Day 1: Istanbul (arrival and Sultanahmet introduction)
Arrival in Istanbul in the early afternoon, followed by a light first look at Sultanahmet, a historic coffee stop, and a classic Turkish dinner.
- 14:00 — Arrival at Istanbul Airport and transfer to hotel
- 15:30 — Check-in at hotel in Sultanahmet
- 16:30 — Visit Sultanahmet Square and Blue Mosque exterior
- 18:00 — Coffee break at Hafiz Mustafa 1864
- 20:00 — Dinner at Haci Abdullah Lokantasi
Transport: Taxi and walking transfers within Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district and to Taksim for dinner.
Day 2: Istanbul (imperial landmarks and Grand Bazaar)
Full day exploring Istanbul’s major historic highlights, including Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar.
- 09:00 — Tour Hagia Sophia Museum
- 11:30 — Visit Topkapi Palace
- 13:30 — Lunch at Deraliye Ottoman Cuisine Restaurant
- 15:00 — Visit the Basilica Cistern
- 16:30 — Walk and shop at the Grand Bazaar
- 20:00 — Dinner at Balıkçı Sabahattin
Transport: Mostly walking within Sultanahmet, with short taxi rides between major sites.
Day 3: Istanbul (Asian side, ferries, and Kadıköy)
Explore the Asian side of Istanbul with scenic ferry rides, waterfront walks in Üsküdar, and food-focused time in Kadıköy.
- 09:00 — Ferry to Üsküdar
- 09:30 — Visit Mihrimah Sultan Mosque
- 11:00 — Walk along the Üsküdar waterfront
- 13:00 — Lunch at Çiya Sofrası
- 14:30 — Explore Kadıköy Market and street art
- 17:00 — Ferry back to Eminönü
- 20:00 — Dinner at Hamdi Restaurant
Transport: Ferry transfers between the European and Asian sides, walking around Üsküdar and Kadıköy, and short taxi rides in Istanbul.
If you want a trip more focused on the city, see Istanbul 5-day itinerary or Istanbul 7-day itinerary which provides a more detailed Istanbul-only version.
Day 4: Göreme (arrival in Cappadocia)
Morning visit to Süleymaniye Mosque before flying to Cappadocia, then a first evening in Göreme with a short orientation walk and local dinner.
- 08:30 — Visit Süleymaniye Mosque
- 10:30 — Lunch at Matbah Ottoman Palace Cuisine
- 12:30 — Transfer to Istanbul Airport
- 14:30 — Flight Istanbul → Nevşehir (domestic flight, ~1h30)
- 16:15 — Transfer from Nevşehir Airport to Göreme (car rental, ~40 min)
- 17:00 — Check-in accommodation in Göreme town center
- 18:00 — Short walk to Göreme Open-Air Museum entrance
- 20:00 — Dinner at Seten Anatolian Cuisine
Transport: Taxi in Istanbul, domestic flight IST → NAV, rental car pick-up at Nevşehir Airport, and drive to Göreme.
If you want a trip more focused on Cappadocia, see Cappadocia 3-day itinerary or Cappadocia 4-day itinerary
Day 5: Göreme (Open-Air Museum, Love Valley, and Uçhisar)
Full day exploring central Cappadocia by rental car, with the Open-Air Museum, valley walks, and panoramic views from Uçhisar Castle.
- 08:00 — Breakfast at hotel
- 09:30 — Visit Göreme Open-Air Museum
- 12:30 — Lunch at Dibek Restaurant
- 14:00 — Drive and hike in Love Valley
- 17:00 — Visit Uchisar Castle panoramic viewpoint
- 20:00 — Dinner at Pumpkin Göreme Restaurant and Art Gallery
Transport: Rental car between Göreme, Love Valley, and Uçhisar, plus walking for hikes and site visits.
Day 6: Göreme (hot air balloon, Paşabağ, and Avanos)
Early morning balloon ride over Cappadocia, followed by a slower day visiting fairy chimneys and the pottery town of Avanos.
- 05:00 — Hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia
- 08:30 — Breakfast at hotel
- 10:00 — Visit Pasabag (Monks Valley)
- 12:30 — Lunch at Hanedan Kervansaray in Avanos
- 14:00 — Pottery workshop visit and souvenir shopping in Avanos
- 17:00 — Return to Göreme and relax
- 20:00 — Dinner at Topdeck Cave Restaurant
Transport: Rental car for local driving between Göreme, Paşabağ, and Avanos, with walking around sites and the workshop.
Day 7: Antalya (arrival and old town walk)
Transfer from Cappadocia to Antalya, then settle into Kaleiçi and enjoy an evening walk through the old town and seafront park.
