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The castle of the Knights of St John in Bodrum, seen from the sea in the late afternoon
The castle of the Knights of St John in Bodrum, seen from the sea in the late afternoon · Photo: Hamdigumus, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
The sacred way of the Asclepieion of Pergamon, with the acropolis hill behind
The sacred way of the Asclepieion of Pergamon, with the acropolis hill behind · Photo: Ingo Mehling, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
The stone houses and tiled roofs of Şirince, above Ephesus
The stone houses and tiled roofs of Şirince, above Ephesus · Photo: Helen Owl, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The tiers of the theatre of Miletus, one of the largest in Asia Minor
The tiers of the theatre of Miletus, one of the largest in Asia Minor · Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

The ancient Aegean coast in 9 days, from Pergamon to Bodrum

9 days · Lovers of the ancient world, couples, second trip to Turkey, families with teenagers · April to June, September and October

Nine days and eight nights heading south down the Aegean coast: three nights in İzmir for Pergamon and the city, three nights in Şirince for Ephesus and the Ionian cities of Priene, Miletus and Didyma, then two nights in Bodrum, facing the castle of the Knights of St John, before flying home.

from 1,290 € per person

Price collected on 22 October 2026. Based on 2 adults, listed hotels, private transfers, excursions and entry fees, breakfast included in Şirince and Bodrum; flights, breakfast in İzmir, other entry fees and meals not included. Indicative price, taxes included, to be confirmed with your request.

Itinerary

  1. Days 1–4 İzmir, Kordon · 3 nights — Key Hotel
  2. Days 4–7 Şirince, above Ephesus · 3 nights — Kirkinca Houses & Boutique Hotel
  3. Days 7–9 Bodrum, facing the castle · 2 nights — METT Bodrum

Activities included in the indicative price

How it works

Along Turkey's Aegean coast, Greek and then Roman cities follow one another from north to south, a few hours' drive apart: Pergamon, Smyrna (today's İzmir), Ephesus, Priene, Miletus, then Halicarnassus (today's Bodrum). This trip takes them in order, in three stages, flying into İzmir and out of Bodrum. İzmir is a few hours' flight from Europe's main cities, direct or with one stop and Bodrum a few hours' flight from Europe's main cities, direct or with one stop; both airports also have flights from Istanbul all year round.

Distances are short: 78 km from İzmir to Selçuk, the town next to Ephesus, and 169 km from Selçuk to Bodrum, about 2 h 25 by road. The price includes private transfers, from the airport and between stops, and two guided excursions.

At a glance

DayPlanNight
1Arrive in İzmir, sunset on the KordonKey Hotel
2Guided trip to Pergamon: acropolis and AsclepieionKey Hotel
3İzmir: the agora of Smyrna, the archaeological museum, or the Urla vineyardsKey Hotel
4Drive to Selçuk, Basilica of St John, check in at ŞirinceKirkinca Houses
5Ephesus and its Terrace HousesKirkinca Houses
6Guided trip to Priene, Miletus and DidymaKirkinca Houses
7Drive to Bodrum, Bodrum CastleMETT Bodrum
8Bodrum: the Mausoleum, a boat trip or the beachMETT Bodrum
9Fly home from Milas-Bodrum

Days 1 to 3: İzmir and Pergamon

A bank on the Kordon

İzmir airport is 18 km from the centre, a 23-minute drive; a private transfer is included. The Key Hotel has occupied the former İzmir Central Bank building, opened in 1950, since 2011, on the Kordon, the waterfront of the Konak district. It has 31 rooms and suites, and its restaurant keeps a 250-label wine list. It was priced at about €219 a night for early June, room only. On the first evening, the Kordon promenade is where people come to watch the sun set over the gulf.

Pergamon

On day two, a nine-hour guided trip leaves İzmir for Bergama, 115 km away. The acropolis of Pergamon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014, keeps its hillside theatre, library and temples. In the lower town, the Asclepieion was a healing sanctuary of the ancient world. Entry costs €16 at the acropolis and €15 at the Asclepieion from 1 April 2027.

İzmir or Urla

Day three is free. In İzmir, the agora of ancient Smyrna, in the heart of Konak, has kept its porticoes; entry is €7, and €5 at the archaeological museum. Konak's Clock Tower is a few minutes' walk from the hotel. You can also head to Urla, 40 km away, whose vine-covered hills are home to estates that make wine on site, or to Teos and the small harbour of Sığacık, an Ionian city with a temple of Dionysus and a theatre.

