7-Day Turkey Family Tour: Istanbul, Bursa, Ertuğrul Ghazi & Cappadocia

Tour Overview

One Journey, Four Chapters of Türkiye

Imagine beginning your holiday in Istanbul, a city where Europe and Asia meet and where Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman legacies are part of everyday life. This 7-day Turkey family package tour takes you from imperial monuments and colourful bazaars to the Bosphorus, then deeper into Anatolia: to Bursa, the first great Ottoman capital, to Söğüt and Bilecik, where the story of Ertuğrul Ghazi and Osman Ghazi begins, and finally to Cappadocia, one of the most extraordinary landscapes on earth.

Every day answers a simple question: how did this place shape the Türkiye you see today? In Istanbul, it is the city of emperors and sultans. In Bursa, it is the birth of Ottoman architecture and the Silk Road. In Söğüt and Bilecik, it is the frontier world of the early Ottomans, a story that fascinates families who know it from books and television. In Cappadocia, it is the ingenuity of people who carved homes, churches and entire cities into volcanic stone.

This is a historical and cultural Turkey tour with a family heart. Short stories, hands-on moments and variety keep children curious, while licensed English-speaking guides give adults the depth they want. Bursa and Bilecik are explored with your own private vehicle and driver, so you can enjoy a more personal pace; Istanbul and Cappadocia are covered by guided full-day tours that take care of tickets, routes and timing.

Why This Route Works for Families

The itinerary alternates large, headline monuments with open-air moments: a cruise on the Bosphorus, a stroll under İnkaya's ancient plane tree, a hunt for animal-shaped rocks in Devrent Valley and a walk through Red Valley. Domestic flights remove long road transfers between Istanbul and Cappadocia, saving a full day of travel for sightseeing instead.

A Journey Through Layers of History

You will stand in a Byzantine hippodrome, beneath the dome of Hagia Sophia and in the courtyards of Topkapı Palace. You will see tombs and mosques that mark the Ottomans' first century, stroll through a 500-year-old silk caravanserai, and finally descend into an underground city built long before the Ottoman era. Few itineraries in Türkiye combine so many periods so smoothly.

Private Touches, Group Convenience

The History Travel keeps the best of both worlds: a private driver for Bursa and Bilecik, private airport transfers on arrival and departure, and group sightseeing days where guides, tickets and lunch are already organised. Ask us if you would like the entire programme upgraded to a fully private tour.

Topic Highlights

Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Topkapı Palace with a guide
Bosphorus dinner cruise and daytime cruise
Bursa: Green Mosque, Green Tomb, Koza Han, Ulu Cami
Ertuğrul Ghazi's tomb in Söğüt and Sheikh Edebali in Bilecik
Domestic flights Istanbul – Kayseri – Istanbul
Two nights in a Cappadocia cave hotel
Kaymaklı Underground City & Red Valley
Optional sunrise hot-air balloon flight

Duration

7 Days

6 nights

Destinations

Istanbul · Bursa · Bilecik · Söğüt · Cappadocia

Flights

Domestic included

Price

€1,280

per person

Schedule note: The programme ends on Day 7 with an evening flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul. Hotel nights included are six (Istanbul 3, Bursa 1, Cappadocia 2). If you fly home internationally on Day 8, you will need an additional Istanbul night, which we can arrange and quote with you. Flight times are estimates until your tickets are issued.

Topic Highlights

Tour Highlights: Eighteen Reasons to Go

Istanbul's Imperial Heritage

Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar.

Bosphorus Experiences

A dinner cruise and a daytime cruise between Europe and Asia.

Two Historic Bazaars

The Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, living markets for five centuries.

İnkaya Plane Tree

One of Bursa's most celebrated natural landmarks.

Early Ottoman Bursa

Green Mosque, Green Tomb and Ulu Cami.

Silk Road at Koza Han

The historic silk caravanserai still trading in silk.

Ertuğrul Ghazi Route

The tomb in Söğüt and the Bilecik heritage sites.

Edebali & Early Ottoman Figures

Sheikh Edebali, Bala Hatun, Halime Hatun and more.

Optional Balloon Flight

Cappadocia from the sky (extra; weather permitting).

Devrent Valley

Natural rock shapes children love to name.

Zelve Open-Air Museum

Rock-cut homes and chapels in a cliff village.

Uçhisar Castle

A rock fortress with big Cappadocia views.

