Turkey is known for a wide range of things, Istanbul and Cappadocia are among some of the most popular “attractions”. Besides that, Turkey has a very rich history, mouthwatering cuisine, incredible variety in landscapes, unique old and new architecture, beautiful beaches and very friendly people. Istanbul being the capital city, is a vibrant metropolis and one of the few cities in the world that is spread over two continents. I only visited Istanbul for a few days, but could easily have stayed here for a week!
You have probably seen the fairytale-like photo’s on social media: someone having a picknick on a rooftop with sunrise/sunset and tons of colourful hot-air balloons flying around in the background. This is the image most people have in mind when they hear Cappadocia. Well I can confirm that this is not how Cappadocia looks all the time. My trip looked nothing like that, but I still loved exploring it.
- When to visit Istanbul & Cappadocia?
- What to see in Istanbul?
- How to travel from Istanbul to Cappadocia?
- What to do in Cappadocia?
- Where to stay in Istanbul & Cappadocia?
When to visit Istanbul & Cappadocia?
I visited Turkey in April and the weather was slightly different than what I expected. The first day in Istanbul was chilly but sunny, perfect for sightseeing! Sadly, the second day was grey and rainy. And don’t even get me started on the weather in Cappadocia.. The first day was gorgeous, but the day after I got a snowstorm instead of a colourful sunrise.
It could be that I was just very unlucky, but I would still suggest visiting these two destinations in Turkey between May and October.
What to see in Istanbul?
Istanbul is a very big city, meaning you can spend days, or maybe even weeks here without seeing everything. I tried my best to see as much as possible, but there are still plenty of areas I didn’t explore yet.
These are some of the most popular highlights of Istanbul, which I enjoyed visiting:
- Hagia Sofia Grand Mosque
- Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque)
- Yerebatan Cistern
- Topkapi Palace
- Galata Kulesi
- Grand Bazaar
- Balat colourful neighbourhood
Hagia Sofia Grand Mosque (Ayasofya Camii)
The Hagia Sofia Grand Mosque (Aya Sofya) is a sacred building from the Byzantine Empire and an important building in the centre of Istanbul. This impressive building is nearly 1500 years old and both from inside as out it’s beautiful. Although it used to function as a church, the building was turned into a mosque in 1934. Currently it serves as a museum.
Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque)
Sultan Ahmetmosque, more commonly known as the Blue Mosque among visitors, is another aesthetically pleasing building. It’s called Blue Mosque because of the blue tiles used on the inside of the building. You will already see this mosque from far as it is very high and has six minarets, which you don’t see very often. They definitely put all the money and effort in the outside of the building as the interior is a bit underwhelming, in my opinion.
Yerebatan Cistern
Yerebatan Cistern is another popular attraction in Istanbul, located in the same area as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia. Although, it was definitely interesting to visit, I wouldn’t say it was a true highlight for me. It’s an ancient underground water reservoir and one of the largest cisterns in Istanbul. The darkness and lit up pillars create a mysterious vibe.
Topkapi Palace
This huge complex was once the residence of the Ottoman sultans and now houses a museum that showcases the wealth and grandeur of the Ottoman Empire. I walked around here for hours and was blown away by all the different colourful tiles and mosaics. There are many rooms to explore and all doors, walls and ceilings are all differently decorated. Besides that you can get an insight in the history and culture of the Ottoman Empire.
Galata Kulesi aka Galata Tower
The Galata Kulesi is an ancient tower located across the bridge on the European side of Istanbul, in the Galata district. The tower is said to be one of the oldest towers in the world and was used as a watch tower for a while, but also as a prison at some point. It currently operates as a museum and it really stands out in the skyline of the city. Around the tower are a couple of other rooftop terraces with a view on the tower, which are also a good alternative.
GĆ¼lhane Park
Something I certainly did not expect to find in Istanbul is a park full of colourful tulips! GĆ¼lhane park is located next to Topkapi Palace so it’s perfect to combine.
