EPHESUS, PAMUKKALE

If you plan to spend two days of your trip in Western Turkey, this package will be an ideal choice for you. If you are planning to visit Ephesus and Pamukkale, possible accommodation options are İzmir or Kuşadası. We recommend Kuşadası more as it offers less traffic and crowd compared to İzmir, which enhances the quality of your time. The tour can begin at the Cruise Port, İzmir Airport, or your hotel. When you get in touch, providing your details will be sufficient. The tour program is arranged with Ephesus and its surroundings on the first day, and Pamukkale and its surroundings on the second day. However, if your return flight is from İzmir Airport, we can adjust the order of the days. Before the tour date, we will contact you regarding your arrival or hotel check-out time. Our recommendation is, of course, to start early for a more productive observation.

Day 1: Ephesus Tour

Ephesus Ancient City, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-see when you visit Turkey. On the tour day, our guide will pick you up from the meeting point with our private vehicle. If you wish to have breakfast near Ephesus, we will provide alternatives and assist you.
We start our tour by visiting the Ephesus Ancient City. Our first choice is this site because exploring it in the early morning hours will offer a more comfortable experience due to the weather. Ephesus was built entirely from marble, making early mornings in summer the most suitable time to visit.
Ephesus has hosted many civilizations throughout history and was a major port city. Its most prosperous period was during the Roman Empire. At the time, it was the second most populous city in the world, with a population of 250,000. It was the capital of the Roman province of Asia.

After exploring the ruins of Ephesus, we will visit the House of Virgin Mary. It is only a 5-minute drive from Ephesus. The House of Virgin Mary is a small and modest structure, restored in the 6th century AD. Its foundation dates back to the 1st century AD, while the upper structure is from the 6th century. Today, the House of Virgin Mary is visited not only by Christians but also by Muslims. After visiting the House, we will stop for lunch. Afterward, we head to the Temple of Artemis.

The Temple of Artemis is not located within the Ephesus Archaeological Park. There is about a 2 km distance between them. However, you will reach the Temple of Artemis with just a 5-minute drive. Also known as the Temple of Diana, it was the first marble temple of the ancient world, built with 127 columns. Like other temples dedicated to Artemis, it faces west. The temple was constructed in the 6th century BC. After visiting the Temple of Artemis, we conclude the day’s tour. We will return you to your hotel with our private vehicle.

Day 2: Pamukkale Tour

After the Ephesus tour, we will head to Pamukkale. Pamukkale is about a 3-hour drive from Ephesus. During your journey, you will have the opportunity to observe the lush nature between these two locations.

The name "Pamukkale" comes from the combination of the words "cotton" and "castle." In ancient times, it was called "Hierapolis." The name is believed to come from the wife of Telephos, the legendary founder of the city of Pergamon. His wife, Hiera, was also the queen of the Amazons. The meaning of the name is "sacred city." On the Pamukkale tour, we will visit both the ancient city of Hierapolis and the Pamukkale travertines, known for their healing waters. The founder of the ancient city was King Eumenes II of Pergamon, in the 2nd century BC. The main reason for the city’s location in this area was the belief in the healing properties of the travertine waters.

We will start our Pamukkale tour by entering through the north gate and walking along the Ancient Necropolis (Cemetery). Over 1,200 tomb excavations have taken place here, and it is believed that more than 3,000 sarcophagi exist in total. We will also visit the Cleopatra Pools, believed to have rejuvenated Cleopatra by 20 years, as well as the fairytale-like travertines. The waters of the travertines have been considered healing throughout history, known for their high sulfur content, which is beneficial for many illnesses. After exploring the details of the Ancient City, our guide will give you some free time to enjoy the stunning travertines. This will be the final stop of the tour. Afterward, we will begin our return journey and drop you off at the designated location, unless you have any further requests.