Planning to spend 7 days in Turkey and contemplating how to craft an ideal 7 day Turkey itinerary for a first-time visitor? I’m here to help. I’ve created an easy-to-follow itinerary for spending one week in Turkey that covers almost all the highlights of Türkiye – from intriguing cultural gems, iconic historic landmarks, unusual natural landscapes, and traditional artistic heritage, to the breathtaking Turkish Riviera, and unforgettable gastronomic experiences.

Excited? Let’s dive in!

Planning Your Trip to Turkey: Quick Tips

Visa for Turkey: Know if you need a visa for Turkey. Many countries, including India and the USA, need to apply for an e-Visa for Turkey. Get your visa for Turkey fastly and effortlessly through iVisa.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is vital for peace of mind while traveling. No two ways about it. Get reliable travel insurance from Heymondo. They offer wider and more flexible coverage at good value for money and dependable 24/7 customer service.
How to Get to Turkey: The best way is to fly directly to Istanbul Atatürk Airport (IST). Check out Skyscanner for the best and most affordable flights to Turkey.
Airport Transfer: You can choose to travel by airport taxi, bus, subway, or rental car from Istanbul Airport to your hotel or accommodation depending on the time, budget, and travel style. There are three types of airport taxis viz. orange taxis (cheap), blue taxis (more expensive), and black taxis (luxurious). Havaist and IETT buses and Istanbul Airport Metro Line M11 run between the airport and downtown, however, you might need to take an additional ride from the stop to your accommodation. For a truly hassle-free experience, prebook the fast and reliable private transfer from the Istanbul Airport to your hotel or a vacation rental with Viator.
Rent a Car in Turkey: We recommend using Local Rent for all your car hire needs in Turkey.
Getting Around Turkey: Flying is by far a more accessible and cheaper option that helps you make the most of your time (if you just have a few days to explore the country) in Turkey. If you’ve more time, driving is a great option – it gives you a lot of freedom and flexibility. We spent one month driving around the country and could manage to cover some offbeat hidden gems.
Guided Tours: A tour with a local guide is the perfect choice if you’ve limited time on your hands or if you are interested in diving deep into the history and culture of the country. We use and recommend Viator, Get Your Guide, or Klook to book guided tours and Civitatis for free walking tours.
Top Experiences & Tours for 7 Days in Turkey:
7-Day Turkey Classics Tour from Istanbul
7 Days Turkey Tour Package
7 Days Highlights of Turkey Tour
Where to Stay in Turkey: Turkey has a nice range of accommodation options for every kind of traveler. We use and recommend Booking.com to find the best accommodation at great prices. It not only gives you a price match guarantee but allows you to cancel anytime without a fee. Bed and breakfast to the apartment, villas, and guesthouses to hostels, resorts, and homestays, it also offers lots of variety.

Turkey Trip Itinerary: An Introduction

This itinerary for Turkey includes the main sights the country is known for with the exception of Pamukkale – it’s one attraction that’s highly overrated and doesn’t live up to expectations at all (believe me, it’s not what it looks like on Instagram) so I feel it can be easily skipped when you have a limited time.

However, if you still want you can tweak the itinerary by swapping Ephesus for Pamukkale. Personally, I’d prefer the former over the latter.

The itinerary starts and ends in Istanbul and needs you to use flights, exclusively as Turkey is huge and it takes a lot of time to travel from one destination to another owing to the large distances. It makes sense to fly between the destinations when you have just a week in Turkey. You must plan in some buffer time!

Although 7 days for exploring the cultural, historical, and natural abundance of Turkey is quite a short time, yet, following our itinerary, you can explore the vibrant capital of Turkey, Istanbul (however thronged and chaotic it is, you can’t help but fall for it – that’s its charisma), the other-worldly landscapes of Cappadocia (it’s another level) and of course, the once-in-a-lifetime hot air ballooning, the mesmerizing beaches of Turkish Riviera, the historic wonders of the central Aegean region, and not to mention, taste local delicacies.