Days 4 to 6: Ephesus and the Ionian cities

A village above Ephesus

A private transfer reaches Selçuk in less than an hour. In the afternoon, walk up to the Basilica of St John, built over the presumed tomb of the apostle John at the foot of the Ayasuluk citadel (€7), and visit the Ephesus Museum, which shows finds from the site (€11).

You sleep in Şirince, a former Greek village 8 km from Selçuk, with white houses and stone lanes. Kirkinca Houses, family-run since 1999, has ten village rooms in stone and wood and six mountain cottages around a pool, away from the village. It was priced at about €133 a night for early June, breakfast included.

Ephesus

On day five, enter the Ephesus site at opening time, ahead of the heat and the groups. The city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015, runs along Curetes Street to the Library of Celsus, then to the Great Theatre. The Terrace Houses, covered Roman homes with mosaics and frescoes, need a separate ticket. Both entries, €45 for the site including the Ephesus Experience digital museum and €16 for the Terrace Houses from 1 April 2027, are included in the price.

Priene, Miletus and Didyma

On day six, a nine-hour guided trip heads to three Ionian sites south of Selçuk. It starts at Priene, 58 km away, continues to Miletus, whose museum is included in the site ticket, and ends at the Temple of Apollo at Didyma. Entry costs €5 at Priene, €7 at Miletus and €7 at Didyma from 1 April 2027.

Days 7 and 8: Bodrum

The Knights' castle

The drive from Selçuk to Bodrum is 169 km, about 2 h 25. Bodrum Castle, built in the 15th century by the Knights of St John at the harbour entrance, houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology; entry, €22 with audio guide, is included in the price.

METT Bodrum, a five-star resort of 103 rooms, suites and villas, sits in Haremtan cove in the Eskiçeşme district, facing the castle. It has a private cove, a spa with hammam and three restaurants. It was priced at about €190 a night for early June, breakfast included.

Halicarnassus and the peninsula

On day eight, the site of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the tomb of Mausolus completed around 350 BC and counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, shows its foundations and fragments in a site museum (€5). The Bodrum peninsula page describes the villages and bays; a boat trip to Orak Island or the coves along the coast easily fills the afternoon.

Day 9: departure

Milas-Bodrum airport is 38 km from Bodrum, a 38-minute drive, by private transfer.

Good to know

  • The heat. In Selçuk, average highs rise from 26.8 °C in May to 31.8 °C in June and exceed 34 °C in July and August: visit the sites early in the morning. In Bodrum, the sea averages 22.9 °C in June.
  • The Aegean Museum Pass. It opens the museums and sites of İzmir, Aydın, Muğla and Denizli provinces for seven days, for €75 from 1 April 2027. Compare it with the total of the entries you will pay on site before buying.
  • Getting around. Private transfers from İzmir to Selçuk, 8 km from Şirince, and from Selçuk to Bodrum are included in the price.
  • Ramadan and holidays. Opening hours change at some places: see Ramadan and holidays 2027 in Turkey.
  • Entry requirements. The visa and entry requirements guide covers the document required and the length of stay. The rule for your country:

