Türkiye sits at the crossroads of empires and continents, where Byzantine domes and Ottoman palaces meet modern cafés and ferries that knit Europe and Asia together. In one week you can taste history in Istanbul’s storied streets, then chase sunrise in Cappadocia as balloons float across the valleys.

Expect grand sights—Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, the Blue Mosque—and intimate pleasures: a simit still warm from the oven, the clink of tea glasses in Kadıköy, the scent of roasted chestnuts on Istiklal. In Cappadocia, the land itself is the museum: cave churches, honeycombed cliffs, and hiking trails laced through apricot orchards.

Practical notes: Pick up an Istanbulkart for trams, ferries, and metros; budget ~10% tip at restaurants; and book popular experiences (balloon rides, hammams, top restaurants) well in advance. Turkish cuisine is regional—seek meze, kebabs, pide, and seasonal vegetable dishes; order ayran or rakı to pair like a local.

Istanbul

Istanbul is a city of layers: Greek Byzantium, Roman Constantinople, Ottoman capital, and today’s creative hub. You’ll roam from Sultanahmet’s imperial landmarks to Beyoğlu’s art-deco passages and Kadıköy’s lively food market by ferry, the city’s best “view deck.”

Don’t miss the skyline from the Galata Bridge at dusk, a Bosphorus cruise past yali mansions, and a restorative Turkish bath. Between mosques and museums, refuel with menemen (scrambled eggs with peppers), smoky eggplant meze, and baklava from historic pastry shops.

• Getting there: Fly into IST or SAW. Compare fares on Omio (flights), Trip.com (flights), or Kiwi.com (flights). Airport to city: 35–60 min by taxi depending on traffic; Havaist bus is reliable to central hubs.
• Where to stay: Search central stays on Hotels.com (Istanbul) or VRBO (Istanbul). Top picks with easy access: Çırağan Palace Kempinski (Ottoman palace on the water), Swissôtel The Bosphorus (resort-style views), Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus (historic waterfront), and budget-favorite Cheers Hostel (social, walkable to Sultanahmet).

Day 1: Arrive in Istanbul, First Tastes of the City

Morning: In transit. If you land early, stretch your legs with a Bosphorus-side stroll in Karaköy; grab an espresso at Coffee Sapiens or a traditional Turkish coffee at Mandabatmaz (thick, foamy, unforgettable).

Afternoon: Check in, then walk Sultanahmet Square to orient yourself around Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Visit the Basilica Cistern (cool, softly lit columns; budget ~$10–20; lines move quickly).

Evening: Dinner at Karaköy Lokantası (blue-tiled, beloved for meze like fava purée and octopus salad; reservations advised). Stroll the Galata Bridge for night views; finish with baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu (try pistachio “fıstıklı” and “şöbiyet”).

Day 2: Sultanahmet Icons and Spice Routes

Morning: Start at the Blue Mosque (free entry outside prayer times; dress modestly). Cross to Hagia Sophia—its prayer hall is free; the Upper Gallery uses a timed paid entry with limited slots. Coffee break at Şark Kahvesi inside the Grand Bazaar’s outer courtyards.

Afternoon: Tour Topkapı Palace and the Harem apartments (allow 2–3 hours; budget ~$30–50 combined; check updated pricing). Lunch at Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi (since 1920; order köfte with piyaz bean salad). Then Rüstem Pasha Mosque’s Iznik tiles and the Spice Bazaar’s sumac, saffron, and lokum stalls.

Evening: Watch the Whirling Dervishes at Hodjapasha Cultural Center (intimate hall; ~1 hour; book ahead). Post-show meyhane dinner at Asmalı Cavit in Beyoğlu—share atom yogurt, grilled calamari, and seasonal greens with rakı.

Day 3: Asian Side Flavors and Bosphorus Views

Morning: Ferry to Kadıköy. Classic breakfast at Çakmak Kahvaltı Salonu (menemen, kaymak with honey) or Baylan Pastanesi (historic patisserie; try the caramel “Kup Griye”). Browse Kadıköy market—olives, pickles, and spice shops—then a slice of lahmacun at Halil Lahmacun.

Afternoon: Bosphorus cruise from Eminönü or Kabataş to see palaces and waterside mansions; disembark at Ortaköy for a kumpir (loaded baked potato) and mosque photo stop. Alternatively, tour Dolmabahçe Palace (19th-century grandeur, crystal staircase).

Evening: Dinner at Neolokal (chef Maksut Aşkar’s refined Anatolian tasting menu in SALT Galata; book early). Nightcap with skyline at 16 Roof (Swissôtel) or Nardis Jazz Club by Galata Tower for live sets.

Day 4: Bazaars, Hammam, and Beyoğlu Nights

Morning: Grand Bazaar (closed Sundays)—enter via the quieter Mahmutpaşa gate to ease in; look for artisans making lamps and leather goods. Walk to Süleymaniye Mosque for commanding Golden Horn views; grab a simit en route from a street cart.

Afternoon: Lunch at Pandeli (inside the Spice Bazaar; historic tiled dining room, lamb stews and stuffed vine leaves). Ease into a traditional Turkish bath at Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı or Cağaloğlu Hamamı—both meticulously restored; book 60–90 minutes.

