7-Day Turkey Road Trip from Ankara traveling west to Kocaeli, Istanbul, and Bolu

Ankara has many popular destinations you can explore. You could visit attractions like the incredible Kuğulu Park. This attraction is a park and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 20,491 visitors.

Your stay promises to be a delightful continuation of your exploration, providing comfort and tranquility to recharge for the adventures that lie ahead.

Ankara also has several great bars that will fit all travel budgets. One of the best bars in the city of Ankara is The Soul Pub. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,729 customers.

Enjoy toasting the start of your 7-day vacation in Turkey!

Day 2 of your road trip through Turkey gives you the opportunity to experience two places in one day. You will stay in Kocaeli for 1 night. Have a hearty breakfast and get excited for a wonderful day ahead!

One of the best places to visit today in Ankara is the amazing Seğmenler Parkı. This attraction is a park that is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 12,145 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible mausoleum, Anıtkabir. With an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 118,317 visitors, this attraction is one of the top sights in the area.

Another unforgettable travel destination in the Ankara is the outstanding METU Forest. This popular park and travel destination has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 6,752 visitors.

The spectacular MTA Genel Müdürlüğü Şehit Cuma Dağ Tabiat Tarihi Müzesi is another popular attraction you can visit today. This fascinating museum and attraction has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 7,507 visitors.

There are many top-rated experiences you can include in your travel plan to add flavor to your road trip in Turkey. Browse all of your options and reserve your slot before it's too late.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Kocaeli, where you will access the best hotels and places to stay.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Başol Steak House Et Kasap, one of the best restaurants in the city of Kocaeli. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 917 customers.

After dinner, visit Doping Bar, which is considered one of the best bars in the city of Kocaeli. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 111 customers.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure through Turkey!

Get ready to experience some of the most famous attractions in the area!

One of the best places to visit is the amazing Galata Tower. This attraction is a tower and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 169,479 visitors.

Joining a top-rated tour in Beyoğlu is another excellent way to spend your new day in Turkey. The best tours in this travel destination will take you on an exploration to some of Turkey’s most well-known attractions and best-kept secrets.

With this tour, you’ll set out on a journey to Turkey’s most interesting sights. As you go along this remarkable tour, you’ll also have the unique opportunity to catch a glimpse of Turkey’s scenic spots.

You could then travel to the amazing Hagia Sophia for some sightseeing. This popular attraction is a minor basilica and has been rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 127,439 visitors.

Another unforgettable travel destination is the outstanding Grand Bazaar. Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by 145,525 visitors, this bazaar deserves a spot on travelers' bucket lists.

We also recommend a visit to the popular Sultanahmet Square. This attraction, a stunning park, has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 30,938 travelers.

If you’re keen to explore even more, then consider a visit to the fantastic Sultan Ahmed Mosque. With an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 91,956 travelers, this is one attraction many highly recommend.

You’ll also have your choice of the best hotels and places to stay in the city of Istanbul.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Hanzade Terrace Restaurant, one of the best restaurants in the city of Istanbul. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 5,898 customers.

Locals also recommend Mivan Restaurant & Cafe as one of the best restaurants in the city of Istanbul. Mivan Restaurant & Cafe is rated an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 3,913 customers.

After dinner, visit Arch Bistro, which is considered one of the best bars in the city of Istanbul. This bar is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 798 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like Harab'be Cafe. This bar has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 2,610 customers.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure through Turkey!

You still have 1 night left in Istanbul.

One of the best travel destinations you can make time for at the start of this day is Süleymaniye Mosque. This incredible attraction is a mosque and has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from 51,661 visitors.

Beyazıt Square is another popular attraction you'll visit. This spectacular attraction is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 24,941 visitors.

Another of the best travel destinations you can visit is Spice Bazaar. This amazing attraction is a bazaar and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 164,946 visitors.

Beyond the above-mentioned attractions, you also have the opportunity to visit the outstanding Gülhane Park. This park and place of interest is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 59,778 visitors.

If you’re keen to explore even more, then consider a visit to the fantastic Topkapı Palace. This palace is a popular attraction with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 95,040 visitors. Topkapı Palace hosts around 1,932,726 visitors annually, so be sure to stop at this attraction so you won't miss out!

To do something one-of-a-kind today, you can join a popular tour. Check out all the fun and eye-opening experiences you can try out in Turkey to make your travel experience in the country more memorable.

