EPHESUS · PAMUKKALE
2-Day Ephesus & Pamukkale Overnight Tour from İzmir & Kuşadası
Heritage of the Aegean: Ephesus & Pamukkale
From $249 per person
- Duration: 2 days / 1 night
- Stay: Pamukkale 1N · 4★ hotel
- Meals: Breakfast, dinner + 2 lunches
- Group: Small group (max 12) or private
- Guide: Guide: English, Turkish
- Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 7 days
Tour Overview
2-Day Ephesus & Pamukkale Overnight Tour: Ephesus, Virgin Mary’s House & Hierapolis
This 2-day Ephesus and Pamukkale overnight tour packs two UNESCO World Heritage sites into 1 night and 2 days. Your guide and driver meet you at İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport, Kuşadası cruise port or your hotel in the Selçuk area.
Day 1 is Ephesus: the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the marble streets and the great theatre, followed by the House of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St. John and the remains of the Temple of Artemis. You then drive about 3 hours to Pamukkale for the night. Day 2 brings the white travertines and the ruins of Hierapolis, with free time at Cleopatra’s Antique Pool.
It suits couples, families and faith travellers who want both sites in one booking. Shared is a small group of up to 12 guests, with the same price per person for 2 to 6 travellers; Private gives you your own vehicle and guide, priced by group size. All transfers, 1 night in a 4★ hotel in Pamukkale (or similar) with breakfast and dinner, 2 traditional lunches, a licensed guide and the entrance fees of the listed sites are included; the Cleopatra’s Pool fee is extra. Read our Ephesus travel guide or see Ephesus and Pamukkale tour packages.
Highlights
- Celsus Library and the great theatre
- House of the Virgin Mary
- Basilica of St. John
- White travertine terraces of Pamukkale
- Hierapolis amphitheatre and Necropolis
- Entrances and 2 lunches included
Quick facts
- Best time to visit: April–June and September–November; July–August is very hot.
- An optional sunrise hot air balloon flight over Pamukkale can be added on Day 2, weather permitting.
- Wear comfortable shoes: Ephesus has uneven marble streets and the Pamukkale terraces are walked barefoot.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
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Day 1Ephesus, House of the Virgin Mary & Drive to Pamukkale
Your driver and licensed guide meet you at İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport, Kuşadası cruise port or your hotel in the Selçuk area. Ephesus comes first: the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the marble streets and the Great Theatre. After a traditional Aegean lunch you visit the House of the Virgin Mary on Mount Koressos, a place of Christian pilgrimage, the Basilica of St. John in Selçuk and the remains of the Temple of Artemis. In the late afternoon you drive about 3 hours to Pamukkale, where dinner and the night are at your hotel.
Meals: Lunch, DinnerOvernight: Pamukkale — 4★ hotel (or similar)Transport: Private air-conditioned vehicle; Selçuk → Pamukkale ~3 hTour: Shared (small group) or Private (vehicle + guide)Entrances: included (Ephesus, House of the Virgin Mary, Basilica of St. John) -
Day 2Pamukkale Terraces, Hierapolis & Return Transfer
An optional hot air balloon flight at sunrise, weather permitting, can open the day above the white terraces. After the breakfast at your hotel you walk the travertine terraces of Pamukkale barefoot and see the warm, mineral-rich water that formed them. Next you explore Hierapolis, an ancient spa city with a Roman theatre and a large necropolis. You have free time at Cleopatra’s Antique Pool, where you can swim among fallen columns (entrance fee not included). After a traditional lunch you ride back, about 3 hours to Selçuk or Kuşadası and a little longer to İzmir Airport.
Meals: Breakfast, LunchOvernight: —Transport: Private air-conditioned vehicle ~3 h back to Selçuk / Kuşadası (a little longer to İzmir Airport)Tour: Shared (small group) or Private (vehicle + guide)Entrances: Pamukkale and Hierapolis included; Cleopatra’s Pool fee extraOptional: Optional hot air balloon flight at sunrise (weather permitting)
Places Along the Route
Ancient City of Ephesus
One of the best-preserved classical cities of the Mediterranean, Ephesus was a major Roman port and an early Christian centre. Its marble main street, fountains and public buildings still show how the city worked.
