7-Day Antalya, Pamukkale, Ephesus and Cappadocia Guided Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Antalya – Free Day to Explore at Leisure

Welcome to Antalya, the stunning jewel of Turkey’s Mediterranean coast! Upon your arrival at Antalya Airport, our representative will greet you and arrange your private transfer to your hotel. Check in, freshen up, and settle into your comfortable accommodation as the rest of the day is entirely at your leisure.

If you’re feeling energetic, we highly recommend strolling through the charming old quarter of Kaleiçi, where narrow cobblestone lanes wind past Ottoman-era houses, boutique shops, and inviting cafés.

Don’t miss the iconic Hadrian’s Gate, a beautifully preserved Roman triumphal arch that has welcomed visitors for nearly two millennia.

For art and history enthusiasts, the world-renowned Antalya Museum is a short walk from the old town and houses one of Turkey’s finest collections of ancient artifacts. Enjoy a relaxed dinner at one of the many waterfront restaurants overlooking the marina as you prepare for an exciting week ahead.

• Overnight in Antalya.
• Included Meal(s): No meals included.
• Accommodation: 1207 Boutique Hotel or Kosa Boutique Hotel or Alp Pasa Boutique Hotel or similar (Standard quality).

Day 2: Perge, Aspendos, Side & Manavgat Waterfall Tour

After a hearty breakfast at your hotel, your guide will pick you up at approximately 8:30 AM for a full day exploring the ancient wonders east of Antalya. Our first stop is the magnificent Perge Ancient City, once one of the most important cities of ancient Pamphylia.

Walk through its grand colonnaded streets, marvel at the stadium that seated 12,000 spectators, and admire the remarkably preserved city gate.

At Perge, you’ll also explore the Roman Baths of Perge, an impressive bathing complex that illustrates the sophistication of Roman engineering and daily life. Your guide will bring the ruins to life with vivid stories of the city’s history, from its Hellenistic origins to its prominence during the Roman Empire.

Next, we continue to the breathtaking Aspendos Theater, widely considered the best-preserved Roman theater in the entire world. Built in the 2nd century AD, this architectural masterpiece still seats 15,000 and is renowned for its astonishing acoustics — your guide will demonstrate this phenomenon during your visit.

After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, we head to the charming coastal town of Side.

Here you’ll visit the impressive Roman Theatre in Side, which once accommodated up to 20,000 spectators.

Stroll along the harbor to the iconic Temple of Apollo in Side, spectacularly set against the Mediterranean — an unforgettable photo opportunity, especially as the afternoon light bathes the columns in golden hues.

Our final stop of the day is the thundering Manavgat Waterfall, a wide and powerful cascade surrounded by lush greenery and pleasant tea gardens. Take a moment to relax by the water, enjoy a refreshing Turkish tea, and soak in the natural beauty before we return to your Antalya hotel by early evening.

• Overnight in Antalya.
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch.
• Accommodation: 1207 Boutique Hotel or Kosa Boutique Hotel or Alp Pasa Boutique Hotel or similar (Standard quality).

Day 3: Scenic Transfer by Local Bus from Antalya to Pamukkale

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel before checking out. This morning, you’ll be transferred to the Antalya bus terminal, where you will board a comfortable intercity coach for the scenic journey to Pamukkale. The approximately four-hour drive takes you through Turkey’s beautiful inland landscapes, passing rolling hills, fertile valleys, and quaint countryside villages.

Turkish intercity buses are well-equipped with air conditioning, reclining seats, and complimentary refreshments served by an onboard attendant. This is a wonderful opportunity to sit back, enjoy the changing scenery from the Mediterranean coast to the Anatolian interior, and perhaps catch up on some rest before the exciting days ahead.

Upon arrival at Pamukkale (Denizli bus station), you will be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is yours to enjoy at leisure. We recommend visiting the village of Pamukkale for a casual stroll, or taking a dip in your hotel’s thermal pool — many hotels in this region feature naturally heated mineral water.

• Overnight in Pamukkale.
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast.
• Accommodation: Adempira Thermal & Spa Hotel or Colossae Thermal Hotel or similar (Standard quality).

Day 4: Pamukkale & Hierapolis Full-Day Tour – Evening Transfer to Kuşadası

Rise early and enjoy breakfast before meeting your professional guide at approximately 9:00 AM for a full day immersed in the wonders of Pamukkale and Hierapolis.

