Turkey 7-day itinerary.

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For this week, we flew directly from Istanbul to Cappadocia upon arrival. It is, of course, also possible to spend a few days in Istanbul before heading to Cappadocia. During our trip, we took three domestic flights: (1) Istanbul to Cappadocia, (2) Cappadocia to Izmir, and (3) Izmir to Istanbul. This combination gave us the best fares at the time, but flight prices and routes can vary, so you may find a different sequence that works better for your trip. The itinerary focuses on Cappadocia and around Izmir. But since one flies to or from Istanbul, the itinerary can be longer depending on how much time is spent in Istanbul.

Cappadocia is indeed served by two primary airports: Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV) and Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR). NAV is located approximately 30 km (40-45 minutes) from tourist hubs like Göreme and Uçhisar. ASR is located about 70-75 km (an hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes) away from Göreme. ASR has more frequent flights and better deals.

Day 1 - get settled in Cappadocia. 

On our first day, once we arrived at the airport in the evening, we rented a car, and we drove to Ürgüp. The roads are good and fine to drive in the dark. 

Day 2 – A Once-in-a-Lifetime Hot Air Balloon Experience. 

The most famous activity in Cappadocia is undoubtedly a hot air balloon ride. Floating above the region's surreal fairy chimney rock formations and ancient valleys while more than 100 colorful balloons fill the sunrise sky is truly a bucket-list experience. For us, it was an unforgettable adventure that we will remember forever.

We decided to begin our time in Cappadocia with the hot air balloon ride because flights can be canceled due to strong winds. If you stay for multiple days, a cancellation on your first morning still gives you a chance to reschedule without disrupting your plans. The pre-dawn wake-up call is brutal after a long journey, but Cappadocia is well prepared for it. Since balloon rides are so common, many hotels serve breakfast until late in the morning, allowing you to enjoy a relaxed meal afterward.

After breakfast, we visited Uchisar and its castle, the highest point in Cappadocia, stopping at Devrent Vadisi. Near the castle, there are rock-cut pigeon houses. These houses are ancient, man-made cave dwellings designed specifically to shelter thousands of pigeons. For centuries, farmers maintained these structures to harvest the birds' nutrient-rich droppings, which were vital for fertilizing vineyards in the otherwise arid Cappadocian soil.

Day 3 – Hiking in Cappadocia.

After breakfast, we went hiking in Cappadocia. We started from the Love Valley parking lot and simply wandered without a specific destination in mind. After exploring the valley, we had lunch in Çavuşin and tried a delicious pumpkin gözleme at a local café.

In the afternoon, we continued our adventure through the Rose and Red Valleys, again hiking without a fixed route and just following whichever trail looked interesting. We then drove to the Red Valley Lookout for sunset. Although the viewpoint attracts large crowds in the evening, the area is spacious enough for everyone to find a good spot and enjoy the spectacular views.

Day 4 - Aegean coast of Turkey.

Early in the morning, we flew from Cappadocia (ASR) to Izmir. After landing, we rented another car and headed toward Çeşme and Alaçatı, two charming seaside towns on Turkey's Aegean coast.

Before reaching Çeşme, we stopped in Urla, a region known for producing some of Turkey's best wines. Compared to other destinations along the coast, Urla feels less touristy and offers a more authentic atmosphere. It is also well known for its excellent seafood restaurants, making it a great place to stop for lunch.

We chose Çeşme as our base for exploring the Aegean coast over the next two days. While Alaçatı is undeniably beautiful, accommodation tends to be more expensive, and Çeşme offers a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere in the evenings.

Day 5 - Aegean internal Region.

In the morning, we visited Çeşme Castle and the Archaeological Museum located inside its walls. While the museum is not particularly focused on the castle itself, it contains an interesting collection of artifacts, and the views from the fortress are excellent. For lunch, we wandered through Çeşme's old town and tried the local specialty, Çeşme köfte.

On our drive to Ephesus, we stopped in Sığacık for ice cream. If you have more time, the nearby town of Seferihisar and the ancient ruins of Teos are also worth a visit.

After arriving in Selçuk, we checked into our hotel and headed to Şirince for dinner. This charming hillside village offers beautiful views, excellent food, and a unique atmosphere. During the day, it can become very crowded, and finding parking may be challenging. We arrived in the late afternoon, after most day-trippers had left, which allowed us to enjoy the village at a more relaxed pace. In the evening, Şirince feels peaceful, romantic, and incredibly cozy.

Day 6 - Ephesus, an exceptional testimony of the Hellenistic, Roman, and early Christian periods.

The ancient city of Ephesus is located just a few minutes' drive from Selçuk. Once one of the most important port cities of the Greek and later Roman world, Ephesus played a major role in trade, culture, and religion throughout antiquity.

Today, the area is famous for several important historical and religious sites, including the Temple of Artemis, St. John's Basilica, and the House of the Virgin Mary. The Temple of Artemis, although only a few remains are visible today, was once considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Ephesus began to decline during the Byzantine period as the harbor gradually filled with silt carried by the nearby rivers. Despite repeated dredging efforts, access to the Aegean Sea was eventually lost, and by the 8th century AD, the city had largely lost its importance as a major trading center.

In the afternoon, we drove to Pamukkale, which takes a bit more than two hours. 

Day 7 - Pamukkale and the Hidden Gem Hierapolis.

When planning this trip, we debated whether to visit Pamukkale. After watching numerous videos, it seemed overly touristy and somewhat artificial. In the end, we decided to go because we had an extra day in our itinerary. We are very glad we did.

If you plan to park at the South Gate, the most convenient entrance, arrive early. The parking lot fills up quickly because it is the primary drop-off point for tour buses. The travertine pools are artificially filled with water after 8:00 a.m., so when you first arrive, many of them will still be dry.

For this reason, we recommend visiting Hierapolis first. Hierapolis contains extensive Greco-Roman ruins, including ancient baths, temple remains, a monumental arch, a nymphaeum, a vast necropolis, and a remarkably well-preserved theater. The theater alone is worth the visit.

We came to Pamukkale for its magnificent white travertine terraces, but we were even more impressed by the ruins of Hierapolis. Founded in the 2nd century BCE, Hierapolis became a renowned center for healing and wellness, attracting visitors to its thermal springs. The city was also known for its thriving wool industry and the Plutonium, a sacred cave filled with toxic gases that ancient people believed was an entrance to the underworld. Exploring the archaeological site took us about two hours.

By the time you finish visiting Hierapolis, the travertine pools will be filled with water and, inevitably, with tourists as well. Even so, there are enough pools spread across the hillside that it is still possible to find quieter spots and take photos with only the terraces in the background.

After our visit, we had lunch in town and then drove to Izmir. We only had a few hours there, but it was enough time to enjoy a stroll through the city. Popular attractions include Konak Square, a walk along the Kordon, and a visit to the historic Kemeraltı Bazaar.

Are you also planning to spend two days in Istanbul? Here is our itinerary.

Places to stay

Cappadocia

Shiraz Cave Cappadocia, an excellent cave hotel with fresh and delicious breakfast. Easy parling in foon of the hotel. 

Çeşme 

Çeşme Marin Butik Otel, family-like ambiance, very central in Çeşme, with private parking. Adequate breakfast.

Ephesus 

Hotel Urkmez. Very close to the train and bus station. There is free parking in the streets around the hotel. 

Pamukkale

Alida Hotel. Family-run hotel located just steps away from the Pamukkale-Hierapolis archaeological site. Complimentary breakfast in the rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the famous white cliffs and hot air balloons in the morning. 

Izmir 

Hakcan Hotel is a perfect option for a night’s stay near the airport.