Straddling Europe and Asia, Türkiye wears its history in layers—Hittite, Greek, Roman, Seljuk, Ottoman—woven into living cities. You’ll wander past Byzantine domes, sip tea beside the Bosphorus, and trace Silk Road paths through lunar-like valleys. The cuisine is a journey of its own: smoky kebaps, meze shared over raki, and pistachio-laced baklava.

This 10-day itinerary focuses on three exceptional bases. Istanbul dazzles with world-class monuments and vivid neighborhoods; Cappadocia stuns with cave dwellings, chimneys, and sunrise balloons; Antalya pairs ancient ruins with a turquoise coast. We balance marquee sights with local gems and authentic flavors.

Practical notes: Dress modestly for mosques, carry a scarf for head covering, and use an Istanbulkart for public transit. Consider the Museum Pass Istanbul or Türkiye if you’ll visit multiple sites. Domestic flights are frequent and inexpensive; buses and trains reach further if you prefer overland travel.

Istanbul

Istanbul is one of the world’s great crossroads. Hagia Sophia’s colossal dome, the Blue Mosque’s cascading minarets, and Topkapı Palace’s treasury reveal centuries of power and devotion. Ferries knit its European and Asian shores together like moving viewpoints.

Beyond the icons, neighborhoods breathe: spice-scented Eminönü, bohemian Cihangir, culinary Kadıköy, and elegant Nişantaşı. Eat your way through smoky dürüm shops, historic köfteci, and refined modern Anatolian kitchens. Close the day on a Bosphorus sunset cruise.

• Stay (Hotels.com/VRBO): Browse hotels in Istanbul or find apartments via VRBO Istanbul.
• Specific stays: Palace-on-the-Bosphorus glam at Çırağan Palace Kempinski; resort-like city views at Swissôtel The Bosphorus; waterfront elegance at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus; friendly budget base at Cheers Hostel. For Sultanahmet/Eminönü, consider Sirkeci Mansion, Legacy Ottoman Hotel, or Hotel Momento. Along the Bosphorus in Arnavutköy: Ajia Hotel or the historic Fuat Paşa Yalısı.

Day 1: Arrival and First Taste of the Old City

Morning: Fly into Istanbul (IST or SAW). If traveling from Europe, compare fares and times on Omio flights. From outside Europe, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Expect 45–75 minutes by taxi from IST to Sultanahmet (longer in rush hour) or take the M11 metro + tram.

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs in Sultanahmet Square. Circle the exterior of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque to admire their silhouette, then step into the atmospheric Arasta Bazaar behind the mosque for artisanal textiles and ceramics.

Evening: Dinner with a view at Hamdi Restaurant (classic kebaps and pistachio baklava overlooking the Golden Horn) or Deraliye Ottoman Cuisine for historical recipes like hünkar beğendi. Finish with Turkish coffee at Mandabatmaz (famously thick) or tea by the Galata Bridge watching anglers.

Day 2: Hagia Sophia, Topkapı, and a Bosphorus Sunset

Morning: Enter Hagia Sophia early to beat crowds; gaze up at the 6th-century dome. Walk to the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii)—note prayer times and modest dress. Descend into the Basilica Cistern to see Medusa-head columns and haunting reflections.

Afternoon: Explore Topkapı Palace’s courtyards and the Harem; imagine sultans’ daily rituals. Picnic in Gülhane Park with simit from a street cart and kaymak (clotted cream) pastry from Hafız Mustafa.

Evening: Take a 1.5–2-hour Bosphorus cruise from Eminönü or Kabataş at sunset; admire palaces, wooden yalıs, and the Bosphorus bridges. Dinner at Karaköy Lokantası (blue-tiled meyhane, excellent meze and braised lamb). Nightcap at Alexandra Cocktail Bar in Arnavutköy or Geyik in Cihangir.

Day 3: Bazaars, Asian-Side Flavors, and Beyoğlu Nights

Morning: Wander the Spice Bazaar’s saffron, sumac, and lokum stalls. Step into Rüstem Paşa Mosque for Iznik tile artistry. Breakfast plates at Van Kahvaltı Evi (honeycomb, herbed cheese, menemen) or Çakmak Kahvaltı Salonu.

Afternoon: Ferry to Kadıköy—visit its food market for olives, pickles, and cheeses. Lunch at Çiya Sofrası for regional Anatolian dishes (try içli köfte, lamb with sour cherries). Stroll Moda’s seaside promenade with a flat white from Petra Roasting.

Evening: Back in Beyoğlu, climb Galata Tower for twilight views. Dinner at Yeni Lokanta (modern Anatolian; manti and seasonal meze are standouts) or Neolokal (reservations recommended; contemporary interpretations of Anatolian heritage). Sweet finale: baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu.

Day 4: Fly to Cappadocia + Göreme Open-Air Museum

Morning: Fly Istanbul to Cappadocia (Istanbul–Kayseri ASR or Nevşehir NAV). Frequent 1h15–1h30 flights; typical fares $35–80 one-way booked ahead on Omio flights. Shuttle to Göreme/Ürgüp takes ~1 hour (~$10–15). Optional overnight bus (10–12 hours) via Omio buses if you prefer overland.

Afternoon: Check in and visit the UNESCO-listed Göreme Open-Air Museum. Marvel at rock-cut churches like Tokalı Kilise with vivid frescoes that survived centuries of dust and prayer.

Evening: Dinner at Seten (terrace views; clay-pot testi kebab) or Topdeck Cave (cozy, family-run; stuffed vine leaves and lamb tandoor). Sunset at Red Valley or Rose Valley for the color show on tuff formations.

Cappadocia

Cappadocia’s geology reads like fantasy: fairy chimneys, honeycombed cave houses, and valleys painted in rose and ochre. Ancient Christians carved sanctuaries here; today, hot air balloons rise with dawn like lanterns.

