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Istanbul

Turkey

Take a fantastic eight-day journey to explore the best of Turkey. Enjoy the highlights of Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and more without the hassle of planning a multi-city itinerary on your own. Choose your initial tour start time based on your schedule and get local insights about each city from your private guide. Travel comfortably with your luggage between destinations thanks to a private driver.

Day 1

You will be picked from Istanbul Airport and taken to your hotel. Today there is no scheduled activity, you will meet with our guide next day at 09:30 AM

Day 2

You will be picked by our guide for a walking tour to the hearth of Ottoman and Byzantine at 09:30 am for a full day tour.
Highlights of the day: Blue Mosque is a magnificent mosque that has blue tiles adorning the wall of its interior. Hippodrome of
Constantinople was a horse racing track that was the sporting and social center of Constantinople, capital of
the Byzantine Empire and the largest city in Europe in that time. Topkapi Palace (Optional) Imperial Palace – the seat
of the Ottoman Empire, after it shifted its capital from Bursa to Istanbul. It is today, a museum palace with a
wide collection of Kitchen wares and Porcelains, Treasuries, Royal Antiques, Courtyards, Holy Relics etc. St.
Sophia (Hagia Sophia), Hagia Sophia used to be cathedral after conquest of Constantine converted into a
mosque. 

Blue Mosque is a magnificent mosque that has blue tiles adorning the wall of its interior. Hippodrome of
Constantinople was a horse racing track that was the sporting and social center of Constantinople, capital of
the Byzantine Empire and the largest city in Europe in that time. 

Blue Mosque

Topkapi Palace - Imperial Palace – the seat
of the Ottoman Empire, after it shifted its capital from Bursa to Istanbul. It is today, a museum palace with a wide collection of Kitchen wares and Porcelains, Treasuries, Royal Antiques, Courtyards, Holy Relics etc.

TopkapI Palace

Where chariot races were held in Roman Empire times, Egyptian Column from Byzantine Empire time. Today German Fountain is cornerstone of square.

Hippodrome

Hagia Sophia Museum / Ayasofya / Santa Sofia Built in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian, played a very important role in the Christian and Islamic World. After the Ottoman conquest the bells, altar, iconoclastic, and sacrificial vessels were removed, and many of the mosaics were eventually plastered over to convert the church into a mosque then a museum and now it’s a mosque for the second time. The most important stop of an Istanbul tour is operated in Old City Istanbul / Constantinople. *Please note that as it's not a museum anymore, tour guides don't have skip-the-line priority there. You may need to wait in the security line, in order to avoid queues we suggest departing at 8:30am or 9:00am.



Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

Grand Bazaar / Kapalı Çarşı One of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world with over 4,000 shops with colorful products of ceramic, leather, rugs, carpets, handicrafts, clothes, silver, and gold.

Grand Bazaar

Byzantine Cistern; was the water storage of Byzantine Empire providing clean drinking water to the citizens of city, especially during period of siege. Binbirdirek and Serefiye Cisterns are the options that you can visit by talking with your tour guide on tour day

Basilica Cistern

Day 3

After breakfast we will cross the second strategic waterway, or being the site of many battles during WWI. Upon arrival we will enjoy Bosphorus Cruise trip. Here,you will be able to soak in the sights and sounds of Turkey’s Asia and Europe sector as you cruise through this water channel that is the very beat of life in Istanbul. Witness the magnificent architecture of the buildings
along the river and the interesting activities of our local people.Visit Spice Market(Egyptian), this marketplace was constructed in the 1660s as part of the New Mosque complex, with rents from the shops going to support the upkeep of the mosque and its charitable activities. It was called the Egyptian Market because it was famous for selling goods shipped in from Cairo. Drive to visit Grand Bazaar, which has more
than 5000 shops selling local products handicrafts and biggest bazaar today in Turkey.Afterwards,transfer to Istanbul
airport to catch a flight to Cappadocia.Dinner and overnight stay in Cappadocia

The Egyptian Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı), otherwise known as the Spice Bazaar, is the place to be to lay in a fresh supply of spices, nuts, honeycomb, Turkish delight, dried figs, caviar and mature hard Turkish cheese.

