Seven days is not enough to see every corner of Turkey, but it is enough to link a few key regions into one satisfying trip. This 7-day Turkey itinerary starts and ends in Istanbul and focuses on three classics: Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale. It works well for first-time visitors who want a taste of the main highlights without changing hotels every single night.

Below is a day-by-day plan you can follow as it is, or adapt to match your flight times and travel style.

Overview: where this 7-day Turkey itinerary takes you

Istanbul – historic mosques, palaces and Bosphorus views
Cappadocia – fairy-chimney landscapes and optional hot-air balloons
Ephesus – one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean
Pamukkale & Hierapolis – white travertine terraces and hillside ruins

You’ll use a mix of domestic flights and short drives, starting in Istanbul, flying to Cappadocia, then on to the Aegean coast before looping back to Istanbul for your final night.

Day 1 – Arrive in Istanbul and settle in

Day 1 is for arriving in Istanbul and getting your bearings. Depending on your landing time, you might manage only a gentle walk, and that’s perfectly fine.

Check in to your hotel in Sultanahmet, Sirkeci or Karaköy, depending on whether you prefer historic streets or a livelier, more modern feel.
Stretch your legs with an easy stroll past Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Gülhane Park, or simply wander the back streets to see where locals eat and shop.
If you still have energy, an early evening Bosphorus cruise is a soft introduction: you sit, sip tea and watch palaces, mosques and wooden mansions slide by as the city lights come on.

Keep it simple – your body will thank you. You have a full week ahead.

Day 2 – Classic Istanbul: the Old City

On Day 2, dive into the heart of the city with a guided or self-guided Old City tour. Mixing the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar works well, especially if you have a driver or guide to help you move between sites when your legs are tired.

Suggested flow:

Morning: Visit Hagia Sophia as early as you can, followed by the Blue Mosque once morning prayers are finished.
Late morning / lunch: Walk through Gülhane Park and visit Topkapı Palace, including the courtyards and harem if time allows.
Afternoon: Head towards the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market for a taste of Istanbul’s trading history. Even if you’re not a big shopper, the colours and sounds are worth it.
Evening: Cross the Galata Bridge for dinner in Karaköy or Galata, where you’ll find more local restaurants than directly around the major monuments.

If you prefer a slower pace, drop one big sight and replace it with a long coffee stop and people-watching session.

Day 3 – Fly to Cappadocia, valleys and sunset

Day 3 is for Cappadocia. A short domestic flight from Istanbul to Nevşehir or Kayseri brings you to a completely different world of rock formations and cave houses.

Take a morning flight if possible, then transfer to your cave-style hotel in Göreme, Uçhisar or Ürgüp.
After check-in and a short rest, visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum, where rock-cut churches are decorated with centuries-old frescoes.
Later, explore an easy valley such as Love Valley, Pigeon Valley or Rose Valley. Even a simple walk here becomes an adventure, with fairy chimneys and soft rock underfoot.
Finish the day at a sunset viewpoint above Göreme or Uçhisar, watching the colours shift from pale gold to deep rose.

Keep the evening relaxed – the next morning starts early if you’re planning a balloon flight.

Day 4 – Balloons, underground cities and villages

On Day 4, aim for an early-morning hot-air balloon flight if your budget and health allow. Seeing hundreds of balloons rise over the valleys at sunrise is one of the images people carry home for life. If you prefer to stay on the ground, you can still wake early and watch from a terrace or viewpoint with a hot drink in hand.

After breakfast:

Visit an underground city such as Kaymaklı or Derinkuyu, where entire communities once hid in multi-level tunnel systems.
Stop in small villages or viewpoints on the way back – many tours and drivers combine the underground city with short walks or panoramic stops.
In the afternoon, choose between more valley walks, a pottery stop in Avanos, or simply resting at your hotel terrace with a view of the landscape.

By the evening you’ll have earned a slow dinner and an early night.

Day 5 – Travel to the Aegean for Ephesus

From Cappadocia, continue on Day 5 to the Aegean region for Ephesus – one of the best-preserved ancient cities anywhere.