Entry requirements

NationalityVisaTravel documentSource
FrenchNo visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, continuous or splitNational ID card or passport, valid for at least 150 days after the date of entry and in good condition; an expired passport is not accepted. An ID card extended by five years is officially accepted, but a valid passport is strongly recommendedFrance Diplomatie, Conseils aux voyageurs, Entrée / séjour (Site last updated 15 September 2026)
Details: Minor travelling without one of their parents: ID card or passport valid 150 days after entry and a return travel authorisation signed by the parent(s) (service-public.fr form). French-Turkish dual nationals: carry a valid French document for the return; the Turkish authorities do not always inform the consulate of an arrest. Always carry ID. Registration on Fil d'Ariane recommended. According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, French citizens entering with their ID card are exempt from the 150-day validity rule, and a French passport expired for less than five years is accepted; France Diplomatie nevertheless requires 150 days' validity and states that an expired passport is not accepted. Travelling with a document valid for at least 150 days avoids any refusal, at boarding or on arrival
BelgianNo visa for tourist stays of up to 90 daysSee the official pageSPF Affaires étrangères (Belgique), Voyager en Turquie, Informations pratiques (Site last updated 2 July 2026)
Details: Belgian (European) driving licences are valid. Travel insurance with assistance, repatriation and legal cover is considered absolutely necessary. Belgian-Turkish dual nationals: no Belgian consular assistance in Turkey; exit bans have been reported. Registration on Travellers Online recommended. According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, entry is possible with an ID card, with no 150-day validity requirement; a Belgian passport expired for less than five years is accepted; otherwise, the passport must remain valid for 60 days after the end of the stay, i.e. 150 days for a 90-day stay
SwissSee the official pageThe FDFA asks travellers to always carry their passport or ID card for checks — See the official pageDFAE (Département fédéral des affaires étrangères, Suisse), Conseils pour les voyages – Turquie (Site last updated 30 September 2026)
Details: Swiss-Turkish dual nationals: treated exclusively as Turkish, in principle without Swiss consular protection; those liable for military service should check with the Turkish representation before travelling, as they could be called up. Major medical procedures and hospital stays must be paid in advance. According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, entry is possible with an ID card, with no 150-day validity requirement; a Swiss passport expired for less than five years is accepted; otherwise, the passport must remain valid for 60 days after the end of the stay, i.e. 150 days for a 90-day stay
BritishNo visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, for tourism or business, on a full 'British citizen' passport; other British passport types should check with the Turkish EmbassyPassport with an expiry date at least 150 days after the date you arrive and at least 1 blank pageGOV.UK (FCDO), Turkey, Entry requirements (Site last updated 19 October 2026)
Details: Carrying photo ID is a legal requirement. When leaving Turkey with a dual British-Turkish child aged 18 or under, you may need permission from the Turkish parent; some hotels refuse under-17s without a parent unless written consent is provided. Driving: a 1968 international driving permit, obtained in the UK, or a UK licence notarised in Turkish; the 1949 permit is no longer accepted; a green card for third-party insurance is required
GermanNo visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; leaving for a day no longer starts a new 90-day stay. The exemption does not give an absolute right of entryPassport, temporary passport, ID card or child passport, accepted even if expired for up to one year; temporary ID card accepted but not recommended. A passport needs one blank pageAuswärtiges Amt, Türkei: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise, « Einreise und Zoll » (Site last updated 20 October 2026)
Details: No special rules for minors travelling alone or with one parent if they left Germany legally; a German-Turkish child needs a German document to return to Germany. German-Turkish dual nationals: treated only as Turkish, consular help limited or impossible; leave on the passport used to enter. Germans, especially those with ties to Turkey, have been refused entry or arrested over social media posts or activities in Germany. German driving licences are recognised for tourist stays. Travel health insurance with repatriation strongly recommended
DutchNo visa for stays of up to 90 days with a Dutch passport or ID card; for longer stays, check with the Turkish embassy in the NetherlandsPassport or ID card valid for at least 150 days on arrival; a passport needs at least 1 blank pageNederland Wereldwijd (ministère néerlandais des Affaires étrangères), Reisadvies Turkije (Site last updated 16 October 2026)
Details: Each child needs their own passport or ID card; an adult travelling alone with children under 18 should carry the documents required for travelling with a minor. Dutch driving licences are valid. Dutch-Turkish dual nationals: treated as Turkish; questioning, phone searches, arrest or exit bans are possible. Always carry your passport or ID card. According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dutch citizens entering with their ID card are exempt from the 150-day validity rule; the Dutch ministry requires 150 days for both passport and ID card
LuxembourgishNot checked by Sabaro: see mae.gouvernement.lu
IrishNot checked by Sabaro: see ireland.ie (DFA)
SwedishNot checked by Sabaro: see Regeringen (UD)
DanishNot checked by Sabaro: see Udenrigsministeriet (um.dk)
NorwegianNot checked by Sabaro: see Regjeringen
PolishNot checked by Sabaro: see Odyseusz (MSZ)
CzechNot checked by Sabaro: see MZV ČR
AustrianNot checked by Sabaro: see BMEIA
ItalianNot checked by Sabaro: see Viaggiare Sicuri
SpanishNot checked by Sabaro: see exteriores.gob.es
PortugueseNot checked by Sabaro: see Portal das Comunidades
FinnishNot checked by Sabaro: see Ulkoministeriö (um.fi)

Rules change: always check the official website before you travel.

