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Things to do in Izmir

Our most recommended things to do in Izmir

From Izmir: Full-Day Ephesus Tour

1. From Izmir: Full-Day Ephesus Tour

Start with a pickup from your hotel in Izmir. Then, the discovery of Ephesus begins with the House of the Virgin Mary and a 10-minute drive to the ancient city of Ephesus. Explore the city by walking on the marble streets, accompanied by a guide.  See the Odeon, State Agora, the Pretension, the Memmius Monument, the Domitian Temple, Hercules Gate, Curetes Street, Hadrian Temple, and the Latrines. Choose to take an optional visit to the terrace houses for an additional cost.  After the terrace houses, carry on with your exploration with the Celsus Library, Marble Road, Commercial Agora, Great Theater, and Arcadian (harbor road). Enjoy a nice lunch served in a quaint local restaurant. Visit the Temple of Artemisa and take pictures of the church of St. John and the Mosque of İsa Bey. Enjoy free time in the old village of Sirince to discover the traditional houses, the fruit-flavored wine production, and enjoy some wine tasting.  End the day with a transfer back to Izmir airport or to your hotel in Izmir.

From Selcuk/Kusadasi/Izmir: Pamukkale Full-Day Tour

2. From Selcuk/Kusadasi/Izmir: Pamukkale Full-Day Tour

Discover the stunning region of Pamukkale and its hot springs on a day trip from Selcuk, Kusadasi, or Izmir. Begin by meeting your driver/guide at the reception of your hotel in the morning and a transfer to Pamukkale. Explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, built on solid limestone layers formed by mineral-rich waters that flowed for millennia over a raised level plateau. See the most significant sites of the sacred city including the Theatre, the Temple of Apollo, and the Necropolis. Admire the Necropolis (Cemetery) of Hierapolis, one of the largest ancient burial sites in Anatolia. See a Roman bath, the Gate of Domitian, the main street of the ancient city, and the Byzantium Gate. Walk to the natural warm water terraces, formed by running warm water rich in calcium and temperatures of 35 Celsius all year-round. Get the chance to see the gleaming white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, located next to the ruins of Hierapolis.  Enjoy optional free time to swim in Cleopatra’s Pool before ending the tour with a transfer back to your hotel. And during the tour you'll have the chance to have a look at the Turkish traditional handcrafts.

From Istanbul: 7-Night Tour of Turkey with Flights & Hotel

3. From Istanbul: 7-Night Tour of Turkey with Flights & Hotel

Fully immerse yourself in Turkish culture with a 7-night tour through Istanbul, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, and Cappadocia. Don’t worry about booking transfers, guides, breakfasts, hotels, or domestic flights as all of this will be taken care of for you.  Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul Arrive at the Istanbul Airport (IST) or SAW Airport where the tour representative will meet you with a name sign and take you to the hotel for your overnight stay in Istanbul. Day 2: Full-Day Istanbul Tour with Breakfast After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Istanbul. Visit the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Hippodrome, where chariot races and the Byzantine riots took place. Visit the Grand Bazaar and spend the night in Istanbul.  Day 3: Istanbul, Izmir & Kusadasi with Meals Start your day with a flight to Izmir and head to Ephesus. Visit the Artemis Temple before continuing to Ephesus, one of the twelve cities of Ionia. After Ephesus, lunch will be served in a local handicrafts center garden. Go to the House of the Virgin Mary before overnighting in Kusadasi. Day 4: Kusadasi with Meals Drive to Pamukkale to discover the Travertine terraces and the hot springs in Hierapolis. Visit the ancient city of Hierapolis at Pamukkale and stay overnight in Pamukkale. Day 5: Pamukkale to Cappadocia with Breakfast  Drive to Cappadocia to visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, a world-famous mystic, and Sultanhani Caravanseria, a roadside inn where travelers can rest and recover from the day’s journey. Stay overnight in Cappadocia in a cave hotel. Day 6: Cappadocia Tour Cave Hotel with Breakfast Start at the Three Sisters Fairy Chimneys in Urgup. Descend into the Kaymakli Underground City, one of the largest and deepest in Cappadocia. Visit the Goreme Open Air Museum and continue to the Uchisar Rock Castle for a panoramic view of Cappadocia. Spend the night in Cappadocia. Day 7: Full-Day Cappadocia Tour with Breakfast Experience the lunar landscape of Cappadocia in the Devrent Valley. Have lunch in Avanos, the center of terracotta art since 3000 BC, and enjoy a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop. In the afternoon, fly from Kayseri to Istanbul and overnight in Istanbul. Day 8: Istanbul with Breakfast After breakfast, check out from the hotel and enjoy a private transfer to the airport.