Avanos Pottery

Red-clay craft on the Kızılırmak.

Red Valley

Rose-coloured cliffs and a scenic walk.

Çavuşin Village

Cave houses and Byzantine chapels.

Kaymaklı Underground City

Eight-level legacy of life beneath the surface.

Pigeon Valley

Thousands of carved dovecotes.

Truly Family-Friendly

Variety, short drives, optional activities and English-speaking guides.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Tap a day to see the plan. Detailed guides to each major place follow in the Destination Guides. Timings depend on traffic, opening hours and confirmed flights.

Day 1

Arrival in Istanbul & Bosphorus Dinner Cruise

Meet your representative at Istanbul Airport for a private transfer to your hotel. In the evening, glide along the illuminated Bosphorus on a dinner cruise with a set Turkish menu and live entertainment, which may include Sema whirling dervish performance, folk dancing and live music (final programme confirmed on booking).

Private airport meeting & transfer
Hotel check-in and rest
Bosphorus dinner cruise with Turkish meze, main course and dessert
Vegetarian meals on request

Overnight: Istanbul · Meals: Dinner cruise

Day 2

Istanbul Old City: Byzantine & Ottoman Heritage

A full-day guided tour of the historic peninsula, tracing 1,500 years of capital-city history from chariots to sultans.

Hippodrome of Constantinople
Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
Hagia Sophia
Topkapı Palace
Grand Bazaar

Overnight: Istanbul · Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 3

Istanbul: Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus & Panoramas

See Istanbul from the water and the hilltops: markets, fortresses, palaces and the best views of two continents.

Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı)
Bosphorus cruise from the Golden Horn
Rumeli Fortress (seen from the water)
Pierre Loti Hill & historic city walls
Beylerbeyi Palace (or Dolmabahçe)
15 July Martyrs Bridge & Çamlıca Hill

Overnight: Istanbul · Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 4

Bursa: First Capital of the Ottomans

Your private driver takes you to Bursa (about 2.5 hours depending on traffic and route) for a day among the monuments of early Ottoman history.

İnkaya Historic Plane Tree
Optional Uludağ & cable car (excluded)
Green Mosque & Green Tomb
Koza Han silk bazaar
Bursa Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami)
Osman & Orhan Ghazi tombs, Tophane (confirmed with you)

Overnight: Bursa (Bursa Grand Family Hotel) · Meals: Breakfast

Day 5

Bilecik & Söğüt: Ertuğrul Ghazi Heritage Route, then Fly to Cappadocia

Follow the places linked to the earliest Ottoman story, then connect to Cappadocia. The exact timing of the evening flight (Sabiha Gökçen to Kayseri) is confirmed before departure so the route is realistic.

Ertuğrul Ghazi Tomb, Söğüt
Sheikh Edebali Tomb, Bilecik
Bala Hatun & Halime Hatun tombs
Turgut Alp tomb (location confirmed)
Flight to Kayseri; shuttle to Ürgüp hotel

Overnight: Cappadocia (Ürgüp Inn Cave Hotel) · Meals: Breakfast

Day 6

North Cappadocia Red Tour

Cappadocia's volcanic valleys, rock-cut villages and traditional crafts, with an optional dawn balloon flight (extra).

Optional hot-air balloon (excluded)
Devrent Valley
Zelve Open-Air Museum
Esentepe viewpoint
Uçhisar Castle
Avanos pottery town

Overnight: Cappadocia (Ürgüp Inn Cave Hotel) · Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 7

South Cappadocia & Flight to Istanbul

Walk through the valleys, descend into the underground city and fly back to Istanbul in the evening (approx. 19:35 departure, 21:20 arrival; times to be confirmed against the actual flight booking).

Ortahisar Castle
Red Valley (Kızılçukur)
Çavuşin Village
Kaymaklı Underground City
Pigeon Valley
Transfer to Kayseri Airport; evening flight to Istanbul

Overnight: Istanbul night not included (see note) · Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Destination Guides

Places You Will Visit, and Why They Matter

From Byzantine domes to Ottoman tombs and volcanic valleys, here is what to look for at every major stop, with practical tips from our guides.

