Southeastern Secrets: Nemrut, Göbeklitepe & the Aegean
10 days · 9 suggested stays
Day 1 — Arrive in Istanbul and explore the Sultanahmet old city core.
(overnight: Istanbul)
Hagia Sophia
Iconic Byzantine basilica turned mosque-museum in Sultanahmet.
Blue Mosque
Sultanahmet's six-minaret Ottoman masterpiece.
Grand Bazaar
Historic covered market for lunch and wandering.
Sultanahmet Palace Hotel
Central Sultanahmet hotel near all old-city sights.
Day 2 — Bosphorus cruise and Süleymaniye, then prep for the southeast.
(overnight: Istanbul)
Bosphorus Cruise
Boat ride along the strait between two continents.
Suleymaniye Mosque
Sinan's grand mosque with sweeping city views.
Spice Bazaar
Aromatic Egyptian Bazaar for spices and sweets.
Sultanahmet Palace Hotel
Second night in central Sultanahmet.
Day 3 — Fly to Şanlıurfa and ease into the old city.
(overnight: Şanlıurfa)
Flight Istanbul to Şanlıurfa
Domestic flight IST to GZT, then drive to Şanlıurfa.
Şanlıurfa Old City & Bazaar
Wander the ancient bazaar and Balıklıgöl pools.
Hotel El-Ruha (Şanlıurfa)
Well-located hotel near the old city center.
Day 4 — Göbeklitepe, the world's oldest temple, plus Şanlıurfa.
(overnight: Şanlıurfa)
Göbeklitepe
12,000-year-old megalithic temple complex.
Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum
Houses Göbeklitepe finds and Neolithic artifacts.
Hotel El-Ruha (Şanlıurfa)
Second night in Şanlıurfa.
Day 5 — Drive to Adıyaman, gateway to Mount Nemrut.
(overnight: Adıyaman)
Drive Şanlıurfa to Adıyaman
Scenic ~113km drive to the Nemrut base town.
Adıyaman Old Town & Citadel
Relaxed afternoon exploring the Commagene city.
Hotel Nemrut (Adıyaman)
Comfortable hotel in Adıyaman near the citadel.
Day 6 — Nemrut sunrise, then fly west to Izmir.
(overnight: Izmir)
Mount Nemrut Sunrise
Colossal Commagene statues at dawn on the summit.
Flight Adıyaman to Izmir
Fly ADF to ADB, then transfer to Izmir city.
Swissotel Grand Efes Izmir
—
Visit site
Upscale Izmir hotel on the Aegean waterfront.
Day 7 — Day trip to Pergamon's dramatic acropolis.
(overnight: Izmir)
Drive Izmir to Pergamon
~114km drive to the ancient acropolis city.
Pergamon Acropolis
Steepest ancient theater and Altar of Zeus remains.
Asclepieion
Ancient healing sanctuary below the acropolis.
Swissotel Grand Efes Izmir
—
Visit site
Return to Izmir for the night.
Day 8 — Drive to Selcuk and explore Ephesus.
(overnight: Selcuk)
Drive Izmir to Selcuk
~77km drive to the Ephesus base town.
Library of Celsus
Iconic two-story facade of Roman Ephesus.
Great Theatre of Ephesus
Vast 25,000-seat ancient amphitheater.
Villa Dreams Ephesus
Charming Selcuk guesthouse near the ruins.
Day 9 — Terrace Houses and the hill village of Sirince.
(overnight: Selcuk)
Terrace Houses
Richly frescoed Roman villas on the slope.
Sirince Village
Hilltop village known for wine and stone lanes.
Basilica of St John
Ruined basilica atop Ayasoluk Hill in Selcuk.
Villa Dreams Ephesus
Second night in Selcuk.
Day 10 — Return to Izmir and fly back to Istanbul for departure.
(overnight: Istanbul)
Drive Selcuk to Izmir
~77km drive back to Izmir Adnan Menderes.
Flight Izmir to Istanbul
Fly ADB to IST/SAW for onward departure.
Galata Tower
Panoramic farewell view over Istanbul.
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