The Best Road Trips in Turkey: Routes and Places to Visit

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Turkey is 2.5 times bigger than Italy and the same coverage area of 2-3 European states combined. The point is – Turkey is massive. Yet, we can’t help but notice that many travellers still don’t make it past the same three or four top destinations in Turkey.

With so many underrated ancient sites, natural wonders and entire regions to explore, one can only get so far without a car.

The most ideal way to travel around Turkey is by driving. From its extraordinary coastline in the south, mountain peaks in the east and natural wonders in the most secluded of areas, the number of best road trips in Turkey is abundant.

With so many possibilities available, it can start to feel overwhelming when deciding on what to see and do.

To help fellow travellers choose which of the best road trips in Turkey is perfect for them, we’ve compiled four easy routes.

These four road trip routes in Turkey include must-see highlights, where to stay and must-know information on what to expect.

The Essentials for the Best Road Trips in Turkey

🗓 If you want to road trip the entire country, set aside at least one month in Turkey. Otherwise, only select a road trip through one particular region to complete within one or two weeks. The best road trips in Turkey don’t have to be long.

🛩 You can internationally fly into Istanbul, but then take a connecting flight to a different city in Turkey in order to begin your road trip elsewhere. It’s possible to pick up a rental car from any national (smaller) airport in Turkey and not just Istanbul.

📚 Understand the toll system (more below) before planning your route, in case you use tolled motorways. Additionally, it’s good to study up on tips for driving in Turkey before you arrive.

👀 Be flexible to the fact that driving in Turkey is likely more eventful than what you may be used to. There are some quirks to get used to but overall, it’s a safe place for a road trip.

⛑ Protect your road trip in Turkey with travel insurance

🚧 Avoid driving in the center of Istanbul or major cities like Ankara at all costs, unless you consider yourself a highly experienced driver.

⛽️ The cost of fuel in Turkey fluctuates just like everywhere else in the world, but historically, Turkey’s fuel prices are low compared to averages in Europe.

🚐 If you end up deciding that experiencing the best road trips in Turkey is not for you, there are other options! Guided tours with included transportation are the least stressful way to visit some Turkey’s gems without any driving required.

How to Plan the Best Road Trip in Turkey

Unless you plan on touring Turkey by car for at least one month, do not plan on seeing the entire country. Turkey is ginormous and not a destination that you can (or should you) zip on through.

If you’re working with incremental pieces of holiday time, such as two weeks, stick to a road trip itinerary of one specific area or region of Turkey.

To plan the best road trip in Turkey for you, pinpoint a handful (up to 10) of must-see destinations or things you’re most interested in experiencing. Turkey is diverse as it is large in size, so you’ll find a little something different in each corner of the country.

Use our recommendations below on some of the best things to see in Turkey to determine which road trip route will suit you best!

If you are flying to Turkey and renting a car for your road trip, you can do so at nearly any of Turkey’s national airports.

While Istanbul is the most popular airport in Turkey, it’s not the only place to begin a road trip or pick up a rental car.

Air travel is the quickest way of getting around Turkey and if you are not starting a road trip in Istanbul – no worries!

There are numerous (per day) connecting flights from Istanbul to other cities in Turkey that will get you to where you want to embark on your road trip.

What Is the Most Scenic Route in Turkey?

The top four road trip routes in Turkey that we’ve included below all have a different flavor. This makes it nearly impossible to rule out the absolute most scenic route in Turkey because, of course, depends on what excites you the most.

However, there is one that stands out as the easiest crowd pleaser, which is likely to appeal to the masses, especially if you’re visiting in the summer – the Turkish Riviera road trip.

Turkey’s Mediterranean coastline rivals those of any island in Europe and is dependably scenic. We guarantee you that nobody will drive this road and review it with a “meh” and a shrug.

The Turkish Riviera, also known as the Turquoise Coast for its beautiful beaches with dreamy blue waters, is among the best coastal road trips we’ve ever taken.

What makes the Turkish Riviera interesting for a road trip is that it’s not a straight shot along the shoreline. Instead, there are many curvy roads that hug the natural formation of the landscape as it follows coastal inlets, jagged cliff sides, and peninsulas.

It is by no means a boring road trip route.

The Best Road Trips in Turkey: 4 Easy Routes

1. Black Sea Road Trip

Suggested Starting Point: Istanbul

Suggested Ending Point: The Sarpi border with Georgia

Estimated Distance: ~1,400 km one-way (870 miles)

The Black Sea Region follows the south perimeter of the Black Sea, a body of water that’s located north of Turkey. Despite its beauty, it still remains one of the lesser known areas of Turkey to explore, especially by those who aren’t driving.

This is unquestionably the best road trip in Turkey for those looking to get off the beaten track and explore the mountains, in addition to the sea.

On the eastern side of the Black Sea region is the lush green province of Rize, a magical area of Turkey that’s known for its gorgeous nature.

Its landscape and geographical location is pristine for cultivating black tea. Rize is where a majority of all Turkish tea comes from.

Turkey’s Black Sea Region is ideal for hiking, exploring the rural countryside, and enjoying laid-back coastal towns without the presence of international tourism. It also features a great number of breathtakingly peaceful highlands or plateaus, filled with just a handful of secluded homes.

A road trip along the Black Sea is also convenient for those who wish to depart from Istanbul. While Istanbul is located in the Marmara region, it directly borders the Black Sea Region.

You can essentially plan an entire road trip along the southern coastline of Turkey from Istanbul, which can realistically be planned into a week (minimum) or two-week-long road trip itinerary.

Places to Visit in the Black Sea Region of Turkey

Hatila Valley National Park – An outdoor haven known for its many waterfalls

Pokut Yaylası Plateau – Picturesque meadow on a ridge line with surrounding views of mountains

Zilkale Kaledibi – Ancient fortress with panoramic views and a cute cafe

Sümela Monastery – Cliffside monastery museum from the 4th century

Amasra – A quaint and classic coastal town known for its beaches

Çambaşı Plateau – Sheep-inhabited mountain town and beloved destination for skiers in the winter

Where to Stay in the Black Sea Region

Oruba Bungalov – Best Cozy Cabin ☕️

Ricosta Hotel – Best 5-Star Hotel 🥂

Kiyi Bungalov – Best Riverfront Bungalow 🦦

Ayder Villa de Pelit Hotel – Best Mountain Retreat ⛰

2. Turkish Riviera Road Trip

Suggested Starting Point: İzmir

Suggested Ending Point: Antalya

Estimated Distance: ~800 km one-way (500 miles) with additional driving throughout destinations on the coast

Well known as the Turquoise Coast, the Turkish Riviera is a stretch of gorgeous beaches, charming coastal towns, and historical landmarks on the southern edge of Turkey.

It is not only the best region in Turkey for beaches, but arguably one of the best-kept secrets as a summer destination in Europe. This is without a doubt the best road trip in Turkey for anyone looking to experience an incredible beach holiday.

Lined with a healthy combination of energetic resort towns and secluded slices of paradise, the Turkish Riviera rivals any fellow beach hotspot in the Mediterranean.

It has rightfully earned its “Turquoise Coast” nickname for boasting breathtakingly blue waters, which astonishingly contrast the rich green landscape surrounding its coastline.

The best road trip in Turkey for beaches can easily begin in the city of İzmir and take you along the southern shoreline until you reach the big city of Antalya. By allowing yourself a minimum of one week, it’s possible to visit multiple attractions and the top places for beaches.

With a car, it’s even easier to reach low-key areas of the coastline (like the Datça peninsula), if you’re not interested in stationing yourself in touristy towns.

We recommend choosing two or three different locations to spend the night in along the Turkish Riviera. Utilise the rest of your days over the course of one or two weeks to actually enjoy your time at the beaches.

