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Southeastern Anatolia Museums & exhibitions

Our most recommended Southeastern Anatolia Museums & exhibitions

Konya: City Tour with Lunch

1. Konya: City Tour with Lunch

Learn about the life and times of the great Sufi mystic Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi on this guided tour of the sacred city of Konya. Immerse yourself in Rumi's teachings and learn more about many of his most trusted advisors and companions as you wander through the streets of his home town. After getting picked up from your hotel, pay a visit to one of Turkey's most hauntingly beautiful dervish lodges and prepare to be amazed at the Mosque of Aladdin, which contains one of the oldest Minbars/pulpits in the entire country. Later, wander through the charming streets of the village of Sille where Turks and Greeks lived side by side for over 800 years. Finally, travel back in time at the Byzantine Church of Agia Eleni before getting dropped off back at your hotel.

From Istanbul: 2-Day Ephesus, Pamukkale, & Hierapolis Tour

2. From Istanbul: 2-Day Ephesus, Pamukkale, & Hierapolis Tour

Discover the ancient cities of Ephesus and Hierapolis on this two-day trip from Istanbul. Explore the ancient city of Ephesus where you can see the Temple of Artemis. Experience the beauty of the natural white terraces created by mineral deposits at the hot springs in Pamukkale. Stay overnight in the town of Selcuk or Kusadasi. Treat yourself to breakfast at the hotel. Try authentic Turkish food with lunch at two local restaurants during your tours. Day 1: Be picked from your accommodation in Istanbul and relax on the drive to the airport. Enjoy a comfortable flight to the city of Izmir. Meet your guide at the airport and drive to the tour provider's office in the town of Selcuk. Take a break with lunch in a local restaurant. Continue to the archeological site at Ephesus to start your guided tour. Walk through the ancient streets and see one of the wonders of the ancient world at the Temple of Artemis. View the façade of one of the largest libraries from Roman times at the Library of Celsus. Stop at the House of the Virgin Mary where the religious figure is said to have spend her last days. See the remains of an old Roman Amphitheater. Learn about these ruins from your local guide. Drive to your hotel in Selcuk or Kusadasi where you can rest for the evening. Day 2: In the morning, be picked up by your guide from your hotel. Enjoy the scenic Turkish countryside on the drive to Pamukkale. Hear about area and culture from your guide. Have a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before starting your tour of the ruins of Hierapolis. Stroll to the remains of a massive Roman amphitheater that once held an audience of 15,000. Admire the marble staircase at the Greek Temple of Apollo. Watch as your guide points out all the significant structures in the archeological site of Hierapolis. Take off your shoes and walk along the white terraces of Pamukkale. Dip your feet in the natural hot springs. Swim amid the ruins of a temple in Cleopatra's Pool. Have some free time in the afternoon to explore on your own. Take it easy on the ride back to the airport where you can catch your flight back to Istanbul. Once you arrive in Istanbul, your driver will be waiting to transfer you back to your accommodation in Istanbul.

Gaziantep: City Highlights and Gastronomy Walking Tour

3. Gaziantep: City Highlights and Gastronomy Walking Tour

Visit the most charming places in Gaziantep accompanied by a professional guide. This Turkish city's cuisine stands out with Gaziantep’s inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Learn about its long and vibrant gastronomic history. Explore the city, while hearing fascinating facts and legends. Gaziantep is known for its cuisine with over 400 delicacies ranging from kebabs, meat dishes, dishes with yogurt, olive oil dishes, desserts, pilafs, vegetable dishes, meatballs, pastries, and salads to soups. Take a tour of the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, the largest mosaic museum in the world. Marvel at its mosaics of all sizes, including the famous mosaic of the Gypsy Girl. Uncover the many stories hidden in the streets, buildings and corners of Gaziantep. Find out what is special and unique about living in this city. This tour is ideal for those who are visiting the city for the first time and want to make the most out of it.

Aphrodisias&Pamukkale Tour with Lunch from Izmir&Kusadasi

4. Aphrodisias&Pamukkale Tour with Lunch from Izmir&Kusadasi

Explore the most iconic archaeological sites in Turkey on a private day trip. Learn about the history of Aphrodisias and Hierapolis from an expert guide. Enjoy the natural hot springs and unique landscape at Pamukkale. Meet your guide and drive to Aphrodisias, one of the oldest sacred sites in Turkey, dedicated to the Greek goddess Aphrodite. See the now well-preserved and partially restored Temple of Aphrodite and imagine its ancient splendor. At Aphrodisias, explore other sites like ruins of a large theatre, a stadium, and an on-site museum displaying artifacts. Next, be whisked away to the fascinating site of Pamukkale. Considered to be the earliest spa on earth with the water of the hot springs carrying healing powers, Pamukkale is a UNESCO world heritage site. See the cotton-colored White Travertines formed by warm spring water. Visit the Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis where you can see the Necropolis, Roman Bath, St. Philipe Martyrum, and Apollo Temple. Take a dip in the Sacred Pool with shallow thermal waters rippling over Roman ruins. Take photos from the nicest corners of Pamukkale. Stop at a traditional Turkish restaurant for a complimentary lunch.