Egyptian Obelisk in the Hippodrome with the Blue Mosque behind it

Day 2

Istanbul · Sultanahmet

The Hippodrome & the Blue Mosque: Where Two Empires Share One Skyline

Step into the square where Byzantine crowds once roared for chariot teams and Ottoman sultans later staged imperial festivals. The Hippodrome of Constantinople still carries the Egyptian Obelisk of Pharaoh Thutmose III, the twisted Serpentine Column from Delphi and the Column of Constantine — three monuments that span more than three thousand years in a single walk.

Across the park rises the Blue Mosque, completed in 1616 for Sultan Ahmed I. Six slender minarets, a cascade of domes and more than twenty thousand İznik tiles make it one of the most photographed religious buildings on earth. Your guide explains why its calm blue interior and perfectly balanced courtyard became the model for imperial mosque design.

Best lightEarly morning, before the tour groups

Dress codeShoulders and knees covered; scarves for women

Family tipLet children hunt for the Obelisk's carved hieroglyphs

EraByzantine · Ottoman

Hagia Sophia dome and minarets in Istanbul

Day 2

Istanbul · UNESCO Historic Areas

Hagia Sophia: 1,500 Years Under One Dome

Few buildings on earth have been a cathedral, a mosque, a museum and a mosque again. Completed in 537 under Emperor Justinian, Hagia Sophia's vast central dome seemed to float on a ring of light, and architects have studied that engineering ever since.

Look up for Byzantine gold mosaics, then across to the great calligraphic roundels added in the Ottoman centuries. Your guide reads the building like a book, explaining how Christian and Islamic art, imperial ambition and everyday devotion were layered into one extraordinary space.

Built537 AD, under Emperor Justinian I

EntryCheck current visitor rules and ticketing before your date

Photo tipCapture the dome from the upper-level gallery where open

SignificanceMasterpiece of world architecture

Day 2

Istanbul · Sultanahmet

Topkapı Palace: The Command Centre of the Ottoman World

For almost four centuries the sultans governed an empire from these courtyards. Behind the Imperial Gate, a sequence of gardens, council rooms and pavilions reveals how the court worked — where viziers debated, where ambassadors waited and where Ottoman craftsmanship reached its most refined form.

Terraces on the palace's edge look over the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, one of the best viewpoints in Istanbul. Which galleries and the Harem section can be entered depends on current operating arrangements, so your guide plans the route on the day.

Seat of powerFrom the 1460s to the 19th century

EntryPalace entrance included as confirmed in programme

Family tipPace the courtyards; they are large and shadeless

ViewsBosphorus & Golden Horn terraces

Lantern and ceramic shops inside Istanbul's Grand Bazaar

Days 2 & 3

Istanbul · Old City

Grand Bazaar & Spice Bazaar: Istanbul's Beating Heart

Founded in the fifteenth century, the Grand Bazaar is a covered city of arched lanes, tiled domes and thousands of workshops selling ceramics, textiles, lamps, jewellery and carpets. Wander without a plan and you will still find something memorable.

On Day 3 the Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı) adds colour and scent: pyramids of spices, Turkish delight, dried fruit and teas beside the Golden Horn. Your guide shows you how to browse, compare and bargain politely — and when a stall is simply worth a photograph.

Look forCeramics, textiles, lamps, spices, sweets

TipSmile, compare prices, never feel obliged

AllowAt least 60–90 minutes each

Family tipAgree a meeting point in case of crowds

Rumeli Fortress on the European shore of the Bosphorus

Day 3

Istanbul · Bosphorus

Bosphorus, Rumeli Fortress & Beylerbeyi Palace: A City Seen from the Water

Rumeli Fortress was raised in 1452 by Mehmed II to command the strait before the conquest of Constantinople — an astonishing feat of military engineering completed in a matter of months. Seen from the Bosphorus, its towers still look like a sentinel.

Your cruise passes waterside mansions, mosques and bridges before you reach Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian shore, a nineteenth-century summer residence of Sultan Abdülaziz. Pierre Loti Hill, the Golden Horn panorama and the viewpoint at Çamlıca complete a day that explains why geography made Istanbul a capital.

CruiseRoute and duration depend on operator and weather

PalaceBeylerbeyi (Dolmabahçe may substitute; confirmed before travel)

Photo tipSit on the open deck on the European side

PackA light layer — it is breezy on the water

Green Tomb with turquoise tiles in Bursa

Day 4

Bursa · First Ottoman Capital

Yeşil Cami & Yeşil Türbe: The Green Mosque and Green Tomb

Built for Sultan Mehmed I in the early fifteenth century, the Green Mosque shows early Ottoman art at full confidence — carved portals, intricate tilework and a restful interior designed for contemplation rather than display.

