Istanbul, Cappadocia & Ephesus

Destination 01

Istanbul

10 places

A city on two continents with Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks. Stay 4 days.

• Photo: Adli Wahid · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Hagia Sophia

  Sixth-century domed church, later mosque, with Byzantine mosaics.

  Tip Foreign visitors enter the upper gallery with a ticket; ground floor is for worship.

  SeeSultanahmet$$$75 minEarly morning
• Photo: Pedro Szekely from Los Angeles, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0

  Blue Mosque

  Sultan Ahmed Mosque, with six minarets and blue İznik tiles inside.

  Tip Closed to visitors during prayer times.

  SeeSultanahmetFree45 minMorning
• Photo: Carlos Delgado · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Topkapı Palace

  Ottoman sultans' palace with courtyards, treasury and the Harem.

  Tip The Harem needs an extra ticket and is worth it.

  SeeSultanahmet$$$3 hrMorning
• Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Basilica Cistern

  Vast Byzantine underground reservoir with 336 columns and two Medusa heads.

  Tip Evening sessions cost more but are calmer.

  SeeSultanahmet$$$45 minAfternoon
• Photo: Hunanuk · CC0

  Süleymaniye Mosque

  Sinan's hilltop masterpiece with Golden Horn views from the garden.

  SeeSüleymaniyeFree60 minAfternoon
• Photo: A.Savin · FAL

  Grand Bazaar

  Covered market of about 4,000 shops selling carpets, lamps and jewelry.

  Tip Closed Sundays; haggle politely.

  ShopBeyazıt$$2 hrMorning
• Photo: Diamante Pazzo · Google

  Bosphorus Ferry

  Public ferry cruise up the strait past palaces and wooden mansions.

  Tip The Şehir Hatları long tour leaves from Eminönü.

  DoEminönü$3 hrMorning
• Photo: Levent Murat · Google

  Mandabatmaz

  Tiny Beyoğlu coffee spot famous for thick, foamy Turkish coffee.

  Tip Sit on the stools in the alley off İstiklal.

  DrinkBeyoğlu$20 minAfternoon
• Photo: Katsiaryna Ozdemir · Google

  Çiya Sofrası

  Kadıköy restaurant reviving regional Anatolian dishes rarely found elsewhere.

  Tip Take the ferry to the Asian side for lunch.

  EatKadıköy$$75 minLunch
• Photo: Karaköy Güllüoğlu - Nadir Güllü · Google

  Karaköy Güllüoğlu

  Baklava house run by the same family for generations.

  Tip Order pistachio baklava with kaymak.

  EatKaraköy$30 minAfternoon

Destination 02

Göreme

10 places

Cave town amid fairy chimneys, the center for Cappadocia balloon flights. Stay 3 days.

• Photo: sersay23 · Google

  Hot air balloon flight

  Dawn flight over valleys of rock cones and pigeon houses.

  Tip Book a licensed operator and plan for weather cancellations.

  DoGöreme$$$$3 hrSunrise
• Photo: Georgiádes Ildikó · Google

  Göreme Open-Air Museum

  Rock-cut monasteries and churches with Byzantine frescoes.

  Tip Pay extra for the Dark Church; its frescoes are the best preserved.

  SeeGöreme$$2 hrEarly morning
• Photo: Mike Lahaye · Google

  Rose Valley

  Hiking trail through pink rock with hidden cave churches.

  Tip Hike in the late afternoon to finish at sunset.

  OutdoorsÇavuşinFree3 hrLate afternoon
• Photo: Y T · Google

  Uçhisar Castle

  Tall rock citadel riddled with rooms, topped by a viewpoint.

  SeeUçhisar$60 minSunset
• Photo: mazlum Koçyigit · Google

  Paşabağ Monks Valley

  Cluster of mushroom-capped fairy chimneys once used by hermits.

  OutdoorsZelve$45 minMorning
• Photo: Nevit Dilmen (talk) · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Derinkuyu Underground City

  Multi-level underground city cut into soft rock, reaching about 85 m deep.

  Tip Tunnels are tight; not for the claustrophobic.

  SeeDerinkuyu$$75 minMorning
• Photo: Bulent Akbulut · Google

  Avanos pottery workshops

  Riverside town with pottery made from Kızılırmak river clay.

  Tip Watch a wheel demonstration before buying.

  ShopAvanos$$1.5 hrAfternoon
• Photo: HEMANTH KUMAR · Google

  Topdeck Cave Restaurant

  Small family-run cave restaurant known for testi kebab and mezes.

  Tip Very small; reserve, and note it closes Tuesdays.

  EatGöreme$$1.5 hrDinner
• Photo: Pumpkin Göreme Restaurant And Art Gallery · Google

  Pumpkin Göreme Restaurant

  Set-menu restaurant and art gallery with seasonal Turkish cooking.

  Tip Good vegetarian options.

  EatGöreme$$1.5 hrDinner
• Photo: Engin Leblebici · Google

  Turasan Winery

  Ürgüp winery with cellar tastings of local Emir and Öküzgözü grapes.

  DrinkÜrgüp$$60 minAfternoon

Destination 03

Selçuk

10 places

Small Aegean town next to Ephesus. Stay 2 days.

• Photo: Huseyin Moldibi · Google

  Ephesus Ancient City

  Roman port city with the Library of Celsus and a 25,000-seat theater.

  Tip Enter at the upper gate and walk downhill; go at opening.

  SeeEphesus$$$3 hrEarly morning
• Photo: Ahmt Atc · Google

  Terrace Houses

  Roofed Roman villas with mosaics and wall paintings inside Ephesus.

  Tip Separate ticket bought at the entrance to the houses.

  SeeEphesus$$60 minMorning
• Photo: Carole Raddato from FRANKFURT, Germany · CC BY-SA 2.0

  Ephesus Museum

  Finds from Ephesus, including two statues of Artemis.

  SeeCenter$$60 minAfternoon
• Photo: Umit Ozbay · Google

  Basilica of St. John

  Ruins of Justinian's basilica over the traditional tomb of John the Apostle.

  Tip Climb to the citadel for views.

  SeeAyasuluk$60 minLate afternoon
• Photo: Erik Cleves Kristensen · CC BY 2.0

  House of the Virgin Mary

  Small stone chapel on Mount Koressos, a pilgrimage site for Christians and Muslims.

  SeeBülbül Dağı$$60 minMorning
• Photo: autor fotografie Zee Prime Original uploader was Zee Prime at cs.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Temple of Artemis

  Site of an ancient Wonder of the World, now one re-erected column in a marsh.

  Tip Brief stop; storks often nest on the column.

  SeeCenterFree20 minAny
• Photo: Cheyrek · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Şirince

  Hill village of stone houses, olive groves and fruit wines, 8 km from Selçuk.

  SeeŞirinceFree2.5 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Şirince Artemis Restaurant ve Şarap evi · Google

  Şirince Artemis Restaurant & Wine House

  Largest wine house in Şirince, in an old school with a terrace over the valley.

  Tip Taste the local fruit wines.

  DrinkŞirince$$1.5 hrLunch
• Photo: Валерий Бо · Google

  Kybele Gastro

  Well-reviewed Selçuk restaurant for Aegean and Turkish dishes.

  EatCenter$$75 minDinner
• Photo: Kensuke Miyoshi · Google

  Selçuk Saturday Market

  Large weekly market of Aegean produce, olives and cheeses.

  Tip Held Saturdays; arrive by mid-morning.

  ShopCenter$60 minSaturday morning