3-Day Konya and Pamukkale Tour from Istanbul
Overview
Rumi’s tomb, Seljuk architecture, and mineral-white terraces give this three-day group tour two very different settings. In Konya, you’ll explore the Mevlana Museum with an English-speaking guide, then follow the route along Mevlana Caddesi toward Alaettin Hill. Mosque visits, palace remains, and the carved portal of the Great Karatay Medrese put the city’s religious and architectural heritage in context. A traditional Turkish lunch gives you a break between visits.
The journey continues by local intercity coach to Denizli, followed by a transfer to Pamukkale. It’s a long travel day, balanced by dinner at your hotel before the next morning’s sightseeing. You’ll walk through Hierapolis, see Karahayit’s red thermal springs, and visit Pamukkale’s Cotton Cliffs. An optional paid swim at Cleopatra Antique Pools adds another way to experience the thermal waters. The package includes two domestic flights, two nights in 4-star hotels, one in Konya and one in Pamukkale, and the meals listed in your itinerary. You’ll return to Istanbul by air.
Highlights
- Visit Rumi’s tomb at the Mevlana Museum
- Explore Sultan Selim Mosque in Konya
- Admire the carved portal of the Great Karatay Medrese
- Visit the Mosque and Tomb of Shams-i Tabrizi
- Explore the Theater, Necropolis, and Roman Baths at Hierapolis
- See the red-colored thermal springs at Karahayit
- Walk through the terrace areas at Pamukkale’s Cotton Cliffs
- Choose an optional paid swim at Cleopatra Antique Pools
Itinerary
Day 1Fly from Istanbul to Konya and Explore Rumi’s City
Your day starts early, with pickup from your Istanbul hotel at around 4:00 AM. You'll transfer to the airport for your flight to Konya, scheduled between 6:00 and 8:00 AM. On arrival, you'll be picked up and taken into the city to meet your guide for a half-day tour.
Begin at the Mevlana Museum, which holds Rumi’s tomb and remains a pilgrimage site. Next, visit Sultan Selim Mosque before an included traditional Turkish lunch at a local restaurant.
Continue along Mevlana Caddesi toward Alaettin Hill and Alaaddin Mosque, which houses tombs of Seljuk sultans. Descending the hill, you'll glimpse the remains of the Seljuk sultan’s palace. Then admire the carved portal of the Great Karatay Medrese.
Your final visit is the Mosque and Tomb of Shams-i Tabrizi, Rumi’s companion and spiritual mentor. Expect walking between city sights and on the hill; wear comfortable shoes and modest clothing for mosque visits. Afterward, we'll transfer you to your hotel for check-in, with the rest of the day at leisure.
- Overnight in Konya.
- Included Meal(s): Lunch
Day 2Travel from Konya to Pamukkale by Local Bus
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Konya’s main bus station and board a local intercity day coach to Denizli. The reference route covers 498.8 km, with a scheduled journey of about 7 hours and 35 minutes. This is primarily a travel day rather than a sightseeing day.
The coach may make one or two stops for essential needs, plus stops beyond the regular bus stations. There are no onboard restrooms. Keep your travel essentials accessible, and wear comfortable clothing for the long ride.
At Denizli bus station, you'll be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Pamukkale. Walking today is mainly through the stations and hotel. Check in, then have your included dinner at the hotel this evening.
- Overnight in Pamukkale.
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 3Explore Pamukkale and Hierapolis, Then Fly to Istanbul
After breakfast, you'll be picked up from your hotel at around 10:30 AM for your group sightseeing tour. Explore Hierapolis, including the Temple of Apollo, the Theater, the Necropolis, and the Roman Baths. You'll then stop for your included lunch.
In the afternoon, travel to Karahayit to see its red-colored thermal springs. Continue to Pamukkale's Cotton Cliffs, also called the Cotton Castle. Mineral deposits formed these white terraces and pools.
You'll have the option to swim in the Cleopatra Antique Pools for an additional charge. Expect walking across archaeological grounds and terrace areas, with uneven surfaces underfoot. Bring comfortable shoes, sun protection, and swimwear if you plan to take the optional swim.
The tour finishes at approximately 4:00 PM, followed by your transfer to Denizli airport. Your return flight to Istanbul arrives late in the evening. Our services end on your return to Istanbul; transfer from IST or SAW to your Istanbul hotel is not included.
