Straddling Europe and Asia, Türkiye has shaped empires, trade, and taste buds for millennia. This 7-day itinerary focuses on two showstoppers—cosmopolitan Istanbul and otherworldly Cappadocia—so you savor depth over speed. Expect Ottoman palaces, Byzantine marvels, steamy hammams, and a horizon pricked with fairy chimneys.

Food is a storyline of its own. Istanbul’s kitchens stretch from humble grill houses to Michelin-starred temples; Anatolia’s table leans into slow-cooked pottery kebab, village cheeses, and pistachio-sweet baklava. Coffee culture runs deep—start your day with a foamy Turkish brew or third-wave espresso before bargaining for spices and copperware.

Practical notes: Dress modestly for mosques (scarves for women, shoulders/knees covered), carry an Istanbulkart for public transit, and book balloons in Cappadocia well ahead. Major sights can be busy—go early or late, and check opening days (e.g., Topkapı often closes Tuesdays). Always review current travel advisories if venturing beyond tourist corridors.

Istanbul

Istanbul is a living museum: Roman foundations, Byzantine mosaics, Ottoman courtyards, and a modern art-and-coffee scene that hums past midnight. The city rewards wandering—from the Blue Mosque’s tilework to the fish boats of Eminönü and the street cats that own every bench.

Top hits include Hagia Sophia’s vast dome, the subterranean Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace’s treasury, and a Bosphorus cruise threading palaces and wooden yalı mansions. Neighborhoods are a joy: Kadıköy’s market and meyhanes, Karaköy’s bakeries and galleries, Balat’s color-splashed lanes, and Beyoğlu’s terrace bars.

• Stay (Hotels.com/VRBO): Browse Istanbul stays on Hotels.com or apartments on VRBO.
• Specific hotels: Waterfront elegance at Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul; Bosphorus views and a rooftop pool at Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul; heritage-rich luxury at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus; sociable budget favorite Cheers Hostel.
• Getting in: Fly into IST or SAW. Compare fares on Omio (especially from Europe) or Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Havaist airport buses to Sultanahmet/Karaköy take ~60–75 min; taxis are ~45–60 min depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival and First Taste of the Old City

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Land in Istanbul and check in. Stretch your legs in Sultanahmet: stroll the Hippodrome (serpentine column, obelisks) and admire the Blue Mosque’s six minarets from the square.

Evening: Early dinner with a view at Hamdi Restaurant above the Spice Bazaar—order pistachio kebab and grills while the Golden Horn glows. For dessert, try baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu or saffron rice pudding at Saray Muhallebicisi. If energy allows, wander the Galata Bridge for a postcard skyline.

Day 2: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı, and the Cistern

Morning: Coffee and simit at Galata Simitçisi, then arrive at Hagia Sophia just after opening to beat crowds. The prayer hall is free outside prayer times; the upper gallery (museum route) charges a separate ticket—go early. Step across to the Blue Mosque to appreciate its İznik tiles.

Afternoon: Explore the Basilica Cistern’s atmospheric columns and Medusa heads. Lunch at Pandeli (inside the Spice Bazaar) for historic lamb stews and stuffed vine leaves, or at Giritli for Aegean meze. Continue to Topkapı Palace—prioritize the Treasury and Harem apartments; plan 2–3 hours and check if Tuesday closure applies during your dates.

Evening: Reserve Neolokal in SALT Galata for an Anatolian tasting menu with a conscience and views; alternatively, Karaköy Lokantası offers classic mezes, blue-tiled ambiance, and exemplary olive-oil dishes. Nightcap at 5 Cocktails & More in Pera or a mellow Turkish coffee at Mandabatmaz.

Day 3: Asian-Side Markets, Moda Promenade, and Bosphorus Sunset

Morning: Take a public ferry to Kadıköy. Breakfast at Van Kahvaltı Evi (honeycomb, herbed cheeses, menemen) or Çakmak Kahvaltı Salonu. Browse Kadıköy Market’s pickles, fishmongers, and spice stalls.

Afternoon: Lunch at Çiya Sofrası, famous for regional Anatolian recipes (try stuffed quince, lamb with sour cherries, or ayran soup when in season). Coffee at Petra or Story Coffee in Moda, then stroll the seaside promenade to Moda İskelesi.

Evening: Return to the European side for a golden-hour Bosphorus cruise (public “Boğaz turları” or a small-group boat). Post-cruise, graze on kumpir and waffles at Ortaköy Square or go upscale at Sunset Grill & Bar for sushi-meets-Mediterranean with a skyline terrace. End with Turkish delight sampling at Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir.

Day 4: Bazaars, Süleymaniye, Balat, and a Hammam

Morning: Espresso at Coffee Sapiens in Karaköy, then dive into the Grand Bazaar (lanes for leather, carpets, copper). Continue to the Spice Bazaar for pul biber, sumac, and lokum. Visit Süleymaniye Mosque—airy and less crowded than its famous sibling.

