Ultimate 7-Day Turkey Itinerary for An Awe-Inspiring Experience

Planning a 7-day Turkey itinerary, it’s never enough, it’s too less (I screamed to myself), but good enough for a first-time visitor. There is a lot to see & experience – the historical architecture, age-old bazaars, Hammams, hot-air balloons, and hikes around the valleys of Cappadocia, but time is limited. 

Turkey, a crossover of Europe and Asia, unveils the glorious past of the once magnificent Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. From the sprawling metropolis of Istanbul to the scenic chimney landscapes of Cappadocia to the old-school charm of Bodrum, the country escapes into the most stunning scenic visuals. This travel itinerary for Turkey includes Istanbul and Cappadocia – a bit of historical immersion, gastronomical awakening, and rendezvous with the stunning vistas of the country. Let’s get you the best of Turkey wrapped in a week. 

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Epic 7-Turkey Travel Itinerary for First Timers

This classic 1-week Turkey itinerary, tailored for first-time visitors, is good to get a glimpse of Istanbul and further a breathtaking sojourn in Cappadocia. 

Day 1 to 4 – Istanbul 

The magnificence of Istanbul blends beautifully the European panache with oriental extravagance. The colossal metropolis soaks in the footprints of erstwhile empires with iconic monuments, architecture, and museums spread across the city. As the first hint of dusk takes over the skies of Istanbul, the city turns into a captivating phenomenon with lights twinkling from mosques and concretes along the banks of the Bosporus Strait. 

The streets of Istanbul are rife with vivid street art. The alleys and narrow lanes are a sight to behold with vintage and artsy cafes. The seagulls make their presence in the city discrete. The cats, fluffy and well-fed, trod every nook and corner of their city. Be it the vintage tram or the world-class public transport, the city is one of the finest to experience. 

Let’s get you the best of Istanbul in 4- days, shall we? 

Day 1 & 2 – Start with Sultanahmet 

One of the thriving and oldest locales of Istanbul, I parked myself in Sultanahmet for good 3 days as the base for the Istanbul city experience. With all the iconic monuments within a 1 km radius, it is easy to walk around and visit all the tourist places. You can opt to stay in another neighbourhood and take a trip to Sultanahmet. 

Must-visit places and experiences: 

• Blue Mosque
• Hagia Sophia
• Tokpaki Palace   
• Basilica Cistern 
• Süleymaniye Mosque – 
• Take a tour of Grand Bazaar
• Visit Hafiz Mustafa for some Turkish Baklava 
• Galata Bridge (connecting Eminonu to Karakoy)
• Spend time sitting by the banks of Bosphorus 

Note: I covered all of this in two days and walked a lot. You can squeeze all of this in a day, but it will be a rushed affair. I took my own sweet time to experience each of the places. 

Day -3 (Balat & Fener along with Bosporus Cruise)

In awe of the colourful homes, rustic cafes, and the 90’s vibe, the erstwhile Jewish colony (Balat) and Greek colony (Fener), made it to my itinerary. And, what a visual treat to behold. It’s a photographer’s paradise with streets rife with vintage cars, quirky cafes, and the facades of dilapidated pastel-shade buildings adorned with floral hangs, bougainvillea twirls & art. 

I easily spent more than half a day in the neighbourhoods scanning through the art, walking the curved alleys, eating in merriment at the cafes, and just photographing the streets. 

Bosporus Cruise 

After a tiresome yet beautiful day in the vibrant neighbourhoods of Balat and Fener, I decided to unwind for the day by booking an evening Bosporus Cruise. For 40 – 50€, you can enjoy an evening cruise mesmerized by the on-cruise performances, delectable food, and the sight of the city & bridges all lit up. 

Day – 4 – Stay at Karakoy 

After skimming through the streets of Sultanahmet for good 3-days, I decided to move my base for the last day to Karakoy. My last day was kind of packed with a lot of see and experiences. Here are some recommendations for the 4th day.

• Visit Taksim Square (prefer walking from Karakoy) 
• Walk along Istiklal Street for the vintage tram experience. 
• Take a ferry to Kadikoy and experience the oriental (Asian) side of Istanbul. 
• Karakoy umbrella street 
• Galata Tower 

Day 5 to 7 (Cappadocia) 

An early morning flight from Istanbul to Nevsehir leaves you with ample time to explore the magical values of Cappadocia. I stationed myself in Gerome during my 3-day sojourn in Cappadocia and explored the neighbouring places. Not the list of exact things to do in Cappadocia, but here’s how I left behind footprints on this stunning destination. 

Day 5 (Gerome)

The landscape turns into an idyllic countryside treat as you get on a cab from Nevsehir Airport to the quintessential hot-air balloon town of Gerome. The lush-green hillocks, endless roads, and the balmy breeze is a constant companion. From the extravagant, shiny metropolis to the sleepy town of Gerome, it was a beautiful escape into the arms of bountiful nature, sprawled with properties tugged in caves. As the night blankets the sky, the twinkling lights turn the town into a fairyland mystique. I had almost the entire day as I reached my accommodation by 10.00 AM.

Here’s what I suggest:

• Gerome Open Air Museum 
• Book an ATV ride for the evening 

Day 6 (Cappadocia Green Tour & Sunset Point)

The red, green, and blue tours are quite popular in the areas. These are decently priced and cover numerous places of tourist attractions. I opted for the green tour and booked it via my hostel. The tour starts at around 9 to 9.30 AM and ends by roughly 6 PM. You have the rest of the evening to hit the cute cafes or simply enjoy the sunset from the sunset point. 

Here’s what you can expect from the Cappadocia green tour:

• Goreme Panorama viewpoint
• Derinkuyu Underground City 
• Selime Monastery
• Lunch at Belisirma Village by Melendiz River 
• Hike along Ihlara Valley
• Pigeon Valley Viewpoint
• Spice Emporium/Onyx Factory 

Note: The itinerary might vary depending on the tour operator. This is the itinerary that was covered via the green tour I opted for.  

Don’t miss the Gerome sunset point!

Spend the evening hypnotized by the magical sunset. Hike up to the sunset point and witness the chimney landscape of Gerome shining like scattered diamonds.  

Day 7 (Uchisar)

Booked myself a Cappadocia approved hot-air balloon, but the weather reigns supremacy over your bucket list. The windy tantrums and soggy clouds clearly hinted at a no hot-air balloon experience in Cappadocia. Perhaps, it is best to keep some experience for next time (or that’s what I convinced myself with). 

Last minute things to do in Cappadocia that’s not hot-air balloon (sounds apt):

• Take a trip to Uchisar and visit Uchisar Castle 
• Hike around the valleys (I hiked through Love Valley) 
• Visit the local stables 

If you have a few extra days, you can hike valleys in Cappadocia like Rose Valley, Red Valley, Pigeon Valley, Gerome to Uchisar Castle hike and many more. 

Day 8 (Flight back home)

I had my flight back to India from Istanbul on my 8th day. Took a morning flight from Nevsehir Airport to Istanbul and then a flight back to New Delhi.

I hope you enjoyed reading the blog. With a plethora of things to offer, Turkey is a tale of two continents that beautifully embraces each other. This 7-day itinerary for Turkey is what you need to start planning your short trip to this gorgeous country. 

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Watch out for the next blog that will detail everything you need to know about planning your trip to Turkey – budget, visa, accommodation, public transport, and experiences. 

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