Days here flow between hikes, underground cities, and artisan workshops in Avanos. Evenings bring terrace dinners under constellations—skies are wonderfully dark.

• Stay (Hotels.com/VRBO): See cave hotels via hotels in Cappadocia or browse homes on VRBO Cappadocia.
• Specific stays: Splurge-worthy views at Museum Hotel; beloved Göreme classics Kelebek Special Cave Hotel and Sultan Cave Suites; refined suite life at Kayakapi Premium Caves; good-value caves at Shoestring Cave House.

Day 5: Sunrise Balloons, Avanos Pottery, and Valley Hikes

Morning: Pre-dawn hot air balloon ride (weather permitting). Expect 50–75 minutes in the air; pickup around 4–5 a.m. Watching hundreds of balloons lift over Love Valley at sunrise is unforgettable.

Afternoon: Recover over a Turkish village breakfast—local pekmez (grape molasses), eggs, olives. Head to Avanos for a pottery workshop; the town’s red clay comes from the Kızılırmak River. Lunch at Bizim Ev (home-style stews) or Hanedan for manti and çömlek (pottery) kebab.

Evening: Hike Love Valley or Zemi Valley for gentle trails and chimney-studded vistas. Dinner at Pumpkin Göreme (seasonal set menus) or Dibek (floor seating and family recipes). Optional whirling dervish ceremony at Saruhan Caravanserai for a contemplative close.

Day 6: Underground Cities and Ihlara Canyon

Morning: Explore Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı Underground City—multi-level labyrinths with ventilation shafts and stone doors used as refuges. Go with a guide to unlock the stories.

Afternoon: Continue to Ihlara Valley for a riverside hike beneath poplars, ducking into frescoed cave chapels. Enjoy a trout lunch at a simple riverside café in Belisırma.

Evening: Visit Selime Monastery’s cathedral-sized chambers at golden hour. Return to your terrace for local wine (try Emir or Narince varietals) and a starry sky.

Day 7: Fly to Antalya + Kaleiçi Old Town

Morning: Fly to Antalya (Kayseri/Nevşehir to AYT). In season, direct flights run ~1h20; otherwise connect via Istanbul (total 3–5 hours). Expect $40–90 one-way on Omio flights. Overland option: overnight bus 9–10 hours via Omio buses.

Afternoon: Check in and wander Kaleiçi’s Ottoman houses and cobbled lanes. See Hadrian’s Gate, the Clock Tower, and the old Roman harbor. Coffee break at The Sudd Coffee or a classic tea garden by the marina.

Evening: Dinner at Seraser Fine Dining (garden courtyard; local seafood and steaks) or Ayar Meyhanesi (meze spreads, grilled octopus, and raki). Pistachio dondurma for dessert at Dondurma Dükkanı.

Antalya

Antalya pairs a polished resort city with a heart of antiquity. Within an hour you can stand in a near-perfect Roman theater, swim off a pebbly blue-flag beach, and eat smoky eggplant salad beneath bougainvillea.

It’s also a gateway to the Lycian coast and ancient Pamphylia. Whether you crave ruins, waterfalls, or a beach club day, the options are easy and enticing.

• Stay (Hotels.com/VRBO): Find resorts and boutiques on hotels in Antalya or browse seaside homes via VRBO Antalya.
• Specific stays: All-inclusive grandeur at Maxx Royal Belek Golf Resort or Rixos Premium Belek; boutique charm inside Kaleiçi at White Garden Hotel.

Day 8: Perge, Aspendos, and Side—Ruins and the Sea

Morning: Perge Archaeological Site: walk the colonnaded street, stadium, and baths; imagine traders entering from the Hellenistic gate. Arrive early for cooler light and fewer tour groups.

Afternoon: Drive 45 minutes to Aspendos to see one of the best-preserved Roman theaters anywhere; stand center stage and whisper to test its acoustics. Continue to Side’s seaside ruins—Temple of Apollo against the water—and a quick swim.

Evening: Return to Antalya for dinner at 7 Mehmet (a local institution; superb grills and meze with a bay view). Try tahini piyaz, an Antalya specialty with white beans, tahini, and sumac.

Day 9: Konyaaltı Beach, Cable Car Vistas, and Düden Falls

Morning: Easy beach time at Konyaaltı—rent a lounger or bring a towel. Ride the Tünektepe cable car for sweeping Gulf of Antalya views and a breezy café stop.

Afternoon: Lunch at Parlak Restaurant (famous for rotisserie chicken and piyaz) or Piyazcı Ahmet for the quintessential tahini-bean salad with köfte. Visit Lower Düden Waterfalls where the cascade plunges into the sea; follow the cliffside park paths.

Evening: Sunset stroll along Lara’s cliffs or back in Kaleiçi. Dinner at Arma Restaurant above the harbor (sea bream, meze, twinkling lights). Live music and a nightcap at The Tudors Arena or a quieter wine bar in Kaleiçi.

Day 10: Bazaar Browsing and Departure

Morning: Last Turkish breakfast—menemen, olives, cheeses, honey—and a relaxed hammam session (traditional scrub and foam) to end on a serene note.

Afternoon: Souvenir stop for dried fruits, nuts, and ceramics before heading to Antalya Airport (AYT). For onward flights within or from Europe, compare on Omio flights; for long-haul options, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Aim to arrive 2 hours before domestic, 3 hours before international flights.

In ten days you’ve traced empires in Istanbul, floated above Cappadocia’s moonscapes, and swum beneath Antalya’s mountain-framed skies. Keep this itinerary handy—you’ll want to return for the Aegean coast, Pamukkale, and the Black Sea’s tea hills next time.