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This 8-Day Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Antalya Tour starts in Istanbul and travels across western and central Turkey by domestic flights. After arriving at Istanbul Airport, you’ll tour Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome, and the Grand Bazaar before flying to Cappadocia.
From there the route covers Devrent Valley, Avanos pottery, the Zelve Open Air Museum, Uchisar, and Kaymakli Underground City, then continues toward Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Antalya. Breakfast and lunch are included on touring days, with optional add-ons like the sunrise hot air balloon ride and a Bosphorus dinner cruise.
Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) at your scheduled time, you will be met by our representative at the international arrivals exit, holding a sign with our agency code for identification. Following a brief meet-and-greet, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure. You may choose to rest after your journey or explore the city independently. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the city at your leisure. Alternatively, you can opt to join the Night Cruise on the Bosphorus with Dinner & Show at an additional cost.
This experience offers a memorable evening on the Bosphorus, complete with entertainment and a delicious dinner.
After breakfast around 8:30 am, check out of the hotel and prepare for an exciting day ahead with the Byzantine & Ottoman Relics Tour. Istanbul, a city steeped in history and filled with remarkable cultural treasures, awaits to reveal its wonders. Your tour begins with the Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, and continues to the iconic Blue Mosque, known for its stunning blue tilework. Next, explore the Topkapi Palace, the former residence of Ottoman sultans, where you can admire opulent rooms, historic artifacts, and sacred relics. From there, you’ll visit the Hippodrome, once the center of Byzantine public life and a grand venue for chariot races and social events. Here, you’ll encounter key monuments, including the ancient Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column, and the German Fountain, each bearing historical significance and unique craftsmanship. End the day with a visit to the bustling Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, where you can shop for traditional goods, textiles, and souvenirs.
At the end of the tour, around 4:30 pm, you will be dropped back at your hotel to pick up your luggage and then transferred directly to Istanbul’s domestic airport for your late evening flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival in Kayseri, our representative will meet you and arrange your transfer to your hotel in Cappadocia.
For an additional option, you can book an early morning hot air balloon ride and enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the valleys. Please note that this activity comes at an extra cost. After breakfast at the hotel around 9:30 am, you will be picked up to begin your full-day tour of Cappadocia.
Your first stop will be Devrent Valley, located on the northern slopes of Aktepe, 1 km from Pasabaglari (Monks’ Valley) and 5 km from Avanos. Here, you will see the pointed fairy chimneys with large stems spread across three valleys.
Next, you will visit Avanos, known for its terra cotta artwork since 3000 BC. You will explore a traditional pottery workshop and enjoy lunch at a local Turkish restaurant. Following lunch, you will head to the Zelve Open Air Museum.
This site, which started as a monastic settlement in the 9th century, showcases ancient cave dwellings and churches carved into iconic rock formations. Afterward, you will visit Uchisar, a troglodyte town named after a massive rock once used as a castle, offering panoramic views of Cappadocia and Erciyes (Argeus) Mountain.
Please note that interior access to Uchisar Castle and its caves is restricted; however, you can take exterior panoramic photos. The final stop will be Kaymakli Underground City, one of Cappadocia’s largest and deepest underground cities, with eight floors, although not all are open to the public.
After the tour, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your late evening flight to Antalya via Istanbul. Upon arrival at Antalya airport, a representative will meet you with a sign that displays your name and transfer you to your hotel.
After breakfast, around 8:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Selcuk, where you will meet your professional tour guide for a full-day tour of Ephesus, one of the most significant ancient cities from the Greek and Roman periods. As you explore the impressive ruins, you’ll encounter renowned landmarks such as the Temple of Hadrian, the grand Great Theater, and the Trajan Fountain, a monument dedicated to Emperor Trajan.
After a delightful lunch, you’ll visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a sacred site believed to be where Mary spent her final years. Next, you’ll stop by the remnants of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, where only fragments remain of its once-grand structure. The tour continues with a visit to the beautiful Isa Bey Mosque, a stunning example of Seljuk architecture. After the tour ends, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Kusadasi around 4:00 pm. The rest of the day will be at your leisure.
After breakfast around 7:30 am, check out from your hotel in Kusadasi. You will be picked up and taken to the meeting point in Selcuk, where the group will gather to begin the journey. From Selcuk, depart at approximately 8:30 am, for the scenic drive to Pamukkale, which takes about 3 hours. About halfway, there will be a brief 10-minute restroom stop. You’ll arrive in Pamukkale around 11:45 am, and lunch will be served upon arrival. At approximately 1:00 pm, start your guided tour of Pamukkale and Hierapolis with a licensed professional guide. Discover the stunning Cotton Cliffs, a natural wonder formed by calcium-rich mineral deposits. You will also explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, where you’ll visit the Roman Baths, and the Pamukkale Theatre, all remarkable examples of ancient Roman architecture. Following the guided tour, you’ll have some free time to explore the area on your own. As an option, you may choose to swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools (entry at your own expense), which are said to have therapeutic properties.
