• Istanbul, Ephesus & Pamukkale

Istanbul, Ephesus & Pamukkale (5-day tour)

How much can you see in 5 days?

Combine three of Turkey’s most visited destinations in this 5-day tour by flight.

Step onto the origins of one of the most adored epicenters of the world. Along with a professional tour guide, discover the capital of some of the greatest empires that have existed; now a diverse sea of peoples, art, colors, and traditions. Fly from Istanbul and get an insider’s view of Ephesus – one of the most well-preserved Roman cities in the Mediterranean area. In this small-group tour, we will also explore the magical travertines at Pamukkale’s “Cotton Castle” and get a taste of the Roman golden age at Hierapolis.

Fly from Istanbul and get an insider’s view of Ephesus – one of the most well-preserved Roman cities in the Mediterranean area. We will also explore the magical travertines at Pamukkale’s “Cotton Castle” and get a taste of the Roman golden age at Hierapolis.

  • Duration: 5 days
  • Included:
    • Hotel pick-up and airport transfers
    • Flight tickets
    • Professional tour guide
    • Entry fees
    • Accommodation
    • Lunch (Vegetarian option available)
    • Breakfast

    Check for included meals: B – breakfast L – lunch D – dinner

  • Excluded:
    • Dinner
    • Drinks with meals
    • Personal expenses

The main places that you will get to see:

Day 1 – Arrival – Welcome to Istanbul

Upon arrival at the airport, our driver will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Have a short briefing with our representative about the tour and take the rest of the day for yourself.

Day 2: Istanbul Highlights / Old City Tour (B, L)

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and meet with your professional tour guide to begin the tour. In Istanbul we will visit the following highlights:

  • Hagia Sofia: Hagia Sofia stands for ‘Holy Wisdom’ in Greek. a phenomenal architecture, it is accepted as the 8th wonder of the world and the world’s greatest place of worship.
  • Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque): It is the first mosque of an Ottoman Sultan, built by the second greatest architect within the order of Sultan Ahmet I – A triumph of grandiosity, elegance, and magnitude.
  • Hippodrome: Also known as the Sultanahmet square, it is surrounded by the Hagia Sofia, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, and the Blue Mosque – one of the most famous tourist areas due to its unique location in the historical Istanbul.
  • Grand Bazaar: Apart from being an authentic shopping oasis, the grand bazaar is a historical landmark. Dating back to the 15th century with a small series of shops, it now covers 47.000 m2 and about 4000 shops – A place where anything and everything can be found.
  • Topkapi Palace: Once a residence for the Ottoman Sultans, it is now one of the richest museums in the world. With a diverse collection of invaluable artifacts; from the most exquisite Chinese porcelain, the finest samples of sealing, bookbinding and jewelry, and the relics of Prophet Mohammed.

End of day 2: Having covered the highlights of Istanbul, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Day 3: Ephesus (L)

Early morning transfer to the airport following a domestic flight to Izmir. Upon arrival, meet with our representative and continue to the tour’s starting point at Ephesus.

Ephesus: Ancient Greek city that rose to prominence as a seaport during the Roman golden age. In this most important archaeological site of Turkey, you will get the chance to visit highlights such as the Library of Celsus and the massive Great Theater, where St Paul once preached.

  • Baths of Varius
  • Odeon
  • Prytaneion
  • Fountain of Polio
  • Temple of Hadrian
  • Temple of Domitian
  • Library of Celsus
  • Basilica of St. John
  • Isabey Mosque: After a tasty lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Isabey Mosque, an excellent example of the stunning medieval Anatolian architecture.
  • Temple of Artemis: Also known as Temple of Diana, the Temple of Artemis was once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. While you wonder amidst the temple’s remnants, admire the magnificent pieces of ancient Greek architecture.
  • House of Virgin Mary: Pay a visit to one of the most important Christian shrines. It is believed that Virgin Mary spent the last years of her life in this monumental stone cottage, where she was brought by St. John.

End of day 3: Having the tour finished, you will be transferred to your hotel in Selcuk or Kusadasi where you can enjoy your free evening.

Day 4: Pamukkale and Hierapolis (B, L)

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and meet with your professional tour guide to start the full-day tour at Pamukkale, where we will cover the following highlights:

  • Pamukkale: Pamukkale, which means cotton castle, is comprised of a series of limestone terraces formed by the action of the hot spring. The water is highly concentrated on carbonic acid and lime and flows downhill forming wonderful stalactites.
  • Hierapolis: This ancient Hellenic and Roman city stands right on top of the Cotton Castle, on a plateau made of sedimentary limestone rock formed over the centuries. Learn how Stephanus of Byzantium influenced the creation of its real name, which translates to Sacred City.
  • Roman Basilica Baths
  • Domitian Gate
  • Latrines
  • Agora
  • Colonnaded Street
  • Byzantine Gate
  • Roman fountains
  • Ancient Pool of Cleopatra

End of the tour: Having finished the tour at Pamukkale, our driver will transfer you to Denizli airport, following a flight back to Istanbul and a drop-off at your hotel.

Day 5: Back in Istanbul (B, L)

Tour completed: Unwind from the journey and enjoy breakfast at your hotel. After checking out, our team will arrange a transfer to the airport.

Important notice:

  • This is a shared group tour; however, it can be provided as a private tour upon request
  • Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday
  • Topkapı Palace is closed on Tuesday – It is replaced with Underground Cistern.

Book now!

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