Just up the slope the Green Tomb, wrapped in turquoise tiles, marks the sultan's resting place. Together they tell the story of an empire rebuilding after the succession crisis of the Ottoman Interregnum.

EraEarly 15th century

Dress codeModest clothing; remove shoes

Photo tipTomb exterior is brightest in morning light

StyleEarly Ottoman, İznik & Bursa tilework

Courtyard of Koza Han silk caravanserai in Bursa

Day 4

Bursa · Historic Bazaar

Koza Han & Ulu Cami: Silk Road Trade and Sacred Architecture

Koza Han, the silk cocoon caravanserai from the 1490s, still hosts silk merchants around a shaded courtyard with a small mosque at its centre. It is the best place in Bursa to understand how the city grew rich on Silk Road trade.

Nearby, the Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami) was completed around 1399 under Bayezid I and is celebrated for its twenty domes, vast calligraphy panels and a central fountain beneath an open skylight. It is a lesson in how early Ottoman architects balanced grandeur with simplicity.

SouvenirGenuine Bursa silk scarves

BreakTea in the Koza Han courtyard

HighlightTwenty domes at Ulu Cami

Dress codeModest clothing in the mosque

Day 4

Bursa · Nature

İnkaya Plane Tree & Optional Uludağ

Locals say the İnkaya Plane Tree has stood for roughly six centuries, its enormous trunk hollow enough to hold a small gathering. It is a peaceful contrast with the city's monuments, and children love its scale.

Uludağ mountain rises above Bursa with pine forests, fresh air and, in winter, ski slopes. Uludağ is an optional extension: the cable car is not included, and the hilltop driving supplement quoted at €30 is reconfirmed before travel.

NoteAge is traditionally given as ~600 years

Cable carExcluded from package price

Uludağ drive€30 supplement, subject to reconfirmation

SeasonWinter sports, summer walks

Ertuğrul Ghazi tomb complex in Söğüt, Türkiye

Day 5

Söğüt · Bilecik

Söğüt: In the Footsteps of Ertuğrul Ghazi

On the high plateau of Söğüt, the story of a small frontier principality that became an empire begins. The tomb associated with Ertuğrul Ghazi, father of Osman, is a place of remembrance for many travellers, with a neighbouring museum, memorial grounds and a calm, green setting.

Your guide separates documented history from later tradition and popular television portrayals, so the visit is meaningful whether you come for scholarship, family heritage or simple curiosity.

TransportPrivate vehicle & driver, fuel & parking included

ApproachEvidence-led storytelling

AllowHalf a day with the Bilecik stops

SignificanceOrigins of the Ottoman dynasty

Day 5

Bilecik

Sheikh Edebali, Bala Hatun, Halime Hatun & Turgut Alp

Sheikh Edebali is remembered as the spiritual adviser to Osman Ghazi, and his tomb in Bilecik offers a quiet window into the ethical and scholarly world around the early Ottomans. Bala Hatun and Halime Hatun belong to the same family memory, where history and tradition overlap.

Note: the best-known tombs of Osman Ghazi and Orhan Ghazi are in Bursa (Tophane). We therefore confirm the final order of these stops, and the location of Turgut Alp's tomb, with you before departure rather than promising a route we cannot guarantee.

RouteConfirmed with you before departure

Bursa linkOsman & Orhan Ghazi tombs, Tophane

GuideSeparates evidence from legend

DrivingAllow generous time between stops

Camel-shaped rock formation in Devrent Valley, Cappadocia

Day 6

Cappadocia · North Red Tour

Devrent, Zelve & Esentepe: Valleys of Imagination

Devrent Valley's wind-carved cones resemble camels, dolphins and sleeping giants, so children play 'spot the animal' while you learn how volcanic ash became soft tuff that erosion sculpted into chimneys. Zelve Open-Air Museum then shows how communities carved homes, chapels and storerooms into the cliffs until the mid-twentieth century.

Esentepe viewpoint gives the great panorama of valleys, cave dwellings and fairy chimneys. Wear sturdy shoes — Zelve involves uneven paths and some narrow passages.

