10 Days in Turkey: The Classic Route

Ten days lets you combine Istanbul, Cappadocia, the Mediterranean coast, and the Aegean archaeological sites into a single coherent loop. This itinerary uses two domestic flights to cover long distances and buses for the shorter coastal hops, balancing speed with immersion.

Route overview

Days	Location	Nights	Transport in
1–3	Istanbul	3	International flight
4–5	Cappadocia (Goreme)	2	Domestic flight
6–7	Antalya	2	Domestic flight
8	Pamukkale	1	Bus
9	Ephesus / Selcuk	1	Bus
10	Izmir (departure)	0	Bus or train

Where to stay — by location

Istanbul (3 nights)

• Budget: Marmara Guesthouse, Sultanahmet — doubles from approximately ₺1,400/night as of 2026
• Mid-range: Hotel Empress Zoe — doubles from approximately ₺3,200/night as of 2026. Built over Roman ruins, garden courtyard.
• Splurge: Ciragan Palace Kempinski — doubles from approximately ₺25,000/night as of 2026. Former Ottoman palace on the Bosphorus.

Cappadocia (2 nights)

• Budget: Shoestring Cave House, Goreme — doubles from approximately ₺1,100/night as of 2026
• Mid-range: Sultan Cave Suites — doubles from approximately ₺4,000/night as of 2026. The famous terrace with balloon views.
• Splurge: Argos in Cappadocia, Uchisar — doubles from approximately ₺15,000/night as of 2026

Antalya (2 nights)

• Budget: White Garden Pansiyon, Kaleici — doubles from approximately ₺1,200/night as of 2026
• Mid-range: Tuvana Hotel, Kaleici — doubles from approximately ₺3,000/night as of 2026. Restored Ottoman houses, courtyard pool.
• Splurge: Akra Hotel — doubles from approximately ₺8,000/night as of 2026. Cliffside infinity pool overlooking the Mediterranean.

Pamukkale (1 night)

• Budget: Venus Hotel — doubles from approximately ₺900/night as of 2026
• Mid-range: Doga Thermal Health & Spa — doubles from approximately ₺2,500/night as of 2026

Selcuk (1 night)

• Budget: Homeros Pension — doubles from approximately ₺1,000/night as of 2026. Family-run, walking distance to Ephesus dolmus stop.
• Mid-range: Cella Boutique Hotel — doubles from approximately ₺2,800/night as of 2026

Days 1–3: Istanbul

Three full days covers the essential districts.

Day 1 — Sultanahmet

Hagia Sophia (free entry to mosque, exhibition galleries approximately ₺500 as of 2026) → Blue Mosque (free, closed during prayers) → Basilica Cistern (₺450) → Topkapi Palace (₺750, Harem ₺400). Lunch at Sultanahmet Koftecisi (₺150–250/person). Evening: fish sandwich at Eminonu (₺80–120).

Day 2 — Bazaars and Bosphorus

Grand Bazaar (closed Sundays) → Spice Bazaar → Bosphorus cruise (short loop, ₺200, 2 hours from Eminonu) → Galata Tower (₺650). Lunch at Pandeli above the Spice Bazaar (₺250–400/person). Dinner in Karakoy at Neolokal (₺500–800/person) for modern Anatolian cuisine.

Day 3 — Dolmabahce and Asian side

Dolmabahce Palace (₺750, closed Mondays) → Istiklal Avenue → ferry to Kadikoy (₺20, 20 minutes). Lunch at Ciya Sofrasi (₺150–250/person). Return by sunset ferry.

Day 4: Cappadocia — Arrival and Goreme

Flight: Istanbul to Kayseri — 1 hour 20 minutes, from ₺500 as of 2026 on Pegasus or AnadoluJet. Compare fares on Aviasales. Shuttle to Goreme (1 hour, ₺250).

Afternoon: walk to Sunset Point, explore the fairy chimneys above town, book your balloon for tomorrow. Dinner at Dibek in Goreme — pottery kebab (testi kebab) cooked in a sealed clay pot, ₺200–350/person.

Day 5: Cappadocia — Balloon and Exploration

Dawn: Hot air balloon flight (approximately ₺4,500–8,000 as of 2026, 60–90 minutes).

Morning: Goreme Open-Air Museum (₺500, Dark Church ₺200) — arrive by 08:00 opening to beat tour buses. Over 30 rock-carved churches with Byzantine frescoes.

Afternoon: Choose between:

• Derinkuyu Underground City (₺400, 30 km south) — 8 levels of tunnels
• Ihlara Valley (₺120 entry, 14 km canyon hike)
• Green Tour combining both (₺800–1,200 including transport and lunch)

Dinner: Seten Restaurant — terrace dining with valley views, ₺300–500/person.

Day 6: Antalya — Old Town and Museum

Flight: Kayseri to Antalya — 1 hour 10 minutes, from ₺600 as of 2026.