At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to the main bus station in Denizli. From there, you’ll board an intercity coach to Antalya, with an approximate duration of 5 hours. Upon arrival in Antalya, a representative will meet you at the bus terminal and transfer you to your hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up around 8:00 AM to begin your tour. The first stop is Perge, originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC and one of the largest ancient cities in the Pamphylia region. From there, you will depart for the Aspendos Ancient Theatre, an exceptionally well-preserved structure built in the 2nd century A.D.
With a capacity of 15,000, the theater is still used for festivals and concerts today. Afterwards, there will be a lunch break at a restaurant by a nearby river before heading to Side (pronounced “Seeday”). Side is one of Turkey’s best-preserved classical ancient cities, known as a port city that once hosted the largest slave market in the region.
During Roman times, significant construction occurred here, including the large theater, Roman Baths, and the Temple of Apollo. You will have 1 hour of free time in Side to explore the city and enjoy the sea. On the return trip to Antalya, there will be a stop at the Manavgat Waterfall.
Afterward, you’ll be driven back to Antalya, where you will be transferred to your hotel.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel in Antalya before 12:00 noon. You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Antalya airport for your flight to Istanbul. Upon your arrival in Istanbul, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy and explore the city at your leisure.
After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Istanbul (hotel check-out is before 12:00 noon) and will then be transferred to the Istanbul International Airport according to your flight details. This will be the end of our tour and services.
Hand-picked hotels for your stay — view our featured options for each city.
You can easily book this 8-Day Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Antalya Tour directly through our secure online booking form on our website. Simply select your preferred departure date, enter your details, and submit the form to receive instant confirmation. Our team is available to assist if you have any questions during the process.
We accept all major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express through our secure online payment gateway. For your convenience, you may choose to pay a deposit to confirm your booking, with the remaining balance settled later. All transactions are encrypted to ensure your payment information stays safe.
You will receive an instant confirmation email as soon as your booking is completed. Your final travel voucher, along with detailed meeting and transfer instructions, will be sent 24-48 hours before the tour begins. This ensures all your arrangements are fully finalized before you arrive in Istanbul.
The sunrise hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia's valleys is an optional activity available at an additional cost and is not included in the standard tour price. If you'd like to enjoy these breathtaking aerial views, we recommend booking in advance as spots fill quickly. Our representative can help you arrange this memorable experience during your stay.
As the Blue Mosque is an active place of worship, modest dress is required: shoulders and knees should be covered, and women should bring a scarf to cover their heads. Shoes must be removed before entering, so easy-to-remove footwear is convenient. We suggest dressing respectfully on Day 2, as you'll also be visiting other historic sites like Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace.
On Day 5, after your Pamukkale and Hierapolis tour, you will transfer to Antalya by local bus, which takes approximately 5 hours. This scenic journey lets you relax and enjoy the changing landscapes of the Turkish countryside. We recommend bringing water and a light snack for comfort during the ride.
Yes, you can wade in the warm, calcium-rich travertine terraces of Pamukkale, where walking barefoot is required to protect the natural formations. For a special experience, you may also choose to swim in the famous Cleopatra's Antique Pool at an extra cost. We suggest packing a swimsuit and towel if you'd like to take advantage of these unique thermal waters.
Since this tour includes domestic flights to Cappadocia and Antalya, standard domestic luggage limits apply, typically around 15 kg for checked baggage and a small carry-on. We recommend packing light and confirming the exact allowance with us, as exceeding the limit may incur additional charges at the airport. A compact, easy-to-handle bag is ideal for the frequent transfers on this itinerary.
Yes, Turkey is a very popular and welcoming destination for travelers, and millions visit each year to enjoy its rich history and hospitality. As a licensed agency operating since 2007, we ensure your safety with professional guides, trusted transfers, and carefully selected hotels throughout the tour. As with any trip, we recommend standard precautions and staying aware of your surroundings.
The best times to visit Cappadocia are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November), when the weather is mild and ideal for sightseeing and hot air balloon rides. Summer can be hot but remains popular, while winter offers a magical snow-dusted landscape. Whenever you travel in 2026, Cappadocia's surreal valleys and fairy chimneys are stunning year-round.
Many nationalities require a visa to enter Turkey, and most travelers can conveniently apply online through the official e-Visa system before departure. We strongly recommend checking the latest requirements for your specific nationality well ahead of your trip. Be sure your passport is valid for at least six months from your date of entry.
If you need to cancel your tour or change your travel dates, please notify us at least 5 days before the tour start date. As this tour includes domestic flights and bus tickets, which are non-refundable, the cost of these tickets will be deducted from your payment and the remaining balance refunded to you. For cancellations or date changes made less than 5 days before the start date, no refund will be issued and the booking will be treated under our no-show policy.
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Our trip with All Istanbul Tours was absolutely incredible! Everything was well organized from start to finish. The hotels were clean and comfortable, the transportation was smooth, and our guides were not only friendly but also full of fascinating stories about each destination. We discovered so much history and culture while feeling completely taken care of the entire time. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience — highly recommend this tour to anyone planning to visit Turkey!