8 Days in Turkey: Istanbul and Cappadocia Itinerary
Turkey is one of those countries in which I had no idea what to expect. Is it Europe? Is it Asia? What’s going on here. Well, lucky for you I found out for myself. Lean in because it’s one of my favorite places we’ve ever been!
5 Days in Istanbul
Where to Stay
Istanbul is incredibly spread out and the traffic is horrible. We wanted to be as central as possible since it was our first time, and the Galata neighborhood was the ideal location for us to be able to walk most places. Culture Trip provides a helpful guide to the neighborhoods in Istanbul.
We stayed at The Wings Hotel DeCamondo and loved everything about it! The first night we arrived pretty late, and the concierge ordered his favorite kebabs for us to have in the room so we didn’t have to go looking for anything. The rooms are comfortable and quiet and the hotel itself is super charming with a rich history. Our favorite part though was the breakfast on the rooftop! The Turkish breakfast was so so good and the view was incredible to take in every morning.
Getting Around
We walked and Ubered the majority of the time because of our location and itinerary. Public transportation was complicated with rules due to the pandemic, but apparently it is very easy to use. The airport is quite outside the city, so we booked an airport transfer through Tranigo for 30 euro each way and can highly recommend the convenience.
What to Do
Since there is so much to explore in Istanbul, I reached out to my clients from Turkey and asked them for their favorite places and to help me organize our itinerary. Truly we would have been hot mess, aimless wanderers without them. All cards on the table, I dropped my phone in the Bosporus on day 4 so still a bit of a hot mess, but I am who I am. Ok, let’s get to it!
Day 1: Sultanahmet Neighborhood
Enjoy a nice Turkish breakfast at the hotel, then put your walking shoes on for a day of exploring!
Our Istanbul experience started in the Sultanahmet Neighborhood (The Old City), where you will see many of the historic sites in Istanbul. A great way to do this properly is through a walking tour - we did the Free Walking Tour: Old Town Of Istanbul with Hagia Sophia through Free Walking Tours Istanbul, which covered main attractions like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar.
The Grand Bazaar is definitely a must see, but we personally loved the Spice Bazaar. Our guide from the free walking tour encouraged us to visit to buy baklava in bulk. We took “bulk” to mean the weight of a small child and we have no regrets.
For lunch, grab a tiny chair near the Grand Bazaar and order the highly popular street food, dürüm - this street is lined with bustling dürüm restaurants serving locals and tourists alike!
Walk across Galata bridge to get your fill of baklava and Turkish delight at Karaköy Güllüoğlu. It is seriously a treasure trove of Turkish desserts here!
End an epic first day with dinner at Banyan - a beautiful Asian-fusion restaurant with delicious cocktails and overlooking the Bosporus river.
Day 2: Beyoğlu and Karaköy
Take the day to explore Beyoğlu - Shop on Istiklal Street, visit Taksim Square, then walk back through the narrow alleys of Cihangir for some hipster vibes and antique shopping. I have to say that my favorite boutiques were near Galata Tower! Don’t sleep on the boutiques in Istanbul.
After another long day of walking, treat yourself for dinner at Lokantsi near umbrella street (Karaköy) - Hot tip: the pastrami hummus was something I will dream about for years to come. Karaköy is just an exciting neighborhood in general for lively bars and restaurants.
Day 3: Bebek and Kadıköy
Start the day in Bebek for brunch at Mangerie. This neighborhood is more local and upscale, with trendy cafes and a beautiful waterfront.
Catch an Uber to the Asia side in Moda and Kadıköy - This was honestly my favorite day! The neighborhood is bustling with trendy restaurants, bars and antique shops. But the best part was the sweet, lazy cats sleeping wherever they can find some shade. You can also take a ferry to Kadıköy with the locals from Eminonu or Besitkas.
Have a coffee at the “Breaking Bad” themed Walter’s Coffee Roastery, get a massage at Ayaküstü Masaj, grab a delicious cocktail at Mathilda’s Cocktail Bar, enjoy dinner at the very popular Çiya Sofrası, then one last drink and live music at Karga Bar to end the night. If Çiya Sofrası is fully booked (it often is), check out Basta! Street Food Bar for more inventive spins on traditional Turkish street food.
Day 4: Galata Tower and Balat
Start your morning with views over Istanbul from Galata Tower - Get there by the time it opens (9am) to beat the heat and the crowds.
Explore colorful Balat! Save these links for the most instagrammable spots: Colorful Row Houses, Colorful Steps, Colorful Cafe, Cute Street with Cafes and Boutiques, Beautiful Greek School. Grab a traditional Turkish coffee at More Cafe.
