Turkey Tour Package 9 Days: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus & Pamukkale

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 a delicious breakfast, at the designated time, we will be picked up from our hotel or the nearest meeting point to visit the Süleymaniye Mosque, located on Istanbul’s third hill, offering one of the city’s most famous panoramic views. The mosque was built by the renowned imperial architect Sinan under the orders of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.

After this visit, we will have free time to explore the city at our own pace, or we can optionally take a full-day tour of Istanbul’s historic district.

For our convenience, this tour includes a English-speaking official guide, entrance fees, lunch at a central restaurant, and visits to the most outstanding monuments left by the Ottoman, Byzantine, and Roman empires: Hagia Sophia (exterior), the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar, which houses over 4,000 shops inside.

At the end of the tour, returning to the hotel will be at each traveler's discretion. If we feel like it, we can continue strolling through the beautiful Sultanahmet neighborhood.

Greca Tip: Don’t miss the chance to try the delicious apple tea, served hot or cold!

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we can enjoy this beautiful city at our own pace or take the optional excursion to the Egyptian Bazaar, a Bosphorus cruise, and the famous Çamlıca Hill.

We will start with a visit to the Egyptian Bazaar, also known as the Spice Bazaar, a building constructed in the 17th century after the Ottoman conquest of Egypt. After exploring the bazaar, we will board a boat for a cruise along the Bosphorus, from which we can admire both shores: the Asian and European sides. Along the way, we will be amazed by the stunning structures of Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, and Rumeli Hisarı Fortress, among many other monuments.

Next, we will visit Beylerbeyi Palace, one of the most beautiful palaces in the city, built in white marble by Sultan Abdulaziz in the 19th century. This palace served as the summer residence of the Sultans and as a guesthouse for the Sultan’s distinguished visitors.

To conclude our tour, we will head to Çamlıca Hill, also known as the Hill of Lovers, from where we will enjoy the most spectacular panoramic views of Istanbul and the Bosphorus. Here, we will have free time to relax and enjoy a drink while admiring the breathtaking sunset.

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

Greca Tip: Take this opportunity to try some delicious local dishes, such as Köfte (meatballs made with lamb or beef), Pide (Turkish-style pizza), Şiş Kebab (grilled meat skewers), and for dessert, Lokum (Turkish delight) or Baklava for a sweet treat!

Early in the morning, we will depart in our air-conditioned bus towards the Bolu Mountains, heading to Ankara, the current capital of Turkey. Here, we will enjoy a panoramic tour to explore this city—the second most populous in the country—a modern and cosmopolitan metropolis rich in history and ancient culture.

We will then continue our journey to Cappadocia, making stops along the way to admire Lake Tuz (Salt Lake), the second-largest lake in Turkey, and a 13th-century caravanserai, which served as a "roadside inn" for travelers during the late Middle Ages.

Upon arrival in Cappadocia, we will check into our hotel, enjoy dinner, and settle in for the night.

(On certain departures, for operational or weather-related reasons, the Istanbul-Ankara segment may be completed via high-speed train or domestic flight.)

Greca Tip: Agzikarahan Caravanserai is one of the best-preserved caravanserais in the world—a must-see for history lovers!

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 a delicious breakfast, we will depart for Selçuk-Ephesus (200 km). We will visit the archaeological site of Ephesus, a city dedicated to Artemis.

We will explore the Odeon, the Temple of Hadrian, the House of Love, the Library of Celsus, the Agora, Marble Street, and the largest Roman theater of antiquity. We will also have the opportunity to visit the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be the last residence of Jesus’ mother.

Next, we will stop at a leather production center, and then continue our journey to Izmir (85 km), one of Turkey’s largest cities.

Upon arrival in Izmir, we will check into our hotel, enjoy dinner, and stay overnight.

Greca Tip: Izmir is Turkey’s third-largest city, despite being almost entirely destroyed during the Great Fire of 1922.

After an energizing breakfast, we will begin our journey back to Istanbul, making a stop in Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, also known as "Green Bursa" due to its lush surroundings.

Here, we will visit the Grand Mosque (Ulucami), the Kozahan Silk Bazaar, and the Green Mausoleum. Before concluding our stay in Bursa, we will have free time for lunch before continuing our journey to Istanbul.

Upon arrival in Istanbul, we will check into our hotel for an overnight stay.

(On some departures, for operational or weather-related reasons, the Izmir-Istanbul segment may be completed via domestic flight, skipping Bursa.)

Greca Tip: Ask our guide for recommendations on the best dining spots, or opt for an optional dinner cruise on the Bosphorus for a memorable experience!

You will enjoy your breakfast and, at the time indicated, we will transfer you to Istanbul airport to board your international flight.

From all of us at Greca, we wish you a safe journey and hope to see you again soon to create more wonderful moments that will be etched in your memory forever.

Have a nice trip! Or you may also say: "Iyi yolculuklar!"

Greca Tip: If you think that your stay in Istanbul was too short, you can add additional nights at the time of your booking.