Stops along the way
Stops between İstanbul and Nevşehir
775 km, roughly 8 hours of driving. The stops below are ordered as you pass them — the same road in both directions.
In short
The drive between İstanbul and Nevşehir is 775 km and takes roughly 8 hours. There are 974 described places within 20 km of this route; it crosses 8 provinces, and the densest stretch is in Ankara (141 places).
There are 974 places within 20 km of this corridor; the 56 below are spread evenly along the drive.
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1
Arnavutköy Yeniköy Halk Plajı
Arnavutköy, İstanbul
Arnavutköy Yeniköy Public Beach is a public beach candidate included in the official 2025 Blue Flag list.
2
Miniatürk
Beyoğlu, İstanbul
Miniatürk is Turkey's first miniature park, showcasing 120 fixed models of significant cultural artifacts. The park aims to promote cultural heritage with representations from Istanbul and Anatolia.
3
Jale Kuşhan Balmumu Heykel Müzesi
Kağıthane, İstanbul
The Jale Kuşhan Wax Sculpture Museum is established to promote wax sculpture art in Turkey. The museum showcases wax figures of significant figures from Turkish and world history.
4
Sadberk Hanim Müzesi
Sarıyer, İstanbul
Sadberk Hanım Museum is located in a 19th-century building and hosts a rich collection of artifacts.
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5
Rumeli Feneri
Sarıyer, İstanbul
Rumeli Feneri is a historic lighthouse located at the point where the Bosphorus meets the Black Sea.
6
Beylerbeyi Sarayı
Üsküdar, İstanbul
Beylerbeyi Palace was built as a summer residence for Ottoman sultans and served to host foreign heads of state.
7
Fenerbahçe Spor Kulübü Müzesi
Kadıköy, İstanbul
The Fenerbahçe Sports Club Museum showcases the 100 years of achievements and awards of Fenerbahçe, an essential part of Turkish sports.
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8
Polonezköy
Beykoz, İstanbul
Polonezköy is a village located 30 km away from Istanbul, immersed in nature. It is a peaceful getaway with walking paths and cycling trails.
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9
Ballikayalar
Gebze, Kocaeli
Ballıkayalar is a nature park located in Gebze, offering an ideal area for mountaineering.
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10
Çerkeşli Kayalitepe
Dilovası, Kocaeli
This route, which goes from Çerkeşli village to the summit of Kayalıtepe, is the longest of Kocaeli'nin natural hiking routes. In addition to the length of the distance, the steep ascent and descent should be taken into consideration. Çerkeşli Village forms the starting point of this route.
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11
Sarayli Köyü Yukarı Değirmendere
Gölcük, Kocaeli
Saraylı Village is attractive for its cultural heritage houses, its cemetery dating from the Ottoman Period, and the Çavuş grape. This route is of a kind where one can enjoy walking through a historic village in the Samanlı Mountains and within the Değirmendere Valley. A short section of the route is a steep ascent, and then another short section continues flat. Since the other sections continue as steep descents, the use of poles is absolutely necessary.
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12
İzmit Elektronik Kent Müzesi
İzmit, Kocaeli
The Electronic City Museum introduces the city's history, economy, culture and tourism, historical artifacts and municipal services to all local and foreign visitors in an electronic environment. In the museum's sections, there are models of 10 important historical structures integrated with an audio system.
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13
Cami Düzü Yuvacik Baraji
Başiskele, Kocaeli
This route consists of a traffic-free dirt vehicle road located just across from the main highway around Yuvacık Barajı. Rest areas have been created within the route by the Metropolitan Municipality. We recommend Cami Düzü village as the starting point of the route. The end point of the route is the area where the body of Yuvacık Barajı is located. A 5 km section of the route consists of a flat dirt vehicle road.
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14
Aytepe Değirmen Düzü
Başiskele, Kocaeli
A large part of this route, which is visually perfect and has a geography where everyone can walk comfortably, consists of descents. Therefore, it is especially useful to use a walking stick throughout the hike. The last flat stretch on the road descending from Aytepe to soğuk su is the point we prefer as the starting place of this trail. This route, consisting of a dirt forest road and occasional paths, can be walked in all four seasons, although the most ideal times are the seasons excluding the winter period.