GeologyVolcanic tuff shaped by wind and water

WearSturdy walking shoes

Family tipKids love Devrent's animal rocks

PackHat, water, sunscreen

Day 6

Cappadocia · Castle & Craft

Uçhisar Castle & Avanos Pottery

Uçhisar Castle is a natural rock pinnacle honeycombed with rooms and passages, with some of the highest views in the region. Steps can be steep and uneven, so we advise families to choose their comfort level.

In Avanos, potters shape clay from the Kızılırmak (Red River) as they have for generations. Watching a wheel demonstration turn a lump of clay into a vase is a favourite family moment — purchases and hands-on workshops are optional unless confirmed as included.

CraftKızılırmak red-clay pottery

AccessSteep steps to castle upper levels

Photo tipLate-afternoon light across the valleys

OptionalPottery purchases & workshop

Hot-air balloons rising above Cappadocia at sunrise

Day 6 (optional)

Cappadocia · Optional Experience

Hot-Air Balloon Flight over Cappadocia

Floating at sunrise above the fairy chimneys is Cappadocia's signature experience. Flights are optional and charged separately; they depend on weather, are often cancelled for safety and are never guaranteed, so we advise booking early and keeping a flexible morning.

If your balloon flight is cancelled, you can still enjoy sunrise from the ground at a viewpoint with a hot drink — a gentle consolation your guide will happily suggest.

PriceNot included; booked separately

WeatherSafety first — cancellations happen

StartApprox. 05:00 hotel pick-up

AgeOperator minimum age applies

Red Valley cliffs and paths in Cappadocia

Day 7

Cappadocia · South Tour

Ortahisar, Red Valley, Çavuşin & Pigeon Valley

Ortahisar's rock fortress watches over a hillside town of stone houses. Red Valley follows with rose-and-copper cliffs, narrow passages and rock-cut chapels — a short walk here is the highlight of many family holidays.

Çavuşin preserves abandoned cave houses and Byzantine chapels, while Pigeon Valley explains why farmers carved thousands of dovecotes into the rocks, using the droppings as fertiliser for vineyards and fields.

WalkShort optional valley walk

Look forHundreds of carved pigeon niches

PackWater, sun protection, layers

EraByzantine-era chapels & villages

Narrow tunnel inside Kaymaklı Underground City

Day 7

Cappadocia · Underground City

Kaymaklı Underground City: A Hidden World Beneath Your Feet

Descend through low tunnels into a multi-level settlement carved from soft volcanic rock. Kitchens, stables, wine presses, storerooms, chapels and huge round stone doors reveal how communities sheltered here in uncertain times.

The passages are narrow with low ceilings and stairs, so the visit may not suit travellers with claustrophobia or limited mobility. Tell us before booking and we will advise on the best alternatives.

AccessNarrow passages, low ceilings, many steps

TipClosed shoes with good grip

Family tipGreat for curious, active children

NoteNot ideal for claustrophobia

Photo Gallery

Glimpses of the Journey, Photo by Photo

Tap any photo to open the full-screen gallery, then use the arrows or your keyboard to slide through Istanbul, Bursa, Söğüt and Cappadocia.

What's Included

Included & Not Included

Included in the price

Two domestic flights: Istanbul–Kayseri and Kayseri–Istanbul (15 kg checked, 8 kg cabin, airline-confirmed)
Six nights' accommodation with breakfast: Istanbul (3 nights), Bursa Grand Family Hotel (1), Ürgüp Inn Cave Hotel (2)
Four full-day tours: Istanbul ×2 and Cappadocia ×2 (shared/group format)
Four lunches during the sightseeing tours
Two days of private vehicle & driver for Bursa and Bilecik, including fuel, parking and driver costs
Entrance fees for palaces and museums listed as included in the confirmed programme
Professional English-speaking guides on the Istanbul and Cappadocia tours
Three private airport transfers plus shared shuttles between Kayseri Airport and the Cappadocia hotel
Air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicles on local tours
Bosphorus dinner cruise on arrival night (final programme to be confirmed)

Not included

Drinks with tour lunches unless confirmed as included
Dinners (except the Day 1 dinner cruise)
Cappadocia hot-air balloon flight
Bursa and Uludağ cable-car tickets
Uludağ hilltop driving supplement (€30, to be reconfirmed)
Extra hotel night if flights or itinerary change (including a final Istanbul night after the Day 7 flight)
International flights to and from Türkiye
Travel insurance unless agreed in writing
Tips, gratuities and personal expenses

Anything not explicitly listed as included should be clarified before you confirm your booking. Entrance fees apply only to sites listed as included in your confirmed programme.