When you’re done exploring for the day, you’ll drive to your accommodation in the city of Istanbul.

We recommend eating at one of the best restaurants in the city of Istanbul, like Saltanat Fish & Kebab House. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,112 customers.

Divella Bistro Restaurant is another of the best restaurant options in the city of Istanbul. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,711 customers.

Locals enjoy Turkish Cuisine, one of the most popular restaurants in the city of Istanbul. The restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,399 customers.

Raise your glass and relax after another big day of your road trip adventure through Turkey!

Rise and shine on day 5 of your road trip in Turkey. Today, you'll wake up in Istanbul and embark on a scenic drive to Bolu, where you'll stay at one of the best hotels for 1 night. Seize the opportunity to explore spectacular attractions in Istanbul before you reach your end destination for the day.

It’s hard not to feel excited about visiting attractions in a destination as lovely as Istanbul. This attraction is a top-tier point of interest that has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 13,243 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible Yıldız Park. This attraction, a beloved park, has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 33,205 visitors.

If you have time, another site you could explore in Istanbul is the stunning Dolmabahçe Palace. This palace and travel destination has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 75,692 visitors.

One of the most popular attractions you can visit is the remarkable Yıldız Park. This attraction is a park that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 33,205 visitors.

If you want to explore more, visit the incredible Dolmabahçe Palace. This palace and attraction has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 75,692 reviews.

Another site you could visit today is the top-rated Eyüp Sultan Mosque. This mosque and travel destination is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 58,057 visitors.

The lovely Galata Bridge is yet another attraction you could pay a visit. Around 33,650 visitors have left this bascule bridge an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

We recommend you end the day with a dinner at a popular restaurant near your accommodation, like Yorem Manti Unlu Mamuller. This restaurant offers various delicious and comforting meals and has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from 2,926 customers.

Locals also recommend Bolu Hanzade Restaurant, another of the best restaurants in Bolu. Bolu Hanzade Restaurant is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,298 customers.

If you feel like having something else, check out the menu at Kazancım Hizmet Etli Ekmek. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,436 customers and is a great place to enjoy a lovely meal.

After dinner, visit Karpalas City Hotel & Spa to enjoy a couple of drinks and relax. This bar is one of the best in Bolu, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,485 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like Bolu Gardenya Restaurant. This bar is a great spot to meet new friends and celebrate your vacation. Bolu Gardenya Restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 382 customers.

Kartaltepe Boutique Hotel is another bar locals often recommend. This bar offers a great variety of snacks and drinks and is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 340 customers.

End your day by raising your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure in Turkey, and look forward to more great days to come!

You’ll stay in Ankara for 1 night.

One of the best places to explore today is Golcuk Nature Park. This excellent attraction is a park that has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 16,352 visitors.

Around 2,703 travelers rated this attraction with 4.5 out of 5 stars.

To experience the local culture, see more of Turkey, and meet new people at the same time, we highly recommend you go on a tour. On this tour, you can go on an epic adventure to some of the best places to visit in Turkey. You also get to admire popular places of interest.

You could then travel to Haci Bayram Mosque for some unforgettable sightseeing experience. This popular attraction is a mosque and is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 19,269 visitors.

This outstanding museum has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 14,224 travelers.

You can also stop at the popular Ankara Castle. This attraction, a stunning castle, has been rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 18,222 visitors.

You’ll have your choice of the best hotels and places to stay in the city of Ankara.

After a long day of traveling and sightseeing, we recommend you try one of the best restaurants in the city of Ankara, Urfalı Hayrağ'nın Yeri. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,773 customers.

After dinner, visit one of the top bars in the city of Ankara, Nefes Bar // Bi' Nefes Özgürlük. This popular bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,078 customers.

Be sure to celebrate another day of your incredible road trip adventure through Turkey with a toast!

Day 7 of your road trip in Turkey is your departure day. This is your chance to catch one last glimpse of Ankara before saying goodbye to this wonderful destination. When you have time to explore the area before you make your way home, we recommend visiting some of the following attractions.

Independence Park is an extraordinary attraction you could visit to enjoy your last day in Ankara. This park and popular site of interest has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 13,614 visitors.

Take a stroll along the main shopping streets of Ankara and find some souvenirs to remind you of your road trip in Turkey.

You’ll then say farewell to Ankara. We wish you a pleasant journey home, with many wonderful memories of your unforgettable vacation in Turkey!