Turkish Coast Tour: Ephesus, Bodrum, Fethiye & Antalya in 4 Days
Overview
Turkish Coast Tour: Ephesus, Bodrum, Fethiye & Antalya in 4 Days
The best of Turkey's coast
This short trip combines history, comfort and natural beauty along the Turkish coast. You walk through the ancient ruins of Ephesus, enjoy the lively nightlife of Bodrum, see the turquoise water around Fethiye and end with the Mediterranean charm of Antalya.
Between the stops you travel by private vehicle, with about 3 hours on the road each time, and flights link Istanbul with the coast at the start and the end.
Hotels with breakfast, a professional guide, all flights in the itinerary, air-conditioned vehicles and entrance fees to the sights (except optional ones) are included. International flights to Istanbul, lunch and dinner, and optional extra tours or activities during free time are not.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Flight to Izmir, Ephesus & Transfer to Bodrum
We collect you from your hotel very early in the morning so you can catch your 9:30 AM flight to Izmir. If you prefer, you can meet our guide at the airport instead. After a short drive from Izmir, the Ephesus tour begins.
Ephesus is one of the best-preserved ancient cities anywhere in the world, and walking through its ruins is a rare chance to see how a Roman city looked.
Today's highlights:
- Library of Celsus: its grand facade makes this ancient library one of the best-known buildings in Ephesus.
- Temple of Hadrian: built in honour of the Roman emperor Hadrian, the temple still shows well-preserved columns and finely carved reliefs.
- Terrace Houses (optional): enter the richly decorated residential complex where the wealthy citizens of Ephesus once had their homes.
- Hercules Gate: walk through this monumental gateway, decorated with carvings of the legendary hero.
- Grand Theatre: this vast theatre once seated up to 25,000 people, and performances are still staged here today.
- The Snake Cult of Asklepios: hear the story of the ancient cult of Asklepios, god of healing, and see what is left of the temple built for him.
- Herm (Marker) of Hermes: these old stone markers once guided travellers and marked boundaries within the city.
- Artemission: stand at the spot where the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of antiquity, used to rise.
- Stone-carving of the goddess Nike: a finely detailed relief of Nike, the winged goddess of victory.
- Fountain of Trajan: the well-kept remains of a monumental fountain built in honour of Emperor Trajan.
- House of Virgin Mary (optional): the tour can end at the House of Virgin Mary, which many believe is where the Virgin Mary was finally laid to rest.
In the afternoon you drive to Bodrum in a private vehicle, a scenic journey of about 3 hours.
Overnight: Bodrum
Day 2 – Bodrum Sightseeing & Transfer to Fethiye
Today you check out of your hotel and explore Bodrum.
Today's highlights:
- Bodrum Castle: this medieval castle offers wonderful views over the harbour.
- Mausoleum of Halicarnassus: walk among the remains of one of the Seven Wonders of antiquity.
- Bodrum Marina: relax at the busy marina, with time for shopping or a coffee at a waterfront cafe.
After the tour you drive to Fethiye in a private vehicle, a scenic journey of about 3 hours.
Day 3 – Fethiye, Oludeniz & Kayakoy – Transfer to Antalya
Today you check out of your hotel and explore Fethiye.
Today's highlights:
- Fethiye Museum: learn about the history of the region and see its ancient finds.
- Oludeniz: enjoy the lovely blue lagoon and its beach, often called one of the most beautiful in Turkey.
- Kayakoy: visit this ghost town, left empty in the 1920s, walk among its stone houses and hear its story.
After the tour you leave Fethiye and drive to Antalya, a trip of about 3 hours.
Day 4 – Antalya Old Town & Flight Back to Istanbul
After breakfast you check out of your hotel.
Today's highlights:
- Kaleici (Old Town): stroll along cobbled lanes lined with Ottoman houses and lively shops.
- Hadrian's Gate: this well-preserved Roman gate once marked the way into the old city.
- Duden Waterfalls: just outside the city centre, the falls offer a peaceful setting and plenty of natural beauty.
After the tour you are transferred to the airport for your flight back to Istanbul.
Our representative then helps with your departure transfer, either to your flight home or to your hotel. This marks the end of our services.
If you would like to stay longer, extra nights in Antalya or Istanbul can be added.
Important Notes
Optional extras
- Extend the tour by one day: $115
- Bodrum boat tour: $45
- Two extra nights in Bodrum: $280
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Accommodations with breakfast
- ✓Professional guide
- ✓All flights in the itinerary
- ✓Air-conditioned vehicles
- ✓Admission Fees to enter sights (Except optionals)
- ✕International flights to Istanbul
- ✕Dinner and lunch
- ✕Optional additional tours or activities during free time
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Travel guides
Ephesus, Bodrum, Fethiye and Antalya coast tour in 4 days: the key facts
This package follows the Aegean and Mediterranean coast from Ephesus to Antalya. You fly from Istanbul to Izmir on the morning of Day 1, tour Ephesus and drive about three hours to Bodrum. Day 2 is Bodrum Castle, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and the marina, then a three-hour drive to Fethiye. Day 3 covers the Fethiye Museum, the lagoon at Oludeniz and the empty stone village of Kayakoy before another three hours to Antalya, and on Day 4 you see Kaleici, Hadrian's Gate and the Duden Waterfalls before flying back to Istanbul.
