At the world’s crossroads, Turkey has worn many names—Anatolia, Byzantium, Constantinople—and gathered the stories of empires. Today those layers are vivid: Ottoman palaces, Byzantine domes, bustling bazaars, and Anatolian cave dwellings etched into volcanic tuff.

This 7-day itinerary splits time between Istanbul and Cappadocia, pairing landmark-sightseeing with neighborhood strolls, ferry rides, and sunrise balloons. Expect a feast of flavors—from smoky kebabs to pistachio baklava—and a cadence that balances big sights with quiet, unforgettable moments.

Practical notes: mosques welcome visitors outside prayer times; dress modestly and carry a light scarf. In Istanbul, an Istanbulkart makes trams, metros, and ferries easy. Domestic flights to Cappadocia are frequent; book early in high season. Turkish cuisine is brilliant for vegetarians too—look for meze, lentil köfte, imam bayıldı, and pide.

Istanbul

Istanbul dazzles with contrasts: muezzin calls over Art Deco rooftops, fishermen on Galata Bridge with designer boutiques below, and tea vendors threading through centuries-old squares. Spend your days in Sultanahmet and Beyoğlu, then cross to Kadıköy for Asia-side markets and modern Anatolian cooking.

• Top sights: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Galata Tower views, and the Bosphorus.
• Neighborhoods to explore: Sultanahmet for history, Karaköy for cafés and baklava, Kadıköy for markets and meyhane culture, and Cihangir for indie shops.
• Getting in: Search international flights on Omio (from Europe) or Kiwi.com / Trip.com. From IST airport, taxis take 45–75 minutes to Sultanahmet; Havaist buses and Metro M11 + Marmaray are reliable.

Where to stay (Istanbul):

• Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul — a former Ottoman palace on the Bosphorus; sunrise swims and unforgettable terrace breakfasts.
• Sirkeci Mansion — warm, walkable base near Gülhane Park and the tram, with excellent concierge advice.
• Swissotel The Bosphorus Istanbul — resort-style pool and city-meets-sea views, 15 minutes to Nişantaşı cafés.
• Cheers Hostel — social, spotless, and steps from Hagia Sophia (private rooms available).
• Browse apartments and family stays: VRBO Istanbul | Hotels.com Istanbul

Day 1: Arrival, First Tastes, and Golden Horn Views

Afternoon: Land in Istanbul and settle in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle loop through Sultanahmet: stroll the Hippodrome (look for the Serpent Column’s missing heads), admire Hagia Sophia’s epic silhouette, and pause in Gülhane Park’s plane trees.

Evening: Wander down to Eminönü for a first bite. For classic kebabs with a view, try Hamdi (near the Spice Bazaar) for pistachio-studded kebap and smoky eggplant meze; reserve a window table for the Galata panorama. Craving seafood? Balıkçı Sabahattin in Cankurtaran plates meze spreads, grilled sea bream, and raki in a handsome wooden house. Cap the night with thick, foamy Turkish coffee at Mandabatmaz off İstiklal—tiny cups, big flavor.

Day 2: Sultanahmet’s Icons (Guided) and a Night on the Bosphorus

Morning: Join a small-group tour to streamline lines and context:

Istanbul: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia & opt. Basilica Cistern Tour — About 3 hours; see the tilework at the Blue Mosque, hear how Hagia Sophia bridged empires, and descend into the 6th‑century cistern forest of columns. Expect entry fees of roughly $20 for the Cistern; Hagia Sophia’s gallery has paid entry for tourists.

Afternoon: Walk to Topkapı Palace to glimpse jeweled thrones, Iznik tiles, and the serene courtyards of the imperial Harem (allow 2–3 hours; combined tickets run around $50–60). For lunch, book Matbah (behind Hagia Sophia) for revived Ottoman recipes—mutancana (lamb, apricot, almonds) and saffron rice—served in a garden nook.

