7 Days in Turkey on a Shoestring Budget in October 2023

1. Day 1: Istanbul
   30 minutes (13 miles) from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport

   Explore the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace in the morning; take a Bosphorus cruise in the afternoon; enjoy Turkish tea and street food in Taksim Square in the evening.

2. Day 2: Bursa
   2 hours 30 minutes (102 miles) from Istanbul

   Take the ferry to Bursa in the morning; visit the Green Mosque and Bursa Castle in the afternoon; try the local cuisine at the historic Cumalikizik village in the evening.

3. Day 3: Pamukkale
   11 hours (464 miles) from Bursa

   Explore the terraced pools and hot springs of Pamukkale in the morning; visit the ancient city of Hierapolis in the afternoon; relax in a thermal spa in the evening.

4. Day 4: Antalya
   3 hours 30 minutes (167 miles) from Pamukkale

   Visit the Antalya Museum in the morning; enjoy lunch at the historic Kaleiçi district in the afternoon; watch the sunset at Konyaalti Beach in the evening.

5. Day 5: Cappadocia
   8 hours (425 miles) from Antalya

   Take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise in the morning; explore the Kaymakli Underground City in the afternoon; watch a Whirling Dervish performance in the evening.

6. Day 6: Ankara
   3 hours 30 minutes (180 miles) from Cappadocia

   Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk in the morning; explore the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in the afternoon; enjoy the city's nightlife in the evening.

7. Day 7: Istanbul
   4 hours 30 minutes (265 miles) from Ankara

   Shop for souvenirs at the Grand Bazaar in the morning; take a Turkish cooking class in the afternoon; enjoy a farewell dinner and Turkish coffee in the evening.

Recommendations

Don't miss the hot springs of Afyonkarahisar, the ancient city of Ephesus, or the seaside town of Alanya. You can also take a day trip to the Prince Islands from Istanbul or go paragliding in Ölüdeniz. To save money, consider taking overnight buses or staying in hostels.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Blue Mosque (1 hour, free)
• Hagia Sophia (1 hour, ₺100/$12)
• Topkapi Palace (2 hours, ₺100/$12)
• Bosphorus cruise (2 hours, ₺25/$3)
• Cumalikizik village (2 hours, ₺50/$6)
• Pamukkale (3 hours, ₺35/$4)
• Hierapolis (2 hours, ₺35/$4)
• Antalya Museum (2 hours, ₺20/$2.50)
• Kaleiçi district (2 hours, ₺50/$6)
• Konyaalti Beach (2 hours, free)
• Hot air balloon ride (1 hour, ₺600/$72)
• Kaymakli Underground City (2 hours, ₺25/$3)
• Whirling Dervish performance (1 hour, ₺50/$6)
• Mausoleum of Ataturk (1 hour, ₺20/$2.50)
• Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (2 hours, ₺30/$4)
• Turkish cooking class (2 hours, ₺150/$18)
• Farewell dinner (2 hours, ₺100/$12)
• Total Estimated Costs: ₺980/$117

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