Take a captivating journey through Turkey's most iconic destinations with the Mini Istanbul & Kusadasi Tour. Discover the vibrant city of Istanbul, where timeless monuments such as the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, and the Grand Bazaar bear witness to centuries of history and culture. Then it's on to the picturesque coastal town of Kusadasi, the gateway to ancient wonders such as Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary. This tour harmoniously blends the hectic charm of Istanbul with the peaceful seaside appeal of Kusadasi, creating an unforgettable experience showcasing the very best of Turkey.
Deal negotiated for you
- A stay of 6 days / 5 nights in a hotel 4* local standards
- Board according to programme
- Domestic flights mentioned in the programme
- Flights departing from the city of your choice
- Round-trip airport/hotel transfer
- Transportation by air-conditioned bus.
- The service of an English-speaking guide during the tour
- The tour with admission for visits included according to the programme
Customise your trip on the Options page.
Your stay starts here
Mini Istanbul & Kusadasi 4*
Your detailed itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Istanbul
On arrival in Istanbul, you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 2 - Istanbul (B/L)
After breakfast, you'll set off for a full day of sightseeing in Istanbul. You'll start with a visit to the renovated Sultanahmet Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque - an incredibly beautiful mosque famous for its blue Iznik (Nicaea) tiles and unique on account of its six minarets. You will then continue to the Hippodrome, once a vast arena that served as a centre for sporting events (chariot races and athletics) as well as the seat of the political activities of the ancient city. From here, you can go to neighbouring Hagia Sophia, the Church of Divine Wisdom. Ranked among the world's greatest architectural masterpieces.
After lunch, your next visit will be to Topkapi Palace, the imperial residence of the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years and now home to priceless collections of porcelain, jewellery, calligraphy, and numerous artistic masterpieces. The tour will culminate in a visit to discover the Grand Bazaar, the vast and legendary covered market and the largest souk in the world, with almost 4,000 shops selling antiques, jewellery and carpets.
UNIQUE MOMENTS: During your visit to the Grand Bazaar, you'll have the chance to sample Turkish coffee from Sark Kahvesi, a historic roaster located in the Grand Bazaar. Each variety is prepared with a blend of traditional expertise, extensive experience, and a profound "love of coffee".
Day 3 - Istanbul / Izmir / Kusadasi (B/L/D)
After breakfast, you will spend half a day sightseeing in Istanbul. You'll start with a visit to the Spice Market, the Egyptian Bazaar, built in the 17th century and the second largest covered bazaar in Istanbul. Then head to the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, where the pungent, spicy aromas of exotic oils, herbs and spices have perfumed the arched stone corridors for almost 350 years. Now you'll also find nuts, honey, dried fruit, traditional sweets and herbal remedies. The fragrant wares of the Spice Market will turn you into a real spice merchant. You will then continue your tour with a cruise on the Bosphorus aboard a liner. A traditional crossing of the strait that separates Asia from Europe. Along the way, you'll see ancient Ottoman wooden mansions, marble palaces, foreign embassy residences and small fishing villages on both the Asian and European shores. Don't miss the must-see sites on the Bosphorus, such as Dolmabahçe Palace, Rumeli Fortress and Beylerbeyi. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to Istanbul Airport for your flight to Izmir. On arrival at Izmir airport you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi.
Dinner and overnight at hotel in Kusadasi.
Day 4 - Kusadasi (B/L/D)
After breakfast you will take a short drive to the town of Selçuk. You will see the only remaining column of the Temple of Artemis, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. After visiting the Basilica of St John, you'll descend to visit the 14th century Isabey Mosque. At the end of this tour, your driver will pick you up and take you to the ruins of Ephesus, the city mentioned several times in the Bible. Walk through the extensive archaeological site where you'll discover the Great Theatre where St Paul preached and the Church of the Councils. You can still see the spectacular excavations in the main streets of this ancient city, where you can also see the library, the agora, the theatre and the mosaic pavements. Climb the hills behind Ephesus to discover the place where the Virgin Mary is said to have spent the last days of her life. Today, a charming chapel, consecrated by the Pope, stands on the site of the Virgin Mary's house. To round off your tour, you can spend some free time in the city-centre of Kusadasi.
Day 5 - Kusadasi / Izmir / Istanbul (B)
After breakfast, you will be driven to Izmir Airport for your domestic flight back to Istanbul. On arrival in Istanbul, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Day 6 - Istanbul / Flight home (B)
After breakfast, depending on your flight time, you will be transferred to Istanbul Airport for your flight home.
Your accommodation
During your stay, you will be accommodated in the 4-star hotels listed (local standards) or similar:
- Hotel Beyaz Saray
- Palmin Hotel
Your board
During your stay, you will enjoy the boarding options stated in the programme.
The notation (B/L/D) next to the days shows the types of meal included: B: Breakfast / L: Lunch / D: Dinner.
Which meals are included depends on the day in question.
Drinks are not included during dinner.
Useful information
Guaranteed departure: minimum 2 people. The operator reserves the right to change the departure date if this minimum is not met.
Maximum group size: 35 people
Please note: Due to technical requirements, weather conditions, or other unforeseen events linked to the organisation of the trip, the dates of the excursions may be changed or they may be cancelled.