Top 12 Day Trips from Istanbul

1.From Istanbul: Sapanca and Masukiye Day Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,036 reviews · 12 hours · from $29Our pick

Leave Istanbul for a busy but scenic day in Sapanca and Maşukiye. You will visit Sapanca Lake, a Turkish delight factory, Mahmudiye Village, a waterfall-side restaurant, and activity stops. Guides such as Apo, Osman, and Oktay are known for friendly service, but extra fees apply to many activities.

“Our guide was good, we visited every place written in the program, it is worth the money.”

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2.Istanbul: Bursa & Uludag Mountain Day Trip w/ Opt. Cable Car

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 447 reviews · 13.5 hours · from $31

Spend 13.5 hours traveling from Istanbul to Bursa and Uludag Mountain with hotel pickup, a ferry crossing, lunch, a Turkish delight stop, Green Mosque visit, and optional paid activities. Guides including Nuri, Mahmut, Yousuf, and others are praised for keeping the long day friendly and organized.

“We had a very good time and made some great memories! Our guide Nuri was the best! We would definely recommend others to try and we will get another trips like this when we'll be back in Turkey!”

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3.From Istanbul: Day Trip to Cappadocia with Flight & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 182 reviews · 16 hours · from $188

You fly from Istanbul to Kayseri, then tour Cappadocia with a guide and driver. Expect Göreme Open Air Museum, Devrent Valley, Pasabag, Avanos pottery, Göreme Panorama, and Uchisar Castle, plus lunch. Guides may include Umit, Mert, or Erdi. Choose shared or private travel.

“The guide and drivers were great. The one day tour itself if excellent. The problem (in my situation) was the flights to Kayseri and afterwards back to Istanbul. Both flights had delay problems so a 16 hour day turned into a 22 hour day.”

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4.Istanbul: Bursa and Uludag Full-Day Trip with Cable Car Ride

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 164 reviews · 12 hours · from $58

You’ll visit Bursa’s Green Mosque, Green Tomb, old silk market, and 600-year-old Inkaya Tree before heading to Uludag. Expect a long 12-hour day, a mixed-grill lunch, one-way cable car ride, shopping stops, and free time for snow sports. English and Arabic guides are available.

“Perfect. From pick up till drop off, our tour guide (Yaqoob) and driver both did an excellent job. Yaqoob has provided a very interesting information in the each place that we visited. I would like to mention that I even left something in the van yet he managed to deliver the same in the hotel where I am staying. Thank you 😊. It was a perfect holiday.”

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5.From Istanbul: Green Bursa Full-Day Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 85 reviews · 14 hours · from $49

Travel from central Istanbul to Bursa with an English-speaking guide, visit the Green Mosque, Green Mausoleum, silk market, and Uludag Mountain, then ride the cable car when weather allows. Hotel pickup, entry fees, transport, and lunch are included, but expect shopping stops and a long day.

“This is a very nice tour to take with one only exception, it is very oriented towards the commercial part. It seems that the main objective is to get customers to visit spaces with only one purpose: to get them to buy something. If they want to keep like this, i would suggest that you stop only one time in a big mall or store for shopping and do the rest for visiting places.”

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6.From Istanbul: Private Guided Day Trip to Ephesus with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 50 reviews · 15 hours · from $449

Fly from Istanbul to Izmir, then explore the Temple of Artemis, Ephesus, and the House of Virgin Mary with an English-speaking guide. Guides such as Inan, Tansu, and Ekim bring the ruins to life. Lunch, entrance fees, flights, and hotel transfers are included.

“Our great Ephesus Experience was enhanced by Alex, our very knowledgeable guide who, not only gave information but answered our questions.”

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7.Istanbul: Guided City Highlights Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 45 reviews · 8 hours · from $94

This 8-hour Istanbul tour links Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, and air-conditioned transport. Guides such as Musa, Berkcan, and Alper have led past departures. Entry fees and lunch are extra.

