Heading to the country for 14 days in November and am thinking to split the trip between Istanbul, Izmir and Cappadocia areas. Any recommendations? Places to add? Time in each area? Must sees, eats, etc? Might throw in a train trip to Bulgaria if anyone has thoughts on that. Single male traveler so very flexible in planning, or just winging it. Thanks!

Post pics and a write up when you get back please. This is on my intrigued list.

Turkey is in my top 5 places to go.
Rather than Bulgaria, I'd head to Fethiye on the coast for a day or two & take a trip across to Rhodes in Greece.

That's what I plan to do

From Izmir, I assume that Kusadasi/Ephesus is on the agenda?

Visited Rhodes about 20 years ago, but that was with young ones. Will reconsider and see if there are things I missed that justify another visit. Thanks.

Yes, and I plan to catch Troy either on the way down or via a day trip from Izmir.

Cappadocia is one of my most favorite sites. The history pivotal to the area. Book your ballon trips as it is well worth the it.
Trip to Bulgaria would be interesting. Good wine and interesting culture.

Our family of four (me, wife, 15-year-old son, 12-year-old daughter) went had a several day stopover in Turkiye last year.

We spent several days in Istanbul and then went to Cappadocia. Istanbul had a lot of interesting culture and historic sites, plus the Grand Bazaar was wild. Cappadocia is a must-see for anyone as the balloons were magical, not to mention the cave dwellings.

We felt completely safe in both places, ate a lot of great food, and took in some incredible views. I'd highly recommend it.

Did Istanbul and Capadoccia last summer with family. Awesome trip. Istanbul such a beautiful, gritty city with so many historical sites.

3 days in Cappa should be good. Surprisingly a lot of evening nightlife. Definitely book the balloon. We stayed at Carus Capaddocia in Goreme. I think that's the best city to stay.
I have an awesome personal guide I used to for a full day. Took us to underground city, fairy tale castle, even a local food market where we had the best meal from a market vendor. Great price and way better than a group tour.

Thanks to all for the input.

Please DM me the guide's contact info if you have it! I planned to use in for at least one day in Cappadocia.

I just have his WhatsApp.
Yonuz 90 537 619 40 25

Just realized you are by yourself. That does make the private look more expensive than group tour. Still our favorite part of Turkey.

Appreciate that. Thanks.

I can only provide some perspective on Istanbul.

Sites:

We had a private tour guide for the following two tours, but there are likely small group tours with similar itineraries.

We toured the Old City "must see" sites which was great if you can only do one tour. Topkapi, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Cisterns, and "meatballs" at Tarihi Koftecisi or someplace similar (meatballs are still a form of kebabs).

Having said that, my favorite tour was off of the beaten path. We took a ferry from Karakoy to the Golden Horn and then did a walking tour through former Greek and Jewish neighborhoods (Fener and Balat). We stopped at Greek/Armenian/Bulgarian churches (including the cast iron church), the Patriarche, the "bluest mosque" (Rustem Pasha), and ended at the spice bazaar in Eminonu (historic center). This tour walks you through centuries of religious, and political, transitions while exploring neighborhoods of the city you may not otherwise visit.

Turkish Bath: Kilic Ali Pasa Hammani

Our tour guide said this is one of the top two places for a Turkish bath. I recommend it - definitely something to experience at least once in your life.

Restaurants:

Ala Rasi (near Taksim Square): incredible Afghani/Pakistani/Turkish fusion restaurant.

Develi: a few locations in Istanbul, I went to Etiler. Traditional Turkish Mezze and Kebabs, but more "upscale" (still casual) so go with the higher end meats and lamb versus the traditional kebabs throughout the city.

Sur Balik (Arnavutkoy location, but they have others on the Bosphorus): good seafood with great views.

Livar Balik Eli: more casual than Sur Balik with even better seafood (a couple of blocks from Sur Balik), but not as nice of a view depending on your table.

Ali Muhiddin Hac Bekir: the gold standard of Turkish delights with a few standalone storefronts in the city. Don't buy the delights on display in the bazaar that everyone has coughed and sneezed on.

The walk between Kilic Ali Pasa and Taksim has a lot of cool cafes and bars (along the triangle of: Bostanbasi, Yeni Carsi, Hayriye - and then towards Taksim). Walk up, or easier down from Taksim, and meander along the side streets in the evening. Ala Rasi is near this area (10 minute walk).

Besiktas is well known for dining and lively streets. Ciragan Palace Kempinski (a hotel next to the Four Seasons) is nearby and a nice place to stop for a tea while enjoying a view of the Bosphorus.

Kadikoy on the Asian side has a lot of restaurants, bars, and is a good place to check out (plus a Bosphorus crossing on a ferry).

However you choose to get onto a boat on the Bosphorus (ferry or a Bosphorus tour), you need to do it. It gives a really unique view of the city and a feel for why Istanbul has been such an important/crucial city for different empires over thousands of years.

Airport: If you're flying Business Class on Turkish Airlines, then get to the airport early (minimum 3 hours before your flight). By the time you go through security to enter the airport, security after check-in, and security again at the gate just before boarding - your lounge time will be limited. Their lounge is up there with the Asian airlines (reminded me of a modern themed Thai Airways lounge in Bangkok). Huge, and busy lounge, with fantastic food. The lounge alone is a destination in Istanbul.

Wolfman03 - thanks for the detailed write up. It appears one could spend a week in Istanbul and not be bored. Does location of hotel matter?

We have stayed in both Sultanahmet and Beyoglu. Both have benefits and downsides. It just a few days , I would go Sultanahmet just to be close to the main attractions

I agree with 90 Bull - stay in the old city/historic center. Traffic in Istanbul is a lot like Mexico City. Better to stay close to the historical highlights if you're only there for a few days to minimize time sitting in traffic during the day.

We had a day in Turkey this summer on a cruise... We visited Ephesus which was ok but paled in comparison to some of the other ruins we visited in Greece and Italy. With that said Turkey was incredible and I'd definitely want to go back and spend more time.