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15
Altıoluk Eskiyayla
Sapanca, Sakarya
The route, which starts from a place near the summit of Kartepe, ends at Eski Yayla (Öküzyatağı), located within the borders of Sakarya's Pamukova district, after Altıoluk Yaylası. Thus, we walk the Samanlı Mountains from the northern direction (İzmit Gulf) toward the southern direction (Sakarya Valley). The journey, which begins after passing Kuzu Yayla, located just below the summit point on Kartepe, ends within the borders of Sakarya.
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16
Çark
Adapazarı, Sakarya
A mill was built on today’s Çark Suyu between 1581-1585 to meet the needs of Ada Karyesi. In place of this mill, which served for nearly 250 years, in 1734 the philanthropist Devoğlu Mustafa had a primitive “water wheel”/“çark” built and ditches-canals opened, and the water of Çark was carried to the Orta Camii fountain and to Adapazarı as drinking water.
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17
Kent Park
Adapazarı, Sakarya
Located in the city center, Kentpark, created by transforming 160 thousand m² of rubble into greenery, was turned into a place where people can breathe and escape the exhausting city life. With an approximately 4.500-meter walking area, all surfaces in Kentpark were grassed while preserving the natural environment and trees. The park has a 14.000 m² pond.
18
Uzun Çarşı
Adapazarı, Sakarya
Adapazarı is not only the junction point of three continents, but also the heir to three separate empires. Of the Bithynians, who gave the river the name of the “queen-goddesses Sangaryus,” and the famous II, who had the Jüstinyanus Bridge (known among the people as Beşköprü) built.
19
Harmantepe Kalesi
Adapazarı, Sakarya
Harmantepe Castle, located to the north of Adapazarı Harmantepe Village, was built on a small natural hill. While its surroundings were marshy and swampy, they were later transformed into fertile agricultural land thanks to the canals opened on both sides. To reach the castle, it is necessary to turn onto the field road branching off to the left from the road going from Küçük Söğütlü to Akçakamış Village. Access is a little difficult in rainy weather.
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20
Kuzuluk Orman İÇİ Dinlenme Yeri
Akyazı, Sakarya
It is located on the Adapazarı-Akyazı-Mudurnu road, 8 kilometers from Akyazı and 34 kilometers from Adapazarı. It has an area of 11,85 hectares. It was established in 1996. In the area; there are facilities such as a countryside casino, toilet, fountain, entrance control booth, and children's playground. The forest recreation area, covered with beech and oak forest, has a development plan.
21
Tarihi Uğurlu Köyü Yeni Meze Cami
Akçakoca, Düzce
It is located in Uğurlu Köyü, 16km from Akçakoca. The mosque, which is a fine example of stone workmanship, was built in 1885. The mosque, which contains inscriptions dating back to the Ottomans, is one of the important values of the province.
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22
Sarıyayla Şelalesi
Akçakoca, Düzce
Aktaş Waterfall is located within the borders of Aktaş Village, 11km. from Akçakoca city center. With its nature and the rich vegetation around it, it is one of Akçakoca’s natural beauties worth seeing. Aktaş Waterfall, one of the places that tourists coming to the region for sea tourism have only recently begun to discover, is quite suitable for nature sports such as trekking and photo safari among the sound of the water falling from 50mt. and the greenery surrounding it.
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23
Saz Köy
Kaynaşlı, Düzce
For those looking for an alternative holiday with a traditional lifestyle and wanting to experience village life, the 90-year-old Tekir Village House, located in the village and built according to the Abhaz Culture tradition, serves those who wish to stay. Its nature and the farm animals in its garden, the wood stove burning in winter, dinners eaten by the fireplace, and its authentic atmosphere win the appreciation of visitors.
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24
Hasanlar Barajı
Yığılca, Düzce
The lake, of a size and beauty too great to fit in the eye, attracts people by offering pastoral delights in all its exuberance and beauty from every curve and every height. While the road running parallel to the lake occasionally allows descent all the way to the lakeshore, it offers the chance to picnic on the shore.
