10-Day Highlights of Turkey: Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya & Cappadocia

Arrival in Istanbul, Airport Transfer and Free Day

Upon your arrival at Istanbul New Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), at your preferred time, our team will be waiting for you at the exit of the international arrivals area, holding a sign with our agency code for easy identification. After meeting with our team, you will be swiftly transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to relax or explore on your own. Overnight in Istanbul.

Alternatively, you may choose to join the Night Cruise on the Bosphorus, which offers a delightful evening with dinner and live entertainment while cruising along the Bosphorus. Please note, this activity comes at an extra cost.

Istanbul Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour

After breakfast at your hotel around 8:30 am, you will be picked up to start your full-day tour exploring the iconic sites of Istanbul. Your first stop will be the magnificent Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque Grand Mosque, a former basilica and mosque that now serves as a museum, showcasing breathtaking Byzantine architecture and mosaics. Next, you’ll visit the stunning Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque), renowned for its beautiful blue İznik tiles and six towering minarets. Then, you’ll explore the ancient Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Square), the former social and sporting center of Constantinople, where chariot races and political events once took place.

Afterward, enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant in the heart of the city. In the afternoon, your tour continues with a visit to the opulent Topkapi Palace Museum, the former residence of Ottoman sultans. Here, you can explore its lavish courtyards, rooms filled with precious artifacts, and panoramic views of the Bosphorus.

Your final stop will be the bustling Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with over 4,000 shops offering everything from handmade carpets and jewelry to spices and souvenirs.

After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel at approximately 4:00 pm. The rest of the day is free for you to spend at your leisure, perhaps exploring more of Istanbul on your own or relaxing. Overnight in Istanbul.

Fly to Izmir from Istanbul - Ephesus Tour

You will be picked up from your hotel around 4:00 am 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 Ephesus tour.

First, explore the ruins of Ephesus, a magnificent ancient Greek city that once served as a prominent center of culture and commerce. Here, you’ll encounter the Temple of Hadrian, adorned with elaborate carvings in honor of Emperor Hadrian, and the impressive Ephesus Ancient Greek Theatre, designed to hold up to 25,000 spectators for grand performances and public gatherings. You’ll also admire the Trajan Fountain, a striking structure dedicated to Emperor Trajan, with beautifully crafted statues and detailed architecture.

Around midday, you’ll take a break to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, where you can sample traditional Turkish cuisine and relax before continuing with the tour.

After lunch, continue to the House of the Virgin Mary, a peaceful pilgrimage site on Mount Koressos, where it is believed Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent her final years. Next, pass by the remnants of the Temple of Artemis, once considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Although only a few columns remain, its significance and historical impact are evident. Finally, visit the Isa Bey Mosque, a beautiful example of 14th-century Seljuk architecture, known for its elegant stonework and intricate calligraphy.

After the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Kusadasi at your leisure. Overnight in Kuşadası.

Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour – Transfer to Antalya by Local Bus

After breakfast around 7:30 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-minute stop for a restroom break. Upon arrival around 11:45 am, the group will be first taken to have lunch, and after lunch, at around 1:00 pm, you will begin your guided tour of the Pamukkale and Hierapolis area with a professional licensed tour guide.

In Pamukkale, you’ll have the opportunity to see the iconic Cotton Cliffs, a natural wonder created by the accumulation of mineral-rich calcareous deposits forming white travertine terraces. Following this, you’ll explore the ancient City of Hierapolis, where you’ll discover historical structures such as the basilica, the grand theatre, and the remarkable Roman Baths. At the end of the guided portion of the tour, you’ll have some free time to further explore the area on your own. During this free time, if you wish, you can swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools (at your own expense), a unique experience in these thermal waters surrounded by ancient ruins. The tour guide will inform you of the exact meeting point and time to regroup.

At approximately 4:00 pm, you’ll be transferred to the main bus station in Denizli, where you’ll board an intercity coach to Antalya, with an expected duration of 5 hours. Upon arrival in Antalya, a representative will meet you at the bus terminal and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight in Antalya.

Full-Day Perge, Aspendos, Side, and Manavgat Waterfall Tour

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up around 8:00 am to begin your tour. The first stop is Perge, an ancient city originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC and one of the largest in the Pamphylia region. Here, you’ll explore the expansive ruins that reveal the grandeur of this historical site.

From Perge, you’ll continue to the Aspendos Ancient Theatre, a stunningly well-preserved structure built in the 2nd century A.D. With a seating capacity of 15,000, the theater remains a venue for festivals and concerts today, showcasing some of the best Roman theater architecture.

