Istanbul, Cappadocia & Antalya · 11 days

Day 1: Arrive in Istanbul

Istanbul

• Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan) · 1 h. Run by the city, so not on the Museum Pass; evening entry costs more. Buy online to skip the street queue.
• Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı) · 2.5 h. Closed Sundays and on the first day of religious holidays. Haggling is expected; agree prices in lira.

Local tip: Run by the city, so not on the Museum Pass; evening entry costs more. Buy online to skip the street queue.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Istanbul

Istanbul

• Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) upper gallery visit · 1.5 h. Hagia Sophia is a working mosque; foreign visitors use a separate paid route to the upper galleries (about €25). Cover shoulders and knees; women cover their hair. Queue at opening.
• Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) · 1 h. Free; closed to visitors during the five daily prayers and for longer at Friday midday. Shoes off, headscarves lent at the door.
• Topkapı Palace & Harem · 3 h. Closed Tuesdays. Palace plus Harem is about €50; the Museum Pass Istanbul covers both and skips the ticket queue.
• Spice Bazaar & Eminönü waterfront · 2 h. The streets west of the bazaar are cheaper than inside; try balık ekmek from the boats at Eminönü.

Local tip: Hagia Sophia is a working mosque; foreign visitors use a separate paid route to the upper galleries (about €25). Cover shoulders and knees; women cover their hair. Queue at opening.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Explore Istanbul

Istanbul

• Galata Tower & Karaköy lanes · 1.5 h. Entry about €30 and included in the Museum Pass Istanbul; queues peak at sunset, so go early or late.
• Bosphorus cruise (Şehir Hatları ferry or private sunset boat) · 2 h. The public Şehir Hatları short Bosphorus tour from Eminönü costs a fraction of private boats; private sunset cruises run about €25–40.
• Dolmabahçe Palace · 2 h. Closed Mondays; visits follow a set route and indoor photography is restricted. Atatürk died here in 1938.

Local tip: Entry about €30 and included in the Museum Pass Istanbul; queues peak at sunset, so go early or late.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Istanbul → Cappadocia

Cappadocia · Istanbul to Cappadocia, Flight ~1h20m to Kayseri (ASR) or Nevşehir (NAV) + shuttle ~1h

• Göreme Open-Air Museum · 2 h. Rock-cut churches with frescoes; the Dark Church has a separate ticket. Covered by the Museum Pass Türkiye; go at opening.
• Uçhisar Castle viewpoint · 1 h. The highest point in the area; steep steps to the top.

Local tip: Rock-cut churches with frescoes; the Dark Church has a separate ticket. Covered by the Museum Pass Türkiye; go at opening.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Explore Cappadocia

Cappadocia

• Hot-air balloon flight at sunrise over Göreme · 3.5 h. About €150–300 depending on season and basket size. Flights are cancelled on windy or wet mornings, so keep a spare morning; most operators set a minimum age around 6.
• Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı underground city · 1.5 h. Several levels below ground with narrow, low passages; skip if claustrophobic. Kaymaklı is closer to Göreme.
• Paşabağ (Monks Valley) and Devrent fairy chimneys · 2 h. Part of the standard Red tour with Avanos and Göreme panorama, which costs about €40–50 with lunch.

Local tip: About €150–300 depending on season and basket size. Flights are cancelled on windy or wet mornings, so keep a spare morning; most operators set a minimum age around 6.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Green tour: Derinkuyu underground city, Ihlara Valley & Selime

Cappadocia

• Green tour: Derinkuyu underground city, Ihlara Valley & Selime · 8 h. Includes lunch by the river in Ihlara and entry fees on most tours; the underground tunnels are low and tight.

Local tip: Includes lunch by the river in Ihlara and entry fees on most tours; the underground tunnels are low and tight.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Cappadocia → Antalya

Antalya · Cappadocia to Antalya, Overnight bus ~9h, or flight via Istanbul

• Kaleiçi old town, Hadrian's Gate & old harbour · 2.5 h

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Explore Antalya

Antalya

• Düden Waterfalls (Upper and Lower) · 2 h. Upper Düden is a park with a small fee; Lower Düden drops into the sea and is best seen from a harbour boat.
• Aspendos Roman theatre · 2 h. ~45 min east; one of the best-preserved Roman theatres, still used for summer opera and ballet.
• Harbour boat trip to the Lower Düden falls · 2 h
• Perge ancient city · 2 h. ~20 min from the city on the tram line's eastern end; combine with Aspendos in a half-day.

Local tip: Upper Düden is a park with a small fee; Lower Düden drops into the sea and is best seen from a harbour boat.

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Explore Antalya

Antalya

• Konyaaltı beach · 3 h. Pebble beach with mountain views; free public sections and paid sunbeds.
• Antalya Museum · 2 h. Statues from Perge; a good midday escape from the heat.
• Tünektepe cable car viewpoint · 1.5 h

Local tip: Pebble beach with mountain views; free public sections and paid sunbeds.

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Side ancient harbour & Manavgat waterfall

Antalya

• Side ancient harbour & Manavgat waterfall · 8 h. ~1.5h east; Side's Temple of Apollo stands on the shore.

Local tip: ~1.5h east; Side's Temple of Apollo stands on the shore.

Open day 10 route in Google Maps

Day 11: Depart from Antalya

Antalya

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.