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.

Start off your visit on the 3rd (Thu): take a stroll through Sultanahmet District, explore the ancient world of Basilica Cistern, contemplate the long history of Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya), then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Sultan Ahmed Mosque, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Suleymaniye Cami .

To see photos, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Istanbul trip itinerary builder .

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Istanbul is an approximately 14.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of bus and flight; or do a combination of train and flight. You'll gain 5 hours traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Kuala Lumpur in October, expect nights in Istanbul to be about the same, around 26°C, while days are slightly colder, around 28°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.

Kick off your visit on the 4th (Fri): walk around Goreme National Park and then explore the galleries of Museu a Ceu Aberto de Goreme. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 5th (Sat): learn about winemaking at Kocabag Winery, get to know the fascinating history of Güvercinlik Vadisi (Pigeon Valley), then relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, and finally stop by Sultans Ceramic.

Plan a Goreme trip in moments using our itinerary builder.

Getting from Istanbul to Goreme by combination of flight and taxi takes about 3 hours. Other options: do a combination of shuttle and flight; or drive. Expect slightly colder weather when traveling from Istanbul in October: highs in Goreme hover around 24°C, while lows dip to 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): wander the streets of Cumalikizik, examine the collection at Bursa City Museum, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Ulu Cami. Here are some ideas for day two: get engrossed in the history at Bursa Archaeological Museum and then hunt for treasures at Koza Hani.

To find maps, other places to visit, ratings, and tourist information, read our Bursa trip itinerary planning site .

You can do a combination of flight and bus from Goreme to Bursa in 7 hours. Other options are to do a combination of flight, ferry, and bus; or drive. Plan for somewhat warmer nights when traveling from Goreme in October since evenings lows in Bursa dip to 15°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 7th (Mon) early enough to travel back home.