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Istanbul, Türkiye
Start in Sultanahmet to walk between the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Grand Bazaar on foot. Cross the Galata Bridge and explore Karaköy and Beyoğlu neighbourhoods for cheap street food like simit and balık ekmek. Budget hostels are plentiful in Sultanahmet and Taksim areas.
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Ankara, Türkiye
Take an affordable overnight bus or cheap high-speed train from Istanbul to the capital. Walk up to Ankara Castle (Hisar) for panoramic views and explore the atmospheric old town below. Don't miss the free Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, one of the finest archaeological museums in the country.
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Göreme, Türkiye
Cappadocia's base town is perfect for slow walkers – hike the Rose Valley, Love Valley, and Pigeon Valley trails on your own for free. The open-air museum has remarkable frescoed cave churches and is well worth the entrance fee. Budget cave hostels and guesthouses make this very affordable; skip the hot air balloon if on a tight budget.
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Konya, Türkiye
A bus from Cappadocia brings you to this deeply spiritual Anatolian city, home of Rumi and the Mevlâna Museum with its iconic green-tiled dome. The old city centre is very walkable and almost entirely free to explore, with beautiful mosques and bazaars. Try the local dish etli ekmek (flatbread with meat) which is both delicious and cheap.
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Selcuk, Türkiye
This small town is the ideal base for visiting the ancient ruins of Ephesus on foot without the Kusadasi beach-resort crowds. Walk to the Basilica of St. John and the ruins of the Temple of Artemis from the town centre for almost no cost. Selçuk has excellent budget guesthouses and a lively local market on Saturdays.
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Pamukkale, Türkiye
The iconic white calcium travertine terraces are unique and completely unlike anywhere else in Turkey – walk barefoot up the natural pools. The combined ticket includes entry to the vast ancient city of Hierapolis, easily a half-day of walking among ruins. Stay in the village of Pamukkale itself for cheap pensions just steps from the entrance.
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Istanbul, Türkiye
Return to Istanbul by overnight bus from Pamukkale, arriving in time for your departure flight. Use any spare hours for a final stroll along the Bosphorus waterfront or through the Spice Bazaar. A budget-friendly farewell meal of kebap and ayran is easy to find near any bus terminal.