Turkey tours with flights from Romania
Tour with flight, accommodation, transfer, meals and activities included.
Istanbul between two continents, the balloons of Cappadocia, the white terraces of Pamukkale and the ruins of Ephesus.
A tour of Turkey crosses thousands of years of history: Byzantine and Ottoman Istanbul, with Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace and the Bosphorus, then the Anatolian plateau, with the fairy chimneys and rock-cut churches of Cappadocia.
Heading west, the route usually drops down to the travertine terraces of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Ephesus, and some tours finish on the Aegean or Mediterranean coast.
What you will see on the tour
Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque
Two monuments facing each other in Istanbul's Sultanahmet district: the sixth-century Byzantine basilica that became a mosque, and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, with its six minarets and blue Iznik tiles inside.
A balloon flight over Cappadocia
At sunrise, dozens of balloons rise over the valleys around Göreme, above stone chimneys and cave houses carved into the rock. Flights depend on the wind, so it is wise to keep a spare morning.
Pamukkale and Hierapolis
White travertine terraces filled with warm thermal water, which you walk on barefoot, and above them the ruins of ancient Hierapolis, with its Roman theatre and Cleopatra's Pool. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ancient Ephesus
One of the best-preserved Graeco-Roman cities in the Mediterranean, with the façade of the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre and marble-paved streets. Nearby is the House of the Virgin Mary, a place of pilgrimage.
Everything you need to know before you go
When to go
April to June and September to October are the best months, with 20–28°C. In summer, Cappadocia and Pamukkale easily top 30°C, while in winter the Anatolian plateau is cold and often under snow, which changes the landscape completely.
What you see along the way
Istanbul is almost always the first stop. From there, routes usually pass through Ankara, with Atatürk's mausoleum, to Cappadocia, then via Konya, the city of the whirling dervishes, to Pamukkale, Ephesus and the Aegean coast.
Good to know
Mosques are visited outside prayer times, with shoes off and shoulders and knees covered, and women cover their hair with a scarf. Distances between stages are long, so some days can involve many hours on the coach.
Local food
Try testi kebab in Cappadocia, cooked in a clay pot that is broken open at the table, mantı (dumplings with yoghurt and garlic), meze, pide and pistachio baklava. Black tea in small tulip glasses comes with every stop.
Frequently asked questions
- What does a tour of Turkey include?
- The tour includes the flight from Romania, accommodation along the whole route, transfers, the meals and activities listed in the programme, and TravelTheme assistance. The exact itinerary, meals, included visits and optional excursions are set out in each tour's offer.
- How many days does a tour last and what is the route like?
- The number of days and the cities included are shown in each tour's offer. A classic route starts in Istanbul, crosses Anatolia to Cappadocia and heads down to Pamukkale and Ephesus, while shorter versions may stop at only some of these highlights.
- When is the best time for a tour of Turkey?
- Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October), when it is warm but without the scorching inland heat. Summer is very hot at Pamukkale and Ephesus, and in winter Cappadocia often has snow — beautiful to look at, but with freezing nights.
- What documents do I need for Turkey?
- Romanian citizens do not need a visa for short tourist stays in Turkey. Travel on a valid passport and check the current requirements before you go, including the minimum validity the passport must have.
- What currency is used in Turkey?
- The local currency is the Turkish lira (TRY). Cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants and larger shops, and euros are sometimes taken in tourist areas. Keep some lira in cash for bazaars, tips and public toilets.