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
Featured Hotels
Hand-picked hotels for your stay — view our featured options for each city.
Featured Hotels
Pamukkale
Adempira Thermal & Spa Hotel
4 Star
Colossae Thermal Hotel
4 Star
Konya
Hilton Garden Inn Konya
4 Star
Hotel Balikcilar
4 Star
Novotel Konya
4 Star
Hotels are subject to availability; alternatives of an equal standard may be provided.
What's included
- 2 nights in 4-star hotels: 1 night in Konya and 1 night in Pamukkale.
- 5 meals: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner.
- 2 domestic flights: Istanbul to Konya and Denizli to Istanbul.
- Local intercity coach ticket from Konya to Denizli.
- Pickup from eligible European-side Istanbul hotels and transfer to the airport.
- Konya airport pickup and transfer into the city, followed by hotel transfer after sightseeing.
- Transfer from your Konya hotel to the bus station and from Denizli bus station to your Pamukkale hotel.
- Pamukkale hotel pickup for sightseeing and transfer to Denizli airport afterward.
- English-speaking guide during the sightseeing tours.
- Entrance fees for the included visits indicated in the itinerary.
- Local taxes and service charges.
What's not included
- Transfer from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your Istanbul hotel after the return flight.
- Optional activities mentioned in the program, including swimming at Cleopatra Antique Pools.
- Services not mentioned in the program.
- Drinks.
- Travel insurance, which is recommended.
Good to know
- This is a regular group tour with shopping stops. A private version can be requested at an additional cost.
- The sightseeing order may change, but all described visits will take place.
- Istanbul hotel pickup covers Taksim, Şişli, Sultanahmet, Eminönü, Fatih, Beşiktaş, Karaköy, and Bakırköy on the European side. Travelers outside these districts or on the Anatolian side must arrange their own airport transportation.
- Day 1 pickup is described as around 4:00 AM; the operating notes also list around 3:50 AM, depending on flight schedules.
- Flight baggage allowance is 15 kg of checked luggage per person, plus one carry-on weighing up to 8 kg per person.
- The Konya–Denizli coach journey takes about 7 hours and 35 minutes. There are no onboard restrooms; one or two essential-needs stops may be made.
- Wear modest clothing for mosque visits and comfortable shoes for Konya’s hill and the archaeological grounds at Hierapolis. Bring sun protection for outdoor sightseeing.
- A vegetarian lunch option is available on request.
- Room allocation follows your booking party: one traveler receives a single room; two, a double/twin; three, a triple; four, two double/twins; five, one double/twin and one triple.
- Your return flight arrives in Istanbul late in the evening; the issued ticket confirms its exact schedule. Before booking an onward flight, check your confirmed return flight's arrival time and airport and allow enough time for the connection.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the 3-day Konya and Pamukkale tour start and end?
It starts with pickup from an eligible European-side Istanbul hotel and ends upon your return flight’s arrival in Istanbul. The final transfer to your Istanbul hotel isn't included.
Which flights are included?
The package includes Istanbul to Konya on Day 1 and Denizli to Istanbul on Day 3. The outbound flight is scheduled between 6:00 and 8:00 AM; the return flight arrives in Istanbul late in the evening.
How do I travel from Konya to Pamukkale?
You'll take a local intercity day coach from Konya to Denizli, a journey of about 7 hours and 35 minutes. Transfers to Konya bus station and from Denizli bus station to your Pamukkale hotel are included.
What hotels and meals are included?
You'll stay one night in a 4-star hotel in Konya and one night in a 4-star hotel in Pamukkale. Meals include lunch on Day 1, breakfast and dinner on Day 2, and breakfast and lunch on Day 3.
Is swimming at Cleopatra Antique Pools included?
No. The itinerary offers swimming at Cleopatra Antique Pools as an optional activity for an additional charge.
Will I have an English-speaking guide throughout the trip?
English-speaking guiding is included during the sightseeing tours. In Konya, you'll meet your guide in the city after your airport transfer.
How much luggage can I bring on the domestic flights?
You can bring 15 kg of checked luggage and one carry-on weighing up to 8 kg per person.
Can I request vegetarian meals?
A vegetarian lunch option is available on request.
Can I book this itinerary as a private tour?
Yes. The advertised package is a regular group tour, but a private version can be requested at an additional cost.
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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