Wondering how to spend 7 days in Turkey? Here are three awesome Turkey 7 day itinerary ideas according to any interest and travel style.
Turkey is a massive country, making it hard to create the perfect itinerary if you have only 7 days.
This is why I’ve chosen destinations that are easily accessible from each other and that are on most people’s bucket lists as well as some destinations you probably haven’t even heard of.
With these itineraries, you’ll explore the historical city of Istanbul, marvel at the ancient ruins of Ephesus, sip wine in picturesque villages on the mountains, bathe in the travertines of Pamukkale, swim in the turquoise waters of Oludeniz, or take a hot air balloon flight above Cappadocia’s magical landscape.
If you have only one week in Turkey but want to maximize your time as much as possible, here are three perfect 7 day Turkey itinerary ideas.
I’ve also included details on how to get between each destination and the best places to stay.
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7 days in Turkey Itinerary – Option 1
This Turkey itinerary for 7 days is perfect for first-time visitors who want to get a taste of Turkey and visit all the main tourist sights. Here’s a quick overview of this itinerary:
Istanbul – 2 days
Ephesus and Selcuk – 1 day
Pamukkale – 1 day
Cappadocia – 3 days
Day 1 – Istanbul
Start your 7 days in Turkey in Istanbul, the only city that straddles two continents. With some of the most beautiful mosques, delicious food, and colorful neighborhoods, Istanbul is a must-visit on any Turkey itinerary.
It’s easy to get to Istanbul since direct flights are available from almost everywhere, including Europe and the US. You can then book a private airport transfer or take the Havaist bus to your hotel.
To make it easy to get around the city, I recommend buying an Istanbul Kart. You can then top up and use it on the tram, bus, metro, or ferry.
I always recommend at least 3 or 4 days in Istanbul to fully explore the city but if you plan correctly, you can squeeze the main tourist attractions in just 2 days.
Spend the morning in Sultanahmet and hit all the main attractions like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet Square (the Hippodrome), and Sultanahmet Park.
Istanbul travel tip: If you want to skip the crowds, make sure to visit Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque before 9 a.m.
All of these attractions in Istanbul are completely free to visit except for Hagia Sophia which now requires an entrance fee.
Next up, walk to Topkapi Palace (open at 9 a.m, closed on Tuesdays) which used to be the residence of Sultans during the Ottoman Empire. Since it’s very popular with tourists, I highly recommend buying this skip-the-line ticket and guided tour.
For the afternoon, make your way to either the Grand Bazaar or Spice Bazaar. If you have extra time, you can also head to Suleymaniye Mosque and enjoy some panoramic views of the Bosphorus.
Finally, end the day by taking a Bosphorus cruise just in time to admire the sunset from the water.
Tip: I recommend buying an Istanbul E-Pass which includes skip-the-line tickets for over 40 attractions in Istanbul!
Day 2 – Istanbul
Day 2 of your 7 days in Turkey itinerary starts at the Galata Tower for a 360-degree view of the city.
Next make your way to Istiklal Avenue, a 1.5-km street flanked by beautiful Neoclassical buildings. You can usually see street artists performing here so it’s always very lively.
Istiklal Avenue goes all the way to Taksim Square where the brand new Taksim Mosque is found.
You can then spend the afternoon in the colorful Balat neighborhood, one of the most Insta-worthy places in Istanbul, which can be reached by taking a 20-minute bus ride from Taksim.
Snap photos in front of the rainbow stairs at Dimitrie Cantemir Museum Café or the colorful houses along Kiremit Caddesi. There are also many cafes in the area where you can grab a bite.
For more details, read my Istanbul itinerary.
Where to stay in Istanbul?
Luxury: Tomtom Suites is a luxury hotel located near Istiklal Avenue. Previous guests rave about their delicious breakfast and rooftop terrace overlooking the Marmara Sea. Check latest rates here.
Mid-range: Located within walking distance of the Galata Tower, World House Boutique Hotel is great for those who don’t want to splurge too much. Check latest rates here.
Budget: Hostel Le Banc offers both dorm rooms (mixed and female-only) and private rooms. The hostel is located close to the Galata Tower and Istiklal Avenue. Check latest rates here.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN ISTANBUL
After two whirlwind days in Istanbul, it’s time to head to the next destination which is Ephesus.
Getting from Istanbul to Ephesus/Selcuk
I have a detailed guide on how to get from Istanbul to Ephesus but to summarize, you can take a flight to Izmir (1h10) followed by a taxi (1 hour) or a night bus (10 hours).
Another option is to rent a car. The total drive time from Istanbul should take about 6 hours.