Following Aspendos, there will be a lunch break at a restaurant by a nearby river, offering a tranquil setting to enjoy local cuisine. After lunch, the tour heads to Side (pronounced “Seeday”), one of Turkey’s most well-preserved classical cities. Once a significant port city, Side also hosted the largest slave market in the region. During Roman times, important structures were built here, including the large theater, the Roman Baths, and the majestic Temple of Apollo.

In Side, you’ll have an hour of free time to explore the charming streets, discover additional ruins, or enjoy the seaside. On the way back to Antalya, there will be a stop at the picturesque Manavgat Waterfall, where you can relax, take photos, and enjoy the serene natural setting.

After the visit to the waterfall, you’ll be driven back to Antalya and transferred to your hotel for the evening. Overnight in Antalya.

Free day in Antalya to explore

Today is a free day for you to immerse yourself in Antalya's stunning beaches and vibrant culture. You might enjoy wandering through the narrow, cobbled streets of the historic old quarter, discovering unique shops and cafes. Take time to visit Antalya's impressive museum, marvel at Hadrian’s Gate, and explore the numerous historical landmarks in the city’s old town. Alternatively, you can unwind on one of Antalya’s charming beaches or experience a traditional Turkish bath for some relaxation.

Fly to Kayseri/Nevsehir from Antalya

After breakfast, check out of your hotel in Antalya. You will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to Antalya Airport for your flight to either Kayseri or Nevsehir via Istanbul. Upon arrival, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia. Once you check in, the rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your leisure. Overnight in Cappadocia.

North Cappadocia Tour

For an optional extra to start your day, consider booking an early morning hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia's extraordinary valleys. Drifting above the fairy chimneys and rock-cut settlements as the sun rises is a truly spectacular experience. Please note that this activity comes at an additional cost and is subject to weather conditions.

After breakfast at your hotel, your guide will gather the group at approximately 9:30 AM for a full-day exploration of North Cappadocia's most remarkable landscapes. The first stop is Devrent Valley, where wind-sculpted rock formations take on the shapes of animals and mythical figures — a striking introduction to the region's extraordinary geology that sets the tone for the day ahead.

By 10:15 AM, the group continues to Pasabag Valley, famous for its towering mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys. Some of these remarkable formations were hollowed out and used as hermit shelters by early monks, and their unusual multi-capped silhouettes make them among the most photographed sights in all of Cappadocia.

Around 11:00 AM, the group arrives in Avanos, where you'll visit a traditional pottery workshop. Artisans demonstrate techniques passed down through generations, shaping clay drawn from the banks of the Red River — a craft that has defined this town for centuries.

At approximately 12:00 PM, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Avanos with your fellow travelers. After the meal, the group sets off for the afternoon's explorations.

By 1:15 PM, join fellow travelers at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking Göreme, where a sweeping vista reveals the valley's cave dwellings and rock-cut churches from above, offering a sense of just how deeply human history is carved into this landscape.

Around 1:45 PM, your guide will lead the group to the Zelve Open Air Museum, an abandoned rock-cut village that once supported a thriving community. Wander through ancient cave dwellings, churches adorned with faded frescoes, and a mosque carved directly into the stone — all offering a vivid picture of daily life in Cappadocia's volcanic terrain.

By 3:00 PM, the group makes a final stop at Uchisar Castle, the tallest point in Cappadocia. Admire this towering rock fortress from the outside, its honeycomb surface riddled with rooms and tunnels that once served as both homes and defensive lookouts. By 3:30 PM, your guide will return the group to the hotel by approximately 4:00 PM, leaving the rest of the evening free to relax. Overnight in Cappadocia.

South Cappadocia Tour – Fly back 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 guide will provide an overview of the day’s activities before starting the tour.

The first stop is the Red Valley, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore its remarkable rock-cut churches and enjoy a scenic 5 km hike through the Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi). Next, you’ll visit Cavusin Village, known for its historic houses and churches of Christian clergymen, which showcase the area’s deep cultural heritage.

Around noon, the group will take a break for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, the tour continues to the Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi), famous for its pigeon houses carved into the rocks. In the afternoon, you’ll visit one of Cappadocia’s fascinating underground cities: either the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, where early Christians sought refuge and built intricate networks of rooms and tunnels.

At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you’ll be taken to either Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport for your late evening flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul, our representative will meet with you and assist with your transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul

Departure from Istanbul – End of Tour Service

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Istanbul (hotel check-out is before 12:00 noon) 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.