Days 1-5: Antalya Resort Base
Five full days at an all-inclusive resort gives genuine time to relax, rather than the 2-3 days that make a resort stay feel more like a stopover. Pick your district based on priority — Belek for golf, Lara or Konyaalti for proximity to Antalya city, Side for ruins and a walkable old town.
Days 6-7: Cappadocia
Fly from Antalya to Kayseri or Nevsehir (short domestic flight, not a drive) for two days centered on a sunrise hot air balloon ride, the Goreme Open-Air Museum, and one of the underground cities. Two days is tight but workable if the balloon flight isn't weathered out — build in slack if possible.
Days 8-10: Istanbul
A short flight from Cappadocia into Istanbul closes the trip with the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar and a Bosphorus cruise. Three days covers the essentials without feeling like a checklist sprint.
Booking Logistics
Domestic flights within Turkey are frequent and relatively inexpensive — book Antalya-Cappadocia and Cappadocia-Istanbul legs separately rather than assuming a single through-ticket, and leave a buffer day if your balloon flight is weather-dependent.
This order — Antalya first, Cappadocia mid-trip, Istanbul last — front-loads relaxation and ends on a high-energy city finish, which works well for most travelers' energy levels over a 10-day trip.
Explore Antalya
Antalya
Antalya is Turkey's most popular holiday destination, attracting over 16 million visitors annually. Located on the southwestern Mediterranean coast, it offers ancient ruins, turquoise waters, and world-class resort hotels.