Library of Celsus
Built in the early 2nd century AD as a library and tomb for the Roman governor Celsus. Its two-storey façade of columns and niches with allegorical statues is the signature view of Ephesus.
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House of the Virgin Mary
A small stone chapel on Mount Koressos (Bülbül Dağı), honoured by Christians and Muslims as the place where Mary is believed to have spent her last years. Visitors leave wishes on the Wishing Wall outside.
Pamukkale Travertine Terraces
Pamukkale, the “Cotton Castle”, is a hillside of white travertine terraces filled with warm, mineral-rich water from hot springs. Visitors walk the marked paths barefoot, and the site is a UNESCO World Heritage listing with Hierapolis.
Hierapolis
Founded in the 2nd century BC, Hierapolis grew into a Roman spa town around its hot springs. Colonnaded streets, bath ruins and one of the largest necropolises in Anatolia spread across the hillside above the terraces.
Roman Theatre of Hierapolis
The Roman-period theatre keeps much of its richly carved stage building, with reliefs of gods and local scenes. Its tiered seating looks out across the valley towards the white terraces below.
Cleopatra’s Antique Pool
A natural thermal pool where warm, mineral-rich spring water bubbles up among toppled marble columns from a Roman portico. Swimming over the submerged columns is the attraction; this pool charges its own entrance fee.
Great Theatre of Ephesus
Cut into the slope of Mount Pion, the Great Theatre held roughly 25,000 spectators for plays, gladiator shows and city assemblies. The New Testament records a crowd gathering here during Paul’s stay in Ephesus.
Basilica of St. John
Emperor Justinian built this great church in the 6th century over the traditional tomb of John the Apostle, on the hill above Selçuk. Marble column bases and walls still outline its cross-shaped plan.
Temple of Artemis
A single reconstructed column and the foundations mark the site of the vast Ionic temple of Artemis, listed in antiquity among the Seven Wonders of the World. It stood beside the Ephesus of Greek and Roman times.
Why Choose This 2-Day Ephesus & Pamukkale Tour?
Ephesus on Day 1 and Pamukkale on Day 2 are joined by one night in a Pamukkale hotel, with a drive of about 3 hours between them, so both sites fit in a single booking.
- Meet-up where you already are — Your driver and licensed guide meet you at İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport, the Kuşadası cruise port or your hotel in the Selçuk area; flights are not included.
- Day 1 in Ephesus — Ephesus with the Celsus Library and Great Theatre is followed by the House of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St. John and the Temple of Artemis remains; entrances and lunch are included.
- Pamukkale on Day 2 — After dinner and breakfast in a 4★ hotel (or similar), you walk the white travertine terraces barefoot and explore Hierapolis; Cleopatra’s Antique Pool is free time, with its entrance fee extra.
- Optional sunrise balloon — An optional hot air balloon flight over Pamukkale at sunrise can open Day 2, weather permitting; it is not included in the price.
- Shared or Private — Shared is a small group of up to 12 guests; Private gives you your own vehicle and licensed guide. Children aged 0–2 travel free and ages 3–7 get 30% off.
- Licensed local agency — TÜRSAB A-group licence #18154, Istanbul-based, rated 5.0 on Google (15 reviews), free cancellation up to 7 days before the start date.
Your Hotels on This Tour
These are the hotels we use on this tour, so you know where you’ll stay and can explore them before you book. Your final hotel is confirmed with your booking; if a listed hotel is unavailable on your dates, we reserve another hotel of the same category (or similar).
4★ hotel in Pamukkale area
Hotel confirmed with your booking (or similar)
Breakfast and dinner at the hotel
Tour Price & Booking
What’s Included
What’s Not Included
Optional Upgrades
Add these to your request — we confirm availability and the final total before you pay.
Private tour upgrade
Switch from the shared small group to your own vehicle and guide, with a flexible start time and a slower pace.
Own vehicle + guide-w960.webp)
Istanbul Old City tour
A guided day through historic Sultanahmet: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the Basilica Cistern.
