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Izmir Province Romance & special occasions

Our most recommended Izmir Province Romance & special occasions

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

1. 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.

Ephesus and Pamukkale: Day Trip by Plane from Istanbul

2. Ephesus and Pamukkale: Day Trip by Plane from Istanbul

Travel back in time on a guided tour from Istanbul to the ancient cities of Ephesus and Hierapolis. Spend a full day marveling at ancient, multi-cultural architecture and monuments without worrying about any of the details of traveling and organizing.  Start your day with pickup from your hotel in Istanbul in the early morning and transfer smoothly to the airport to catch your flight to Izmir. Be greeted upon your arrival and travel to Ephesus to meet with your guide. Explore this iconic former-Greek city, built in the 10th century, famed for its temples, monuments, and theaters. Known as the commercial, religious, and social center of antiquity, this is sure to be the highlight to your whole visit to Turkey. Discover the city’s combination of Greek, Roman and Byzantine markers of civilization. Visit the Fountains of Trajan, Polio, the Temples of Hadrian and Domition, and the Library of Celcius. Be awed by the the Great Theater with its capacity for 24,000 spectators, the Temple of Artemis, and the House of the Virgin Mary. Continue to Pamukkale which is known for its natural thermal spring waters.  Find out why this site is known as the cotton castle as you see how the chemical properties of the water have formed pure white colored travertines and stepped water terraces that line the mountain’s slope, resembling piles of cotton. Visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The highlight of this site is be the Sacred Pool, which you can enter if you choose. There, shallow thermal waters ripple over a wonderful scattering of ancient Roman ruins that lie beneath. Head to the Necropolis of Hierapolis which contains 1200 gravestones, including that of Marcus Aurelius Ammianos. After your tour, transfer back to Denizli Airport for your evening flight back to Istanbul and be transferred back to your hotel.

5 Day Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus Private Tour

3. 5 Day Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus Private Tour

Day 1 Meet your driver at the hotel reception for an Istanbul airport transfer to catch your flight to Cappadocia. Upon your arrival to Cappadocia, be welcomed by a representative with a sign bearing your name. Next, be transferred to the tour office. Join a private North Cappadocia day tour. Visit iconic landmarks like Uchisar Castle Viewpoint and Goreme Open Air Museum. See a pottery demonstration and have a traditional lunch in Avanos. Conitnue to Red River, Devrent Valley, Pasabag (Monks Valley), and a traditional carpet weaving school. As the tour wraps up at around 5 PM, be escorted to your hotel. Spend the night in Cappadocia. Day 2 Start your day with breakfast at your hotel. Meet your guide and leave from the hotel for a private South Cappadocia day tour. Enjoy Goreme Panorama, hiking in the Red Valley, Old Greek Cavusin Village, Love Valley, a traditional lunch, Kaymaklı Underground City, Onyx demonstration, and Pigeon Valley. Spend the night in Cappadocia. Day 3 After a hotel pick-up at around 08:00 AM, head to Pamukkale by visiting Sultan Han Caravansarai and Konya Mevlana Museum. Spend the night in Pamukkale. Day 4 Have a hearty breakfast and check out from the hotel. Head out with your guide for a private Pamukkale day tour. Explore Pamukkale White Travertines, the ruins of Hierapolis Old Roman Antique City (Necropol, Antique Theatre, Apollo Temple). At the end of to tour, transfer to Kusadasi. Spend the night in Kusadasi. Day 5 Checkout from the hotel after breakfast. Leave for another private day tour of Ephesus. Visit Ephesus Ancient Greek, Roman City (Celsus Library, Temple of Hadrian, Open - Air Theatre and the other ruins), Virgin Mary House, St. John Basilica, Isa Bey Mosque, and Artemis Temple. Conclude the tour at 05:00 PM and transfer to the airport for your flight back to Istanbul. Upon your arrival to Istanbul, be dropped off at your hotel.

