
The 9-Day Best Of Turkey Tour guides you through Istanbul, Konya, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus, covering Turkey’s most iconic destinations in one well-paced itinerary. Begin with an airport transfer in Istanbul, then explore Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks on a full-day guided tour.
Cruise the Bosphorus, visit the Spice Market and discover the Mevlana Museum in Konya. Travel onward to the cave landscapes of Cappadocia, with guided sightseeing, included meals and English-speaking guides along the way. From historic mosques and palaces to Seljuk monuments, this journey connects Turkey’s culture, history and scenery across nine memorable days.
Upon your arrival at Istanbul New Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökcen Airport (SAW), our team will be waiting for you at the exit of the international line of the Airport, holding a sign with your name written on it. After which, you will be transferred to your hotel. The afternoon is free for you to spend at leisure. Alternatively, you can join the Night Cruise on the Bosphorus with Dinner & Show.
After your breakfast, around 8:30 am, we will pick you up from your hotel to begin a full-day tour of this magnificent city. It includes an official English-speaking guide, tickets, lunch at a central city restaurant, and a visit to the most resplendent monuments that the Ottoman, Byzantine, and Roman empires have handed down to future generations: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque), Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Square), Topkapi Palace and Historical Grand Bazaar, which houses more than 4000 stores. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel at approximately 5:00 pm. The rest of the day will be at leisure.
After breakfast at around 8:30 am, you will join the Half-day Morning Bosphorus Cruise. At the start of this tour, you will enjoy a drive to the pier in Eminonu for a short visit to the historical Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar). Following this, you will join a shared boat tour and cruise along the Bosphorus which is a narrow strait between the continents of Europe and Asia connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. You will be able to view the Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosphorus Bridge, citadels, centuries-old mansions, and the European and Asian shorelines while onboard the boat.
At the end of the tour, you will be dropped back to your hotel to pick up your luggage and then will be transferred to the Istanbul airport for your flight to Konya which is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes in duration. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Check in to your hotel in Konya and the rest of the day is free.
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel around 9:30 a.m. Visiting first the Tomb of Rumi in the glittering Mevlana Museum, an important place of pilgrimage for Muslims and indeed all lovers of Rumi. Next door, we visit the Ottoman-era Sultan Selim mosque before having lunch in a traditional Turkish restaurant. We drive along Mevlana Caddesi, Konya’s main avenue, to reach the age-old Alaettin Hill (a prehistoric tumulus) to visit the 1000-year-old Alaaddin Mosque, where Rumi often prayed. In its courtyard are the tombs of many of the Seljuk Turkish sultans who ruled during Rumi’s lifetime, and who consulted him for spiritual guidance. Walking down the north side of Alaettin Hill we pass the remains of the Seljuk sultan’s palace, then cross the street for a view of the elaborate portal of the medieval Great Karatay Medrese theological college, after which we walk to the Mosque and Tomb of Sems-i Tabrizi, Rumi’s closest companion, spiritual mentor, and inspiration for many of his poetic works.
At the end of the tour, you’ll be transferred to the Konya bus station. From here you will board the intercity day coach to Cappadocia (duration 3.5 hours). Upon your arrival at the Goreme bus station in Cappadocia, you will be met at the bus station and transferred to your hotel for check-in.
For an additional option, you can book an early morning hot air balloon ride and enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the valleys. Please be aware that this activity comes at an extra cost.
After breakfast around 9:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to join the full-day tour of North Cappadocia. Your tour will start with a visit to the Devrent Valley to see the unique fairy chimneys. Next, you will visit the Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) to see the mushroom-shaped pinnacles. After this visit, you will drive to the city of Avanos. After lunch, you will visit the Zelve Open Air Museum in Cappadocia. The museum features a series of carved caves and ancient churches, providing a glimpse into the region’s monastic history. Finally, towards the end of the day tour before returning to your hotel, you will have around 15 minutes to take panoramic pictures of the natural castles of Uchisar. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel around 4:00 pm. You will have the rest of the day free to relax, explore the city on your own, or take part in any optional activities that are offered.
After breakfast at the hotel around 9:30 am, you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. Your tour guide will brief you on the day’s activities. Your tour will begin with a visit to the Red Valley where you will be able to explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike approximately 5 km through the Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi). Next, you will visit Cavusin Village which is famous for its houses and churches of Christian Clergymen. We will take a break for lunch around noon. After lunch, you will drive to the Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi). In the afternoon you will visit the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City where early Christians lived. This will be the end of your full-day tour.
After the tour, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your flight to Izmir through Istanbul. Upon your arrival at the Izmir airport, a representative will be present holding your name sign to pick you up and transfer you to your hotel.
