2-Day Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour from Istanbul
Two days, two of Turkey's most famous ancient sites, without arranging the logistics
A 2-day guided tour from Istanbul that covers Ephesus and Pamukkale with round-trip flights, overnight hotel stay in Kusadasi, all entrance fees, meals and ground transport. Day one takes you through the ruins of Ephesus (the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, the Great Theater) plus the House of the Virgin Mary, Temple of Artemis and Sirince village. Day two explores Hierapolis and the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, where you can bathe in the naturally heated pools before flying back to Istanbul.
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Flight to Izmir and Ephesus tour
- Hotel pickup and airport transfer
- Flight from Istanbul to Izmir
- Pickup from Izmir airport to Selcuk office
- Drive to Ephesus with guide introduction
- See Magnesia Gate
- Walk through Ephesus ruins
- Visit Odeon, Celsus Library, Temple of Hadrian
- See Trajan Fountain and Great Theater
- Visit House of the Virgin Mary
- Lunch at traditional Turkish restaurant
- Visit Temple of Artemis
- Drive to Sirince village
- Drop off at Kusadasi hotel
Day 2: Pamukkale and Hierapolis tour
- Pickup from Kusadasi hotel
- Drive to Pamukkale with guide introduction
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Explore Hierapolis ancient city
- Visit Amphitheatre and Temple of Apollo
- Walk on Pamukkale white terraces
- Swim in thermal pools
- Free time in afternoon
- Transfer to airport for flight to Istanbul
- Pickup at Istanbul airport and hotel transfer
What’s included
- Round-trip flights from Istanbul to Izmir with taxes.
- breakfast both mornings.
- overnight boutique hotel stay in Kusadasi.
- lunch on both days at local restaurants.
- all entrance fees to Ephesus, House of the Virgin Mary, Temple of Artemis, Hierapolis and Pamukkale.
- professional guide in English or Spanish.
- ground transport with a maximum of 15 passengers.
- all airport transfers in Istanbul and Izmir.
Times
- Every day No fixed time
Information
Fly from Istanbul to Izmir, then explore Ephesus ruins with a guide and swim in Pamukkale's thermal pools. All flights, hotels, meals and fees are covered.
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The experience
The tour starts with an early morning pickup from your Istanbul hotel and a one-hour flight to Izmir. Your guide meets you at the airport and drives you to Ephesus, giving you background on the region along the way. The Ephesus walk is downhill through the ruins. You'll pass the Magnesia Gate entrance, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, Trajan Fountain, and the Great Theater, which once seated 24,000 people and is still used today for the local spring festival. After the ruins, you visit the House of the Virgin Mary and have lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant, then see the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The day ends with a stop at Sirince, an old Greek village, before your guide drops you at your hotel in Kusadasi by the sea.
Day two is a three-hour drive to Pamukkale. After lunch at a local restaurant, you enter Hierapolis from the top, exploring the gymnasium, amphitheater (which held 15,000 people) and Temple of Apollo while your guide explains the structures. Then you walk barefoot across the famous white travertine terraces of Pamukkale and can either dip your feet in the natural hot springs or swim in the man-made thermal baths. You'll have free time in the afternoon before heading to the airport for your evening flight back to Istanbul, where a driver meets you and transfers you to your hotel.
The package includes round-trip flights with taxes, breakfast both mornings, an overnight stay at a boutique hotel in Kusadasi, lunch on both days, all entrance fees, professional guide, and all ground transport with a maximum of 15 passengers per vehicle. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen and a swimsuit for Pamukkale, and be prepared to walk roughly half a mile over the travertines without shoes.
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 7 years); Infant (under 2).
What's inside the Ephesus ruins that I'll actually see on the tour?
The downhill walk through Ephesus takes you past the Library of Celsus, one of the best-preserved structures in the ancient city, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Great Theater, where St. Paul is believed to have preached. You'll also see the Magnesia Gate, the Odeon and Trajan Fountain as your guide explains the history of each site.
Can I actually swim in the Pamukkale thermal pools, or just look at them?
You can swim. After exploring the white travertine terraces on foot, you have the choice to dip your feet in the natural hot springs or head to the man-made thermal baths for a full swim in the naturally heated water.
Does the tour include the flights and hotel, or do I book those separately?
The round-trip flights from Istanbul to Izmir are included with taxes, as is your overnight stay at a boutique hotel in Kusadasi with breakfast. All airport transfers in both cities are also arranged for you.
How much walking is involved on this tour?
Day one includes a downhill walk through the Ephesus ruins and stops at several sites nearby. Day two requires you to walk roughly half a mile across the Pamukkale travertines without shoes. The operator notes the tour suits all fitness levels, though you should be comfortable with moderate walking.
Operated by Turkey Tours Packages. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
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2-Day Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour from Istanbul
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