Hot-air balloons rising over the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia at dawn
Destinations

Where our guides work

We do not claim the whole country. These are the regions our guides actually live in and walk — and the specialist website that covers each one.

Ephesus & the Aegean

The best-preserved ancient city in the Mediterranean, and our home ground. The Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, the Terrace Houses, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the hill village of Şirince — plus Pamukkale's white terraces within a day's reach.

Sites: theephesus.com (in depth) · ephesustoursbylocals.com (tours) · ephesusbylocals.com (guide hire)

The Seven Churches of Revelation

Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea — the seven churches addressed in the Book of Revelation, spread across western Türkiye in the order a Roman courier would have ridden them.

Sites: sevenchurchesofapocalypse.com · biblicalephesustours.com

Istanbul

Two continents, three empires. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, the Basilica Cistern, the Grand and Spice Bazaars, the Bosphorus — and the quieter quarters like Balat and Fener that most tours never reach.

Site: istanbultoursbylocals.com

Cappadocia

Fairy chimneys, rock-cut churches with thousand-year-old frescoes, underground cities carved eight levels deep — and the balloon morning that put the region on every screen in the world.

Site: cappadociatoursbylocals.com

Destinations — frequently asked

Can you combine several destinations in one trip?

Yes, and most longer trips do. A common shape is Istanbul for two or three days, a flight down to İzmir for Ephesus and the Aegean, then Cappadocia. Tell us how many days you have and we will tell you honestly what fits — including when the answer is “that is one destination too many”.

Which destination is best for a first visit to Türkiye?

Istanbul and Ephesus, if you only have a week. Istanbul gives you the imperial and Ottoman story; Ephesus gives you the classical and early Christian one, and it is the best-preserved ancient city in the Mediterranean. Cappadocia is the third, and the one people most regret skipping.

How far apart are these places?

Türkiye is large. Istanbul to İzmir (for Ephesus) is about an hour by plane; Cappadocia is a separate flight again. Driving between them is possible but eats days. For most itineraries we plan around domestic flights.