11-Day Turkey Tour: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale & Bodrum | Greca

Upon our arrival in what was once Byzantium (and later Constantinople), a Spanish-speaking assistant will be waiting for us at the airport. They will inform us about all the details of our itinerary, answer any questions we may have, and give us a brief introduction to the city and its daily life.

The transfer to the hotel will be carried out by one of our vehicles.

At the hotel, our assistant will help us with the check-in. The rest of the day will be free to relax and start enjoying this impressive city.

Greca Tip: Find the best advice to make the most of your trip in the following article: Everything you need to know about Turkey.

After enjoying our breakfast, we will immerse ourselves in the rich history of Istanbul with a visit to the Suleiman the Magnificent Mosque, one of the masterpieces of Ottoman architecture. Commissioned by Sultan Suleiman and designed by the renowned imperial architect Sinan, this magnificent mosque stands atop the city's third hill, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus.

After the visit, you will have free time to continue exploring Istanbul at your own pace or, if you wish, join an optional full-day excursion through the city's historic heart.

During this tour, we will admire the exterior of Hagia Sophia, visit the Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman sultans for nearly four centuries, enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant, and marvel at the magnificent Blue Mosque and the historic Hippodrome, home to remarkable monuments from the Roman and Byzantine eras. To conclude the day, we will stroll through the legendary Grand Bazaar, a fascinating maze of more than 4,000 shops where you can discover local handicrafts, spices, and unique souvenirs.

At the end of the day, we will return to the hotel to rest.

Greca Tip: If you visit the Grand Bazaar, don't hesitate to negotiate prices. Bargaining is an essential part of Turkish trading culture and an experience in itself.

After a delicious breakfast and at the indicated time, we will begin the tour with one of the most famous activities in this great country, a cruise on the Bosphorus, the channel that separates Europe and Asia. During this journey, we will be able to admire the Sultan's palaces, old and typical wooden houses, and enjoy history in a different way.

Next, we will visit one of the must-see places, the Spice Bazaar, also known by many as the Egyptian Bazaar. It dates back to 1663, when Istanbul was the last city on the Silk Road and a strategic entry point to all of Europe.

At this point, our excursion ends, but we can optionally take a visit with lunch to the Asian side of the city, where we will visit the Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire.

We will also explore the Eyup district, a place full of history and iconic architectural structures. One of the main attractions is the Eyüp Sultan Mosque. Nearby, we will find the Pierre Loti Café, where we will have a unique view of the Golden Horn.

At the end of the visit, we return to the hotel or have the option of enjoying a dinner with a typical show.

Greca Tip: If your visit to Pierre Loti Café coincides with sunset, take the time to relax and enjoy a view that will be hard to forget.

After our breakfast at the hotel, we will depart on our air-conditioned bus towards the Bolu mountains to reach the current capital of Turkey, Ankara. Here, we will take a panoramic tour to explore this city, the second most populated in the country, a modern and cosmopolitan city but full of history and ancient culture.

Next, we will visit the Anıtkabir Mausoleum, a symbol of Ankara, as it is the final resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.

At the end of the afternoon, we will head to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Greca Tip: Although Istanbul was the capital of many empires throughout history, since 1923, when the Republic of Turkey was founded, Ankara has been the capital.

After having breakfast at the hotel, we will head southeast towards the city of Cappadocia. Along the way, we will pass by the second-largest lake in Turkey, Lake Tuz (Salt Lake), and have the opportunity to visit an ancient 'Roadside Inn' used by travelers at the end of the Middle Ages, known as a Caravanserai.

Upon arriving in Cappadocia, we will head to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Greca Tip: If you want to experience something unique, don't miss the chance to join our Hot Air Balloon Ride excursion to watch the sunrise from the sky in Cappadocia

Very early at sunrise, we will have the option to join a hot air balloon excursion, a unique experience, over the marvelous rock formations, fairy chimneys, natural formations, and lunar landscapes of the splendid and magnificent Cappadocia.

After a refreshing breakfast, we will dedicate the day to exploring this fantastic region, with its spectacular fairy chimneys, unique in the world, starting with the Goreme Valley, with its cave churches and paintings from the 10th and 11th centuries.

We will visit the Avcilar Valley, which has a spectacular landscape, Pasabag Valley, also known as the Monks' Valley, and Gόvercinlik Valley, or the Pigeon Valley, where we can better admire the volcanic formations called "Fairy Chimneys."

To finish, we will visit a typical workshop of carpets and Onyx and Turquoise stones, where we can take home some souvenirs.

Optionally, you can add a visit to the Kaymakli Underground City, with more than 9 underground levels, one of the most important attractions in the region, or enjoy a Turkish night, a typical dance show in a cave restaurant.

At the end of the day, we will return to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Greca Tip: Remember that inside the caves, if allowed, photos should be taken without flash as it can damage the images.

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we will head west towards Pamukkale. Upon arrival in this magical city, we will visit the ruins of Hierapolis, the ancient Hellenistic city that was a summer retreat for Roman nobles in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, drawn by its mystical hot springs.

We will also visit the famous Cotton Castle, a natural wonder of giant white waterfalls, stalactites, and natural pools formed over the centuries by the flow of mineral-rich waters from the thermal springs.

Afterwards, we will transfer to our hotel for dinner and rest.

Greca Tip: Take advantage of your free time to enjoy a bath in the thermal pools at the hotel.

After enjoying our breakfast, we will travel to the remarkable ancient city of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman archaeological sites in the world and the former capital of Asia Minor. During our visit, we will explore its magnificent landmarks, including the Temple of Hadrian, the Temple of Trajan, the impressive Great Theatre, and the iconic Library of Celsus, each reflecting the city's extraordinary historical importance.

Our journey will continue with a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, a revered pilgrimage site traditionally believed to be where Mary spent her final years. Later, we will stop at a local leather gallery to discover the region's renowned craftsmanship and learn about the production of high-quality lambskin garments.

In the late afternoon, we will continue to Kusadasi or Izmir, depending on the season. Upon arrival, we will enjoy the included dinner at the hotel before settling in for a relaxing evening.

Greca Tip: Walking along the marble streets of Ephesus offers a unique opportunity to experience one of the most impressive cities of the ancient Roman world.

After a lovely breakfast at your hotel we will transfer you to Bodrum.  The rest of the day is free for you to explore this coastal town with its cobbled alleys and shiny marina.

Greca Tip: For an essential taste of local life be sure to wander through the mayhanes, the traditional Turkish tavernas.

This day will begin with a delicious breakfast and then, you will have the day to discover Bodrum at your own pace: walking its streets, window shopping, resting for a revitalizing drink, visiting the bazaar, diving in its blue waters, enjoying the local cuisine and discovering its history.

Bodrum also has an arsenal of interesting historical sites that you should not miss.

Greca Tip: We recommend visiting Saint Peter's Castle, the fortress built by the Knights on the site of the palace of Mausolus, the Persian governor of Halicarnassus.

After enjoying our breakfast, at the scheduled time we will be transferred to Bodrum Airport to board our departure flight. From everyone at Greca, we hope to welcome you again soon for another unforgettable journey filled with wonderful experiences that will remain in your memories for years to come.

Have a safe trip, or as you may now say yourself: "İyi yolculuklar!"

Greca Tip: If you feel your time in Turkey was too short, you can always add extra nights in Istanbul when making your reservation.