Enjoy a late lunch above the Spice Bazaar in Pandeli Restaurant, and sit where celebrities like Sean Connery, Queen Elizabeth II and Audrey Hepburn once dined on eggplant pie and döner kebab.
Catch a boat for dinner on the Bosporus - It was a bit touristy for us, but the atmosphere outside at night from the water was stunning. This tour on Get Your Guide gets great reviews (just don’t throw your phone overboard…not that I’m speaking from experience)
Day 5: Hamam, Nişantaşı, Fine Dining
What better way to spend your last morning in Istanbul than relaxing at a Turkish Bath? Kılıc Ali Pasa Hamam is conveniently located in Karaköy and offers traditional hamam in a serene environment. This was one of my favorite experiences of the entire trip!
Once you’re refreshed, make your way towards the celebrities and socialites in the Nişantaşı neighborhood. You can take a cable car from Taksim Taksisla across Maçka Park for a unique panoramic view of Istanbul. The cable car was closed while we were visiting, so I can tell you that simply walking through the park is also lovely!
Stroll past the high end shops down Abdi İpekçi street to Fig for a coffee and people watching, then end your walk at Dolmabahçe Palace, the largest palace in Turkey and once home to the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
Go big on your last night in Istanbul with a fancy dinner at Mikla! Enjoy the tasting menu from the 18th floor of the Marmara Palace Hotel with a magical view over the city. The food is inventive and incredible, and the cocktails were just as impressive. If you just want to enjoy drinks with a 360 view, head one floor higher to the roof terrace!
3 Days in Cappadocia
We could not go all the way to Turkey and miss the balloon-filled sky and colorful, carpet-lined rooftops. And you shouldn’t either. Honestly, I would be upset with you if you didn’t make time for Cappadocia. AND NO ONE WANTS THAT.
Getting There
The best way to get to Cappadocia from Istanbul is by plane. Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines fly multiple times per day and the flight is only about 80 minutes. You can hire a driver or take a bus/train, but it’s a process. Would 100% recommend the flight. You do you though!
There are 2 airports: Kayseri Erkilet Airport and Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport. The Kayseri airport is the one you’ll want to use if you stay in or near Göreme, which is where the majority of the things to see and do are located. Your accommodation will help you with either a shuttle or a private taxi to and from the airport.
Where to Stay
We stayed in the town of Göreme at Koza Cave Hotel. Göreme is truly the best location as far as beautiful accommodations, delicious restaurants, and maximizing your time. We LOVED Koza Cave Hotel (wonderful staff, amazing breakfast, and a bucket list view from the roof), but you have plenty of dreamy options in this area!
Fav Restaurants
Pumpkin: Delicious, family-run restaurant. Definitely make a reservation! Order everything.
Dibek: Tasty food with a great view from the upstairs dining area. The family also makes their own wine, which was delicious.
Topdeck Cave: They were fully booked so we didn’t get to go, but they are highly recommended even from locals.
Seten Restaurant for mezze and an amazing view!
Cratus Restaurant & Lounge: We ate here on our last night and it was magical. It is a bit newer, but the food, service and ambiance were 10/10. There was someone playing the violin while we ate Testi kebabı (Pottery kebab), the local dish in Cappadocia and an absolute must order while you are here!
What to Do
#1 Watch the hot air balloons fill the sky at sunrise either from a rooftop or the hot air balloon itself! Your accommodation can book the hot air balloon ride for you if interested. The weather wasn’t quite right the morning we were booked, so they were cancelled, but seeing them from the rooftop was insanely magical.
Visit Love Valley and see the Fairy Chimneys
Ride ATVs (This was a fun way to explore some of the main attractions!)
Catch a panoramic sunset! This photo is from Imagination Valley, our last stop on the ATV ride.
Hire a photographer (This is a non-negotiable! You will never regret having professional photos from one of the coolest places you will ever visit. Trust me.) We booked Tu through Koza Caves Hotel and we absolutely loved her.
Explore the underground cities (The subterranean cities were built in the 8th and 7th centuries BC to protect the villagers from foreign invasions, and were later used by the early Christians to escape prosecution. If you’re claustrophobic, it’s a bit of a risk, but if Luke can fit then anyone can!)
Check out the local pottery (We visited Chez Galip and enjoyed the demonstration and walking around his shop. There are also many small shops around Göreme where you will find some special pieces!)
Stand among the wild horses (horses scare me…we did not do this. But many people love it!)
This is clearly not a wild horse, but I’ll leave you with our favorite little cat in Cappadocia. Now go plan your trip to Turkey!
