Historical Tours & Trips in Turkey
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10 best Historical Turkey tour packages
Compiled by
SteffTurkey travel expert at TourRadar
- Fethiye to Lycian Coast and History 7 day Private Tour
- Essential Turkey (27 destinations)
- 9 Days Highlights of Turkey Tour
- Premium Turkey in Depth (9 destinations)
- 10 Days Wonders of Turkey
- From Istanbul to the Coast: An 8-Day Adventure through Turkey's Most Beautiful Landscapes
- 8 Days - Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Cappadocia / by Plane
- 3 Days Pamukkale, Ephesus and Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul by Plane
- Turkey Beauty Tour
- Aegean Prelude Tour
Ancient Turkey comes alive at Xanthos's trilingual inscriptions and Letoon ruins. The Roman architecture of Perge, Aspendos's theater, and Myra's rock tombs tell tales of bygone eras. Professional guides illuminate Lycian civilization at archaeological museums and historical sites.
Duration 7 days Destinations Fethiye, Dalyan, Gelemis, Kekova, Demre, Simena, Perga, Aspendos, Antalya Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Alaturka Turkey – Tours & Blue Cruises From
- NZ$4,954
Essential Turkey (27 destinations)
24 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The diverse culture, delicious cuisine, and beautiful landscapes made my trip unforgettable.”
Mark, traveled in May
The 4500-year-old ruins of Troy, Ephesus's ancient library, and Hierapolis's thermal pools showcase Turkey's heritage. Cleopatra's ancient pool and Greco-Roman ruins stand as testament to ancient glory, while Gallipoli's WWI sites reveal modern history.
Duration 10 days Destinations Istanbul, Çanakkale, Ayvalik, Selcuk, Pamukkale, Fethiye, Kayakoy, Kekova, Antalya Age Range Ages 18-35 Operator Intrepid Travel From
- NZ$1,630
9 Days Highlights of Turkey Tour
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The authentic Turkish cuisine at lunch were delicious and elaborate with so many choices on the buffet.”
Anna, traveled in May
Ancient wonders await at UNESCO sites including Ephesus ruins and Hierapolis ancient city. Byzantine masterpiece Hagia Sophia and Ottoman-era Topkapi Palace grace Istanbul. Cappadocia's historical Derinkuyu Underground City reveals subterranean mysteries.
Duration 9 days Destinations Istanbul, Selcuk, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator City of Sultans From
- NZ$2,325
Premium Turkey in Depth (9 destinations)
14 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was exceptional from start to finish, and we would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.”
Jo, traveled in April
UNESCO sites like Ephesus's Library of Celsus and Troy's ancient walls reveal Turkey's heritage. Gallipoli's poignant WWI memorials, Hierapolis's Roman baths, and Konya's Mevlana Museum paint a historical canvas. Expert guides provide context at each archaeological site.
Duration 15 days Destinations Istanbul, Çanakkale, Selcuk, Pamukkale, Kas, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Premium From
- NZ$8,410
10 Days Wonders of Turkey
72 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Very clear, constant and prompt communication with the guide and team!! Highly recommended for those who like to have a variety of Turkiye cities and different culture.”
Kris, traveled in July
Turkey's historic treasures await, from Hagia Sophia to Ephesus's Library of Celsus. Ancient Hierapolis ruins, Goreme's cave churches, and Istanbul's Ottoman landmarks stand testament to time. Professional guides illuminate each UNESCO World Heritage site.
Duration 10 days Destinations Istanbul, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Ephesus Archaeological Museum, Antalya, Cappadocia Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Guide of Ephesus From $3,011
50% Off- NZ$1,505You save $1,505
From Istanbul to the Coast: An 8-Day Adventure through Turkey's Most Beautiful Landscapes
36 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great value for money, outstanding transport, excellent communication & guides.”
Felicity, traveled in July
Ancient civilizations come alive from Constantinople to Roman Ephesus. The Hippodrome, Hierapolis ruins, and Goreme Open Air Museum tell their stories. Guests rest at historical properties including the Istanbul Recital Hotel, while expert guides share detailed insights.
Duration 8 days Destinations Istanbul, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Cappadocia Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Guide of Ephesus From $3,011
50% Off- NZ$1,505You save $1,505
8 Days - Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Cappadocia / by Plane
83 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Everything was well planned! All you have to do is wake up and show up.”
Irene, traveled in May
Turkey's rich heritage unfolds at Topkapi Palace, Ephesus ruins, and Cappadocia's rock churches. The history of early Christians, Byzantines, and Ottomans comes alive through expert guides. Six UNESCO sites complement stays at centrally located historic hotels.
Duration 8 days Destinations Istanbul, Izmir, Pamukkale, Cappadocia Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Tour Altinkum Travel From
50% Off- NZ$2,774
3 Days Pamukkale, Ephesus and Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul by Plane
10 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Overall very good. Tour contact very responsive, great accommodation was arranged.”
Karen, traveled in December
The historical tapestry of Turkey unfolds from Hierapolis's Necropolis to Ephesus's Temple of Artemis. Byzantine churches dot Cappadocia's Goreme Open Air Museum, while ancient thermal pools simmer in Pamukkale. Professional guides narrate the story of each archaeological wonder.
