Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale & Ephesus Tour: 14 Days, Free Days
Overview
Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale & Ephesus Tour: 14 Days, Free Days
Think of this 14-day itinerary as the classic Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus tour at a gentler pace. All the guided highlights stay, while free days in Istanbul, Pamukkale and Kusadasi/Selcuk break up the travel and make the route feel lighter.
In Istanbul, the walking tour takes in the Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar, and a second guided day starts at the Spice Bazaar before crossing to Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian shore. Two days in Cappadocia cover the north and the south of the region, including Pasabag, Gulludere Valley and Cavusin Village.
Further west, the Pamukkale visit includes the Roman Bath and Basilica, and the last guided day brings you to Ephesus and the Library of Celsus before a flight back to Istanbul for two more free days.
Domestic flights, transfers, guides and the listed entrance fees are taken care of, so you can simply enjoy the journey.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Istanbul
Transfers are included.
Depending on your flight, our team greets you at Istanbul Airport (IST) or at Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW). A driver brings you to your Istanbul hotel, where you check in and have a calm first evening.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 – Free Day in Istanbul
Meals: breakfast.
A day without a program, for rest, shopping or optional activities. Take it slowly after your flight, explore the streets near your hotel, visit a museum, walk along the Bosphorus or ask us about optional experiences.
Ideas: take a ferry across the Bosphorus, shop at the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, or explore Galata and Karakoy.
Night in Istanbul.
Day 3 – Istanbul Old City: Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia & Topkapi Palace
Meals: breakfast and lunch. Transfers included.
08:30 – Pick-up at your hotel and drive to the old city.
- Hippodrome of Constantinople: The ceremonial and sporting centre of Byzantine Constantinople, where imperial monuments still stand in the old public square.
- Blue Mosque: A great Ottoman mosque, famous for its six minarets, well-proportioned courtyards and blue Iznik tiles.
- Hagia Sophia: Byzantine engineering, Ottoman mosque architecture and modern Istanbul history meet in this monumental building.
- Topkapi Palace: Seat of government and private home of the Ottoman sultans, with courtyards, palace collections, treasury rooms and imperial ceremonial halls.
- Grand Bazaar: One of the oldest covered market complexes in the world, full of jewellery, textiles, carpets, ceramics and traditional shops.
17:00 – End of the tour and transfer back to your hotel.
Night in Istanbul.
Day 4 – Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus Cruise & Asian Side
Meals: breakfast and lunch. Transfers included.
08:30 – Hotel pick-up for the day tour.
- Spice Bazaar: A lively Ottoman market of spices, sweets, teas, dried fruit and local treats, visited before the Bosphorus part of the day.
- Bosphorus Cruise: Istanbul seen from the water, past palaces, wooden mansions, bridges and districts on two continents.
- Bosphorus Bridge: The symbolic crossing from Europe to Asia, which shows how the city spans two continents.
- Camlica Hill: One of the broadest views of Istanbul, taking in the strait, the bridges, the old city and the modern districts.
- Beylerbeyi Palace: A graceful Ottoman palace on the Asian waterfront, built for imperial summer stays and for receiving foreign dignitaries.
17:00 – End of the tour and transfer back to your hotel.
Night in Istanbul.
Day 5 – Flight to Cappadocia & Free Afternoon
Meals: breakfast. Transfers included.
After breakfast, check out of your room.
12:00 – Transfer to the airport for your Istanbul–Cappadocia flight. The pick-up time may shift with the flight time, the airport and your hotel's location.
15:10 – Flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia (the flight time may change).
16:30 – Arrival and transfer to your Cappadocia hotel. The rest of the day is free.
Ideas: a sunset viewpoint above Goreme, Uchisar castle, or an optional Turkish night show.
Night in Cappadocia.
Day 6 – North Cappadocia Tour: Devrent, Pasabag & Zelve
Meals: breakfast and lunch. Transfers included.
