2-Day Ephesus and Pergamon Tour from Istanbul with Flights
Overview
Travel from Istanbul to two major ancient cities of western Turkey on this 2-day Ephesus and Pergamon tour, with domestic flights to and from Izmir. After an early hotel pickup and a morning flight, day one covers Ephesus, including the Temple of Hadrian, the Great Theater and the Trajan Fountain. The afternoon continues to the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis site and Isa Bey Mosque. The night is spent at a hotel in Kuşadası.
Day two starts with breakfast and a drive to the Acropolis of Pergamon for the Library, the Temple of Athena, the Temple of Trajan and the Altar of Zeus. After a Turkish lunch, the tour visits the Gymnasium, Lower Agora, Hellenistic Theater and Temple of Dionysus. An evening flight then returns you to Istanbul. Guiding, itinerary entrance fees, one night’s accommodation, one breakfast and two lunches are included. Hotel drop-off after the return flight is not included.
Highlights
- Fly from Istanbul to Izmir on an early morning flight
- Walk past the Temple of Hadrian and Great Theater in Ephesus
- Visit the House of the Virgin Mary
- Stop at the Temple of Artemis site and Isa Bey Mosque
- Stay one night in Kuşadası with breakfast included
- Explore the Library of Pergamon on the Acropolis
- Admire the friezes of the Altar of Zeus
- Finish at the Hellenistic Theater and Temple of Dionysus
Itinerary
Day 1Fly to Izmir from Istanbul - Full Day Ephesus Tour
You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul around 4:00 am and transferred to the airport for your flight to Izmir, departing between 6:00 and 8:00 AM. Upon arrival in Izmir, you’ll be transferred to Selçuk, where you’ll meet your guide to begin your full-day Ephesus tour.
Your first stop will be the ancient city of Ephesus, where you’ll explore its fascinating ruins, including highlights like the Temple of Hadrian, the impressive Great Theater, and the beautiful Trajan Fountain. After lunch, the tour continues to the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be where she spent her final years. You’ll also visit the site of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the stunning Isa Bey Mosque, a remarkable example of Seljuk architecture.
After the tour ends at around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi for check-in. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore the area at your leisure.
- Overnight in Kusadasi
- Included Meal(s): Lunch
Day 2Full Day Pergamon Tour - Fly to Istanbul, End of Services
After breakfast, check out from the hotel, and you will be picked up for a scenic drive to the ancient city of Pergamon. Known as a significant cultural hub of the ancient world, Pergamon promises a fascinating journey through history.
Your tour begins at the Acropolis of Pergamon, situated on the city’s highest point. Here, you’ll first visit the famous Library of Pergamon, one of the greatest libraries of antiquity. Next, you will explore the Temple of Athena, dedicated to the goddess of wisdom and war, and the Temple of Trajan, an impressive monument honoring the Roman Emperor Trajan, blending Roman and Greek architectural elements beautifully.
Following this, you’ll admire the Altar of Zeus, a monumental structure adorned with intricate friezes depicting mythological scenes. Afterward, you’ll take a break to enjoy a traditional Turkish lunch at a local restaurant, where you can relax and savor local flavors before resuming the tour.
The afternoon continues with a visit to the Gymnasium, an ancient training ground for athletes, and the Lower Agora, the bustling marketplace of ancient Pergamon. One of the highlights is the Hellenistic Theater, built on a steep hillside, offering breathtaking views and an impressive example of ancient theater architecture. Your last stop will be the Temple of Dionysus, dedicated to the god of wine and festivity, showcasing the religious and cultural richness of ancient Pergamon.
At the end of the tour around approximately 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to the Izmir airport for a late evening flight back (between 7:00 – 10:00 pm) to Istanbul. END OF OUR SERVICE and TOURS.
Please note that transportation from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your hotel in Istanbul is not included in the tour price.
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
Featured Hotels
Hand-picked hotels for your stay — view our featured options for each city.
Featured Hotels
Kusadasi
Derici Hotel
4 Star
Efe Boutique Hotel
Boutique
Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel
4 Star
Marina Hotel
4 Star
Neopol Hotel Deluxe
4 Star
Hotels are subject to availability; alternatives of an equal standard may be provided.
What's included
- Pick-up from your hotel in Istanbul and transfer to Istanbul Airport (on the European side of Istanbul only).
- Domestic flight tickets as per the itinerary (Istanbul to Izmir and Izmir to Istanbul).
- 1 night in Kuşadası at a 4-star hotel, including breakfast.
- Professional licensed English-speaking guide during the tours.
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary: (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch.
- Entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary.
- Local taxes and service charges.
What's not included
- Drop off transportation service from Istanbul New Airport OR Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Istanbul Hotel upon returning to Istanbul
- Any optional tours
- Tips to staff, items of a personal nature
- Drinks with meals (except the drinks served with breakfast)
- Travel insurance
Good to know
- The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
- This is a regular group tour, but if requested at cost can be provided as a private tour
- The regular group tour has shopping stops included in the tour
- Your return to Istanbul can be in the late evening and can be estimated between 7 – 10 pm. We will confirm this time based on the tickets bought after payment has been received.
Frequently asked questions
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
If you need to cancel or change your travel dates, you must notify All Istanbul Tours at least 5 days before the tour starts. For a cancellation or date-change request received at least 5 days before the tour starts, the cost of all non-refundable flight and bus tickets will be deducted from the paid balance. For a cancellation or date-change request received less than 5 days before the tour starts, the full amount paid is non-refundable. If a traveler does not appear for the booked service, the reservation is treated as a no-show and the full amount paid is non-refundable.
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