Day 1: Istanbul (arrival in Sultanahmet and first historic walk)
Arrival in Istanbul with a relaxed first afternoon in the historic Sultanahmet district, including hotel check-in, a first visit to Hagia Sophia, a walk across the square, and dinner nearby.
- 14:00 — Arrival and transfer to hotel in Sultanahmet
- 15:30 — Check-in in Sultanahmet neighborhood
- 17:00 — Visit Hagia Sophia
- 19:00 — Walk through Sultanahmet Square
- 20:00 — Dinner at Balıkçı Sabahattin
Transport: Airport transfer to hotel by taxi or shuttle, then local walking in the Sultanahmet area.
Day 2: Istanbul (Topkapi, Spice Bazaar, and Bosphorus cruise)
Classic full day in Istanbul focused on the historic peninsula, with Topkapi Palace, lunch near the bazaar district, time in the Spice Bazaar, and a scenic Bosphorus cruise before dinner.
- 09:00 — Visit Topkapi Palace
- 13:00 — Lunch at Pandeli Restaurant
- 14:30 — Explore Spice Bazaar
- 16:00 — Bosphorus cruise from Eminönü
- 19:30 — Dinner at Hamdi Restaurant
Transport: Walking and tram within the historic center, plus ferry cruise along the Bosphorus.
Day 3: Göreme (arrival in Cappadocia and village atmosphere)
Morning domestic flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia, followed by transfer to Göreme, hotel check-in, the Open Air Museum, and a first easy walk through the village before dinner.
- 07:00 — Istanbul → Nevşehir by domestic flight
- 09:30 — Nevşehir Airport → Göreme by shuttle
- 10:30 — Check-in in Göreme town center
- 11:30 — Visit Göreme Open Air Museum
- 14:00 — Lunch at Dibek Restaurant
- 15:30 — Walk through Göreme village
- 20:00 — Dinner at Seten Anatolian Cuisine
Transport: Domestic flight from Istanbul to Nevşehir, shuttle transfer to Göreme, and local walking around town.
If you want a trip more focused on Cappadocia, see Cappadocia 3-day itinerary or Cappadocia 4-day itinerary
Day 4: Göreme (Red and Rose Valleys, Çavuşin, and sunset)
Scenic Cappadocia day focused on hiking through Red and Rose Valleys, a stop in Çavuşin Village, and a classic sunset viewpoint before dinner in Göreme.
- 08:30 — Hike through Red and Rose Valleys
- 13:00 — Lunch at Cafe Safak
- 15:00 — Visit Çavuşin Village
- 18:30 — Sunset viewpoint at Red Valley
- 20:30 — Dinner at Topdeck Cave Restaurant
Transport: Mostly local walking and short taxi rides between Göreme, the valley areas, and nearby villages.
Day 5: Derinkuyu day trip from Göreme
Short Cappadocia road excursion to Derinkuyu Underground City, followed by lunch, return to Göreme, free time in the village, and a final dinner in town.
- 08:30 — Pick up rental car and drive to Derinkuyu
- 09:15 — Visit Derinkuyu Underground City
- 12:30 — Lunch near Derinkuyu
- 14:00 — Return to Göreme
- 15:00 — Relax and free time in Göreme
- 20:00 — Dinner at Pumpkin Göreme Restaurant
Transport: Rental-car day trip between Göreme and Derinkuyu, plus local walking in Göreme.
Day 6: Antalya (arrival, Kaleiçi, and museum)
Transfer south from Cappadocia to Antalya, followed by hotel check-in in Kaleiçi, lunch, a first walk through the old town, a visit to Antalya Museum, and dinner.
- 07:30 — Göreme → Nevşehir Airport by shuttle
- 10:00 — Nevşehir → Antalya by domestic flight
- 11:30 — Antalya Airport → hotel in Kaleiçi
- 12:30 — Check-in in Antalya Kaleiçi
- 13:30 — Lunch at Seraser Fine Dining Restaurant
- 15:00 — Explore Kaleiçi Old Town
- 18:00 — Visit Antalya Museum
- 20:30 — Dinner at 7 Mehmet Restaurant
Transport: Shuttle and domestic flight from Cappadocia to Antalya, then taxi and walking within the old town area.