Most travellers:

Fly from Kayseri/Nevşehir to Izmir, often via Istanbul, then transfer about an hour to Selçuk or Kuşadası.
Check in to a hotel near Ephesus so you can enter early the next morning before the sun climbs too high.
Use the late afternoon to explore Selçuk’s smaller sights such as the Basilica of St. John, Ayasuluk Hill or Şirince village, a hillside settlement known for its stone houses and views.

If your flight schedule gives you more afternoon time, you might visit Ephesus today and keep the next morning free for a slower start.

Day 6 – Ephesus and Pamukkale / Hierapolis

Day 6 links Ephesus with Pamukkale’s white terraces and the ruins of Hierapolis.

Start early at Ephesus. Walk the main marble street past the Library of Celsus, Great Theatre and Terrace Houses if they’re open – these beautifully preserved homes give a real sense of life in the Roman period.
After lunch, drive or join a transfer to Pamukkale (around 3 hours by road).
In the late afternoon, visit the travertine terraces and the ruins of Hierapolis above them. Walking barefoot over the warm, mineral-rich water channels as the light softens is far more pleasant than in the midday sun. You can also swim in the thermal pool if you like.

After a relaxed walk along the travertines, an evening drive or short flight takes you back towards Istanbul for your final night. Many travellers stay in Denizli/Pamukkale and fly to Istanbul either late on Day 6 or first thing on Day 7, depending on schedules.

Day 7 – Last moments in Istanbul and departure

Day 7 is for last walks, last baklava and your flight home – tired in a good way.

If you arrive back in Istanbul on Day 6, you’ll have more time today to:

Explore a neighbourhood you missed earlier, such as Kadıköy on the Asian side or Balat and Fener along the Golden Horn.
Pick up small gifts like spices, Turkish delight or ceramics.
Enjoy a final meal with a Bosphorus view or in a favourite local café.

If you’re flying in from Denizli that morning, you’ll still have a few spare hours for a final stroll before heading to the airport.

Practical tips for this 7-day Turkey itinerary

Best time to go: April–June and September–October give comfortable temperatures in all regions and fewer crowds than peak summer.
Direction: Starting and ending in Istanbul keeps international flights simple, but you can reverse the route if you find better connections.
Transport: Domestic flights save long overnight bus journeys. Book early in busy months to secure good times.
Pace: This is a busy itinerary. If you prefer slower travel, consider dropping Pamukkale or Ephesus and adding extra nights in Cappadocia or Istanbul.

FAQs about a 7-day Turkey itinerary from Istanbul

Is 7 days enough for Turkey?
Seven days is short for a country this large, but it’s enough to see Istanbul plus one or two other regions if you use domestic flights. This itinerary focuses on Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale – three very different highlights that give you a good first overview.

In what order should I visit Istanbul, Cappadocia and Ephesus?
Starting with Istanbul, then flying to Cappadocia and finishing on the Aegean coast works well because it gradually slows the pace: busy city, then nature, then seaside ruins and hot springs. You can also flip the order if flight schedules work better in the opposite direction.

Do I need a tour guide for this itinerary?
You don’t have to join a full package tour. Many travellers book private or small-group tours just for complex sites such as the Old City in Istanbul, Cappadocia’s valleys and Ephesus, and handle the rest independently. A local guide adds context and saves time, especially on a tight 7-day schedule.

Can I do this trip with children?
Yes, but you may want to slow the pace. Consider adding an extra night on the coast or in Cappadocia and limiting very early starts. Children usually enjoy the balloon views, ruins they can walk through and warm pools at Pamukkale, but long travel days can be tiring.

What should I budget for internal flights and entrances?
Prices change with season and airline promotions, but expect to pay for at least two or three domestic flights (Istanbul–Cappadocia, Cappadocia–Izmir or Denizli, and Denizli–Istanbul). Entrance fees for major sites – Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, Göreme Open-Air Museum, Ephesus and Pamukkale/Hierapolis – add up, so it’s wise to set aside a clear sightseeing budget separate from meals and shopping.

With realistic expectations and a bit of planning, this 7-day Turkey itinerary from Istanbul gives you busy days, quiet moments and a series of landscapes that feel completely different from one another – all within a single week.