# Turkey in 7 days: a day-by-day itinerary

> A week in Turkey fits three countries in one: Istanbul, Cappadocia and the sea. Three days in Istanbul with Hagia Sophia, the Bosphorus, the bazaars and Topkapı. Two days in Cappadocia: the valleys, rock churches, balloons and underground cities. Two days by the Mediterranean: Antalya's old town and waterfall, and Kemer with Phaselis.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/turkey/in-7-days

## Who it suits

- A first one-week trip to Turkey
- You want a city, nature and the sea
- On your own: a flight, a bus, a car

Not for:

- Only a beach holiday — pick one resort
- Hard with transfers — take Istanbul and Cappadocia in 5 days

When to go: May–June and September–October: Istanbul is not hot, Cappadocia has balloon weather and the sea is warm.

## Day 1 — [Istanbul](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul.md)

1. [Hagia Sophia](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/hagia-sophia.md) — YesGo score 91/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 15 min · €25
   ↓ 3 min on foot
2. [Basilica Cistern](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/basilica-cistern.md) — YesGo score 70/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · ≈ 1,950–2,250 TL
   ↓ 5 min on foot
3. [Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Square)](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/hippodrome.md) — YesGo score 77/100 (Yes, go) · 20 min · Free
   ↓ 3 min on foot
4. [Blue Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/blue-mosque.md) — YesGo score 86/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · Free
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 19 min by transport
5. [Bosphorus ferry cruise](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/bosphorus-ferry.md) — YesGo score 76/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h · Price: verifying

Total with walks: 6 h 35 min

## Day 2 — [Istanbul](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul.md)

1. [Süleymaniye Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/suleymaniye-mosque.md) — YesGo score 70/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · Free
   ↓ 12 min on foot
2. [Grand Bazaar](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/grand-bazaar.md) — YesGo score 61/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · Free
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 19 min by transport
3. [Topkapı Palace](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/topkapi-palace.md) — YesGo score 63/100 (Yes, go) · 3 h · 2,750 TL with the Harem

Total with walks: 6 h 46 min

## Day 3 — [Istanbul](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul.md)

1. [Fatih Mosque](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/fatih-mosque.md) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free
   ↓ 20 min by transport
2. [Spice Bazaar](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/spice-bazaar.md) — YesGo score 54/100 (Yes, go) · 40 min · Free
   ↓ 16 min on foot
3. [Gülhane Park](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/gulhane-park.md) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free
   ↓ 19 min by transport
4. [Galata Tower](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/galata-tower.md) — YesGo score 54/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · Price: verifying
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 23 min by transport
5. [Dolmabahçe Palace](https://yesgo.io/turkey/istanbul/dolmabahce-palace.md) — YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 45 min · 2,000 TL

Total with walks: 6 h 43 min

Transfer Istanbul → Cappadocia: flight to Kayseri or Nevşehir, ≈ 1.5 h in the air

## Day 4 — [Cappadocia](https://yesgo.io/turkey/cappadocia.md)

1. [Uçhisar Castle](https://yesgo.io/turkey/cappadocia/uchisar-castle.md) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · About 400 TL
   ↓ 17 min on foot
2. [Pigeon Valley](https://yesgo.io/turkey/cappadocia/pigeon-valley.md) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 23 min by transport
3. [Göreme Open-Air Museum](https://yesgo.io/turkey/cappadocia/goreme-open-air-museum.md) — YesGo score 34/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · €20, Dark Church extra
   ↓ 25 min by transport
4. [Love Valley](https://yesgo.io/turkey/cappadocia/love-valley.md) — YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free
   ↓ 26 min by transport
5. [Paşabağ (Monks Valley)](https://yesgo.io/turkey/cappadocia/pasabag-valley.md) — YesGo score 34/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · €12 — shared ticket with Zelve

Total with walks: 8 h 31 min

## Day 5 — [Cappadocia](https://yesgo.io/turkey/cappadocia.md)

1. [Derinkuyu Underground City](https://yesgo.io/turkey/cappadocia/derinkuyu-underground-city.md) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · ≈ €13 for foreign visitors
   ↓ 44 min by transport
2. [Kaymaklı Underground City](https://yesgo.io/turkey/cappadocia/kaymakli-underground-city.md) — YesGo score 25/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · €13, under 8 free
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 1 h 44 min by transport
3. [Avanos](https://yesgo.io/turkey/cappadocia/avanos.md) — YesGo score 31/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free; workshops and shows paid

