10 Days in Turkey: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Coast

Turkey is three different countries in one. The 10-day plan respects that.

The route

Istanbul (4 nights) → Cappadocia (3 nights) → Antalya / Kas (3 nights) → fly home.

Domestic flights beat driving between these — Turkey's distances are vast.

Days 1-4: Istanbul

Day 1: Sultanahmet. Hagia Sophia (₺750), Blue Mosque (free), Basilica Cistern (₺900), Topkapi Palace (₺900 + ₺300 for Harem). 10+ hours. Split over 2 days if possible.

Day 2: Grand Bazaar (4,000 shops, haggle hard — start at 30% of asking), Süleymaniye Mosque (free, the most architecturally impressive of Istanbul's imperial mosques), Spice Bazaar, lunch at Hamdi for lamb.

Day 3: Cross to Asian side via ferry (₺15, 20 min). Kadıköy neighborhood for breakfast at Çiya Sofrası (traditional Anatolian regional cuisine). Walk along Moda waterfront. Back to European side for Galata Tower sunset (₺900).

Day 4: Dolmabahçe Palace (₺650) or Bosphorus cruise (₺250). Evening hammam — Çemberlitaş (classic) or Kilic Ali Pasa (luxury, ₺2,800).

Days 5-7: Cappadocia

Fly from Istanbul to Kayseri or Nevşehir (₺1,200 round trip, 75 min each way). Base in Göreme — the most central village.

Day 5: Arrive. Open Air Museum (₺450). Sunset viewpoint at Sunset Point or Red Valley.

Day 6: Hot air balloon at sunrise (€200-250/person, book 2+ months ahead). This is the signature Cappadocia experience. Weather-dependent — 20% cancellation rate.

Afternoon: ATV tour through the valleys (€35/person, 2 hours) OR horseback ride at sunset (€60).

Day 7: Derinkuyu or Kaymakli underground city (₺500). Ihlara Valley hike — 14 km canyon with Byzantine cave churches.

Night in a cave hotel — this is non-negotiable in Cappadocia. Sultan Cave Suites (€150-220/night), Museum Hotel (€400+/night for the iconic one).

Days 8-10: Turquoise Coast

Fly Kayseri → Antalya (₺900, 75 min).

Day 8: Arrive Antalya. Old Town (Kaleiçi) wander. Dinner in the harbor.

Day 9: Rent a car (€40/day). Drive to Kaş via the coast road (2.5 hours). This is one of the most beautiful drives in the Mediterranean. Stop in Olympos (ancient ruins + beach).

Day 10: Kaş morning — snorkeling at Kaputaş Beach. Patara Beach (12 km of empty sand, plus ancient ruins). Fly home from Antalya evening.

Cost (2 people, 10 days)

Flights (US): $800-1,200
Domestic flights (Istanbul-Kayseri-Antalya): ~$200 for 2
Hotels (mix of 4-star and cave): $1,200
Food: $55/day × 10 = $550
Sights + hammam: $350
Hot air balloon: $400
Car rental 3 days: $150

Total: $3,050-3,650 with international flights for 2.

Turkey-specific tips

Currency: Lira has been volatile. Most tourist pricing quoted in EUR or USD now. Check exchange rates same-day.
Mosques: Free but respect dress code (shoulders, knees covered; headscarf for women — they provide).
Hammam: Try once. Traditional ones are aggressive (they scrub you HARD). Modern spa-style is gentler.
Carpet salesmen: The tea-before-carpet routine is a full experience. Only accept if you actually want to buy.
Prayer times: Five times daily, announced from mosques. Beautiful at sunset, loud at 5 AM — pick hotels away from direct mosque proximity if light sleeper.