Brief 7 Day Turkey Itinerary

Here’s what a brief Turkey itinerary for 7 days looks like!

Day 1, 2 & 3: Istanbul
Day 4 & 5: Cappadocia
Day 6 & 7: Bodrum & Ephesus

Detailed One Week in Turkey Itinerary

Are you ready to plan the perfect 7 days in Turkey?

Day 0: Arrive in Istanbul | Day at Leisure

After a 3-hour flight from Baku and an hour-long taxi ride from Istanbul Airport, it was already 12 am when we reached our accommodation in Beyoğlu. We had no option but to sleep

Anyhow, we recharged our batteries with a good night’s sleep so we could start exploring Istanbul bright and early.

So, depending on when you arrive in Istanbul, you can plan your day accordingly.

If you reach early, head straight to your hotel. Finish the check-in formalities, freshen up, and get out to stroll the charming streets of Istanbul – a kinda formal introduction. If you’re feeling tired or jetlagged after a flight journey, you can choose to relax because you have a lot to do the next day.

There are two airports in Istanbul – Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side and Sabiha Gokcen Airport ( SAW) on the Asian side. Both are far from the city center so, I recommend scheduling a private airport transfer to secure comfortable and fast transportation from the airport to your hotel.

Note: Make it a point to book a hotel in the city center to minimize the transportation hassle and expenses.

a city that straddles the Bosporus Strait that straddles between Europe & Asia

Day 1: Explore Classic Istanbul (District Fatih – Sultanahmet, Fener, & Balat Neighborhoods)

Start day 1 of your Turkey one week itinerary in Sultanahmet, the heart and soul of Istanbul. Soaked in rich culture and history, each corner of the historic district of Sultanahmet narrates a story, It’s not just a place, it’s an EXPERIENCE.

The neighborhood is home to iconic architectural and religious marvels like Hagia Sophia Mosque and the Blue Mosque, both beautifully defining Istanbul’s majestic skyline.

The other highlights here include Sultanahmet Square or the Hippodrome of Constantinople, Basilica Cistern, Cistern of Theodosius, Gulhane Park, Topkapi Palace Museum, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar aka Egyptian Bazaar, & Arasta Bazaar

Also, you are sure to walk the cobbled street lined with charming Ottoman wooden houses between Hagia Sophia and the walls of Topkapi Palace, Sogukcesme Street. Each named after a flower planted beside them, 9 out of 12 imperial houses are a part of the luxury hotel – Hagia Sophia Mansions Curio Collection by Hilton.

Former Eastern Orthodox church, now a museum & a concert hall, Hagia Irene within the courtyard of Topkapi Palace hosts classical music concerts and art exhibitions.

The best way to explore Sultanahmet is on foot as all the attractions are located within walking distance. You can map out your own self-guided walking tour or book a free walking tour or a private guided walking tour – whatever fits your bill.

Whatever and however you do – make sure you put aside at least 7 hours (half a day) to explore this classic neighborhood.

You’d definitely need a place to refill with a dose of caffeine, Hafız Mustafa, a cafe with a touch of history, lets you unwind in style. It’s one of the most historic cafes in Europe.

And I recommend Matbah – a perfect place to taste Turkish food and history.

In the late afternoon, head to the vibrant and multicultural neighborhoods of Fener and Balat best known for quintessential pastel-colored two-storey wooden rowhouses called cumba.

You can spot the houses from the roadway, in fact, they are spread out all over Fener-Balat, however, Merdivenli Yokuş and Kiremit are full of them making them Instagram-worthy streets.

Incir Agaci Cafe with its rainbow stairs is also worth a stop.

Though the bohemian decor with colorful umbrellas at Balat Antique Café (next to rainbow stairs) attracts a lot of tourists, the host seems to be rude. He has a board displayed in front of the cafe that reads – you can take photographs only if you order something at the cafe and tbh, the food and drinks are expensive and mediocre.

