The Aegean and Mediterranean Coast, from Antalya to Istanbul
Fourteen days along the coast, from Lycia to the Troad, with Ephesus, Pergamon, Gallipoli and Istanbul, as a private tailor-made tour.
This tour follows the Turkish coast in all its ancient richness. Starting from Antalya, you follow Lycia and its rock tombs, sail the Gulf of Fethiye, then head for Caria, Knidos and Bodrum. Ionia then reveals Didyma, Priene and Ephesus, before Pergamon, Cunda island, Assos and Troy. The battlefields of Gallipoli lead into a closing stay in Istanbul, between Hagia Sophia, the Bosphorus and the Grand Bazaar. An easy-level itinerary that blends ancient sites, fishing villages and sea.
CODE AA-EGE-01
14 days · Level 1/5
Price depends on group size and season: a detailed, no-obligation quote on request.
- Lycia: Phaselis, Myra, Patara and Kayaköy
- The Gulf of Fethiye by boat and İztuzu beach
- Knidos, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and Bodrum Castle
- Didyma, Priene, Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary
- Pergamon, Assos, Troy, Gallipoli and Istanbul
Day-by-day itinerary
Antalya – arrival
Welcome at Antalya airport and transfer to your hotel in the old Kaleiçi district. Dinner is included that evening, and the rest of the evening lets you settle in.
Antalya – Kaş via Phaselis and Myra
The road heads west along the Lycian coast. You visit Phaselis, an ancient harbour city, then Myra and its Lycian tombs cut into the rock. Overnight in Kaş, full board.
Kaş – Fethiye: Patara, Kayaköy and Ölüdeniz
You discover Patara, a Lycian seaport, its beach and national park, a refuge for loggerhead turtles, then Kayaköy, an abandoned Greek village, with a church visit. Optionally, a forest walk from Kayaköy to Ölüdeniz. You end beside the lagoon before reaching Fethiye. Full board.
The Gulf of Fethiye by boat
A boat outing of about 4 hours in the Gulf of Fethiye, with lunch on board. Swimming stops at Kızılada, the Red Island, and at the Yassıca Islands, in the bays of Göcek. Back in Fethiye, you stroll through the marina and the old town. Full board; overnight in Fethiye.
Fethiye – Akyaka via Kaunos and İztuzu
The road leads to Kaunos, an ancient city of rock tombs, with its acropolis, theatre, Roman baths and temples. Then, by boat, you reach İztuzu beach, at the mouth of the Dalyan river, a nesting place of loggerhead turtles. You spend the night in Akyaka. Full board.
Akyaka – Datça, Knidos and Bodrum
A full day: crossing of the Datça peninsula to ancient Knidos, with its temples of Dionysus and the Muses, theatres and altars. A boat then takes you to Bodrum, with the site of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and the castle, whose museum of underwater archaeology can be visited depending on opening hours. Full board; overnight in Bodrum.
Didyma and Priene – Selçuk
Visit of Didyma, with the Temple of Apollo and its oracle, then Priene, an Ionian city with its theatre and agora. You then reach Selçuk for the night. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary
You visit the House of the Virgin Mary, then the Roman ruins of Ephesus, with the terrace houses decorated with mosaics and frescoes, and Hadrian's Temple. Optionally, Ayasoluk Hill can complete the day: Isa Bey Mosque, fortress and Basilica of St John. Full board; overnight in Selçuk.
Pergamon – Cunda and Ayvalık
The road heads north to the acropolis of Pergamon with its theatre, library, royal palaces, Temple of Dionysus and baths, then the Red Basilica of Bergama. You then reach Cunda island, with Taksiyarhis Church and the lanes of the old town. Full board; overnight in Ayvalık (Cunda).
Adatepe, Assos and Troy – Çanakkale
The Adatepe Olive Oil Museum opens the day, followed by ancient Assos (Behramkale), with its Doric temple of Athena and the site linked to Aristotle's academy. You then visit Troy, a UNESCO site, before reaching the harbour town of Çanakkale. Full board; overnight in Çanakkale.
Çanakkale – Istanbul via Gallipoli
The road leads to the Gallipoli peninsula (the Dardanelles): Kabatepe Museum, the historical national park, Anzac Cove and several cemeteries and memorials, from Lone Pine to Chunuk Bair. A visit to the French military cemetery at Seddülbahir (Morto Bay) may be possible, to be specified on request. You then take the road to Istanbul. Breakfast and lunch included; dinner not included. Overnight in Istanbul.
Istanbul, the historic peninsula
A day on foot in the historic district: Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome square with its obelisks and the Serpentine Column, then the Blue Mosque. Breakfast is included; other meals are not included. Overnight in Istanbul.
The Bosphorus, the Cistern and the Grand Bazaar
A ride on a public Bosphorus boat passes Topkapı Palace, the Maiden's Tower, Dolmabahçe Palace and the old Ottoman villages. You then discover the Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar. Breakfast included; other meals not included. Overnight in Istanbul.
Istanbul – departure
Transfer from your Sultanahmet or Sirkeci hotel to Istanbul International Airport, where the tour ends. Breakfast is included. We can add extra nights in Istanbul if you wish to extend your stay.
Included / Not included
What’s included
- Transfers and transport by private vehicle to the sites in the programme, including the arrival transfer at Antalya airport and the departure transfer to Istanbul airport
- French-speaking or English-speaking guide depending on availability, to be confirmed on request
- Hotel accommodation, standard double or twin room
- Board as per the programme (13 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners)
- Day 4: boat excursion in the Gulf of Fethiye (about 4 hours), lunch on board
- Days 5 and 6: boats and ferries at Kaunos/İztuzu and from Datça to Bodrum
- Day 13: public Bosphorus boat ride (about 3 hours)
What’s not included
- Entrance fees to sites and museums (budget to plan for, detailed in the quotation)
- International and domestic flights (arrival in Antalya, generally via Istanbul)
- Travel insurance
- Additional transport and transfers not in the programme, including extra arrival or departure transfers
- Optional activities
- Meals not mentioned in the programme
- Drinks (soft drinks, alcohol, bottled water, tea and coffee)
- Personal expenses
- Extra nights, single-room supplements and accommodation upgrades
- Personal equipment
- Tips