  • Safety. None of the stops is in an area advised against by the foreign ministries Sabaro follows. The safety in Turkey guide goes through the country area by area. The advice from your country:
CountryOfficial adviceSource
FranceThe country is under heightened vigilance and the terrorist risk remains high nationwide. Keep away from gatherings and demonstrations, which can lead to arrest; political statements, including sharing posts on social media from abroad, can lead to an entry or exit ban. Advised against (red): the immediate vicinity of the Syrian and Iraqi borders; movement may be restricted in Reyhanlı, Kırıkhan, Siirt, Şırnak and Hakkari districts. Advised against unless essential (orange): Hatay, Kilis, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Diyarbakır and Batman provinces, where an escort arranged with the local authorities is recommended. Iran is advised against; the land border has been closed in the direction of Iran since 2 March 2026. Earthquakes are frequent (those of 6 February 2023 devastated the south-east): install the AFAD Acil app. Balloon flights in Cappadocia: check the operator's safety measures. From 9 to 20 November 2026, COP31 in Antalya may disrupt travel and limit hotel availability. Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères (France Diplomatie), Conseils aux voyageurs, Sécurité (Site last updated 15 September 2026)
BelgiumThe risk of terrorist attacks persists nationwide: stay alert and avoid crowds, political gatherings and the vicinity of official buildings. All travel near the Turkish-Syrian and Turkish-Iraqi borders is strongly advised against; as a precaution, the Iranian border areas are advised against. When travelling to Adana, Hatay, Gaziantep, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Şırnak, Muş, Bingöl, Bitlis, Batman, Kars, Iğdır, Ağrı, Van, Diyarbakır, Hakkari, Siirt or Tunceli provinces, also inform the Belgian embassy in Ankara. The earthquakes of 6 February 2023 severely hit eleven south-eastern provinces, including Gaziantep, Hatay, Şanlıurfa and Adıyaman. Forest fires in summer in the south and south-west; illicit alcohol causes dozens of deaths every month: buy only from official shops and bars. SPF Affaires étrangères, Commerce extérieur et Coopération au Développement (Belgique), Conseils aux voyageurs (Site last updated 2 July 2026)
SwitzerlandTravel to certain parts of the country is advised against. The risk of terrorist attacks persists at all times nationwide; most attacks have taken place in the south-east, Istanbul and Ankara. Regular protests and demonstrations, especially in Istanbul, with possible local curfews. Advised against: travel to the border areas with Syria and Iraq (landmines along the eastern border). Advised against for tourism and any non-urgent travel: Şırnak and Hakkari provinces. In the other provinces bordering Syria and Iraq, the greatest caution: travel by day, avoid rural roads, be accompanied by a trusted local person. Much of the country lies in an earthquake zone; forest fires in summer. Département fédéral des affaires étrangères (DFAE, Suisse), Conseils pour les voyages (Site last updated 30 September 2026)
United KingdomTerrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Turkey, mostly in the south-east, Ankara and Istanbul; targets include public buildings, places of worship, airports and large gatherings. Regular demonstrations in Istanbul and other cities, which may turn violent: avoid them. Against all travel: within 10 km of the Syrian border. Hakkari province: permission from the Governor's Office is needed for areas near the Iraqi and Iranian borders. Mount Ararat (Ağrı province): special military zone, paid permit from the Doğubayazıt government office. Earthquakes are frequent (magnitude 6.2 in the Sea of Marmara in April 2025); wildfires in summer. Travelling against FCDO advice can invalidate travel insurance. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO, ministère britannique des affaires étrangères), Foreign travel advice (Site last updated 19 October 2026)
GermanyTerrorist threat in all parts of the country, especially the large cities; frequent demonstrations in big cities, to be avoided. In the immediate border area with Syria (Şanlıurfa and Mardin provinces) and with Iraq, avoid all travel that is not strictly necessary; landmines near the Syrian border, where all photography is forbidden. German citizens have been arbitrarily arrested, banned from leaving or refused entry, often over social media posts, shares or likes, a petition or membership of a Kurdish association in Germany; phones may be checked on arrival. People with family ties in Turkey and dual nationals are most affected. The 2023 earthquakes caused tens of thousands of casualties in eleven south-eastern provinces. Any road accident can lead to an exit ban. Auswärtiges Amt (ministère fédéral des affaires étrangères, Allemagne), Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (Site last updated 20 October 2026)
LuxembourgLuxembourg's foreign ministry publishes no Turkey-specific advice: it refers travellers to the travel advice of Belgium, France and Germany. Ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes, de la Défense, de la Coopération et du Commerce extérieur (Luxembourg), Avis de voyage (accessed 22 October 2026)