“Almost 100$ for the private tour which included blue mosque and entrance fees to sites. 1. Blue Mosque is closed until March 2022 2. None of the activities actually cost money (free entrance) 3. Tour stated 8 hours. Tour was actually 4 hours Either way our guide was Berkan and he was nice and informative. He answered all questions and was casual to be around which made us comfortable.”

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8.Istanbul: Day Trip to the Princes’ Islands

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 44 reviews · 6 hours · from $58

Escape Istanbul by ferry for a six-hour small-group trip to Büyükada. You’ll see bay views, pine trees, Victorian cottages, the main square, and summer beaches, with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, and lunch included. Expect a scenic outing, but allow for loose timing and a basic meal.

“Le guide devait venir nous chercher à notre hôtel a 8h15 il est finalement arrivé à 9h il nous a fait changé de bus en cours de route, l activité en elle même est correcte par contre le déjeuner c est vraiment pas terrible, une crudité un kebab et terminé pas de dessert pas de thé! Et le retour gratiné, on a eu le droit un passage dans une fabrique de vêtements en cuir (pas prévu et pas en lien avec l activité) et comme au retour on était en retard et bien le guide nous a fait déposer à environ 10 minutes à pied de notre hôtel ! Vu…”

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9.Ephesus and Virgin Mary Day Trip by Plane from Istanbul

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 40 reviews · 12 hours · from $424

You’ll fly from Istanbul to Izmir, then tour Ephesus, the House of Virgin Mary, Selçuk, Isabey Mosque, and the Temple of Artemis with a private group and licensed guide. Guides may speak English, Spanish, or Japanese. Expect an early start and possible shopping stops.

“My 2nd time in Ephesus, loved it, my tour guide Rabia was excellent, I truly recommend this tour.”

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10.From istanbul: Gobeklitepe and Harran Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 31 reviews Top rated

Fly from Istanbul to Şanlıurfa, where a guide such as Ibrahim, Selim, or Yusuf can lead you through Göbekli Tepe, Harran, Abraham’s Cave, and the Pool of Abraham. Expect private airport transfers, a small group of up to 12, and a very full day built around archaeology and local history.

“Our tour guide Yusuf was very knowledgeable and super friendly. Being a local born and being a guide for so many years. He tailored the tour to suit our needs. Goblekitepe and Harran we amazing sights. An absolute must see.”

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11.From Istanbul: Bursa Day Trip with Lunch and Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 28 reviews · 12 hours · from $47

Travel from Istanbul to Bursa by air-conditioned coach and car ferry, with an English or Arabic-speaking guide. Visit a Turkish delight factory, honey shop, 610-year-old plane tree, Green Mosque, and Uludag Mountain. Lunch is included, while the cable car, quad ride, and ski gear cost extra.

“Bursa, no l'hem vista, tret de la mesquita verda, 20 minuts ja de nit”

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12.From Istanbul: Guided Day Trip to Sapanca and Masukiye

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 21 reviews · 13 hours · from $33

Travel from Istanbul to Sapanca Lake, Sapanca Zoo, Masukiye village, its waterfall, and Kartepe Mountain with an English or Arabic-speaking guide. Lunch and hotel transfers are included, but entrance fees, drinks, and several optional activities cost extra. The 13-hour day ends at a large shopping outlet.

“Il s'agit d'une sortie commerciale au cours de laquelle des activités payantes seront proposées à chaque arrêt. . Il ne s'agit pas vraiment de visites de sites à proprement parler. Le dejeuner était peu qualitatif mais s'est fait dans un joli endroit. S'agissant du transfert, le chauffeur est arrivé avec près d'une heure de retard à l'aller et nous a déposé à proximité de l'hotel. Le point positif est le guide qui assurait parfaitement son rôle et était très agreable, pédagogue et bienveillant. Aussi tout dépend de ce que vous recherchez...”

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