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Istanbul and Cappadocia Trip

Istanbul, Turkey

Duration

7 days

Budget

$2,500

Travelers

2

Trip type

Couple

Interests

historyfoodmosquesbazaarshot air balloons

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Where to stay

Recommended hotels

8 options
Hotel turkoman
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Hotel

Hotel turkoman

Hotel turkoman, Terzihane Sokağı, 34122 Fatih, Turkey

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Optimist hotel
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Hotel

Optimist hotel

Optimist hotel, Atmeydanı Caddesi, 34122 Fatih, Turkey

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Hotel Ibrahim Pasha
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Hotel

Hotel Ibrahim Pasha

Hotel Ibrahim Pasha, Terzihane Sokağı, 34122 Fatih, Turkey

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İbrahim Paşa Otel
No rating

Hotel

İbrahim Paşa Otel

İbrahim Paşa Otel, Terzihane Sokağı 7, 34122 Fatih, Turkey

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Alzer
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Hotel

Alzer

Alzer, Asmalı Çeşme Sokağı, 34122 Fatih, Turkey

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Hacibayram Hotel
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Hotel

Hacibayram Hotel

Hacibayram Hotel, Asmalı Çeşme Sokağı 4, 34122 Fatih, Turkey

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Lady Diana
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Hotel

Lady Diana

Lady Diana, Terzihane Sokağı, 34122 Fatih, Turkey

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Hotel Arcadia Blue
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Hotel

Hotel Arcadia Blue

Hotel Arcadia Blue, İmran Öktem Caddesi 1, 34400 Fatih, Turkey

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Where to eat

Recommended restaurants

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Things to see

Attractions and landmarks

8 places
Sultanahmet Meydanı
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Attraction

Sultanahmet Meydanı

Sultan Ahmed Square, 34122 Fatih, Turkey

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Theodosius Dikilitaşı
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Attraction

Theodosius Dikilitaşı

Obelisk of Theodosius, Sultanahmet Meydanı, 34122 Fatih, Turkey

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Yılanlı Sütun
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Attraction

Yılanlı Sütun

Serpent Column, Sultanahmet Meydanı, 34122 Fatih, Turkey

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Antiochos Sarayı'nın Kalıntıları
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Attraction

Antiochos Sarayı'nın Kalıntıları

Antiochos Sarayı'nın Kalıntıları, Sultanahmet Meydanı, 34122 Fatih, Turkey

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Örme Dikilitaş
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Attraction

Örme Dikilitaş

The Walled Obelisk, Sultanahmet Meydanı, 34122 Fatih, Turkey

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Lausos Sarayı'nın Kalıntıları
No rating

Attraction

Lausos Sarayı'nın Kalıntıları

Lausos Sarayı'nın Kalıntıları, Doktor Eminpaşa Sokağı, 34110 Fatih, Turkey

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Sultan Ahmet Türbesi
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Attraction

Sultan Ahmet Türbesi

Tomb of Sultan Ahmed I, Sultanahmet Meydanı, 34122 Fatih, Turkey

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Istiklal Marsi
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Attraction

Istiklal Marsi

Istiklal Marsi, Molla Fenari Sokağı, 34110 Fatih, Turkey

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Day-by-day plan

Itinerary

1

Day 1

Historic Sultanahmet Exploration

Activity 1

Visit Hagia Sophia

09:00 – 11:00

Explore the magnificent Hagia Sophia, a historic basilica turned mosque and museum, known for its stunning architecture and mosaics.

Activity 2

Tour the Blue Mosque

11:15 – 12:15

Visit the iconic Blue Mosque, famous for its beautiful blue Iznik tiles and impressive Ottoman architecture.

Activity 3

Lunch at Deraliye Ottoman Palace Cuisine

12:30 – 14:00

Enjoy authentic Ottoman dishes at this well-regarded restaurant near Sultanahmet.

Activity 4

Explore the Basilica Cistern

14:15 – 15:30

Discover the ancient underground cistern famous for its Roman columns and atmospheric lighting.

Activity 5

Walk around Hippodrome Square

15:45 – 16:30

Stroll through the historic Hippodrome area to see the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpent Column.