Evening: Celebrate your first full day with a night cruise:

Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Show and Private Table — Expect 3 hours with live music, folk dances, and palaces glowing at water’s edge. Great for photos of Dolmabahçe and the Bosphorus bridges; typical prices $50–90 including dinner.

Day 3: Markets, Asia-Side Eats, and a Hammam

Morning: Start with a flakey börek and Turkish tea at Karaköy Güllüoğlu—pistachio baklava still warm from the tray—then slip into the Spice Bazaar’s vaulted halls for pul biber, saffron, and lokum tastings. Join a cross-continental feast:

Istanbul Taste of Two Continents Food Tour - Spice Market & Ferry — A guided breakfast-to-late-lunch ramble (typically 5–6 hours) through Old City and Kadıköy with ferry rides, menemen, simit, pickles, and kebabs.

Afternoon: Linger in Kadıköy’s market streets: Çiya Sofrası for regional meze (try the stuffed zucchini blossoms and sour cherry dolma), Baylan Pastanesi for the vintage “Kup Griye” sundae. Coffee at Petra in Topağacı or Kronotrop in Galata if you’re headed back European side.

Evening: Unwind Ottoman-style at a historic hamam (scrub + foam massage):

Istanbul Gedikpaşa Historical Turkish Bath with Privacy Option — Built in the 15th century; bookable slots and couples rooms available. Afterwards, grab dürüm at Dürümzade—grilled lamb wrapped in lavaş kissed with pepper oil.

Day 4: Fly to Cappadocia + Sunset Over the Valleys

Morning (Travel): Fly from Istanbul to Cappadocia (Nevşehir NAV or Kayseri ASR). Nonstop flights take ~1h20; shared shuttles to Göreme/Uçhisar add ~1 hour. Typical one-way fares are $45–120. Search and book on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Morning departures maximize your Cappadocia day.

Afternoon: Check into your cave hotel, then visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum (UNESCO). In rock-cut churches, look for 10th–12th century frescoes—especially the Dark Church’s deep indigo tones. Grab a quick gözleme and ayran at Nazar Börek or Café Şafak.

Evening: Head to the Sunset Viewpoint above Göreme or the Red Valley ridge for gold-to-rose alpenglow. Dinner at Seten Anatolian Cuisine for tandır lamb and pottery-baked testi kebab, or reserve Topdeck Cave Restaurant for a cozy, family-run tasting of manti (Anatolian dumplings) and meze.

Cappadocia

Otherworldly and ancient, Cappadocia is a canvas of soft volcanic stone carved into pigeon houses, cave chapels, and honeycombed underground cities. Valleys slice the plateau in waves—Rose, Red, Love, Pigeon—each with trails, fairy chimneys, and sunrise stages for hot-air balloons.

• Must-do: A dawn balloon flight, a day exploring an underground city, the Göreme Open-Air Museum, and a valley hike.
• Good to know: Balloons fly at sunrise if winds allow; schedules finalize the evening before. Pack layers—nippy dawns, warm afternoons.

Where to stay (Cappadocia):

• Museum Hotel (Uçhisar) — Relais & Châteaux cave suites with valley-spanning pool and Lil’a restaurant.
• Kelebek Special Cave Hotel (Göreme) — Panoramic terraces, a beloved in-house hamam, and hearty breakfasts.
• Sultan Cave Suites (Göreme) — Iconic rooftop vistas at balloon hour; stylish cave rooms.
• Kayakapi Premium Caves (Ürgüp) — Spacious suites across a restored historic neighborhood.
• Browse villas and stays: VRBO Cappadocia | Hotels.com Cappadocia

Day 5: Sunrise Balloons, Valley Hike, and Uçhisar Castle

Very early morning: Bucket-list time:

Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tour Over Fairychimneys — Float over Göreme National Park at dawn; allow ~3–4 hours door-to-door. Expect $160–280 depending on season, with hotel pickup and a light breakfast.

