Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul
The first stop of our Türkiye travel guide is Istanbul.
Upon your arrival in Istanbul, settle into your accommodation and take some time to rest after your trip. If you still have energy in the evening, take a quick walk through Taksim or Sultanahmet to experience the city’s lively vibe. A stroll along the Bosphorus offers the perfect first glimpse of Istanbul’s skyline; you can try street snacks or relax at a café with a cup of Turkish coffee.
Day 2: Explore the Historical Peninsula
Starting with a full-day tour of the Historic Peninsula, which is basically the heart of Istanbul. Everywhere you go in this area, you’ll be soaking in rich history and culture:
The Hippodrome Square: This square, historically the site of the Roman and Byzantine hippodrome, was once the venue for chariot races, entertainment, and riots, with a capacity of 100,000 spectators. Today, monuments like the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column, and the Walled Obelisk can be seen in the square. Known as “Atmeydanı” (Horse Square) during the Ottoman era, this area is one of Istanbul’s most significant historical squares, situated near the Blue Mosque and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts.
Hagia Sophia: Built in a basilica plan by Emperor Justinian I between 532 and 537, Hagia Sophia is a unique structure that served as a church for nearly 1,000 years and a mosque for 500 years. It was converted into a mosque after Istanbul’s conquest in 1453, became a museum from 1935 to 2020, and is now open for both worship and visitors. Considered one of the world’s most important architectural masterpieces, Hagia Sophia captivates visitors with its massive dome and stunning mosaics. This monumental structure, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is undoubtedly one of the most significant symbols of Istanbul.
Blue Mosque: Situated across from Hagia Sophia and built in the 17th century by Sultan Ahmed I, this mosque is a prime example of classic Ottoman architecture, featuring six minarets. Constructed between 1609 and 1616 under the guidance of architect Sedefkâr Mehmet Ağa, the mosque is known as the “Blue Mosque” to foreign visitors due to the blue İznik tiles that decorate its interior. With its large courtyard, elegant domes, and tranquil atmosphere, the mosque is open for worship and remains one of Istanbul’s most popular places of worship.
Basilica Cistern: Commissioned by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century, this underground water cistern is a colossal structure built to supply Istanbul with water. Supported by 336 marble columns, the Basilica Cistern is renowned for its mysterious atmosphere, created by dim lighting and the column bases featuring inverted Medusa heads. As you walk through the structure, also known as the Yerebatan Palace (Sunken Palace), you’ll feel as if you are inside a 1,500-year-old engineering marvel.
Grand Bazaar: The Grand Bazaar, whose foundations were laid during the reign of Fatih Sultan Mehmet in the 15th century and expanded during Suleiman the Magnificent’s rule, is one of the world’s largest and oldest covered markets. With its labyrinthine structure spanning an area of approximately 30,000 m², it features more than 60 streets and around 4,000 shops. Selling gold, jewelry, carpets, spices, textiles, and more, the bazaar attracts nearly half a million visitors daily. Shopping in the Grand Bazaar is an unforgettable experience, with its vibrant shops, tradition of bargaining, and historic atmosphere. Visitors also have the chance to see the exact locations where famous Hollywood movies were filmed.
Day 3: Bosphorus and city tours
Today, you’ll get to explore a different side of Istanbul, its Bosphorus views and the traces of late Ottoman architecture. Your route includes palaces, mosques, and more:
Dolmabahçe Palace: Built in the 19th century by Sultan Abdülmecid, Dolmabahçe is one of the grandest palaces of the Ottoman Empire, designed under the influence of Western architecture. Construction began in 1843 and was completed in 1856 by architects Garabet and Nikogos Balyan. With its 285 rooms and 43 halls, Dolmabahçe impresses with its European-style decorations, crystal chandeliers, and gold-gilded ceilings. It is also where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, spent his final days and passed away in 1938. Located right on the waterfront, the palace offers an unforgettable atmosphere where history meets the view of the Bosphorus.
Bosphorus Boat Tour: The Bosphorus, the deep blue strait that separates Europe and Asia, offers one of the most captivating ways to explore Istanbul. A boat tour along the Bosphorus provides a unique view of the city, allowing you to see its historic mansions, palaces, and bridges from the water. A sunset cruise is especially memorable for viewing the city’s silhouette and waterfront palaces. Along the way, you’ll spot iconic landmarks such as the Maiden’s Tower, Beylerbeyi Palace, Küçüksu Pavilion, Rumeli Fortress, Ortaköy Mosque, and the stunning Bosphorus bridges from a fresh and striking perspective.
Spice Bazaar: Built in the 17th century as part of the New Mosque complex, the Spice Bazaar takes its name from the taxes collected in Egypt that financed its construction. This historic marketplace delights the senses with mounds of colorful spices, dried fruits, Turkish delight, and herbal teas. Since opening in 1664, it has remained one of Istanbul’s most lively and aromatic spots. You can enjoy shopping while wandering through its vaulted corridors filled with fragrance and color.
