Multi-day tour
Turquoise Coast and Lycian sites in 8 days, from Antalya to Ephesus
From Antalya to Ephesus along Turkey’s Mediterranean coast: Roman theatres, Lycian tombs, Kaş, Fethiye and Ölüdeniz, closing with Pamukkale and Ephesus, with a chauffeured vehicle and a licensed English-speaking guide.
Key facts
- Duration 8 days / 7 nights
- Route Antalya → İzmir 12 destinations
- Quotation Quotation within 24 business hours
- Recommended months April–June, September, October
- Type Private
The Ölüdeniz lagoon from the viewpoint, on the Fethiye stage
Overview
An 8-day, 7-night circuit along the Turquoise Coast, the Mediterranean shore between Antalya and Fethiye, and the sites of ancient Lycia, closing with Pamukkale and Ephesus. It starts in Antalya, with the old town of Kaleiçi, the theatre of Aspendos and the ruins of Perge; continues west through Demre, with the church of St Nicholas and the rock tombs of Myra, to the harbour of Kaş; takes in Xanthos, capital of the Lycian League, and Patara before reaching Fethiye; and from there the Ölüdeniz lagoon and the abandoned village of Kayaköy. The last two stages climb inland: Hierapolis and the Pamukkale travertines, and Ephesus with the House of the Virgin, before flying out of İzmir.
The route is driven in a private vehicle with driver and a licensed English-speaking guide; the connecting flights with Istanbul at the start and the end are part of the base. The boat trips — Kekova and the bays of Fethiye — are offered as options, with no published price, and are quoted with the programme.
The route is driven in a private vehicle with driver and a licensed English-speaking guide; the connecting flights with Istanbul at the start and the end are part of the base. The boat trips — Kekova and the bays of Fethiye — are offered as options, with no published price, and are quoted with the programme.
Route: AntalyaPergeAspendosDemre (Myra)KaşXanthosPataraFethiyeÖlüdenizPamukkaleEphesusİzmir
- Physical level: Moderate
- Languages of the guided visits: Spanish, English
Highlights
- Antalya with the old town of Kaleiçi, the Roman theatre of Aspendos and the city of Perge.
- Demre, with the church of St Nicholas and the rock tombs of Myra, and a night in the harbour town of Kaş.
- Xanthos, the capital of the Lycian League, and Patara, with the assembly building and its dune beach.
- Fethiye and Ölüdeniz: the tomb of Amyntas, the abandoned village of Kayaköy and the lagoon.
- Hierapolis and the Pamukkale travertines, and Ephesus with the Library of Celsus and the House of the Virgin.
- Private chauffeured vehicle, licensed English-speaking guide and connecting flights with Istanbul in the base; boat trips optional.
What is included and what is not
Included
- 7 nights’ accommodation in total: 2 nights in Antalya, 1 night in Kaş, 2 nights in Fethiye, 1 night in Pamukkale and 1 night in İzmir or Kuşadası (or similar distribution, subject to availability).
- Daily breakfast at the hotels.
- Airport–hotel–airport transfers in Antalya and İzmir.
- Domestic flights according to the itinerary, in economy class (e.g. Istanbul–Antalya and İzmir–Istanbul; exact combination to be specified in the offer).
- Transportation by air-conditioned tourist vehicle for all mentioned transfers and sightseeing.
- Services of a licensed English-speaking guide throughout the circuit (other languages on request and subject to availability).
- Entrance fees to the monuments, museums and sites listed in the itinerary.
Not included
- International flights (home country – Istanbul – home country).
- Lunches and dinners (unless specifically stated as included).
- Optional activities: Kekova boat trip, boat excursion around the bays of Fethiye and Ölüdeniz, paragliding from Babadağ, a bath in the Cleopatra pool at Hierapolis and the Terrace Houses of Ephesus.
- Personal expenses (shopping, minibar, drinks not mentioned, laundry, room service, etc.).
- Tips for guide, driver, porters, restaurants and hotel staff.
- Visa fees and visa handling services, if required.
- Travel insurance (recommended).
- Any services not explicitly mentioned as included.
Day by day itinerary
-
Day 1
Arrival in Antalya
Arrival in Istanbul and connection with the domestic flight to Antalya, just over an hour, or direct arrival in Antalya if the international flight allows. Meet-and-greet at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Depending on the arrival time, a first walk through Kaleiçi, the walled old town, down to the Roman harbour. Overnight in Antalya.Notes for the day: Domestic flight from Istanbul to Antalya. If the group arrives directly in Antalya, the connecting domestic flight is not needed and the offer reflects it.
-
Day 2
Antalya: Perge, Aspendos and Kaleiçi
In the morning, Perge, a Hellenistic and Roman city with its stadium, gates and colonnaded street, and the theatre of Aspendos, one of the best preserved in the Roman world and still used for performances. In the afternoon, the Antalya Museum, which displays the sculptures found at Perge, and a walk through Kaleiçi: Hadrian’s Gate, the Yivli minaret and the lanes down to the old harbour. Overnight in Antalya.Notes for the day: Perge and Aspendos are open-air sites with little shade; in summer the day starts early. Kaleiçi has cobbled streets and slopes.