This is one area where you don’t want to jam-pack your itinerary if you’re working with a tight timeline, unless you’re OK with remaining in one central destination.

Places to Visit Along the Turkish Riviera

Ephesus Ancient City – One of the most impressive archaeological sites in the Mediterranean region

Bodrum – The entry point to Turkey’s best coastal towns and gorgeous beaches

Marmaris – A bustling holiday spot with a waterfront promenade and a popular departure point for boat tours

Datça Peninsula – Among the most untouched, non touristy and beautiful areas of Turkey for pristine beaches

Dalyan River – A strait that leads to the sea from the ancient town of Kaunos, home of the Caunos Tombs of the Kings

Ölüdeniz – Famous for its picturesque blue lagoons backed by lush green hills

Kaş – Charming seaside town with a historic centre, ancient ruins and various stunning beaches

Phaselis Ancient City – The perfect destination where beach meets history

Where to Stay on the Turkish Riviera

Hotel Unique Boutique Class – Best Adult-Only Hotel 🍾

Sundia Exclusive By Liberty Fethiye – Best Beachfront Luxury Hotel 🏖

3 Oda Kaş – Most Unique Countryside Property 🏞

Fidanka Hotel – Best Boutique Hotel with Pool 🌸

3. Istanbul to Cappadocia Road Trip

Starting Point: Istanbul

Ending Point: Cappadocia

Estimated Distance: ~800 km one-way (500 miles)

The top reason for driving from Istanbul to Cappadocia rather than flying is to have a car while you’re in Cappadocia for getting around. Many people overlook the fact that Cappadocia is, in fact, a region and not one designated city or location.

Therefore, it’s quite vast and best explored with a car unless you’re planning on booking transportation or joining many guided tours.

Journeying from Istanbul to Cappadocia is one of the best road trips in Turkey that includes the country’s capital city of Ankara. Often skipped by most tourists, Ankara is a fascinating destination for those interested in history, Turkey’s heritage, and even politics.

Among the top things to do in Ankara is the Antikabir Museum & Monument, which is dedicated to the founding father of modern Turkey – Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Overall, Ankara’s feel is much less touristy than that of Istanbul’s.

One of the strangest attractions in Turkey includes the abandoned housing development of Burj Al Babas, located on the route from Istanbul to Cappadocia. The deserted neighbourhood consists of half-finished luxury homes in the shapes of castles.

This eerie place is by no means a “must see” in Turkey, but a stop worth making if you’re doing the road trip from Istanbul to Cappadocia.

Plan a trip to Istanbul without a car before embarking on a Turkey road trip!

A road trip from Istanbul to Cappadocia can be quick, since the distance is not ridiculously far. Therefore, this adventure is perfectly suitable for anyone who only has one week for holiday.

Places to Visit in Cappadocia

Hot Air Balloons – If you’re not staying at a hotel with a terrace view of the hot air balloons, the best place to see them is at this panoramic view point.

Ortahisar Castle – One of the most unreal scenes in Cappadocia, defined by a rock castle and multi-story cave dwellings

Zelve Open Air Museum – An ancient living complex with something to amaze you around every corner including caves that were last inhabited in 1952

Love Valley – The best place to see tuff rock formations and one of Cappadocia’s most iconic features, also known as fairy chimneys.

Pigeon Valley – An easy and incredibly scenic hike that flows below the town of Uçhisar

Avanos – A town famously known for its production of pottery and ceramics, a trade that was established in Cappadocia over several thousand years ago.

Göreme – The heart and most energetic town in Cappadocia, filled with boutique hotels, atmospheric restaurants, and vintage flea markets.

