Visit Hagia Sophia, a magnificent mosque that is also a museum; explore the magnificent Blue Mosque which features stunning blue tiles and six minarets, and marvel at the Topkapi Palace, the primary residence of Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years.
Explore the unique landscape of Cappadocia filled with fairy chimneys, underground cities, and rock-cut churches. You can take a sunrise hot air balloon ride, visit the cave churches in Goreme Open-Air Museum, hike in the Rose Valley, and end the day enjoying the sunset at the Uchisar Castle.
Marvel at the stunning natural beauty of Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features terraced hot springs and mystical mineral-rich pools. Explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, an ancient spa city famous for its healing powers and impressive ruins.
Discover the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient sites in the world, and home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Continue with a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, a pilgrimage site known for being the last home of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Take a Bosphorus Cruise to admire Istanbul from the water and to see the stunning mansions and palaces along the strait. End your trip with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. With more than 4,000 shops selling everything from spices to jewelry, you can end your trip by bringing back a souvenir to remind you of your exploration in Turkey.
Transportation for this itinerary will mostly be arranged by each traveler with a car rental or taxi for day trips. Domestic flights are used to travel between distant cities. Turkey has a reliable public transportation system, including buses, trains, and metros that travelers can use to navigate around the cities. Always use licensed taxis and agree on a fare before starting your ride.
If you have an extra day, you can spend it visiting the stunning beaches along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts or exploring the charming villages of the Black Sea Region. If you only have 4 days, you can consider skipping Pamukkale, which is the farthest from Istanbul, and allocate more time to Ephesus and Cappadocia.
The main international airports to get to Turkey are Ataturk International Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW), both located in Istanbul. Other international airports in Turkey include Adnan Menderes International Airport (ADB) in Izmir and Esenboga International Airport (ESB) in Ankara. Denizli Cardak Airport (DNZ) is the closest airport to Pamukkale.