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Self Drive The Aegean Coast

  • 7 days / 6 nights
  • Istanbul → Gallipoli → Troy → Assos → Pergamon → Ephesus → Pamukkale → Aphrodisias → Bodrum
  • Self Drive Tour
  • Gallipoli
    Gallipoli
  • Troy Ancient City
    Troy Ancient City
  • Assos
    Assos
  • Acropolis - Pergamon
    Acropolis - Pergamon
  • Library of Celsus - Ephesus
    Library of Celsus - Ephesus
  • Pamukkale Travertines
    Pamukkale Travertines
  • Aphrodisias Ancient City
    Aphrodisias Ancient City
  • Yalikavak Marina - Bodrum
    Yalikavak Marina - Bodrum

An Introduction to Your Journey

Explore Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Assos, Pergamon, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Aphrodisias and Bodrum on a self-drive journey by rental car. Follow a suggested itinerary at your own pace, with time for the places and experiences that interest you. We can help tailor the route, overnight stops and travel arrangements before your trip.

Your Route Through Turkey

Route map for Self Drive The Aegean Coast: Istanbul → Gallipoli → Troy → Assos → Pergamon → Ephesus → Pamukkale → Aphrodisias → Bodrum

Route overview showing main destinations and travel connections.

Istanbul → Gallipoli → Troy → Assos → Pergamon → Ephesus → Pamukkale → Aphrodisias → Bodrum

Day-by-Day Itinerary

  1. Collect your rental car in Istanbul and drive south to Gallipoli. Allow time to explore the battlefield sites and memorials before continuing across the Dardanelles via the 1915 Canakkale Bridge. Overnight in Canakkale, with time for a walk along the waterfront.

  2. Check out your hotel in Canakkale after breakfast and start driving to the south to visit the legendary Troy. Continue to Assos then and drive to a waterfront restaurant for lunch before driving up to Assos's ancient city to watching the sunset. Overnight in Behramkale.

  3. After breakfast at your hotel, continue to Bergama city to explore the ancient cities of Acropolis and Asclepieion. We recommend you to see the Red Hall before checking in to your hotel and a walk around the hotel. Overnight in Bergama.

  4. Leave Bergama after breakfast and drive to Ephesus afterward to visit the ancient city of Ephesus, The House of The Virgin Mary, The Museum of Selcuk, and the Temple of Artemis, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Spend your evening in Sirince village exploring this Old Greek village and Overnight in Sirince.

  5. Leave the Ephesus area after breakfast and drive to Pamukkale. Explore the ruins of Hierapolis and the white travertine terraces, allowing time to enjoy the views before checking in to your hotel. Overnight in Pamukkale. Aphrodisias is included on the following day's drive to Bodrum.

  6. Drive from Pamukkale to Aphrodisias and explore its ancient ruins and sculpture museum. Continue by rental car to Bodrum. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a walk by the harbour or visit the town's historic sights. Overnight in Bodrum.

  7. Drive to Bodrum airport in the morning and drop your car before your flight to your next destination or back home.

Planning Your Trip: Common Questions

Yes. These are sample self-drive itineraries. Tell us your interests, preferred pace and available travel dates so we can discuss changes to the route, overnight stops and experiences.

You drive the rental car yourselves. A driver or accompanying guide is not part of the self-drive experience. If you would like a local guide at selected sites, we can discuss arranging that separately.

We will confirm the proposed rental-car arrangements, accommodation and any additional services in your personalised itinerary and quotation. Vehicle terms, insurance, fuel, parking, tolls and entrance fees should be reviewed with the agreed inclusions before booking.

Tell us your arrival and departure plans and your preferred collection and return locations. We will review the route with you and confirm the proposed arrangements and rental requirements before you book.

Plan your trip

Let's Talk About Your Trip

Self Drive The Aegean Coast

Tell us when you would like to travel, who is joining you and what you enjoy. We will help shape a self-drive route around your interests and preferred pace, and discuss the car, accommodation and other travel arrangements with you.

The Team You'll Plan Your Trip With

  • Erkan Dülger
    Erkan DülgerManaging Partner
  • Kadir Akın
    Kadir AkınManaging Partner
  • Ali Can Yüce
    Ali Can YüceTravel Consultant
  • Gülşah Akın
    Gülşah AkınTravel Consultant
When are you planning to visit Turkey? (optional)

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