Turkey
The rich historical past, the many natural parks, the unprecedented hospitable population and the unique mix of modern and traditional, make it a feast to explore Turkey by bike.
Distance:
1000 km
Level:
4
Stages:
15
Travel time:
4 weeks
Best travel period
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
9 / 10
9 / 10
Highlights:
2 The white limestone terraces of Pamukkale
3 Ephesus, one of the most spectacular ruins in the world
4 Stunning hospitality and unexpected encounters
Explore the freedom!
You will pass through villages and areas where you would otherwise never come. You cycle through beautiful and very diverse landscapes. The route takes you past special relics and cultural treasures from a distant past, like those that Apostle Paul visited on his missionary journeys through small Asia.
Where Europe ends and Asia begins the fairytale-like Istanbul. A city rich in sights, you will be amazed by all you see! You can visit the famous Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, where you will get a good idea of how the sultans used to live. You can also experience the oriental atmospheres in the largest covered bazaar in the world or take a boat trip on the Bosphorus.
From Istanbul, you take the boat to Bandirma. Here you will embark on an adventurous bicycle journey that will take you around 1000 km through the inlands of Turkey.
The first 4 stages lead you to Bergama. You cycle, among other things, past the Kuşcenneti National Park, where more than 3 million birds nest in the breeding season. Bergama is a pleasant town and famous for the Acropolis of the ancient city of Pergamonmet, the steepest theater in the world. Here, you will also find the remains of one of the most important medical centers of classical antiquity.
After this, you cycle in 4 beautiful stages, 2 of which consists of mountainous, to Selçuk. You will enjoy the nature around you and the beautiful views. Along the way, you pass Sardis, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia, where, you can admire a beautiful gymnasium. From Selçuk you can visit Ephesus. This ancient city is known as one of the most fascinating archaeological excavations in the world and is one of the largest of Greek antiquity. Selçuk is close to the Aegean coast, which allows you to spend a day at the beach. Via the green Menderes valley, you cycle in 3 stages to Pamukkale with its beautiful limestone terraces. This is one of the most remarkable sights in Turkey. Along with the adjacent site of the ancient city of Hierapolis, the sight is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In the last 4 stages, you cycle through a spectacular and mountainous landscape with views of the 2800 meter high Barla Dağı on the way. You may see rose pickers at work. These roses are used in perfumes, soap and in Turkish Delight. The last kilometers take you along the azure blue Eğirdir lake, the view over this lake is breathtakingly beautiful. You end your journey in the town of Eğirdir, located on a peninsula in the lake with the same name.