Optional early-morning add-ons (can be added at the best available price when you book):
- Hot Air Balloon Flight: rated the number one experience in Cappadocia, with classic sunrise views, and our most booked activity.
- Balloon Watching Tour: a visit to the top Cappadocia viewpoints for sunrise photos, with the best viewpoints guaranteed.
09:30 – Hotel pick-up and start of the North Cappadocia tour.
- Devrent Valley: Volcanic rocks here take shapes that look like animals and figures, an easy first look at how erosion carved Cappadocia.
- Pasabag: Home to some of the most striking fairy chimneys in the region, including rocks with several caps that are linked to early hermits.
- Avanos: The town lies on the Red River, whose clay has fed a pottery tradition for thousands of years, tying the landscape to a living craft.
- Zelve Open Air Museum: Once a cave village and monastic settlement, Zelve has abandoned houses, churches, tunnels and passages spread over several valleys.
- Uchisar panoramic view: A wide view across the valleys, the cave houses and the castle rock that rises over central Cappadocia.
17:00 – End of the tour and return to your hotel.
Night in Cappadocia.
Day 7 – South Cappadocia Tour & Overnight Bus to Pamukkale
Meals: breakfast and lunch. Transfers included.
09:30 – After breakfast and hotel check-out, you are taken to the tour area.
- Red Valley: Warm-coloured rock walls, hidden cave rooms and mineral shades that shift with the daylight.
- Gulludere Valley: Soft pink rock formations mixed with cave churches, vineyards and footpaths between old dwellings.
- Cavusin Village: An old village cut into the rock, where cave houses and churches climb the cliff and show how daily life once merged with the stone.
- Pigeon Valley: Dovecotes carved into the rock line the valley. They were once used to gather fertiliser for the vineyards, and the views reach as far as Uchisar.
- Underground City: A network of tunnels, storerooms, ventilation shafts and defensive stone doors, built for protection in unsettled times.
17:00 – Free time for dinner before departure.
19:00 – Overnight intercity bus to Pamukkale, about 10 hours with planned rest stops. The bus time may change with the date and availability.
Day 8 – Arrival in Pamukkale & Free Day
Meals: breakfast. Transfers included.
06:00 – The bus reaches Denizli Bus Station and you are driven to your Pamukkale hotel (the arrival time may change).
The day is free so you can recover from the night journey. Ideas: the white terraces at sunset and the thermal waters in Karahayit village.
Night in Pamukkale.
Day 9 – Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour, Transfer to Kusadasi/Selcuk
Meals: breakfast and lunch. Transfers included.
09:30 – The tour begins after breakfast and check-out.
- Pamukkale Travertines: Brilliant white terraces formed as warm, calcium-rich water runs down the slope.
- Hierapolis Ancient City: A Roman spa town built over the hot springs, whose streets, theatre, gates and sacred areas grew up around the healing water.
- Ancient Necropolis: Among the largest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia, with tombs and sarcophagi set along the old roads.
- Roman Bath and Basilica: These remains show how Hierapolis turned from a Roman spa town into a later Christian settlement.
- Cleopatra Pool area: Warm thermal water with fallen ancient columns. A swim is optional and paid on site.
16:30 – Transfer to your Kusadasi/Selcuk hotel.
Night in Kusadasi/Selcuk.
Day 10 – Free Day on the Aegean Coast in Kusadasi/Selcuk
Meals: breakfast.
A free day by the Aegean. Relax at the hotel, stroll along the marina, sit in local cafes, head to a nearby beach or leave the day open before the Ephesus tour.
Ideas: Ladies Beach, the old town bazaar and the marina, or a short trip to Sirince village.
Night in Kusadasi/Selcuk.
Day 11 – Ephesus Tour & Evening Flight to Istanbul
Meals: breakfast and lunch. Transfers included.
08:30 – After breakfast, pick-up and drive to the tour area.
