About 16 days, adjustable
Cumalikizik Village, Gordion Ancient City, Abant Lake, Golcuk Lake and Yedigoller National Park and more
- Length
- About 6 days, adjustable
- Start / end
- Istanbul → Pamukkale
- Travel style
- Self-drive
- Plan
- Tailor-made for you
Overview
A compact route through the highlights of western Turkey. From Istanbul you drive to the Dardanelles for Gallipoli and Troy, then south to Pergamon and Ephesus, two of the most important cities of the ancient world.
Inland from the coast, Aphrodisias and Pamukkale – Hierapolis complete the trip: marble streets, a remarkably preserved stadium and the white calcium terraces above the town of Pamukkale.
Highlights
- Troy UNESCO
- Pergamon UNESCO
- Ephesus UNESCO
- Pamukkale – Hierapolis UNESCO
- Aphrodisias UNESCO
- Gallipoli
…and more along the way.
Photos from the route
Suggested outline
The order of stops on this route idea. It is an outline we tailor with you, not a fixed program.
Along the route: Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus, Pamukkale – Hierapolis, Aphrodisias, Gallipoli, and more. How many nights you spend at each stop is up to you.
This route is a starting point. We prepare the day-by-day plan together with you, based on your dates, pace and interests.
For an idea of how our itineraries look, see the sample plan of Istanbul to Dalyan.
- Plan your trip. Determine your destinations and tour duration and contact us.
- Customize your itinerary. We help you plan your itinerary based on your preferences.
- Make your reservations. We handle all reservations, including accommodations and car rental.
- Explore at your own pace. Experience the simplicity and the flexibility of our self-drive system!
- Get support. Enjoy our dedicated virtual support for any issues or emergencies.
- Share your feedback. At the end of the tour, share your feedback with us to help us improve.
Guides for this road trip
Driving, car rental and the places on this route.
Istanbul to Izmir Drive: Fastest Route vs Scenic Route
About 480 km and 5–6 hours on the motorway, or 2–4 days via Gallipoli, Troy, Assos, Ayvalık and Pergamon. Which Istanbul to Izmir route suits you?
Visiting the Travertines of Pamukkale: A Practical Guide
Which gate to use, when to go, what to wear and how to photograph the white terraces: everything you need for a smooth visit to the Pamukkale travertines.
Hierapolis: The Sacred Ancient City Above the Pamukkale Travertines
Hierapolis is the Roman spa city on top of Pamukkale's white terraces. Discover its theatre, necropolis, Plutonium and Antique Pool, with practical tips.
More route ideas
About 10 days, adjustable
Antalya, Olympos Ancient City and Beach, Thermessos Ancient City, Goynuk Canyon and Karain Cave and more
About 12 days, adjustable
Cumalikizik Village, Gordion Ancient City, Abant Lake, Golcuk Lake and Yedigoller National Park and more
Tell us where you want to go
Leave your details and a few words about how you like to travel. We reply with a personal itinerary made for you.
Or call +90 533 258 64 12