Accommodation

Where You Will Stay

Istanbul · 3 nights

Comfortable city hotel with breakfast, convenient for the Old City and transfers. Hotel and sequence are confirmed in your written quotation.

Bursa · Bursa Grand Family Hotel

One night with breakfast in Bursa, close to the city's historic districts, ideal for an evening stroll after a day of monuments.

Cappadocia · Ürgüp Inn Cave Hotel

Two nights with breakfast in a cave-style hotel in Ürgüp, a memorable stay for families and a good base for both Cappadocia tours.

Rooms & family occupancy

Room category, extra beds and family occupancy are confirmed in writing before payment. Tell us your group size and children's ages when you inquire.

Tour Price

Clear Pricing, No Surprises

Per person

€1,280

Two travellers

€2,560

30% advance

€768

for two travellers

70% balance

€1,792

on arrival in Istanbul

How booking works: A 30% advance confirms the reservation and covers flights and hotels. Please send your payment receipt and passport copies for the tickets. The balance is paid on arrival in Istanbul. If USD payment is requested, we confirm the conversion method before you pay.

Cancellation: Under the quoted terms the 30% advance is non-refundable if you cancel, and the remaining 70% is not payable. We provide full written terms, covering flights, hotels, date changes and supplier charges, before you pay. Any extra night, revised flight, balloon, cable car or itinerary change may carry additional costs. Child pricing is confirmed on request.

Smart Travel Recommendations

Practical suggestions to help your family choose the right pace, season and extras.

Best for families wanting variety

History, markets, a cruise, valleys, pottery and an underground city keep every age engaged. Keep Days 4–5 flexible if your children tire on long drives.

Photo planner

Blue Mosque at opening, Bosphorus from the deck, Bursa's tiled Green Tomb, Çamlıca for the skyline and Red Valley for golden light.

Balloon strategy

Book the balloon with a refundable policy for the Day 6 sunrise; keep Day 7 morning as a backup if the operator offers it.

Comfort & pacing

Two long Istanbul days: rest in the afternoon, carry water, pack layers for cool Cappadocia mornings and wear closed walking shoes.

History lovers

Ask your guide to separate documented history from legend on the Ertuğrul Ghazi day; it deepens the visit enormously.

Best seasons

Spring and autumn offer mild weather and softer light. Summer is hot at midday; winter brings snow-dusted Cappadocia and shorter days.

Practical Information

Travel Tips for Families

Mosque etiquette

Dress modestly, carry a scarf, remove shoes and respect prayer times.

Footwear

Comfortable, closed walking shoes for cobbles, steps and valley paths.

Layers

Cappadocia mornings are cool even when afternoons are warm.

Children's needs

Pack snacks and water and allow rest stops on full-day tours.

Documents

Keep passports handy for flights; check visa requirements for your nationality.

Accessibility

Tell us early about mobility needs: castles, valleys and the underground city involve steps.

Reservations

Book Your 7-Day Turkey Family Tour

TOUR CODE: KNY-564

€1280

per adult, family package

Two domestic flights included
Licensed English-speaking guides
Four lunches on tour days
Listed entrance fees
Airport & private-driver transfers
Secure payment options
Written booking terms before you pay

Prefer to talk? Call or WhatsApp:
0090 536 560 10 38

Have questions, or not ready to reserve yet? Send us a message and we'll reply within a few hours.

Cancellation & Payment Terms

A 30% advance confirms your booking; the 70% balance is paid on arrival in Istanbul. The advance is non-refundable on cancellation under the quoted terms. Full written conditions are sent before you pay.

Payment Options

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Traveller Reviews

Rated 5.0 on Tripadvisor

5.0

★★★★★

33 Tripadvisor reviews

Real reviews of The History Travel, quoted from our Tripadvisor listing. Some mention other tours we operate, including full-day Istanbul tours, Cappadocia packages and multi-day family itineraries. Read all reviews on Tripadvisor.

Barnita De

Bengaluru, India · Dec 2025

★★★★★

Family tour to Turkey

We had a wonderful family trip to Turkey. Mr Sebahettin of The History Tours planned and organised it. He knows Turkey well, provided detailed itinerary unlike other travel agents. All domestic bookings, transfers, guides, day trios were organised by him. He kept in touch throughout the trip for updates. Highly recommend him for any travel to Turkey

Sedat Y

Apr 2025

★★★★★

Excellence holiday in Turkey with family

We had heard about the beauties of Turkey from friends who had visited, and then we booked a 10-day family package tour with Mr. Sebahattin, owner of History Travel, which was recommended by friends. He was very friendly and very knowledgeable. All the service was very well organized. We liked our tour very much. I recommend Mr. Sebahattin and The History Travel Agency to everybody.

