Turkey is a country that offers a variety of attractions and experiences for travellers, from historical sites and cultural landmarks to natural wonders and scenic landscapes.
Whether you want to explore the ancient ruins of Ephesus, the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, the turquoise waters of the Aegean coast, or the vibrant cities of Istanbul and Ankara, driving in Turkey can be a great way to discover its beauty and diversity.
With a car hire in Turkey, you have the freedom and flexibility to create your own itinerary and travel at your own pace.
You can choose from a wide range of vehicles, from compact cars and economy cars to luxury cars and SUVs. You can also filter your search by price, location, pick-up date, drop-off date, driver’s age, number of passengers, fuel type, transmission type, insurance type, mileage limit, and more.
But where should you go with your hired car in Turkey? What are the best scenic driving roads and routes across Turkey that you should not miss?
In this blog post, we will share with you our top 10 recommendations, based on our own experience and research. We will also give you some tips and suggestions on what to see and do along the way.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
1. The Aegean Coastline
The Aegean coastline is one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe and one of the best road trips in Turkey. It stretches for about 800 km (500 miles) along the eastern edge of Anatolia from Izmir to Antalya.
Along this route, you will find stunning beaches with clear blue waters and white sand; charming fishing villages with colourful houses; ancient ruins such as Troy, Pergamon, and Ephesus; impressive rock formations such as Butterfly Valley and Pamukkale; lush forests, wildflowers, olive groves, vineyards, monasteries, castles, mosques, churches, museums, markets, festivals, cuisine, hospitality.
Some of the highlights along this route are:
- Fethiye: A picturesque town on a peninsula surrounded by mountains and sea. It has a lively harbour with cafes and restaurants overlooking the water. It also has many attractions such as Ölüdeniz beach (one of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey), Kayaköy village (a traditional village with stone houses), Saklıkent Gorge (a narrow canyon carved by waterfalls), Kelebekler Beach (a beach covered by thousands of butterflies), Kekova Island (an island accessible by boat), Dalyan River Cruise (a boat trip along a river full of wildlife), Dilek Waterfalls (a series of waterfalls surrounded by nature).
- Marmaris: A resort town on a bay with sandy beaches and palm trees. It has a long promenade with shops and bars along its waterfront. It also has many attractions such as Tlos Ancient City (one of the oldest cities in Anatolia), Dilek Beach (a beach near Marmaris), Kumlubük Hilltop Village (a hilltop village with panoramic views), Kızılcahamam Beach (a beach near Marmaris), Bodrum Castle (a medieval castle overlooking Bodrum Bay).
- Bodrum: A popular tourist destination on the Aegean coast, known for its nightlife, culture, and history. It has a charming old town with white-washed houses and narrow streets. It also has many attractions such as the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world), the Museum of Underwater Archaeology (a museum housed in a former crusader castle), the Bodrum Amphitheatre (a well-preserved ancient theatre), the Windmills of Bodrum (a row of stone windmills on a hill), the Bodrum Marina (a modern marina with yachts and boats).
- Kuşadası: A seaside resort town on the Aegean coast, famous for its beaches, water sports, and nightlife. It has a lively centre with shops, restaurants, and bars. It also has many attractions such as the Dilek Peninsula National Park (a natural park with diverse flora and fauna), the Ladies Beach (a popular beach with facilities and activities), the Pigeon Island (a small island with a fortress and a museum), the Ephesus Archaeological Site (one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world), the House of the Virgin Mary (a sacred site where Mary is believed to have spent her last years).
2. Enjoy The Lycian Coast with Your Car Hire In Turkey
The Lycian coast is another scenic and diverse coastline in Turkey, offering a different perspective of the country. It stretches for about 500 km (310 miles) along the southern edge of Anatolia from Fethiye to Antalya.
Along this route, you will find rugged cliffs and rocky shores; green hills and valleys; tea plantations and hazelnut orchards; wooden houses and fishing boats; medieval fortresses and monasteries; waterfalls and caves; wildlife and nature.
Some of the highlights along this route are:
- Ölüdeniz: A stunning beach and lagoon on the Lycian coast, known for its turquoise waters and white sand. It is one of the most photographed places in Turkey and a popular destination for paragliding, snorkelling, and boating. It is also the starting point of the Lycian Way, a 540 km (335 miles) long hiking trail that follows the ancient Lycian civilization.
- Kaş: A charming town on the Lycian coast, known for its laid-back atmosphere and bohemian vibe. It has a cozy harbour with cafes and restaurants overlooking the sea. It also has many attractions such as the Kaş Antiphellos Theatre (a Roman theatre with views of the town and the sea), the Kaş Lycian Rock Tombs (a series of rock-cut tombs carved into the cliffs), the Kaş Lion Tomb (a monumental tomb with a lion sculpture), the Kaş Kekova Boat Trip (a boat trip to the sunken city of Kekova and the castle of Simena), the Kaş Kaputaş Beach (a beach with turquoise waters and golden sand).