From Izmir: Pamukkale Full-Day Tour

4. From Izmir: Pamukkale Full-Day Tour

We will depart from Izmir in the morning and two and a half hours later arrive at Pamukkale which means the cotton castle in Turkish. These white rock formations, known as travertines, are world famous and have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The water of Pamukkale is famous for the benefits it gives to the eyes and skin. It is also said to cure illnesses such as asthma and rheumatism. It is possible to swim in certain areas, so be sure to bring your swimsuit. Many centuries ago the Romans, aware of the powers of Pamukkale’s water, decided to build a large spa city called Hierapolis nearby. We will visit Hierapolis after lunch, which will be provided. Hierapolis means Holy City in Turkish and despite not having been lived in for several centuries it remains a fascinating place to visit. Hierapolis has a well preserved 12,000 seat amphitheater and the massive Necropolis which is the largest ancient graveyard in Anatolia. You will also see the Temple of Apollo and the shrine of the nymphs at this beautiful ancient site. At the end of the day we will drive back to Izmir, where we can drop you off at your hotel or at the airport.

Full-Day Tour of Ancient Ruins in Ephesus from Izmir

5. Full-Day Tour of Ancient Ruins in Ephesus from Izmir

This full-day tour from Izmir, takes you to Ephesus in Selçuk to explore Turkey’s best preserved ruins from the ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine civilizations. Visit the most important ruins in Ephesus, including the Temple of Artemis, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World before it was destroyed in 401 AD. You will also see the Library of Celsus, built to hold 12,000 scrolls and at its time one of the largest libraries in the world. The nearby Great Theater, which was the largest outdoor theater in the world, was designed to hold 24,000 people – even its ruins are huge. After discovering the impressive monuments, you will visit the Archaeological Museum of Ephesus. The museum houses many important statues and relics including a preserved segment of the original Temple of Artemis. After enjoying a lunch of traditional Turkish cuisine, you will travel to the House of the Virgin Mary on Bulbul Mountain, where archeologists and historians believe the mother of Jesus lived at the end of her life.

From Izmir: Pamukkale Guided Tour with Lunch

6. From Izmir: Pamukkale Guided Tour with Lunch

Discover the natural wonders of Pamukkale on this guided tour with lunch. Marvel at formations of travertine and explore Hierapolis to learn the history of the ancient city. Get the chance to also visit jewelry, leather, carpet, or ceramic centers. Begin at the ancient city of Hierapolis, established in 200 B.C. and one of the most important settlements during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Walk around the recently restored theater and the city’s majestic buildings and monuments. Later, see why Pamukkale means “cotton castle.” Step into a world of wonders as you witness spectacular formations of travertine and the natural hot spring pool. Learn more about the area and spend some relaxation time in the spring pool.

Turkey (Türkiye): eSim Mobile Data Roaming Plan

7. Turkey (Türkiye): eSim Mobile Data Roaming Plan

Make your trip hassle-free with your convenient eSIM. Stay connected on your travels with high-speed coverage in Turkey and the other 39 most visited regions in Europe. Purchase and install your eSIM anytime and anywhere, and choose from a variety of data packages, validity options, and coverage in additional countries. Simply scan the eSIM QR code to access all your essential apps on your trip. Avoid the trouble of managing multiple SIMs with this zero-waste solution. Get one eSIM per device and top up by simply buying and activating additional eSIM plans as you go. Once activated, your coverage will begin according to your selected duration. Benefit from coverage in Austria, Andorra, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guiana, Germany, Greece, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, La Reunion, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Also covered is Malta, Martinique, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Northern Ireland. All iPhone model launched beyond iPhone XS can support eSIM. For Android, if you are unsure, please check with the guideline photo for eligibility. If you can not connect to the internet after install this eSIM, please follow the Self Help Troubleshooting Guide in your GYG voucher. APN (Access Point Name): mobiledata Local operator info: Turkey: Vodafone-Telsim The rest of the countries is available in the voucher info on your GYG App after purchase