Where to Stay in Cappadocia

Divan Cave House – Best Terrace with a View of Hot Air Balloons 🎈

Anatolian Houses Cave Hotel – Best Spa & Wellness Hotel 🧖🏼‍♀️

Aza Cave Cappadocia – Best Adult-Only Hotel 🍸

Narcissos Cave Hotel – Best Affordable and Quiet Cave Hotel 🤫

4. Southeast and East Anatolia Road Trip

Suggested Starting Point: Malatya

Suggested Ending Point: Kars

Estimated Distance: ~1,000 km one-way (620 miles)

Touring the Southeast and East Anatolia regions of Turkey is ideal for travellers who are yearning for the unbeaten path.

These areas of Turkey are enormous, largely unfrequented by the typical tourist and home to several of the best road trips in Turkey. The routes are plentiful, and there is so much to see and experience, which makes this area nearly impossible to discover without a car.

These geographical regions of Turkey are where you’ll encounter the highest elevations in the country, secluded plateaus, some of its oldest settlements, and breathtakingly beautiful vast lands.

Driving through these regions can get very quiet at times; when suddenly, out of nowhere, you stumble upon a populated city with traffic pouring out in every direction.

East and Southeast Anatolia feel the most authentic, are free of gimmicky attractions, and are also the most affordable areas to travel through in Turkey.

There are a handful of possible starting points for this road trip so choose the one whichever is most convenient for your situation (ie whether you’re flying, need to rent a car).

When planning your route, we recommend including these major destinations along the way: Mount Nemrut, Diyarbakır, Van, Doğubayazıt, and Kars.

Travellers who values adventure over the “top 10 lists” will find this to be the best road trip in Turkey. However, this road trip in Turkey should only be attempted by those who have the proper amount of time.

The physical distances between destinations in these regions can feel very long. To avoid unbearably long drives, we recommend allocating 7 – 10 days.

Places to Visit in Southeast and East Anatolia, Turkey

Mount Nemrut / Nemrut Dağı – One of the highest peaks in the Taurus Mountains and the site of an ancient burial tomb surrounded by enormous rock sculptures of mythical creatures.

🌄 Read More: Visiting Mount Nemrut, A Mysterious Tomb in Turkey

Kocahisar – A small rural village that’s home to the ancient city of Arsameia, a hidden gem of an archaeological site featuring a fortress, cave tunnels and rock inscriptions.

Diyarbakır – The center of the largest Kurdish population in Turkey. Its vibrant historic centre features the Diyarbakir Castle in addition to repurposed historical landmarks such as the Sülüklü Han and Hasan Pasha Inn which have been transformed into trendy cafes and shopping venues.

Akdamar Kilisesi in Van – This medieval-era church floats on a tiny island in the middle of Lake Van, backed by mountain peaks and features fresco paintings of biblical scenes.

Ishak Pasha Palace – A UNESCO World Heritage Site and palace complex perched on a hill from the 17th century. It consists of architectural manners from North Mesopotamian, Anatolian and Iranian traditions.

Ani Ruins – Overlooking the ravine that separates Turkey from the country of Armenia, this astonishing historical site includes ruins of residential homes in addition to grand religious and military structures.

Where to Stay in Southeast and East Anatolia

Movenpick Hotel – Best Hotel in Malatya

Hotel Katerina Sarayı 1877 – Best Hotel in Kars

Tehran Boutique Hotel – Best Hotel in Doğubayazıt

Doubletree by Hilton – Best Hotel in Van

Astarte Hotel – Best Hotel in Sanlıurfa

The Basics for Driving in Turkey as a Tourist

1. Highways

Turkey’s highway infrastructure surprised us while we road tripped throughout the entire country. It is very well maintained, marked and brand new in many sections.

Most of the official highways in Turkey are tolled, which includes the express routes from north to south and through Ankara. Additionally, the highway from Istanbul to Izmir is tolled.

In total, there aren’t too many in comparison to how large the country is and how many options you have for not using a tolled highway.

Travelling on Turkish highways is not the first choice for having the best road trip in Turkey. You may be able to travel without distractions, but they’re definitely not scenic routes.