Day 7: Antalya (Düden Waterfalls, beach, and relaxed coastal pace)
Slower Antalya day with a visit to Düden Waterfalls, lunch in the city, beach time at Konyaaltı, a café stop, and a casual local dinner in the evening.
- 09:00 — Visit Düden Waterfalls
- 12:30 — Lunch at Vanilla Lounge
- 14:00 — Relax at Konyaaltı Beach
- 17:30 — Coffee break in Kaleiçi
- 20:00 — Dinner at Piyazcı Mehmet
Transport: Taxi and local city transport between Antalya’s waterfall area, coast, and old town.
Day 8: Aspendos day trip from Antalya
Easy archaeological day trip inland to Aspendos, focused on the Roman theater and wider site, followed by a relaxed return to Antalya for the final evening there.
- 08:30 — Antalya → Aspendos
- 09:30 — Visit Aspendos Roman Theatre
- 12:30 — Lunch near Aspendos
- 14:00 — Return to Antalya
- 15:00 — Relax at the hotel or stroll by the marina
- 20:00 — Dinner in Kaleiçi
Transport: Simple round-trip transfer between Antalya and Aspendos, with local walking around the archaeological site.
Day 9: Istanbul (return flight, Galata, and Beyoğlu atmosphere)
Morning return to Istanbul followed by check-in in Beyoğlu, lunch, Galata Tower, a walk along İstiklal Avenue, and a skyline dinner to begin the final city block.
If you want a trip more focused on the city, see Istanbul 5-day itinerary which gives a more detailed Istanbul-only version.
- 07:30 — Antalya → Istanbul by domestic flight
- 09:30 — Istanbul Airport → hotel in Beyoğlu
- 10:30 — Check-in in Beyoğlu neighborhood
- 12:30 — Lunch at Meze by Lemon Tree
- 14:00 — Visit Galata Tower
- 16:00 — Walk along İstiklal Avenue
- 20:00 — Dinner at 360 Istanbul
Transport: Domestic flight from Antalya to Istanbul, followed by taxi and walking across central Beyoğlu and Galata.
Day 10: Istanbul (Basilica Cistern, Süleymaniye, and Grand Bazaar)
Historic Istanbul day with the Basilica Cistern, Süleymaniye Mosque, lunch near the old city, Grand Bazaar browsing, and an evening crossing to Kadıköy for dinner.
- 09:00 — Visit Basilica Cistern
- 11:00 — Visit Süleymaniye Mosque
- 13:00 — Lunch near Süleymaniye
- 14:30 — Explore Grand Bazaar
- 17:30 — Coffee break near Beyoğlu
- 20:00 — Dinner at Çiya Sofrası in Kadıköy
Transport: Walking, tram, and ferry connections between the historic center, Beyoğlu, and Kadıköy.
Day 11: Istanbul (Dolmabahçe, Taksim, and Karaköy)
Final full day in Istanbul focused on Dolmabahçe Palace, a slower afternoon around Taksim, coffee in Karaköy, and a closing dinner in one of the city’s livelier districts.
- 09:30 — Visit Dolmabahçe Palace
- 12:30 — Lunch near the Bosphorus
- 14:00 — Walk around Taksim Square and nearby streets
- 16:00 — Coffee break in Karaköy
- 20:00 — Dinner in Karaköy
Transport: Walking and tram across central Istanbul districts, with a slower-paced city day overall.
Day 12: Istanbul (departure day)
Final morning in Istanbul with time in the Spice Bazaar, a relaxed brunch, hotel checkout, and airport transfer for departure.
- 08:30 — Visit the Spice Bazaar
- 10:30 — Brunch in Istanbul
- 12:30 — Hotel checkout and transfer to Istanbul Airport
Transport: Local walking in central Istanbul and taxi or shuttle transfer to the airport.