I spent seven days in Turkey, which was not long enough. Thankfully, living in Germany, it's just a quick three-hour flight, and I can be back in Istanbul, where I only spent one day during this trip. I am sharing my Turkey itinerary, but if I were planning this again, I would add an additional day in Istanbul and replace it with one of my full days in Cappadocia or Antalya. However, I loved both of these places. The week was a fantastic mix of city, history, outdoor activities and the coast.

Day 1: Istanbul

Accommodation: Mula Hotel

All Flights: Turkish Airlines (recommend booking direct flights from Cappadocia to Antalya via Pegasus or SunExpress to avoid going back to Istanbul then on to Antalya via Turkish Airlines)

Currency: Turkish lira, though USD and Euro are widely accepted

E-Sim: Airalo (I opted for 20 GB of data for 7 days and still had 5.88 GB remaining when I left). Use code ERIN9799 for a $3 credit on your first e-sim.

Drop your bags at your accommodations and head out to explore the highlights in the Old Town. Visit the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand and Spice Bazaars. In the late afternoon or evening, join a walking or food tour to get a local's expertise on the area's history. I joined a walking tour of the old Greek and Jewish quarters via Get Your Guide and learned a lot; I highly recommend it. After a day of getting in my 20,000 steps, I happily crawled into bed by 20:30 and slept blissfully. I opted to stay at the Mula Hotel near the Old Town. I walked everywhere, but the tram is also nearby, and you can hop on that quite easily to get around.

Day 2-4: Cappadocia

Accommodation: Sultan Cave Suites (superb!)

Hot Air Balloon: Turquaz Balloons, use code RPT10 for 10% off your ride

Must Eat: Old Cappadocia Restaurant (get the pottery kebab)

I go into more detail about things to do in Cappadocia here. I loved Cappadocia, and there was much more to do there than I had first thought. Bring your hiking boots if you love hiking; there are many places to explore on foot or via ATV. There are also endless tours you can jump into and, of course, enjoy the iconic hot air balloons.

Day 5-7: Antalya

Accommodations: Akra Hotel (their add-on breakfast is a must, possibly the largest breakfast buffet I have ever seen)

Guide: Onder, WhatsApp +90 505 267 40 35

Things to See & Do in Antalya

Aspendos: Located about forty-five minutes outside of town, this amphitheater is one of the best preserved in the world. From what I gathered from our audio guide tour, they still hold events and concerts there, and if your travel plans align with an event, I highly recommend attending; it would be an incredible experience.

Tour the Old Town: Taking a tour with Önder around the Old City was a fantastic way to spend an evening. We wished we had found him earlier for other day trip tours in the area. If you stay at Akra Hotel, they provide free bikes, so you can bike from the hotel to the Old Town within fifteen minutes. It's a beautiful path along the water.

*Önder giving us a tour around the Old City in Antalya*

I was unsure what to expect in Antalya. It was a much larger city than I had anticipated, built on the foundations of hundreds of years of ruins. When you walk around Old Town, you can look down and see ancient ruins preserved right below your feet. In the Shehzade Korkut Mosque, you will find remnants of Roman times with ancient pillars and ruins below your feet. This mosque was initially built as a Roman temple in 2 AD.

Half-Day Trip to Göynük Canyon: We went here as our driver (not Onder) recommended. It's a smaller park that's probably better suited for families with children. The "boat" tour is simply a paddle around the corner in the canyon for a photo opportunity and back. Great for children, for adults, it was a bit lacking. We did the zip line there, but no gloves were provided, and to stop, you are jerked quite aggressively at the end of the line. For teens and young adults, no problem. If you are older or have any body alignment issues, I would pass on the zip line (though it was fun). There are other activities, like canyoning and hiking, that you can enjoy here. We did not do these since we had an afternoon tour scheduled that we needed to get back to.

*Zip-lining at Göynük Canyon. Combo ticket for zip-lining and boat tour* €50

Day Trip to Köprülü Canyon National Park: If I were to do it again, I would skip Göynük and go here instead for whitewater rafting.

Experience a Turkish Bath: We opted to go with Felez VIP Spa since they could schedule us for the same day. Start with the sauna, then move into a private room for your scrub down/foam. Skip the salt option, especially if you've just shaved. End with your choice of massage: Bali, Thai, or Regular (selected when you schedule).

Dinner at Sauvignon: Fantastic views; you can select fresh seafood to prepare.

Final Thoughts

Turkey is rich in history and has many beautiful places to explore. I hope to return and spend more time visiting ruins like Ephesus and exploring the coast. During this trip, I traveled with a friend, but I would love to bring my children back with me next time. If I do, I will definitely share that journey here! :)

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7 days in Turkey itinerary: Explore Istanbul, Cappadocia & Antalya

Cappadocia: Is it really worth visiting or overrated