Ephesus Entry Ticket with Mobile Phone Audio Tour

8. Ephesus Entry Ticket with Mobile Phone Audio Tour

Founded by the Greeks and conquered by the Romans, Ephesus was once a city of proverbial wealth. It was a bustling port which over time developed into an important center for Christianity. On this self-guided tour, benefit from skip-the-line entry then explore using your smartphone to travel back in time to the city’s former life. The tour is the perfect way to experience the site in a fun and insightful way, and gain valuable insight into one of the most popular places in Turkey. The first stop of the day is to the State Agora, which was once the political heart of the city boasting a lavish square. Continue on to Bouleuterion, and discover the meeting point of the city council which perhaps was also a space for artistic performances. As you stroll around the colonnades, stoas, and other buildings, listen to fascinating stories about what life was like here for locals. Arrive at the Temple of Domitian and find out the rather unusual architectural layout of the U-shaped altar. Next, wander down the Curetes which connected the political and commercial hearts of Ephesus. Uncover the legend of the emperor’s fountain, then explore the large complex of baths at the Scolastica including the lavish marble latrines. Head to the grave of the Egyptian princess Arsinoe, then marvel at the mesmerizing Celsus Library, which is probably the most famous landmark of Ephesus. From here the road leads you to the gate of Mazeus and Mithridates, and onto at the Grand Theatre where performances and gladiatorial games took place. Last but not least, walk through the crossroads of the Arcadiane and follow a small path that leads you to the spectacular ruins of the enormous Church of Mary.

From Kusadasi or Izmir: Ephesus Private Tour

9. From Kusadasi or Izmir: Ephesus Private Tour

Explore the stunning ruins of Ephesus on this full-day sightseeing tour from Izmir or Kusadasi, also available as a half-day option from Kusadasi for those short of time. As it is a private tour you can start at any time you like. You will also visit the small House of the Virgin Mary, where it is thought she spent her final days after St. John brought her to Ephesus following the death of Jesus. Located on Mount Bulbuldagi (Koressos), it’s a popular pilgrim site for Christians and Muslims and boasts a captivating, spiritual atmosphere. Once inside the grounds of Ephesus, wander among the ruins with your guide to see sites such as the Odeon Theatre, which could seat up to 1,400 spectators in its day. Admire the beautiful Roman statues and decorations carved into marble slabs at the Pollio Fountain. Other highlights include the Celcius Library, completed by the Romans in 117AD. The building has the most awe-inspiring façade, with columns, statues, and intact windows. Finally, explore the Greek Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, and go to the Basilica of St John (Kusadasi departures only), constructed by Justinian I over the burial site of the Apostle John.

Best of Ephesus Private Tour

10. Best of Ephesus Private Tour

Meet your guide in your hotel reception or pre–arranged meeting point and receive a brief introduction from your tour guide about the attractions in the Ephesus Region. Together with your guide, decide the places you would like to see such as museums, local markets, and local restaurants, and then start your full-day tour. Discover the places in Ephesus that interest you the most and learn about these spots from your own private guide (attraction admission fees not included). Take the tour at your own pace, stopping as frequently and for as long as you like without the hassle of waiting for other people. The tour is designed as a full day by private van. At the end of the tour, you will return to your original departure point.

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What are the best day trips and excursions from Izmir?

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Ephesus

Other Sightseeing Options in Izmir

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What people are saying about Izmir

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 495 reviews

We had a great time in Turkey. Mr. Fevzi (owner, Curio travels) was very proactive, supportive and friendly to us. Arrangement were made to perfection. Our tour guides (Mr. Serkan for Istanbul and Mr. Tezcan for rest of the tour) were super cool. They treated us as their family members. We were a bit scared for this long trip because we have 2 small kids but the way it was planned, kids enjoyed the trip a lot. It was very comfortable and non tiring trip. Guides were super supportive and understanding, kids enjoyed a lot with the guide uncles :) Thanks again for the great memories that we collected during this trip, it couldn’t have happened without these wonderful gentlemen. -Farhat

We were fetched on time at our hotel. Mehareem met us and explained the process. We fetched some people along the way from Kusadasi and more when we got to Pamukkale. The ride was very pleasant. Mehareem gave us insights into the area, the Turkish culture as we went by each little town. Heiropolis was incredible. The fact and history was absolutely mesmerizing. Pamukkale was breathtaking,an absolute must do in one's lifetime. Highlight for me was we got to swim in Cleopatra's pools in the middle of winter.

Pamukkale is definitely one of the must visit places in Turkey & I am glad I booked this tour with GYG. Mehmet our guide was so amazing, he shared a lot of fascinating facts. Hierapolis is definitely a place you want to visit with a guide to understand the rich history of the place. Once you reach Pamukkale, you get to enjoy the naturally occurring thermal springs, you can also swim in the Cleopatra's pool. Everything was up-to-mark, Crowded House Tours was a great provider.

worked as it should. easy to install - requires a device with E-sim. note, try to print the voucher out as you will need to scan a qr code for installation.

Great trip, visited the main sites in and around Ephesus, which was well explained by our guide.