Scenic hot air balloon rides, ruins of ancient empires, pristine beaches, and spectacular places to shop are just some reasons why everyone should visit Turkey at least once.

Turkey is rich in history, tradition, and adventurous spots, and a perfect place to spend your vacation. Its transcontinental city, Istanbul, bridges Europe and Asia.

Planning a trip to Turkey without missing any worth-visiting places can be challenging.

That is why we have done the job for you. Here is an 8-day Turkey travel itinerary to help you plan your trip better.

It includes spending two nights in Istanbul, three nights in Cappadocia, and two nights in Antalya. 

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul 

The first day of your trip will begin with arriving at the Istanbul airport. From there, you will go to your hotel and rest for some time.

The first place of your tour will be the Bosphorus dinner cruise. It is a 2.5-hour cruise with a spectacular view of the well-lit Istanbul city, with a 3-course dinner.

The cruise features many live performances for entertainment, including a DJ show, sword dance, belly dance, and Turkish gipsy dance. Begin your Turkey tour with a blast and enjoy the Bosphorus dinner cruise fully. 

Day 2: Istanbul Old City Tour

On Day 2, visit the heart of Istanbul, the Istanbul Old City. The first stop on tour will be the Hagia Sophia.

Once the world’s largest cathedral, it became a mosque after the conquest of Constantinople. The Blue Mosque is the next stop, followed by the German Fountain, located near the Blue Mosque. 

The day also includes a tour of the Topkapi Palace, a must-visit for history buffs, to see the remnants of the Ottoman Empire’s grandeur, along with the Grand Bazaar. The Grand Bazaar is the world’s largest and oldest covered market. 

Day 3: Continue touring Istanbul and travel to Cappadocia

The third day will continue with a tour of Istanbul. The tour will include visiting the archaeology museum, Basilica Cistern, and Spice Market.

The Basilica Cistern is a giant cistern among all the cisterns in Turkey, with the capacity to hold 80,000 cubic metres of water. The site offers a glimpse of Turkey’s architectural heritage.

Also called Misir Carsisi, the Spice Market is a hub for different unique spices and a delight for foodies. After local sightseeing, you will leave for Cappadocia and spend the night there.

Day 4: Red Tour in Cappadocia

Cappadocia is known for its fairytale sceneries, rock formations, and beautiful sunrise. On the first day of your stay in Cappadocia (and day 4 of your tour), you will take the ATV Safari tour and visit the Red Valley and Swords Valley. 

The Red Valley is a perfect spot to watch the sunset. Watch the sandstone ridges glow vibrantly during the sunset. The Sword Valley, on the other hand, is filled with distinctive rock formations and cave dwellings. 

Day 5: Hot Air Balloon and Green Tour

One of the biggest attractions in Cappadocia is the hot air balloon rides during sunrise. Begin your day 5 with the gorgeous sunrise and the view of the ancient caves of Gerome Town.

The next stop of the day is Green Tour.

The Green Tour will take you to the fairy chimneys in Goreme Panorama, the underground city of Derinkuyu Yeralti Sehri, and the ancient Selime Monastery. Other places on tour include a visit to Yaprakhisar village and Ihlara canyon. 

Day 6: Arrival in Antalya

On day 6, you will arrive at Antalya by a domestic flight. Check-in at your hotel and rest for some time.

After resting, feel free to explore Antalya. Antalya is famous for its museums, beaches, caves, and fortresses. Visit the Antalya museum, the Roman Fortress, and Hadrian’s Gate.

Day 7: Pamukkale Tour

On day 7, go for the Pamukkale tour. The Pamukkale tour will take you to the Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis, the strange landscape of Cotton Castle, and the Travertines.

Dip into the natural hot springs used as a spa centuries ago. According to legends, this water carries healing properties. 

Visit the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, once a thriving healing centre. The theatre is another must-visit place in the ruins. You can also visit the small museum of Hierapolis. 

Day 8: Departure

It’s time to say goodbye to Turkey. Complete the check-out formalities and prepare for departure with fond memories of your stay here.

Summing up

Turkey is also home to the grand cities of Kusadasi, Ephesus, and Fethiye. You can visit these cities by extending your stay by a few days and following a 10 day Turkey itinerary.

However, if you are short on time, we recommend staying at least 5 days in this beautiful country to explore it properly. Follow the 5 day Turkey itinerary to help you plan for your upcoming trip.

We hope this Turkey travel itinerary only made you more enthusiastic about Turkey and revel in its beauty and culture.