Private Pamukkale (Hierapolis) Tour: Full-Day from Izmir

4. Private Pamukkale (Hierapolis) Tour: Full-Day from Izmir

Join us on our full-day tour to Pamukkale, which in English means “cotton castle”. You’ll understand why it’s called this when you see the site! This unique site should be on everyone’s “must see” list when visiting Turkey. The thermal spa of Hierapolis dates from dynasty of the Attalids, the kings of Pergamon, and is registered as a cultural and natural heritage site by UNESCO. Your guide will show you the ruins of the baths, temples and other Greek monuments at the site. You’ll see the ruins of the ancient Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis and have time to relax in the warm spring waters. Calcite-laden waters cascade from springs in a cliff towering nearly 200 meters over the plain, creating a surreal landscape of mineral forests, petrified waterfalls and a series of terraced basins. The terraces were formed by the warm cascading waters that contain calcium bicarbonate. As the water loses its carbon dioxide it leaves limestone deposits. During your visit to the open-air museum of Hierapolis you’ll see the massive ancient graveyard that contains over 1200 sarcophagi, many of which are the size of a small house. Other ruins that you’ll visit on this tour include the Great Theatre, the tomb of St. Philip, the Roman Baths and the Temple of Apollo.

From Istanbul: Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary Day Trip

5. From Istanbul: Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary Day Trip

Discover the rich cultural heritage of Turkey with this day trip to Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis, and the House of the Virgin Mary. Explore these incredible sites with an experienced local guide. Benefit from round-trip flights and luxury transfers from your hotel in Istanbul. After pickup in Istanbul, travel to the airport where you’ll board a flight to Izmir. Once you’ve landed, drive to the incredible UNESCO World Heritage site of Ephesus. Wander through the ancient ruins with your guide, see the Grand Theater, and admire the stunning Library of Celsus. Continue your tour with a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, where the mother of Jesus was said to spend her final days. Finally, head to the sparse ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Afterwards, fly back to Istanbul and get dropped off at your hotel.

Full-Day Pamukkale Tour from Kusadasi

6. Full-Day Pamukkale Tour from Kusadasi

The rock formations of Pamukkale (literally, "Cotton Castle") are a series of white terraces saturated with dissolved calcium bicarbonate, bubbling up from the feet of the mountains beyond. As the water flows over the edge of the plateau and cools, carbon dioxide is given off and calcium carbonate precipitates as hard chalk, or travertine. The spring emerges in the middle of the ancient resort city of Hierapolis (the ruins themselves are worthy of a stop as well). Sadly, the travertine that makes up the Pamukkale is gradually turning from white to yellow, and is even thought to be drying up. Thirsty hotels are blamed by the government, which has demolished many of them. This is good for the Pamukkale, but it makes finding a hotel increasingly difficult. Most stay in Pamukkale Koyu. The Hierapolis archaeological site lies west of Pamukkale Koyu. Its main features include a temple of Apollo and the adjacent Plutonium, a cavern emitting a deadly sulphur and carbon dioxide gas. East of here is a restored Roman ampitheatre, dating from the second century AD. Most of the stage buildings and their elaborate reliefs remain intact. An interesting part of the city is the colonnaded street, once extending almost 1km to a series of monumental portals. Today, only the most northerly, a triple arch flanked by towers and dedicated to the Emperor Domitian in 84 AD, still stands. Just south of the arch is the elaborate tomb of Flavius Zeuxis. This is only the first of more than a thousand tombs that constitute the full necropolis, the largest in Asia Minor.

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

7. 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.

