EPHESUS & PAMUKKALE TOUR FROM KUSADASI

In the early morning, our tour guide will meet you at the designated pick-up point with your private vehicle. We begin our tour by visiting the Ancient City of Ephesus. Our visit here will last approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. Ephesus was the second-largest city in the Roman era. Its development was greatly influenced by its role as a port city. It is home to the largest amphitheater in the world. The theater, with a capacity of 25,000 people, still preserves its acoustic structure today. Ephesus is famous worldwide for its place in history. It reached its peak during the Roman period. After the Artemis cult, it also hosted the early years of Christianity. The Ancient City of Ephesus was built entirely from marble. It is currently about 5 kilometers away from the coast. After a major earthquake in the 1360s, the distance to the coast increased to its present form. In ancient times, it was a port city located right on the seashore.

The architecture and traditional culture of Ephesus are reflected in all its details, and the city has hosted many different beliefs throughout history. To this end, there are many structures in the city that reflect the influence of various cultures. Some of the main ones include: the Magnesia Gate, the Great Theater, the Eastern Gymnasium and State Agora Baths, the Upper Agora (State Agora) and Basilica, the Odeon, the Prytaneion, the Temple of Domitian, the Pollio Fountain, the Memmius Monument, the Street of the Curetes, the Heracles Gate, the Trajan Fountain, the Terrace Houses, the Varius Baths, the Public Latrine, the House of Love, the Temple of Hadrian, the Stoa of Alytarkhus, the Octagon, the Heroon, the Library of Celsus, the Commercial Agora and the South Gate, the Marble Street, the Harbor Street (Arcadiane), the Theater Gymnasium, the remains of the Church of Mary, and the Harbor Baths.

After leaving the Ancient City of Ephesus, we will travel with our guide and private vehicle towards Pamukkale. Pamukkale is located in the Denizli province of Turkey, and it is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Ephesus. At this point, we will take a break for lunch depending on the time you request to start the day. We can have lunch either in Izmir or Denizli. If you have a special dietary preference, such as vegetarian, it would be helpful to notify us in advance when you contact the tour. This helps us ensure that we can proceed without wasting time on reservations. After our lunch break, we will head to the Pamukkale Travertines.

Pamukkale was formerly known as ‘Hierapolis.’ The name ‘Pamukkale’ is derived from the combination of the words ‘pumice’ and ‘castle’ in Turkish. The ancient name ‘Hierapolis’ is believed to have come from Hiera, the wife of Telephos, the legendary founder of the city of Pergamon, and the queen of the Amazons. The founder of the Ancient City of Hierapolis is known to be King Eumenes II of Pergamon, dating back to the 2nd century BC. The meaning of the ancient name ‘Hierapolis’ is ‘holy city.’ The reason for the establishment of a city in the area of the travertines is believed to be the belief in the healing properties of the natural spring water here. For thousands of years, the region has been a popular destination for people from Anatolia and surrounding areas seeking health, beauty, and healing. There are even rumors that Cleopatra bathed in one of the pools here in 41 BC and emerged twenty years younger. These pools became famous and gained additional renown. During our Pamukkale tour, we will visit the world’s largest Necropolis, the grandeur of Hierapolis, the Cleopatra Pools, and the famous Pamukkale travertines. The current amphitheater in Hierapolis is in very good condition, but it is known that there were once two theaters, and unfortunately, one of them was destroyed over time. Today, Hierapolis is considered a must-see place before death, recognized by almost the entire world.

After completing our detailed tour of the Ancient City, the guide will give you free time to enjoy the magnificent travertines. Although some parts are closed to visitors due to their fragility, we will have the opportunity to walk and explore most of them. We will end the day with the healing waters flowing from the travertines. This will conclude our tour. Afterward, if you don’t have any additional requests, we will begin the return journey with our private vehicle and drop you off at the pre-arranged location.