It suits travellers who want to see the southwest coast in one pass, with one major ancient site and three coastal towns, rather than staying put at a beach. Each day has sightseeing followed by a road leg, so it is a moving trip. The price is from $1,455 per person.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4 days / 3 nights |
| Route | Istanbul - Izmir - Ephesus - Bodrum - Fethiye - Antalya - Istanbul |
| Style | Listed as a group tour; the drives are described as by private vehicle |
| Start / end | Early pickup at your Istanbul hotel (or meet at the airport) for a 9:30 AM flight to Izmir; ends in Istanbul with a transfer to the airport or your hotel |
| Included | Hotels with breakfast (Bodrum, Fethiye, Antalya), flights in the itinerary, guide, air-conditioned vehicles, entrance fees except optional ones |
| Extra | International flights, lunch and dinner, Terrace Houses, House of the Virgin Mary, Bodrum boat tour |
Is this a group tour or a private one?
The page calls it a group tour in the tour info, but the overview and the day plans say you travel between towns "by private vehicle". Those two statements do not fit together, and the page gives no group size. If it matters to you whether you share the vehicle and guide with other travellers, ask us to state this in writing in your plan before you pay. The answer can also affect whether you can change stop times along the way.
Do I need a hotel night in Istanbul first?
Yes. The three included nights are Bodrum, Fethiye and Antalya. Day 1 begins with a very early pickup from your Istanbul hotel for the 9:30 AM flight, and that Istanbul night is not one of the three. You can book it yourself or ask us to add it. Make sure your written plan says where the Day 1 pickup happens. If you also want an Istanbul sightseeing day, the sister package Istanbul to Antalya via Bodrum and Fethiye starts with the old city instead of Ephesus.
Will we have time to swim or enjoy Bodrum in the evening?
The overview mentions Bodrum's nightlife, but the itinerary has no evening programme: you arrive in Bodrum after the Ephesus tour and a drive of about three hours, and you leave for Fethiye the next afternoon. At Oludeniz the plan lists the lagoon and its beach, but it does not say how long you stay there. If swimming is a priority, ask how much time is planned at Oludeniz, or add nights. The page lists two extra nights in Bodrum for $280 and a Bodrum boat tour for $45. Our Bodrum guide and Fethiye guide describe what else there is to do.
How hard are the days?
The page gives about three hours of driving on each of the three road legs: Ephesus to Bodrum, Bodrum to Fethiye and Fethiye to Antalya. Each drive follows a morning or full day of walking. Ephesus is the longest walk, on old stone streets, and Bodrum Castle and the ruined houses of Kayakoy are also visited on foot. Good walking shoes and water are the main needs. In July and August the coast is hot, with Antalya highs often above 32°C, so the walking parts are easier in spring and autumn.
What do we see at Ephesus?
The Day 1 visit takes in the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, Hercules Gate, the Grand Theatre, the Fountain of Trajan, the relief of Nike and the site of the Temple of Artemis. The Terrace Houses and the House of the Virgin Mary are optional and their tickets are not part of the included entrance fees. Read our Ephesus ancient city guide before you go to decide whether the optional sites are worth adding.
What is the best time of year for this coast?
For this route, which is mostly sightseeing with some time by the water, late April to June and September to October work well. The sea around Antalya stays warm into October, and July and August are the hottest and busiest months. In midsummer, plan to be in the shade around midday and carry water on the Ephesus and Kayakoy walks. For ideas on the last stop, see our Antalya guide and Kaleici old town page.
Can we change the route or add nights?
The start and end are fixed by the flights: into Izmir and out of Antalya. You can add nights, and the page lists one extra day for $115 and two extra nights in Bodrum for $280. Extra nights in Antalya or Istanbul can also be added at the end. For a longer version of this coast, compare the Treasures of Western Turkey package, the Ephesus, Pamukkale, Fethiye and Antalya tour or the wider list of multi-city packages.
How do I book this package?
Choose your date and the number of guests in the booking form on this page, or message us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88. We send a written plan with flight times, hotel names and what is included, and you check it before any payment. Please make sure it answers whether the tour is shared or private and how the Istanbul night before Day 1 is handled. Read the cancellation policy before you confirm. The tour is operated by Viracocha Travel Turizm, TÜRSAB licence A-15751.
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