After breakfast around 7:30 am, you will be picked up from your Kusadasi hotel and taken to the meeting point in Selcuk to join the full group. You will then be driven by road for approximately 3 hours starting around 8:30 am to travel from Selcuk to Pamukkale. En route to Pamukkale after 1.5 hours, there will be a 10-minute stop for a restroom break. Upon arrival around 11:45 am, the group will be taken to have lunch and after lunch at around 1:00 pm, the group will begin a guided tour of the Pamukkale and Hierapolis area with a professional licensed tour guide. In Pamukkale, you will see the Cotton Cliffs, one of the natural wonders of the world formed by deposits of calcareous salts. Also, you will visit the ancient ruins of the City of Hierapolis with its basilica, theatre, and Roman Baths. At the end of the guided tour, you will have some free time to explore the area on your own. As an option, you may choose to swim in the Pamukkale antique pools (at your own expense) during this free time. The tour guide will inform you about the exact meeting point and time. After the Pamukkale tour, which is expected to end at around 4:00 PM, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Kusadasi.
After breakfast at the hotel around 8:30 am, you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of Ephesus. You will visit the ruins of Ephesus, the ancient Greek city that became an important centre of this time. Visit the Temple of Hadrian, Great Theater, and Trajan Fountain. After lunch, let’s visit the House of the Virgin Mary, where it is believed she spent her last years. We will pass by the Temple of Artemis; there is little to see of this that was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. Afterwards, you will visit the Isa Bey Mosque. Next, you will be taken to the Sirince Village; which is an old Greek village and is well-know for its quaint beauty and wine tasting and production. Here you will have one hour free to explore on your own without a guide the different foods and wines of the area and visit various small traditional village shops.
At the end of the tour, you will be taken to Izmir airport for your late evening flight back to Istanbul. Upon arriving in Istanbul, you will be welcomed at the airport and provided with a transfer to your hotel, where you will stay overnight.
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 swim in the Antique pool in Pamukkale. However, please note that there is an extra charge that you will have to pay directly at your own expense before entry to the pools. This entrance fee to the pools is not covered as part of your tour.
Please note that you must bring your own towel, swimsuit etc. if you need to use the pools.
You can easily book this 9-Day Best of Turkey Tour through our secure online booking form on our website. Simply select your preferred departure date, enter your traveller details, and submit your reservation. You will receive instant confirmation by email once your booking is processed.
We accept all major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express through our secure online payment gateway. For added flexibility, you may also choose to pay a deposit at the time of booking and settle the remaining balance later. All transactions are encrypted to ensure your details remain safe.
You will receive an instant confirmation email as soon as your booking is completed. Your final travel voucher, including hotel details and pick-up arrangements, will be sent to you approximately 24–48 hours before the tour begins. If you have any questions in the meantime, our team is always happy to assist.
The early morning hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia's valleys is an optional activity and is not included in the standard tour price. It is available at an additional cost and can be booked on Day 5 before the North Cappadocia tour. We highly recommend it for breathtaking aerial views, and our team can help arrange it for you.
When visiting sites such as the Blue Mosque in Istanbul or the Alaaddin Mosque in Konya, modest dress is required out of respect. Both men and women should cover their shoulders and knees, and women should bring a scarf to cover their heads. It's a good idea to wear slip-on shoes, as you'll need to remove your footwear before entering the prayer areas.
Your flight from Istanbul to Konya takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. On Day 4, you'll travel from Konya to Cappadocia by intercity day coach, a journey of about 3.5 hours covering 235 km. These comfortable transfers are all arranged for you, allowing you to relax and enjoy the scenery along the way.
Domestic flights in Turkey typically allow around 15 kg of checked baggage plus a small cabin bag, though allowances can vary by airline. We recommend packing light for this multi-city tour, as you'll be moving between Istanbul, Konya, and Cappadocia. If you have extra luggage, please contact us in advance so we can advise on any additional fees.
In Istanbul you'll stay at standard-quality hotels such as Muyan Suites, Antea Hotel, Ayasultan Hotel, or Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar. In Konya, accommodation is at the Hilton Garden Inn Konya or Novotel Konya or similar, while in Cappadocia you'll enjoy a unique stay at cave hotels such as Heaven Cave House, Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel, Romantic Cave Hotel, or Holiday Cave Hotel or similar. All hotels are carefully selected for comfort and convenient locations.
Yes, Turkey is a popular and welcoming destination that has hosted millions of international visitors safely for many years. As a licensed travel agency operating since 2007, we ensure your tour runs smoothly with professional guides, trusted hotels, and reliable transfers. As with any trip, we recommend taking normal travel precautions and following your guide's advice throughout your journey.
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 warm but is still enjoyable, while winter offers a magical snow-dusted landscape over the fairy chimneys. This well-paced itinerary lets you experience Cappadocia's stunning valleys comfortably in any season.
Many nationalities require a visa to enter Turkey, though numerous countries are eligible for the convenient e-Visa, which can be obtained online before travel. Some travellers may be exempt for short stays, so we recommend checking the requirements for your specific nationality well in advance. Please ensure 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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