8-Day Istanbul, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Cappadocia Tour
Highlights
- Discover the best of Türkiye in just 8 days, combining Istanbul, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Cappadocia.
- Explore Istanbul’s historic Old City and see some of its most famous Ottoman and Byzantine landmarks.
- Visit the magnificent Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace.
- Wander through the colorful lanes of Istanbul’s legendary Grand Bazaar.
- Walk along the ancient marble streets of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved classical cities in the Mediterranean.
- See the impressive Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre of Ephesus
- Visit the peaceful House of the Virgin Mary and the site of the Temple of Artemis.
- Experience the dazzling white travertine terraces of Pamukkale.
- Step back in time while exploring the ancient spa city of Hierapolis.
- Discover Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys, valleys, cave churches and extraordinary volcanic landscapes.
- Visit Göreme Open-Air Museum, Pasabag, Devrent Valley, Avanos and the Uchisar area.
- Have the opportunity to join an unforgettable sunrise hot-air-balloon flight over Cappadocia.
Overview
Discover the highlights of Türkiye on an unforgettable 8-day journey combining imperial cities, ancient civilizations, spectacular natural landscapes, and unique cultural experiences. Begin in Istanbul, where Europe and Asia meet, and explore landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. Continue to the Aegean coast and stay in Kusadasi, the ideal base for discovering the magnificent ruins of Ephesus. Walk along the ancient streets of Ephesus, admire the Library of Celsus and Great Theatre, and discover thousands of years of history. Continue to Pamukkale, famous for its white travertine terraces and the ancient city of Hierapolis. Your journey then takes you to magical Cappadocia, where fairy chimneys, valleys, cave churches, and underground cities create one of Türkiye's most extraordinary landscapes. An optional sunrise hot-air-balloon flight can make the experience even more memorable.
Route
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Welcome to Türkiye!
Upon your arrival at Istanbul Airport, our team will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to relax after your journey or head out and get your first taste of Istanbul.
Depending on your arrival time, you may want to take a walk through the nearby streets, enjoy a traditional Turkish dinner or simply relax at your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul
After breakfast, meet your guide and set out to explore Istanbul’s historic heart.
Our day begins in Sultanahmet, where many of the city’s most famous landmarks are located. See the ancient Hippodrome before visiting the magnificent Blue Mosque, famous for its elegant domes and beautiful İznik tiles.
Continue to Hagia Sophia, one of Istanbul’s most remarkable monuments, reflecting centuries of Byzantine and Ottoman history.
We then visit Topkapi Palace, once home to the Ottoman sultans and the administrative center of an empire that ruled across three continents.
Our final stop is the colorful Grand Bazaar, where thousands of shops sell carpets, ceramics, jewelry, spices, leather goods and traditional Turkish souvenirs.
After the tour, return to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checking out.
At the appropriate time, transfer to Istanbul Airport for your domestic flight to Izmir. Upon arrival, meet our local team and continue by private transfer to the beautiful Aegean coastal town of Kusadasi.
After checking into your hotel, the remainder of the day is free. You can relax at the hotel, walk along the waterfront or explore Kusadasi at your own pace.
Overnight in Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, we depart for one of the highlights of the entire journey: Ephesus.
Once one of the most important cities of the ancient world, Ephesus offers an incredible look into Roman life. Walk along its marble streets and discover impressive monuments including the Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Temple of Hadrian, Roman Baths and ancient fountains.
Standing among these remarkably preserved ruins makes it easy to imagine how vibrant the city must have been thousands of years ago.
We then continue to the peaceful House of the Virgin Mary, believed by tradition to have been the final home of the Virgin Mary.
Before leaving the area, we also visit the site of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
After a fascinating day of history and culture, return to Kusadasi.
Overnight in Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast
Today we travel inland to one of Türkiye’s most unusual natural wonders: Pamukkale.
Meaning “Cotton Castle” in Turkish, Pamukkale is famous for its brilliant white terraces formed over thousands of years by mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down the hillside.
Walk around the travertine terraces and enjoy the extraordinary landscape before continuing to the ancient city of Hierapolis.
This important Greco-Roman spa city was built around the region’s thermal springs. During our visit, we explore its impressive archaeological remains, including the ancient theatre, Roman baths, temples and vast necropolis.
Guests may also have the opportunity to experience the thermal waters or visit Cleopatra’s Antique Pool as an optional activity, subject to opening conditions.
After our visit, we return to Kusadasi.
Overnight in Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and transfer to Izmir Airport.
Today we leave the Aegean coast behind and travel toward the magical landscapes of Cappadocia. Depending on the available domestic flight schedule, your journey may include a connection in Istanbul.
Upon arrival at Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport, our team will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Cappadocia.
Check in and enjoy a relaxing evening surrounded by one of Türkiye’s most unique landscapes.
Overnight in Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast
For those who wish to experience Cappadocia from the sky, the day can begin before sunrise with an optional hot-air-balloon flight. Watching the sun rise over valleys filled with fairy chimneys and hundreds of colorful balloons is one of Türkiye’s most iconic travel experiences.
After breakfast, meet your guide and begin exploring Cappadocia.
Visit the fascinating Göreme Open-Air Museum, where centuries-old churches and monasteries were carved directly into the soft volcanic rock.
Continue through Cappadocia’s extraordinary valleys and see the famous fairy chimneys that have made the region known around the world.
We also visit Pasabag, known as Monks Valley, and enjoy the unusual rock formations of Devrent Valley.
