Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Bodrum & Antalya Tour: 5 Days
Overview
Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Bodrum & Antalya Tour: 5 Days
This 5-day, 4-night tour follows Turkey’s Aegean and Mediterranean coasts from myth to the beach. It starts by bus to Troy, the city of Homer’s Iliad, and continues to Kusadasi. The next day is spent at Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world, followed by the white terraces of Pamukkale and the ruins of Hierapolis.
From there the road leads to Bodrum, with its medieval castle, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and a lively marina, and then on to Antalya, where you have free time before a final tour of Kaleici, Hadrian’s Gate and the Duden Waterfalls. A flight brings you back to Istanbul at the end.
Hotels with breakfast, a professional guide, all flights in the itinerary, air-conditioned vehicles and entrance fees to the sights (optional visits excluded) are included. International flights to Istanbul, lunches, dinners and extra activities in your free time are not.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Troy and Drive to Kusadasi
Check out of your hotel today and board the bus for the scenic drive to Troy. The tour usually starts around 09:00.
- Troy: Walk through the ruins of the ancient city at the centre of Homer’s Iliad, and see the famous wooden horse.
After Troy, the journey continues to Kusadasi. Check in at your hotel and enjoy a free evening.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 2 – Ephesus, Pamukkale and Hierapolis
Today is all about Ephesus and its long history. The ruins belong to one of the best-preserved ancient cities anywhere in the world, and a walk through its streets feels like going back in time.
The highlights:
- Library of Celsus: Its grand facade is one of the best-known sights of Ephesus.
- Temple of Hadrian: Built for the Roman emperor Hadrian, the temple still has fine columns and detailed reliefs.
- Terrace Houses (optional): Step inside the luxurious homes where the wealthy families of Ephesus once lived.
- Hercules Gate: A monumental gateway decorated with carvings of the legendary hero.
- Grand Theatre: It once seated up to 25,000 people, and performances are still staged here today.
- The Snake Cult of Asklepios: Hear about the ancient cult of Asklepios, god of healing, and see what is left of his temple.
- Herm (Marker) of Hermes: Old stone markers that guided travellers and marked boundaries in the city.
- Artemission: The place where the Temple of Artemis, one of the ancient world’s Seven Wonders, used to stand.
- Stone-carving of the goddess Nike: A finely worked relief of Nike, the winged goddess of victory.
- Fountain of Trajan: The well-kept remains of a monumental fountain raised in honour of Emperor Trajan.
- House of Virgin Mary (optional): The tour can end at the house where, it is believed, the Virgin Mary spent her final days and was laid to rest.
In the afternoon, travel to Pamukkale to see its white terraces, shaped by calcium deposits, and visit the ancient city of Hierapolis.
Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 3 – Drive to Bodrum: Castle, Mausoleum and Marina
Leave Pamukkale after breakfast for the drive to Bodrum, usually around 3 hours. In Bodrum you visit:
- Bodrum Castle: A medieval fortress with wide views over the harbour.
- Mausoleum of Halicarnassus: Walk among the remains of one of the ancient world’s Seven Wonders.
- Bodrum Marina: Free time at the lively marina to shop or sit down for a coffee at a waterfront café.
After the tour you are taken to your hotel in Bodrum for the evening.
Overnight in Bodrum.
Day 4 – Drive from Bodrum to Antalya and Free Time
After breakfast, leave Bodrum for the drive to Antalya, which takes about 5 hours.
When you arrive, check in at your hotel. The rest of the day is free for exploring the city and doing some shopping.
Day 5 – Antalya Old Town and Flight Back to Istanbul
The highlights:
- Kaleici (Old Town): Stroll cobbled lanes lined with Ottoman buildings 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 are a calm and pretty place to pause.
After the tour you go to the airport for your flight back to Istanbul. There, our representative helps with your transfer, either to your flight home or to your hotel, and our services end.
Extra nights can be added if you would like a longer stay.