Evening: Kebabs at Zübeyir Ocakbaşı (sit by the mangal grill; order Adana, lamb ribs, smoky eggplant “patlıcan salatası”). Stroll Istiklal Street’s passages, then a final sweet at Hafız Mustafa in Sirkeci.

Cappadocia

Otherworldly Cappadocia is a high plateau sculpted by wind and time—fairy chimneys, cave dwellings, and frescoed churches. Villages like Göreme, Uçhisar, and Ürgüp anchor the region with cozy cafés, local wineries, and artisan workshops.

Plan to rise early: balloon flights lift just after dawn when winds are calm. Between flights and photos, walk the valleys—Love, Rose, Red, and Pigeon—each with unique rock forms and shaded trails perfect for half-day hikes.

• Getting there from Istanbul: Fly 1h20–1h30 to NAV (Nevşehir) or ASR (Kayseri), then shuttle ~60 min to Göreme/Uçhisar (~$10–20 per person) or private transfer (~$40–60). Compare fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com (flights).
• Where to stay: Browse Hotels.com (Cappadocia) or VRBO (Cappadocia). Exceptional stays: Museum Hotel (Uçhisar, Relais & Châteaux, panoramic terraces), Kelebek Special Cave Hotel (Göreme, beloved terrace breakfasts), Sultan Cave Suites (iconic sunrise deck), Kayakapi Premium Caves (Ürgüp, spa & views), and Shoestring Cave House (great value).

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

Morning: Morning flight from Istanbul to NAV/ASR (from ~$45–120; 1h20–1h30). Pre-book a shared shuttle with your hotel; check in and drop bags.

Afternoon: Göreme Open-Air Museum (UNESCO; rock-cut churches with vivid 10th–12th c. frescoes; ~1.5–2 hours; budget ~$12–20). Coffee at Cafe Şafak or a quick börek at Nazar Börek.

Evening: Hike the short trail to Red/Rose Valley viewpoints for a pastel sunset. Dinner at Seten Anatolian Cuisine (local legumes, testi kebab cooked in a clay pot; excellent wine list with Turasan and Kocabağ). Stargazing back at your cave terrace.

Day 6: Balloon Day, Valleys and Castle

Morning: Hot air balloon flight at sunrise (weather-dependent; ~60–75 minutes; expect ~$160–300 including transfers and breakfast). After landing, easy hike through Love Valley’s phallic tufa towers; continue toward Uçhisar.

Afternoon: Lunch at Millocal in Uçhisar (terrace with sweeping views; try mantı dumplings). Climb Uçhisar Castle for a 360° panorama; walk back via Pigeon Valley to Göreme.

Evening: Pottery demo in Avanos (family ateliers still use the Kızılırmak River’s red clay). Dinner at Pumpkin Göreme (seasonal set menus, intimate, book ahead) or Dibek (traditional floor seating, home-style casseroles).

Day 7: Underground Cities and Ihlara Valley, Fly Out

Morning: Explore Kaymaklı or Derinkuyu Underground City (multi-level tunnels once sheltering whole communities; guided visits help you navigate; allow ~1–1.5 hours). Continue to Ihlara Valley for a riverside hike among cave chapels.

Afternoon: Lunch in Belisırma village (trout and gözleme by the stream). Quick stop at the dramatic Selime Monastery carved into cliffs. Return to your hotel to collect bags and transfer to NAV/ASR for an afternoon flight to Istanbul to connect onward. Compare times and prices on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: If time allows between flights, celebrate with a final dessert at an airport branch of Hafız Mustafa or a simple simit and tea. Farewell, Türkiye!

Food and Coffee Shortlist (Save This)

• Breakfast: Van Kahvaltı Evi (Cihangir) for a Kurdish-Turkish spread; Çakmak Kahvaltı Salonu (Kadıköy) for classic plates.
• Coffee: Mandabatmaz (thick Turkish coffee), Petra Roasting Co. (specialty brews), Coffee Sapiens (Karaköy).
• Lunch: Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi (köfte), Karaköy Güllüoğlu (savory börek and baklava), Çiya Sofrası (Kadıköy—regional Anatolian dishes).
• Dinner: Neolokal (modern Anatolian), Asmalı Cavit (meyhane), Zübeyir Ocakbaşı (grilled meats), Seten and Pumpkin (Cappadocia).
• Sweet stops: Hafız Mustafa, Baylan Pastanesi, Mado dondurma (salep-thickened ice cream).

Logistics at a Glance

• Transit: Get an Istanbulkart at metro/ferry kiosks. Trams T1 connect Sultanahmet–Karaköy–Kabataş; ferries link Karaköy/Beşiktaş with Kadıköy/Üsküdar.
• Timing: Major sights open ~9:00–17:00; mosques close during prayer times. Grand Bazaar is closed Sundays.
• Costs (approx.): Domestic flights $45–120; balloon $160–300; palace/cistern tickets $10–50 each. Card widely accepted; carry some cash for small vendors.

Seven days in Türkiye gives you Istanbul’s living history and Cappadocia’s dreamscape in one sweep. With ferries, trams, cave hotels, and sunrise flights, it’s a journey stitched together by flavor, view, and story. You’ll leave planning a return—perhaps to the Aegean coast next time.