7 days in Istanbul, Cappadocia & Bursa Itinerary

A physical and cultural bridge between Europe and Asia, the transcontinental city of Istanbul serves as a living reminder of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.

On the 3rd (Thu), get to know the fascinating history of Sultanahmet District, steep yourself in history at Basilica Cistern, then admire the striking features of Hagia Sophia, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Sultan Ahmed Mosque, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Suleymaniye Cami .

To see more things to do, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Istanbul day trip planning tool.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Istanbul is an approximately 15-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul is minus 5 hours. When traveling from Kuala Lumpur in October, plan for slightly colder days in Istanbul, with highs around 28°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 26°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Fri) so you can travel to Goreme.

Famed for its landscape of unusually shaped stone formations and churches cut into the natural rocks, Goreme sits in the central part of the country, an area originally settled during Roman times.

On the 4th (Fri), explore the wealth of natural beauty at Goreme National Park and then take an in-depth tour of Goreme Open-Air Museum. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: do a tasting at Kocabag Winery, appreciate the extensive heritage of Güvercinlik Vadisi (Pigeon Valley), then indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, and finally stop by Sultans Seramik.

For more things to do, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Goreme day trip planner.

You can fly from Istanbul to Goreme in 4.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Istanbul in October, you will find days in Goreme are a bit cooler (24°C), and nights are cooler (6°C). Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Sat) so you can travel to Bursa.

The first Ottoman capital and a World Heritage Site, Bursa is known as "The Royal Springs" for its famous hot mineral waters--though it offers much more than your typical spa destination.

Kick off your visit on the 6th (Sun): visit Cumalikizik, then see the interesting displays at Bursa City Museum, and then admire the landmark architecture of Ulu Cami. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 7th (Mon): get engrossed in the history at Bursa Archaeological Museum and then hunt for treasures at Koza Hani.

For more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Bursa journey builder website.

Getting from Goreme to Bursa by flight takes about 6 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of bus and train. Traveling from Goreme in October, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit warmer in Bursa, with lows of 15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Mon) so you can travel back home.