-
Day 3
Demre, Myra and Kaş
Departure west along the coast road. In Demre, the church of St Nicholas, bishop of Myra in the fourth century, and the Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliff beside the Roman theatre of Myra. After the stop for lunch, at the traveller’s expense, there is an optional boat trip from Üçağız around Kekova, with the half-sunken ruins of the island and Simena castle at Kaleköy. The drive continues to Kaş, an old Lycian harbour with wooden houses, with free time on the seafront. Overnight in Kaş.Optional activities
- Kekova boat trip over the sunken city, from Üçağız
Notes for the day: About 200 kilometres on a winding coast road. The Kekova boat trip depends on the state of the sea and the sailing season; swimming over the sunken ruins is not permitted.
-
Day 4
Xanthos, Patara and Fethiye
In the morning, Xanthos, capital of the Lycian League and a World Heritage site together with the sanctuary of Letoon: the acropolis, the inscribed pillar, the pillar tombs and the theatre. Then Patara, seat of the League’s assembly, with the restored council building, the colonnaded avenue and the eighteen-kilometre dune beach. The drive continues to Fethiye and, in the late afternoon, the rock tomb of Amyntas above the town. Overnight in Fethiye.Notes for the day: Xanthos and Patara are walked on uneven stone with little shade. Patara beach is part of a protected turtle-nesting area and closes at night in season. The tomb of Amyntas is reached by a flight of steps.
-
Day 5
Fethiye, Kayaköy and Ölüdeniz
Morning in the abandoned village of Kayaköy, with its stone houses and churches empty since the population exchange of 1923, then down to Ölüdeniz: the lagoon, the nature park and the beach. Free afternoon for swimming or, as an option, a boat excursion around the bays and Butterfly Valley, or a tandem paragliding flight from Babadağ with a local operator. Return to Fethiye and a walk around the harbour and the fish market. Overnight in Fethiye.Optional activities
- Boat excursion around the bays of Ölüdeniz and Butterfly Valley
- Tandem paragliding from Babadağ (local operator)
Notes for the day: The Ölüdeniz lagoon is a nature park with an entrance fee, included in the programme. Boat excursions and paragliding are run by local operators and depend on the wind and the state of the sea.
-
Day 6
Fethiye – Pamukkale and Hierapolis
Departure inland, about 200 kilometres to Denizli and Pamukkale. In the afternoon, Hierapolis: the necropolis, the Frontinus Gate, the main street, the restored theatre and the Plutonium; and the travertines, walked barefoot along the permitted stretch in the afternoon light. Optionally, a bath in the ancient pool. Overnight in Pamukkale.Optional activities
- Bath in the Cleopatra pool at Hierapolis
Notes for the day: About three and a half hours of driving inland. The travertines are walked barefoot on wet rock; a bag for shoes is advisable.
-
Day 7
Ephesus and the House of the Virgin
In the morning, the road to Selçuk, about three hours. Visit to Ephesus: the Odeon, Curetes Street, the Temple of Hadrian, the latrines, the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre, with time for the Ephesus Museum in Selçuk or the Basilica of St John depending on the group’s pace. In the afternoon, the House of the Virgin Mary on Mount Bülbül. Transfer to the hotel in İzmir or Kuşadası and overnight.Optional activities
- Terrace Houses of Ephesus (separate ticket)
Notes for the day: Ephesus involves about two hours of walking on polished marble with no shade; in summer the visit takes place first thing.
-
Day 8
İzmir – Istanbul: end of the circuit
Breakfast at the hotel and, depending on the flight schedule, free time. Transfer to İzmir airport (ADB) and domestic flight to Istanbul to connect with the international flight home. If the outbound flight leaves the next day, a night in Istanbul can be added in the quotation.Notes for the day: Domestic flight from İzmir to Istanbul. A generous margin between the arrival of the domestic flight and the departure of the international flight is advisable.
How the rate is calculated
Rate tailored to the season, the hotel category and the number of travellers. Request a quotation.
Departures
Tailor-made departures: any date
The programme is operated privately for your group: you choose the starting day and the itinerary is built around that date. There is no fixed departure calendar and no outside group to join.
Route map
Antalya → Perge → Aspendos → Demre (Myra) → Kaş → Xanthos → Patara → Fethiye → Ölüdeniz → Pamukkale → Ephesus → İzmir
Operational notes
- The order of the visits may change according to opening hours, traffic and the day’s operation. The content of the programme stays the same.
- Domestic flights are issued in economy class and the checked and cabin baggage allowance depends on the airline and the fare issued; the exact allowance is shown on the ticket. Schedules may be rearranged and the day’s programme follows the confirmed flight.
- On the last day, the domestic flight back to Istanbul connects with the international flight. A generous margin between the two is advisable; if the outbound flight leaves the next day, a night in Istanbul can be added in the quotation.
- The route between Antalya and İzmir is driven in a private vehicle; the coastal stages are winding and the inland ones (Fethiye–Pamukkale and Pamukkale–Selçuk) take around three and a half hours each.