In Avanos, a town famous for pottery making, discover a craft that has been practiced in the region for generations.
Our day also includes panoramic views of Uchisar, dominated by its impressive natural rock castle and surrounded by spectacular Cappadocian scenery.
After the tour, return to your hotel and enjoy your final evening in Cappadocia.
Overnight in Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy your final breakfast in Cappadocia and check out from the hotel.
Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time for last-minute shopping, photographs or a final Turkish coffee before departure.
At the scheduled time, transfer to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport for your flight back to Istanbul.
Upon arrival in Istanbul, our 8-day journey comes to an end.
We hope you leave Türkiye with wonderful memories of Istanbul’s historic streets, the ancient wonders of Ephesus, Pamukkale’s white terraces and the magical landscapes of Cappadocia.
Thank you for travelling with TravelShopBooking, and we hope to welcome you back to Türkiye again soon.
Trip includes
Included
Istanbul: 2 nights - Central Palace Hotel or smiller
Kusadasi: 3 nights - Odelia Resort Hotel or smiller
Cappadocia: 2 nights - Antic Cave Hotel or smiller
Professional English-speaking tour guide during scheduled sightseeing
Guiding Method Fully guided
Airport–hotel transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
Transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle during tours and transfers
Istanbul Old City sightseeing tour
Full-day Ephesus tour
Full-day Pamukkale & Hierapolis tour
Full-day Cappadocia sightseeing tour
Local taxes and service charges
This 8-day tour is designed for travelers who want to experience some of Türkiye’s most famous destinations in one journey, combining the history of Istanbul and Ephesus with the natural beauty of Pamukkale and Cappadocia.
Domestic flights are not included in the tour price. Required flights include Istanbul → Izmir, Izmir → Cappadocia and Cappadocia → Istanbul.
We recommend purchasing domestic flights only after receiving the recommended flight details from TravelShopBooking. This helps ensure that your flight times are suitable for the scheduled airport transfers and tour program.
Direct flights between Izmir and Cappadocia may not operate every day. Depending on your travel date, a connecting flight via Istanbul may be required.
Airport transfers included in the program are arranged according to the recommended flight schedule. Transfers for independently booked flights at significantly different times may require an additional charge.
This itinerary includes a moderate amount of walking. Comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended, especially for Ephesus, Pamukkale, Hierapolis and Cappadocia, where surfaces can be uneven, rocky or slippery.
The optional Cappadocia hot-air-balloon flight is not included in the tour price. Balloon flights are subject to weather conditions, availability and approval by local aviation authorities. Advance booking is highly recommended.
Pamukkale’s white travertine terraces can be slippery. Guests should follow the designated walking areas and instructions given by the guide.
Entrance to Cleopatra’s Antique Pool in Pamukkale is optional and requires an additional entrance fee.
When visiting mosques and religious sites, appropriate clothing is required. Shoulders and knees should be covered, and women may be required to cover their hair when entering certain mosques.
Hotel check-in is generally in the afternoon and check-out is in the morning. Early check-in and late check-out are subject to availability and may involve an additional charge.
Triple rooms may consist of a double/twin room with an additional bed or sofa bed, depending on the hotel.
The order of the itinerary may be adjusted due to domestic flight schedules, weather conditions, traffic, opening hours, public holidays or other operational requirements. All major visits included in the confirmed program will be maintained whenever possible.
We recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance covering medical expenses, cancellations, baggage and unexpected travel disruptions.
Please carry your passport or required identification on domestic travel days.
Türkiye has different weather conditions between Istanbul, the Aegean region and Cappadocia. Comfortable clothing, walking shoes, sun protection and a light jacket are recommended.
Guests with mobility difficulties or special requirements should inform TravelShopBooking before booking so we can advise on the suitability of the itinerary and available assistance.
Important Domestic Flight Note: Domestic flight tickets are excluded from the package price. TravelShopBooking will provide the recommended flight schedule so guests can purchase the correct flights and coordinate them with the included transfers and itinerary.
Excluded
All domestic flights within Türkiye
Istanbul → Izmir flight
Izmir → Cappadocia flight or connecting flight
Cappadocia → Istanbul flight
Lunches and dinners unless otherwise stated
Travel Incurance
Cappadocia hot-air-balloon flight
Cleopatra’s Antique Pool entrance in Pamukkale
Türkiye entry visa, if required
Travel and medical insurance
Entrance fees unless specifically mentioned as included
Cappadocia hot-air-balloon flight
Cleopatra’s Antique Pool entrance in Pamukkale
Lunches and dinners unless otherwise stated
Drinks during meals
Personal expenses
Optional tours and activities
Tips for guides and drivers
Any services not specifically mentioned under “Included”
Need help or have a question about this tour?
If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We're ready to help.
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Availability
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What our travelers say
Real, verified reviews from travelers who explored Turkey with us — straight from Tripadvisor.
“We had an incredible experience on the 14-day ANZAC Gallipoli and Türkiye tour. The real highlight was our guide, Mert — outstanding from start to finish.”
“The Travelshop team made our trip to Istanbul truly unforgettable. Everyone was extremely professional, from the first message to the last day.”
“Our recent tour of Türkiye was an unforgettable experience, made truly exceptional by our highly knowledgeable and personable guide, Ash.”
“Mrs. Derya Buyukgol stepped up with extraordinary commitment and professionalism, securing full refunds across all our services. Truly grateful.”
Reviews are sourced from our verified Tripadvisor profile.
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