Süleymaniye Mosque: Commissioned by Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent between 1550 and 1557, the Süleymaniye Mosque is celebrated as the “masterwork” of the renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. Located on Istanbul’s third hill overlooking the Golden Horn, it represents the height of classical Ottoman architecture. Its four minarets symbolize Süleyman’s position as the fourth sultan after the conquest of Istanbul, while its impressive dome, rising 53 meters high, dominates the skyline. From its courtyard, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the city, and just behind it, they can visit the tombs of Sultan Süleyman and his wife Hürrem Sultan.
You can read our article to get more detailed information about the Bosphorus.
Day 4: Flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia — The land of fairy chimneys
You can catch an early morning flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia (via Kayseri or Nevşehir airports). In this magical region of Central Anatolia, a landscape straight out of a fairy tale awaits you. Once you arrive, drop off your luggage at the hotel and explore the valleys known for their extraordinary rock formations:
Devrent Valley: Situated near Avanos, this area is also known as the “Valley of Imagination.” Unlike other parts of Cappadocia, Devrent has no human settlements and features surreal rock formations that resemble various figures. With a bit of imagination, you can see shapes that look like camels, birds, or human faces. The camel-shaped rock has even become the symbol of the valley. Like many regions in Cappadocia, Devrent is part of the Göreme National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and preserving its natural landscape is very important.
Zelve Valley and Open-Air Museum: One of the areas where Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys are most densely clustered, Zelve consists of three parallel valleys. Starting in the 9th century, it became an important Christian settlement and monastic center, where the first monks in the region learned their trade. Alongside hundreds of cone-shaped fairy chimneys, you’ll see numerous dwellings, churches, monasteries, and even a mosque carved into the rocks. Zelve, which had functioned as a village until the 1950s, was evacuated after rockfalls and became a museum in 1967. As you walk through the valley, you’ll be amazed by the rock tunnels, where natural beauty and history intersect, and the slopes decorated with dovecotes.
Paşabağları: Located just near Zelve, Paşabağ Valley is home to some of the most iconic fairy chimneys in Cappadocia. This site features mushroom-shaped formations carved with hermit cells. In one of the famous three-headed fairy chimneys, you can still see a small chapel and a hermit’s cell dedicated to Saint Simeon. Once a retreat for monks seeking solitude from the world, Paşabağları today welcomes visitors eager to admire and photograph these natural wonders, a true emblem of Cappadocia.
Day 5: Cappadocia– Tour of nature and history
Kaymaklı Underground City: One of Cappadocia’s hidden wonders beneath the surface, this ancient settlement dates back to the 2nd millennium BCE, during the Hittite era. Kaymaklı is a vast underground complex with eight levels, four of which are open to visitors. Narrow tunnels connect chambers like storage rooms, wine cellars, kitchens, water wells, ventilation shafts, and even a small church. Large circular stone doors could seal entrances from the inside, allowing thousands of people to survive underground for months during times of war or invasion. Expanded during the Roman and Byzantine periods as a shelter for local populations, Kaymaklı’s cool passageways take you on a journey deep into history.
Pigeon Valley: Extending approximately four kilometers from Uçhisar to Göreme, this valley is renowned for its lush greenery and dovecotes carved into the soft rock. For centuries, locals carved small hollows into cliffs to collect pigeon droppings, which were valued as natural fertilizer for vineyards. A simple walk through the valley lets you enjoy Cappadocia’s flora and scenic landscape while spotting tiny chapels, old cave dwellings, and the dovecotes themselves. The trail begins at the base of Uçhisar Castle and winds its way down toward Göreme, offering peaceful viewpoints along the way.
Göreme Open-Air Museum: The heart of Cappadocia’s UNESCO World Heritage landscape, the Göreme Open-Air Museum is a rock-carved monastic complex where monastic life continued uninterrupted from the 4th to the 13th century AD. Nearly every rock formation contains a chapel, church, refectory, or monk’s cell. Göreme is considered the birthplace of the region’s monastic education system and offers deep insight into the early Christian era. Here, you can visit some of the most famous rock-cut churches, such as the Apple Church, the Snake Church, the Dark Church, and the Buckle Church, all decorated with striking frescoes. These paintings, showing scenes from the Bible and Jesus’ life, were created using two different techniques, resulting in remarkably vivid artworks. In some, like the Dark Church, the colors remain so vibrant that it’s hard to believe they are over a thousand years old. The Göreme Open-Air Museum has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985, recognized for its significance both naturally and culturally. After exploring this open-air wonder of Cappadocia, you’ll be captivated by the magic of a journey deep into the past.
