Turkey Coast & Ancient Sites Tour: 7 Days, Gallipoli to Fethiye
Overview
Turkey Coast & Ancient Sites Tour: 7 Days, Gallipoli to Fethiye
Turkey's Aegean coast and its ancient sites
Over seven days this tour links Turkey's best-known historic sites with its coastline. It begins at Gallipoli, where the battles of World War I are remembered. Then comes Troy, the city of ancient legend and important excavations, followed by Pergamum, once a great centre of art and culture.
Further south you visit Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities, and Pamukkale, known for its white natural terraces and old healing waters. The trip ends with a 3-day gulet cruise from Fethiye, sailing to turquoise bays, quiet beaches and small coves on Turkey's southwest coast.
A professional English-speaking guide leads the tours. One night in Canakkale and two nights in Kusadasi with breakfast, the 3-day, 2-night gulet cruise, transport, transfers, admission fees and domestic flights are included. International flights to Istanbul are not.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Istanbul to Gallipoli, Overnight in Eceabat
Hotel pick-up, drive to Gallipoli and a night in Eceabat.
- 06.00–06.30: pick-up at the door of your hotel or hostel in the Taksim area.
- 06.30–07.00: pick-up at the door of your hotel or hostel in the Sultanahmet area.
- The drive to Eceabat is in an air-conditioned, non-smoking minibus.
- 09.00: breakfast stop on the way.
- 12.20: arrival in Eceabat.
- 13.00: the fully guided Gallipoli tour begins.
- 18.00: back in Eceabat, hotel check-in and overnight stay.
Places you visit: Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, ANZAC Commemorative Site, Respect to Mehmetcik Statue, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston's Jolly (Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels), Turkish 57th Infantry Regiment Cemetery, The Nek and Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial.
Day 2 – Troy and Pergamon, Overnight in Kusadasi
- 07.30: open buffet breakfast.
- 08.30: departure for the Troy tour.
Troy: This city of legend was once a strong city-state. Its main sights include the Trojan Horse, the old city walls and the remains of the successive cities from Troy I up to Troy IX.
- 10.30: the Troy tour ends and you drive on to Bergama.
- 13.30: lunch in Bergama, then a fully guided tour of the Pergamon Acropolis.
Pergamon: In ancient times Pergamon was a leading power. Its key sites are the Acropolis, the Library of Pergamon, the Altar of Zeus and the Gymnasium, and it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- 17.30: end of the tour and departure for Selcuk / Kusadasi.
- 20.30: arrival in Selcuk.
- 21.30: arrival in Kusadasi for the night.
Day 3 – Ephesus, Temple of Artemis and Basilica of St. John
- 8:30 AM: your guide meets you in the hotel lobby.
- 9:00 AM – Ephesus: one of the most impressive and best-preserved ancient cities anywhere. You see the famous Library of Celsus, the Grand Theater, the Temple of Hadrian and many more grand ancient buildings.
- 11:30 AM – House of the Virgin Mary (optional): a short drive from Ephesus brings you to this small stone house, where Mary, the mother of Jesus, is believed to have spent her last years.
- 1:00 PM – Lunch at a local restaurant: try Turkish dishes such as grilled meats, fresh salads and local mezes.
- 2:30 PM – Temple of Artemis: once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Only a few columns and foundations survive, yet the site still gives a sense of how grand the temple once was.
- 3:30 PM – Basilica of St. John: a large, imposing church built in honour of John the Apostle, who is believed to have lived and been buried nearby.
- 5:00 PM: return to your hotel in Kusadasi, or stay on and explore the town by yourself.
Day 4 – Pamukkale to Fethiye
After checking out of your hotel, you spend the day at Pamukkale and then travel on to Fethiye. On this last day of the land tour, expect a start at around 07:30.
Tour highlights
- Hierapolis: walk through the Necropolis and the Theatre and see the Cleopatra Pool. Swimming in the pool costs an extra admission fee.
- Pamukkale: the main event is the famous travertines, white terraces of mineral-rich pools. Enjoy the views and walk across the soft, cotton-like surface.
- Pamukkale Natural Lake: there is also time to visit Pamukkale Natural Lake and Park, which adds to the charm of the area.
