Stay : Most of Turkey in one week
Not easy to select the best in a country that is so vast and full of treasures on its coasts as inside the land. Here's a one-week itinerary that will suit the most pressing and allow them to have a complete overview of the country without losing a miette of the great necessities.
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
8 days
€€ - Charm and comfort
Detail of the stay : Most of Turkey in one week - 8 days
Day 1: The essentials of Istanbul
Steps: Istanbul
Visit of the Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Sarayi) and the harem in the morning. The afternoon will be devoted to the Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque), and the Hagia Sophia Basilica (Aya Sofya) which are located in the same area. On your way out of Hagia Sophia, dive into the fantastic lair of the Basilica Cistern which is only a few meters away. In the evening a visit to Beyoğlu is a must, so why not head to the Asmalı Mescit Sokak or the more popular Nevizade Sokak to enjoy some of Istanbul's nightlife? Restaurant terraces have completely invaded the pavement and everywhere there is laughter and singing. One tastes mezze and grilled fishes accompanied by raki with the sound of the gipsy or Turkish orchestras, and soon the whole of the customers is carried along in a mad dance. For those who like a last drink, there are plenty of bars in the area.
SAINTE-SOPHIE (AYASOFYA CAMII) / PALAIS DE TOPKAPI (TOPKAPI SARAYI MÜZESI) / MOSQUÉE BLEUE (SULTANAHMET CAMII)
Day 2: The essentials of Istanbul (continued)
Steps: Istanbul
The bazaars, the mosque of Soliman the Magnificent, the Bosphorus or the church of Saint-Sauveur-in-Chora. Located not far from Sainte-Sophie and the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar (closed on Sundays) remains a must-see in Istanbul. You will spend more or less time there depending on whether or not you want to bring back some souvenirs, a bitter haggling being required. To recover from your emotions, allow yourself a tea (possibly with a chicha) in some kahve (picturesque café) or in the gardens of an old medersa. Exiting to the west of the bazaar, a pleasant little book market will lead you to Beyazi Square. The amateurs will be able to cross the gardens of the university to join the mosque of Soliman the Magnificent, the largest of the city, built by the brilliant architect Sinan and whose restoration work finished. From there, go to the Egyptian Bazaar (or spice market) to enjoy the scents and colors before heading to the Eminönü quays. A fish sandwich will satisfy the small hungers and you will not get tired of watching the comings and goings of this very lively district. Bus or plane to Cappadocia.
Day 3: Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a magical region, where it is hard to believe that you are still on earth. Whatever the season, the landscapes, simply lunar, are breathtaking. After a good breakfast, the open-air museum of Göreme is a good introduction. Make a stop at the viewpoint between Göreme and Ürgüp, from where the view of the pink valley is breathtaking. And for a cooler afternoon, visit the village ofUçhisar and its kale. In the evening, prefer a troglodyte hotel to make the change of scenery last.
Day 4: Cappadocia (continued)
Steps: Aksaray, Kaymakli, Derinkuyu, Antalya
Visit the Ihlara Valley, one of the largest canyons in the world, full of rock churches and where nature is breathtaking. Then go up through one of the magnificent underground cities, Derinkuyu or Kaymakli being the most famous. To protect themselves from attacks from the barbarian hordes, the inhabitants of the region had decided to build huge underground cities, where they would take refuge in case of invasions, making it appear that their villages had already been razed to the ground. They then waited for the intruders to leave. Beautiful! Beautiful! Departure by bus or plane to Antalya.
Day 5: Archaeological sites of Antalya
Steps: Ayvalik - Kydoniai, Aspendos, Perge
Short walk in the old town of Antalya, which is the only interesting part of the city and departure for a Hellenic site. The superbly preserved theater ofAspendos is magnificent, as well as the ruins of Perge or the ancient city of Thermessos. Night in the old town (Kaleiçi).
Day 6: The ports of Phaselis
Less than 60 km from Antalya, the beautiful archaeological site of Phaselis is one of the most charming visits in the region, where you can visit and swim. Three small harbors, dating back to antiquity, were lucky enough to welcome Alexander the Great and enchant the visitors. You can admire a theater large enough to accommodate 1,500 people, the agora, an arch, a paved avenue... as well as beautiful enchanting coves. Visit the famous chimeras in Olympos at nightfall and spend the night in the trees in Olympos or in the quiet village of Çirali.
Day 7: Discovery of the Hieropolis site
Steps: Aphrodisias, Pamukkale
Departure for Pamukkale and visit of the archaeological site of Hieropolis and the natural site of the travertines, splendid "cotton castle". The visit takes only two hours. Then go to Aphrodisia, one of the most beautiful ancient sites in Turkey. Drive back to Istanbul.
Day 8: Last hours in Istanbul
On this last day, why not take the time for a Turkish breakfast (kahvalti) on one of the many terraces of Istanbul with the breathtaking view over the city. Then last shopping and departure for the airport.
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