Best Turkey Itinerary: Istanbul, Kusadasi, Pamukkale & Cappadocia in 8 Days
|8 Days, 6 Destinations |Starts from Istanbul
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Best price guaranteed
No booking fees
Earn €20 in travel credits
Duration

8 days

Max Group Size

30

Departure Type

Guaranteed

Guiding Method

Fully guided

Physical level

relax

Operated In

English

Age Requirement

11 - 99 Ages

Tour Overview

Embark on a journey through the most iconic destinations in Turkey with this 8-day tour. From the vibrant streets of Istanbul to the ancient ruins of Ephesus, the mineral-rich terraces of Pamukkale, and the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, this carefully curated itinerary offers a perfect mix of cultural immersion, historical exploration, and natural beauty. Whether you're visiting for the first time or seeking a deeper understanding of Turkey's rich heritage, this tour promises an unforgettable experience.

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Route

Starts from

Istanbul

Ends in

Istanbul

Pickup Location

Istanbul Airport

Dropoff Location

Istanbul Airport

Tour route map

Highlights

Explore the iconic landmarks of Istanbul, including the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. Take a Bosphorus cruise to admire the city's skyline from the water and see historical landmarks along the strait. Visit the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved classical cities in the Eastern Mediterranean, home to the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Artemis, and the Great Theatre. Explore the Terrace Houses, showcasing well-preserved Roman residential architecture. Witness the surreal beauty of Pamukkale's travertine terraces, formed by mineral-rich thermal waters cascading down the hillside, creating a series of white terraces. Visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, with its well-preserved necropolis, theater, and Roman baths. Marvel at the unique landscape of Cappadocia, characterized by fairy chimneys, cave dwellings, and otherworldly rock formations. Take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise for a breathtaking aerial view of the region's surreal landscape Explore underground cities such as Kaymakli or Derinkuyu, carved out of soft volcanic rock by early Christians as hiding places from invaders. Visit Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site with rock-cut churches adorned with Byzantine frescoes.

Itinerary

Upon our arrival at Istanbul International Airport, your guide will meet, assist, and transfer you to the hotel. Istanbul was the capital city of Byzantium, the Roman and Ottoman Empires. It is a most fascinating city, which actually crosses two continents, Europe and Asia. It is a city of amalgamation of museums, bazaars, minarets, mosques, churches, palaces, and restaurants catering to everyone’s taste, customs, and fifteen million people. Overnight in Istanbul.

(Breakfast and Lunch included)

After breakfast, we have an Istanbul City Tour. Our first stop will be THE HIPPODROME. The Ancient Hippodrome was the scene of chariot races, with three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. Then we will visit SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE. It was built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet and is known as the "Blue Mosque" because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Our next stop will be HAGIA SOPHIA GRAND MOSQUE. The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, previously known as the Church of Divine Wisdom, is simply the best of its kind! The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is the greatest surviving example of Byzantine architecture. For 1000 years, it was once the largest church in the world, decorated with stunning 6th century golden mosaics. Today, it is a mosque. lunch break at 13:00 pm. After the lunch, TravelShop Group will take you to the beautiful souvenir shops with a unique atmosphere and reasonable prices for shopping to ASIL EFENDI. Here you will find: exotic spices and herbs, Turkish Baklava, delicious fresh Turkish delights, Turkish coffee, nuts and fruits, souvenirs such as ceramic handicrafts, Evil Eyes totems, all-natural olive oil, soaps and many other goods in souvenir shops and stores. Return to your hotel after the tour.



OPTIONAL DINNER CRUISE ON THE BOSPHORUS TOUR: Tonight, between 19:30 and 23:30, we have an optional Entertaining Dinner Cruise program on the Bosphorus, where Europe and Asia are connected. You will spend an unforgettable night on the Bosphorus with dinner, unlimited local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, a belly dance show, a Turkish Folklore show, a DJ performance, and great entertainment on the Bosphorus Dinner Cruise. At the end of the entertainment at about 0:00 am, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.


Please remember to bring a headscarf when visiting religious sites such as the Blue Mosque and the Haghia Sophia Mosque.

