6 Days Istanbul, Ephesus, and Pamukkale Tour
6 Days Turkey Tour Starting from Istanbul
Discover Istanbul, Ephesus, and Pamukkale in 6 days with guided tours, flights, hotels, and transfers included. Explore Turkey’s top sights with ease.
Tour Overview
Discover the timeless charm of Turkey in just six days with this perfectly designed tour. Begin your journey in vibrant Istanbul, where East meets West and centuries of empires have left their mark. Then fly to the Aegean coast to explore the magnificent ruins of Ephesus and the sacred House of Virgin Mary. Continue to the natural wonder of Pamukkale, famous for its white travertine terraces and ancient thermal city of Hierapolis.
- Explore Istanbul’s iconic landmarks: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar.
- Visit Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world.
- Experience the spiritual calm of the House of Virgin Mary.
- Walk barefoot on Pamukkale’s white terraces and swim in Cleopatra’s Antique Pool.
- All domestic flights, guided tours, hotel transfers, and entrance fees are included.
This tour is ideal for travelers who want to experience Turkey’s cultural and natural highlights at a relaxed pace without missing any of its most iconic sights.
Tour Itinerary
Arrival in Istanbul
Meal: No meal
Upon your arrival at either Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW), our representative will meet you at the exit gate holding a name sign. You will then be transferred to your hotel in the city center in a private vehicle.
After check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to rest and recover from your journey. You may also take a short walk around your hotel to get your first impressions of this unique city that bridges Europe and Asia.
Overnight stay in Istanbul
Istanbul Old City Tour
Meal: Breakfast and Lunch
08:30 ─ After breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up and transferred to the heart of Istanbul’s Historical Peninsula to begin a full-day guided walking tour of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
- Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque – A masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, originally built in 537 AD. Once a church, then a mosque, later a museum, and now functioning as a mosque again. It’s considered the 8th wonder of the world.
- Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) – Known for its six minarets and exquisite İznik tile interior, this 17th-century Ottoman mosque remains one of the city’s most visited religious sites.
- Hippodrome Square – Once the center of Byzantine civic life, today it features monuments like the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpent Column, and German Fountain.
- Grand Bazaar – One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world with over 4,000 shops selling jewelry, carpets, spices, leather goods, and antiques.
- Topkapı Palace – The grand residence of Ottoman sultans for over 400 years, now a museum housing sacred relics, imperial treasures, and beautiful courtyards.
A traditional Turkish lunch will be served at a local restaurant during the tour.
17:00 ─ Tour ends. You will be transferred back to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Istanbul
Bosphorus Lunch Cruise
Meal: Breakfast and Lunch (on the boat)
Enjoy a relaxing day in Istanbul with a scenic lunch cruise along the Bosphorus. You’ll sail between two continents while enjoying traditional Turkish dishes and admiring the iconic architecture lining the shoreline.
14:00 ─ After breakfast and a leisurely morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the pier to board the boat for your Bosphorus Cruise with lunch.
As you sail along the Bosphorus Strait, you’ll enjoy views of grand Ottoman palaces, elegant mosques, historical forts, and traditional waterfront mansions.
- Dolmabahçe Palace – An imperial palace built in the 19th century that served as the administrative center of the late Ottoman Empire.
- Çırağan Palace – A former royal residence, now functioning as a luxury hotel right on the Bosphorus shoreline.
- Beylerbeyi Palace – Located on the Asian shore, this elegant summer palace was used to host foreign dignitaries.
- Maiden’s Tower – A small tower standing on a tiny islet, steeped in romantic legends.
- Bosphorus Bridges – Cruise under both the 15 July Martyrs Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, connecting Europe and Asia.
During the cruise, you will enjoy a freshly prepared lunch featuring Turkish appetizers, grilled meats or fish, seasonal salads, and fruits.
17:00 ─ The cruise ends. You will be transferred back to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Istanbul
Fly to Izmir & Ephesus Tour
Meal: Lunch
05:00 ─ You will be picked up early from your hotel in Istanbul and transferred to the airport for your flight to Izmir.
07:30 ─ Flight to Izmir. (Please note: Flight times may vary depending on season and airline schedule.)
08:30 ─ Upon arrival at Izmir Airport, our staff will meet you at the exit gate and transfer you to the Ephesus region to join your group and guide for a full-day tour.
Today you’ll explore one of the best-preserved and most important archaeological sites of the ancient world: Ephesus. Once a major Roman city and trade hub, Ephesus is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site admired for its architectural splendor and rich history.
- Ephesus Ancient City – Visit the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, Trajan Fountain, and the impressive Great Theater where up to 25,000 spectators once gathered.