I recommend staying in Selcuk since this is the closest town to the Ephesus ruins and it takes only 5 minutes to get there.
Related post: Guide to renting a car in Turkey
Day 3 – Ephesus and Selcuk
Rise early to visit the ancient city of Ephesus. This is one of the most impressive archeological sites in the country and a must-visit on any 7 days in Turkey itinerary.
Some of the most popular attractions in Ephesus include the Great Theater, Library of Celsus which used to hold over 12,000 scrolls, Curetes Street, and the Terrace Houses.
You can visit Ephesus on a guided tour or explore on your own for the next 2-3 hours.
After you’re done at Ephesus, head back to Selcuk. You can visit the Ephesus Archeological Museum to see the artifacts excavated from the ruins.
I also recommend seeing the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Also within the town center, you’ll find Isa Bey Mosque, the Basilica of St John, and Ayasuluk Castle.
If you have more time left, I recommend taking a bus to Sirince (20 minutes from Selcuk), a small Greek village in the mountains, famous for its wine and scenic views.
For more details, read my guide to visiting Ephesus and Selcuk.
Where to stay in Selcuk?
Nicea Hotel is a budget hotel located within walking distance of Selcuk bus station. Some of the rooms can accommodate up to 4 people. It’s very quiet at night and a free Turkish breakfast is included in the room rate. Check latest rates here.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN SELCUK
Getting from Selcuk to Pamukkale
There’s no direct bus to Pamukkale but you can take a 3-hour bus to Denizli and from there, take a mini-bus (20 minutes) to your hotel in Pamukkale.
Alternatively, for those who don’t want to stay overnight in Pamukkale but rather only want to visit as a day trip from Selcuk, I recommend this guided Pamukkale day tour which includes hotel transfers, lunch, and an English-speaking guide.
Note that there’s a long driving time from Selcuk to Pamukkale and back (about 6-7 hours total), which is why I believe it’s best to stay overnight in Pamukkale and visit the travertines from there.
Day 4 – Pamukkale
Also known as Turkey Cotton Castle, the Pamukkale travertines is a series of cascading pools and the highlight of my Turkey itinerary.
Most people only visit the pools but the ruins of Hierapolis are also worth visiting. Here you can find the Hierapolis Theater, St Philip Tomb and Church, and Hierapolis Museum.
You can also check out Cleopatra Pool. It’s free to enter but you’ll need to pay an additional fee to swim there.
One important thing to know about the Pamukkale travertines is that there are three entrances.
If you want to go early to skip the crowds, I recommend entering through the south gate since it opens at 6.30 a.m. You can walk there from town in about 40 minutes or take a 5-minute taxi ride.
Alternatively, you can also enter through the town entrance or north entrance but those only open at 8 a.m.
Note that only 2-4 hours are enough to visit the pools and ruins. You can then head back to your hotel to relax for a while before heading to Cappadocia.
For more details, read my guide to the best things to do in Pamukkale Turkey
Where to stay in Pamukkale?
I stayed at Beyaz Kale Hotel, a budget hotel located about a 5-minute walk from the Pamukkale travertines. The rooms are basic but clean and spacious. Rooms also have a balcony overlooking the swimming pool. Check latest rates here.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN PAMUKKALE
Getting from Pamukkale to Cappadocia
The best and cheapest way to get from Pamukkale to Cappadocia is by taking the night bus (10 hours).
Alternatively, you can take a flight from Cardak Airport in Denizli to either Nevsehir Airport or Kayseri Airport. Note that direct flights aren’t available and that you’ll have a short layover in Istanbul.
Getting from Selcuk to Cappadocia
If you’re coming from Selcuk, you can take a night bus to Cappadocia (14 hours) or fly from Izmir Airport to either Nevsehir or Kayseri Airport. The journey takes about 5-6 hours with a short layover in Istanbul.
You can then take a private airport transfer or shared shuttle bus to get to Goreme in Cappadocia.
Day 5 – Cappadocia
No 7 day Turkey itinerary would be complete without a visit to Cappadocia. Picture hundreds of colorful hot air balloons floating above jagged rock formations. It’s definitely one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Flying in a hot air balloon in Cappadocia was the highlight of my Cappadocia 3 day itinerary and I can say from personal experience that it’s 100% worth it.
I flew with Royal Balloon since they had 5* reviews on Tripadvisor. The price also included hotel transfers, buffet breakfast, champagne, and insurance.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE
I recommend scheduling your hot air balloon flight for your first day in Cappadocia since this activity is weather dependent. This is assuming you took a flight to Cappadocia and arrived the night before.