- 08:00 — Breakfast at hotel
- 09:00 — Drive to Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport, return rental car
- 11:00 — Flight Nevşehir → Antalya (domestic flight, ~1h20)
- 12:30 — Taxi transfer from Antalya Airport to Kaleiçi district hotel
- 13:30 — Lunch at 7 Mehmet Restaurant
- 15:00 — Walking tour of Kaleiçi old town
- 18:00 — Relax at Karaalioğlu Park
- 20:00 — Dinner at Vanilla Lounge
Transport: Rental car drive to airport, domestic flight Nevşehir → Antalya, and taxis in Antalya.
Day 8: Antalya (Perge, waterfalls, and beach time)
Day exploring Antalya’s surrounding highlights, combining archaeology, waterfalls, and a relaxed afternoon by the sea.
- 08:00 — Breakfast at hotel
- 09:30 — Visit Perge Ancient City
- 12:30 — Lunch at Aspendos Restaurant near Perge
- 14:00 — Visit Duden Waterfalls
- 16:00 — Relax on Konyaaltı Beach
- 19:30 — Dinner at Seraser Fine Dining Restaurant
Transport: Taxi or rental car to Perge and Duden Waterfalls, plus local transit and walking in Antalya.
Day 9: Antalya (museum and historic center)
Explore Antalya’s museum collections and historic center at a slower pace, with time for coffee and a final classic dinner in the city.
- 08:30 — Breakfast at hotel
- 10:00 — Visit Antalya Museum
- 12:30 — Lunch at Pio Gastro Bar & Bistro
- 14:00 — Visit Hadrian's Gate and Hidirlik Tower
- 16:00 — Coffee break at Vanilla Cafe & Bistro
- 20:00 — Dinner at 7 Mehmet Restaurant
Transport: Walking in Antalya city center and old town, with short taxi rides.
Day 10: Selçuk (arrival and Ephesus)
Morning drive from Antalya to Selçuk, followed by an afternoon visit to the remarkable ruins of Ephesus.
- 07:30 — Breakfast at hotel
- 08:30 — Car rental pick-up or rental car continues in Antalya
- 09:00 — Drive Antalya → Selçuk (car rental, ~4h)
- 13:00 — Check-in at hotel in Selçuk
- 14:00 — Visit Ephesus Ancient City afternoon tour
- 18:30 — Dinner at Olive Garden Restaurant Selçuk
Transport: Rental car drive from Antalya to Selçuk, plus local walking at Ephesus and in Selçuk.
Day 11: Selçuk and Ephesus area
Half-day focused on the Ephesus area, including the Terrace Houses, Basilica of St. John, and Selçuk landmarks.
- 08:00 — Breakfast at hotel
- 09:00 — Visit Terrace Houses Ephesus
- 11:00 — Visit Basilica of St. John
- 13:00 — Lunch at Artemis Restaurant
- 15:00 — Visit Isa Bey Mosque
- 17:00 — Coffee break at Cafe Maya
- 20:00 — Dinner at Ejder Restaurant
Transport: Local walking in Selçuk and the Ephesus area, with optional taxi rides for longer stretches.
Day 12: Selçuk and Şirince village
Relaxed day with museum time, local market browsing, and an afternoon visit to the atmospheric hill village of Şirince.
- 08:30 — Breakfast at hotel
- 09:30 — Visit Ephesus Archaeological Museum
- 11:30 — Walk and shop at Selçuk Market
- 13:00 — Lunch at Kocabalkan Restaurant
- 14:30 — Drive to Şirince Village
- 15:00 — Explore Şirince village
- 18:30 — Drive back to Selçuk
- 20:00 — Dinner at Meşhur Tavacı Recep Usta
Transport: Rental car for short drives between Selçuk and Şirince, plus walking in town centers.
Day 13: Istanbul (return and Taksim evening)
Morning visits in Selçuk before flying back to Istanbul, then an evening walk around Taksim and Istiklal Street.
- 08:00 — Breakfast at hotel
- 09:00 — Visit Basilica of St. John in Selçuk
- 10:30 — Visit Ephesus Museum Selçuk
- 12:00 — Lunch at Selçuk Study Restaurant
- 13:00 — Taxi transfer to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport
- 15:00 — Flight Izmir → Istanbul (domestic flight, ~1h15)
- 16:30 — Taxi transfer Airport to hotel in Taksim
- 18:00 — Leisurely evening stroll on Istiklal Street
- 20:30 — Dinner at Meze by Lemon Tree
Transport: Taxi transfers Selçuk → Izmir Airport, domestic flight Izmir → Istanbul, taxi to hotel, and walking around Taksim.
Day 14: Istanbul (departure day)
Light final day with brunch in Cihangir, a last neighborhood walk, and airport transfer for departure.
- 09:30 — Brunch at Privato Cafe, Cihangir
- 11:30 — Walk around Cihangir district
- 13:00 — Taxi transfer to Istanbul Airport
Transport: Walking around Cihangir and taxi transfer to Istanbul Airport.