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

After breakfast, enjoy BOSPORUS BY BOAT, a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion, you will see the magnificent sights of the following attractions from your boat: See Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park is Ciragan Palace. 300 meters of its marble facade face the shore. At Ortakoy, a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortakoy is a symbol of tolerance, with a church, a mosque, and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries. Rumelia Fortress (view from boat), built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul, was completed in only four months to control and protect the famous Bosporus passage. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world. Beylerbeyi Palace (view from boat) is the summer residence of Ottoman sultans and exists in its original renovated glory, featuring original antique furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian side of Istanbul. Lunch break at the Turkish restaurant. After lunch, we will then take you to the GRAND SPICE BAZAAR, which has a unique atmosphere with reasonable prices for your shopping. Here you will find: exotic spices and herbs, Turkish Baklava, Turkish Delights, Turkish Coffee, nuts and fruits, small souvenirs such as ceramic handicrafts, Evil Eyes totems, all-natural olive oil, soaps and many other goods in souvenir shops and stores. After the tour, transfer to Istanbul Airport for a domestic flight to Izmir. Transfer from the airport and check in to your hotel in Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

After breakfast between 8:30 am and 9:30 am, departure from the hotel for a fully guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient sites in the world, en-route, visiting the Temple of Artemis, Curetes Street, famous Roman baths, Celsus Library, and Grand Theatre. Lunch break at around 13:00 pm. After lunch, we will visit a place that continues to perform one of the oldest arts in Turkey; a carpet-weaving center. After lunch, we will do a Turkish Village Tour. Sirince’s construction style today belongs to the Anatolian Greeks. The houses on the slope are all original with their white paint. Sirince Village also has a fantastic reputation for making some of the best wines in Turkey, especially fruit wines. We will see the vineyards and it is time to learn how to make fruit wine. In the evening, you will be tested on your knowledge of making fruit wine. On the way, we will visit one of the famous leather production centers in the region, where you will have the opportunity to get a good factory rate. On this guided tour, you will avoid the constant nagging and sometimes bullying that is well known in the markets of Turkey. This enables you to enjoy the shopping experience whilst gaining knowledge of the ancient craftsmen. Overnight in Kusadasi.

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

We depart for Pamukkale at 08:00 am. Upon arrival in Pamukkale, we have a lunch break until 13:30 pm. Afterwards, we shall visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (cotton castle) and the ruins of Hierapolis, then walk around this natural phenomenon and have the option of lying in the waters of the natural springs. Denizli/Pamukkale means seaside in Turkish and is located on the Buyuk Menderes River. It is a growing industrial town, known for its textile industry and outlet shopping. You will visit one of the famous textile factories of Pamukkale. This tour will end at approximately 18.30 and you will be back at your hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.


OPTIONAL TANDEM PARAGLIDING: After your Pamukkale trip, we recommend you take the optional Pamukkale Paragliding tour. Make your Pamukkale tour unforgettable by participating in the Pamukkale Tandem Paragliding Tour. Enjoy a flight over the stunning and famous White Mountain in Pamukkale and observe spectacular views of this unique area's attractions. Tandem paragliding in Pamukkale is an ideal alternative experience for those who wish to experience some exciting moments. It can also be the perfect way to explore the attractions from above and appreciate the beauty of the natural scenery. This tour will end at approximately 17:30.


(Breakfast and Dinner included)

After breakfast, we depart for Izmir Airport for our domestic flight to Cappadocia. Transfer from Kayseri airport to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore Cappadocia. Overnight in Cappadocia.


OPTIONAL CAPPADOCIA TURKISH NIGHT SHOW: In the evening at 19:30 PM, we have an optional tour to enjoy our Turkish Night Shows, which are traditions that have survived from the Ottoman Empire to the present day. You may have great fun in the real caves with the rich Anatolian food menu, unlimited local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, a belly dance show, a Turkish Folklore show, a DJ performance, and the warm service of Anatolian Hospitality.  


Please Note: If you wish to join our optional activity of Cappadocia Hor Air Ballooning for tomorrow, please contact your guide and register because it will take place early the next morning.



(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

For our guests who will experience the Hot Air Balloon Tour, we will pick you up from your hotel in the most beautiful and unique area of the world at 05:30 am in the morning before the sunrise. And we will go to the area where hundreds of hot air balloons will take off through the air. We will watch the sunrise over those splendid fairy chimneys and valleys that impress people with their exquisiteness. After making our flight in about an hour, we will celebrate our experience with champagne when we land and collect our flight certificate. Then we will return to our hotel and have our delicious breakfast.