Important Notes
Optional extras
- Cappadocia hot air balloon flight (GOREME): $310
- One extra night at an Istanbul hotel, before or after the tour: $65
- Upgrade to a private tour: $250
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
Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Bodrum and Antalya in 5 days: the key facts
This 5-day, 4-night group tour leaves Istanbul by road for Troy and spends the first night in Kusadasi. Day 2 is Ephesus in the morning and Pamukkale with Hierapolis in the afternoon. Day 3 is a drive to Bodrum for the castle, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and the marina. Day 4 is a long drive to Antalya with a free afternoon, and Day 5 is Kaleici, Hadrian's Gate and the Duden Waterfalls before a flight back to Istanbul. Only the last leg is by air.
It suits travellers who like seeing the country from the road, want Troy as well as Ephesus, and value one free half-day at the end. The price is from $1,595 per person.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 5 days / 4 nights |
| Route | Istanbul - Troy - Kusadasi - Ephesus - Pamukkale - Bodrum - Antalya - Istanbul |
| Style | Group tour by road, one flight back |
| Start / end | Check-out from your Istanbul hotel on Day 1 / flight from Antalya on Day 5, then a transfer to the airport or your hotel in Istanbul |
| Included | 4 hotel nights with breakfast (Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Bodrum, Antalya), professional guide, the flight in the itinerary, air-conditioned vehicles, entrance fees except optional sights |
| Extra | International flights, lunches and dinners, Terrace Houses, House of the Virgin Mary, free-time activities |
What time does Day 1 start?
The page says you check out of your hotel and board the bus to Troy, and that "the tour usually starts around 09:00". It does not give a pick-up time in Istanbul, and Troy is a long drive from the city, so 09:00 cannot be both the Istanbul departure and the start of the Troy visit. Ask us to confirm the real pick-up time in writing. Your Istanbul hotel the night before is not one of the four nights; the extras list an extra Istanbul night before or after the tour at $65.
How long are the drives?
Day 1 is Istanbul to Troy and on to Kusadasi, the longest road day, though the page gives no hours. On Day 2 you go from Ephesus to Pamukkale in the afternoon. Day 3 is about 3 hours from Pamukkale to Bodrum, and Day 4 about 5 hours from Bodrum to Antalya. Bring water, snacks and a light layer for the air-conditioned vehicle. If long road days are a problem, the 4-day versions of this route that fly to Izmir may suit you better.
Can we really see Ephesus and Pamukkale in one day?
Yes, but it is a full day. The morning is Ephesus with the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Grand Theatre and the site of the Temple of Artemis. In the afternoon you drive to Pamukkale for the travertines and Hierapolis. Shoes are not allowed on the white terraces, so you walk barefoot and carry them in a bag. The Terrace Houses and the House of the Virgin Mary are optional; this page gives no prices, so ask.
What do we see in Bodrum?
On Day 3 you visit Bodrum Castle, with its views over the harbour, the remains of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and you have free time at the marina for a coffee or shopping. You then check in at your Bodrum hotel and the evening is yours. See our Bodrum guide for restaurants and the waterfront.
What can we do with the free afternoon in Antalya?
After the drive on Day 4 you check in and the rest of the day is free; the page suggests exploring the city and shopping. You could walk to the harbour in Kaleici, though you also see Kaleici on the Day 5 tour with Hadrian's Gate and the Duden Waterfalls. For a longer stay, add nights and consider the Perge, Aspendos and Side day tour from $90 per person. Between 9 and 20 November 2026 Antalya hosts the UN climate conference COP31, so ask us about timing that week.
Is the hot air balloon included?
No, and it does not fit this route. The extras list shows a "Cappadocia hot air balloon flight (Goreme)" at $310, but this tour never goes to Cappadocia. Ask us in writing what that extra means before you add it; it may only make sense if you add Cappadocia days before or after. If you want Cappadocia, compare our Cappadocia guide and the balloon price guide.
Can we make it private or change hotels?
The extras list an upgrade to a private tour at $250. Ask us whether that price is per person and whether it covers all five days. The page does not name hotels or give a star category for the four nights, so we send the hotel names with your written plan. If you want a sea-facing hotel in Bodrum or Antalya, ask when you book. Similar routes are the Turkey coast and ruins tour with Fethiye at the same price, and our other multi-city packages.
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 your Istanbul hotel and flight home. You can also message us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88. We confirm the Day 1 pick-up time, the hotels, the Antalya flight and the meaning of the balloon and private-tour extras, 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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