If you are up for an authentic cup of Turkish coffee, I’d recommend Velvet Cafe, a lovely cafe with creatively decorated vintage interiors, a friendly vibe, and a delightful menu. Twin your coffee with a Turkish classic – un helvasi and thank me later.

The neighborhoods are sprinkled with cute sidewalk cafes and bistros, and impressive little religious monuments like Saint Stefan Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Church of St. Mary of the Mongols, and Balat Mosque.

And it’s almost impossible to miss a colossal redbrick building, Phanar Greek Orthodox Lyceum – the oldest surviving Greek Orthodox School in Istanbul.

After you are done exploring Fener-Balat, head to Old Balat Cafe & Kitchen for an authentic dining experience. With an ambiance that shouts culture, warm hospitality, tasty Turkish delicacies, and an interesting setting, it’s a popular dining spot among locals and tourists, for a reason.

After a hearty dinner, cross the roadway to reach Sair Nedim Park and follow the walking path along the Golden Horn for a refreshing walk with scenic views of the bay before you take a taxi or bus back to your hotel.

Day 2: Explore the New European Side of Istanbul (District Beyoglu – Galata & Karakoy Neighborhoods & District Besiktas – Bebek & Arnavutköy Neighborhoods)

Day 2 of your Turkey 1 week itinerary is dedicated to the Beyoglu and Besiktas districts of Istanbul.

Located north of the Golden Horn consisting of neighborhoods such as Karakoy, Galata, and Taksim (Beyoglu), Ortakoy, Bebek, and Arnavutkoy (Besiktas), and Nisantasi (Sisli), this part is considered the New or Modern Istanbul.

If you want to see the charming neighborhood of Arnavutkoy, you’ll have to start your day super early (as early as 7 am) as it’s a bit away from the center of Istanbul and need you to mix two or more modes of transportation. I found the neighborhood worth a hassle!

If you are staying in Sultanahmet, you’ve to take a tram (T1) to Kabatas and then one of the Bosphorus line buses ( routes 22, 22RE, and 25E) to Arnavutkoy. Bus routes 40,40T, and 42T travel up the coast from Taksim to Arnavutkoy.

The easiest and fastest way, and of course, a little pricey way, is to ride with Uber or BiTaksi.

Noted for its ethnic diversity (Greek, Jewish, Armenian, and Turkish communities co-exist here since ancient times), Arnavutkoy attracts travelers for its wooden Ottoman mansions known as yalis, cute side streets, and seafood restaurants.

A stroll around this atmospheric area is a soul-stirring experience that you must add to your Turkey travel itinerary.

You can choose to have breakfast at Cafe Hide in Arnavutkoy or ride a cab or bus to characterful Besiktas Breakfast Street packed with cafes mastered in the art of breakfast. Çakmak Kahvaltı Salonu is the classic here as it’s recognized as the mastermind behind the breakfast street concept.

A short taxi ride or a 20-minute walk takes you to Dolmabahce Palace, the largest palace in Turkey and the classiest in the world.

Located right on the coast of the Bosphorus, the palace is an architectural masterpiece, however, you can’t capture the opulence in your camera as photography is prohibited, nevertheless, worth a visit.

Jump on an F1 line in Kabatas to reach Taksim Square, a center of Istanbul’s European side. At the heart of the square, Republic Monument celebrates the formation of the Turkish Republic in 1923.

Extending from Taksim Square to Karakoy is a 1.4 km long pedestrian street, one of the most famous in Istanbul, Istiklal Street. While you window-shop here, look out for a historic tram.

One of the many narrow alleys on the edges of Istiklal leads you to Turnacibasi Street where Aga Hamam, the oldest Turkish bath in Istanbul is located. You can check it out from outside or book a traditional hammam experience.

As you walk downhill from the street, you’ll reach the quaint neighborhood of Karakoy. It’s here where centuries-old architecture lay side by side with hipster cafes, boutiques, and art galleries.

