Turkey rewards the curious traveler with layers of story: Hittites and Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans, modern innovators and masterful cooks. Istanbul dazzles with mosaics, minarets, and spice-scented bazaars; Cappadocia stuns with wind-sculpted valleys and cave-hewn sanctuaries. Together, they form the perfect one-week itinerary.

Across the Bosphorus, ferries glide between continents while street vendors press pomegranate juice and simit sellers ring their bells. Evenings bring meyhane tables of meze and raki; mornings, the clink of tulip glasses of çay. In Anatolia, chimneys of tuff glow pink at dawn as balloons rise like lanterns into a vast blue sky.

Practical notes: Dress modestly for mosques and check prayer times, especially for Hagia Sophia. Museums and cisterns now use timed tickets; buy early during peak season. For transport, flights between Istanbul and Cappadocia are frequent and affordable, and shared shuttles connect airports to Göreme and Uçhisar with ease.

Istanbul

Former capital of empires and still Turkey’s cultural heart, Istanbul is a living museum—call to prayer echoing over Byzantine domes, fishermen on Galata Bridge, and the aroma of Turkish coffee in every quarter. It’s a city of neighborhoods: serene Sultanahmet, edgy Karaköy, nostalgic Balat, and foodie-favorite Kadıköy.

• Top sights: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, Süleymaniye Mosque, Galata Tower, Spice Bazaar, Dolmabahçe Palace.
• Essential experiences: Bosphorus cruise at sunset, a meyhane dinner in Beyoğlu, Turkish coffee tasting, hammam session, and browsing the Grand Bazaar’s labyrinth.
• Food highlights: Meze spreads, fresh fish sandwiches by the Golden Horn, baklava at a storied patisserie, and Anatolian modern cuisine at chef-led kitchens.

Where to stay: For history-at-your-doorstep, base in Sultanahmet. For dining and nightlife, consider Karaköy or Beyoğlu. For a quieter local vibe, look to the Asian side (Kadıköy/Moda). Browse stays on VRBO Istanbul or compare hotels on Hotels.com Istanbul.

Getting in: Fly into IST or SAW. Search fares on Kiwi.com or, if you’re flying to/from Europe, compare on Omio (Flights). For regional trains in Türkiye, see Trip.com Trains (limited for this route).

Day 1: Arrival, Sultanahmet Stroll, Golden Horn Views

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle walk through Gülhane Park under plane trees, then peek at the outer courtyards of Topkapi. Coffee at Brew Coffee Works or a classic Turkish coffee at Edebiyat Kıraathanesi.

Evening: Watch sunset hues on the minarets from the park or the Galata Bridge. Dinner at Karaköy Lokantası (cerulean tiles, perfected meze, famed hünkar beğendi) or at Pandeli above the Spice Bazaar for historic Ottoman recipes. Nightcap of sahlep or a pistachio baklava slice at Karaköy Güllüoğlu.

Day 2: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi, Basilica Cistern

Morning: Early start at Hagia Sophia (mosque; dress modestly; free areas outside prayer times). Continue to the Blue Mosque to admire its İznik tiles. Breakfast after at Van Kahvaltı Evi (Cihangir) for a full eastern-style spread—honeycomb, cheeses, menemen, and endless tea.

Afternoon: Explore Topkapi Palace—Imperial Council, Harem (timed entry), and terraces over the Bosphorus. Quick lunch at Şehzade Cağ Kebap for Erzurum-style rotating lamb skewers or Sultanahmet Köftecisi for classic Turkish köfte with piyaz.

Evening: Descend into the Basilica Cistern to see Medusa-head columns reflected in amber light. For a contemporary Anatolian tasting menu, book Neolokal (seasonal produce, heritage recipes; Michelin-starred). Post-dinner, stroll across Galata Bridge as ferries crisscross the Golden Horn.

Day 3: Bazaars, Süleymaniye, Bosphorus Sunset

Morning: Grand Bazaar before the crowds; focus on lanes for copperware, textiles, and calligraphy. Coffee at Kronotrop (İstiklal) or Coffee Department (Balat). Visit Rüstem Paşa Mosque for its hypnotic tilework.

Afternoon: Süleymaniye Mosque—Mimar Sinan’s masterpiece with sweeping city views. Lunch nearby at Ali Baba for hearty kuru fasulye (stewed beans) and rice. Meander the Spice Bazaar for sumac, saffron, and lokum.

Evening: Take a 1.5–2 hour Bosphorus cruise at golden hour to see palaces and waterfront yalıs. Dinner at a meyhane: Asmalı Cavit (old-school meze, grilled fish, and raki) or Ficcin (Circassian dishes and mantı). Finish with dondurma (mastic ice cream) on İstiklal.

Day 4: Asian Side—Kadıköy Markets, Moda Promenade, Üsküdar Sunset

Morning: Ferry to Kadıköy—an experience in itself. Breakfast at Pide Sun for Black Sea–style pide or Çiya Sofrası for regional Anatolian dishes even at brunch. Browse Kadıköy Market: olives, pickles, spice stalls, and meze counters.

Afternoon: Walk the Moda seaside promenade; coffee at Montag Coffee Roasters or Petra Roasting Co. Tram or taxi to Kuzguncuk for colorfully painted wooden houses and neighborly cafés.

