All Izmir Tours & Excursions in 2026 - page 2

A really good tour with strong biblical links. This was a fantastic insight into the history of Turkey. Just be mindful the you will visit a carpet factory with no obligation to purchase. We respectfully showed interest in the techniques used but did feel a little pressure to buy, although we didn't.

I have visited many ancient archaeological sites over the years, including Baalbek in Lebanon, as well as remarkable ruins in Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, and elsewhere. Ephesus, however, is by far the most impressive ancient city I have ever experienced. The scale, preservation, and atmosphere are simply breathtaking. Walking along the marble streets, surrounded by towering ruins that have stood for nearly two thousand years, makes it easy to imagine what life was like at the height of the Roman Empire. Every corner reveals another incredible structure, and the site feels less like a collection of ruins and more like an entire ancient city brought back to life. A major part of what made this visit so memorable was my guide, Alperen. He is absolutely brilliant, with an incredible depth of knowledge about Ephesus, its history, and ancient civilizations more broadly. His explanations brought the ruins to life and added layers of context that made the experience far more meaningful and fascinating. If you have any interest in history, archaeology, or ancient civilizations, Ephesus is an absolute must-visit. It exceeded my already high expectations and stands out as one of the most extraordinary places I have ever been.

Our goal for this day was to visit Ephasus and learn more about the culture, food, and people of Turkey. We were blown away-this tour far exceeded our expectations! We were lucky enough to be met at our cruise port by the co-owner,Nesrin. What a delightful woman, full of knowledge and kindness. The minivan my husband and I traveled in was extremely clean and comfortable. Walking through the marble streets of Ephasus was mind blowing. The delicious lunch at the farm and being able to speak with the women making rugs there was something I will never forget! We went into another little town and shopped and then headed to the most picturesque hillside winery for wine tasting with appetizers. Batu, our driver did a fabulous job and got us back to our port as scheduled! Highly recommend this tour and this company! The communication was much appreciated

This is a very comprehensive tour to visit the ancient city Hierapolis and Pamukkale travertine in one day. The tour guide Erman Uslu is very informative, knowledgable about the history of Hierapolis, so ww could optimize our 3 hours visit time in very efficient way. The sites must be visited in Hierapolis is the Theater building which is so grandeur and the site of St Philip martyrium and tomb. Recommended tour!

We had a truly flawless day exploring Ephesus and its surroundings, thanks to the impeccable coordination by Selin at OTTI Travel. The day began perfectly with a prompt pickup right at our ship in Izmir. Our driver, Ahmed, was fantastic—he navigated the roads with total professionalism in a large, impressively comfortable van that made the commute a breeze. Selin is a world-class guide whose deep knowledge of Ephesus brought the history to life, from the iconic Library of Celsus to the fascinating Terrace Houses. The ancient site was undoubtedly the highlight of our day; seeing the towering ruins against the backdrop of glorious weather and piercing blue skies was an unforgettable experience. Selin’s storytelling and insights ensured we saw the best of the city while truly appreciating its monumental scale. Beyond the ruins, the itinerary Selin curated was exceptional and well-paced. We enjoyed a delicious, authentic lunch in the serene garden of the Turkmen Carpet Weaving Center, which provided a wonderful opportunity to relax and appreciate local hospitality in a beautiful setting. It was the perfect midday break between our historical explorations and our afternoon visits to local artisans. Before departing for Izmir, we explored several local highlights that rounded out the day perfectly. We stopped at a local leather shop and a ceramics studio to see incredible artistry, as well as a shop specializing in Turkish delights and other delicious food items. If you are looking for a seamless, high-end, and deeply informative tour while in port, I cannot recommend Selin, Ahmed, and the OTTI Travel team highly enough.

We had a great trip to Hierapolis and Pamukkale. Mustafa was a great guide. He provided great history and gave us ample time to take pictures. The ruins are fantastic. The Taverines of Pamukkale are beautiful. Our pickup from the Izmir hotel was on time and the ride was very smooth.

Faruk did a great job in organizing this tour and executing per plan. The pickup and drop off from my hotel in Izmir were smooth. The tour was well paced and I loved all the places I saw. Faruk took awesome pictures and also recommended an outstanding lunch place to try in Alacati.

Great day either with Ozgur. The pick up from our hotel was smooth. There were three of us in a large van, so very comfortable. It was a private tour, so Ozgur was open to any suggestions, and we had good conversation throughout the day. Visiting Ephesus is an amazing experience. Don’t miss it if you are in Izmir.