If you took the night bus, you won’t be able to get there early enough as most buses arrive after 7 a.m and the hot air balloon flight usually starts at around 5 a.m.
Note: If you took the night bus to Cappadocia, I recommend interchanging day 5 and day 6.
After your hot air balloon flight, head back to your hotel to get some sleep, if needed. You can then visit Goreme Open Air Museum to see the churches inside the rock formations.
You can then do a small hike at Sword Valley which is found just a few meters from the open air museum.
If you feel up to it, I highly recommend walking all the way to Rose Valley viewpoint. Here also you’ll find some caves with churches inside.
If you don’t want to hike, you can instead book a horse riding activity or a sunset ATV tour. Both of these activities are perfect for those who want to see as much as possible in a short amount of time.
Day 6 – Cappadocia
If you don’t mind another early wake up call, I recommend watching the hot air balloons from your hotel. You can usually observe the balloons between 5 a.m and 7.30 a.m.
Most hotels in Cappadocia have a rooftop terrace where you can admire the balloons or you can go to the sunrise viewpoint and watch the balloons from there.
On day 6 of your Turkey 7 day itinerary, I recommend going on a Green tour for the whole day which includes visits to Ihlara Valley, Selima Cathedral, and Kaymakli underground city.
During the tour, you’ll visit one of the largest monasteries in Cappadocia, hike 3.5 km alongside a river (the trail is flat, thus ideal for all fitness levels), and explore an underground city built by the early Christians.
Unless you’re renting a car in Cappadocia, I recommend taking a tour since these attractions are located outside of Goreme and aren’t accessible by public transportation.
This highly-rated Green tour includes hotel transfers, entrance fees, lunch, and an English-speaking guide. Also, having a guide while visiting the underground city is a must since it’s easy to get lost there.
Day 7 – Cappadocia
To end your one week in Turkey, I recommend doing a full-day hike from Goreme to Pigeon Valley, Uchisar Castle, and Love Valley.
Along Pigeon Valley, you’ll come across many fairy chimneys and panoramic viewpoints. The start of the Pigeon Valley hike is located here. It should take about 1 hour to get from Goreme to Uchisar Castle via Pigeon Valley.
The trail is relatively flat except for a few inclines. You’ll also find a small café and a toilet at the halfway point.
At Uchisar Castle, climb to the very top for a 360-degree view of Cappadocia.
You can then have lunch in Uchisar before heading to Love Valley which is easily recognizable by its phallic-shaped rock formations.
The entrance to Love Valley is located next to Ozler Center. Toward the end of the trail is a small café and toilet. You can stop there for some food and drinks before making your way back to Goreme.
Tip: I recommend downloading the maps.me app to avoid getting lost or you can use this hiking route for the Goreme, Pigeon Valley, Uchisar Castle, and Love Valley loop.
For more details, read my Cappadocia itinerary.
Where to stay in Cappadocia?
Cappadocia is actually a region in Turkey, so I recommend staying in Goreme since most of the tourist attractions are located there.
Luxury: Sultan Cave Suites is one of the best luxury hotels in Goreme with a rooftop terrace overlooking the valleys and hot air balloons. Check latest rates here.
Mid-range: Zara Cave Hotel is located in the middle of Goreme, within walking distance of the bus station and restaurants. It also has a terrace where you can observe the hot air balloons. Check latest rates here.
Budget: Cappadocia Cave Rooms is perfect for budget travelers. The rooms are comfortable and clean and the terrace offers great views. Check latest rates here.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN GOREME
Getting from Cappadocia to Istanbul
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Take a short flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul (direct flights are available and it takes about 1h15) or a night bus (12 hours) and then fly back home.
7 days in Turkey Itinerary – Option 2
This 7 day Turkey itinerary is quite similar to the first one except that I’ve swapped out Ephesus and Pamukkale for Oludeniz, aka the Turquoise coast of Turkey.
Here’s a quick overview of this itinerary:
Istanbul – 2 days
Oludeniz – 2 days
Cappadocia – 3 days
Day 1 & 2 – Istanbul
Follow day 1 and day 2 as above.
Getting from Istanbul to Oludeniz
Direct flights are available from Istanbul to Dalaman Airport and it takes about 1h15. You can then take a private taxi to get to your hotel in Oludeniz.
If you’re on a budget, take the bus from Istanbul to Fethiye (14 hours), and from there, you just need to take a dolmus (bus) to Oludeniz (30 minutes).
Day 3 – Oludeniz
Oludeniz is located along the Turkish Riviera and is famous for its stunning beaches and soaring mountains. It’s also one of the best destinations for paragliding.