2

Day 2

Grand Bazaar and Spice Market Shopping with Food Tasting

Activity 1

Visit Grand Bazaar

09:00 – 11:30

Shop and explore thousands of shops selling everything from carpets to jewelry in one of the world's largest covered markets.

Activity 2

Lunch at Pandeli Restaurant

12:00 – 13:30

Enjoy traditional Turkish cuisine at this historic restaurant inside the Spice Bazaar.

Activity 3

Explore Spice Bazaar

13:45 – 15:30

Wander through the vibrant Spice Bazaar, tasting local spices, sweets, and delicacies.

Activity 4

Visit Rustem Pasha Mosque

15:45 – 16:30

Admire the exquisite Iznik tilework in this small but beautiful Ottoman mosque close to the Spice Bazaar.

3

Day 3

Topkapi Palace and Bosphorus Afternoon

Activity 1

Tour Topkapi Palace

09:00 – 12:00

Explore the sprawling palace of the Ottoman sultans including the Harem and Treasury sections.

Activity 2

Lunch at Konyali Restaurant

12:15 – 13:30

Dine with panoramic views while tasting classic Turkish dishes at this Topkapi Palace restaurant.

Activity 3

Bosphorus Cruise

14:00 – 17:00

Enjoy a relaxing afternoon cruise along the Bosphorus Strait to admire Istanbul's skyline and bridges.

4

Day 4

Flight to Cappadocia and Sunset Valley Walk

Activity 1

Morning Flight to Cappadocia

08:00 – 09:30

Take a morning flight from Istanbul to Nevsehir Airport in Cappadocia.

Activity 2

Check-in and Lunch at Dibek Traditional Restaurant

12:00 – 13:30

Experience local Cappadocian cuisine at this historic restaurant known for pottery kebab.

Activity 3

Explore Göreme Open-Air Museum

14:00 – 16:00

Visit the UNESCO site featuring rock-cut churches with amazing frescoes dating back centuries.

Activity 4

Sunset at Red Valley

17:00 – 19:00

Hike or drive to Red Valley to enjoy spectacular sunset views over the surreal landscapes.

5

Day 5

Hot Air Balloon Ride and Underground City

Activity 1

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride

05:00 – 08:00

Experience a breathtaking hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia's valleys and rock formations at sunrise.

Activity 2

Breakfast at Sultan Cave Suites Terrace

08:30 – 09:30

Enjoy breakfast with panoramic views of Cappadocia's unique landscape.

Activity 3

Visit Derinkuyu Underground City

11:00 – 13:00

Explore the extensive multi-level underground city used historically for protection and shelter.

Activity 4

Lunch at Sofra Restaurant

13:30 – 14:30

Taste traditional Anatolian dishes in a cozy setting in Göreme.

Activity 5

Relax at Love Valley

15:00 – 17:00

Wander through Love Valley and enjoy its scenic and unusual rock formations.

6

Day 6

Ihlara Valley Hiking and Selime Monastery

Activity 1

Drive to Ihlara Valley and Hike

09:00 – 12:30

Take a scenic hike along the Melendiz River in Ihlara Valley, stopping at rock-cut churches.

Activity 2

Lunch at Belisirma Village Restaurant

12:45 – 13:45

Enjoy a riverside meal with traditional local dishes in Belisirma village in the valley.

Activity 3

Visit Selime Monastery

14:15 – 16:00

Explore the largest rock-cut monastery complex in Cappadocia with stunning views.

Activity 4

Return to Göreme and Leisure Evening

17:00 – 19:00

Return to Göreme for a relaxing evening and optional local dinner.

7

Day 7

Return to Istanbul and Leisure Afternoon

Activity 1

Morning Flight Back to Istanbul

08:00 – 09:30

Take a morning flight from Cappadocia back to Istanbul.

Activity 2

Check-in and Lunch at Asitane Restaurant

12:00 – 13:30

Savor carefully researched Ottoman palace recipes in a charming setting near Chora Church.

Activity 3

Visit Chora Church (Kariye Museum)

14:00 – 15:30

Admire exquisite Byzantine mosaics and frescoes in this historic church-museum.

Activity 4

Leisure Walk in Balat Neighborhood

16:00 – 18:00

Explore the colorful streets, cafes, and history-rich atmosphere of Balat district for a relaxed afternoon.