Grand Bazar (Kapali Carsi)
The grand bazaar is the absolute place to be for shopping maniacs. It is one of the largest covered markets in the world, so definitely worth a visit (even if you don’t plan to buy anything). I bought some really cute jewellery, but was mostly there to try some of the local delicacies. Yup, always snacking =)
How to travel from Istanbul to Cappadocia?
There are different options if you want to travel around Turkey. They have a well developed bus system that connects all major cities. However, the distances in Turkey can be quite long. It is therefore recommended to do your research and see which option is best for you.
I took an early domestic flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia (ASR Kayserie). If you have more time you could also catch an overnight bus or rent a car and visit more places on the way. Turkey is supposed to be a great destination for road trips!
There are also many organised trips to Cappadocia, which are perfect if you don’t want to have the stress of organising everything yourself.
What to do in Cappadocia?
Cappadocia is one of a kind. I honestly had the best time, even without seeing the iconic balloons on a perfect orangey background. And you may not believe it, but after the beautiful day you see on the photos below, the following day it actually started snowing at some point.
Wander around the valleys
Cappadocia has several valleys with unique rock formations where you can easily walk around for hours without meeting anybody. Love Valley, Rose Valley, and Pigeon Valley are a few of the more popular valleys. Make sure you download the maps me because Google will not show you the small walking routes. Take your time to take in the landscape here because it’s truly stunning! If you’re bored of the walking, you could also go for a quad tour or rent a bike.
Explore Goreme Open-Air museum
The Goreme Open-Air museum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it consists of rock-carved churches, chapels, and monasteries from the 10th century. It’s a great place to start your trip and learn about the history of the area.
Visit the Uchisar Castle
This castle is a natural rock fortress and the highest point in Cappadocia. It usually offers panoramic views of the surrounding area, but sadly it was too foggy when I visited. It was still impressive to see and walk around the tunnels. There were also a few little shops and cafes in the tunnels where you can buy your souvenirs or take a break and enjoy the view.
Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride
This might sound strange coming from me, since I haven’t experienced it myself, but I would definitely recommend taking a hot air balloon ride here. Taking a hot air balloon ride is a breathtaking experience which everyone should experience at least once in their life. I was lucky enough to have 2 of these experiences already, in Myanmar and Mexico. The landscape in Cappadocia with its unique rock formations creates a fantastic place for a hot air balloon ride. So if you get the opportunity, go for it!
Get yourself a pretty carpet or pillow cases
Turkey has beautiful carpets and pillow cases with all kinds of prints and colours. There are many shops selling all sorts and sizes so it’s worth taking a look. If you don’t want to buy anything, there are a few picturesque shops where you can pay to have a photoshoot. The photos are unique, but it’s a real tourist attraction.
Where to stay in Istanbul & Cappadocia?
During my stay in Istanbul I stayed in the Cheers Hostel, a simple but convenient place to stay. The hostel is located within walking distance of the iconic Sultanahmet square. This is a great location to visit all major attractions. This hostel also has double or single rooms available, which is great if you’re not up for sharing rooms.
Other good hotel options for Istanbul are:
- Sultanahmet Palace Hotel
- Taksim Mood – Taksim is a good area to stay in if you like to explore the nightlife as well.
In Cappadocia I stayed in Gƶreme Art Stone Hotel. This is not the typical picturesque cave hotel you often see on social media. I would still like to stay in one of those if I ever return, but I thought it would be nicer to go with the boyfriend. There are many stunning cave hotels to choose from, but they tend to fill up quickly. I therefore recommend booking your stay on time.
Check out these pretty accommodations with good reviews in Cappadocia:
Personally, I booked everything separate but if you are not in for that, have a look at these trips to Istanbul from the Netherlands. If you prefer to learn a little more and have a guide with you, Get Your guide also offers many cool tours in Istanbul.
If you have questions or more additions to this post, please let me know in the comments!
Travelbecks 
Wat een bijzondere trip was dit ook weer. Je hebt zoveel gezien en gedaan in toch eeer relatief korte tijd, prachtige foto’s en een mooi, compleet verhaal. Ik heb er weer van genoten!
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Nou zeg dat wel! Heb ontzettend veel gezien en het land heeft al mijn verwachtingen overtroffen! Dank voor je lieve woorden!!
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