Egyptian Bazaar

Bosphorus Cruise by Public Ferry or Private Cruise ( if option is chosen) Take the public ferry for Bosphorus Cruise to see both Istanbul’s European and Asian sides, Galata Tower, Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, the Rumeli Fortress, old Ottoman villas, Bosphorus bridges, mosques. Your best Istanbul tour memories will definitely include the Bosphorus.

Bosphorus Strait

Dolmabahce Palace / Dolmabahçe Sarayı Elegance and beauty with the most luxury decoration, chandeliers, rugs, crystals, ceramic fireplaces. Beautiful palace, right on the Bosphorus with gorgeous furnishings, paintings, porcelains made in particular to Dolmabahce.


Dolmabahce Palace

Free Time at Taksim. Taksim area is one of the most important tourist areas in Istanbul, and it has a great position for everyone, as it was in the past a region to distribute water on the neighborhoods and regions of Istanbul. Therefore, the area was named (Taksim) due to the distribution and division of water among the city’s regions. Taksim, which is located in the heart of Istanbul, contains historical places in Istanbul, with modern touches that give an air of beauty to the monuments. Besides, the commercial markets that increase movement in Taksim Square and Istiklal Street like a flowing river that does not stop from a Tourist, shopper, and visitor.

Taksim Square

Afterwards, transfer to Istanbul airport to catch a flight to Cappadocia. Dinner and overnight stay in Cappadocia.

Cappadocia

Day 4

We will commence with sightseeing, covering the following in Cappadocia Red Tour for first day: Visit Goreme Open-Air Museum, fascinating frescoed rock churches and chapels at Goreme, Cappadocia. Visit Uchisar “castle” village, a fantasy-land of strange and wonderful works of man and nature. Visit Pasabag “Monk” Valley, moon landscape of Cappadocia, where you will be able to see fairy chimneys valley. Visit Dervend “Camel / Imagination” Valley, you will see all sort of imaginery chimneys at this unique valley. Visit Avanos Pottery Village and Art Center, Avanos set on the banks of the Kizilirmak (Red River). We will see local people made their hand made potteries in this village. Visit Love Valley, is one of the most unique valley in the middle of Cappadocia.


Pick up starts around 05:00 am to see sunrise with Hot air balloons (optional), after champagne toast by landing you will be transferred back hotel and approximately 1 hour after you will start the tour after you check out hotel around 09:30 Am. 

Goreme

One of the top attractions in the region, this outdoor museum contains the remains of many churches carved into the famous Cappadocia stone. Of note are the many excellent frescoes that can be seen when exploring the various structures.

Goreme Open-Air Museum

Uchisar Castle is the highest point in the region. The castle and its surroundings used to be the most populated area in this settlement to survey the enemies. The top of the citadel provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area.

Uchisar Castle

Pasabaglari (Monks Valley) Many fairy chimneys with multiple stems and caps can be found here, this style being unique to this area. A chapel dedicated to St. Simeon and a hermit's shelter is built into one such fairy chimney with three heads.

Fairy Chimneys

Devrent Valley has various types of fairy chimneys. Among these are those with caps, cones mushrooms like forms pillar, and pointed rocks. With the action of smaller, secondary volcanoes and the action of rivers, wind, and floodwaters, this layer of tuff has slowly but steadily been eroded to produce the rock formations know as "fairy chimneys". we will take a walk through this amazing valley.

Devrent Valley

Three Beauties has a beautiful view over Urgup town, famous with wine factories, and vineyards with apricot gardens give you memorable shots forever.

Avanos

Day 5

Today we are exploring Blue tour, Meet at the hotel lobby in the morning and visit to Rose Valley, one of the most beautiful trekking valleys in Cappadocia, and explore the famous rock- cut churches by hiking through the valley. Rest in Cavusin, an old Greek village, known for its Christian houses and churches. After having time for lunch visit Ortahısar Castle, similar to Uchisar Castle in style, where storage caves can also be observed. In the afternoon visit Kaymakli (or Ozkonak) Underground City where early Christians lived in fear and faith. On the way back visit to panoramic Pigeon Valley where pigeons contributed to the lives of locals with their manure to fertilize the vineyards. You may also like to taste Cappadocia wine in a local winery.Tour will finish around 17:30 and you will be transferred to airport, and you will take 20:30 pm flight to Izmir for other part of your tour to Ephesus.


