Where Europe meets Asia, Turkey has been a crossroads for millennia—home to Hittites, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. In Istanbul, domes glitter above ancient streets while ferries stitch continents together. In Cappadocia, a honeycomb of soft volcanic rock hides churches, villages, and underground cities carved by hand.

Over 7 days, you’ll trace empires in the Old City, eat your way across two continents, sail the Bosphorus at golden hour, then fly at dawn above Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys. Expect markets rich with saffron and sumac, hammams perfumed with eucalyptus, and tables overflowing with meze, kebabs, and baklava.

Practical notes: Many nationalities need an e‑Visa; check current requirements before you fly. Dress modestly for mosques (shoulders/knees covered; headscarves for women). Tap water is treated, but bottled is common; cards and contactless are widely accepted. In Istanbul, get an Istanbulkart for transit; in Cappadocia, plan on shuttles or private drivers between sights.

Istanbul

Straddling two continents, Istanbul is a city of layers. Stand beneath the soaring dome of Hagia Sophia, stroll the Hippodrome where chariots once thundered, and follow the call to prayer echoing over the Golden Horn. By night, meyhanes clink raki glasses while the Bosphorus glows.

Highlights include Topkapı Palace’s treasury, the Blue Mosque’s Iznik tiles, the photogenic Basilica Cistern, and the Spice Market’s pyramids of pepper and pistachio. Modern Istanbul dazzles too: Galata’s steep lanes, Istiklal Avenue’s Belle Époque facades, and waterfront neighborhoods like Karaköy, Kadıköy, and Arnavutköy.

• Classic sights: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Spice Market.
• Modern musts: Galata Tower views, Dolmabahçe Palace, art spaces in Karaköy, Moda’s seaside promenade.
• Food to find: Meze feasts, ocakbaşı grills, fish sandwiches (balık ekmek), simit, and pistachio baklava.

Where to stay (Istanbul):

• Palatial: Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul (Ottoman-era palace on the Bosphorus).
• View-forward: Swissotel The Bosphorus Istanbul (panoramic city and strait views).
• Boutique & central: Sirkeci Mansion (steps from the Old City).
• Budget-social: Cheers Hostel (friendly hub near Sultanahmet).
• Browse broadly: Hotels.com: Istanbul stays | VRBO: Istanbul apartments

How to get here: Fly into IST (Istanbul Airport) or SAW (Sabiha Gökçen). Search fares on Trip.com (flights), Kiwi.com, or—if you’re flying within or from Europe—Omio (flights in Europe). From IST, the M11 metro connects to the city; Havaist buses (about 60–75 minutes) and taxis are easy.

Cappadocia

In Cappadocia, soft tuff rock has been sculpted by wind and water into chimneys, fins, and waves. People carved into it too: rock‑cut churches painted with frescoes, dovecotes pecked into cliffs, and entire cities burrowed underground for refuge.

At sunrise, hundreds of balloons dot the sky—a living postcard over rose-hued valleys. By day, hike between vineyards and fairy chimneys; by night, dine under lanterns on a terrace carved from stone.

• Don’t miss: Göreme Open‑Air Museum (UNESCO), Love/Red/Rose Valleys, Uçhisar Castle, Kaymaklı or Derinkuyu Underground City, pottery in Avanos.
• Taste here: Testi kebab (stew in a clay pot), mantı (Anatolian dumplings), local wines.

Where to stay (Cappadocia):

• Iconic cave luxury: Museum Hotel (Uçhisar) or Kayakapi Premium Caves - Cappadocia (Ürgüp).
• Beloved cave boutiques (Göreme): Sultan Cave Suites, Kelebek Special Cave Hotel, Aydinli Cave Hotel.
• Browse more: Hotels.com: Cappadocia | VRBO: Cappadocia homes

Getting there from Istanbul: Morning flights to Nevşehir (NAV) or Kayseri (ASR) take ~1h20; expect $40–$120 one‑way if booked early. Compare on Trip.com, Kiwi.com, or Omio (Europe flights). Shuttles to Göreme/Ürgüp are 40–75 minutes ($10–$15 pp); private transfers run ~$60–$90.