- Ephesus Ancient City: Among the best-preserved classical cities of the eastern Mediterranean. Marble streets, agora areas, fountains and temples make its Roman town plan easy to follow.
- Library of Celsus: The iconic facade of Ephesus, built both as a library and as a monumental tomb, a statement of the city's public splendour.
- Great Amphitheatre: Thousands of spectators gathered here for performances, civic meetings and public announcements.
- House of Virgin Mary: A calm hillside sanctuary above Ephesus, visited for its spiritual tradition and peaceful setting.
19:30 – Flight from Izmir to Istanbul. The flight time and airport may change with the season, airline schedules and operations.
20:50 – Arrival in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel (the arrival airport and time may vary).
Night in Istanbul.
Day 12 – Free Day in Istanbul
Meals: breakfast.
Another day at your own pace. Go shopping, visit museums, walk by the water, try local restaurants or book optional activities before the last part of the trip.
Ideas: Istiklal Avenue and Taksim, a Turkish bath (hamam), or sunset from Galata Tower.
Night in Istanbul.
Day 13 – Final Free Day in Istanbul
Meals: breakfast.
The last free day, for shopping, museums or optional cultural experiences. With no fixed plan, you can go back to favourite places, pick up final gifts or just enjoy the city.
Ideas: a ferry trip on the Bosphorus, the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, or a walk around Galata and Karakoy.
Night in Istanbul.
Day 14 – Departure from Istanbul
Meals: breakfast. Transfer included.
We drive you to Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) in time for your international flight.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Domestic flights Istanbul-Cappadocia and Izmir-Istanbul with 15 kg checked baggage and 8 kg cabin baggage per person
- ✓Overnight intercity bus from Cappadocia to Pamukkale
- ✓Hotel accommodation in Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and Kusadasi/Selcuk
- ✓Airport, bus station, hotel, and tour transfers mentioned in the itinerary
- ✓Guided Istanbul, Bosphorus, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and Ephesus tours
- ✓Entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
- ✓Breakfasts and listed lunches
- ✕Dinners and unmentioned meals
- ✕Drinks at lunch
- ✕Personal expenses
- ✕Cappadocia hot air balloon flight or balloon watching tour
- ✕Optional swimming in Cleopatra Antique Pool
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14-day Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus tour with free days: the key facts
This 14-day, 13-night group tour is the slow version of the classic four-region route. You spend four nights in Istanbul at the start, with a free day and two full guided days, then fly to Cappadocia for two nights and two valley tours. An overnight bus takes you to Pamukkale, where you have a free day and a hotel night before the guided visit, followed by two nights in Kusadasi/Selcuk with a free day and the Ephesus tour. A flight from Izmir brings you back to Istanbul for three more nights, two of them free.
It suits travellers who want plenty of unplanned time, especially in Istanbul, and who accept one night bus. The page does not show a starting price at the moment, so ask us for a quote for your dates and group size.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 14 days / 13 nights (12 hotel nights + 1 night on the bus) |
| Route | Istanbul - Cappadocia - Pamukkale - Kusadasi/Selcuk (Ephesus) - Istanbul |
| Style | Group tour |
| Start / end | Airport pick-up at Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen on Day 1 / airport transfer on Day 14 |
| Included | 4 + 3 nights Istanbul, 2 Cappadocia, 1 Pamukkale, 2 Kusadasi/Selcuk; flights Istanbul-Cappadocia and Izmir-Istanbul (15 kg + 8 kg); overnight bus; breakfasts and listed lunches; transfers; guided tours; listed entrance fees |
| Extra | Dinners and unlisted meals, drinks at lunch, balloon flight or balloon watching, Cleopatra Pool swim, personal expenses |
Does this tour go to Antalya?
Not according to the day-by-day plan. The "Destinations" line at the top of the page lists Antalya, but no day in the itinerary goes there, and the nights add up to Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Kusadasi/Selcuk only. If Antalya matters to you, ask us to confirm in writing which route you are booking. For packages that do include the Mediterranean, see the 14-day Turkey tour package from $1,807 per person or the 14-day Gallipoli, Troy, Antalya and Cappadocia tour from $2,093 per person.