Evening: Head to Üsküdar’s Salacak shore for sunset views of Maiden’s Tower and the historic peninsula. Dinner at Kanaat Lokantası (since 1933; daily stews, stuffed vegetables, and syrupy desserts). Turn in early—you’re flying in the morning.

Cappadocia (Göreme & Uçhisar)

Welcome to the Anatolian dreamscape: soft volcanic tuff carved into chapels and homes, valleys painted in rose and gold, and skies dotted with balloons at dawn. Base yourself in Göreme for easy access to the open-air museum, or in Uçhisar for cliffside views and calmer nights.

• Top sights: Göreme Open-Air Museum (UNESCO), Love/Red/Rose Valleys, Uçhisar Castle, Zelve-Paşabağ fairy chimneys, Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı underground city, Ihlara Valley.
• Essential experiences: Sunrise hot air balloon, valley hikes between villages, pottery in Avanos, and stargazing under a big Anatolian sky.
• Food highlights: Testi kebab (sealed clay-pot stew), village breakfasts, pumpkin soup in season, and modern Anatolian menus with vineyard views.

Where to stay: Cave rooms add atmosphere; choose properties with terraces for sunrise views. Compare options on VRBO Göreme and Hotels.com Göreme.

Getting there from Istanbul: Morning flights IST/SAW → ASR (Kayseri) or NAV (Nevşehir) take ~1h20m; fares often $35–$120. Search on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. Shared shuttles to Göreme/Uçhisar take 60–90 mins (~$10–$15 per person).

Day 5: Fly to Cappadocia, Göreme Open-Air Museum, Love Valley

Morning: Fly Istanbul to Kayseri/Nevşehir; shuttle to your cave hotel and check in. Quick lunch at Pumpkin Göreme (seasonal soups, pottery kebab) or Dibek (floor seating, slow-cooked testi kebab—order ahead).

Afternoon: Wander the Göreme Open-Air Museum to see rock-cut churches painted with vivid frescoes. Coffee and cake at Cafe Şafak. Short hike into Love Valley for its whimsical tuff formations and panoramic viewpoints.

Evening: Sunset at Red Valley Panorama or Sunset Point above Göreme. Dinner at Seten Anatolian Cuisine (terrace views; local grains and foraged herbs) or Topdeck Cave for intimate, home-style plates. Early night for the balloon.

Day 6: Sunrise Balloon, Underground City, Ihlara Valley

Morning: Sunrise hot air balloon with a reputable operator (Royal Balloon, Butterfly, or Voyager; expect ~$180–$260; weather-dependent). After landing and a light celebration, return for a hearty village breakfast.

Afternoon: Guided excursion to Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı underground city—multi-level marvels once sheltering entire communities—followed by a riverside walk in Ihlara Valley (optional short or longer section). Snack on gözleme from local stands.

Evening: Back in Göreme/Uçhisar, schedule a hammam session (Elis Turkish Bath is a convenient option) to unwind. Dinner at Seki Restaurant (Argos in Cappadocia) for a refined take on Anatolian classics with a wine list highlighting local vineyards.

Day 7: Uçhisar Castle, Pigeon Valley, Departure

Morning: Drive or hike up to Uçhisar Castle for a final 360-degree view across Cappadocia’s valleys. Walk a portion of Pigeon Valley down toward Göreme for dovecote-dotted cliffs and easygoing terrain.

Afternoon: Brunch at Fat Boys or Cafe Şafak, then shuttle to ASR/NAV for your flight. Connect via Istanbul for onward travel—search options on Kiwi.com or Omio (Flights).

Evening: In transit.

Practical Eating & Coffee Shortlist (Save This)

• Breakfasts: Van Kahvaltı Evi (Cihangir), Pide Sun (Kadıköy), hotel rooftop spreads in Cappadocia.
• Coffee: Kronotrop (İstiklal), Petra Roasting Co. (various), Montag Coffee (Kadıköy), Cafe Şafak (Göreme).
• Lunches: Çiya Sofrası (Kadıköy), Şehzade Cağ Kebap (Sirkeci), Ali Baba (Süleymaniye), Pumpkin Göreme.
• Dinners: Karaköy Lokantası, Neolokal (book ahead), Asmalı Cavit, Seten, Seki (Uçhisar), Dibek (order testi kebab in advance).
• Sweets: Karaköy Güllüoğlu (baklava), kuru baklava and pistachio varieties to sample.

Getting Around & Tickets

• City transport: IstanbulKart works on trams, metros, buses, and ferries. Trams T1/T2 cover most tourist areas.
• Tickets & timing: Major sites increasingly use timed entries; arrive early to avoid queues, especially at the Basilica Cistern and Topkapi’s Harem.
• Balloons: Reserve 2–3 weeks ahead in high season; weather cancellations are common—try for Day 6 so you have Day 7 dawn as a backup passive viewing.

In one week you’ll cross continents by ferry, stand under the world’s most storied dome, and float above valleys painted by wind and time. This Istanbul-and-Cappadocia itinerary balances iconic sights with local food, coffee culture, and quiet corners that linger long after the trip ends.