Hevra G

Jul 2025

★★★★★

Top Tour Operator in Turkey

We bought a 7-day Cappadocia vacation package from The History Travel Istanbul as a thank you gift for my girlfriend and her family. Our tour was incredibly entertaining and enjoyable, and Mr. Sebahattin and his staff delivered an absolutely amazing service. I want to sincerely thank Sebahattin and the entire staff of The History Travel for their fantastic service.

Charles F

Mar 2024 · Couples

★★★★★

More than a tour guide, a friendly host

Mehmet and Sebahattin were more than tour guides, they were hosts showing the beauty of their country. My wife and I had a full day tour of Istanbul. We had a great lunch and toured all of the main mosques and Topkapi. It was a truly memorable day. The price was fair and I recommend them wholeheartedly.

Nida S

Oct 2023

★★★★★

A thrilling visit to a glorious country.

Our visit to turkey was filled with incredible experiences and long lasting memories. Mr Sebahattin was very helpful throughout out planning stages and in the process created a personalised itinerary that fit our needs. The English speaking guides organised by him were very knowledgeable and friendly. The transport and the hotels provided were also of top quality.

Departure51424823731

Nov 2023

★★★★★

Fantastic services 5* rating for cappadocia tour

Our tour organizer Mr. Sebahattin was very professional in his services. He came down to our Airbnb to meet us in day 1. Organised our superb cappadocia tour. Our tour guide in Cappadocia Mr. Mustafa was very friendly and professional. Since our hot air balloon was cancelled due to bad weather Mr. Sebahattin came back to our airbnb to return the money.

Irwan & Shikin

Singapore · Dec 2022

★★★★★

Perfect customised Istanbul itinerary

Sebahattin meticulously planned our customised itinerary at Istanbul perfectly. The arrangement from the first to the last attraction just simply made sense the way he planned it. Thank you, Sebahattin, for making our first visit to Turkey such a memorable one.

DN SAHU

Jun 2023 · Couples

★★★★★

Explore Istanbul through History Travel

The History Travel Agency is a professional one with exemplary tour itinerary. Mr Sebahattin Selam from the Agency remained in constant touch with us starting our departure from India till we landed back home. He took care of minute details. Like we are vegetarians and were worried about the food. History Travel had organised exceptional vegetarian continental lunch for us.

Sumeet

Nov 2023

★★★★★

Mesmerising experience

We had a wonderful time in Turkey . We booked through Sebahattin and he made sure we have an experience of lifetime. Our trip was customised to our ask and Sebahattin extended all the hospitality one could. I would strongly recommend to book through him and you won’t regret.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Questions, Answered

How many days is the Istanbul, Bursa, Bilecik and Cappadocia family tour?

It is a 7-day, 6-night Turkey family package starting in Istanbul. Day 7 ends with an evening flight back to Istanbul, so please ask us about an additional night in Istanbul before your international departure.

How much does the 7-day Turkey family package cost?

The quoted price is €1,280 per person (€2,560 for two travellers). It includes domestic flights, six hotel nights with breakfast, four sightseeing tours with lunch, two private-driver days and listed transfers. We confirm the final quotation, child pricing and any extras in writing.

Is Ertuğrul Ghazi's tomb included?

Yes. Day 5 is devoted to the Söğüt and Bilecik heritage route, including the Ertuğrul Ghazi tomb. We confirm the order of stops in advance, because some Ottoman founder tombs, such as those of Osman and Orhan Ghazi, are in Bursa.

Is the hot-air balloon flight included?

No. The balloon flight is optional, paid separately, weather-dependent and never guaranteed.

Which places do we visit in Cappadocia?

Devrent Valley, Zelve Open-Air Museum, Esentepe viewpoint, Uçhisar Castle, Avanos, Ortahisar Castle, Red Valley, Çavuşin, Kaymaklı Underground City and Pigeon Valley.

Are flights and airport transfers included?

Yes: two domestic flights (Istanbul–Kayseri–Istanbul) and the listed private and shared transfers. International flights are not included.

