2 Days Ephesus & Pamukkale Tour from Istanbul with Flights

Summary

Guided Ephesus and Pamukkale Experience with Local Insights

You’ll visit legendary sites like Ephesus and Pamukkale on this two-day trip from Istanbul—with flights included! Expect expert guides who know every story behind each ruin, real Turkish food stops along the way, plus time to soak your feet in thermal pools or sip wine in Şirince village.

What’s the experience like?

The alarm went off before sunrise—never my favorite sound—but the promise of ancient ruins got me moving. Our driver showed up right on time at the Istanbul hotel, and within an hour we were at the airport, coffee in hand. The flight to Izmir was quick; I barely finished my simit before we landed. Selçuk’s air felt warmer than Istanbul’s—maybe it was just the excitement. Our guide, Emre, met us with a grin and a few jokes about Turkish traffic. He gave us a quick rundown as we drove past olive groves toward Ephesus.

The first thing you see is the Magnesia Gate—hard to imagine how busy it must’ve been centuries ago. We started our walk downhill into Ephesus itself. The marble underfoot was slippery in spots (watch your step if it rained), and there’s this faint scent of wild thyme in the air. Emre pointed out carvings on the Library of Celsus that I’d have missed on my own—he even knew which columns were original. The Great Theater is massive; apparently, locals still use it for spring festivals. You can almost hear echoes if you stand still long enough. After wandering through arches and old streets, we drove up to the House of the Virgin Mary—a peaceful spot shaded by trees where people light candles quietly.

Lunch was at a small place near Selçuk—I don’t remember the name but their lentil soup was perfect after all that walking. Next stop: Temple of Artemis. Not much left standing now except one lonely column, but thinking about its history makes up for it. We wrapped up day one in Şirince village—a hillside place known for fruit wines and old Greek houses—before heading to our hotel in Kuşadası right by the sea.

The next morning started with strong Turkish tea and fresh bread at breakfast—simple but good. It’s a three-hour drive to Pamukkale from Kuşadası, so bring snacks or grab some roasted chickpeas from a roadside vendor if you get peckish like I did. Once you get close to Pamukkale, those white terraces look almost unreal against the blue sky. After lunch at a local spot (try their gözleme), we explored Hierapolis: gymnasium ruins, an amphitheater that could fit 15,000 people (the acoustics are wild), and what’s left of the Temple of Apollo.

Walking barefoot over Pamukkale’s travertines feels strange at first—smooth in some places, rough in others—and the water is warm even when there’s a breeze blowing across the plateau. Some folks took a dip in Cleopatra’s Pool; I just dangled my feet and watched steam rise off the surface while kids splashed nearby. There’s free time here—you can wander or just sit back and enjoy being somewhere totally different from anywhere else I’ve been.

Late afternoon meant heading back to Denizli airport for our flight to Istanbul. By then my shoes were full of white dust and my camera roll was packed with photos I’ll probably never delete.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Istanbul to Ephesus and Kusadasi

• Flight from Istanbul to Izmir and transfer to Selcuk
• Visit Magnesia Gate
• Walk through Ephesus ruins including Odeon and Library of Celsus
• See Temple of Hadrian
• Visit Trajan Fountain
• Explore Great Theater
• Visit House of the Virgin Mary and lunch
• Tour Temple of Artemis
• Visit Sirince village and transfer to Kusadasi hotel

Day 2 — Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour

• Drive from Kusadasi to Pamukkale and lunch
• Explore Hierapolis Ancient City gymnasium
• Visit Amphitheatre and Temple of Apollo
• Walk on Pamukkale terraces and swim in thermal pools
• Transfer to airport and flight to Istanbul, transfer to hotel

Top questions

How much walking is involved on this tour?

You’ll walk about half a mile over uneven ground at both Ephesus and Pamukkale (travertines require bare feet). Most people find it manageable with comfy shoes.

Is lunch included both days?

Yes! Lunch is provided each day at local restaurants featuring Turkish cuisine—vegetarian options are usually available too.

Can I swim in Cleopatra’s Pool?

You can! There’s an extra fee paid locally if you want to swim; bring your swimsuit and towel just in case.

Are airport transfers arranged?

All airport transfers are included—from your Istanbul hotel to airports and back again after your return flight.

What’s included

This tour covers round-trip flights between Istanbul and Izmir/Denizli (with taxes), all airport transfers, two full days of guided tours (max 15 guests per group), entrance fees for all sites visited, lunches both days, breakfast at your boutique or 4-star hotel in Kuşadası, plus plenty of local tips from experienced guides along the way.