7-Day Highlights of Turkey Tour: Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ephesus & Cappadocia
Overview
Beginning and ending in Istanbul, this seven-day journey covers Turkey's four essential destinations without wasting a day. You'll explore Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar, then fly south to walk barefoot on the dazzling white cliffs of Pamukkale and tour the vast ruins of Hierapolis, including Cleopatra's Ancient Pool.
From Kusadasi you'll visit the Temple of Artemis, the remarkably preserved Greco-Roman city of Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and charming Sirince Village, before flying on to Cappadocia for two full days among fairy chimneys, rock-cut churches, Avanos pottery and an underground city.
With domestic flights, all transfers, six nights' hotels, professional licensed guides, entrance fees, six breakfasts and five lunches included, it's ideal for first-time visitors who want depth and comfort in a short time.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul
On arrival at Istanbul New Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), you will be met outside the international arrivals area and transferred to your hotel.
The afternoon is free for you to settle in or explore independently. An optional evening dinner cruise and show on the Bosphorus is also available.
- Overnight in Istanbul
- Included Meal(s): None
Day 2: Istanbul Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour
After breakfast, explore Istanbul’s historic peninsula with visits to Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque) and the Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Square).
Following lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. You will then return to your hotel, with the remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure.
- Overnight in Istanbul
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: Flight from Istanbul to Denizli and Pamukkale
An early transfer takes you to the airport for your domestic flight from Istanbul to Denizli. On arrival, travel to Karahayit to see its Red Spring Waters, then continue to Pamukkale to meet your guide.
Your visit to the ancient city of Hierapolis includes the Necropolis, Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Latrina, Oil Factory, Frontinious Street, Agora, Byzantium Gate, Triton Fountain, Cathedral, Apollon Temple, Plutonium, Theater and Cleopatra’s Ancient Pool. There is free time to enjoy the white terraces of Pamukkale, with the option to swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools at your own expense.
Walk barefoot along the Pamukkale Travertines, also known as the White Cliffs, before lunch at a local restaurant. A visit to an Onyx Factory follows, then travel onwards to Kuşadası for the evening.
- Overnight in Kusadasi
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Ephesus Tour and Flight from Izmir to Cappadocia
After breakfast, begin your Ephesus tour with the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Continue to the ancient Greco-Roman city of Ephesus, where you can walk through one of the best-preserved classical cities in the region.
After lunch, visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a place of significance for both Christians and Muslims, followed by the Isabey Mosque. Continue to Sirince Village, where you will have free time to browse the small traditional shops and sample local food and wine.
At the end of the tour, transfer to Izmir Airport for your late-evening flight to Kayseri or Nevşehir via Istanbul. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia.
- Overnight in Cappadocia
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: North Cappadocia: Devrent, Pasabag, Avanos and Zelve
An optional early-morning hot air balloon flight is available at additional cost. After breakfast, set out on your North Cappadocia tour, beginning at Devrent Valley, known for its unusual fairy-chimney formations. Continue to Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) to see its distinctive mushroom-shaped pinnacles, then travel to Avanos.
After lunch, visit the carved caves and old churches of the Zelve Open Air Museum. Before returning to your hotel, stop at the natural rock formations of Uchisar. The interior of the Uchisar castles is not included in the visit.
- Overnight in Cappadocia
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6: South Cappadocia Tour and Flight back to Istanbul
After breakfast, join your guide for a full-day exploration of South Cappadocia. Start at Red Valley, then walk through Rose Valley (Güllüdere Vadisi), passing rock-cut churches along the way. Continue to Cavusin Village, known for its old houses and churches associated with early Christian clergy.
Following lunch, travel to Pigeon Valley (Güvercinlik Vadisi). Later, explore either Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, where early Christian communities once lived below ground.
After the tour, transfer to Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport for your late-evening flight to Istanbul. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
- Overnight in Istanbul
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7: Departure from Istanbul
After breakfast, check out of your Istanbul hotel and transfer to Istanbul International Airport in line with your flight arrangements. Your tour services end at the airport.
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast
Inclusions
- 6 nights’ standard hotel accommodation
- Domestic flights specified in the itinerary
- Airport and hotel transfers specified in the itinerary
- Professional licensed guides on touring days
- Air-conditioned transport during tours
- Entrance fees for sites on the programme
- Meals as stated: 6 breakfasts and 5 lunches
Exclusions
- International flights
- Dinners and drinks
- Optional hot air balloon flight
- Optional Bosphorus dinner cruise and show
- Personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
Featured hotels
Hand-picked hotels for your stay across the cities on this tour.
Antea Hotel Oldcity
Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel
Muyan Suites
Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel
Heaven Cave House
Holiday Cave Hotel
Romantic Cave Hotel
Zula Cave House
Derici Hotel
Efe Boutique Hotel
Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel
Marina Hotel
Neopol Hotel Deluxe
Traveller reviews
7 reviews for 7-Day Highlights of Turkey Tour: Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ephesus & Cappadocia
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The 7 days Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ephesus and Cappadocia tour we booked through Gallipoli Tour were excellent! The tour guides spoke great English. I highly recommend Gallipoli Tour for your guided tour requirements.
We enjoyed the 7 day trip to beautiful Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ephesus and Cappadocia. Visited unique places, learned a lot about Turkey history and mythology. Our guide Aylin was knowledgeable and easy to understand. Hotels were comfortable and at Cappadocia had beautiful views. Definitely a worthwhile trip, that is good value for money.
Thank you to the wonderful team for a great Turkey experience. We thoroughly enjoyed our time visiting the sights of your wonderful country. Thank you Onenationtravel.com
We had an amazing Turkey trip with Gallipoli Tour Tours, who tailored the itinerary to our interests and carefully organised everything. Can Berber was very knowledgeable and helped us define our itinerary highlighting the best things to do and booked very nice locations throughout our stay. I would recommend their services to anyone travelling to Turkey.
Just finished 7 days of a Turkey trip. Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ephesus and Cappadocia. Can Berber helped me plan the trip and picked the hotels and they were all fantastic. All the transfers were seamless. Her knowledge and expertise and helpfulness were beyond great. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Gallipoli Tour when we travel to Turkey again.
My family and I recently enjoyed a fantastic 7-Day Turkey tour with Gallipoli Tour. The well-organized itinerary showcased Turkey’s breathtaking landmarks, history, and culture.
We stayed in clean, comfortable hotels with friendly staff. The local guides were knowledgeable and engaging, making each site visit even more memorable.
Meals, especially lunch, featured delicious Turkish cuisine, leaving us excited to try more local dishes.
Overall, the unforgettable experience with Gallipoli Tour exceeded our expectations. We highly recommend this tour for a true taste of Turkey’s beauty and hospitality.
Our week-long tour of Turkey was a splendid blend of culture, history, and nature. The vibrant Istanbul with its lively bazaars, the ethereal Pamukkale with its thermal waters, the historical Ephesus with its ancient ruins, and the enchanting landscapes of Cappadocia, each location captivated us in its unique way.
The services were impeccable. Transportation was always on time, ensuring smooth transfers between our destinations. Adding to the charm of our trip were the delightful luncheon meals that introduced us to the delectable local cuisine. Accompanied by well-informed guides, we found this Turkish escapade to be above and beyond our expectations. We highly recommend this tour!