Your first breathtaking sight will be the world-famous Pamukkale Travertines, the dazzling white terraces formed over millennia by calcium-rich thermal waters cascading down the hillside.

Remove your shoes and wade through the shallow, warm pools for an unforgettable sensory experience.

Continue your exploration with the stunning Cotton Cliffs, which give this UNESCO World Heritage Site its famous name — “Cotton Castle.” The sheer white formations contrasting against the turquoise mineral waters and the green valley below create one of the most photographed landscapes in all of Turkey.

Your guide will explain the fascinating geological processes behind this natural wonder.

At the summit of the travertines lies the ancient City of Hierapolis, a Greco-Roman spa city founded in the 2nd century BC.

You’ll walk along the magnificent Frontinus Street, the city’s main thoroughfare, and pass through the grand Domitian Gate, also known as the Gate of Frontinus.

Visit the eerie Plutonium, an ancient cave sanctuary once believed to be a gateway to the underworld.

Explore the Pamukkale Theatre, an exceptionally well-preserved Roman theater seating 12,000 spectators with commanding views over the entire valley.

Nearby, admire the ruins of the Temple of Apollo in Pamukkale and the Agora of Hierapolis.

Stroll past the Byzantium Gate, the Latrina (ancient public toilets), and the Triton Fountain.

Take time to wander through the hauntingly beautiful Necropolis of Hierapolis, one of the largest and best-preserved ancient cemeteries in Anatolia, with over 1,200 tombs spanning different eras and styles.

You’ll also have the option to swim in the legendary Cleopatra Antique Pools (entrance fee not included), where ancient marble columns lie submerged in warm, mineral-rich waters.

After a satisfying lunch, we’ll also visit the Pamukkale Roman Baths, now converted into an archaeological museum, and drive to the nearby village of Karahayit to see the remarkable Karahayit Red Springs, where iron-rich mineral waters have stained the travertines a striking red-orange color.

In the late afternoon, you will be transferred to Kuşadası (approximately 3.5 hours) for your overnight stay near the Aegean coast.

• Overnight in Kuşadası.
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch.
• Accommodation: Efe Boutique Hotel or Neopol Hotel Deluxe or Derici Hotel or similar (Standard quality).

Day 5: Ephesus Full-Day Tour – Evening Flight to Kayseri & Cappadocia

After an early breakfast, meet your guide at approximately 8:30 AM for a truly remarkable day exploring the ancient wonders of Ephesus and its surroundings.

Your first stop is the sacred House of the Virgin Mary, a modest stone chapel nestled on Mount Koressos (Bülbül Dağı) where, according to tradition, the Virgin Mary spent her final years.

This serene pilgrimage site is recognized by both the Catholic Church and has been visited by several Popes.

Next, prepare to be awestruck as you enter the magnificent Ephesus Ancient City Ruins, one of the best-preserved classical cities in the Mediterranean.

Walk down the marble-paved Curetes Street, once the bustling main avenue of this great metropolis, lined with columns, statues, and mosaics.

Your guide will bring the ancient city to vivid life as you imagine the thousands of citizens, merchants, and scholars who walked these very stones.

Marvel at the ornate Temple of Hadrian at Ephesus, with its exquisitely carved arch depicting Tyche, the goddess of fortune.

Admire the elegant Trajan Fountain.

Stand before the awe-inspiring Library of Celsus, the iconic two-story façade that once housed 12,000 scrolls and stands as one of the most photographed monuments in all of Turkey.

Continue to the colossal Great Theatre of Ephesus, a 25,000-seat amphitheater where Saint Paul once preached to the Ephesians — its sheer scale is truly humbling.

After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, visit the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Though only a single column remains standing today, your guide will paint a vivid picture of the temple’s former grandeur.

Continue to the charming town of Selçuk to see the Isa Bey Mosque, a beautiful 14th-century Seljuk masterpiece.

In the late afternoon, you will be transferred to İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport for your domestic flight to Kayseri.

Upon arrival in Kayseri, our driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Göreme, in the heart of Cappadocia (approximately one hour).

Check in to your authentic cave hotel and rest up for two unforgettable days in this magical landscape.

• Overnight in Cappadocia (Göreme).
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch.
• Accommodation: Heaven Cave House or Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel or Zula Cave House or similar (Standard quality).

Day 6: North Cappadocia Tour – Fairy Chimneys, Valleys & Ancient Caves

For those wishing to experience the magic of Cappadocia from the sky, an optional hot air balloon ride is available this morning (available at extra cost, subject to weather conditions). Departing before sunrise, you’ll float gently over the surreal landscape of fairy chimneys, valleys, and rock-cut churches as the first golden light of dawn illuminates the terrain below — an absolutely once-in-a-lifetime experience.

