Experience the best of Turkey’s history and natural beauty with our 2-day Ephesus and Pamukkale tour from Istanbul. This seamless journey includes flights, guided tours, and cultural exploration, making it a hassle-free adventure.
Begin your tour with a morning flight from Istanbul to Izmir, where you’ll embark on an unforgettable journey to the ancient city of Ephesus. Renowned as one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world, Ephesus will captivate you with its timeless charm. Walk along the Marble Streets, marvel at the grandeur of the Library of Celsus, and take in the impressive Great Theatre, which once hosted 25,000 spectators.
The tour also includes a visit to the Temple of Hadrian and the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Your professional guide will provide fascinating insights into the city’s rich history, from its Roman prominence to its role in early Christianity. After exploring Ephesus, you’ll visit the serene House of Virgin Mary, believed to be where Mary spent her final days.
After a full day of exploration, unwind with an overnight stay in a comfortable hotel in the Pamukkale region.
Day two begins with a visit to the stunning travertine terraces of Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also known as the "Cotton Castle," Pamukkale’s white terraces are a natural wonder filled with thermal waters that cascade down the mountainside. You’ll have free time to walk on these terraces and even dip your feet in the warm, mineral-rich pools.
Next, explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, located near Pamukkale. This archaeological site offers a glimpse into the past with its Roman baths, Necropolis, and a well-preserved theatre. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit Cleopatra’s Pool (entry extra), a thermal pool surrounded by ancient columns, perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Conclude your tour with a flight back to Istanbul in the evening, filled with unforgettable memories of Turkey’s historical and natural treasures.
Begin your travels with a pickup from your hotel in Istanbul. Your driver will take you to the airport so you can board your 1.5-hour flight to Izmir.
Ephesus Ancient City Explore this well-preserved classical city, walking through its marble streets and visiting landmarks like the Library of Celsus and the Grand Theatre.
Visit the church believed to be built on the remains of the house where Mary spent her last days.
Discover one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Enjoy a delicious lunch during your tour, featuring local Turkish cuisine.
After the tour, you’ll be driven to Kusadasi for an overnight stay at a comfortable hotel.
Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before departing for Pamukkale, also known as the “Cotton Castle.”
Marvel at the natural white terraces filled with thermal waters, a popular settlement since ancient times.
Explore this Greco-Roman site, including the vast necropolis, ancient theater, and thermal Sacred Pool where warm waters flow over submerged ruins.
Savor a traditional Turkish lunch during your exploration.After the tour, you will be transferred to Cardak Airport for your flight back to Istanbul.
Upon landing in Istanbul, a private driver will take you back to your hotel, marking the end of this memorable 2-day tour.
For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.
Included
Not Included
What to Bring
Information Before Booking
Know Before You Go
Layla Al-Mansouri - United Arab Emirates
11 May
The entire tour was handled exceptionally well and ran smoothly from start to finish. Airport pickup and all transfers were punctual, and our driver was excellent throughout. Both guides were friendly and well informed, making the experience even more enjoyable.
Maxim Orlov - Russia
13 May
Fantastic experience! Our guide, Volga, was wonderful very welcoming and attentive throughout the tour. He made sure everything went smoothly for us. I would absolutely recommend him to others.
All reviews are from verified customers who purchased the activity. Reviews can only be submitted after the activity takes place.
Overall Rating
4.5/5
Based on 37 Reviews
4.5/5
4.5/5
4.5/5
The entire tour was handled exceptionally well and ran smoothly from start to finish. Airport pickup and all transfers were punctual, and our driver was excellent throughout. Both guides were friendly and well informed, making the experience even more enjoyable.
Helpful? Yes
The trip didn’t feel worth the cost. A large portion of the time was spent on flights and travel, with three separate shopping stops included. We only had about 3–4 hours each day for actual sightseeing. Since we signed up to explore and not to shop, it was disappointing. Had we known shopping was part of the itinerary, we would have just rented a car instead.
Helpful? Yes
Fantastic experience! Our guide, Volga, was wonderful very welcoming and attentive throughout the tour. He made sure everything went smoothly for us. I would absolutely recommend him to others.
Helpful? Yes
Too much time was spent visiting shops selling leather and carpets. I would have much rather used that time exploring more of Pamukkale instead of just getting an hour there.
Helpful? Yes
The experience was fantastic. handled every part of the trip with great attention to detail, allowing us to fully enjoy ourselves without any extra worries. All the trip information was clearly and promptly shared with us via message, making communication easy. I strongly recommend this tour for both the stunning destinations and the knowledgeable guides who led us throughout.
Helpful? Yes
We had a great time on this trip. Everything was well planned and organized, so we could simply focus on enjoying ourselves. Definitely recommend it!
Helpful? Yes
Our journey was excellent everything ran smoothly and was well coordinated. The accommodations were comfortable, and the guides were extremely knowledgeable.
Helpful? Yes
The flight on the first day was scheduled too early; it would be better if it were two hours later. Visiting Ancient Ephesus could be moved to the afternoon instead. Also, more time should be allocated for Pamukkale at least three hours would be ideal.
Helpful? Yes
We really appreciated the professionalism of both our guides, Riza and Utku, on the Ephesus and Pamukkale tours. They were very knowledgeable and shared a wealth of historical information. All the transfers were perfectly timed, running like clockwork. We would definitely recommend this tour to others.
Helpful? Yes
I was fortunate to have the guide all to myself since no one else booked. The pick up service was consistently punctual. Ela, the driver, and Aykut, the guide, were excellent. I frequently recommend Aykut because he was very helpful he even took photos for me I was truly impressed by this experience and am excited to return!