Afternoon: explore Kaleici (Antalya’s old town). Walk to Hadrian’s Gate (free, built 130 AD), the old harbour, and the Yivli Minare (Fluted Minaret). Visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum (approximately ₺300 as of 2026, open 08:30–19:00) — one of Turkey’s best collections, with entire galleries of Roman sarcophagi and statuary from Perge.

Lunch at Vanilla Kaleici — ₺200–350/person for Turkish mezes in a courtyard garden. Dinner at Seraser Fine Dining, set in a restored Ottoman mansion in Kaleici — ₺500–800/person.

Day 7: Antalya — Perge, Aspendos, or Beach

History route

Perge (₺200 entry, 18 km northeast — dolmus from Antalya otogar, ₺15) — a sprawling Roman city with a stadium, colonnaded streets, and baths. Allow 1.5 hours.

Aspendos Theatre (₺200 entry, 47 km east) — the best-preserved Roman theatre in the world, seating 15,000. Still hosts performances. A rental car makes both sites manageable in a half-day. Compare rates at GetRentacar.

Beach route

Konyaalti Beach (free, pebbly, backed by mountains) or Lara Beach (sandy, further east — dolmus ₺15). Full day at the beach with lunch at a waterfront restaurant (₺200–350/person).

Day 8: Pamukkale

Bus: Antalya to Denizli — approximately 3.5 hours, ₺200–300 as of 2026. Dolmus from Denizli to Pamukkale village (20 minutes, ₺20).

Afternoon

Pamukkale travertine terraces (₺400 entry) — walk barefoot through the warm calcium pools. Best in late afternoon light. At the top: Hierapolis ruins — Roman theatre, necropolis, and the Antique Pool (₺150 extra, swim among submerged Roman columns in thermal water).

Dinner: Lamuko Restaurant — grilled meats and local Denizli wines, ₺200–350/person.

Day 9: Ephesus

Bus: Denizli to Selcuk — approximately 3 hours, ₺200–300.

Morning/Afternoon

Ephesus (₺600 entry, Terrace Houses additional ₺400 as of 2026). Open 08:00–18:30. Arrive at 08:00 to avoid cruise-ship crowds from Kusadasi. The Library of Celsus, Great Theatre (25,000 capacity), and Terrace Houses (preserved Roman mosaics and frescoes) are the highlights. Allow 2.5–3 hours.

Afternoon in Selcuk: Basilica of St. John (₺100), Isa Bey Mosque (free), Ephesus Museum (₺100). All walkable within the small town.

Lunch: Ejder Restaurant in Selcuk — home-cooking style, ₺120–200/person. Dinner: Tat Restaurant — Aegean mezes and fresh fish, ₺250–400/person.

Day 10: Izmir and Departure

Bus or train: Selcuk to Izmir — approximately 1 hour by train (TCDD, ₺30) or 1.5 hours by bus (₺80).

If your flight departs in the evening, spend the morning at the Kemeralti Bazaar (free, open daily) — Izmir’s historic market district. Walk along the Kordon waterfront promenade, eat boyoz (flaky Izmir pastry) at a street bakery, and visit Agora Open Air Museum (₺100 entry — Roman-era marketplace ruins in the city centre).

Lunch: Deniz Restaurant on the Kordon — grilled Aegean fish with sea views, ₺300–500/person.

Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport is 18 km from the city centre — IZBAN train (₺15, 25 minutes) or taxi (approximately ₺400).

Transport costs summary

Route	Mode	Duration	Cost (₺)
Istanbul → Kayseri	Flight	1h 20m	₺500–1,500
Kayseri → Goreme	Shuttle	1h	₺250
Kayseri → Antalya	Flight	1h 10m	₺600–1,500
Antalya → Denizli	Bus	3.5h	₺200–300
Denizli → Selcuk	Bus	3h	₺200–300
Selcuk → Izmir	Train	1h	₺30

All prices approximate as of 2026.

Budget summary

Style	10-day total (USD)
Budget (hostels, street food, buses where possible)	$600–900
Mid-range (boutique hotels, restaurants, 2 flights)	$1,000–1,600
Comfort (luxury hotels, guided tours, balloon, all flights)	$2,500–4,000

Excludes international flights.

What to book ahead

1. Domestic flights — book 3 weeks ahead for the best Pegasus and AnadoluJet fares
2. Cappadocia balloon — minimum 2 weeks ahead; peak season books out 1 month ahead
3. Cave hotel in Goreme — Sultan Cave Suites and similar popular properties sell out months ahead in April–October
4. Ephesus morning slot — no booking required, but arrive at 08:00 opening to beat the Kusadasi cruise crowds

Full guides to the destinations on this route: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Pamukkale, Ephesus, İzmir. Key activity in Cappadocia: hot air balloon rides.