25
Hayreddin-i Tokadı Türbesi
Bolu Merkez, Bolu
It is located 13 km. west of Bolu city center, within the borders of Elmalık Village, 4 km. from the Abant road junction on the northern side, on a hill known by its own name, within a forested area. The graves belonging to Hayrettin-i Tokadi, a member of the Halvetiyye order, and his disciples have been enclosed within a concrete frame. The grave belonging to Hayrettin-i Tokadi, who died in 1524, is located within an iron cage.
26
Bolu Müzesi
Bolu Merkez, Bolu
In the museum located in the Cultural Center belonging to the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, as of 2018, there are a total of 17083 works, including 3351 archaeological works, 1627 ethnographic works and 12105 coins. The Museum, located on the ground floor of the Cultural Center building, consists of 2 sections: the archaeology hall and the ethnography hall.
27
İmaret Cami
Bolu Merkez, Bolu
According to foundation records, the mosque, understood to have been built in the 16th century by Şemsi Ahmet Paşa, a descendant of Kızıl Ahmed Bey, has largely lost its originality through the repairs it has undergone over time.
28
Aktaş Cami
Bolu Merkez, Bolu
The mosque, with a rectangular plan and a flat wooden ceiling, has an enclosed last congregation area. There is a women's gallery with wooden railings and latticework. To the right of the entrance is the muezzin's gallery. It has a muqarnas mihrab and a wooden minbar. In the mosque, rectangular windows with wooden jambs were used. There is a tomb adjoining the left facade of the mosque and a fountain to its north. It is covered externally with a hipped roof. It has wide wooden eaves.
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29
Gölcük Tabiat Parkı
Bolu Merkez, Bolu
It is an artificial barrier lake built 13 km. south of Bolu. The lake, surrounded by pine and fir trees, has a magnificent view in every season. The lake and its surroundings are under protection by the National Parks as a “Forest Recreation Area”. Vehicles are not allowed into the surroundings of this very charming and small lake.
30
Bolu Ormanlar, Anıt Ağaçlar, Endemik Bitkiler
Bolu Merkez, Bolu
Bolu is one of the provinces with the most beautiful forests, with its rich tree and plant communities. Bolu's forests consist of Uludağ Fir, beech, Scots pine, black pine and oak. In Bolu's forests, up to an average of 1000 meters, beech, oak, Uludağ Fir, black pine, maple, elm and alders are seen. At elevations between 1000-2000 meters, there are forests consisting of Scots pine, Uludağ fir and eastern beech.
31
Gerede Esentepe Mesire Alanı
Gerede, Bolu
Esentepe Recreation Area is located north of Gerede at an altitude of 1,300 meters, noted for its panoramic district views and centuries-old pine trees. In winter, the area offers opportunities for winter sports, skiing, and cross-country skiing nearby.
32
Gerede Arkut Dağı Kayak Merkezi
Gerede, Bolu
Arkut Mountain Ski Center is located 4 km north of Gerede at an altitude of 1,800 meters and offers slopes suitable especially for beginners, cross-country skiing, and alpine skiing. In winter it is used for skiing from January to March, while in summer the area supports camping, trekking, mountain biking, and off-road activities.
33
Gerede Aşağı Tekke Camii Ve Türbesi
Gerede, Bolu
In Bolu Province, in Gerede District, in Seviller Neighborhood, Aşağı Tekke Camii and its Tomb and a small graveyard are located within the mosque courtyard. The exact construction date of Aşağı Tekke Camii is not known. The mosque, which was completely destroyed in the 1944 earthquake, was rebuilt with local means and opened for worship in 1957. The rectangular-planned mosque is covered with a dome. The railings of the women's gallery on its north side feature wood craftsmanship.
34
Gerede
Gerede, Bolu
Yukarı Tekke Mosque: The mosque located in Gerede District was built by Abdullah Efendi in 1844, according to its inscription. A mausoleum of cut stone is located at the eastern corner of the rectangular-planned mosque built of adobe. Yukarı Tekke Tomb: It is next to the mosque known by the same name in Gerede district. It was built in 1900. Hacı Halil Efendi Tomb: It was built in 1843 in Gerede Seviller Neighborhood with an octagonal plan and a dome. Inside the tomb, II.
