All Izmir Tours & Excursions in 2026

The guide Erman and the vehicle driver were very kind, arrived on time, made stops to go to the bathroom and buy snacks, etc. At the place we went, the guide Erman was very accurate with information about the place, facts, recommendations, exact costs of extra activities within the place with additional costs, leaving it as optional and not mandatory, and the guided tour was very pleasant with enough time to explore; we went to Hierapolis and the Pamukkale pools.

We booked our tour through Viator with no problems. The communications were very good throughout and we knew we would be picked up and dropped off at the port. Our guide, Josh was waiting for us and led us through the day showing consideration for the pace and displaying an endless knowledge for both Turkey and Ephesus. He sorted out our lunch stop, that wasn't included, and got us safely back to the ship. The day couldn't have been any better, thanks Josh.

We had a really good experience with this tour. Ahmet was a great tour guide who could not have been more accommodating or polite. He was extremely flexible to accommodate our timeline and preferences and assisted us with parking to make everything very seamless. He was also a very knowledgeable and engaged guide. I would recommend this tour and Ahmet.

If I could give Faruk more than 5 stars, I absolutely would. From the moment he picked us up until the end of the tour, he was the definition of professionalism, kindness, and genuine hospitality. He made us feel completely comfortable and safe throughout the entire day while sharing interesting information about the places we visited. What made the experience truly unforgettable was how much he cared about making our day special. He took the most beautiful photos of us with his own camera, knew all the best viewpoints, and made sure we left with incredible memories not just of Çeşme and Alaçatı, but of Türkiye itself. If you’re lucky enough to have Faruk as your guide, you’re in the best hands. He turned a wonderful destination into an unforgettable experience. Thank you, Faruk, for your kindness, your dedication, and for making our trip so special. We will always remember this day.

The guide was excellent for the information and kindness in the service. However, I do not like being taken to visit places for tourists to shop (carpet factory, business that makes cosmetics with olive oil). These activities are not included in the tour of the visit.

I really enjoyed it. It was a group tour but I was the only one signed up for this day and they still went ahead with the tour. I had my own driver and guide on a 15 passenger van! I was able to converse with the guide about random questions I had about Turkey. Pergamum is beautiful and way less crowded than other ancient cities. The included lunch was a fabulous home cooked meal at a hidden away complex in the country side. Of course there is a carpet presentation. I went on quite a few 1 and 2 day tours in Turkey and I felt this carpet thing was the most educational and personable out of all I listened to.

It's fabulous but there just isn’t enough time to do everything considering the long drive from Izmir. The guide was knowledgeable and personable. I did enjoy seeing the countryside on the drive. The travertine pools are treacherously slippery. Cleopatra's pool was the highlight for me. It was a busy day so had to wait in line before and after swimming to use one of the limited changing rooms. I chose to pay for a golf cart ride to the theatre instead of walking. It was well worth paying for in order to have more swimming time. I got a round trip ticket and when we got to the top the driver said I had 15 minutes to take pictures. I hadn't noticed any signage informing me of this detail. Unless you are really into museums I would say skip it. The Buffet lunch was good. Be aware that there is always a "shopping experience " included with a 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.