7-Day Turkey Road Trip from Istanbul traveling east to Bolu and Kocaeli

Istanbul has many popular destinations you can explore. You could visit attractions like the incredible Gülhane Park. This attraction is a park and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 52,301 visitors.

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

When you’re ready for dinner, we recommend you try one of the best restaurants in the city of Istanbul, Hanzade Terrace Restaurant. The restaurant is rated an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 5,898 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Istanbul is Mivan Restaurant & Cafe. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 3,913 customers.

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

Istanbul also has several great bars that will fit all travel budgets. One of the best bars in the city of Istanbul is Arch Bistro. This bar has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 798 customers.

Another of the best bars in the city of Istanbul is Harab'be Cafe. This bar is rated an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 2,610 customers.

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

You still have 2 nights left in Istanbul.

One of the best travel destinations you can make time for at the start of this day is Spice Bazaar. This incredible attraction is a bazaar and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 138,947 visitors.

Grand Bazaar is another popular attraction you'll visit. This spectacular attraction is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by 117,762 visitors.

Another of the best travel destinations you can visit is Sultanahmet Square. This amazing attraction is a park and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 26,385 visitors.

Beyond the above-mentioned attractions, you also have the opportunity to visit the outstanding Sultan Ahmed Mosque. This mosque and place of interest is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 82,741 visitors.

If you’re keen to explore even more, then consider a visit to the fantastic Hagia Sophia. This minor basilica is a popular attraction with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 111,022 visitors.

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 Divella Bistro Restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,711 customers.

Turkish Cuisine is another of the best restaurant options in the city of Istanbul. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,399 customers.

Locals enjoy İstanbul kebab cafe & restaurant, one of the most popular restaurants in the city of Istanbul. The restaurant has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,220 customers.

After dinner, visit one of the best bars in the city of Istanbul, Last Ottoman Cafe & Restaurant. This bar is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,647 customers.

Raise your glass and relax after another big day of your 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 140,276 visitors.

Joining a top-rated tour in Istanbul 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 Dolmabahçe Palace for some sightseeing. This popular attraction is a palace and has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 62,101 visitors.

Another unforgettable travel destination is the outstanding Ortaköy Square. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 7,962 visitors, this top-tier point of interest deserves a spot on travelers' bucket lists.

We also recommend a visit to the popular Grand Mecidiye Mosque (Ortaköy Mosque). This attraction, a stunning mosque, has been rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 29,356 travelers.

If you’re keen to explore even more, then consider a visit to the fantastic Yıldız Park. With an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 30,407 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 Bolu.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Yorem Manti Unlu Mamuller, one of the best restaurants in the city of Bolu. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 2,926 customers.

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

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Bolu is Kazancım Hizmet Etli Ekmek. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,436 customers.

After dinner, visit Karpalas City Hotel & Spa, which is considered one of the best bars in the city of Bolu. This bar is rated an average 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 has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 382 customers.

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

On day 4 of your road trip across Turkey, you’ll have the perfect day exploring the wonderful city of Istanbul. You’ll stay in Istanbul for 1 night, meaning you have plenty of time to discover the best things to see and do in the area.

We recommend you stay at the Buyuk Abant Oteli & Kongre Merkezi, one of the best 5-star hotels in the city of Istanbul. This hotel has an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars by 396 guests.

Our flexible booking system will automatically provide you with the best alternatives if these hotels are not available.

You'll have easy access to popular travel destinations like the outstanding Golcuk Nature Park. This attraction has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 15,736 visitors.

Atatürk Orman Park is another popular attraction you could visit. This incredible attraction is a park and has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,628 visitors.

One of the best attractions you could visit is the extraordinary Kapankaya seyir terası. This best-rated sightseeing destination is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 1,092 reviews.

As the day moves along, one attraction you’ll probably want to visit is the incredible Yedigöller National Park. Around 14,103 visitors have given this park an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Come to Istanbul prepared by adding some tours and tickets to your vacation package. Book a popular and budget-friendly activity you can do on this day in Istanbul.

After a day of exploring, try one of the best restaurants in the city of Istanbul.

We recommend you eat at a delicious restaurant that locals enjoy, like Oklava, after your day of exploring the city of Istanbul. This excellent restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 913 customers.

Karpalas City Hotel & Spa is another of the best restaurants in the city of Istanbul. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,485 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Istanbul is Bolçi Cafe Restaurant. The restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,216 customers.

Locals recommend Kartaltepe Boutique Hotel, one of the best bars in the city of Istanbul, for a refreshing evening drink to finish your day. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 340 customers.

Alternatively, you could choose another of the most popular bars in the city of Istanbul, Kaybedenler Kulübü Meyhane Bolu. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 128 customers.

It's a perfect place to relax and enjoy another amazing evening in Turkey.

Day 5 of your road trip through Turkey gives you the opportunity to experience two places in one day. You'll start your day with some exploring in the city of Istanbul and end it at a top-rated hotel in the city of Kocaeli. 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 Istanbul is the amazing Lake Abant. This attraction is a lake that is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 7,261 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible museum, Abant Tabiat Müzesi. With an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,115 visitors, this attraction is one of the top sights in the area.

Another unforgettable travel destination in the Istanbul is the outstanding Victory Tower. This popular museum and travel destination has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,012 visitors.

You can make the most of your new day in Istanbul by joining activities and tours that let you discover what else the city has in store for you. 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!

Rise and shine on day 6 of your road trip in Turkey. Today, you'll wake up in Kocaeli Province and embark on a scenic drive to Istanbul, where you'll stay at one of the best hotels for 1 night. Seize the opportunity to explore spectacular attractions in Kocaeli Province and Bolu 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 Kocaeli Province. When you’re eager to explore the city and nearby areas, we recommend visiting some local favorites, such as the wonderful Kocaeli Science Center. This attraction is a science center that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 2,470 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible Kocaeli Kent Ormanı. This attraction, a beloved park, has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,913 visitors.

If you have time, another site you could explore in Kocaeli Province is the stunning Yeni Cuma (Pertev Mehmet Paşa) Camii. This mosque and travel destination has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,551 visitors.

Wave goodbye to Istanbul and continue your journey by car. If you want to break up today’s drive into two, take the opportunity to stop and discover what the city of Bolu has to offer.

One of the most popular attractions you can visit is the remarkable Orta Hamam. This attraction is a best-rated sightseeing destination that has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 790 visitors.

If you want to explore more, visit the incredible Beyazıt Cami. This mosque and attraction has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 810 reviews.

Another site you could visit today is the top-rated Tomb of Hayreddin-i Tokadı. This cemetery and travel destination is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 838 visitors.

When you're done with your sightseeing in Bolu, it's time to continue your drive to the city of Istanbul. When you arrive in Istanbul you’ll check in at one of the best hotels in the area.

We recommend you end the day with a dinner at a popular restaurant near your accommodation, like Gulhane Sark Sofrasi. This restaurant offers various delicious and comforting meals and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,078 customers.

Locals also recommend Arch Bistro, another of the best restaurants in Istanbul. Arch Bistro is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 798 customers.

After dinner, visit Old English Pub ® Cafe & Restaurant to enjoy a couple of drinks and relax. This bar is one of the best in Istanbul, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,963 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like Lacivert. This bar is a great spot to meet new friends and celebrate your vacation. Lacivert has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,960 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!

Day 7 of your road trip in Turkey is your departure day. This is your chance to catch one last glimpse of Istanbul 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.

Beyazıt Square is an extraordinary attraction you could visit to enjoy your last day in Istanbul. This square and popular site of interest has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 21,101 visitors.

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

You could then enjoy your last meal in the city of Istanbul at Harab'be Cafe before you travel home. This popular restaurant is rated an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 2,610 customers.

Alternatively, we also recommend Istanbul Anatolian Cuisine for your last chance at a meal in the city of Istanbul. The Istanbul Anatolian Cuisine restaurant has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 2,545 customers.

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