35
Asar Kalesi
Gerede, Bolu
It is located in Cuma Mahallesi of Göynük District. After Akşemseddin, the teacher of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, the spiritual conqueror of Istanbul and a great scholar, died in 1459, his tomb was built in H. 864 / A.D. 1464. Inside the tomb are the sarcophagi of Akşemseddin and his sons.
36
Göksu Parkı
Etimesgut, Ankara
It is one of Ankara’s most important recreation and entertainment centers, opened for service in as short a time as 100 days. The total usage area is 508 thousand square meters. Of this area, 141 thousand square meters consists of the pond area. In the pond, besides the Mississippi Ship and boats used for sightseeing, and the islands and reeds that create the lake’s natural beauty, there are also 9 floating piers belonging to businesses.
37
Hava Kuvvetleri Müzesi
Etimesgut, Ankara
The Air Force Museum is located in Şaşmaz Mevkii, established at the 12th kilometre of İstanbul Yolu. The museum, which entered service on 18 September 1998, was officially opened by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s adopted daughter, our country’s first female pilot, Sabiha Gökçen.
38
Harikalar Diyari
Sincan, Ankara
Within Harikalar Diyarı, which is planned with approximately 771 thousand square meters of green area, 330 thousand square meters of roads and squares, 40 thousand square meters of parking area, 67 thousand square meters of building area, and 92 thousand square meters of water areas, there is also a Fairy Tale Island established in an area of 25 thousand square meters for children.
39
Atatürk Orman Çiftliği Müze Ve Sergi Salonu
Yenimahalle, Ankara
Atatürk House, which is similar to the house in the city of Thessaloniki where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was born and spent his childhood days, is located on the grounds of Atatürk Orman Çiftliği, founded by him in Ankara. It was opened to visitors on 10 Kasım 1981. The dimensions of the building, and the dimensions, patterns and forms of the furnishings placed inside, are identical to those of the house in Thessaloniki, and the arrangement has also been made in accordance with the original. The house has three floors including the basement.
40
Alagöz Karargah Müzesi
Sincan, Ankara
When the enemy advanced as far as near Polatlı in the Sakarya War, the Western Front Command chose Alagöz Village between Ankara and Polatlı as the Front Headquarters. The farmhouse belonging to Ali Ağa Türkoğlu, one of the villagers of this village, was used as the headquarters. At the end of the Sakarya War, the building was used as a house by its owners, Ali Türkoğlu and his sons, until 1965. In 1965, it was transferred to the Ministry of National Education by his heirs.
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41
Türk Hava Kurumu Müzesi
Altındağ, Ankara
This museum was planned with the aim of showing the stages of progress of Turkish Aviation and passing this on to future generations. In the Türk Hava Kurumu Müzesi, built next to the historic parachute tower, in addition to the history section where the firsts of Turkish Aviation are explained, extensive information about THK is also included. This information is supported by historical documents, photographs and various models.
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42
Seğmenler Parkı
Çankaya, Ankara
The park, opened in 1983 in the Kavaklıdere district, has a large amphitheater. The park, located in the valley between Atatürk Bulvarı and İran Caddesi, has a 40 thousand square meter lawn area and a 250 square meter children's playground area, and totals 57 thousand 250 square meters. It contains pools, a children's garden, واسعة walking areas, and the Seymenler Monument, which is the symbol of Ankara folklore.
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43
Prof. Dr. Ülker Muncuk Müzesi
Yenimahalle, Ankara
It was established in 1974 within the aforementioned school under the leadership of a group of idealist teachers of the Girls' Technical Higher Teachers' School and Ülker Muncuk. The museum began operating on 02.07.1982 as a private museum under the supervision of the Directorate of the Ethnography Museum.
44
Kurtuluş Savaşı Müzesi
Altındağ, Ankara
War of Independence Museum (First TBMM Building) History of the First Grand National Assembly of Turkey Building The building used as the First Grand National Assembly of Turkey building was constructed in its time as a party building. In 1916, it was decided to build it as the Committee of Union and Progress building. By order of Minister of War Enver Pasha, the building was designed by Architect Salim Bey, and the construction work of the project was assigned to Military Architect Hasip Bey.