The beautiful street art murals on every façade set a unique and contemporary vibe. Hoca Tahsin Street attracts Instagrammers for its striking wall graffiti art and colorful umbrellas overhead.

Some of the notable historic buildings in Karakoy include Kilic Ali Pasa Mosque, Turkish Orthodox Patriarchate, Ceceyan Han, Kemankes Karamustafa Pasa Mosque, Tophane Fountain, and Arab Mosque.

While in Karakoy, you must stop by Karaköy Güllüoğlu, the makers of traditional baklava since the 1800s and the most famous place to taste baklava in Istanbul.

Banks Street, the financial heart of the erstwhile Ottoman Empire is another high point for history and architecture lovers. Located on the same street is Salt Galata, an art and culture complex in a former bank building featuring a gallery, a library, and a cafe.

Climb the Kamondo Stairs from Banks Street to reach Galata, a multicultural neighborhood where Greek, Armenian, Italian, and Jewish heritage flourished.

Galata Tower, the major landmark and the real showstopper in Istanbul’s majestic skyline is located here.

An ancient watchtower in Galata citadel, the tower now houses a museum and an exhibition space. You must climb the tower for the sweeping views of the Bosphorus.

The area around the tower is charming with winding cobbled alleyways dotted with cute little cafes and bakeries, chic boutiques, traditional restaurants, small shops selling souvenirs, ancient synagogues, churches, and mosques.

If you have time, choose one of the best cafes near Galata Tower and relish a cup of coffee with snacks with a view of the historic tower and its charming surroundings. We loved Sirin Firin Bakery and Galata Art Smyrna Restaurant Cafe.

Give a beautiful ending to your day by watching the sun going down on Golden Horn from the Galata Bridge.

The upper deck of the bridge is alive with insane levels of traffic and has pedestrian walkways along either side where local fishermen make a beeline to lure in their daily catch while the lower deck is packed with seafood restaurants and bars.

PS: Galata Mevlevi House Museum and Cultural Center between Istiklal Street and Galip Dede Street towards the Galat neighborhood is known for its authentic Whirling Dervish Sema Ceremony that takes place every Sunday at 6 pm. If you wish to witness this beautiful religious ceremony, I highly recommend you book one here. It’s currently closed for renovations.

Day 3: Explore the Asian or Anatolian Side of Istanbul (District Kadikoy – Moda & Yeldegirmeni  Neighborhoods & District Uskudar – Kuzguncuk & Beylerbeyi Neighborhoods) + Fly from Istanbul to Cappadocia (Late Evening)

Day 3 of your Turkey travel itinerary takes you to the more authentic side of Istanbul – the Asian or Anatolian Side. It’s less touristy and carries a local feel.

Enjoy a ferry ride from Eminonu, Karakoy, or Besiktas to Kadikoy across the Bosphorus. Set on the shore of the Sea of Marmara, Kadikoy is largely residential and suburban and makes for a laid-back exploration.

If you haven’t had your breakfast, Dun Moda is a perfect place for a hearty breakfast. They have plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

The district has its own heritage tram line (T3 Kadıköy-Moda Nostalgia Tramway) 2.6 kilometers (1.6 mi) and there are 10 stations. With 10 stations, it loops around as it runs from Kadikoy Square along a bus lane through Bahariye Street and Moda Street. It is a great way to discover the local gems of Kadikoy.

As you stroll Bahariya, the local boutiques, cute coffee shops, and hole-in-the-wall cafes on either side catch your attention. The Sureyya Opera House is a notable building here. A famous bronze statue of a bull known as the Kadikoy Bull Statue at an intersection connecting the six roads – Altiyol is a famous landmark here.

Moda Seaside or Moda Coastal Park makes for a picturesque stroll by the Bosphorus while Moda Caddesi with its lush surroundings, trendy boutiques, quaint cafes, tea gardens, ice cream shops, chic restaurants, stately mansions, and historic architecture gives you a chance to spend a quiet and pleasant day away from the chaos of historic and touristy Istanbul.

