Seven days in Turkey takes you from one of the world's great cities to one of its most extraordinary landscapes — Istanbul's Byzantine and Ottoman grandeur, the otherworldly fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, the best-preserved Roman city in the world at Ephesus, and the turquoise waters of the Aegean coast. Domestic flights make the distances manageable.
Days 1–2: Istanbul — Sultanahmet & the Old City
Fly into Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) and take the metro or Havaist bus to the city centre. Day 1: Sultanahmet — the historic heart of Istanbul. The Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) is the most important building in Istanbul — a 6th-century Byzantine cathedral converted to a mosque by Atatürk in 1934 and reconverted to a mosque in 2020. The interior is overwhelming in scale and beauty. The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Camii) is directly opposite — six minarets, extraordinary blue İznik tile interior. The Topkapı Palace was the administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire for 400 years — the Harem, the Treasury (with the Topkapı Dagger and the Spoonmaker's Diamond), and the views over the Bosphorus are extraordinary. Book tickets in advance. The Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) — a 6th-century underground cistern with 336 columns and atmospheric lighting — is one of Istanbul's most atmospheric sites. Day 2: the Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) — one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets, with 4,000 shops. Arrive early to beat the crowds. The Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı) is smaller and more manageable — the best place to buy Turkish spices, tea, and lokum (Turkish delight). Afternoon: take the ferry across the Bosphorus to the Asian side — Kadıköy market and the Moda neighbourhood are excellent for lunch and coffee. Evening: Beyoğlu and İstiklal Avenue — the modern heart of Istanbul, with excellent restaurants, bars, and the historic Pera Palace Hotel.
Day 3: Istanbul — Bosphorus & Modern City
Morning: the Istanbul Archaeological Museums — three museums in one complex, with the Alexander Sarcophagus (one of the finest pieces of ancient sculpture in the world), the Treaty of Kadesh (the world's oldest known peace treaty), and extraordinary collections from across the Ottoman Empire. The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts has the finest collection of Islamic art in Turkey. Afternoon: a Bosphorus cruise — ferries run from Eminönü to Anadolu Kavağı (the mouth of the Black Sea) and back, passing Ottoman palaces, fortresses, and the point where Europe meets Asia. The Dolmabahçe Palace (the 19th-century Ottoman palace on the European shore) is spectacular — book a guided tour. Evening: rooftop dinner in Beyoğlu with views of the Golden Horn and the old city skyline — one of the great urban views in the world.
Day 4: Istanbul to Cappadocia
Fly from Istanbul to Kayseri or Nevşehir (1.5 hours, from £30 — book in advance). Take a shuttle bus or taxi to Göreme — the main village in Cappadocia, surrounded by fairy chimneys and cave hotels. Check into your cave hotel (staying in a cave is one of the great hotel experiences in Turkey). Afternoon: the Göreme Open-Air Museum — a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Byzantine cave churches decorated with extraordinary 10th–12th century frescoes. The Dark Church (Karanlık Kilise) has the finest frescoes. Sunset: hike up to the Rose Valley or Sunset Hill for panoramic views over the fairy chimneys as the light turns golden — one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. Evening: a traditional Turkish dinner in Göreme — try testi kebabı (meat and vegetables slow-cooked in a sealed clay pot, broken at the table).
Day 5: Cappadocia — Hot Air Balloon & Underground City
Pre-dawn: hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia — the most spectacular balloon experience in the world. Balloons launch at sunrise and drift over the fairy chimneys, valleys, and cave villages for 1–1.5 hours. Book through a reputable operator (Butterfly Balloons, Royal Balloon, Kapadokya Balloons) at least a week ahead — from £150–200/person. This is the highlight of any Turkey trip. Morning: the Derinkuyu Underground City — an extraordinary 8-level underground city carved from volcanic rock, capable of housing 20,000 people. The tunnels, stables, churches, and ventilation shafts are astonishing. Afternoon: the Ihlara Valley — a 14km gorge carved by the Melendiz River, with Byzantine cave churches carved into the cliff walls. A beautiful 3-hour walk. Evening: pottery workshop in Avanos — the town on the Red River has been a centre of pottery-making for 4,000 years.
Day 6: Cappadocia to the Aegean Coast
Fly from Kayseri or Nevşehir to İzmir (1.5 hours, from £25) or take the overnight bus. İzmir is Turkey's third city — a modern, cosmopolitan port city on the Aegean. The Kemeraltı Bazaar is excellent for lunch and shopping. Drive or take a bus to Selçuk (1 hour from İzmir) — the base for Ephesus. Ephesus (Efes) is the best-preserved ancient Roman city in the world — the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre (capacity 25,000), the Temple of Hadrian, and the marble-paved Curetes Street are extraordinary. Allow 3 hours. Book tickets in advance and go early morning to beat the tour groups. The Ephesus Museum in Selçuk has excellent finds from the site. Stay overnight in Selçuk or drive south to Kuşadası (30 minutes) for a beach hotel.
Day 7: Aegean Coast & Departure
Morning: the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (only one column remains standing, but the scale of the original is extraordinary). The House of the Virgin Mary (Meryemana) — a small chapel on a hillside above Ephesus, believed to be where the Virgin Mary spent her final years — is a significant pilgrimage site. Drive south to Pamukkale (2.5 hours from Selçuk) if time allows — the white travertine terraces filled with thermal water are one of Turkey's most spectacular natural wonders. The ancient city of Hierapolis is on the same site. Return to İzmir for your departure flight, or fly from Bodrum (1.5 hours south of Selçuk) — Bodrum Airport (BJV) has direct flights to many European cities.