- The boat trips around Kekova and the bays of Fethiye are optional, run by local boats and dependent on the state of the sea and the sailing season, from May to October. Swimming over the sunken ruins of Kekova is not permitted.
- Paragliding from Babadağ is run by specialised local operators and is not part of the programme; it is named as an option because it is the most requested activity at Ölüdeniz.
- The Lycian sites (Perge, Aspendos, Myra, Xanthos, Patara) are open-air, on uneven stone and with little shade. Closed shoes with a good grip, a hat and water are advisable.
- Patara beach and the Ölüdeniz lagoon are protected areas: Patara closes at night during the turtle-nesting season and Ölüdeniz charges an entrance fee to the nature park, included in the programme.
- The Pamukkale travertines are walked barefoot along the permitted stretch, on wet limestone that is slippery in places; a bag for shoes is advisable. The area that may be walked on changes with conservation work.
- Ephesus involves about two hours of walking on polished marble with a gentle slope and no shade in the summer months; shoes with a good grip, a hat and water are advisable. The Terrace Houses have a separate ticket and are offered as an option.
- Museums and archaeological sites may have a weekly closing day and different summer and winter opening hours. The final itinerary is adjusted to the opening calendar in force on the travel dates.
- During the religious holidays (Ramazan Bayramı and Kurban Bayramı, whose dates move with the lunar calendar) museum and shop hours change, monuments are busier, and domestic flights and roads fill up.
- Between June and September the midday heat is intense at open-air sites. Visits are concentrated early and late in the day, and water, a hat and sun protection are advisable.
- A valid passport, the visa or electronic authorisation and compliance with entry requirements are the traveller’s responsibility. They depend on nationality and should be checked well in advance.
Best time to travel
Recommended months: April, May, June, September, October
The Mediterranean coast has the longest season in the country. From April to June and from September to October temperatures allow Perge, Xanthos and Patara to be visited in comfort and the sea is warm enough for swimming from May. In July and August the midday heat is intense and the sites are visited first thing, with the afternoons for the coast. The sailing season, on which the optional boat trips depend, runs from May to October. From November to March the circuit runs as normal with the sites almost empty, without swimming and with occasional rain.
Gallery
Frequently asked questions
How is the tour operated?
It is designed to be run privately, with a vehicle and a licensed English-speaking guide for your party, on the date you request. The hotel category, the included services and the exact conditions are set out in the quotation.
How do we get to Antalya and out of İzmir?
The programme includes the domestic flight Istanbul–Antalya on day 1 and İzmir–Istanbul on day 8, so it connects with any international flight via Istanbul. If the group arrives directly in Antalya or leaves directly from İzmir, those legs are removed from the offer.
Are the boat trips included?
No. Kekova, the bays of Fethiye and Butterfly Valley are offered as optional activities, with no published price, and are quoted with the programme. They depend on the state of the sea and on the sailing season, which runs from May to October.
How demanding are the Lycian sites?
Moderate. Xanthos, Patara, Perge and Ephesus are walked on uneven stone with little shade; at Myra the tombs are reached by stairs and in Fethiye the tomb of Amyntas sits at the top of a flight of steps. No stretch is compulsory: anyone who prefers can wait with the driver.
Can the route be done in reverse?
Yes. The circuit can start in İzmir and end in Antalya without changing the content; it should be stated when requesting the quotation so that the flights are adjusted.
When can we swim?
The swimming season on the Turquoise Coast runs from May to October. In April and November the water is cold, but the visits to the sites are more comfortable; in July and August they take place first thing because of the heat.
Can it be combined with Istanbul or Cappadocia?
Yes. The usual options are adding two or three nights in Istanbul before flying to Antalya, or connecting from İzmir to Cappadocia. The combinations are adjusted in the quotation.
Is a visa needed to enter Turkey?
It depends on your nationality. The visa or electronic authorisation and passport validity are the traveller’s responsibility; current requirements should be checked before travelling.
Booking conditions
- Deposit
- 30% of the total when the booking is confirmed. For bookings made 30 days or less before departure, the full amount at confirmation.
- Balance
- The remaining 70%, no later than 31 days before departure.
- Payment methods
- Bank transfer or credit card. Card payments carry a 3% surcharge; charges applied by the issuing bank are borne by the client.
- Cancellations
- More than 90 days before departure: handling fee only, plus penalties on services already issued · 89–61 days: 25% · 60–31 days: 50% · 30 days or less and no-show: 100%. Reductions in places follow the same scale. Refunds within 10–14 business days of written cancellation.
Credentials
- Legal name
- Colorido Tours Turkey Turizm Ticaret Ltd. Şti.
- TÜRSAB licence
- A-12116
- Office
- Istanbul
- Operating scope
- Turkey only. Egypt, Jordan and the Greek islands only as extensions of a Turkey itinerary.
- Guides
- Licensed guides in Spanish and English
- 24/7 emergency line during the trip
- +90 544 533 53 55
- Who handles your request
- Your request is handled by our reservations team, and the same person follows the file from quotation through to operation on the ground.
