Turkey has hundreds of tour companies and thousands of guided tours, from half-day tours of Istanbul to 21-day grand tours of the entire country.
Here are some tips for your first trip to Turkey.
Below are some of the guided tours that I think offer great value for money:
Before you sign up for any tour, read Good & Bad Tours in Turkey.
Keep in mind that any of my recommended travel agencies can set up a custom itinerary for you, or you can hire a professional guide.
Istanbul City Tours
See Istanbul on my self-guided walking tours, or on a guided tour. Lots of good excursions out of the city, too. More…
Six Top Sights in Only 4 Days
It’s possible to visit Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus, Aphrodisias and Pamukkale in only 4 days (3 nights) from Istanbul with a private driver-guide byEfendi Travel. More…
Turkey’s Top Sights in 6-10 Days
These brisk tours show you Turkey’s top sights in as little as 6 days, though the slightly longer ones make it more comfortable. More…
Turkey Country Tours, 11-14 Days
These country tours give you a better look at Turkey’s many marvels, and daily life. More…
Cappadocia Tours
Public transport is sketchy in Cappadocia, so guided toursmake sense, especially if your time is short. Here are the best.
Gulet Yacht Cruises & Tours
You can take a Turkish “Blue Voyage” along the Turquoise Coast with archeologist and filmmaker Peter Sommers, or as part of a land-and-sea tour, or on a gulet just for you. More…
Wedding & Honeymoon
And speaking of weddings, Murat and Pinar Özgüç at Travel Atelier specialize in helping with any and all travel and legal arrangements for getting married in Turkey, as well as all normal travel agency services. More…
Gallipoli Anzac Tours
Visit the Gallipoli battlefields, particularly on the anniversary of the ANZAC landings in World War I—a truly moving experience. More…
Cruise Ship Shore Excursions
The shore excursion tours sold on cruise ships often leave a lot to be desired: high-priced, and mostly shopping in places that pay commission to the tour company. For a better shore excursion, contact a local travel agency—and get what you want. More…
Rumi & Whirling Dervish Tours
Argeus Tourism & Travel can make arrangements for you to see the whirling dervishes at the Rumi Commemoration Ceremonies in Konya in mid-December. More…
Eastern Turkey Tours
Want to go well off the beaten path and discover parts of Turkey seen by only intrepid travelers? Eastern Turkey is strikingly beautiful, like one vast national park, with a surprising array of world-class archeological and natural sites (including Mount Ararat). Rock Valley Travel can make all the arrangements for your self-drive or guided tour through Turkey’s less-visited but more fascinating region. More…
Hunting Expeditions
If you’re an avid hunter, Turkey has good government-controlled hunting grounds. For help with firearms import licenses and hunting permits, the experts are Dos Plumas, an American-owned travel agency based in Turkey. More…
—by Tom Brosnahan
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