Total with walks: 7 h 43 min

Transfer Cappadocia → Antalya: night bus or car, ≈ 8–9 h

## Day 6 — [Antalya](https://yesgo.io/turkey/antalya.md)

1. [Hıdırlık Tower](https://yesgo.io/turkey/antalya/hidirlik-tower.md) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free, outside only
   ↓ 3 min on foot
2. [Kaleiçi](https://yesgo.io/turkey/antalya/kaleici.md) — YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free, open 24/7
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 10 min on foot
3. [Yivli Minaret](https://yesgo.io/turkey/antalya/yivli-minaret.md) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free
   ↓ 6 min on foot
4. [Hadrian's Gate](https://yesgo.io/turkey/antalya/antalya-hadrians-gate.md) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free
   ↓ 38 min by transport
5. [Düden Waterfalls](https://yesgo.io/turkey/antalya/duden-waterfalls.md) — YesGo score 34/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Lower free, Upper ≈ 60–70 TL

Total with walks: 6 h 7 min

Transfer Antalya → Kemer: bus or taxi, ≈ 1 h

## Day 7 — [Kemer](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kemer.md)

1. [Kemer Clock Tower](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kemer/kemer-clock-tower.md) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 15 min · Free, open public square
   ↓ 18 min on foot
2. [Kemer Marina](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kemer/kemer-marina.md) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free; boat trips cost extra
   ↓ 11 min on foot
3. [Moonlight Park](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kemer/kemer-moonlight-park.md) — YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free entry, sunbeds paid
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 40 min by transport
4. [Phaselis](https://yesgo.io/turkey/kemer/phaselis.md) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · €10, under-8s free

Total with walks: 6 h 9 min

## What to see in Turkey in 7 days

The week has three parts. Istanbul — three days on the 3-day itinerary. Cappadocia — two days: the valleys around Göreme and the underground cities. The sea — two days: Antalya with its old town and Kemer with Phaselis.

The longest transfer is Cappadocia to the coast, about 8–9 hours. A night bus is easiest: you wake up in Antalya without losing a day.

## Transfers: plane, bus, car

Istanbul to Cappadocia: fly to Kayseri or Nevşehir, about 1.5 hours in the air. Cappadocia to Antalya: a night bus or a drive through the mountains, about 8–9 hours. Antalya to Kemer: a bus or taxi, about an hour.

## Which way round?

Start in Istanbul and finish by the sea: the last days are a rest before flying home, and Antalya has many direct flights. You can also do it in reverse, flying into Antalya.

## Turkey in 10 days or 2 weeks

Ten days — add Side and Alanya, or a day on Istanbul's Asian side. Two weeks — the coastal road trip from Antalya to Bodrum: Kaş, Fethiye, Marmaris and Bodrum.

## Tips

- Book domestic flights early — morning flights are handier and cheaper.
- Topkapı is closed on Tuesdays, Dolmabahçe on Mondays, the Grand Bazaar on Sundays.
- The night bus from Cappadocia saves a day — sit near the front.
- Book the balloon for your first Cappadocia morning, so a second one is left if the weather cancels.
- The Antalya Archaeological Museum is closed — see antiquity at Perge and Phaselis.

## Questions

### What is a good Turkey itinerary for 7 days?

Three days in Istanbul, two in Cappadocia and two on the coast in Antalya and Kemer.

### Is a week enough for Turkey?

For Istanbul, Cappadocia and a taste of the coast, yes; the rest of the coast needs another week.

### How do I get from Cappadocia to Antalya?

By night bus or car, about 8–9 hours.

### Should I fly between Istanbul and Cappadocia?

Yes: about 1.5 hours to Kayseri or Nevşehir instead of a 10–12 hour bus.

### What about Turkey in 5 days?

Take Istanbul and Cappadocia in 5 days.

### What to add for 10 or 14 days?

Side and Alanya, or the coastal road trip from Antalya to Bodrum.

### When is the best time to go?

May–June and September–October.

### Is it good with kids?

Yes, but the transfers are long; 'Turkey with kids' stays on the coast.

### Where should I start?

In Istanbul, finishing by the sea — or the reverse, from Antalya.

### Can I change the itinerary?

Yes: remove or add a stop in any day and the times recalculate.

## Sources

- Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism: museum and archaeological site hours and tickets
- Kayseri and Nevşehir-Kapadokya airports: domestic flights
- Nevşehir and Antalya bus stations: intercity buses

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