I recommend Meshur Dondurmacı Ali Usta for the best ice cream and Dem Moda for the best tea.

Kadikoy is also known for the unique murals adorning its walls. In fact, while walking back and forth in the narrow pedestrian alleys in search of street art, we found ourselves in a cozy and alternative neighborhood of Yeldegirmeni and spent a beautiful time at Roots Cafe & Botanique – special appreciation for its vegan delicacies and artsy and lush ambiance.

I love second-hand books because they have nostalgia attached to them. If you too love them, you’d love to visit Akmar Alley in Kadikoy, best known for secondhand bookshops.

Kadikoy Market is a small traditional market where you’ll find stalls selling local produce like seasonal fruits, vegetables, fish, olives, vine leaves, cheese, pickles, spices, herbs, and honey – basically, you’ll find just about everything you might need at your home and beyond. You can try fresh local delicacies and pick up a few packaged items to take back home.

Jump back on the ferry or board a bus (14M, 14R, 14YK, and MR9) to travel up the coast to Uskudar, a historic and sublimely beautiful district on the Asian side of Istanbul.

Over 1-mile Uskudar Coast Walkway is a perfect place to start your journey into Uskudar. Overlooking the Bosphorus Strait, this seaside promenade affords amazing views of Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace across the water.

Located on an islet in the Bosphorus Strait, just about 200 meters off Uskudar’s shoreline is a medieval lighthouse/tax collection center/defense tower – Maiden’s Tower (Kiz Kulesi) that now houses a restaurant and a bar. You can enjoy the sight of it from the coastline or you can hop on one of the shuttle boats to relish the food with the unparallel views at its restaurant.

Uskudar is home to quite many beautiful mosques such as Shemsi Ahmet Pasha Mosque, Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, Cinili Mosque, and Sakirin Mosque.

As you move away from the coast, a little walk inland, you’ll spot Nevmekan Sahil, a lovely multifunctional space that serves as an art gallery, library, academic spot, and cafe.

As soon as you enter the building, the resplendent circular library with an awe-inspiring domed ceiling catches your attention. Apart from the architectural beauty, the cafe here serves tasty food at economical prices – a perfect lunch spot!

Your next stop is Kuzguncuk, a traditional, beautiful, quaint, and quiet neighborhood at the base of the Bosphorus Bridge in Uskudar, a bit away from the center. You can walk or ride a taxi to get here.

Known for keeping the tradition and old-hat values alive, the neighborhood lets you peek into the Istanbul that was. The stories of the past linger in the streets and buildings of Kuzguncuk imparting a nostalgic feel. This tiny village-like neighborhood has beautifully preserved its heritage amid the fast-changing world.

The quarter is dotted with numerous synagogues, churches, and mosques attesting to the peaceful coexistence of Jews, Greeks, Armenians, and Turks. Most traditional bakeries, intimate restaurants, chocolatiers, antique boutiques, art galleries and studios, beautiful bookshops, charming cafes, and historical mansions are located on the main street, Icadiye.

Photographers and Instagrammers flock here to capture the row of Ottoman wooden homes with colorful doors and windows. Simitci Tahir Sokak is where you can get the most beautiful perspective of Kuzguncuk Evleri or Houses.

Kuzguncuk Bostani, a community vegetable garden is also worth a stop here. This 700-year-old urban garden has been painstakingly maintained by the locals.

If you still have some energy left, make your way to Camlica Hill Park, the most famous picnic spot among the Istanbulaties. The top of Camlica Hill offers the most indulgent views of Istanbul ever! You can sit at one of the cafés situated on the hilltop and drink in the views with Turkish tea or coffee.

You can also climb the viewing platform of Camlica Tower for a gorgeous view of the Bosphorus Strait. There’s also a cafe and restaurant on the observation deck.