Afternoon: Lunch at Zübeyir Ocakbaşı (tableside charcoal grills; order lamb chops and roasted eggplant). Wander Balat and Fener’s colorful houses, Greek Orthodox heritage sites, and antique shops. Treat yourself to pistachio baklava or künefe at Köşkeroğlu.

Evening: Book a late session at Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı (historic 16th-century bath) for a proper scrub and steam. Dinner at Dürümzade for smoky dürüm wraps or at Alaf for Anatolian-meets-fire cooking. Optional cultural fix: a whirling dervish ceremony at Hodjapasha Cultural Center.

Cappadocia (Göreme, Uçhisar, Ürgüp)

Cappadocia is a geologic dreamscape of tuff spires, pigeon houses, and hidden valleys, shaped by volcanoes and humming with prehistory. Villages spill around rock cones, and many stays are literally carved into the earth.

Days begin before dawn with balloons drifting over rippled valleys—a once-in-a-lifetime view if winds cooperate. By day, hike rose-colored canyons and duck into underground cities; by night, dine on pottery kebab and sip local Emir and Kalecik Karası wines.

• Stay (Hotels.com/VRBO): Browse Cappadocia stays on Hotels.com or caves/cottages on VRBO.
• Specific hotels: Splurge-worthy views at Museum Hotel (Uçhisar) or Kayakapi Premium Caves (Ürgüp); beloved Göreme stays Kelebek Special Cave Hotel and Sultan Cave Suites; good-value Shoestring Cave House.
• Getting there from Istanbul: Morning flights IST/SAW to ASR (Kayseri) or NAV (Nevşehir) take ~1 hr 20 min; shuttles to Göreme/Uçhisar are ~60–75 min. Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com (typical one-way $40–$110 if booked ahead).

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

Morning: Depart Istanbul on an early flight to Kayseri or Nevşehir (aim to land by ~10:00). Pre-book a shared shuttle to your cave hotel.

Afternoon: After check-in, explore the UNESCO-listed Göreme Open-Air Museum. Peer into rock-cut chapels like Dark Church with vivid 11th–12th century frescoes. Coffee break at Café Şafak in Göreme.

Evening: Watch the day end at Red Valley or Sunset Point above Göreme—the tuff turns rose and gold. Dinner at Seten Anatolian Cuisine for tandır lamb and local mezes, or Topdeck Cave Restaurant for intimate home-style dishes (reserve—few tables).

Day 6: Balloons, Underground Cities, and Uçhisar Castle

Morning: Balloon flight at sunrise (weather-dependent; plan $160–$250+ including hotel pickup and breakfast). If flights cancel, your operator usually rebooks for the next morning.

Afternoon: Head to Kaymaklı or Derinkuyu Underground City—multi-level warrens once sheltering entire communities. Pair it with a stop at Uçhisar Castle for panoramic views. Lunch on gözleme and ayran at a village café en route.

Evening: Dinner at Pumpkin Göreme Restaurant (seasonal, hearty menus) or Dibek for pottery kebab and floor seating in a restored house. Optional wine tasting in Ürgüp (try Kalecik Karası reds) before a quiet stargaze—the skies are dark and generous here.

Day 7: Valley Hike or Horseback Ride, Departure

Morning: Choose a final walk through Love Valley or Rose Valley, or book a 2-hour “atlı tur” (horseback) among fairy chimneys. Grab a light lunch—mantı (Turkish dumplings) or lentil soup and fresh bread.

Afternoon: Shuttle to ASR or NAV for your flight. Connect to Istanbul for your onward departure. Check fares/times on Omio, Trip.com, or Kiwi.com. If time allows, pick up last-minute pottery in Avanos or dried apricots and walnuts for the road.

Evening: In transit.

Extras, Tips, and Local Gems

• Istanbulkart: One reloadable card for metro, trams, buses, and ferries—buy at major stops.
• Timing: Go early to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapı. Avoid Friday noon prayer for mosques.
• Costs (approx.): Topkapı + Harem $35–45; Basilica Cistern $15–20; Galata Tower $20–25; Bosphorus cruise $10–25 public/short; balloon flight $160–$250+.
• Dining short-list (Istanbul): Meze and grills at Karaköy Lokantası; regional classics at Çiya Sofrası; pistachio baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu; ocakbaşı grills at Zübeyir; refined Anatolian at Neolokal; dürüm at Dürümzade; breakfast at Van Kahvaltı Evi.
• Dining short-list (Cappadocia): Seten, Topdeck, Pumpkin, Dibek, and Seki Restaurant (at Museum Hotel) for a splurge-with-a-view.

This 7-day Türkiye itinerary blends Istanbul’s layered history and markets with Cappadocia’s surreal valleys and cave-life hospitality. You’ll leave with spice-scented memories, camera rolls full of minarets and balloons, and a list of reasons to come back for the Aegean coast next time.