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9-Day Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya and Cappadocia Tour

9-Day Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya and Cappadocia Tour

4.7
Guaranteed daily departure
9 Days
Small Group
Multiple Language Options
5 Destinations
Couples

Tour Overview

9-day Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya and Cappadocia tour adds Antalya to the classic route without moving beyond nine days. The nine-day version moves through Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya and Cappadocia with a fast but understandable order for travelers who want Antalya included.

It is fast, but useful when the Mediterranean must be included in a limited window. Cappadocia at the end keeps the balloon and valley focus visible.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 ─

Arrival in Istanbul

Arrival at Istanbul Airport. (Arrival airport and time may change according to availability.)

Meet our airport team after landing.

Transfer to your hotel in Istanbul.

Overnight stay in Istanbul

Day 2 ─

Istanbul Old City: Half-Day Guided Tour

Meal: Breakfast

08:30 - Pick up from your hotel for the Istanbul Old City morning tour.

  • Hagia Sophia: Hagia Sophia shows Istanbul's layered Byzantine and Ottoman history through its vast dome, mosaics and monumental interior.
  • Blue Mosque: The Blue Mosque is one of Istanbul's defining Ottoman landmarks, known for its domes, minarets and blue Iznik tiles.
  • Hippodrome: The Hippodrome was the ceremonial heart of Byzantine Constantinople and still frames important monuments in the Old City.
  • Grand Bazaar: The Grand Bazaar adds color, trade history and free time in one of Istanbul's most recognizable covered market areas.

13:00 - Guided touring ends at the Grand Bazaar. Free time in the afternoon.

Overnight stay in Istanbul

Day 3 ─

Bosphorus Cruise

Meal: Breakfast

13:30 - Pick up from your hotel and transfer to the pier for Bosphorus Cruise boarding.

Enjoy while sailing between Europe and Asia.

See Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Rumeli Hisari, the Bosphorus Bridge, and the waterfront mansions from the boat.

17:30 - Cruise ends and transfer back to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Istanbul

Day 4 ─

Fly to Izmir & Full Day Ephesus Tour

Meal: Lunch

04:00 - Early hotel pick-up after check-out. (Pickup time and airport may change.)

Transfer to Istanbul Airport.

07:00 - Flight from Istanbul to Izmir. (Flight time may change.)

08:00 - Arrival at Izmir Airport. (Arrival airport and time may change according to availability.)

Transfer to the Ephesus touring area and meet your guide.

  • Ephesus Ancient City: Ephesus Ancient City preserves marble streets, temples, theatres and civic buildings from one of the great cities of the Roman world.
  • House of Virgin Mary: The House of Virgin Mary is a quiet pilgrimage site on the mountain above Ephesus, visited for both its religious meaning and setting.
  • Temple of Artemis: The Temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and explains why Ephesus once mattered far beyond the region.

16:00 - Ephesus tour ends. Transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi/Selcuk.

Overnight stay in Kusadasi/Selcuk

Day 5 ─

Full Day Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour

Meal: Breakfast & Lunch

08:00 - Pick up from your hotel in Kusadasi/Selcuk and drive toward Pamukkale.

  • Pamukkale: Pamukkale is famous for white travertine terraces formed by mineral-rich thermal water flowing down the hillside.
  • White Calcium Terraces: The white calcium terraces are the signature view of Pamukkale, where shallow mineral pools step down the slope like a natural staircase.
  • Hierapolis Ancient City: Hierapolis rises above the travertines with Roman streets, baths, theatre remains and a long sacred thermal tradition.
  • Cleopatra Antique Thermal Pool: Cleopatra Antique Pool is visited inside the Pamukkale area; entering the area is included, while swimming among ancient columns is extra on-site.

16:00 - Pamukkale tour ends. Transfer to your hotel in Pamukkale.

Overnight stay in Pamukkale

Day 6 ─

Bus Transfer to Antalya

Meal: Breakfast

Our driver will come to your hotel in Pamukkale.

Transfer to Pamukkale Bus Station.

Intercity bus to Antalya. The journey takes approximately 3 hours and includes scheduled rest stops.

Meet our team at Antalya Bus Station.

Transfer to your hotel in Antalya.

Overnight stay in Antalya

Day 7 ─

Perge, Aspendos, Side Tour & Overnight Bus to Cappadocia

Meal: Breakfast & Lunch

08:00 - Pick up from your hotel in Antalya for the full-day Antalya classical sites tour.

  • Perge: Perge Ancient City adds Roman streets, baths, gates and stadium remains to the Antalya coastal route.
  • Aspendos: Aspendos is best known for its remarkably preserved Roman theatre, one of the strongest classical stops near Antalya.
  • Side: Side combines ancient ruins with a coastal setting, including temple remains near the Mediterranean shoreline.
  • Kursunlu Waterfall: Kursunlu Waterfall adds a green nature break to the Antalya day with shaded paths and fresh water scenery.

17:00 - Transfer to Antalya Bus Station.

19:00 - Overnight intercity bus to Cappadocia.

Overnight on the bus

Day 8 ─

Arrival in Cappadocia & Free Day

Morning arrival at Cappadocia Bus Station and meet our local team.

Transfer to your hotel for luggage drop-off and check-in arrangements.

