Day 1·Istanbul arrival + Sultanahmet stroll
Base: Istanbul
- Morning
- Transfer from IST, hotel in Sultanahmet or Beyoğlu.
- Afternoon
- Sultanahmet Square exterior of Hagia Sophia + Blue Mosque.
- Evening
- Bosphorus-view dinner in Karaköy.
8-day plan · First trip · culture + landscape · budget-conscious luxury
8-day Turkey itinerary
8-day Turkey: Istanbul + Cappadocia + coast
Route
Istanbul → Cappadocia → Antalya
Estimated cost
≈ $1,300–1,900 per person incl. domestic flights and mid-range hotels
Pre-book note: Turkey's weak lira makes mid-range feel like luxury. Book Cappadocia balloons + Hagia Sophia timed entry the day you book flights.
Day 2·Hagia Sophia + Topkapı + Basilica Cistern
Base: Istanbul
- Morning
- Hagia Sophia timed entry + Topkapı Palace harem.
- Afternoon
- Basilica Cistern + Grand Bazaar bargain hunt.
- Evening
- Sunset Bosphorus cruise from Eminönü.
Pre-book: Hagia Sophia + Basilica Cistern both need timed slots since 2024.
Day 3·Asian side + Spice Bazaar
Base: Istanbul
- Morning
- Ferry to Kadıköy — market + tea garden.
- Afternoon
- Back to Europe: Spice Bazaar + Süleymaniye mosque.
- Evening
- Beyoğlu bar-hop off Istiklal.
Day 4·Fly to Cappadocia
Base: Göreme (Cappadocia)
- Morning
- IST → Kayseri (ASR) or Nevşehir (NAV) flight (1h10m).
- Afternoon
- Cave hotel check-in; Göreme Open-Air Museum.
- Evening
- Early night — balloon starts before dawn.
Day 5·Sunrise balloon + Ihlara valley
Base: Göreme
- Morning
- Sunrise hot-air balloon (05:00 pickup).
- Afternoon
- Derinkuyu underground city + Ihlara valley hike.
- Evening
- Cave restaurant dinner in Ürgüp.
Day 6·Fly to Antalya
Base: Antalya
- Morning
- Morning flight ASR/NAV → Antalya (1h15m).
- Afternoon
- Kaleiçi old town + Hadrian's Gate.
- Evening
- Old-town rooftop dinner.
Day 7·Aspendos + Düden falls
Base: Antalya
- Morning
- Aspendos Roman theatre + Perge ruins.
- Afternoon
- Düden waterfalls + Konyaaltı beach.
- Evening
- Farewell mezze dinner.
Day 8·Fly home
Base: Antalya
- Morning
- Last breakfast on the Med.
- Afternoon
- Transfer to AYT airport.
- Evening
- Fly home via Istanbul.
Before you leave
Three pre-bookings that make day one painless.
Country guide
Turkey overview
Budget
Turkey trip cost
Entry rules
Turkey visa & entry
Other itineraries
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