balloons of Cappadocia, then from the thermal terraces of Pamukkale to the beautiful Turkish Riviera, Turkey offers an amazing variety of experiences perfect for families. These are the kinds of experiences your children will remember forever.

The country is incredibly family-friendly, with welcoming locals (I can’t tell you how many times people invited us for Turkish tea), delicious food, and attractions that captivate both kids and adults. Whether you’re exploring ancient history, floating in hot air balloons, lounging on boats cruising the turquiose waters, or simply enjoying the stunning landscapes, Turkey has something for everyone.

Would we do it again? Absolutely! But next time, we’d spend more time in each location and maybe add a few more stops along the way.

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Have you done a road trip through Turkey? What were your favorite stops? Let us know in the comments below!