4-Day Ancient Civilizations Tour: Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya, Konya

Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya and Konya in 4 days: the key facts

This 4-day, 3-night group tour flies you from Istanbul to Izmir on the first morning and brings you back from Konya on the last afternoon. In between you see Ephesus, the white terraces of Pamukkale and the ruins of Hierapolis, Antalya's old town and the Duden Waterfalls, and in Konya the Mevlana Museum, the Alaeddin Mosque and the Karatay Madrasa. Most of the travel between cities is by road.

It suits travellers based in Istanbul who want Roman ruins, a natural site and a Seljuk city in one short loop, and who are fine with long drives in the afternoons. The price is from $1,110 per person.

Which way round does the route go?

The tour information box lists the destinations as "Ephesus - Pamukkale - Konya - Antalya - Istanbul", but the day-by-day plan goes the other way at the end: Antalya on Day 3, then a drive of about 4 hours to Konya, and the flight home from Konya on Day 4. We follow the day plan, but ask us to confirm the order and the city of your last night in writing, because it decides which airport you fly back from.

How long are the drives?

The page gives about 3 hours from Ephesus to Pamukkale on Day 1, about 4 hours from Pamukkale to Antalya on Day 2 and about 4 hours from Antalya to Konya on Day 3. Each drive comes after the day's sightseeing, so you reach the hotel in the evening. Bring water, snacks and something to read. The pace is steady rather than hard, but you check out of a hotel every morning, so pack light.

What do we see at Ephesus and Pamukkale?

Day 1 covers Ephesus: the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Grand Theatre, the Hercules Gate and the site of the Temple of Artemis. The Terrace Houses and the House of the Virgin Mary are optional, and this page gives no price for them, so ask. Day 2 is Pamukkale and Hierapolis: the Necropolis, the theatre, the travertines and Pamukkale Naturel Lake. Swimming in the Cleopatra Pool costs an extra admission fee.

What should we wear at Pamukkale and in Konya?

On the white travertine terraces shoes are not allowed, so you walk barefoot; bring a bag for your shoes and take care where the surface is wet. A swimsuit under your clothes is useful if you plan to use the Cleopatra Pool. In Konya you visit the Mevlana Museum, which holds the tomb of Rumi, and the Alaeddin Mosque. Dress modestly there: shoulders and knees covered, and women should carry a scarf for their hair.

Is lunch included on the Konya day?

The page contradicts itself here. The Day 4 plan lists "Lunch at a local restaurant" with etli ekmek or firin kebabi, but the exclusions say lunch and dinner are not included on this package. Ask us to confirm in writing whether the Konya lunch is in the price. Breakfast at the hotels is included on the three mornings after your nights in Pamukkale, Antalya and Konya.

Which hotels are used, and where are the nights?

The page names Pamukkale as the first night. By the day plan, the second night is in Antalya and the third in Konya, although the page does not say so in words. No hotel names or star category are given. We send the hotel names with your written plan. Since the flight to Izmir leaves at 09:30 and the pick-up is very early, you need your own Istanbul hotel the night before Day 1; we can add it. See our Antalya guide and Konya guide.

What are the optional extras on this page?

The extras list shows "extend the tour by one day" for $115, a transfer to Fethiye for $165 and a transfer to Bodrum for $85. Fethiye and Bodrum are not on this route, and the tour ends with a flight from Konya, so it is not clear where those transfers would start. Ask us in writing what each extra means before you add it. If you would rather finish on the coast, compare the 4-day Ephesus, Pamukkale, Fethiye and Antalya tour from $1,455 per person or the shorter 3-day Ephesus, Pamukkale and Konya tour from $1,110 per person. More routes are on our multi-city packages page.

How do we book this package?

Use the booking form on this page to choose your start date, a preferred time and the number of guests, and tell us where you are staying in Istanbul. You can also message us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88. We confirm the flights, the route order, the hotels, the Konya lunch and the optional prices, and send the full plan in writing before you make any payment. Get Turkey Tours is a TÜRSAB-licensed agency (A-15751).