So I decided to book a trip to Turkey and Greece in mid September. Mostly a cruise, starting in Istanbul, ending in Athens. Additional ports of call include Mykonos, Patmos, Kusadasi (Turkey), Rhodes, Crete and Santorini.

I will be in Istanbul from the morning of Day 1 to the evening of Day 3. Can I cover the key sights in Istanbul in a day or a day and a half? I would love to see more of Turkey. Then my sister sent me a link about a place called Pamukkale that sounds cool.

There are (expensive) day trips by air from Istanbul to Pamukkale, which can be combined with Aphrodisias. Or I could book a similar day trip to Cappadocia. I am willing to pay to do one or the other, assuming I have time to do that while in Istanbul.

If I do, which would you suggest would be the better of the two knowing the rest of my itinerary?

I have been to Cappadocia only & it was wonderful! But, considering the time you have in Istanbul, I would just spend it there, rather than trying to do Cappadocia. Maybe you can do a more intensive tour of Turkey later. I really enjoyed my tour there!

I agree with "Marsh" - better to spend the time in Istanbul. I was there a week and didn't see all that I wanted to see -

If, however, you do decide to take one of the day trips, I'd highly suggest Cappadocia over Pamukkale. I've been to both. Pamukkale is interesting, but other then a few snapshots and perhaps walking in a few pools of water, it's not that big of a deal.

Cappadocia, on the other hand, is incredible. It is a fascinating site encompassing history, geology. It is much more impressive then Pamukkale.

I appreciate your input. I am now looking into changing my air departure dates to allow me to be in Istanbul a full week before the cruise. If I do that what would be your recommendations of what to see and do in Turkey?

If the time is extended than better to Cappadocia as an extra sight to visit. Pamukkale is nice to but Cappadocia is more impressive.

Happy travelling,

Murat

Thanks, Murat! I am reading a lot about Cappadocia and finding it very interesting and exciting and realize that it has so much to offer that I wouldn't want to miss it. If I had time I would drop by Pamukkale, but it doesn't look feasible on this trip. I would also like to see Pergamon since I saw the altar at the museum in Berlin, but again, it is not an easy destination with so little time in Turkey. So I will be have to be content with Istanbul and Cappadocia (and Ephesus from the cruise stop).

I am getting really excited about this trip!!

and rest of your trip is also looking very nice. I was at patmos last night....I hope your cruise will allow enough time to see everything at islands.
Cappadocia will be add magical memories for sure.

Drop by for a coffee when you are in cappadocia. can give you some further tips for the rest of your trip. Also you can always come back to Turkey for Pergamon and Pamukkale.

Greetings from Kos where I am for a day and continue to the Islands as on your itinerary

Murat