How to Pay Tolls in Turkey

If you’re renting a car, let the rental car agency know that you plan on using tolled highways. 9 out of 10 times, a rental car in Turkey will already come with a toll sticker (known as a HGS) attached to the car.

Tolls in Turkey are calculated based on the distance you drive and they’re not a set fee, nor are fees collected on-site at the toll booths.

The toll booths in Turkey will scan your license plate as you drive through them and if you’re driving a rental car, the toll fees will be added to your account which you’ll pay the rental car agency for, or it’ll be deducted from your card on file.

The cost of tolls in Turkey is very insignificant, particularly compared to the U.S. or western Europe.

If you’re driving your own car, obtain an HGS sticker from a gas station or PTT (post office) station beforehand. During our road trip, we didn’t know about the toll system and kept waiting to pay for tolls at the toll booth, but it never came up.

Then, as we were leaving Turkey and crossing into Georgia, we paid the unpaid balance at the customs office, but it was slightly more than it would have been if we did it the right way.

2. Speed Limits

Speed limits posted in Turkey are kind of pointless and more of a formal suggestion than a warning. Unless you’re a tourist, it’s very unlikely to see anyone else following the official speed limits.

However, we’re definitely not suggesting you ignore them. Aside from obvious safety reasons, the most crucial time to obey speed limits in Turkey is on motorways because you may drive past a speed trap.

When you’re driving in the center of town or a city, it’s not even possible to drive quickly because there is usually too much traffic.

Highways that are located in rural sections of Turkey are essentially treated like the wild west and everyone around you speeds like there’s no tomorrow.

Official speed limits in Turkey:

120 km/h (75 mph) on motorways

90 km/h (56 mph) on highways, which are basically stretches of rural roads where you may not see another car for hours

50 km/h (31 mph) in cities or towns

3. Rest Stops and Gas Stations

If you are planning a road trip in Turkey that runs through major cities, you can always count on rest stops and gas stations to be readily available. A majority of the gas stations in Turkey will accept cards and we never ran into a peculiar issue when fueling up.

The rest stops along Turkey’s major motorways are even stocked with world-famous brands like KFC, Starbucks, and more.

Before you set off on each leg of your road trip journey, research the route on Google Maps to ensure there are gas stations on the way and that you aren’t driving in the middle of nowhere.

We found that central Turkey can get very deserted in certain areas. Luckily, we knew to always stay fueled up, but there were seriously sections of our road trips where we didn’t meet any sort of civilization (or sign of life!) for more than an hour.

If you’re interested in trekking through some of the remote areas of Turkey, make sure you are prepared for the worst-case scenario in case of any emergencies.

4. Traffic Stops / Police Checkpoints

Getting stopped by police officers without cause is pretty normal in Turkey. They’re meant to be carried out as routine checks and always ask for the same three things – driver’s license, ID (passport), and car documents (registration and insurance).

Sometimes, they may ask you questions about where you’re headed and what your plans are, but nothing out of the ordinary or too intimate.

Many of the checkpoints can be stationed at impromptu stops. This means there is no official police booth and the officers decide to carry out their routine inspections at a specific location for just the day.

Other times, it’s much more official, which happens to be the case when you’re driving along international borders like Iran or Syria.

It is also possible that you will queue up at a traffic stop but once they see your car, they’ll wave you on and not stop to speak to you at all. This happened many times with us, most likely because they saw we were travelling with a young child.

5. Insurance and Documents

Officially, you should hold an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) if you’re driving abroad in Turkey as an American. This is a niche requirement for U.S. drivers only which, in all honesty, can be completely useless when you’re actually abroad.

If you’re the type of person who likes to be prepared and not risk a thing, then yes, obtain the IDP in the U.S. before you travel to Turkey for a road trip.

For those who’ve never received an IDP, this is a reminder that an IDP is not a certificate that allows you to drive anywhere in the world.