After breakfast, depart for the Cappadocia Tour at 09:30. We will drive you to Ozkonak Underground City, one of the best preserved underground cities in Cappadocia. After the Underground City tour, you visit Goreme Open Air Museum, the Heart of Cappadocia. The Goreme Open Air Museum is famous for frescoes dating to the 10th century describing the lives of Jesus Christ and monks. The next stop is Cavusin, which is an abandoned village with old cave Greek houses. After Cavusin, you go to the restaurant in Avanos to have lunch. After lunch, you visit a pottery workshop to see how they make pottery. Then you go to Love Valley. Love Valley Cappadocia is a hidden valley with scenic formations, to say the least. Despite the resemblance to a man's hood, these amazing rock formations are far from man-made. The next stop is Devrent Valley, which is also called Imagination Valley, where you can see natural rock formations looking like animals. The last stop is Three Beauties, three beautiful fairy chimneys with their hats, which is the symbol of Cappadocia. This tour will end approximately at 18.00 and you will be returned to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.

(Breakfast included)

After breakfast, you will have free time in Cappadocia. Today we depart for Kayseri Airport for our domestic flight to Istanbul and then back home. We hope your tour was a memorable one, and we would like to see you again in the future on one of our tours. Have a nice trip back home and thanks for choosing us. TravelShop Turkey.

Trip includes

Included

2 nights hotel in Istanbul Central Palace Hotel
3 nights hotel in Kusadasi 4 Star Faustina Hotel & SPA
2 nights hotel in Cappadocia 5 Star Dinler Hotel

NOTE: If this hotel list is not available at the time of your booking, then we will arrange another similar hotel for your group. If you prefer a different category of hotel, there might be an additional cost.

Hotel
Professional English - speaking tour guides

Guiding Method
Fully guided

English
7 open buffet breakfasts
5 lunches
5 dinners
Vegetarian Halal Meat

Insurance: All types

Arrival airport transfer from Istanbul airport
Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
Return airport transfer

Coach / BusMini-coachPrivate Vehicle

Guided Istanbul City Tour
Guided Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Tour
Guided Ephesus and Sirince Village Tour
Guided Pamukkale Tour
Guided Cappadocia Tour with Underground City and Goreme Open Air Museum
All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary

Good To Know
Tour Highlights:

Istanbul:
Explore the majestic Hagia Sophia, the iconic Blue Mosque, and the bustling Grand Bazaar.
Take a relaxing Bosphorus Cruise for stunning views of Istanbul’s skyline.

Kusadasi & Ephesus:
Discover the ancient city of Ephesus, home to the Temple of Artemis and the grand Celsius Library.
Visit the ancient House of Virgin Mary, a pilgrimage site near Ephesus.

Pamukkale:
Marvel at the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, formed over millennia by mineral-rich hot springs.
Take a dip in the ancient Roman Cleopatra Pool.

Cappadocia:
Experience the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, with its fairy chimneys and rock-cut dwellings.
Optional: Take a hot air balloon ride for an unforgettable view of the region's unique formations.
Visit the Goreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcasing early Christian rock churches.

Good to Know:
Weather: The best time to visit Turkey is from April to June or September to October, offering pleasant temperatures.
Cultural Etiquette: While visiting mosques, modest dress is required. Women may be asked to cover their heads.
Packing Tips: Comfortable shoes for walking, a hat, sunscreen, and a camera for capturing breathtaking sights.
Language: While Turkish is the official language, English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
Currency: The local currency is Turkish Lira (TRY). Credit cards are accepted in most tourist spots, but it's always a good idea to carry some cash.

Optional Activities: A hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia is highly recommended for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you may also consider adding a Turkish bath (Hammam) experience to your itinerary for relaxation.

This 8-day tour offers a perfect balance of historical exploration and natural wonders, allowing you to experience the diverse and captivating beauty of Turkey. Book your spot now and let us guide you through the heart of this stunning country!

Excluded

International flights
Domestic flight from Istanbul to Izmir
Domestic flight from Izmir to Kayseri / Nevsehir
Domestic flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul

Please Note
The domestic flight price for adult travelers is approximate: 80,00 Euros for one way.
Domestic flight price for under 2 years old, approximately: 40,00 Euros as an insurance policy.

Turkey entry visa
Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry
Any other expenses which are not mentioned in the included section

Availability

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