Which meals are included?

Daily breakfast, four lunches on the sightseeing tours and the Day 1 dinner cruise (final programme confirmed on booking). Other dinners and drinks with lunch are not included.

Is the tour suitable for children and older travellers?

Yes, with some planning. There is walking, steps and a low-ceilinged underground city. Tell us your ages and mobility needs and we will advise on pace and which stops to adapt.

How does payment work?

A 30% advance (€768 for two travellers) confirms the booking and covers flights and hotels; the remaining 70% (€1,792) is due on arrival in Istanbul. We send your written booking terms and cancellation conditions before you pay.

Can I customise the itinerary?

Yes. Extra nights, alternative hotels, private guides, balloon flights or a slower pace can be arranged and quoted separately.

Is this a private tour or a group tour?

It is a mix: Bursa and Bilecik use a private vehicle and driver, while the four Istanbul and Cappadocia sightseeing days are shared tours with English-speaking guides. Airport transfers are private or shared as listed.

What should I confirm before booking?

Final flight times, hotel sequence, the exact route of the Bilecik stops and your return-to-Istanbul plan after Day 7. We provide these in writing.

7-Day Turkey Family Tour: Istanbul, Bursa, Ertuğrul Ghazi & Cappadocia

One Journey, Four Chapters of Türkiye

Why This Route Works for Families

A Journey Through Layers of History

Private Touches, Group Convenience

Topic Highlights

Tour Highlights: Eighteen Reasons to Go

Istanbul's Imperial Heritage

Bosphorus Experiences

Two Historic Bazaars

İnkaya Plane Tree

Early Ottoman Bursa

Silk Road at Koza Han

Ertuğrul Ghazi Route

Edebali & Early Ottoman Figures

Optional Balloon Flight

Devrent Valley

Zelve Open-Air Museum

Uçhisar Castle

Avanos Pottery

Red Valley

Çavuşin Village

Kaymaklı Underground City

Pigeon Valley

Truly Family-Friendly

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Arrival in Istanbul & Bosphorus Dinner Cruise

Istanbul Old City: Byzantine & Ottoman Heritage

Istanbul: Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus & Panoramas

Bursa: First Capital of the Ottomans

Bilecik & Söğüt: Ertuğrul Ghazi Heritage Route, then Fly to Cappadocia

North Cappadocia Red Tour

South Cappadocia & Flight to Istanbul

Places You Will Visit, and Why They Matter

The Hippodrome & the Blue Mosque: Where Two Empires Share One Skyline

Hagia Sophia: 1,500 Years Under One Dome

Topkapı Palace: The Command Centre of the Ottoman World

Grand Bazaar & Spice Bazaar: Istanbul's Beating Heart

Bosphorus, Rumeli Fortress & Beylerbeyi Palace: A City Seen from the Water

Yeşil Cami & Yeşil Türbe: The Green Mosque and Green Tomb

Koza Han & Ulu Cami: Silk Road Trade and Sacred Architecture

İnkaya Plane Tree & Optional Uludağ

Söğüt: In the Footsteps of Ertuğrul Ghazi

Sheikh Edebali, Bala Hatun, Halime Hatun & Turgut Alp

Devrent, Zelve & Esentepe: Valleys of Imagination

Uçhisar Castle & Avanos Pottery

Hot-Air Balloon Flight over Cappadocia

Ortahisar, Red Valley, Çavuşin & Pigeon Valley

Kaymaklı Underground City: A Hidden World Beneath Your Feet

Glimpses of the Journey, Photo by Photo

Istanbul — the Blue Mosque and the heart of imperial Constantinople

Included & Not Included

Where You Will Stay

Istanbul · 3 nights

Bursa · Bursa Grand Family Hotel

Cappadocia · Ürgüp Inn Cave Hotel

Rooms & family occupancy

Clear Pricing, No Surprises

Smart Travel Recommendations

Best for families wanting variety

Photo planner

Balloon strategy

Comfort & pacing

History lovers

Best seasons

Travel Tips for Families

Book Your 7-Day Turkey Family Tour

Cancellation & Payment Terms

Payment Options

Rated 5.0 on Tripadvisor

Barnita De

Family tour to Turkey

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Excellence holiday in Turkey with family

Hevra G

Top Tour Operator in Turkey

Charles F

More than a tour guide, a friendly host

Nida S

A thrilling visit to a glorious country.