False!

The only purpose of an IDP is to translate your local driver’s license into the language of the country you are driving in while abroad. Additionally, the only people who are likely to ask you for the IDP in Turkey is a rental car company, not police offers.

In addition to the IDP, you will need a valid passport, your local driver’s license and a tourist visa (if applicable). To confirm if your nationality needs a visa for your visit to Turkey, reference the official website.

If you’re renting a car for your road trip in Turkey, you don’t have to worry about requirements like the car registration and insurance. The rental car agency will provide you with a folder which has everything you need in the case of being stopped by an officer.

If you’re driving your own car, you need to have a valid car registration and car insurance which covers the vehicle in Turkey.

Is It Safe to Drive in Turkey?

In general, Turkey is a safe country for tourists. After spending several weeks traveling in Turkey as a family, we wouldn’t hesitate to visit again (in fact, we can’t wait!) based on our own experience. Never did we come face to face with a scenario that made us feel uneasy.

While driving in Turkey can be chaotic to some degree, but still comparable to something you’d encounter in the Balkan peninsula or even Sicily.

You’ll find the best road trips in Turkey to be in lesser frequented areas of the country. In these cases, it’s even more manageable for drivers who have less experience. Secluded parts of Turkey are exceptional for safer driving simply because it’s quieter and calmer.

The most temperamental areas for safety in Turkey will usually occur in major cities such as Istanbul or Ankara. These incidents are unforeseen, random and in all honesty, could happen in any big city in the world since disturbances are most prone to take place in crowded places.

Does Turkey Have Good Roads?

Turkey is consistently undergoing construction. Seriously, we’ve never seen so many construction cranes in one place when driving by any city in Turkey. Something is always being built or improved, including the roads and transportation infrastructure.

The roads in Turkey are very well-maintained and in good shape for some solid driving that can even be accomplished in any standard rental car.

Naturally, there will always be unpaved trails the further “off the grid” you want to get. As far as major or famous attractions go, you do not have to worry about driving on poorly managed roads.

The Most Challenging Thing About Driving in Turkey

We consider ourselves experienced drivers, but there were still a couple of difficult scenarios when it came to driving in Turkey. Personally, the situation we tried avoiding the most is navigating cities, and even worse, parking in cities.

Regardless of how big a city is, you can count on the town center to be hectic. There are people walking without warning, cars driving in every direction, and cars parked on every last inch of the curbs.

It takes some honest skill and experience to be able to handle these situations gracefully.

We only had one brief incident in Malatya where a car tapped our rear bumper because he didn’t step on the brakes quickly enough. There was no significant damage so we let the situation go, but if you are driving in a rental car, definitely opt any additional insurance coverage through the rental company.

Final Thoughts on the Best Road Trips in Turkey

Road trips are the best way to step off the beaten path in Turkey. As long as you are comfortable driving in new (and potentially lively) scenarios, navigating Turkey by car isn’t unchallenging and the rewards will greatly surpass any quirks.

Setting off on the best road trips in Turkey is more attainable and easier to accomplish than most travellers think.

So, study up, plan your route and get ready to get behind the wheel in one of the greatest countries on earth for road trips.

If after reading this, you’ve decided that the best road trips in Turkey don’t fit your travel style, opt for guided tours with included transportation instead.

More Turkey Travel Posts:

• Best Places to Visit in Turkey for Families
• Istanbul Itinerary for One Day
• Places to Visit in Turkey in September
• How to Drive from Italy to Turkey

Travel Resources for the Best Turkey Road Trips

☔️ TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage

✈️ FLIGHTS: Skyscanner, CheapOair or Kiwi.com

🚙 CAR RENTALS: Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com

🚊 TRAINS & BUSES: Busbud, Trainline or Omio

🛳 FERRIES: Direct Ferries

🛌 ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Agoda or Trivago

☎️ ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo

📸 TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator