Straddling Europe and Asia, Turkey has welcomed travelers for millennia—from Roman legions and Silk Road traders to modern-day food lovers and photographers. In one week, you’ll trace the empires of Constantinople, sip strong Turkish coffee in hidden courtyards, and drift over Cappadocia’s valleys in a sunrise hot air balloon.

Istanbul is your grand opening: Byzantine domes, Ottoman palaces, and neighborhoods stitched together by ferries on the Bosphorus. Street vendors grill sesame simit at dawn; meyhanes clink rakı glasses after dusk. Across the Anatolian plateau, Cappadocia’s tuff rock has been carved into cave churches, underground cities, and elegant cave hotels.

Practical notes: dress modestly for mosques (shoulders/knees covered; women bring a scarf), carry a charged transit card (Istanbulkart), and plan big sights early. Museum hours can shift—Topkapı Palace is typically closed Tuesdays; the Grand Bazaar is closed Sundays. For flights to Turkey and domestic hops, compare on Trip.com, Kiwi.com, and (if you’re flying to/from Europe) Omio.

Istanbul

Istanbul rewards curiosity: peek into tile-lined courtyards, sample kaymak (buffalo clotted cream) drizzled with honey, then step into palaces where sultans ruled for centuries. Its skyline layers the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Galata Tower—best admired from a ferry as the call to prayer echoes.

• Don’t-miss sights: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Galata Tower, Bosphorus cruise.
• Food highlights: meze spreads, grilled fish by the Bosphorus, kebabs from Gaziantep traditions, Ottoman recipes revived at contemporary kitchens.
• Where to stay: Base near Sultanahmet for classic sights or in Karaköy/Galata for dining and nightlife. Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.
• Getting in: International flights land at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW). Find deals on Trip.com, Kiwi.com, or (for Europe routes) Omio.

Day 1: Arrival and First Tastes of the Old City

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs around Sultanahmet Square to frame the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque from the park’s fountains. For a first caffeine hit, try thick foam-topped Turkish coffee at Mandabatmaz on a side street off İstiklal (tiny, aromatic, and proudly old-school).

Evening: Walk across the Galata Bridge at golden hour to see fishermen silhouetted against the skyline. Sample warm, syrup-soaked baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu—pistachio-forward, flaky, and famous for a reason. Dinner at Karaköy Lokantası: polished tiles, classic meze (grilled octopus, stuffed vine leaves), and slow-cooked lamb; arrive early or book ahead.

Day 2: Sultanahmet Icons—Hagia Sophia, Topkapı, Cisterns

Morning: Classic Turkish breakfast at Van Kahvaltı Evi (spreads of cheeses, olives, menemen eggs, honey and kaymak). Visit the Blue Mosque (free; closed during prayers), then the Hagia Sophia—now a mosque again, with visitor access outside prayer times; dress modestly. Continue to the subterranean Basilica Cistern where Medusa heads hold up the forest of columns.

Afternoon: Lunch at Pandeli above the Spice Bazaar (a 1901 Istanbul institution)—try eggplant purée and lamb stews under Iznik tiles. Spend the afternoon at Topkapı Palace and the Harem apartments to understand Ottoman court life; plan 2–3 hours. Stroll Gülhane Park for shade and simit.

Evening: For contemporary Anatolian cuisine, book Yeni Lokanta (creative meze, fermented flavors) or the Michelin-starred TURK Fatih Tutak (an elegant deep-dive into local terroir). Nightcap with salep (spiced milk drink) along İstiklal Avenue.

Day 3: Bosphorus, Kadıköy Market, and Seafood by the Water

Morning: Start at Dolmabahçe Palace (grand crystal chandeliers, European-influenced Ottoman design; closed Mondays). Grab breakfast boards at Namlı Gurme Karaköy—heaped with cured meats, cheeses, olives, and warm bread.

Afternoon: Ferry to Kadıköy on the Asian side. Graze the market: pickles at Özcan Turşu, midye dolma (stuffed mussels), and lunch at Çiya Sofrası—regional Turkish dishes like lamb with sour cherries and herb-stuffed flatbreads. Coffee at Montag Coffee Roasters before browsing bookshops and ceramic studios.

Evening: Take a sunset Bosphorus loop on the public ferry (2 hours; inexpensive and scenic). Dinner at Balıkçı Sabahattin near Cankurtaran—old wooden house, meze trolley, and simply grilled daily catch. For dessert, seek out kazandibi (caramelized milk pudding).

Day 4: Neighborhoods, Views, and a Steam-and-Soap Finish

Morning: Explore Fener–Balat: Orthodox churches, color-splashed Ottoman houses, and antique shops. Coffee at Coffee Department Balat (specialty roasts) and a slice of tahini-pekmez pastry from a local bakery.

Afternoon: Climb the Galata Tower (restored, with a compact museum) for 360-degree views. Lunch at Forno Balat for crisp lahmacun and pide from the oven. Shop the Grand Bazaar (closed Sundays) and the Spice Bazaar for saffron, sumac, and lokum.

Evening: Unwind at Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı, a beautifully restored 16th-century bath—reserve a slot for a full scrub and foam massage. Dinner at Asmalı Cavit (classic meyhane): order atom (yogurt with hot peppers), lakerda (cured bonito), and seasonal fish; sip rakı with water and meze like a local.

Göreme (Cappadocia)

Cappadocia’s dreamscape was sculpted by volcanoes and time. Villages like Göreme, Uçhisar, and Ürgüp are etched into soft rock; pigeons still roost in cliffside dovecotes. At sunrise, dozens of balloons lift in slow motion, washing the valleys in pastel light.

• Top experiences: Hot air balloon ride, Göreme Open-Air Museum (UNESCO), Red and Rose Valleys, Love Valley, Uçhisar Castle, Kaymaklı or Derinkuyu Underground City, Avanos pottery workshops.
• Where to stay: Choose a cave hotel in Göreme for easy access to trails, or Uçhisar for panoramic views. Browse options on VRBO or compare caves and boutiques on Hotels.com.
• Getting there: Fly from Istanbul to Kayseri (ASR) or Nevşehir (NAV) in ~1h20–1h30, then shuttle 45–70 minutes to Göreme. Expect ~$40–$120 one-way if booked early. Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 5: Fly to Cappadocia, Cave Churches, and Sunset Ridges

Morning: Morning flight from Istanbul to Kayseri or Nevşehir (aim to land before noon). Arrange a hotel shuttle or shared transfer to Göreme.

Afternoon: Check in and head to the Göreme Open-Air Museum—rock-cut chapels with 10th–12th century frescoes; don’t miss Tokalı (Buckle) Church’s deep-blue vaults. Late lunch at Dibek in a traditional stone house: pottery kebab (testi kebab) cracked open at the table and mantı (Turkish dumplings) with garlicky yogurt.

Evening: Walk up to Red/Rose Valley viewpoints for a peach-colored sunset. Dinner at Seten Restaurant: local wine flights, clay-pot stews, and lavash from the tandoor. For a quieter, homey alternative, Pumpkin Göreme serves a seasonal set menu by candlelight.

Day 6: Balloons at Dawn, Valleys by Day, Underground by Late Afternoon

Morning: Hot air balloon ride at sunrise with a reputable operator (typically $200–$350; weather-dependent; hotel pickup around 4–5 a.m.). After landing, refuel with your cave hotel’s breakfast—olives, cheeses, eggs, and fresh bakes. Hike Love Valley or Zemi Valley for spire-studded trails and wildflowers in spring.

Afternoon: Coffee at Cafe Şafak (friendly service, solid espresso and gözleme). Then visit Kaymaklı Underground City (multi-level tunnels, stables, and kitchens carved for refuge). If you prefer craft, head to Avanos for a hands-on pottery workshop—learn to center clay on the wheel and decorate with Cappadocian motifs.

Evening: Splurge on dinner at Lil’a (Museum Hotel) for Ottoman-Anatolian tasting menus with valley views, or dine at Seki Restaurant (Argos in Cappadocia) for local wines and lamb shoulder slow-cooked in a stone oven. Cap the night stargazing; skies are often clear and luminous.

Day 7: Castles, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Climb Uçhisar Castle—the highest natural point in Cappadocia—for commanding views over Pigeon Valley. Brunch at Coffeedocia in Göreme (hearty breakfast plates, simit sandwiches, and good cappuccinos).

Afternoon: Shuttle to Kayseri or Nevşehir for your flight to Istanbul and onward connection. Domestic flight time ~1h20; plan buffers for airport transfers. Search options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: If you’re overnighting in Istanbul before an early flight, celebrate with a final plate of baklava or a meze spread near your hotel—nothing tastes better than a farewell feast.

Extra Tips and Local Gems

• Bosphorus on a budget: The public ferry offers the same views as pricey cruises; bring a jacket for breezy decks.
• Museum strategies: Visit big-ticket sights at opening or late afternoon. Consider the Istanbul Museum Pass if you’re packing multiple paid museums—check current pricing and inclusions.
• Weather + balloons: Balloon flights can cancel for wind; book your ride for your first Cappadocia morning to allow a backup day.
• Payments: Cards are widely accepted in cities; carry cash for markets, small cafés, and rural stops.
• Transport in Istanbul: Load an Istanbulkart at metro/ferry stations; trams and ferries are efficient for this itinerary.

In one week you’ll have crossed continents by ferry, wandered palace corridors, and floated above a landscape that looks borrowed from myth. Turkey rewards every extra step—whether that’s a side street in Galata for coffee or a detour to a quiet valley in Cappadocia. You’ll leave with spice-scented memories and a camera roll you’ll revisit for years.