Oludeniz ended up being my favorite place in Turkey due to the vast range of things to do and ease of getting around by public transportation.
If you’re not afraid of heights, I highly recommend paragliding in Oludeniz for the third day of your 7 days in Turkey. It’s no doubt the best way to take in the view of the turquoise coast.
Tip: Be sure to book in advance since paragliding is the most popular thing to do in Oludeniz. Also note that the paragliding season is only between April and November.
After paragliding, you will land on Oludeniz beach. You can spend some time here swimming in the ocean or you can walk further away to the Blue Lagoon. The water here is very calm and shallow, thus ideal for kids.
End the day by hiking part of the Lycian Way. This is a 540-km trail stretching from Fethiye to Antalya but you can still enjoy some panoramic views by doing a short 30-minute hike.
You can start the hike near Montana Pine Resort, and follow the signs until you reach Montana Seyir Tepesi where the viewpoint is found. The hike is very easy with only a slight incline.
Day 4 – Oludeniz
Another day, another viewpoint in Oludeniz! Head to Butterfly Valley viewpoint for the most stunning ocean views. The main viewpoint is usually crowded, so I recommend heading to this viewpoint instead.
To get there, take the Faralya (Kabak) bus from Oludeniz beach which runs every hour. Ask to be dropped off at Zakkum Restoran and from there you just need to walk for a few minutes until you get to the viewpoint.
Although you can hike down to the beach, I wouldn’t recommend it without a local guide. You can instead take a boat tour if you want to get down to the beach.
I also recommend going on the cable car in Oludeniz to Babadag Mountain. From the top, you can enjoy panoramic views of the lagoon and surrounding mountains.
Finally, end day 4 of your Turkey itinerary at Kayakoy Abandoned Village. For a small fee, you can walk around the village to see the old ruins.
For more details, read my guide to the best things to do in Oludeniz.
Where to stay in Oludeniz?
Mid-range: Tonoz Beach Hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of Oludeniz beach but still quiet at night. Their duplex suite features a full kitchen perfect for those who want to cook their own meal. Check latest rates here.
Budget: CC’s Butik Hotel is a great budget hotel located in Hisaronu (Oludeniz town center). Rooms are equipped with either double or twin beds, a private bathroom, and a mini-fridge. The hotel also has a swimming pool. Check latest rates here.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN OLUDENIZ
Getting from Oludeniz to Cappadocia
There are two ways to get from Oludeniz to Cappadocia. You can take a flight from Dalaman Airport to either Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport. It should take about 5-6 hours, including a layover in Istanbul.
Another option is to take a dolmus to Fethiye and from there, take a 13-hour bus ride to Cappadocia.
Day 5, 6, & 7 – Cappadocia
Follow day 5, day 6, and day 7 as above.
7 days in Turkey Itinerary – Option 3
This third Turkey 7 day itinerary is perfect for those who want to visit two of the most popular destinations in Turkey but prefer to take things slow.
Here’s a quick overview of this itinerary:
Istanbul – 4 days
Cappadocia – 3 days
Day 1, 2, 3, & 4 – Istanbul
4 days in Istanbul is the perfect amount of time to see all the main tourist attractions as well as some hidden gems without any rush.
I recommend reading my detailed Istanbul itinerary for 4 days which will walk you through all the best things to do. To summarize here’s how to spend 4 days in the city:
Day 1: Sultanahmet and Eminonu – Topkapi Palace, Hagia Irene, Gulhane Park, Suleymaniye Mosque, Spice Bazaar, and Bosphorus cruise.
Day 2: Sultanahmet and Balat – Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Sultanahmet Square, Grand Bazaar, Balat and Fener, and Whirling Dervishes show.
Day 3: Beyoglu and Taksim – Galata Tower, Istiklal Avenue, Taksim Square, and sunset from Galata Bridge
Day 4: Ortakoy and Asian Side – Ortakoy Mosque, Kadikoy, and Camlica Mosque
Getting from Istanbul to Cappadocia
Take a private taxi or the Havaist/Havabus shuttle to Istanbul Airport and fly to Cappadocia. It takes only 1h15 to get there.
You can then take a private airport transfer or shared shuttle bus to get to your hotel in Cappadocia.
Alternatively, you can take the night bus (12 hours) if you’re on a budget.
Day 5, 6, & 7 – Cappadocia
Follow day 5, day 6, and day 7 as above, or read my detailed Cappadocia itinerary for 3 days.
I hope you found these 7 day Turkey itinerary ideas helpful. Feel free to comment below if you have any questions.