1 Week in Turkey - 3 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Turkey at a Glance

Explore Turkey's classic highlights on this one-week tour that takes you from the vibrant city of Istanbul to the otherworldly landscapes of Cappadocia and the ruins of Ephesus. Experience Turkey's arts, culture, and history firsthand with cooking and pottery classes and a visit to an active archaeological site.

Welcome to Turkey! Begin your trip in Istanbul, where you'll spend three days discovering the city's bazaars, touring top sights like the Topkapi Palace, and cruising the Bosporus. Then, travel to Cappadocia, known for its "fairy chimney" rock formations. Visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, featuring rock-cut churches and frescoes dating to the 10th century. Try your hand at pottery using clay from the Kızılırmak River. Then, take to the skies and experience Cappadocia from a different vantage point on a hot-air balloon tour. Wrap up your time with a cooking class highlighting regional dishes.

Catch a flight to Izmir province on Turkey's western Aegean Coast. Spend some time walking the fig tree-lined cobblestone streets of Şirince, the idyllic hill town that will be your home base for the next two days. From Şirince, it's a short 15-minute drive to the ancient city of Ephesus, an active archaeological site featuring artifacts from the Hellenistic, Roman Imperial, and early Christian periods. Conclude your trip with a tour of the Temple of Artemis ruins, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the House of the Virgin Mary. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Turkey's Aegean Antiquities

Discover the wonders of Turkey's past on this one-week journey down the Aegean Coast. Dive into Turkey's ancient and modern history with visits to World War I battle locations, Greek temples, and early Christian monuments.

Kick off your trip with two days in the bustling city of Istanbul. Tour the city's most significant historical sites, including the Hagia Sophia, built in 537 CE, and the Blue Mosque, known for its stunning azure tiles. Depart for the seaside Gallipoli Peninsula, where you'll enjoy a wine tasting at a winery before spending the afternoon visiting famous World War I sites. Learn about the 1915 Gallipoli Campaign at the Çanakkale War Simulation Center and see the Anzac Cove and Sed del Bahr Cape, significant locations during World War I that now offer tranquil sandy beaches.

Travel back in time to the ancient world with a visit to Troy, famous for its role in the Trojan War and now home to an excavation site. In the nearby town of Behramkale (once known as Assos), you can climb to the Temple of Athena, the only Doric temple built in Anatolia, and tour the Roman theater, agora, and necropolis. Enjoy a relaxed morning in Assos before transferring to Pergamon, home to the Altar of Pergamon and one of the first Seven Churches of Early Christianity. Finish your trip with a guided tour of Ephesus, delving into the Archaeological Museum's collection that spans 8,000 years. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Discover Turkish Tea in the Black Sea

Tea lovers delight in this seven-day odyssey that takes you across Turkey in search of the country's finest brews. Sample fragrant blends, meander through tea gardens, and visit a plantation to learn from local producers while enjoying the scenery of Turkey's mountains, valleys, and waterfalls.

Begin your adventure by taking in the sights and smells of Istanbul, including the fragrances and delicacies of the Spice Bazaar in the heart of Istanbul's Old City. Travel northwest to the city of Trabzon along the shores of the Black Sea, where you'll visit the Sumela Monastery and partake in an authentic Turkish meal. The next day is a tea lover's paradise: sample fragrant blends in the village of Boztepe, visit local tea shops in Surmene and stroll through the lush tea gardens of the verdant Firtina Valley.

Head east via private transfer to the Hemsin district, the region's first valley with organic farming practices. Spend an afternoon exploring Zuga, a typical Laz (a southwestern Caucasian population) village surrounded by tea farms. Then continue to Camlihemsin, known for its centuries-old stone and timber mansions influenced by Polish, German, and Russian architecture. Take in the scenery of Turkey's highest waterfall before visiting a tea plantation to chat with local producers. For the grand finale of your trip, enjoy a cup of tea from 6,561 feet (2,000 m) above sea level in the Kackar Mountains. Learn more

More Great Itineraries in Turkey

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Turkey? Check out these other Turkey itineraries, with historical trips, cultural adventures, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.