11 days in Istanbul & Goreme 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.

Istanbul is known for historic sites, museums, and shopping. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: admire the striking features of Hagia Sophia, take in the spiritual surroundings of Sultan Ahmed Mosque, get engrossed in the history at Chora Museum, and browse the exhibits of Galata Tower.

For maps, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Istanbul trip maker site.

If you are flying in from Nigeria, the closest major aiports are Istanbul Airport, Atatürk International Airport and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. In August, daily temperatures in Istanbul can reach 34°C, while at night they dip to 25°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 29th (Sat) early enough to 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 29th (Sat): see Off-Road Tours. On the 30th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: get outside with Outdoor Activities and then stroll through Goreme National Park.

To see where to stay, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Goreme trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Istanbul to Goreme takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and bus. When traveling from Istanbul in August, plan for a bit warmer days and little chillier nights in Goreme: temperatures range from 38°C by day to 19°C at night. On the 1st (Tue), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.