From Istanbul: Best of Turkey Multi-Day Tour Package

5. From Istanbul: Best of Turkey Multi-Day Tour Package

Embark on a multi-day tour from Istanbul to discover the sights of Turkey. Explore ancient cities, swim in Cleopatra’s pool, and soar above Cappadocia on a hot air balloon. Your trip includes a guide, transportation, accommodation, entry fees, and most meals. Day 1: After pickup, travel from Istanbul to Gallipoli by van and visit the holy Gallipoli battlefield all afternoon. Have lunch and stay at a 4-star hotel in Canakkale. Day 2:Visit the ancient ruins of Troy and Pergamon and marvel at the Acropolis of Pergamon. Have lunch and, by the end of the day, arrive at a 4-star hotel in Kusadasi, where you’ll spend the rest of the night. Day 3:Start with a guided day tour of the Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis. Refuel with lunch, then spend some time at the Cleopatra ancient thermal pool. Later, take a transfer back to the hotel to stay overnight. Day 4: Discover the ancient city of Ephesus, the House of Mary, and the Temple of Artemis on a guided tour. Have lunch, head to the airport for a 1-hour flight to Cappadocia (included). Upon arrival to Cappadocia, meet your driver at the airport who will be holding a sign with your name on it. Get transferred to a cave hotel in Goreme to spend the night in an authentic cave-inspired suite. Day 5: Get to know northern Cappadocia on a day tour after an included breakfast. Lunch, guide, transportation, and all entrance fees will be included on the tour. After your day of exploration, head back to the hotel and stay another night in Goreme. Day 6: After breakfast, explore the southern side of Cappadocia on another guided day tour, and enjoy an included lunch. By the end of the day, take a transfer back to the hotel and have a couple of hours of free time for dinner (not included), shopping, or any other way you’d like to spend your time. Later, get picked up from your hotel and taken to the airport according to your scheduled flight time and fly back to Istanbul (included). Upon arrival in Istanbul, meet your driver at the airport and get taken back to your hotel.

Istanbul: Laodicea & Aphrodisias Day Trip with Flights

6. Istanbul: Laodicea & Aphrodisias Day Trip with Flights

Enjoy an all-inclusive trip to Leodicea and Aphrodisias with lunch and all transportation. We will pick you up from your hotel between 04:30-05:00 in Istanbul, and travel to the airport. You will then take a morning flight to Denizli City (depending on flight schedules, a flight can also be arranged from Izmir airport). Upon arrival in Denizli, we will begin the one hour drive to Laodiceia Ancient city. Laodicea is situated on a hill amongst the valleys, with the running Asopus and Kapros streams that flow into the Lycus River, now known as Curuksu Cayi. It is one of the Seven Churches of early Christianity, and you will learn about the history from our professional guide while you take in the views. Laodicea was founded on an important trade route. Throughout the area, there are many historic ancient cities. Just 10km to the north is the famous Roman spa of Hierapolis, while Colossae lies 14.5km to the east. The city of Tripolis on the Meander is also 26km north-west of Laodicea. After your visit to Laodiceia City, we will drive to the ancient city of Aphrodisias, a small Greek city in the province of Caria. Aphrodisias was one of several ancient cities dedicated to the goddess of love. Learn about the ancient history of the area, including Roman triumphs and tribulations, and the hand the city played in the assassination of Julius Ceaser. We end of the tour by driving you back to Denizli airport for your evening flight to Istanbul (in case of flight unavailability, flights will take a Istanbul-Izmir-Istanbul route).

From Istanbul: 8 Days Highlights of Turkey Bus Tour with B&B

7. From Istanbul: 8 Days Highlights of Turkey Bus Tour with B&B

Meet and greet with your guide in Istanbul. Stay overnight at a hotel in Bursa. Enjoy breakfast, and visit Grand Mosque and Green Mosque with Tomb. Go shopping at Turkish Delight, and drive to Kusadasi. Overnight at a hotel in Kusadasi.  Begin the day with breakfast. Enjoy shopping and a live fashion show at Leather Outlet Center. Visit Ephesus Ancient City. After lunch, drive to Pamukkale. Tour the Antique City of Hierapolis and the fascinating travertine in the form of white terraces and basins. Overnight at a hotel in Pamukkale.  After breakfast, drive to Konya. Visit Mevlana Museum. Tour Konya City. Overnight at a hotel in Konya.  Begin the day with breakfast. Proceed to Cappadocia with its surrealistic geological creation. Stop at Caravanserai and see the Inns used by traders traveling the Silk Road. Enjoy a trekking tour in Ihlara Valley and visit an Underground City. Overnight at a hotel in Cappadocia.  Take an optional hot air balloon ride in the early morning hours. Enjoy breakfast. Explore the Cappadocia region with its highlights such as Love Valley, Uchisar village, a traditional handmade Carpet Factory, Pasabag, Goreme Panorama, Devrent Imagination Valley, and Ortahisar. Overnight at a hotel in Cappadocia.  After breakfast, drive to Ankara, then Bolu. Visit Salt Lake on the way. In Ankara, visit the magnificent Mausoleum constructed to commemorate Ataturk. Enjoy a visit to Golcuk Lake. Overnight at a hotel in Bolu.  Begin the day with breakfast before returning to Istanbul. Visit Sapanca Lake. Enjoy a stop at Masukiye and Camlıca hill for a panoramic view of Istanbul. Drop off at your hotel or airport in Istanbul.

From Istanbul: 10-Day Turkey Highlights Tour with Transfer

8. From Istanbul: 10-Day Turkey Highlights Tour with Transfer

DAY 1 : Arrival to Istanbul Welcome to Turkey. Arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST) or at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW). Meet your driver with your name sign and private transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay in Istanbul. DAY 2 : Full Day Istanbul Tour ( Breakfast ) We visit the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Hippodrome, where chariot races and the Byzantine riots took place. Visit the Grand Bazaar for shopping. Overnight in Istanbul. DAY 3 : Full Day Istanbul Tour ( Breakfast ) Visit Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), Boat trip on the Bosphorus. Afternoon visit to the underground cistern. Overnight in Istanbul. Day 4 : Istanbul – Izmir – Ephesus Tour – Kusadasi ( Breakfast – Dinner ) Pick up from hotel and transfer to Istanbul airport for your flight to Izmir. Arrive at Izmir Airport and be met by your tour guide and drive to Ephesus ( 45 minutes drive ) First visit the Artemis Temple, which is one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. Continue to Ephesus. After Ephesus, lunch will be served in the garden of a local handicrafts center. Here you can see some of the traditional carpet weaving techniques used and enjoy viewing some splendid displays of beautiful carpets. After Lunch visit House of Virgin Mary. Drive to the hotel for overnight in Kusadasi. DAY 5 : Kusadasi – Pamukkale Tour ( 3,5 hours drive ) ( Breakfast – Dinner ) Drive to Pamukkale, on the way, visit to Laodicea. Discovery of Travertine terraces and Hierapolis. Overnight Pamukkale. DAY 6 : Pamukkale – Konya ( 4,5 hours drive ) ( Breakfast ) Drive to Konya, visit to Mevlana Sufi temple. Overnight in Konya. DAY 7 : Konya – Cappadocia Tour ( 5 hours drive ) ( Breakfast ) Drive to Cappadocia. Visit to Sultanhani Caravanseria, a roadside inn where travelers could rest and recover from the day’s journey. Overnight in Cappadocia in a cave hotel. DAY 8 : Cappadocia Tour ( Breakfast ) Optional: Hot air ballooning with sunrise, once in a lifetime experience in Cappadocia Tour to Kaymaklı Underground City, Soğanlı Valley, an Open Air Museum. Continue with Keslik Monastery near Cemil. Our tour finishes with a visit to Mustafapaşa (Sinasos). Overnight Cappadocia in a cave hotel. DAY 9 : Cappadocia Tour ( Breakfast ) Visit Devrent valley, Pasabag “fairy chimneys” where the voice of wind mixes with the “songs of fairies” near Zelve. Lunch in Avanos, centre of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC. Afternoon, visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar Rock-Castle. Overnight Cappadocia in a cave hotel. DAY 10 : Cappadocia – Istanbul ( Breakfast ) Transfer to airport for your domestic flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul. Arrival and transfer to Hotel. Overnight Istanbul. DAY 11 : Home ( Breakfast ) After breakfast check out from the hotel and private transfer to Istanbul Airport or to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen airport for your flight back home.

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What people are saying about Southeastern Anatolia

Nahezu alles war sehr gut organisiert - Abholen vom Hotel, rechtzeitig am Flughafen, nettes Hotel in Meeresnähe, man kann wunderbar in einem der Restaurants am Hafen zu Abend essen - in Ephesus genug Zeit für die Führung und um danach auch auf eigene Faust noch ein bisschen nahe der Celsus-Bibliothek zu explorieren. In Pamukkale unbedingt eines der Zusatzmöglichkeiten nutzen: zum Amphitheater hochgehen oder in Kleopatras Pool (sehr angenehm), Umkleidemöglichkeit und Duschen sind vorhanden oder auch Paragleiten! Sehr empfehlenswert - geht sich gut in zwei Tagen ausgeht und man ist am zweiten Abend wieder zurück. Einzig mit dem Rückflug gab es eine Stunde Verspätung - aber das kann immer mal passieren!

This was a great tour, totally enjoyed all sites-Pamukkale, Hieropolis, Virgin Mary’s last house and Efesus. I had 2 different guides, the guide in Efesus, Lori, was absolutely wonderful. Very knowledgeable, funny and very considerable to guests requests. Highly recommend.

This was an excellent tour. Everything was own time and efficient. Paragliding was amazing! Josh was an excellent tour guide. Highly recommend!

Very well organized and a great trip. The guides are very knowledgable and know the best routes to see the locations.

Excellent stay, well organized and very well received! Great choice for a short 2 day stay!