From Marmaris: 2-Day Pamukkale and Ephesus Tour

8. From Marmaris: 2-Day Pamukkale and Ephesus Tour

Tick both Ephesus and Pamukkale off your bucket list on one trip with hotel pickup in Marmaris and İçmeler and an overnight stay in Pamukkale. Visit the amazing Ephesus, home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, on the first day and the breathtaking "Cotton Castle" Pamukkale on the second. Get picked up and head toward one of the best-preserved ancient sites in the world, the city of Ephesus. Stop along the way for breakfast at Cleopatra Bay and for a tea break en route. See the House of the Virgin Mary, the 1,000-year-old amphitheater, and the Temple of Artemis. Have lunch in Seljuk before departing for Pamukkale. How better to end this magical day than with a romantic sunset over the white terraces of Pamukkale? Enjoy a tasty local dinner and a dance party as the eve's entertainment. Stay overnight at a luxe hotel. Wake refreshed for hotel breakfast and head off for a full day of fascinating travertines and thermal springs. Visit the ruins of Hierapolis and take some free time for the terraces and baths. Discover some spots in Turkey not yet touched by tourism. In the afternoon, depart for a visit to a local carpet school with another tea break before returning to your original pickup location.

From Istanbul: Best of Turkey Multi-Day Tour Package

9. 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.

Cappadocia: 3-Day Guided Trip

10. Cappadocia: 3-Day Guided Trip

Discover Cappadocia on a 3-day, 2-night trip accompanied by an expert guide. Visit the ethereal Devrent Imagination Valley, the Byzantine tombs, the Derinkuyu Underground City, and enjoy local cuisine and comfortable accommodation. Day 1, blue tour with lunch: Book an early morning flight to Cappadocia (Kayseri Airport) and arrive by 8:00 AM at the latest. The local partner will organize the shuttle transfer to your hotel in Cappadocia accordingly. Your guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel between 9:30 AM and 10:00 AM. The first stop is Devrent Imagination Valley, where you'll walk through the ethereal lunar landscape and admire the dramatic rock formations. You'll also visit the Pasabaglari, fairy chimneys, and you'll see a pottery demonstration using the Hittite technique at Avanos. Tuck into a traditional lunch at a local restaurant and then head up to Uchisar Rock Castle, the highest point in the region and the best place to watch the sunset. Catch amazing panoramic views of the Goreme Valley from Esentepe, and visit the Goreme Open Air Museum. Day 2, green tour with breakfast and lunch: Before your 9:15 AM pickup from the hotel, you have the option to book an early morning hot air balloon ride. Otherwise, your first stop will be Kaymakli Underground City and then it's on to Soganli Valley where you'll take a relaxing walk along Byzantine rock tombs. Continue on to Sobesos, a Roman bath from the 5th century, then Taskinpasa Medresesi, an Ottoman theological school, and Mustafapasa where you'll see Ottoman and Greek architecture. Day 3, red tour with breakfast and lunch: Get picked up from the hotel at 9:15 AM, and then head to the Derinkuyu Underground City, the largest in the region, Narli Gol a volcanic creator lake, and Ihlara Canyon. Enjoy Lunch in Belisirma Village, Selime, a surreal ancient monastic site with great panoramic views of the Ihlara Valley. At the end of the trip, you'll transfer to Kayseri Airport and fly back to Istanbul or another part of Turkey to continue your travels.

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What people are saying about Izmir Province

The journey was made with a very comfortable bus and our guide was Tijen Oral, a wonderful woman who helped me a lot with some travel doubts I had following this tour, a truly fantastic person. Pamukkale itself is a surreal landscape that feels like something out of a dream and the guide left us free to enjoy the place as we wished within the allotted time. Despite having several people there, it is possible to also enter in some of the pools, so it's good to bring a bathing suit and be ready to get wet. Also the ruins of the city of Hierapolis are in the same place and are very interesting to visit. I highly recommend this tour, at the point of becoming something almost mandatory for anyone visiting Türkiye.

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.

They picked us up on time & were on schedule as informe. our guide Guray was very knowledgeable. He showed us the best spots to take pictures and paced out the trip very nicely with ample time for us to explore /take pics etc. highly recommended !

The trip was awesome, although the flight was delay by 3 hr but our tour guide Mr Murat made it happen. We managed to catch all the beautiful sights at stipulated Timing. Highly recommended for this!