Caravan holidays are increasingly popular, providing unique experiences to travelers who want to explore new routes at their leisure. Türkiye offers caravan travellers numerous options at beautiful destinations. The country’s scenic green and blue landscapes, ancient cities, beautiful villages, and delicious cuisine make it an ideal choice for caravan traveling.
From the Aegean to the Mediterranean Sun
Starting from Çanakkale, this lovely route winds through the historical heart of the North Aegean, extending to Antalya, the Turkish Riviera’s favorite port city. You can explore the ancient city of Troy, where the origins of Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey epics can be traced in Çanakkale, and also visit the Troy Museum, which received the European Museum Academy Special Award. Once in the lovely district of Ayvacık, which sits at the foot of Mount Ida, you can explore the ancient city of Assos and be treated to several camping and glamping areas.
On this route from Çanakkale to İzmir, you will come across picturesque locales where you can savoir the sea-sand-sun, including the historic seafaring town of Foça, Urla, famous for its artichokes. You will also come across Seferihisar in your travels, which is the first of 21 “slow city” (Cittaslow) in Türkiye.
In İzmir, you can discover several important historical ancient cities such as Ephesus, Pergamon (Pergamum) and Klozamenai. Experiencing the rich Aegean cuisine – which incorporates a wide variety of seafood and herbs – and starting the day with an Aegean breakfast will enhance your trip. Şirince, famous for its historical houses and delicious wines, and the popular holiday regions of Çeşme and Alaçatı are also situated along this route.
In Muğla, located at the junction of the Mediterranean and Aegean seas in a continuation of the route, many coastal towns like Bodrum, Fethiye, Marmaris, Datça and Köyceğiz, offer you a gorgeous route where blue and green landscapes intertwine. This tourists’ paradise offers lively entertainment and the renowned Bodrum Underwater Museum and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. To discover the traces of deep-rooted civilizations, you can explore the Ancient City of Lagina, the Ancient City of Herakleia, the Ancient City of Stratonikeia and the Ancient City of Knidos, which is particularly fascinating due to its location. After strolling through the magnificent ancient city of Knidos, located at the very tip of the Datça Peninsula, you can visit Datça, where its main attraction is its unique calmness.
Also this route are Ölüdeniz and Butterfly Valley Beach, located at the foot of Babadağ, which is considered among the most beautiful beaches in the world. This region has been classified by the World Heritage Protection Foundation as one of the world’s 100 mountains in urgent need of protection. It features numerous facilities and areas where you can park your caravan under the shade of pine trees. While you’re here, you can experience Türkiye’s most famous paragliding route on the outskirts of Babadağ.
Antalya – The City with the Most Blue Flags in the World
Back on the route, the road will take you to Antalya, the heart of the Turkish Riviera. This is the city with the most Blue Flag beaches, attracting attention with its seashore and extraordinary nature. These qualities have ensured that the region has been a centre of settlement for thousands of years.
Some of the world’s most breathtaking hiking trails also wind through Antalya province, such as the Lycian Way, the Pisidia Cultural Heritage Way and the St. Paul Way. Kaş, a prominent diving tourism center in Türkiye and the world, is also within the province’s borders. When you arrive in Kaş, don’t forget to make a pit stop at Kaputaş Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
A Route of Forests: Black Sea Coastline
The Black Sea Region is Turkiye’s most popular caravan route. It dazzles north of the country, featuring a coastline where the sea and forested mountain slopes meet. When you set off from İstanbul to the Black Sea in a caravan, your first stop will be in Bolu, blanketed with lush forests, offering fresh, clean air and every shade of green. You move from Bolu to Safranbolu, where you’ll be greeted by picturesque wooden Turkish houses with charming bay windows. From there, you can make your way to the lovely Kastamonu.
Samsun, a historic port city that enchants visitors with its natural beauty, is another gem on the caravan route. Here, you can visit the Kızılırmak Delta Bird Sanctuary. After Samsun, the road takes you to Ordu, famous for its natural beauty. When in Ordu, the Perşembe and Çambaşı plateaus, the Çiseli and Uzundere waterfalls, Geçilmez Canyon, and Yeşilce Village are just a few of the places you should see.
Your next stop will be Trabzon, where a true cultural treasure awaits you. Sümela Monastery is among the most important cultural heritages of Türkiye and Trabzon. Built into the steep rock of this region, during the Eastern Roman Empire era, this magnificent monastery has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2000. In Rize and Artvin, other stunning routes of the Black Sea, you will encounter hillside valleys, emerald-green plateaus, bubbling streams and historic castles. You can also treat yourself to a tasty unique style of seasonal Turkish cuisine that includes thousands of herbs and fish varieties, especially anchovies which have a place in most dishes.
