Ultimate UNESCO Turkey Grand Tour | Explore 22 World Heritage Sites & Ancient Civilizations

Designed for archaeology enthusiasts, university students, and academic groups, this immersive journey is Turkey's most comprehensive UNESCO cultural heritage tour. Explore 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites while tracing nearly 10,000 years of human civilization—from the world's earliest known temple complex and the first farming communities to the mighty Hittite Empire, the classical civilizations of Anatolia, and the magnificent capital of the Ottoman Empire.

More than a sightseeing experience, this is a field-based educational expedition that brings archaeology, history, architecture, and ancient cultures to life. Guided by expert local professionals, you'll walk through the landscapes where civilizations were born, uncover the stories behind remarkable archaeological discoveries, and gain a deeper understanding of Anatolia's unparalleled contribution to world heritage.

Whether you are studying archaeology, history, anthropology, architecture, or simply passionate about the ancient world, this tour offers an unforgettable opportunity to experience the living classroom of Turkey.

Regions of Turkey covered are Marmara, Black Sea, Central Anatolia, Aegean, Mediterranean, Eastern Anatolia, Southeastern Anatolia and Upper Mesopotamia.

Cities and Key stops are Istanbul, Bursa, Safranbolu, Polatli (Gordion), Corum, Nevsehir, Konya, Denizli, Karacasu, Selcuk, Bergama, Salihli, Canakkale, Fethiye, Adiyaman, Malatya, Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir and Kars.

UNESCO SITES & HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS:

Historic Areas of Istanbul

Capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, home to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace, over 1,600 years of imperial history.

Bursa and Cumalikizik

First capital of the Ottoman Empire, birthplace of Ottoman architecture and famous for early imperial mosques, silk trade and under Unesco's World Heritage.

Historic Town of Safranbolu

One of the world's best-preserved Ottoman towns, prosperous caravan city on the Silk Road, traditional wooden mansions.

Gordion

Capital of ancient Phrygia, home of King Midas, site of the legendary Gordian Knot.

Goreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia

Volcanic landscapes, underground cities and early Christian cave churches.

Hattusha

Capital of the Hittite Empire, one of the greatest Bronze Age powers, royal gates, temples and cuneiform archives.

Catalhoyuk

One of the world's oldest cities, around 9,000 years old, houses entrances through rooftops.

Hierapolis - Pamukkale

Ancient Roman spa city, spectacular white travertine terraces, sacred thermal waters.

Aphrodisias

City dedicated to Aphrodite, famous marble sculpture school, exceptional Roman stadium.

Ephesus

One of the greatest Roman cities, library of Celsus, temple of Artemis nearby (Ancient Wonder)

Pergamon

Hellenistic royal capital, steep theater, Ancient medical center Asklepieion.

Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe

Capital of Lydia, birthplace of coined money, Temple of Artemis and synagogue.

Archaelogical Site of Troy

Legendary Trojan War, Nine ancient settlement layers, Homer's Iliad

Xanthos - Letoon

Capital of ancient Lycia, Famous for heroic resistance, religious sanctuary of Letoon.

Nemrut Mountain

Tomb sanctuary of King Antiochus I, Colossal stone heads, spectacular sunrise.

Arslantepe Mount

Early palace complex, evidence of one of the first state societies, more than 5,500 years old

Gobekli Tepe

World's oldest monumental temple, around 11,500 years old, changed understanding of civilization

Diyarbakir Fortress and Hevsel Gardens

Massive basalt city walls, continues settlement for millennia, ancient crossroads of civilizations

Archaeological Site of Ani

Medieval Armenian capital, called the City of 1001 Churches, silk road crossroads.

DAILY ITINERARY

Day 1 - Istanbul

Pick up from the airport in Istanbul and transfer to the hotel for check in.

In the afternoon, visit Hagia Sophia, Historic Hippodrome and Blue Mosque.

Day 2 - Istanbul

Visit of Topkapi Palace and Basilica Cistern and Grand Bazaar.

In the afternoon visit of Balat neighborhood, Galata Tower and Taksim square for rooftop dinner and drink.

Day 3 - Istanbul

Visit Archaeological museum, Chora museum, Suleymaniye Mosque and in the evening Bosphorus Dinner Cruise.

Day 4 - Bursa

Full day tour to Bursa by ferry and bus. Visit the city that many sites are under Unesco's World Heritage. Will visit the Grand Mosque, Green Tomb, Ulu Cami, Green Complex, Muradiye Complex and Cumalikizik village.

Day 5 - Safranbolu

Full day tour to Safranbolu, an Unesco's World Heritage Site. We will see Ottoman houses, Cinci Han and traditional urban planning.

Day 6 - Polatli (Gordion)

Full day tour to Gordion, an Unesco's World Heritage Site. Will visit Midas Tumulus and museum.

To bring in our mind for few hours, the Phrygian Kingdom and the Iron Age Anatolia.

Day 7 - Corum

Full day to Corum and to the Ancient city of Hattusha, an Unesco's World Heritage Site. A Hittite empire focus tour where will see the ancient city, Lion Gate, Great Temple and Yazilikaya Sanctuary.

Day 8 - Nevsehir

Full day in the region of Cappadocia where will visit Goreme national park, rock churches, underground city and the Cappadocian geology.

Day 9 - Konya

Next is the city that is known for the Neolithic Revolution. Visit Catalhoyuk, an Unesco's World Heritage Site and Mevlana Museum.

Day 10 - Denizli

Visit the Roman healing centers of Pamukkale and Hierapolis with their characteristic geology of rich - calcium, rich thermal springs that have deposited spectacular white travertine terraces over thousands of years along an active tectonic fault zone.

Day 11 - Karacasu

Visit to Aphrodisias, an Unesco's World Heritage site, Stadium, Temple and Sculpture School.

Day 12 - Selcuk

Visit the ancient city of Ephesus, an Unesco's World Heritage Site. Also visit terrace houses, library of Celsus, temple of Artemis.

Day 13 - Bergama

Visit of Pergamon which is under Unesco's World Heritage protection, Acropolis and Asklepieion.

Day 14 - Salihli

Visit of Sardis, ancient synagogue, gymnasium and royal Persian Road.

Day 15 - Canakkale

Visit of Troy, an Unesco's World Heritage site and of Troy museum.

A destination with roots of Bronze Age civilizations and Homeric tradition.

Day 16 - Fethiye

Visit to Xanthos and Letoon, under Unesco's World Heritage Sites, Lycian civilization destinations.

After the tour, evening flight toward Southeastern Turkey.

Day 17 - Adiyaman

Visit of Mount Nemrut an Unesco's World Heritage Site, royal tumulus and giant statues.

Day 18 - Malatya

Visit Arslantepe Mount, an UNESCO's World Heritage Site. The earliest palace complex and the early state formation.

Day 19 - Sanliurfa

Visit of Gobekli Tepe, an Unesco's World Heritage Site and of the Archaeology Museum.

We can see the origins of religion and site of the prehistoric societies.

Day 20 - Diyarbakir

Visit to Diyarbakir Fortress which is under Unesco's World Heritage protection, Hevsel Gardens, Great Mosque and city walls.

Day 21 - Kars

Morning flight to Kars to visit the Archaeological Site of Ani, an Unesco's World Heritage Site. It is located about 42 km east of the city of Kars, on a plateau overlooking the gorge that forms the border with Armenia.

In the evening, return flight back to Istanbul or onward international departure.