Day 5 – Fethiye, Butterfly Valley and St. Nicholas Island
Please be at Fethiye Harbor by 10:00 AM. Once you have checked in, you board the gulet and the crew gives a short orientation.
The first stop after leaving the harbour is Butterfly Valley. There is time to swim, have lunch and, if you like, hike to the waterfall. The valley is home to more than 136 species of butterflies and moths, though on hot days they are harder to see.
Optional activity – paragliding over the Blue Lagoon: Next comes Oludeniz (Blue Lagoon), one of the most photographed beaches in the world. Here you can choose to paraglide, taking off from Babadag Mountain at 2000 meters and gliding over the lagoon. Booking ahead is recommended for special rates. If you decide during the cruise, just tell the captain.
In the evening the gulet anchors at St. Nicholas Island. Explore the ancient ruins on the island and watch the sunset from the top.
Meals: lunch and dinner.
Day 6 – Aquarium Bay and Kas
Start the morning with a swim in the clear water of Aquarium Bay near Kalkan, then have breakfast on board.
The gulet then sails to Kas, a small fishing village full of busy cafes, beer gardens and independent shops. It is a pleasant place to wander, browse handmade jewellery and see a well-preserved ancient theatre.
Optional activity – diving: Kas is one of the top diving spots in southern Turkey. Beginners and certified divers alike can explore underwater caves and wrecks. Book in advance for discounted rates.
You spend the night anchored in a quiet bay between Kas and Kekova.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 7 – Sunken City, Kekova, Demre and Flight to Istanbul
After breakfast the gulet heads for the Sunken City, a Lycian town that sank beneath the sea in an earthquake in the second century. The boat moves slowly over the ruins so you can see them clearly. The area is a protected World Heritage site, so swimming, diving and snorkelling are not allowed.
Next, the gulet drops anchor near Kekova for a visit to Simena Castle. Climb to the top for lovely views across the bay.
The cruise ends in the afternoon at Demre Harbor. From there you are picked up and driven to the airport for your flight back to Istanbul.
Important Notes
Optional extras
- Cappadocia hot air balloon (GOREME): $310
- One extra night at an Istanbul hotel, before or after the tour: $65
- Upgrade to a private tour: $350
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓All transportation
- ✓Fully Guided Tour with a professional English speaking guide
- ✓1 night accommodation in Canakkale with breakfast
- ✓2 Nights accommodation in Kusadasi with breakfast
- ✓Airport to Hotel Transportation
- ✓Round-trip transfers
- ✓Domestic Flight Fares in the itinerary
- ✓Admission Fees
- ✓With Gulet: 3 Days 2 Nights
- ✕International flights to Istanbul
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Travel guides
- Gallipoli and Troy in 2 Days from Istanbul: Route, Tickets, Tours
- Gallipoli Battlefield Tours from the UK: Cape Helles and Suvla Bay
- Anzac Day 2027 at Gallipoli: Passes, Packages and a Week Plan
- Gallipoli Day Trip from Istanbul: The 15-Hour Day, Stop by Stop
- Gallipoli Tours from Istanbul: Day Trip vs Overnight, Route, Prices
Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale and a Fethiye gulet cruise in 7 days: the key facts
This is a 7-day, 6-night group tour that starts in Istanbul and links Turkey's western historic sites with three days on a traditional wooden gulet. You drive to Gallipoli on Day 1, see Troy and Pergamon on Day 2, Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis and the Basilica of St. John on Day 3, and Pamukkale on Day 4 on the way to Fethiye. From Day 5 you sail from Fethiye past Butterfly Valley, St. Nicholas Island, Aquarium Bay, Kas and Kekova, and the cruise ends at Demre, where you transfer to the airport for a flight to Istanbul.
It suits travellers who want both ancient sites and swimming stops in one week, and who are happy with early starts on the first four days and a simple cabin on the boat. The price is from $2,950 per person.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 7 days / 6 nights (the web address says 8 days; the page itself says 7) |
| Route | Istanbul - Gallipoli - Troy - Pergamon - Ephesus - Pamukkale - Fethiye - Kas - Kekova - Demre - Istanbul |
| Style | Group tour, private upgrade available for $350 |
| Start / end | 06:00-07:00 pick-up in Taksim or Sultanahmet / afternoon end of the cruise at Demre, then flight to Istanbul |
| Included | All transport, English-speaking professional guide, 1 night in Eceabat/Canakkale and 2 nights in Kusadasi with breakfast, 3-day/2-night gulet, domestic flight in the itinerary, admission fees, airport and return transfers |
| Extra | International flights to Istanbul; meals not listed; Antique Pool swim, paragliding and diving |
How long are the driving days?
