Turkey is one of the most fascinating travel destinations in the world. From the vibrant streets of Istanbul to the magical landscapes of Cappadocia and the ancient ruins of Ephesus, this country offers an incredible mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. Istanbul is usually the starting point for most travelers following a 10 day Turkey itinerary.
If you are planning your first trip, this 10 day Turkey itinerary will help you see the highlights while traveling comfortably.
This route covers Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus.
If you’re looking for a more off-the-beaten-path experience, you can also explore our Eastern Turkey itinerary covering Cappadocia, Gobeklitepe, Mount Nemrut, and beyond.
Day 1–3: Istanbul
Start your journey in Istanbul, the city that is located just as a bridge between Europe and Asia. With its enormous size and great history, Istanbul is one of the most incredible and exciting cities in the world.
Best and top things to do in Istanbul include visiting Blue Mosque, exploring Hagia Sophia, definitely taking a Bosphorus cruise, walking in the Grand Bazaar, wandering through the Istiklal street in Taksim and discovering Topkapi Palace.
Definitely try some of the street food such as doner, kokorec, stuffed mussel with rice, pickle juice and of course enjoy the kebabs . you can find traditional restarurants around Sultanahmet, Karakoy and Taksim. You can also change continent with just a 20 minute ferry ride to the Asian side and find local restaurants in Kadikoy.
You can also read our full guide: Best Things to do in Istanbul
This is one of the most popular experiences in Istanbul.
Booking in advance is recommended, especially during high season.
Day 4-5: Cappadocia
Next destination is Cappadocia (Kapadokya in Turkish), famous for its unique volcanic lanscape and has interesting rock formations called fairy chimneys by the locals. Because the locals thought that these rocks were made by the fairies who live in the caves of Cappadocia when there was no geological explanation in the past. Highlights include taking the balloon ride at the sunrise, visit these valleys with fairy chimneys, seeing Goreme Open Air Museum with the best cave churches from the Byzantine era and with beautiful and vibrant frescoes depicting biblical scenes, visiting underground cities dating back to 1800Bc and watching the sunset in Red Valley.
Read our full guide: Best Things to Do in Cappadocia
This is the most popular experience in Cappadocia
Booking in advance is highly recommended to get the best rates and to find availibility.
Day 6: Pamukkale
Pamukkale is called Cotton Castle by the locals because of its stunning white travertine terraces filled with thermal water. You can walk on some parts of the terraces without your shoes and Pamukkale is not only about the terraces but also it is an ancient city called Hierapolis. Pamukkale white terraces and Hierapolis are in the same place. You defitinely must climb and have a look at the Roman Theatre with its well-preserved seats and amazing scenery, indoor thermal pool, agora and the biggest necropolis (ancient cemetery with sarcophaguses) of Turkey.
Read our full guide: Best Things to Do in Pamukkale
Many travelers combine Pamukkale with nearby Ephesus, so don’t miss our Ephesus travel guide for historical insights and travel tips.
This is one of the most popular day trips in Turkey and can get very crowded during peak season.
Booking in advance is highly recommended.
Day 7-8: Ephesus
Ephesus, located in the Western Turkey is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved ancient citites in Turkey and in the world. Yo can easily spend there at least 2 hours and more because its richness and size. Explore the celsus library, grand theatre, terrace houses, odeon, curete street and the latrina in Ephesus. You can also visit House of Mother Mary, temple of Artemis, Selcuk Museum and Sirince Village which are all short driving distances from each other.
Read our full guide: Best things to Do in Ephesus
Ephesus is one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world and a must-see for history lovers. Before your visit, take a look at our Ephesus travel guide.
This is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the Aegean region.
Guided tours help you understand the site much better.
You can easily include Ephesus in your trip before or after Pamukkale
Day 9-10: Return to Istanbul
Return to Istanbul for your final days. Use this time to visit Dolmabahce Palace, see Balat, enjoy a traditional Turkish hammam which is a very different experience with the scrub and beautiful amrble floors and fountains before completing your 10 day Turkey itinerary.
Turkey is not just about Istanbul and Cappadocia — the eastern regions offer some of the oldest and most fascinating sites in human history.
Travel Tips
- Domestic flights save time between destinations but driving is also an options as the roads are very good.
- Book Cappadocia balloon ride early because of high demand in busy season
- Always wear comfortable shoes because of walking in ancient cities
- Credit card is used in most place but carry some cash for tinh shops and toilet breaks
Final Thoughts
Following this 10 Day Turkey Itinerary is perfect for travelers who want to see the best highlights of Turkey in a short time. From the hospitality of the locals, amazing Turkish local and also Mediterrenean cuisine and incredible rich history and beautiful landscape and museums, Turkey offers a wonderful and unforgettable experience for every traveller.
This 10 day Turkey itinerary is ideal for first-time visitors, but if you’re interested in archaeology and early civilizations, our Eastern Turkey itinerary offers a much deeper experience.
For official travel information you can visit the Turkey Tourism website