- Isabey Mosque – A beautiful example of early Seljuk architecture, built in the 14th century using repurposed stones from ancient Ephesus structures.
- Lunch – Enjoy a traditional Turkish meal at a local restaurant in the Selçuk area.
- House of Virgin Mary – A peaceful pilgrimage site believed to be the final residence of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
17:00 ─ The Ephesus tour ends. You will be transferred to your hotel in Kuşadası, a charming coastal town on the Aegean Sea.
Overnight stay in Kuşadası
Pamukkale Tour & Fly to Istanbul
Meal: Breakfast and Lunch
08:30 ─ After breakfast and hotel checkout, you will be picked up and begin the scenic journey to Pamukkale. The ride takes approximately 3 hours and offers views of the rural Aegean countryside.
Upon arrival, you will explore both the natural beauty and historical significance of Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region is famous for its white calcium terraces and the ancient city of Hierapolis.
- Hierapolis Ancient City – Visit the well-preserved Roman ruins including:
- Necropolis – The largest ancient cemetery in Anatolia with over 1,200 tombs.
- Domitian Gate, Main Street, Roman Bath and Byzantine Gate.
- Calcium Travertines (Cotton Cliffs) – Walk barefoot on the naturally formed white terraces created by thermal spring waters rich in calcium bicarbonate.
- Antique Pool (Cleopatra Pool) – Optional: Swim among ancient columns in this mineral-rich thermal pool believed to have healing properties. Extra fee applies. Don’t forget to bring your swimsuit.
After the tour, you’ll have lunch at a local restaurant in Pamukkale.
16:00 ─ Transfer to Denizli Airport for your evening flight to Istanbul.
19:45 ─ Flight from Denizli to Istanbul. (Flight time may vary by season and airline schedule.)
21:00 ─ Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Istanbul
Departure from Istanbul
Meal: Breakfast
After enjoying your breakfast at the hotel, you will check out. Until your transfer, you’ll have free time to relax at the hotel or explore nearby areas at your own pace.
According to your international flight schedule, our team will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport (Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport).
We hope you leave with unforgettable memories and a deep connection to Turkey’s history, culture, and warm hospitality. Thank you for traveling with us!
Your 6 Days Istanbul, Ephesus & Pamukkale Tour ends here.
What's Included
Included
- Internal flight tickets
- All accommodation as per the itinerary
- Professional tour guide on the tours
- Meals mentioned in the itinerary
- All transportations as mentioned by the itinerary
- Entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
- Car park, gasoline, highway, and bridge fees
- All transportations in the tours
- Local taxes and service charges
Not Included
- Personal Expenses
- Drinks at lunch
- Unmentioned meals
- Swimming at Cleopatra Pool in Pamukkale
Hotel Options
If you have a preferred hotel, please mention it in the "Additional Request" section at checkout.
We’ll do our best, but your booking will be made at one of the listed hotels or a similar-quality option based on availability.
Important Remarks
Please read the following important information carefully before booking. These remarks contain essential details about your tour experience.
- Domestic flight tickets include 15 kg of checked baggage and 8 kg of cabin luggage. Extra luggage may incur additional fees.
- Flight times and airline operations may vary depending on season and availability.
More Details
Your Turkish adventure begins in the timeless city of Istanbul, where continents meet and cultures intertwine. As you walk through the grandeur of Hagia Sophia and the serenity of the Blue Mosque, you feel history breathe through every stone. The vibrant colors of the Grand Bazaar and the sweeping views from your Bosphorus Cruise remind you that this city is truly a bridge between worlds.
Then, you soar west to Ephesus, a once-great city of marble streets, soaring columns, and whispers of the past. You explore sacred spaces like the House of Virgin Mary, and marvel at the mighty Celsus Library. After resting by the Aegean coast in Kuşadası, your journey continues to the surreal white terraces of Pamukkale. The ancient city of Hierapolis rises beside natural thermal springs that have drawn travelers for centuries.
From the heart of empires to natural wonders, this 6-day tour gives you a rich taste of Turkey’s cultural depth and natural beauty. It’s not just a trip—it’s a beautifully unfolding story, and you are the main character.
The best aspect of this tour company is it is excellent and everything was arranged as they said. We like that ''nothing more or less''. All the services were on time; the local tour guides spoke excellent English, he was amiable and helpful at all times. All their services were superb. We will highly recommend this travel company as they deliver whatever they promised or say. I and my friends enjoyed the custom tour tremendously. Thank you Toursce Turkey.
Similar Tours You Might Like
Discover more amazing experiences similar to this tour. We've carefully selected these tours based on destinations, activities, and customer preferences to help you find your perfect adventure.