The rest of the day is free in Cappadocia.

Overnight stay in Cappadocia

Day 9 ─

Cappadocia Valley Tour & Fly to Istanbul

Make sunrise unforgettable

You can add these activities to your reservation during booking.

Hot air balloon flight

Secure your balloon flight before seats sell out.

Watch the balloons rise

Best viewpoints for photos without the rush.

Meal: Breakfast & Lunch

10:00 - Breakfast, hotel check-out, and transfer to the Cappadocia touring area.

  • Devrent Valley (Pink Valley): Devrent Valley introduces Cappadocia through animal-shaped fairy chimneys and wide volcanic forms that make the landscape feel almost imagined.
  • Pasabag Open Air Museum: Pasabag is one of the best places to see Cappadocia's multi-headed fairy chimneys and the cave cells once used by hermit monks.
  • Avanos Pottery Workshop: Avanos adds a cultural stop to the valley route, showing how red river clay is shaped in local pottery workshops.
  • Goreme Panoramic View: Goreme panoramic viewpoints help you read the scale of Cappadocia, with cave settlements, valleys and volcanic ridges visible together.
  • Zelve Open Air Museum: Zelve preserves a former cave village spread across several valleys, with carved rooms, tunnels and churches that show daily life in the rocks.
  • Uchisar Castle (exterior view): Uchisar Castle is Cappadocia's highest natural viewpoint and shows how defensive and domestic spaces were carved into one rock mass.

17:00 - Day tour ends. Transfer to the airport.

20:40 - Flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul. (Flight time may change.)

21:50 - Arrival at Istanbul Airport. (Arrival airport and time may change according to availability.)

Your service ends after arrival in Istanbul.

What's Included

Includes

  • 8 nights accommodation: 3 nights in Istanbul hotels, 1 night in Kusadasi, 1 night in Pamukkale, 1 night in Antalya, and 2 nights in a cave or stone hotel in Cappadocia
  • Domestic flight tickets as per the itinerary (luggage allowance: 15kg check-in + 8kg cabin)
  • Intercity bus ticket from Pamukkale to Antalya and overnight bus ticket from Antalya to Cappadocia
  • 7 breakfasts and 4 lunches as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Airport and hotel transfers as mentioned in the program
  • Professional English-speaking licensed tour guide
  • All entrance fees as per the itinerary
  • Air-conditioned transportation during tours
  • All local taxes, service fees, and handling charges

Excludes

  • Personal expenses
  • Drinks at lunch
  • Dinners
  • Hot air balloon flight (optional)
  • Swimming at Cleopatra Antique Pool (payable on-site)

Multiple Options

Hotel Options Available

Choose from Standard, Middle, or High Class hotels for 9-Day Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya and Cappadocia Tour.

Handpicked HotelsVerified RatingsAll Locations

This section is for displaying available hotel options by class. Final assignment depends on availability at booking time.

Before Booking

  • Domestic flight times, airlines and airports are confirmed after booking according to season and seat availability.

  • Domestic flights normally include 15 kg checked luggage and 8 kg cabin baggage per person. Extra luggage can be added during online check-in for an additional fee.

  • Intercity bus or road transfer timings are arranged according to the final program and shared clearly after booking.

  • Hotel, airport and tour transfers are included only where they are listed in the itinerary.

  • Cleopatra Antique Pool area can be visited during the Pamukkale tour; swimming is extra and payable on-site.

  • Free time in Antalya is unguided; Antalya Old City or Perge, Aspendos and Side tours can be requested as extra services when they are not already included.

  • Istanbul airport transfers use Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) according to your confirmed flight details.

  • You can book a Cappadocia hot air balloon flight during reservation at the best available rates.

  • Vegetarian meal options are available on guided tour days; please mention dietary preferences during booking.

  • Available Languages
    EnglishSpanishItalian

    Prices may vary depending on the selected language.

    Tour Types
    GroupPrivate

    Prices may vary depending on the selected tour type.

Why This 9-Day Route Works

  • Clear route logic: Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya and Cappadocia are arranged as a connected journey, not a loose list of stops.
  • Useful traveler fit: It is fast, but useful when the Mediterranean must be included in a limited window.
  • Practical logistics: In this 9-day Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya and Cappadocia tour, hotel nights, airport transfers and guided days follow the real travel flow instead of sitting as disconnected services.
  • Cappadocia visibility: The Cappadocia chapter in this 9-day Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya and Cappadocia tour stays clear for balloon planning, airport timing and the north/south valley tours.

For classic Turkey route planning, compare 9-Day Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Cappadocia Tour for a shorter or tighter version, 10-Day Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya and Cappadocia Tour for a broader itinerary, and 11-Day Turkey Highlights Tour Starting from Istanbul when you want to adjust the balance between Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus.

Guest Voices

Reviews

Real guest experiences.

Average Rating

4.7

13 verified reviews

L

Lena K.

Verified booking

We loved the variety, city, classics, coast and chimneys over nine days. The Antalya leg and the Cappadocia finale were the standouts, and the guides excellent throughout.

I

Idris R.

Verified booking

A wonderful nine days, just the long overnight bus from Antalya to Cappadocia. The coast and the chimneys finale more than made up for it, and the free Cappadocia day was a welcome rest. Excellent guides.

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