Day 1 — Arrive in Istanbul, rooftops and first tastes

Morning: In transit. If you arrive early, stash your bags and start with a gentle walk around Sultanahmet Square to reset your clock.

Afternoon: Check in, then an orientation loop: Hippodrome obelisks, the exterior courtyards of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Sip thick, foamy Turkish coffee at Mandabatmaz (near İstiklal) or order a bright, cardamom-laced Turkish tea at a street-side çay bahçesi.

Evening: Dinner options: Karaköy Lokantası (polished meze and braised lamb; book ahead), Zübeyir Ocakbaşı (table‑side grilled Adana kebab), or Giritli (seafood meyhane in a leafy courtyard). Nightcap on a Bosphorus-view rooftop in Karaköy or Galata.

Day 2 — The classics of the Old City (with expert guide)

Morning: Start with a bakery breakfast: simit and açma from Galata Simitçisi or menemen (tomato‑pepper eggs) at Van Kahvaltı Evi in Cihangir. Meet your guide for a comprehensive Old City tour that streamlines lines and context.

Afternoon: Explore Topkapı’s imperial kitchens, treasury, and harem; continue to Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, then descend into the dreamy Basilica Cistern. Detour through the Grand Bazaar for hand‑painted ceramics and copperwork.

Evening: Feast on Anatolian comfort at Matbah (Ottoman recipes) or head to Asmalı Cavit for a convivial meyhane spread (smoked eggplant, stuffed vine leaves, grilled sea bream). If you have energy, wander the lit-up Galata Bridge.

Recommended tour: Istanbul Guided Tour Hagia Sophia, Topkapi, Cistern with Tickets (tickets included; small group).

Day 3 — Eat across two continents + Kadıköy flavors

Morning: Join a guided food walk to understand Turkey by its breakfast table and market stalls—cheeses from Kars, kaymak with honey, simit, olives, and strong tea—then ferry to Asia.

Afternoon: After the tour, linger in Kadıköy’s market streets: sample lahmacun at Halil Lahmacun; try seasonal meze or famed kebabs at Çiya Sofrası (a beloved institution spotlighting regional dishes). Espresso break at Walter’s Coffee or a smooth flat white at Story Coffee in Moda, then stroll the seaside park.

Evening: Return by ferry at sunset. Dine at Karadeniz Pidecisi (buttery Black Sea pide) or Neolokal (modern Anatolian tasting menu; reserve). For dessert, detour to Karaköy Güllüoğlu for warm pistachio baklava.

Recommended tour: Istanbul Taste of Two Continents Food Tour - Spice Market & Ferry.

Day 4 — Palaces, neighborhoods, and a Bosphorus sunset yacht

Morning: Breakfast at Namlı Gurme in Karaköy (choose cheeses, olives, sujuk, and eggs to your taste). Visit Dolmabahçe Palace for 19th‑century opulence (bohemian crystal chandeliers, gilded halls). Walk Beşiktaş’s fish market lanes.

Afternoon: Ride the nostalgic tram along İstiklal Avenue; climb Galata Tower for 360° views. Coffee at Petra Roasting Co. in Gayrettepe or Kronotrop (multiple branches). Shop for contemporary Turkish design in Galata’s boutiques.

Evening: Board a small luxury yacht for an intimate golden‑hour cruise past Ortaköy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, wooden yalıs, and the Bosphorus bridges. Post‑cruise dinner in Arnavutköy at a seafood meyhane like Sur Balık or try köfte at Beşiktaş’s no‑frills Tarihi Beşiktaş Köftecisi.

Recommended cruise: Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience.

