Home
Search
Maps of Turkey
Photo Gallery

Where to Go
When to Go
Where to Stay
What It Costs
Turkish Money
Transport
FAQ-Travel Details

Best Itineraries
Guided Tours
Travel Agency
Unusual Trips
Consultations

TTP Forums
Funny Stuff
Shopping
Site Index
Bright Sun

Seven to ten days is plenty of time to see Ephesus, Cappadocia, Istanbul and more, with or without a private guide.

Your basic itinerary will be the same as Turkey's Top Sights in 6 Days, but you'll have 1 to 4 extra days. Here's how to use them:

DAY 1 - Arrival & SELÇUK (EPHESUS)
You fly into Istanbul and immediately transfer to a domestic flight to Izmir, then drive to the Ephesus area and begin your sightseeing.

DAY 2 - Extra Day(s) at Ephesus: stay another night, and explore the ancient cities of Priene, Miletus and Didyma, ending with a swim at Altınkum Beach; or take an excursion to Şirince, a traditional village up in the hills to the east; or have fun in the nearby resort of Kuşadası, with its beaches, boutiques, restaurants and nightclubs; or take a (long) day-trip to the hot springs at Pamukkale, stopping at Aphrodisias along the way.

DAY 3 - Fly to Cappadocia
Fly to Cappadocia and begin your sightseeing as soon as you settle in at your hotel.

Ankara on the Way: Instead of a flight from Izmir to Kayseri, fly in the morning from Izmir to Ankara, visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and Atatürk's Mausoleum (Anıtkabir), then drive or take a bus to Cappadocia.

DAYS 4 & 5 - Extra Day(s) in Cappadocia: Tour the Soğanlı Valleys, or rent a car and explore some other traditional Cappadocian towns such as Uçhisar and Mustafapaşa; or take a day excursion to the dramatic Ihlara Valley near Aksaray; or look for Seljuk Turkish caravanserais along the ancient Silk Road between Sultanhan and Kayseri.

DAY 6 - Fly to Istanbul
Select the time of your flight to give you most of the day in Cappadocia, or in Istanbul, as you desire. If Istanbul, start your explorations with the Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque, which are open, for free, all the time.

DAY 7 - Istanbul
Visit Topkapı Palace when it opens at 9 am and go straight to the Harem to be first in line. Spend the rest of the morning in the palace. Then visit Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) before or after lunch. If you haven't visited them yet do the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, and the Basilica Cistern. (Note that Topkapı is closed Tuesday, and Hagia Sophia is closed Monday).

Day 8 - Take the TurYol Bosphorus tour ferry (1-1/4 hour round-trip voyage). Spend the afternoon shopping in the Grand Bazaar (closed Sunday) or the Egyptian Market (open every day). In the evening, enjoy a Turkish bath, or go to Beyoğlu for dinner and perhaps an evening in one of the small cafés or music clubs.

Day 9 - Extra Day(s) in Istanbul: Spread your sightseeing over three days instead of two, giving you a more leisurely pace and more time at each site; or take a bus or taxi to the Kariye Museum (Chora Church) to see its glorious Byzantine mosaics, and to visit the mighty city walls and Byzantine palace of Tekfur Sarayı nearby; or take an excursion to the Princes' Islands. You may also have time for a day-trip or overnight excursion to Edirne, Iznik (Nicaea) and Bursa, or Gallipoli, Troy and the Dardanelles.