45
Atatürk Konutu Ve Demiryollari Müzesi
Altındağ, Ankara
One of the few state buildings in Ankara during the War of Independence, the “Direksiyon Binası” continues to be a living witness to the national struggle. When you visit this building, where important historical decisions were made, you will take a journey through time to the years of struggle and witness the spirit of the years when the Republic was founded.
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46
Tuz Gölü
Şereflikoçhisar, Ankara
Tuz Gölü, Turkey's second largest lake by surface area, is located at the deepest point of a wide tectonic depression buried between the surrounding plateaus. Under less rainy climatic conditions, the lake's surface area has shrunk. The lake, which has become even smaller over time, has reached its present state. 40% of Turkey's salt requirement is supplied from this lake.
47
Ağalarin Konağı
Kırşehir merkez, Kırşehir
Ağalarin Konağı is an example of Republican Era architecture located in Kırşehir.
48
Merkez Kalehöyük
Kırşehir merkez, Kırşehir
Kalehöyük is a historical mound located in the center of Kırşehir. This site, which contains remnants of ancient settlements, is named a castle due to its height.
49
Hacibey Konağı
Kırşehir merkez, Kırşehir
Hacibey Mansion is one of the first examples of civil architecture from the Republican Era, located in Kırşehir.
50
Fatma Hatun Kümbeti
Kırşehir merkez, Kırşehir
The Fatma Hatun Tomb is a historical structure built in 1266 by Hoca Aka Maatır.
51
Kalendar Baba Kümbeti
Kırşehir merkez, Kırşehir
It is located within Karalar Village in Kırşehir Merkez. It was commissioned in 1135 by Kılıçaslan, one of the Anatolian Seljuk Sultans. The tomb, built of cut stone, bears the characteristics of Seljuk architecture.
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52
Zelve Açıkhava Müzesi
Avanos, Nevşehir
Zelve Open-Air Museum is one of the regions with the densest fairy chimneys and hosts significant historical Christian settlements.
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53
Paşabağarı
Avanos, Nevşehir
Pasabaglari is one of the places with the highest concentration of fairy chimneys and is notable for its historical richness.
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54
Aziz Dimitros Rum Kilisesi
Gülşehir, Nevşehir
The Church of St. Dimitrios was built in 1902 by the Greeks living in Gülşehir and is an impressive structure made of cut stone blocks.
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55
Nevşehir Müzesi
Nevşehir merkez, Nevşehir
Nevşehir Museum features archaeological and ethnographic exhibitions. It is also notable for its surrounding open-air museums and underground cities.
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56
Bağlıdere Aşk Vadisi
Nevşehir merkez, Nevşehir
Bağlıdere Aşk Vadisi is one of the most well-known and frequently visited valleys in Göreme.
Move the stops into your own plan, split them across days, and add places to sleep and eat.
Frequently asked
- How far is it between İstanbul and Nevşehir, and how long does it take?
- Driving between İstanbul and Nevşehir is roughly 775 kilometres and takes about 8 hours without stops.
- Where is it worth stopping between İstanbul and Nevşehir?
- There are 974 described places within 20 km of the road between İstanbul and Nevşehir. toroti lists 56 of them spread evenly along the drive, in the order you pass them; Arnavutköy Yeniköy Halk Plajı comes early on, and Bağlıdere Aşk Vadisi sits near the end.
- Which provinces does the İstanbul to Nevşehir route cross?
- The route between İstanbul and Nevşehir crosses İstanbul → Kocaeli → Sakarya → Düzce → Bolu → Ankara → Kırşehir → Nevşehir. The stretch richest in places to visit is in Ankara.
- Should I take the toll highway or traditional route between İstanbul and Nevşehir?
- Toll motorways save driving time between İstanbul and Nevşehir, whereas traditional state roads pass directly through historic town centers, local culinary stops, and scenic nature viewpoints.
- How should breaks be scheduled between İstanbul and Nevşehir?
- For a drive of around 8 hours, taking a break every 2 to 2.5 hours is recommended. The catalogued attractions in Ankara and neighboring provinces offer memorable stopovers compared to generic highway rest areas.