IrelandHigh degree of caution nationwide (level 2 of 4). High terrorist threat, with attacks in Istanbul and Ankara; the situation in the south-east is particularly serious. All travel strongly advised against within 10 km of the Syrian border; all but essential travel advised against to Hatay, Kilis and Şırnak provinces. A ban on demonstrations is in force in Istanbul: avoid all gatherings. The earthquakes of 6 February 2023 hit ten south-eastern provinces, including Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman and Hatay. Hot-air balloon accidents in Cappadocia and paragliding accidents at Ölüdeniz and Fethiye: use reputable operators and check your insurance. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA, ministère irlandais des affaires étrangères), Travel advice (Site last updated 30 September 2026)
SwedenThe Swedish ministry advises against all travel to the area near Syria and Iraq, up to 10 km from the Syrian and Iraqi borders, and against non-essential travel to the whole of the border provinces of Hatay, Kilis, Şırnak and Hakkari (decision of 28 March 2022, in force until further notice). The embassy in Ankara asks for particular caution near the Iranian border and reports temporary security zones, closed or restricted, in several border provinces. Stay alert to the risk of attacks in crowded places; avoid demonstrations. Utrikesdepartementet (UD, ministère suédois des affaires étrangères), UD avråder (Site last updated 28 March 2022)
DenmarkThe whole country except the orange and red zones: take extra care because of the risk of unrest and terrorism. Orange (non-essential travel advised against): the south-eastern provinces of Hatay, Kilis, Şırnak and Hakkari; if you go, use main roads only, travel outside towns by day only and never alone. Red (all travel advised against): within 10 km of the borders with Syria and Iraq. Security zones may be closed at short notice, especially in the east; do not trek alone in the south-eastern mountains. Risk of severe earthquakes and of forest fires in summer. Udenrigsministeriet (ministère danois des affaires étrangères), Rejsevejledninger (Site last updated 17 June 2026)
PolandLevel 1, normal caution, for the country. Level 4 (do not travel): the 30 km border strip with Syria, Iraq and Iran in Hatay, Kilis, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Şırnak, Hakkari, Van, Ağrı and Iğdır provinces. Level 3 (avoid travel): Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Mardin and Van provinces outside the cities of the same name, and Adana, Osmaniye, Hatay, Kilis, Şırnak, Hakkari, Ağrı, Iğdır, Diyarbakır, Siirt and Batman provinces. Level 2 (increased caution): the cities of Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Mardin and Van. Terrorist and earthquake risk; do not photograph military sites or fly drones near them. Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych (ministère polonais des affaires étrangères), service Odyseusz (Site last updated 15 October 2026)
CzechiaIncreased caution. Weigh carefully any travel to the big cities (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir) and to the regions bordering Syria, Iraq and Iran, where Turkish armed forces are heavily present. The main tourist areas, such as the Mediterranean riviera from Antalya to Alanya and the Aegean region, are considered safe. Strictly avoid crowds and demonstrations; transport may be disrupted. Ministerstvo zahraničních věcí (ministère tchèque des affaires étrangères), Upozornění na cesty (Site last updated 12 March 2026)
NetherlandsYellow for most of the country: specific security risks. Red, do not travel: the Turkey-Syria border area and the Turkey-Iraq border area. Orange, essential travel only: Şırnak and Hakkari provinces, where violence occurs regularly, especially at night in remote rural areas, and the Habur border crossing (Iraq), keeping to the main road. Higher risk of terrorist attacks nationwide (PKK, Islamic State); regular demonstrations, especially in Istanbul. Turkey's disinformation law provides up to 3 years in prison for sharing messages deemed false. Earthquake-prone country; forest fires in summer. Nederland Wereldwijd (ministère néerlandais des Affaires étrangères), Reisadvies Turkije (Site last updated 16 October 2026)
NorwayNot checked by Sabaro: see Regjeringen
AustriaNot checked by Sabaro: see BMEIA
ItalyNot checked by Sabaro: see Viaggiare Sicuri
SpainNot checked by Sabaro: see exteriores.gob.es
PortugalNot checked by Sabaro: see Portal das Comunidades
FinlandNot checked by Sabaro: see Ulkoministeriö (um.fi)

Read next

Frequently asked questions

Can we add Pamukkale?

Yes. The white travertine terraces of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, are 196 km from Selçuk, about 2 h 05 by road; entry is €35 from 1 April 2027. It makes a long day: do it on day six instead of the Ionian cities, or add a night in Şirince.

Can we start further north, with Troy and Assos?

Yes, by adding two or three nights before İzmir. The Assos, Troy and the Dardanelles page presents the area, and the Ayvalık, Cunda and Pergamon page lets you sleep near Pergamon, 66 km from Ayvalık.

Do we need a guide at Ephesus?

It is not compulsory, and the ticket includes the Ephesus Experience digital museum. A guide mainly helps to make sense of the Terrace Houses and the layout of the city.

Can we finish with more beach days?

Yes: extend the stay in Bodrum, whose northern bays, Türkbükü, Gölköy and Torba, have several hotels in the Sabaro selection.

Request this trip

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Our sources: muze.gov.tr, alomaliye.com, goturkiye.com, keyhotel.com, kirkinca.com, metthotelsandresorts.com, router.project-osrm.org, diplomatie.gouv.fr, gov.uk, civitatis.com.

Published 23 October 2026 · updated 26 October 2026

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