Helpful? Yes
The trip was very well organized overall. However, the airport transfer timing was a bit too early. Although our flight was at 7:00 am, we had to leave for Istanbul Airport as early as 4:00 am, which felt unnecessary.
Helpful? Yes
I enjoyed visiting Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Hieropolis, tThe early hotel pick up in Istanbul at 4 am followed by a long wait at the airport for a 7:40 am flight was not ideal. I only received a small bread and cheese snack after a three hour car ride. The guides were knowledgeable and engaging. Upon returning to Istanbul, I was not met as expected due to unclear instructions. Eventually, I got a phone call that was hard to understand. The driver who picked me up was unsafe and unprofessional.
Helpful? Yes
Overall, the trip was enjoyable. The guides were friendly and knowledgeable, and the transportation including airport transfers ran smoothly. Communication was clear throughout. Ephesus was fascinating, and Pamukkale’s scenery was stunning. Exploring Kuşadası was also a highlight. I would have preferred to spend more time at Ephesus and Pamukkale rather than the shopping stops. Nonetheless, I’m very happy we chose this side trip.
Helpful? Yes
The trip went well overall. Although our flight was delayed on the first day, the team was very understanding and flexible. On the second day, our guide guide was very kind and took great care of us.
Helpful? Yes
The two day trip was very well organized, and I really enjoyed the experience!
Helpful? Yes
Pamukkale was quite a letdown, as the pools with the unique formations shown in most photos were completely dry. The Temple of Artemis was also underwhelming there’s only one column left, and it’s a reconstructed mix of column pieces, much shorter than the original. Mary’s House wasn’t impressive unless you’re a devout Christian, so I wouldn’t recommend spending money on that. I did enjoy Ephesus more than I expected, which somewhat balanced out the other disappointments. However, overall, I don’t feel the tour was worth the price or the hassle with flights and arrangements.
Helpful? Yes
We truly enjoyed the tour. From the moment we booked, the team stayed in touch, promptly answering all our questions. They were always on time, and the transportation was top notch. The hotel was lovely, and our guide was fluent in Spanish, making the experience even better. We chose a private tour, and everything went smoothly. I would definitely recommend this tour.
Helpful? Yes
The group’s general opinion, which I completely share, is that the time spent at the Pamukkale site was insufficient. We believe at least an extra hour should have been allotted, especially if the detours to carpet warehouses were removed. Aside from that, there were no other issues.
Helpful? Yes
We hardly had enough time to properly see Ephesus, as we were rushed through to fit everything in. The lunches were low-quality buffets, clearly aimed only at tourists and not very enjoyable.
Helpful? Yes
The guide was full of energy and shared lots of interesting information. I had a genuinely enjoyable time throughout the tour.
Helpful? Yes
Clear, kind, and reliable communication throughout made the whole experience even better.
Helpful? Yes
Everything was well coordinated, especially the communication and transportation, which were both excellent. The guides were friendly, engaging, and always open to answering questions. Ephesus and Pamukkale were both stunning and absolutely worth the visit.
Helpful? Yes
Our Spanish speaking guide, Gonchita, was exceptionally kind and well informed. She continued to support us even after our tour in Izmir ended, right up until our final day. Truly outstanding service.
Helpful? Yes
The House of the Virgin Mary didn’t offer much to see and, in my opinion, could have been left out. However, Ephesus and Pamukkale are absolute must sees for anyone coming to Turkey. Overall, it was a fantastic experience. Our guide in Ephesus, Metin, was warm, approachable, and extremely well informed.
Helpful? Yes
The tour was excellent! Everything ran on time, and the guides were consistently well-prepared throughout the experience.
Helpful? Yes
Highly recommended! A perfect 10 out of 10. The trip was incredibly well organized and smoothly executed. We had a fantastic time and gained a lot of knowledge about both Ephesus and Pamukkale all thanks to Emray, our wonderful tour guide!
Helpful? Yes
From the start, this tour was a complete letdown. Just the afternoon before it began, I was told it might be canceled due to no available Spanish-speaking guide even though I had booked it back in August. Despite the issue, they still picked us up at the airport at 9:30 AM. We didn’t get to see the hot springs or take a single proper photo at the main attraction. A truly terrible experience from start to finish.
Helpful? Yes
Everything was included in the package with no stress at all. They also sent helpful reminders so we didn’t miss any part of the schedule.
Helpful? Yes
The trip was very educational, and the accommodations provided were comfortable.
Helpful? Yes
Very punctual throughout the trip. Everything was perfectly coordinated. The guides were excellent, and the places visited were stunning.
Helpful? Yes
We had an amazing experience with this very comprehensive tour. I highly recommend it! You don’t have to worry about a thing they handle everything seamlessly.Our guide, Deger, was exceptionally friendly and attentive, explaining everything clearly while always checking that we were comfortable. The next day, we were picked up exactly on time again. Our second guide was lovely, very knowledgeable, and consistently attentive my mother was especially pleased. During the Pamukkale tour, our guide informed us of the meeting times .
Helpful? Yes
We really enjoyed the tour. Everything was delivered exactly as promised. Our guide spoke fluent Spanish and shared extensive knowledge with us throughout the trip. The company also assisted us with organizing our visit to Cappadocia, which we all adored.
Helpful? Yes
It was a tour that I really enjoyed. The guide was very attentive and answered all questions completely. I definitely recommend it to everyone.
Helpful? Yes
It was a nice short trip my wife and I took on our honeymoon, but it would have been better if we hadn't gone through all the unnecessary shopping. I just wish the food had been better.
Helpful? Yes
Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved