Hi!
Looking at planning a first time trip to Turkey in October and trying to figure out the best way to do Istanbul and Ephesus. I thought about a day trip to Ephesus flying in super early and leaving in the evening, but there looks like there's much to explore in the area and spending a couple of days sounds much less stressful. This is the plan so far. Only the ticket to Istanbul has been booked. I would appreciate any suggestions you guys have.
Thanks!
Day 1 Sept 29-- Arrive in Istanbul -- stay in Sultanamet area?
Day 2 Sept 30 Istanbul
Day 3 Oct 1 . Early morning flight to Izmir. Staying in Selçuk for base. See Ephesus.
Day 4 Oct 2 -- Day trip to Kuşadası
Day Oct 3 - Day trip to Şirince.
Day 6 Oct 4 - Fly back from Izmir to Istanbul in the evening. Staying in Sultanamet area again?
Day 7 Oct 5 - Istanbul
Day 8 Oct 6 Istanbul
Day 9 Oct 7 Leave
Istanbul and Ephesus
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I really do not know what your interests are. So cannot guess why you would wish to spend a whole day in a small very touristy village, Sirince, where they have a few restored old stone houses, some orchards and possibly regional food as well as fruit wines made with artificial aromas.
Again a whole day in kusadasi means that you are probably interested in a large cruise ship stop resort with oodles of touristy shops and some nice beach hotels in its vicinity.
Sirince and Kusadasi are each less than half an hour from Selcuk and can be visited on the same day that you visit Ephesus, selcuk museum. Saint John's Basilica.
However, an extra day would be needed to visit Herakleia, Miletus and Priene and/or Doganbey/Karina.
I agree with otherchelebi. First it depends on your preferences. If you are too much interested in archeological sites, ancient civilization etc., you should at another full day in Heraklia, Miletus, Priene, especially Afrodisias instead of visiting Şirince for a whole day. Şirince is a nice small town but one whole day is a bit long. In Kuşadası you may have a good swim (october?)
I am a travel blogger and in my blog you can see some pictures of these places to give you an idea but, sorry it's in Turkish.
Afrodisias http://geziyazilari.net/?p=328
Priene, Miletos, Didim Apollon http://geziyazilari.net/?p=331
Ephesos http://geziyazilari.net/?p=315 / http://geziyazilari.net/?p=319
Selçuk, St. Mary, Artemisia, St. Jean and Şirince http://geziyazilari.net/?p=556
Pamukkale and Hierapolis http://geziyazilari.net/?p=348 (This is a bit far from Ephesos but it's worth.)
As others are saying, depends on our interests!
> stay in Sultanamet area?
You might search this board for several posts on this question.
I am not familiar with the other places, but unless there was something really important I missed during two stops there, I would not go to Kusadasi. Much more to see in Istanbul with that extra day.
Ephesus is a "not to be missed" sight, IMHO.
My one regret in my Turkey itinerary was staying too long in the Kusadasi area. I would have happily added it to Cappadocia or any number of places. Your original idea of a day trip isn't a bad one.