Late morning: After a nap and a big Turkish breakfast (olives, cheeses, eggs, honeycomb), hike Love Valley’s white-chimney formations to Çavuşin, or opt for the Rose/Red Valley loop for blush-colored cliffs and hermit chapels. Wear grippy shoes; trails are sandy.

Afternoon: Climb Uçhisar Castle for a 360° panorama of canyons and Erciyes volcano. Coffee at Coffeedocia or a glass of local Emir white wine overlooking Pigeon Valley.

Evening: Dinner in Ürgüp at Ziggy’s Shoppe & Cafe (rooftop meze and clay-pot stews) or splurge at Lil’a (Museum Hotel) for refined Anatolian tasting menus. For tastings, Turasan Winery pours regional varietals like Kalecik Karası.

Day 6: Underground Cities and Monasteries (Full-Day Guided)

Dedicate a day to Cappadocia’s deeper stories on a private, flexible tour (no need to split the day—this is a full-day experience):

Full-Day Private Tour of Cappadocia's Highlights (Car & Guide) — Customize with Kaymaklı or Derinkuyu Underground City (multi-level refuge towns), the Ihlara Valley riverside walk with cave churches, Selime Monastery’s cathedral-sized chambers, plus Avanos pottery demos and the fairy chimneys of Paşabağı. Your guide optimizes crowds and light; entry fees and lunch are extra.

Post-tour dinner: Pumpkin Göreme for home-style set menus or Seten for slow-cooked testi kebab and local wines. If you skipped yesterday’s tasting, stop by Turasan in Ürgüp before closing.

Day 7: Leisurely Breakfast, Last Views, and Departure

Morning: Enjoy a final terrace breakfast; if balloons fly, it’s a dramatic send-off. Pick up ceramics in Avanos or on Göreme’s main street—look for cobalt tulip motifs and quartz-rich clay that fires bright.

Afternoon (Travel): Shuttle to NAV or ASR for your flight back to Istanbul and onward connection. Typical flight time ~1h20; plan ~3.5–4 hours total door-to-door including transfer and check-in. Search on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; if you’re connecting to Europe, compare fares on Omio.

Optional/Alternate Istanbul Evening Experience

If you have an extra Istanbul night or prefer music over a cruise, consider:

Istanbul Traditional Turkish Dinner and Dervish Experience — A contemplative ceremony and regional meal in an intimate venue.

Insider Eating & Coffee Shortlist (to mix into your days):

• Breakfast & coffee: Namlı Gurme (Karaköy) for a build-your-own Turkish spread; Kronotrop or Petra for specialty brews; Bebek neighborhood for seaside simit and tea.
• Lunch: Pandeli (above the Spice Bazaar) for historic blue-tiled dining and köfte; Şehzade Cağ Kebap (Sirkeci) for horizontal-spit lamb; Çiya Sofrası (Kadıköy) for regional classics.
• Dinner: Mikla (rooftop tasting menu, reservation needed); Neolokal (Anatolian heritage refined); Zübeyir Ocakbaşı (Beyoğlu) for charcoal-grilled kebabs at the counter.
• Sweets: Karaköy Güllüoğlu (baklava), Hafız Mustafa (trilece, pistachio katmer), and street-stall lokma when you spot it fresh.

Getting Around & Practical Tips: Load an Istanbulkart at major stations (usable on trams, metro, funiculars, ferries). Mosques close to tourists during prayer—check signs at entrances. Carry a scarf, slip-on shoes, and small cash for tips (hamams, porters, drivers). In Cappadocia, prebook balloons, and keep Day 6 flexible in case weather delays flights.

Additional Istanbul Tours (if you want more guidance):

Best of Istanbul 1, 2 or 3-Day Private Guided Istanbul Tour

In one week, you’ll have crossed continents by ferry, tasted the city in its markets, and floated above Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys at dawn. This itinerary blends headline monuments with neighborhood flavor and the quiet magic of Anatolia’s landscapes—leaving you with both postcard shots and personal favorites to remember.