Avanos: Toward the end of the day, you can visit Avanos, Cappadocia’s hub for pottery and ceramics. The town is split by the Kızılırmak River, Türkiye’s longest river, whose red clay-rich soil has supported a pottery tradition for thousands of years. Dating back to the Hittite era, Avanos pottery is still made traditionally, with master potters kneading the red clay from the Kızılırmak and shaping it on ancient foot-powered wheels. You can visit a pottery workshop to watch artisans craft with skillful hands or even try your hand at the wheel to make your own piece. Avanos is also a charming place to relax, featuring cozy riverside cafés, a suspension bridge, and lovely handicraft shops.
We recommend you read our blog post that will guide you through our time in Cappadocia.
Day 6: Transfer from Cappadocia to Izmir
Today, your journey takes you from Cappadocia to the Aegean region. In the morning, fly from Cappadocia (via Kayseri or Nevşehir) to Izmir. Once there, you’ll settle into your accommodation near the ancient city of Ephesus, either in Selçuk or Kuşadası. The rest of the day is for traveling and relaxing. If you’re up for it, enjoy a leisurely evening walk along the Aegean coast or have dinner at a local restaurant featuring the region’s fresh and flavorful cuisine.
Day 7: Ephesus Ancient City – The glory of history
Today, you can visit Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world. Located near the town of Selçuk in Izmir, the Ephesus Archaeological Site was once a major port city and cultural hub of the ancient world. If you like, you can take a guided walking tour and stroll along its marble-paved streets, tracing history step by step.
Ephesus Ancient City: During the Roman Empire, Ephesus served as the capital of the province of Asia and evolved into a vast metropolis with over 200,000 residents. As a key trade hub between East and West, the city’s wealth led to the construction of impressive monumental structures. Excavations at Ephesus, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, have been ongoing for more than a hundred years, and much of the ancient city remains buried beneath the ground. Here are the main structures and landmarks you’ll see during your visit to Ephesus:
- Library of Celsus: One of the most iconic landmarks of Ephesus, this library was built in the 2nd century AD in honor of Roman Senator Celsus. With its ornate two-story façade, it once held around 12,000 scrolls of books. Although only the front façade remains today, its intricate reliefs and sculptural niches make it one of the finest examples of library architecture from the ancient world.
- The Great Theatre: With a capacity of 25,000 spectators, the Great Theatre of Ephesus stands as one of the largest open-air theatres of the ancient world. Built into the slope of a hill, construction began during the reign of Emperor Claudius and was completed under the rule of Trajan. In antiquity, the theatre hosted a diverse range of events, including gladiator contests, dramatic performances, and even sermons by Saint Paul. Sitting on its stone tiers today, you can also enjoy a sweeping view of Ephesus’ grand Harbour Street.
- Curetes Street and the Temple of Hadrian: This marble-paved avenue, one of the main arteries of Ephesus, is lined with colonnaded walkways and monuments. The Temple of Hadrian, built in honor of the Roman Emperor Hadrian (117–138), is distinguished by its richly carved reliefs. Though modest in size, its arched entrance and the intricate Medusa relief on the front make it one of the most striking structures in the city.
- Agoras and baths: Ephesus had two main squares: the State Agora and the Commercial Agora. The latter was the center of daily trade and community life, bustling with merchants and travelers. Monumental bathhouses like the Baths of Scholastikia offer insights into the routines of Ephesus’ inhabitants. You can still see the remains of the hot and cold rooms, as well as toilets, which are humorously claimed to be among the oldest communal toilets in the world.
- Temple of Artemis: After exploring the city, you can visit the remains of the Temple of Artemis, located just outside the ancient site. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the temple was a colossal structure built in the 6th century BC. Today, only traces of its foundations and a single reconstructed column remain, giving a glimpse of its former grandeur.
- House of the Virgin Mary: On Mount Koressos, near Ephesus, stands a small stone house believed to be the final resting place of the Virgin Mary. According to tradition, Mary, mother of Jesus, came to the region with the Apostle John and spent her final years here. Surrounded by peaceful woodland, the site is now a Christian pilgrimage destination and a place of quiet reflection.
As you walk along the marble streets of Ephesus, you’ll find yourself face to face with a civilization that thrived thousands of years ago, wandering among ancient columns and statues as if you’re traveling back in time. At the end of your tour, you can browse the souvenir stalls for unique keepsakes from Ephesus, such as miniature statues of Artemis or reliefs of Greek goddesses.
You can read our blog post to learn about the other 22 wonders of Türkiye on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Day 8: Hierapolis & Pamukkale: Natural and historical wonders
You can start early in the morning, departing from your hotel to visit the Pamukkale and Hierapolis area in Denizli Province. After about a three-hour drive, you’ll arrive at this stunning site where nature and history blend perfectly.
