10 Days in Turkey: Itinerary, What to Do & Where to Go

Are you planning a trip to Turkey and trying to see its highlights from Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya, and Cappadocia in 10 days? This post is here to help you plan your one week in Turkey and see as much as you possibly can!

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul & Transfer to Hotel

Arrive at any time. Upon your arrival in Istanbul, you will be met with our company representative in the arrivals area of the airport who will be holding a signboard with your name on it. After meet and greet, you will then be transferred from the airport to your hotel in Istanbul. Rest of the day will be at leisure.

• Overnight in Istanbul

Day 2: Istanbul Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour

After breakfast at approximately 8:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin the full-day tour. Today on the tour you will visit Hagia Sophia Museum, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar, and Topkapi Palace. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3: Fly to Izmir from Istanbul – Ephesus Tour

You will be picked up from your hotel for your transfer to the airport to catch your early morning flight to Izmir. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to Selcuk where you will meet your professional tour guide to begin your full-day tour. You will first visit the Temple of Artemis which was once one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Next you will visit the world-famous ancient Greco-Roman City of Ephesus, the most well-preserved example in the world. After visiting this impressive site, you will have a break for lunch. After lunch, you will visit the House of Virgin Mary, where it is believed she spent her last days. This is a holy place for both Christians and Muslims. Afterwards you will visit the Isabey Mosque. After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi for check-in.

• Overnight in Kusadasi
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4: Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour – Bus to Antalya

After breakfast around 8:00 am, you will be picked up from your Kusadasi hotel and taken to the meeting point in Selcuk where the full group will first meet. You will then begin the Pamukkale tour with a drive from Selcuk starting at 8:30 am to Pamukkale which will be around 3 hours. En route to Pamukkale after 1.5 hours, there will be a 10 minutes stop for a restroom break. Upon arrival around 11:45, the group will be first taken to have lunch and after lunch, at around 13:00 you will begin your guided tour of the Pamukkale and Hierapolis area with a profession licensed tour guide. In Pamukkale, you will see the Cotton Cliffs, one of the natural wonders of the world formed by deposits of calcareous salts. Also you will visit the ancient ruins of the City of Hierapolis with its basilica, theatre, and Roman Baths. At the end of the guided tour, you will have some free time to explore the area on your own. As an option, you may choose to swim in the Pamukkale antique pools (at own expense) during this free time. The tour guide will inform you about the exact meeting point and time. At the end of the tour around approximately 4:00 pm, After the tour, you’ll be transferred to Pamukkale main bus station. From here you will board the intercity day coach to Antalya (duration 4 hours). Met on arrival & Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Antalya.

• Overnight in Antalya
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5: Perge, Aspendos, Kursunlu Waterfalls and Side Tour

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel to join the full day Perge, Aspendos & Kursunlu Waterfalls Tour

First on the tour, we will visit Perge, one of the largest ancient cities in the Pamphylia region.

Perge was the capital of Pamphylia. The Roman Baths, the Agora, Colonaded Street, Nympharium and the stadium are all on the visit. We depart for the Aspendos Ancient Theatre.

This incredibly well preserved ancient theatre was built in the 2nd century A.D., it has a capacity of 15,000 people and its still being used for festivals and music concerts.

We have a lunch break at a restaurant on a nearby river then we will depart for Side (pronounced Seeday). Side is one of the best classical ancient cities in Turkey, it was a port city that served the largest slave market in the region. During Roman times much construction took place in Side including a large theatre, Roman Baths and the Temple of Apollo.

Guests will have 1-hour free time here to enjoy the sea and the city. On the way back, time permitting, we will stop at the Kusunlu Waterfall then return to Antalya. You will be transferred back to your hotel.

• Overnight in Antalya
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6: Free Day in Antalya

Today is at leisure and overnight in Antalya.

• Overnight in Antalya
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 7: Fly to Kayseri/Nevsehir from Antalya

After breakfast check out of the hotel in Antalya. You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Antalya airport to take your flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia. Check into your hotel in Cappadocia and the rest of the day is free.

• Overnight in Cappadocia
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 8: North Cappadocia Tour

After breakfast around 9:30 am you will be picked up from your hotel to join the full-day tour of North Cappadocia. Your tour will start with a visit to the Devrent Valley to see the unique fairy chimneys. Next you will visit the Pasabag Monk’s Valley to see the mushroom-shaped pinnacles. After this visit, you will drive to the city of Avanos. After lunch, you will visit the beautiful open-air museum of Goreme where the remains of rock-cut churches and Christian settlements date back hundreds of years. Finally towards the end of the day tour before returning to your hotel, you will be able to visit the natural castles of Uchisar. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

• Overnight in Cappadocia
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9: South Cappadocia Tour – Fly to Istanbul

After breakfast at the hotel around 9:30 am, you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. Your tour guide will brief you on the day’s activities. Your tour will begin with a visit to the Red Valley where you will be able to explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike approximately 5 km through the Gulludere (Rose) Valley. Next you will visit Cavusin village which is famous for its houses and churches of the Christian Clergymen. We will take a break for lunch around noon. After lunch, you will drive to the Pigeon Valley. In the afternoon you will visit the Kaymakli underground city where early Christians lived. This will be the end of your full-day tour. At the end of the tour, you will be dropped to the Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your late evening flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to your hotel.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10: Departure from Istanbul, End of Tour Service

After breakfast, you will check-out from your hotel in Istanbul (hotel check-out is before 11:00 am) and will then be transferred to the Istanbul International airport according to your flight details. This will be the end of our tour and services.

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• Arrival, departure airport transfers and ground transportation
• Domestic flight tickets as per the itinerary
• 3 nights in Istanbul at a 4-star or Boutique Hotels including breakfast
• 1 night in Kusadasi at a 4-star hotel including breakfast
• 3 nights in Antalya at a 4-star or Boutique Hotels including breakfast
• 2 nights in Cappadocia at a cave hotel including breakfast
• Professional licensed English speaking guide during the tours
• Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch)
• Entrance fees mentioned by the itinerary
• Local taxes and service charges

NOT INCLUDED:

• International airfare & airport taxes
• Visa to enter Turkey
• Hot Air Balloon Ride
• Any optional tours
• Tips & Personal Items
• Drinks with meals (except the drinks served with breakfast)
• Travel insurance

IMPORTANT INFO:

• The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
• This is a regular group tour, but if requested at cost can be provided as a private tour
• The regular group tour has shopping stops included in the tour
• St. Sophia is closed on Monday, this will be replaced with the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici)
• Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesday, it will be replaced with the Beylerbeyi Palace
• Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday
• During religious holidays, the spice market and Grand Bazaar are closed

WHEN TO BOOK?

• Book as soon as possible to guarantee availability, especially during public holidays and festivities.
• You can book up to 2 days before (Istanbul local time) if there are still places available.

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