Duration 3 days Destinations Istanbul, Pamukkale, Selcuk, Cappadocia Age Range Ages 7+ Operator Turkey Tour Booking From
50% Off- NZ$1,972
Turkey Beauty Tour
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Fantastic tour!!! Beautiful sights!!”
Yvonne, traveled in December
Time stands still at UNESCO sites including Ephesus's Library of Celsus and Hierapolis ruins. Byzantine Hagia Sophia, Ottoman Blue Mosque, and Cappadocia's ancient underground cities reveal their secrets. Ataturk's mausoleum showcases Turkey's rich historical legacy.
Duration 8 days Destinations Istanbul, Kusadasi, Selcuk, Pamukkale, Konya, Cappadocia, Goreme, Ankara Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Fez Travel From
50% Off- NZ$3,355
Aegean Prelude Tour
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Very quick response from the company. We were happy our trip!”
Yan, traveled in May
Ottoman palaces in Istanbul and Ephesus's theater stand as testimonies to Turkey's rich heritage. Gallipoli's WW1 sites, UNESCO-listed Troy Museum, and Hierapolis ruins span 4,000 years of civilization.
Duration 7 days Destinations Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamum, Kusadasi, Selcuk, Pamukkale, Marmaris Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Fez Travel From
50% Off- NZ$2,746
What people love about Historical Tours in Turkey
I had an awesome and unforgettable experience with the City of Sultans! The tours were all jam packed with things to see and do from morning till afternoon. There was a little misunderstanding with lunch on the walking tour of Istanbul but they went over and beyond to make up for it. The hotel in Kusadasi was the best I've had, with a balcony and a front seat view of the coastline and the cruise ships docked right in front of me! ? The authentic Turkish cuisine at lunch were delicious and elaborate with so many choices on the buffet. ? My flight back to Istanbul was delayed from 8:05pm to 10:15pm. By the time we got our bags and left the airport it was already 12 midnight. The representative who coordinated my ride back to the hotel was still there waiting at the gate for me. ? After a long day of touring and traveling, it felt good to have someone else in charge at this point. I would surely be back with family & friends and book another tour with the City of Sultans! I highly recommend the City of Sultans for your first and next Turkish adventure!
9 Days Highlights of Turkey Tour
- Premium Turkey in Depth (9 destinations)
Our guide Erkan was extremely knowledgeable and included personal experiences and examples of his family life which made the picture of his country more interesting. The entire experience exceeded expectations. And our driver Ahmet is to be acknowledged as wonderful, too.
- Essential Turkey (27 destinations)
BEST TRIP OF MY LIFE! incredible guide, group, food, accom, all of it. such an incredible country and the guide Aynur was so helpful, lovely, and informative. a couple of the hotels even had pools! so great, can't recommend this enough.
What our customers ask about Historical Tours & Trips in Turkey
When is the best time to visit Turkey's historical sites?
The most favorable months to explore Turkey's historical sites are April to May and September to October. During these periods the weather is mild which makes walking through places like Ephesus and Cappadocia comfortable. Temperatures typically range between 65-75°F (18-24°C). A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The weather was perfect for exploring the ancient ruins and our guide His incredible knowledge."
What are the must-see historical highlights in Turkey for first-time visitors?
First-time visitors should focus on key historical landmarks starting with Istanbul's Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. The ancient city of Ephesus shows Roman architecture at its peak while Cappadocia's Goreme Open Air Museum features churches carved into rock formations. Mount Nemrut's giant stone heads Hierapolis at Pamukkale and Gobekli Tepe round out the essential sites. A TourRadar traveler noted "All the sites visited are incredible. The guides are wonderful and very knowledgeable about the history." Many tours include stays at notable hotels like MDC Cave Hotel in Cappadocia and Erboy Hotel in Istanbul's historic center.
How many days should I plan for a comprehensive historical tour of Turkey?
To see Turkey's major historical sites plan for 8-12 days. The 12-day Glories of Turkey Tour represents a good timeline covering Istanbul's Ottoman sites Cappadocia's underground cities and Ephesus's ancient streets. Accommodations often include distinctive properties like Arte Cave Hotel in Cappadocia and Efe Boutique Hotel in Kusadasi. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The 12-day tour was perfect - enough time to really absorb the history and culture of each location without feeling rushed."
What unique historical experiences does Eastern Turkey offer?
Eastern Turkey presents lesser-known but significant sites including Mount Nemrut's ancient stone heads from 109 BC and Göbekli Tepe the oldest known temple complex in the world. The region features Mardin's medieval streets and Harran's distinctive beehive houses. According to a TourRadar traveler: "The statues at Mt. Nemrut's terraces are fascinating enough to be included in the UNESCO world heritage list." Visitors often stay at local establishments like Park Dedeman Hotel in Adiyaman and Gazi Konagi Hotel in Mardin.
How are the accommodations on historical tours in Turkey?
Tour accommodations blend 4-star hotels with unique properties such as Cappadocia's cave hotels. Properties are selected based on their location near historical sites and authentic Turkish character. A TourRadar traveler noted: "All the hotels were very good especially the MDC Cave Hotel in Cappadocia and El Ruha Hotel in Sanliurfa." The Erboy Hotel in Istanbul and Park Dedeman Hotel in Adiyaman offer modern amenities while maintaining traditional hospitality.