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Globetrotter

07 Mar 2023 - 5 min read

Itinerary & Budget: 7 Days in Turkey

Offers a wide variety of exciting activities, from world-class hot air ballooning, romantic beaches, and ancient biblical monuments, to world-famous shopping at the Grand Bazaar, and the excitement of Istanbul itself, Turkey is worth visiting.

It’s a nonstop adventure across the globe. Here is a brief reference guide to the tours and accommodations on the following recommendation and helpful travel information, in case you’re attempting to throw together your vacation at the last minute.

Let’s check on the 7-day itinerary in Turkey for your best reference below!

Day 1-3, Istanbul

Your 3-day visit to Turkey’s bustling capital city of Istanbul can be your first Turkish adventure stop. Istanbul, which straddles Europe and Asia, is an enthralling blend of the ancient and the modern. There are old mosques and buildings in the downtown area, right next to trendy cafes and boutiques.

Istanbul, Europe’s largest city, is home to almost 15 million people. Though you will spend most of your time in Europe, sailing down the center of the Bosphorus will allow you to view both sides. Despite its massive size, most of the city’s attractions can be reached on foot or via Uber, making it a convenient vacation destination for those who enjoy exploring on their own.

Visit the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque

The oldest structures in Istanbul are over 600 years older than the oldest buildings in Paris, providing some context for this “historical” metropolis. Since the Hagia Sophia’s multifaceted religious history had always been fascinating, so we started there. By the 15th century, this once-great cathedral from the sixth century had been converted into a mosque.

If you’re under the impression that “a mosque is a mosque,” it’s different this time. The interior design of these two mosques is entirely distinct from one another. The Hagia Sophia is all black and gold for a dramatic effect, while the Blue Mosque is a breathtaking display of tile work and windows. There has never been anything just like it was built before.

Visit the Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace, a former royal house turned museum, may also be found nearby. The oldest continuously inhabited palace on Earth can be found at this World Heritage Site, and the harem quarters are a must-see.

Visit the Grand Bazaar & Spice Bazaar

We continued our exploration of the historic district by visiting the Grand Bazaar, where we came across this charming and vibrant little street. You can fuel up with food before exploring the world’s largest retail center. One of most favorite spots was the Spice Bazaar; it reminds one of the spice merchants who traveled the Silk Road to sell their rare and exotic wares.

Get on the Bosphorus Cruise

Traveling the Bosphorus is like taking a cruise along the middle of two continents simultaneously (Europe and Asia). Our boarding point was in the neighborhood of Ortaköy. You can take a relaxing cruise for an hour to get a new perspective on Istanbul for about US$5.

Ciragan Palace, the stunning cathedral in Ortaköy, spectacular waterfront mansions, and cityscapes dotted with historic landmarks like mosques, bridges, and palaces will be displayed. In addition, being on the water is a wonderful experience.

The truth is that it’s one of the city’s most well-liked pastimes. Aside from the breathtaking view of Istanbul at night, guests may also take advantage of an all-you-can-drink package. During our week-long tour of Turkey, a cruise down the Bosphorus Strait was among our top-rated experiences in Istanbul.

Sightseeing at Galata Tower and Galata Bridge

Located on the European side of Istanbul, the Galata Bridge spans the Golden Horn to link two significant neighborhoods on either side of the river. Since its initial construction in the sixth century, this bridge has undergone five significant redesigns. Crossing the bridge on foot lets, you see the scenery on both sides.

Built in 500 AD as a defense watchtower, Galata Tower towers over its surroundings. Visit the museum housing items from various periods of Istanbul’s illustrious past and take in the panoramic view of the city from the observation deck atop the building.

Activities

Budget estimation

Staying at Hotel

TRY 2,770 (2 nights)

Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque

Free

Topkapi Palace

TRY 11

Foods and Drinks at Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar

TRY 1,800

Bosphorus Cruise

TRY 471

Galata Tower and Bridge

TRY 173

Total

TRY 5,225

Day 4-5, Explore Cappacodia

The Turkish word for “Cappadocia” is “Cap-uh-dokia.” It refers to a central region of the country home to several small towns. Flights between Istanbul and Cappadocia are the most convenient option. Fly into Kayseri or Nevsehir, which will take an hour, and then drive for another hour to get to your accommodation. The flights are cheap if you book in advance.

You might take a bus overnight from Istanbul to Goreme, the central business district, to save money. The train is inconvenient, so consider alternative modes of transportation, such as a plane, bus, rental vehicle, or guided tour. If the weather forecast calls for cloudy skies, you’ll still have an opportunity to observe or experience a hot air balloon flight if you stay for at least two nights.

Cappadocia is full of fascinating and entertaining attractions, but it is also overrun with tourists, so a visit of little more than three to two and a half days is adequate. Hot air balloon rides over Cappadocia are renowned all over the world, and it was a fantastic adventure. You can fly, relax, and watch them take off, as there are two departure times.

A champagne toast and hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia will set you back between US$200 and US$400 per person.

Activities

Budget estimation

Staying at Hotel

TRY1,225 (2 nights)

Champagne toast and a hot air balloon ride

TRY3,768 (per person)

Foods and Drinks

TRY1,507

Total

TRY 6,500

Day 6-7, Strolling Around Bodrum & Ephesus

You can make your best moment to explore Bodrum for the next trip in Turkey. Bodrum is one of the most famous destinations to visit, and Torba Bay’s breathtaking vistas are “to die for” from the private pool of one of the blue beachfront homes.

You may relax in complete seclusion at the villa or by the infinity pool at the hotel. There’s an excellent beach for families with young children nearby. Alternately, the Nikki Beach Club is right next door and has a lively party atmosphere and live music.

Get to Izmir Airport (Izmir Airport) from Istanbul or Cappadocia. From Bodrum, a trip to Ephesus takes only a day. Located in modern-day Turkey, these ancient ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site among the country’s most significant. Paul the Apostle, Alexander the Great, Anthony, and Cleopatra were just some notable people who visited Ephesus. This is mind-blowing.

Seeing how enormous everything is here was the first thing to blow your mind. The 25,000-seater theater, the 500-meter-long marble Arcadian Way lined with 50 lamps and shops that led from the theater to the sea, and the ancient Library of Celsus, which held 12,000-15,000 manuscripts, are all depicted up there.

Activities

Budget estimation

Flight from Istanbul to Bodrum

TRY 6,560

Flight from Istanbul to Australia

TRY 19,114

Staying at Hotel in Bodrum

TRY 1,413 (2 nights)

Torba Bay

Free

Bodrum to Ephesus day trip

TRY 2,073

Total

TRY 29,160

If you plan to spend your next holiday in Turkey, the 7 days itinerary above is a must!

Plenty of exciting places and friendly tourist areas to see. You can always create your best traveling moments by booking flights, hotels, activities, and attractions in Traveloka!

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