Göbeklitepe & Nemrut: Turkey's Ancient Heartland
10 days · 10 suggested stays
Day 1 — Arrive in Istanbul and ease into the old city with Sultanahmet's imperial landmarks.
(overnight: Istanbul)
Hagia Sophia
Byzantine cathedral turned mosque, a 1,500-year-old marvel
Blue Mosque
Six-minaret Ottoman masterpiece facing Hagia Sophia
Sultanahmet Square
Historic plaza linking the great imperial monuments
Sultanahmet Palace Hotel
Central old-city hotel steps from the Blue Mosque
Day 2 — Dive into Istanbul's Ottoman grandeur with Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.
(overnight: Istanbul)
Topkapi Palace
Opulent sultans' palace with harem and treasury
Grand Bazaar
Vast covered market of 4,000 shops and lanes
Basilica Cistern
Atmospheric underground Byzantine water reservoir
Sultanahmet Palace Hotel
Central old-city hotel steps from the Blue Mosque
Day 3 — Fly east to Şanlıurfa, gateway to Göbeklitepe, and explore the sacred pool city.
(overnight: Şanlıurfa)
Flight Istanbul to Şanlıurfa
Domestic flight east to the Göbeklitepe gateway
Balıklıgöl (Pool of Abraham)
Sacred carp pool where Abraham was said to be born
Şanlıurfa Old Bazaar
Lively traditional market lanes of the old city
Şanlıurfa City Hotel
Comfortable base near the old town
Day 4 — Visit Göbeklitepe, the world's oldest temple, then explore Şanlıurfa's archaeology.
(overnight: Şanlıurfa)
Göbeklitepe
11,000-year-old megalithic temple complex, oldest known
Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum
Houses the finest Göbeklitepe finds and artifacts
Harran Beehive Houses
Ancient conical mud-brick homes near the Syrian border
Şanlıurfa City Hotel
Comfortable base near the old town
Day 5 — Fly to Adıyaman and ascend Mount Nemrut for the colossal stone heads at sunrise.
(overnight: Şanlıurfa)
Flight Şanlıurfa to Adıyaman
Short domestic hop toward Mount Nemrut
Mount Nemrut
Colossal stone heads of gods atop a 2,134m peak
Kahta & Karakuş Tumulus
Ancient burial mound and Commagene monuments
Kahta Hotel
Simple overnight near Mount Nemrut
Day 6 — Fly west to Izmir, the Aegean base, and unwind along the Kordon promenade.
(overnight: Izmir)
Flight Adıyaman to Izmir
Domestic flight west to the Aegean coast
Kordon Promenade
Lively Aegean waterfront walk with sea views
Izmir Clock Tower
Historic Ottoman clock tower in Konak Square
Swissotel Grand Efes Izmir
—
Visit site
Upscale Aegean hotel with sea views
Day 7 — Day trip to Pergamon, the dramatic acropolis with the steepest ancient theater.
(overnight: Izmir)
Drive Izmir to Pergamon
Scenic drive north to the ancient acropolis
Pergamon Acropolis
Steepest ancient theater and Altar of Zeus ruins
Asclepieion
Ancient healing sanctuary below the acropolis
Swissotel Grand Efes Izmir
—
Visit site
Upscale Aegean hotel with sea views
Day 8 — Day trip to Ephesus, walking the marble streets of Roman Asia's apex.
(overnight: Selcuk)
Drive Izmir to Ephesus
Short drive south to the ancient city
Library of Celsus
Stunning restored Roman library facade
Great Theatre of Ephesus
Vast 25,000-seat Roman amphitheater
Villa Dreams Ephesus
—
Visit site
Upscale Aegean hotel with sea views
Day 9 — Explore Izmir's Kemeralti Bazaar and historic quarter at a relaxed pace.
(overnight: Izmir)
Kemeralti Bazaar
Vast historic bazaar with lanes of shops and cafes
Alsancak Historic Quarter
Charming streets of cafes and old architecture
Izmir Archaeology Museum
Aegean artifacts from nearby ancient sites
Swissotel Grand Efes Izmir
—
Visit site
Upscale Aegean hotel with sea views
Day 10 — Fly back to Istanbul and depart, ending the ancient heartland odyssey.
(overnight: Istanbul)
Flight Izmir to Istanbul
Domestic flight back to Istanbul for departure
Spice Bazaar
Fragrant Ottoman market for last-minute gifts
Galata Tower
Medieval tower with panoramic city views
Sultanahmet Palace Hotel
Central old-city hotel for the departure night
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