The first four days are on the road. Day 1 leaves Istanbul at 06:00-07:00 in an air-conditioned minibus, reaching Eceabat at 12:20 for the Gallipoli tour from 13:00. Day 2 departs at 08:30 for Troy, has lunch at 13:30 near Pergamon and reaches Kusadasi at 21:30. Day 3 is a full Ephesus day ending at 17:00. Day 4 starts at about 07:30 for Pamukkale and continues to Fethiye; the page gives no arrival time. Expect long hours in the vehicle, and bring snacks, water and something to read.
What do we see at Gallipoli, Troy and Pergamon?
At Gallipoli the guided tour covers Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, the ANZAC Commemorative Site, Lone Pine, Johnston's Jolly, the Turkish 57th Regiment Cemetery, The Nek and Chunuk Bair. These are war cemeteries, so dress modestly. At Troy you see the wooden horse, the city walls and the layers of Troy I to IX. At the Pergamon Acropolis the stops are the Library, the Altar of Zeus site and the Gymnasium.
What happens on the Ephesus and Pamukkale days?
On Day 3 your guide meets you in the hotel lobby at 08:30. At Ephesus you walk past the Library of Celsus, the Grand Theatre and the Temple of Hadrian, then the House of the Virgin Mary is optional at 11:30, lunch is at 13:00, followed by the Temple of Artemis and the Basilica of St. John. Day 4 covers the Necropolis, the theatre and the travertines at Pamukkale and Hierapolis. You must walk the terraces barefoot, so carry a bag for your shoes. Swimming in the Antique (Cleopatra) Pool costs extra.
Where do we sleep each night?
The page lists Eceabat on Night 1 (the inclusions call it Canakkale, the province Eceabat is in), Kusadasi on Nights 2 and 3, and the gulet on Nights 5 and 6. It does not say where you sleep on Night 4, after Pamukkale, and the inclusions only list three hotel nights plus the gulet, which is five, not six. No hotel names or star ratings are given. Ask us to confirm in writing where you stay on every night, including Night 4 in or near Fethiye, before you pay.
What is the gulet part like?
You board at Fethiye harbour by 10:00 on Day 5. That day you swim and have lunch at Butterfly Valley, with an optional walk to the waterfall, and anchor at St. Nicholas Island for the ruins and the sunset. Day 6 starts with a swim at Aquarium Bay near Kalkan, then sails to Kas, with diving optional, and anchors in a bay between Kas and Kekova. On Day 7 you pass the Sunken City, where swimming is not allowed, and Simena Castle near Kekova. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on board. Our blue cruise tours page explains gulet life.
How does the trip end, and which airport is it?
The cruise ends in the afternoon of Day 7 at Demre harbour, and a transfer takes you to the airport for a domestic flight to Istanbul. The page does not name the airport or give a flight time. The title says "Gallipoli to Fethiye", but the boat actually ends at Demre, not Fethiye. You can add one Istanbul hotel night before or after the tour for $65. Do not book an international flight home on the evening of Day 7. Ask us for the flight time before you plan your Istanbul nights.
Can we go private or change the plan?
Yes, the page offers an upgrade to a private tour for $350; ask us whether that is per person or per booking. A Cappadocia balloon for $310 is also listed as an extra, but Cappadocia is not on this route, so ask how that would fit. If you want Cappadocia in the same week, compare the Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Fethiye gulet tour from $2,865 per person or the Turkey highlights gulet cruise from $2,660 per person. All our routes are on the multi-city packages page.
How do we book this tour?
Choose your date and number of guests in the booking form on this page and add any extras, such as the private upgrade or an extra Istanbul night. You can also message us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88. We confirm every night's accommodation, the gulet dates, the flight from Demre and the final price, and send the full plan in writing before you make any payment. Get Turkey Tours is a TÜRSAB-licensed agency (A-15751).
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