5-Day Turkey Tour: Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy & Ephesus
The 5-Day Turkey Tour: Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy & Ephesus is the perfect itinerary for travelers who want to explore Turkey’s most iconic highlights in a short time. This comprehensive journey covers Istanbul’s treasures, the historic Gallipoli battlefields, the legendary ruins of Troy, and the ancient city of Ephesus.
In just five days, you will immerse yourself in Byzantine, Ottoman, and Roman heritage, uncover the myths of Homer’s Iliad, and walk through UNESCO-listed sites. With expert guides, domestic flights, and comfortable transfers, this is one of the best multi-day Turkey tours for culture, history, and sightseeing.
🗓️ Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Istanbul & Half-Day City Tour
- Airport Pick-Up & Transfer: Upon arrival in Istanbul, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel for check-in.
- Afternoon Tour: Begin exploring Istanbul’s old city:
- Hippodrome of Constantinople – once the center of social life in the Byzantine Empire.
- Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) – famous for its six minarets and İznik tile interior.
- Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) – one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, blending Byzantine and Ottoman architecture.
- Grand Bazaar – explore thousands of shops selling carpets, jewelry, spices, and handicrafts.
- Evening: Free time or optional Bosphorus dinner cruise.
- 🏨 Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 – Full-Day Istanbul Tour (Topkapi Palace & Bosphorus)
- Morning: Visit Istanbul’s imperial landmarks:
- Topkapi Palace – seat of the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years.
- Basilica Cistern – the underground water reservoir from the 6th century.
- Afternoon:
- Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) – enjoy the scents of spices, teas, and Turkish delight.
- Bosphorus Cruise – witness Europe and Asia from the water, with stunning views of palaces and mansions.
- 🏨 Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 – Istanbul ➝ Gallipoli ➝ Çanakkale
- Morning Departure: Drive to Gallipoli Peninsula (approx. 4–5 hours).
- Gallipoli Battlefield Tour Highlights:
- ANZAC Cove – landing site of ANZAC forces in 1915.
- Lone Pine Cemetery – memorial site for Australian soldiers.
- Chunuk Bair – New Zealand memorial.
- The Nek & Johnston’s Jolly – preserved trenches and battlefields.
- Evening: Continue to Çanakkale for overnight stay.
- 🏨 Overnight in Çanakkale.
Day 4 – Troy Ancient City Tour ➝ Kusadasi/Izmir
- Morning: Explore Troy Ancient City:
- Archaeological ruins with 9 settlement layers.
- Replica Trojan Horse – inspired by Homer’s Iliad.
- City Walls, Temples & Ancient Theaters.
- Afternoon Transfer: Drive to Kusadasi/Izmir region, the base for visiting Ephesus.
- 🏨 Overnight in Kusadasi or Izmir.
Day 5 – Ephesus Tour ➝ Istanbul Return
- Full-Day Guided Tour of Ephesus:
- Library of Celsus – the most photographed monument in Turkey.
- Great Theatre – once hosting 25,000 spectators.
- Temple of Hadrian – dedicated to Emperor Hadrian.
- House of Virgin Mary – an important pilgrimage site.
- Temple of Artemis – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- Evening: Flight from Izmir back to Istanbul (domestic flight included).
- 🛫 End of the 5-day tour.
🌟 Why Choose This Tour?
✔️ Covers Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, and Ephesus in 5 days
✔️ Visit 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in one trip
✔️ Includes domestic flight (Izmir ➝ Istanbul)
✔️ Professional licensed guides & modern vehicles
✔️ Perfect balance of history, culture, and sightseeing
✔️ No compulsory shopping stops – 100% sightseeing
🛡️ Things to Know Before Booking
- Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
- Start & End Point: Istanbul
- Accommodation: Not included (can be arranged upon request)
- Meals: Daily breakfast + selected lunches (check inclusions)
- Transport: Modern coaches + domestic flight (Izmir ➝ Istanbul) included
- Group Size: Small-group or private tour available
- Payment: Secure online booking with Stripe
- Cancellation Policy: Free cancellation up to 7 days before departure
ℹ️ Important Notes
- Tour Duration: 7–8 hours per day
- Tour Type: Private tour (only for your group, flexible departure time)
- Transfers: Hotel pick-up & drop-off included
- Photography: Ample time at each stop for photos
- Languages: Choose guide language at booking (EN / CN / ES / FR)
- Sightseeing Focused: No compulsory shopping stops
✅ What’s Included
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Ground transportation with air-conditioned coaches
- Entrance tickets to all listed sites
- Domestic flight: Izmir ➝ Istanbul
- Gallipoli, Troy & Ephesus guided tours
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off transfers
❌ Not Included
- International flights to/from Turkey
- Accommodation (can be added separately)
- Optional activities (Bosphorus cruise, Turkish Night Show, Terrace Houses in Ephesus)
- Personal expenses & tips
ℹ️ Things to Know Before Booking – 5-Day Turkey Tour: Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy & Ephesus
🕒 Tour Duration
- The tour runs for 5 days / 4 nights, with 7–8 hours of guided touring per day.
- Flexible start and end in Istanbul (airport pick-up & drop-off included).
🧳 Accommodation & Flights
- Accommodation is not included in the base price (can be arranged on request).
- Domestic flight from Izmir ➝ Istanbul is included on the final day.
- International flights to/from Turkey are not included.
👥 Group Size & Tour Type
- Available as small-group or private tour.
- Private option allows flexible departure times and a more personalized service.
📍 Pick-Up & Drop-Off
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Istanbul, Çanakkale, and Kusadasi/Izmir are included.
- Domestic airport transfers for the Izmir ➝ Istanbul flight are also arranged.
🚐 Transportation
- Overland transfers are by modern, air-conditioned coaches.
- Domestic flight (Izmir ➝ Istanbul) is included in the itinerary.
🍴 Meals
- Daily breakfast and selected lunches are included.
- Dinners are not included, giving guests the flexibility to explore local restaurants.
🌍 Languages
- Guided tours are available in English, Chinese, Spanish, and French.
- Guide language must be selected at the time of booking.
📸 Photography
- Ample time is provided at each stop for photography and exploration.
🚫 No Shopping Stops
- This is a sightseeing-focused tour. There are no compulsory shopping stops.
🛡️ Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation up to 7 days before departure.
- Cancellations within 7 days may incur fees.
💳 Payment
- Booking is made securely online.
- Payments are processed via Stripe’s encrypted system, accepting all major credit/debit cards.