If you don’t have time and energy to summit Camlica Hill or climb Camilica Tower, you still can relish the view of the tower rising ostentatiously amid the patchwork of buildings – it can be seen from almost anywhere in Istanbul. All lit up at night, the tower bedazzles the city’s skyline!

I’m sure you’d want to sit at one of the lovely cafes and restaurants to absorb the unique life of Kuzguncuk. Here are a few of my favorites for your perusal – Nail Bookstore & Cafe (Nail Kitabevi & Cafe), Galette Kuzguncuk, Glow Coffee, Historical Kuzguncuk Bakery (Tarihi Kuzguncuk Firni), Ekmek Teknesi, Ismet Baba Fish Restaurant, Chocolatier Aziz Bey, and Cinaralti.

Take a late evening or night flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia so you can have two full days in Cappadocia. You fly into Nevsehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV) or Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR) for Cappadocia, of which NAV is the nearest and most convenient.

Day 4: Hot Air Balloon Ride + Explore North Cappadocia

A surreal rock-sculpted region in Central Anatolia, Turkey – Cappadocia is made up of numerous cities, towns, and villages spread out around the provinces of Nevsehir, Kayseri, Aksaray, Kırsehir, Sivas, and Nigde.

Nevsehir, Kayseri, Aksaray, Goreme, Avanos, Urgup, Uchisar, Ihlara, Derinkuyu, Kaymakli, Mustafapasa, and Cavusin are the most popular cities, towns, and villages in Cappadocia.

Cappadocia attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists from every corner of the globe for its hot air balloon rides, and otherworldly landscapes featuring fairy chimneys sprinkled in massive volcanic valleys, ancient underground cities, historic rock-cut churches, and caves.

Tourists base themselves in Goreme and Uchisar, mostly. Urgup and Ortahisar are also popular choices among travelers seeking a peaceful stay, away from the tourist crowds.

Coming back to the itinerary, your first day in Cappadocia is dedicated to the iconic hot air balloon ride and the top sights in North Cappadocia – Göreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar Castle, Pottery in Avanos, Monks Valley aka Pasabag, Devrent Valley, and Zelve Open Air Museum.

Note: It’s vital to book your hot air balloon ride beforehand, especially when you limited days in Cappadocia. The balloon flight completely depends on the weather conditions and gets canceled if the weather isn’t favorable. If your ride is canceled, you don’t lose your booking or money, it automatically gets moved to the next day. So, if you’ve 2 days in Cappadocia and your flight gets canceled, you still have another day to go.

The highlight of your first day in Cappadocia is a hot air balloon ride provided there’s no cancellation (amen). Your tour company will pick you up from your hotel at around 4 am to drive you to the take-off site.

The site itself feels magical as you see the team of pilots and staff preparing the balloons for the ride. And, I have no words to describe the feeling of flying high over the magical landscape, steadily floating over fairy chimneys, rugged valleys, and rock-hewn structures while hundreds of diversely colored balloons around you with the sun rising on the horizon add to the experience.

I highly recommend joining a Red Tour that lets you explore the highlights of Northern Cappadocia in half a day and saves a lot of time when you just have limited time in Cappadocia. Also, it takes away the hassle of planning an itinerary and the challenges of transportation.

Alternatively, if you are a DIY person, you can rent a car or hire a taxi to explore on your own.

If you are doing it yourself, start your day bright and early (tbh getting up super early while traveling always paid off for me and thus, I always underline it) to make the most of your day.

The first stop of the day is at a viewpoint in Esentepe overlooking the moonscape landscapes of Uchisar and Goreme.

Next up is Uchisar Castle, an ancient citadel perched on a rocky outcrop. The highest point in the region, climbing to the top of the castle awards you with the imposing view of Cappadocia.

Following after, meet the celebrity of all the attractions in Cappadocia, the UNESCO-listed Göreme Open-Air Museum! With well-preserved Byzantine-era cave churches, chapels, and monasteries carved into limestone cliffs featuring impressive frescoes, the museum takes you back in time.