Pamukkale Travertines: Pamukkale is a natural wonder known for its white calcium terraces that cascade down the hillside. The calcium-rich thermal waters flowing for thousands of years have created soft, warm pools that resemble layers of cotton. You can take off your shoes and walk barefoot across these natural terraces, enjoying the soothing warmth of the water. If you wish, you can even swim in these ancient thermal waters, which have been used for healing since antiquity. The Cleopatra Pool, where you can swim among the ruins of ancient columns, offers a truly unique experience.
Hierapolis Ancient City: Sitting above the travertines, Hierapolis is an ancient Roman-Phrygian city and a thermal health center. It was founded in the 2nd century BC by the kings of Pergamon and later thrived under Roman rule. The most striking structure here is the grand Hierapolis Theater on the hillside. Nearly 1,800 years old, it still stands proudly with its 50 tiers of seating and ornately decorated stage façade, making it one of the best-preserved Roman theaters in Anatolia. The site also features the Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium (a sacred cave), the Cleopatra Pool, a colonnaded street, and an extensive necropolis. Since 1988, Hierapolis and Pamukkale have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, where nature and history coexist in harmony.
In the afternoon, you can set out from the Aegean toward the Mediterranean, heading to your final destination: Antalya. The drive from Pamukkale to Antalya takes about three to four hours, and as you near the coast, you’ll see the landscape gradually change. By evening, you can check into your hotel and relax before enjoying a tasty dinner near the marina, where you can try the region’s fresh herbs, olive oil dishes, and seafood – an ideal way to recharge before your upcoming adventures.
Day 9: Antalya – The grandeur of history and the charm of Kaleiçi
Today, you can explore the heart of the Mediterranean’s ancient heritage by visiting some of its most remarkable archaeological sites and Antalya’s historic center. Your morning begins with a trip to Perge Ancient City, once the capital of the Pamphylia region. It reached its peak during the Roman Empire and is known for its massive towers, expansive Roman baths, and its grand marble-paved main street lined with statues and colonnades on both sides. The canal running through the center of the street highlights the city’s advanced engineering and wealth. As you walk along, you can almost picture the lively crowds of ancient times. Visiting Perge will give you a sense of the region’s political and commercial significance in antiquity.
After lunch and a short rest, you can head toward the Roman Theatre of Aspendos, one of the best-preserved monumental structures in the entire Mediterranean region. Built in the 2nd century AD, this masterpiece of Roman architecture still features nearly perfect acoustics, good enough to host concerts and festivals today. The grandeur of its stage building (scaenae frons) and the sweeping tiers of seats (cavea) will leave you in awe, offering a vivid glimpse into the splendor of ancient times. By evening, return to Kaleiçi, the heart of Antalya. With its narrow cobblestone streets, bay-windowed Ottoman houses, and views over the old marina, Kaleiçi feels like a living open-air museum. You can see the majestic Hadrian’s Gate (Üç Kapılar), built in honor of Roman Emperor Hadrian’s visit in 130 AD, and take a stroll around the historic harbor as the sun sets. End the day with dinner at one of Kaleiçi’s authentic restaurants, savoring Mediterranean flavors amid its romantic atmosphere.
Day 10: Last day in Antalya
On the last day of your Türkiye tour, you can relax by exploring Antalya’s famous natural beauty and enjoying the refreshing waters of the Mediterranean. Begin your morning with a visit to one of the city’s iconic landmarks, the Düden Waterfalls. This natural wonder has two main sections: Upper Düden, accessible by land and featuring a small cave path that lets visitors walk behind the falling water, and Lower Düden, where the river dramatically plunges off the cliffs directly into the Mediterranean Sea. Seeing the Lower Düden waterfall from a boat tour provides a stunning view and a real sense of nature’s mighty force.
After visiting the waterfall, take some time to relax and enjoy the sea if the weather allows. You can soak up the sun and swim in the clear blue waters of Konyaaltı Beach on the city’s western side, known for its pebbly shore, or choose the softer sands of Lara Beach on the eastern side. Both offer a peaceful escape to help you unwind and wash away travel fatigue. After a relaxing afternoon under the Mediterranean sun, head back to the city center later in the day. If time permits, stroll through Kaleiçi again, pick up a few last souvenirs, or treat yourself to a scoop of Antalya’s famous “burnt ice cream” before your trip ends.
In the evening, you can transfer from your hotel to Antalya Airport to conclude your unforgettable ten-day adventure that started in Istanbul and took you through Anatolia’s historic, cultural, and natural wonders. We recommend you read our content, which will give you more detailed information about things to do in Antalya during your trip.
Türkiye is a country that captivates at every turn, where stories from ancient times to the present intertwine smoothly. During this ten-day trip, you’ll uncover not only stunning landscapes but also a way of life shaped by millennia of diverse cultures. As you depart these lands where history, nature, and warm hospitality come together, the colors, sounds, and flavors of Türkiye will stay with you for a long time.