What do we see in Istanbul?
Day 3 runs 08:30-17:00 with lunch: the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. Day 4 also runs 08:30-17:00 with lunch: the Spice Bazaar, a Bosphorus cruise, the bridge to Asia, Camlica Hill and Beylerbeyi Palace. Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, so ask how the days are ordered if Day 3 falls on one. Days 2, 12 and 13 are free. See Topkapi Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace and things to do in Istanbul.
How do the flights and the night bus work?
On Day 5 you are picked up around 12:00 for a flight at about 15:10 and reach your Cappadocia hotel around 16:30. On Day 7, after the south tour, you have free time for dinner from 17:00 and the overnight bus leaves around 19:00, taking about 10 hours with rest stops. You reach Denizli around 06:00 and transfer to your Pamukkale hotel, with the day free to rest. On Day 11 you fly from Izmir at about 19:30 and land in Istanbul around 20:50. Times can change with the airline and bus operator.
How hard are the Cappadocia and Pamukkale days?
Day 6 (north tour) and Day 7 (south tour) both run 09:30-17:00 with lunch: Devrent Valley, Pasabag, Avanos, Zelve and the Uchisar viewpoint, then Red Valley, Gulludere Valley, Cavusin, Pigeon Valley and an underground city with low, narrow passages. Unlike shorter versions of this route, you do not tour Pamukkale straight off the bus: Day 8 is free, and the guided visit on Day 9 starts at 09:30 with the terraces, Hierapolis, the necropolis and the Roman bath and basilica. Shoes are not allowed on the travertine, so carry them in a bag. See Pamukkale and Hierapolis.
Is the hot air balloon included?
No. The exclusions list the balloon flight and the balloon watching tour as extras. Either can be added for the morning of Day 6, before the 09:30 pick-up, at the price available when you book. Day 7 is also a Cappadocia morning, so ask whether it can be a backup if Day 6 is cancelled. Flights depend on wind and weather and are decided on the morning. See Cappadocia balloon flights.
What should we wear in the mosques and at Ephesus?
For the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, cover shoulders and knees, women cover their hair, and shoes come off at the door. Mosques close to visitors during prayer times, longest at Friday midday. Ephesus on Day 11 starts at 08:30 on uneven marble with little shade and includes the Library of Celsus, the Great Amphitheatre and the House of the Virgin Mary, where modest clothing is expected. The page gives no end time for this tour, only the 19:30 flight, so ask us how the afternoon is planned. See what to wear in Istanbul.
Which hotels and guide language are used?
The page lists hotels in Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Kusadasi/Selcuk but does not name them or give their category, although the FAQ mentions a Hotels section. Ask us to list the hotels for your dates in the written plan. The FAQ says you can choose an English, Spanish or Italian-speaking guide and that the price may differ by language.
When is the best time of year, and can we change the plan?
April-May and September-October are usually the most comfortable months for Pamukkale and Ephesus; in July and August these sites often pass 32°C, and the extra free day in Pamukkale makes an early-morning or late visit easier. The page says the route can be changed: add days, swap cities or choose other hotels. For a shorter version, compare the 12-day tour with free days from $1,642 per person. More routes are on our multi-city packages page.
How do we book this package?
Use the booking form on this page or message us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88 with your start date, number of guests and international flight details. Because no price is shown, we first send a quote, then the full plan in writing, with the flights, the bus, the hotels and the route confirmed, before you make any payment. Get Turkey Tours is operated by Viracocha Travel Turizm, TÜRSAB licence A-15751.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the tour begin and finish?
How do we get from one city to the next?
Where will we spend the nights?
Is the Cappadocia hot air balloon ride part of the price?
Which languages do the guides speak?
Is there a departure every day?
Can the route be changed or extended?
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