Day 1: Istanbul (arrival in Kadıköy and Bosphorus stroll)
Arrival on the Asian side of Istanbul with a relaxed first afternoon in Kadıköy, including a local lunch, check-in, a coastal walk in Moda, and dinner.
- 14:00 — Arrive at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport
- 14:45 — Transfer to Kadıköy by Havatas shuttle and metro
- 15:30 — Lunch at Çiya Sofrası in Kadıköy
- 17:00 — Check-in near Kadıköy district
- 18:00 — Walk along the Moda Coastline
- 20:00 — Dinner at Ismet Baba Restaurant
Transport: Arrival by plane, shuttle bus and metro on Istanbul’s Asian side, plus local walking.
Day 2: Istanbul (Kadıköy, ferry, and Sultanahmet)
Full day exploring Kadıköy before crossing by ferry to Istanbul’s historic European side for palace visits, Sultanahmet landmarks, and dinner.
- 09:00 — Breakfast at Walter's Coffee Roastery Kadıköy
- 10:00 — Explore Kadıköy Market and Bahariye Street
- 12:30 — Ferry to Eminönü
- 13:00 — Lunch at Hamdi Restaurant Eminönü
- 14:30 — Visit Topkapi Palace
- 17:00 — Walk through Sultanahmet Square to Hagia Sophia exterior
- 19:30 — Dinner at Balıkçı Sabahattin
- 21:30 — Return ferry to Kadıköy
Transport: Local walking in Kadıköy, ferry across the Bosphorus, walking in Sultanahmet, and evening ferry back.
If you want a trip more focused on the city, see Istanbul 4-day itinerary or Istanbul 5-day itinerary which provides a more detailed Istanbul-only version.
Day 3: Göreme (arrival in Cappadocia and open-air museum)
Morning flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia, followed by arrival in Göreme, a local lunch, the famous open-air museum, and sunset viewpoints.
- 06:30 — Transfer to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport
- 08:20 — Flight Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen → Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport
- 09:50 — Arrival at Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport and shuttle to Göreme
- 11:00 — Check-in in Göreme town center
- 12:30 — Lunch at Seten Anatolian Cuisine
- 14:00 — Visit Göreme Open Air Museum
- 16:30 — Walk around Göreme town and nearby viewpoints
- 20:00 — Dinner at Dibek Restaurant
Transport: Flight from Istanbul to Nevşehir, shuttle transfer to Göreme, and local walking.
If you want a trip more focused on Cappadocia, see Cappadocia 3-day itinerary or Cappadocia 4-day itinerary
Day 4: Göreme (Cappadocia valleys and underground city)
Full day exploring Cappadocia by rental car, with fairy chimneys, an underground city, and a sunset hike in Red Valley.
- 08:00 — Pick up rental car in Göreme
- 09:00 — Visit Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley)
- 11:00 — Visit Pasabag (Monks Valley)
- 13:00 — Lunch at Zeytin Cafe & Ev Yemekleri Göreme
- 14:30 — Visit Kaymakli Underground City
- 17:00 — Drive back and short rest at hotel
- 18:30 — Hike Red Valley sunset viewpoint
- 20:30 — Dinner at Topdeck Cave Restaurant
Transport: Rental car for valleys and underground city visits, plus local walking and short drives.
Day 5: Ihlara Valley day trip from Göreme
Scenic day trip to Ihlara Valley for riverside hiking, cave churches, and a peaceful lunch in Belisirma before returning to Göreme.
- 08:00 — Drive rental car Göreme → Ihlara Valley
- 09:30 — Hike in Ihlara Valley and visit cave churches
- 13:00 — Lunch at Belisirma village restaurant
- 15:00 — Continue hike or relax by the river
- 16:30 — Drive back to Göreme
- 18:30 — Rest and freshen up at hotel
- 20:00 — Dinner at Pumpkin Göreme Restaurant and Art Gallery
Transport: Rental car day trip from Göreme to Ihlara Valley and back, plus hiking and local walking.
Day 6: Istanbul (return and Asian-side viewpoints)
Morning flight back to Istanbul followed by a relaxed afternoon on the Asian side, with local food, panoramic views, coastal walking, and dinner in Kadıköy.
- 06:30 — Drive rental car Göreme → Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport, drop off rental
- 08:20 — Flight Nevşehir → Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport
- 09:50 — Airport transfer to Kadıköy hotel
- 11:00 — Rest and refresh at hotel
- 13:30 — Lunch at Kadıköy Çarşı street food stalls
- 15:00 — Visit Çamlıca Hill
- 18:30 — Walk in Fenerbahçe Park and along the coast
- 20:00 — Dinner at Çiya Kebap
Transport: Flight Nevşehir to Istanbul, airport transfers, and local walking and public transport on the Asian side.
Day 7: Istanbul (departure day)
Leisurely final morning in Kadıköy with brunch, a last stroll through the bazaar area, and transfer to the airport for departure.
- 09:30 — Brunch at Mambocino Coffee Roastery & Brunch
- 11:00 — Last walk in Kadıköy Bazaar area
- 12:30 — Taxi to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport
Transport: Local walking in Kadıköy and taxi transfer to the airport.