Rose Valley, one of the most beautiful trekking valleys in Cappadocia, and explore the famous rock- cut churches by hiking through the valley. Rest in Cavusin, an old Greek village, known for its Christian houses and churches


Rose Valley

Rest in Cavusin, an old Greek village, known for its Christian houses and churches.

Cavusin

Descend towards the center of the earth with a trip to the Underground City of Kaymakli, one of the largest and deepest of Cappadocia’s many such settlements. Discover this underground city and its stables, cellars, storage rooms, refectories, churches, and wineries.


Kaymakli Underground City

Heading to the Pigeon Valley in Turkey is one of the number one things to do in Cappadocia. It’s easily reached from Göreme – the most popular town in Cappadocia, however, it is also included on the Green and Blue Tours which I will explain more about later in this guide.

Pigeon Valley

Tour will finish around 17:30 and you will be transferred to airport, and you will take 20:30 pm flight to Izmir for other part of your tour to Ephesus.

Kayseri

Kusadasi

Day 6

After breakfast we will visit the Ephesus ancient city, one of the world’s most outstanding archaeological sites. Walk in its well-
preserved marble streets to the Library of Celsius, the Odeon, Grand Theatre, Temple of Hadrian, Roman Bath
etc. House of Virgin Mary is located on the top of the "Bulbul" mountain 9 km ahead of Ephesus, the shrine
of Virgin Mary enjoys a marvelous atmosphere hidden in the green. It is the place where Mary may have
spent her last days. Indeed, she may have come in the area together with Saint John, who spent several years
in the area to spread Christianity. Mary preferred this remote place rather than living in crowded place.

Ephesus Museum

As you arrive into Ephesus, you will first see the Magnesia Gate, a marvelous example of ancient architecture that once stood tall as an entrance to the city. We will then begin a downhill walk with your guide into the city’s ruins. The route will take you past the Odeon, the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater. The theater, one of the city’s best-preserved monuments, it is still used today for the local spring festival. It once had seating space for 24,000 people, and it is believed to be the site where St Paul preached to the Ephesians.


After our tour of Ephesus, we will drive to the Virgin Mary House. Several years after the death of Christ, St. John brought the Virgin Mother to this house located on the slopes of Bülbül Mountain. It is believed the Virgin Mary lived in this house until she died at the age of 64.


Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House)

Artemis was the Greek goddess, the virginal huntress and twin of Apollo, who replaced the Titan Selene as Goddess of the Moon. The ancient temple was built around 650 BC to the cult of Artemis, was constructed on a site already sacred to the Anatolian Mother Goddess, Cybele. The temple was financed by the wealthy king of Lydia and the marshy ground was selected for the building site as a precaution against future earthquakes.


The Temple of Artemis

Isa bey mosque is one of the best and important example which reflects the end of the Seljuk Empire period in late 14 C A.D.

Isa Bey Mosque

Day 7

After breakfast we will commence with sightseeing,
covering the following: Pamukkale (Cotton Castle), Hierapolis and Necropolis visit the extensive ruins of
Hierapolis- known for its thermal baths and health centre. Thereafter, see “Cotton Castle” or Pamukkale’s
magical and unique terraces & castles created by deposits of white limestone from thermal springs.After the tour, you will be transfered to Denizli airport to take Istanbul flight, overnight Istanbul.

Pamukkale

Pristine white cliffs tower over this recently revitalized spa town with its Sacred Pool and calcium-rich mineral springs. The pool is set amid a gorgeous garden, and a teahouse is adjacent. Pamukkale is most pleasant once the crowds of summer have departed, but temperatures have not yet plummeted. *Guests must be able to walk approx. 0.5 miles over the travertines without shoes. *We advise you to bring your sunglasses, sunscreen and comfortable swimsuit with you. 

Pamukkale Thermal Pools

Next you will visit the Roman city of Hierapolis, which is not located not on earth or rock, but on solid limestone layers formed by limestone water that flowed for centuries over this raised level plateau. The name means "sacred city", and according to Stephanus of Byzantium the city was given this name because of the large number of temples it contained.


The tour will be finished about at 16:00 and then you will be driven to Denizli airport to take 19:20 flight back to Istanbul.

8-Day Private Guided Turkey Tour with Accommodation

Overview

About

What you'll do

Meeting and pickup

What is included?

What is not included?

Meet your host

Itinerary

Istanbul Full-day Tours Itinerary (2026 Guide) – What You'll See & Do

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Istanbul