Turkish coast by car: a 5-day itinerary
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- 14 of 22 free; 8 paid — see “Cost”
- Duration
- 5 days, 9:30 to 16:27 each day
- Start and finish
- Hıdırlık Tower → Bodrum Windmills
- On foot
- ≈ 1 h 12 min in total
- Transport
- 6 rides, ≈ 2 h 55 min; 4 transfers between cities
- Lunch
- around 12:03
- With kids
- fine: short walks
- Best time
- May–June and September–October: warm, the sea is warm and the roads are quieter than in August.
Cities in order
Day-by-day plan
Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.
Day 1 · Antalya09:30–15:37 · 5 places · 6 h 10 min
Hıdırlık Tower
· 30 min · Free
- 3 min on foot
Kaleiçi
· 2 h · Free
- Lunch · 1 h
- 10 min on foot
Yivli Minaret
· 20 min · Free
- 6 min on foot
Hadrian's Gate
· 20 min · Free
- 38 min · transport or taxi
Düden Waterfalls
· 1 h · Lower free, Upper ≈ 60–70 TL
Day 2 · Kaş09:30–16:27 · 5 places · 7 h
Morning transfer: car or bus along the coast · ≈ 3.5 h
Kaş Lycian Rock Tombs
· 30 min · Free
- 4 min on foot
Lion Tomb
· 15 min · Free
- 3 min on foot
Kaş Old Town and Harbour
· 1 h 30 min · Free
- 10 min on foot
Antiphellos Theatre
· 30 min · Free
- Lunch · 1 h
- 25 min · transport or taxi
Limanağzı Coves
· 2 h 30 min · Free entry; boat and sunbed paid
Day 3 · Fethiye09:30–16:27 · 3 places · 7 h
Morning transfer: car or bus · ≈ 2 h
Tomb of Amyntas
· 30 min · €3 for foreign visitors, under-8s free
- 31 min · transport or taxi
Kayaköy
· 1 h 30 min · €3 for foreign visitors
- Lunch · 1 h
- 26 min · transport or taxi
Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon
· 3 h · Park 150 TL on foot; Belcekız free
Day 4 · Marmaris09:30–16:14 · 4 places · 6 h 40 min
Morning transfer: car or bus · ≈ 2.5 h
Marmaris Grand Bazaar
· 1 h · Free
- 3 min on foot
Marmaris seafront promenade
· 1 h · Free
- 5 min on foot
Marmaris Castle
· 1 h · €6 for foreign visitors, under-8s free
- Lunch · 1 h
- 36 min · transport or taxi
İçmeler
· 2 h · Free
Day 5 · Bodrum09:30–15:32 · 5 places · 6 h
Morning transfer: car · ≈ 3 h
Bodrum Old Town
· 2 h · Free
- 9 min on foot
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
· 45 min · €3, under-8s free
- Lunch · 1 h
- 6 min on foot
Bodrum Ancient Theatre
· 30 min · Free
- 13 min on foot
Myndos Gate
· 30 min · Free
- 19 min · transport or taxi
Bodrum Windmills
· 30 min · Free
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
What the route costs
14 of 22 are free; 8 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.
| 5 | Düden Waterfalls | 34 | 1 h | Lower free, Upper ≈ 60–70 TL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Limanağzı Coves | 31 | 2 h 30 min | Free entry; boat and sunbed paid |
| 11 | Tomb of Amyntas | 39 | 30 min | €3 for foreign visitors, under-8s free |
| 12 | Kayaköy | 36 | 1 h 30 min | €3 for foreign visitors |
| 13 | Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon | 29 | 3 h | Park 150 TL on foot; Belcekız free |
| 16 | Marmaris Castle | 39 | 1 h | €6 for foreign visitors, under-8s free |
| 19 | Mausoleum at Halicarnassus | 64 | 45 min | €3, under-8s free |
| 20 | Bodrum Ancient Theatre | 44 | 30 min | Free |
| Other 14 places | 13 h | Free | ||
| Total | 23 h 40 min | 14 of 22 free |
Who this route is for
- A road trip in Turkey
- You want both the sea and history
- A week off: 5 days of route plus spare
- One hotel for the whole holiday — a single resort's itinerary suits better
- Without a car — buses exist, but it takes longer
May–June and September–October: warm, the sea is warm and the roads are quieter than in August.
How the coastal route works
The route runs east to west in one line with no backtracking: Antalya — Kaş — Fethiye — Marmaris — Bodrum. Each day you drive in the morning, then see the town on its one-day route.
The most beautiful stretch is between Kaş and Fethiye: mountain roads above the sea, Kaputaş beach and viewpoints over the coves. Do not rush it.
Car hire and the road
Pick up a car at Antalya airport and drop it in Bodrum — ask the rental company about the one-way fee. The coastal roads are good, but the mountain sections are narrow and winding.
Where to stay
A night in each town: Antalya, Kaş, Fethiye, Marmaris, Bodrum. For fewer moves, spend two nights each in Kaş and Fethiye and make day trips from there.
Turkey road trip for 7 or 10 days
A week — add a day in Kemer and Phaselis after Antalya and a day for Kekova from Kaş. Ten days — Pamukkale or Ephesus from Bodrum, both long full-day trips.
How to do it right
- Drive in the mornings so the towns get the daylight.
- The Bodrum Mausoleum and theatre are closed on Mondays — do not end the trip in Bodrum on a Monday.
- Kaş is free; the Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon is paid, Belcekız beach next to it is not.
- A one-way car return usually costs extra — check when booking.
- In summer set off early: the mountain roads are hot and busy at midday.
Questions
What is a good Turkey road trip along the coast?
Antalya — Kaş — Fethiye — Marmaris — Bodrum, a day in each, driving in the mornings.
How long are the drives?
Antalya–Kaş about 3.5 h, Kaş–Fethiye about 2 h, Fethiye–Marmaris about 2.5 h, Marmaris–Bodrum about 3 h.
Which stretch is most scenic?
Kaş to Fethiye, with Kaputaş beach and the coves below the road.
Can I do it without a car?
Yes, by intercity bus, but it takes longer.
Where should I pick up and drop off the car?
Antalya airport and Bodrum; check the one-way fee.
What about 7 days?
Add Kemer and Phaselis after Antalya and a Kekova boat trip from Kaş.
When is the best time?
May–June and September–October.
Is it good with kids?
Yes, but daily drives are tiring; the 'Turkey with kids' route has shorter transfers.
Can I add Ephesus or Pamukkale?
Yes, as full-day trips from Bodrum on a 10-day trip.
Can I change the itinerary?
Yes: remove or add a stop in any day and the times recalculate.
Sources and fact-check
- Prices, opening hours and time on site come from each place's page, with its own sources and check date
- Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism: museum and archaeological site hours and tickets
- General Directorate of Highways of Turkey: coastal roads