- Demre: A town on the Lycian coast, known for its historical and religious significance. It is the birthplace of Saint Nicholas, the original Santa Claus, who was the bishop of Myra, an ancient Lycian city. It has many attractions such as the Demre Saint Nicholas Church (a church that contains the tomb of Saint Nicholas and his relics), the Demre Myra Rock Tombs (a series of rock-cut tombs carved into the cliffs), the Demre Myra Theatre (a Roman theatre with well-preserved seats and stage), the Demre Andriake Museum (a museum that displays artifacts from the ancient port of Andriake).
- Olympos: A village on the Lycian coast, known for its natural and archaeological wonders. It is surrounded by a national park with pine forests and mountains. It also has many attractions such as the Olympos Beach (a beach with pebbles and sand), the Olympos Ancient City (a city that dates back to the 4th century BC and has ruins of temples, baths, tombs, and houses), the Olympos Yanartaş (a site where natural gas seeps from the rocks and creates eternal flames), the Olympos Cable Car (a cable car that takes you to the summit of Mount Tahtalı, the highest mountain in the region).
3. The Black Sea Coastline
The Black Sea coastline is one of the most scenic and diverse coastlines in Turkey, offering a different perspective of the country. It stretches for about 1,600 km (1,000 miles) along the northern edge of Anatolia from Istanbul to the Georgian border.
Along this route, you will find rugged cliffs and rocky shores; green hills and valleys; tea plantations and hazelnut orchards; wooden houses and fishing boats; medieval fortresses and monasteries; waterfalls and caves; wildlife and nature.
Some of the highlights along this route are:
Istanbul: The largest and most populous city in Turkey and the cultural and economic hub of the country. It is the only city in the world that straddles two continents: Europe and Asia. It has a rich and diverse history, dating back to ancient times, when it was known as Byzantium, Constantinople, and New Rome.
It has many attractions such as the Hagia Sophia (a former church and mosque, now a museum), the Blue Mosque (a stunning example of Ottoman architecture), the Topkapi Palace (the former residence of the Ottoman sultans), the Grand Bazaar (one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world), the Spice Bazaar (a colourful and fragrant market for spices and other goods), the Galata Tower (a medieval tower with panoramic views of the city),The Bosphorus Bridge (a suspension bridge that connects Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait.
It is one of the most iconic landmarks of Istanbul and offers spectacular views of the city and the sea. It also hosts the annual Istanbul Marathon, the only marathon that crosses two continents).
Sinop: A charming coastal town on the Black Sea, known for its natural beauty and historical heritage. It has a picturesque harbor with fishing boats and yachts, surrounded by fortifications and bastions.
It also has many attractions such as the Sinop Castle (a medieval castle that overlooks the sea), the Alaaddin Mosque (the oldest mosque in the city), the Pervane Medrese (a 13th-century Islamic school), the Balatlar Church (a 7th-century church with frescoes and mosaics), the Sinop Archaeological Museum (a museum with exhibits from various civilizations), and the Sinop Ethnography Museum (a museum that showcases the local culture and traditions).
Amasya: A historic city on the banks of the Yeşilırmak River, famous for its Ottoman-style houses and tombs. It was once the capital of the Pontic Kingdom and the birthplace of many Ottoman sultans and princes.
It has many attractions such as the Amasya Castle (a hilltop castle with tunnels and dungeons), the Amasya Museum (a museum with artifacts from different periods), the King Rock Tombs (a series of rock-cut tombs carved into the cliffs), the Hazeranlar Mansion (a 19th-century mansion with a museum and a cafe), the Sultan Beyazıt II Mosque (a 15th-century mosque with a madrasa and a library), and the Gök Medrese (a 13th-century Islamic school with a distinctive blue dome).
Ankara: The capital and second-largest city of Turkey, and the political and administrative center of the country. It is a modern and dynamic city, with a vibrant cultural and artistic scene.
It has many attractions such as the Anıtkabir (the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic), the Ankara Castle (a citadel that dates back to the Bronze Age), the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (a museum that displays artifacts from various ancient cultures), the Kocatepe Mosque (a large and impressive mosque that can accommodate 24,000 worshippers), the Ankara Ethnography Museum (a museum that exhibits the Turkish folk culture and art), and the Gençlik Park (a large and popular park with a lake, a funfair, and a fountain) .
Trabzon: A large and lively city on the Black Sea, known for its trade and industry. It has a modern and dynamic cityscape, with skyscrapers and shopping malls.
It also has many attractions such as the Trabzon Hagia Sophia (a former church and mosque, now a museum), the Trabzon Castle (a castle that dates back to the Byzantine period and has a museum), the Trabzon Atatürk House Museum (a museum that displays the life and works of the founder of the Turkish Republic).
The Trabzon Uzun Sokak (a long street with shops and cafes), and the Trabzon Sumela Monastery (a monastery that is carved into the rock and has frescoes and a church).
We hope you enjoyed this blog post and learned more about the top 10 scenic driving roads and routes across Turkey.
If you are interested in booking your Turkish car rental hire and exploring this amazing country by yourself, you can do so easily and securely with us here.
Get Car Hire offer you the best deals and services from over 20 leading car rental providers in Turkey. You can compare hundreds of car rental options and prices, and choose the one that suits your needs and budget.
You can also enjoy many benefits and advantages, such as free cancellation, 24/7 customer support, flexible pick-up locations, and more.
Don’t miss this opportunity to book your car hire in Turkey with Get Car Hire and save money and time.