After breakfast, meet your guide at approximately 9:30 AM to begin your comprehensive North Cappadocia tour.

Your first stop is the enchanting Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley), famous for its surreal rock formations that resemble animals, people, and mythical creatures shaped entirely by natural erosion.

No human hand has carved these stones — only the wind and rain over millions of years.

Continue to the fascinating Paşabağ Valley (Monks’ Valley), home to some of the most striking mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys in all of Cappadocia. Some of these remarkable formations contain ancient hermit cells and chapels carved directly into the rock by early Christian monks seeking solitude. This is one of the most iconic and photographed spots in the entire region.

Next, visit the extraordinary Zelve Open Air Museum, one of the most fascinating and atmospheric sites in Cappadocia. This sprawling complex of three interconnected valleys served as a monastic retreat and later a thriving village until the 1950s. Explore the rock-cut dwellings, churches, and a rare rock-carved mosque, all set against a dramatic landscape of eroded fairy chimneys and tunnels. Unlike more manicured sites, Zelve retains a raw, untouched quality that vividly conveys what daily life was like for the communities who carved their homes from the soft tuff rock over centuries.

After a traditional Cappadocian lunch, head to the pottery town of Avanos, set along the banks of the Kızılırmak River, Turkey’s longest river.

Avanos has been a center of pottery-making for thousands of years, and you’ll have the chance to visit a local workshop, watch skilled artisans at their craft, and even try your hand at the potter’s wheel.

The afternoon continues with a visit to the impressive Uçhisar Castle, the highest point in Cappadocia, offering panoramic 360-degree views of the entire region. Carved from a massive rock formation, this natural fortress was used for centuries as a lookout and defensive stronghold. As the day winds down, take in the stunning vistas before returning to your cave hotel in Göreme.

• Overnight in Cappadocia (Göreme).
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch.
• Accommodation: Heaven Cave House or Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel or Zula Cave House or similar (Standard quality).

Day 7: South Cappadocia Tour – Underground Cities, Valleys & Flight to Istanbul

Once again, an optional early-morning hot air balloon ride is available for those who didn’t join yesterday or simply want to experience the magic once more (available at extra cost, subject to weather conditions). After breakfast at your hotel, check out and meet your guide at approximately 9:00 AM for a packed final day exploring the stunning landscapes of South Cappadocia.

Your first stop this morning takes you to the spectacular Red Valley and Rose Valley, named for the extraordinary range of pink, red, and orange hues that paint the rock formations, especially magnificent in the morning light.

These intertwined valleys are dotted with ancient rock-cut churches, hidden chapels, and vine-covered trails. Enjoy a scenic walk through the valleys as your guide points out hidden cave churches with faded frescoes.

Next, visit the picturesque Çavuşin Village, one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in Cappadocia. Explore the abandoned old village carved into the cliff face and visit the Church of St. John the Baptist, one of the oldest churches in the region. The panoramic views from the hilltop are absolutely stunning and offer excellent photo opportunities.

Continue to the mesmerizing Pigeon Valley, named for the thousands of pigeon houses carved into the soft tuff rock by local inhabitants who collected pigeon droppings as fertilizer for their vineyards.

The valley stretches between Göreme and Uçhisar, offering one of the most scenic viewpoints in all of Cappadocia. Your guide will share the fascinating agricultural traditions behind this unique practice.

After a satisfying lunch, the afternoon brings one of the most thrilling experiences of the tour — a visit to either the Kaymaklı Underground City or the Özkonak Underground City, where early Christians sought refuge from persecution.

These incredible subterranean complexes descend multiple levels below the earth and include living quarters, kitchens, churches, wine cellars, and ingenious ventilation shafts. Walking through these narrow tunnels is a truly humbling and unforgettable experience.

As our remarkable 7-day journey comes to a close, you will be transferred to Kayseri Airport for your evening flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, our service concludes. If you wish, we can arrange an airport transfer to your Istanbul hotel (available at extra cost). We hope this extraordinary week exploring Antalya, Pamukkale, Ephesus, and Cappadocia has created memories that will last a lifetime. END OF OUR SERVICE AND TOURS.

• No overnight — tour ends upon arrival in Istanbul.
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch.
• Accommodation: N/A — end of tour.

Frequently Asked Questions