Istanbul stopover · before or after your tour View tour →
Bosphorus dinner cruise with Turkish night show
An evening on the Bosphorus with dinner and a Turkish night show, watching the lit shores of Europe and Asia from the boat.
Istanbul stopover · before or after your tour View tour →
5★ hotel upgrade
Ask for 5★ hotels instead of the standard 4★ hotels. We check availability and confirm the extra cost before you pay.
Subject to availabilityHave something else in mind? Ask us on WhatsApp
Good to Know
Heat, Sun and Shoes
Ephesus and Hierapolis offer little shade, and July–August is very hot, so bring a hat, sunscreen and water. Wear comfortable closed shoes for the uneven marble streets; the Pamukkale terraces are walked barefoot.
Extend Your Trip
Starting from Istanbul? See our Istanbul, Bursa & Ephesus tour or the Ephesus & Pamukkale tour with Istanbul.
Pick-up Times
Your exact pick-up time is confirmed with you the day before each tour.
Hotel Check-in & Check-out
Standard hotel check-in is from 14:00 and check-out is until 12:00. Early check-in or late check-out depends on availability; ask us and we will request it.
Dietary Requirements
Halal and vegetarian options are available. Please tell us about any dietary needs when you book.
What to Wear
Please dress modestly when visiting mosques and religious sites: shoulders and knees covered, and a scarf for women. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended on every tour.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, cancel up to 7 days before the start date.
- If you cancel less than 7 days before, the amount paid is non-refundable.
- Changes made less than 7 days before the start date cannot be accepted.
- If the tour is cancelled due to poor weather, you'll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Payment
Reserve now, pay later (no credit card required). A 30% deposit secures your booking after we confirm availability; the balance is due 15 days before the start date.
What Our Guests Say on Google
“We were greeted with a magnificent luxury vehicle right at Izmir Airport. Our guide’s profound historical and theological knowledge turned Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary into an unforgettable cultural feast. The thermal hotel we stayed at was exceptional!”
“The sunrise hot air balloon flight over Pamukkale was an absolute dream come true! This 2-day itinerary seamlessly connects the marble streets of Ephesus with the healing travertines. Thank you TourQuaz for a flawless travel experience.”
“Right as we disembarked our cruise ship at Kuşadası Port, we were greeted by name. The VIP van was incredibly comfortable. Exploring Ephesus and Hierapolis at our own private pace away from the crowds was a true luxury. Worth every penny.”
Frequently Asked Questions
No, flight tickets to and from the region are not included in the package price, so you can join the tour from any city or from a cruise ship. Once you arrive (İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport, Kuşadası cruise port or your hotel in the Selçuk area), all ground transfers over the 2 days are included.
Your driver and licensed guide meet you at İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport, the Kuşadası cruise port or your hotel in the Selçuk area. On Day 2 the return drive takes about 3 hours to Selçuk or Kuşadası and a little longer to İzmir Airport.
The night is spent in a 4★ hotel in Pamukkale (or similar), with dinner on Day 1 and breakfast on Day 2 at the hotel. Two traditional lunches are included, one on each day; drinks with meals are not.
You walk the white travertine terraces barefoot and then explore Hierapolis, the ancient spa city with a Roman theatre and a large necropolis. In Ephesus the marble streets are uneven, so comfortable shoes are important.
You have free time at the pool and can swim among the fallen columns, but the entrance fee is not included. Entrances to Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St. John, Pamukkale and Hierapolis are included.
Ephesus involves walking on ancient marble streets that can be uneven, and we can adjust the pace for your group. Please tell us in advance if you need a wheelchair or special assistance so we can arrange the logistics.
Yes. The Shared option is a small group of up to 12 guests, and the Private option gives you your own vehicle and guide. Children aged 0–2 travel free; children aged 3–7 get a 30% discount when sharing the room with adults.
Free cancellation: cancel up to 7 days before the start date for a full refund. Reserve now, pay later (no credit card required). A 30% deposit secures your booking after we confirm availability; the balance is due 15 days before the start date.
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