Day 5 — Fly to Cappadocia, Göreme Open‑Air Museum, Red Valley sunset

Morning: Early flight IST/SAW → NAV/ASR (~1h20). Expect $40–$120 one‑way; compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Shuttle to your cave hotel (40–75 minutes).

Afternoon: Light lunch in Göreme—try gözleme (hand‑rolled stuffed flatbreads) from a local family-run spot—then visit the Göreme Open‑Air Museum to see monastic churches like Dark Church with richly colored frescoes.

Evening: Hike a short segment of Rose or Red Valley and watch the sandstone glow at sunset from a panoramic viewpoint. Dinner at Seten Anatolian Cuisine (terrace with regional classics) or Topdeck Cave Restaurant (intimate, book ahead).

Day 6 — Hot‑air balloons at dawn, underground city, and Avanos pottery

Morning: Rise before dawn for your balloon flight—gentle lift‑off, then the valleys unfurl beneath you as the sun washes them pink. After landing, enjoy a celebratory drink and breakfast back at the hotel.

Afternoon: Explore Kaymaklı Underground City (or Derinkuyu), a warren of tunnels, wineries, kitchens, and stables carved as deep as 8 levels. Continue to Avanos on the Kızılırmak River for a pottery demonstration using local red clay; try the wheel yourself.

Evening: Dinner at Pumpkin Göreme (daily set menus with market produce) or Dibek (floor‑cushion seating; order testi kebab sealed in a clay pot). If skies are clear, stargaze from your terrace—Cappadocia nights can be crystalline.

Balloon experience: Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Flight over Göreme.

Day 7 — Uçhisar Castle views, last tastes, depart

Morning: Climb Uçhisar Castle—the region’s highest vantage—for a final panorama of valleys and villages. Coffee at Café Şafak in Göreme and a slice of tahin pekmez helva or a last warm simit.

Afternoon: Quick lunch (manti dumplings with garlicky yogurt) before your shuttle back to NAV/ASR. Fly to Istanbul for your onward connection. If you’re extending, overnight near the airport or add a seaside day on the Aegean.

Evening: In transit.

Optional/Alternate Experiences

• Old City deep dive (private): Best of Istanbul Private Guided Tour (1–3 days) for tailored pacing.

  

Logistics & Getting Around

• International flights: Compare prices on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Within/from Europe, also check Omio flights.
• Istanbul transport: Load an Istanbulkart; metros, trams, ferries, and buses are frequent. Taxis are plentiful; use official ranks and insist on the meter.
• Istanbul → Cappadocia: Morning flight (~1h20) + shuttle (40–75 min). For buses (10–12 hours overnight), compare on Omio buses if you prefer saving a hotel night.
• Timing tips: Book balloon flights and Bosphorus cruises early in peak seasons (April–June, Sep–Oct). Mosques may close during prayer times; plan flexibly on Fridays.

Handpicked Food & Coffee Shortlist

• Breakfasts: Van Kahvaltı Evi (Cihangir); Namlı Gurme (Karaköy); Çakmak Kahvaltı Salonu (Beşiktaş).
• Coffee: Mandabatmaz (Turkish coffee); Petra Roasting Co.; Kronotrop; Story Coffee (Kadıköy/Moda).
• Classic meyhanes: Asmalı Cavit; Karaköy Lokantası; Sefa Meyhanesi (Kadıköy).
• Grills & kebab: Zübeyir Ocakbaşı; Develi; Hamdi (for Golden Horn views).
• Cappadocia tables: Seten; Topdeck; Pumpkin; Dibek; Seki (Argos) for a special night.

Another excellent Istanbul day option: ISTANBUL BEST: Iconic Landmarks Full‑Day Private Guided City Tour.

In one week you’ve crossed continents, sailed a storied strait, and floated above otherworldly valleys—sampling the flavors and histories that define Turkey. Keep your Istanbulkart handy, your camera charged, and your appetite open: Turkey rewards curiosity at every turn.