Experience Türkiye at your own pace with self-guided tour packages. See ancient ruins, vibrant bazaars, and stunning coastlines.
Türkiye bridges Europe and Asia, offering a tapestry of ancient history, vibrant culture, and dazzling coastlines. With a Türkiye self-guided tour package from Smartours , you can craft your own path —whether you’re stepping into grand mosques, sailing the Aegean, or sipping strong Turkish coffee in sunlit courtyards.
Istanbul: A City of Two Continents
In Istanbul, stay in boutique hotels in Sultanahmet or Beyoğlu for walking-distance access to the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and the sprawling Grand Bazaar, which can draw up to 400,000 visitors in a single day. The Hagia Sophia alone tells a story spanning 1,500 years—serving as a cathedral, mosque, and museum through shifting empires. Between sightseeing, pause for a cup of thick Turkish coffee while watching ferries cross the Bosphorus from Europe to Asia.
Cappadocia: Fairy Chimneys and Cave Stays
Base yourself in a cave hotel in Göreme or Uçhisar and watch the sunrise as hot air balloons float over rock formations that date back over 60 million years. Beneath the surface, Cappadocia hides entire underground cities—ingenious shelters that once housed up to 20,000 people, complete with ventilation shafts and stables. Above ground or below, the landscape is nothing short of otherworldly.
Ephesus: Ancient Ruins by the Sea
Stay near Selçuk for easy access to the marble streets of Ephesus, where over 250,000 residents once bustled during the Roman era. The Library of Celsus still stands proudly, but it’s the lost grandeur of the Temple of Artemis—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—that adds an air of mystery. After exploring, enjoy a seafood dinner in the nearby Aegean villages where ancient history meets the sound of lapping waves.
Bodrum: Aegean Luxury and Nightlife
Opt for a seafront hotel or boutique villa near Bodrum Marina , perfect for daytime sailing and evenings in vibrant beach clubs. This coastal gem is not only home to whitewashed houses with cobalt-blue doors inspired by Greek island style, but also to the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus—another of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, though only fragments remain today. Bodrum blends luxury with layers of history in equal measure.
Antalya: Gateway to the Turquoise Coast
Choose a resort in Lara Beach or a charming boutique stay in Kaleiçi, the city’s Old Town, to balance golden beaches with historic Ottoman architecture. Antalya draws over 15 million visitors each year, thanks in part to natural wonders like the Düden Waterfalls, which tumble directly into the Mediterranean Sea. Here, you can wander ancient Roman harbors in the morning and swim in turquoise waters by afternoon.
Türkiye, Your Story to Write
A Türkiye self-guided tour package with Smartours lets you shape your own blend of history, culture, and coast. From the bustling bazaars of Istanbul to the dreamlike valleys of Cappadocia, the ruins of Ephesus to the elegance of Bodrum, and the sparkling shores of Antalya—Türkiye offers endless ways to make the journey uniquely yours. For more Mediterranean inspiration, explore our other self-guided itineraries .