Top 9 Ancient History Tours in Turkey

1.Ancient Perge, Aspendos Theater & City of Side Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,237 reviews · 9 hours · from $41Our pick

Travel from Antalya to Perge, Aspendos, and Side with an English, German, Spanish, or French-speaking guide. Walk Perge’s colonnaded avenue, visit Aspendos Theater, enjoy a local lunch by the river, and finish at Side’s Temple of Apollo. Guides such as Ozzy, Recep, Ibrahim, and Fatima are praised for clear explanations and good humor.

“We are so glad we did this trip, it was amazing. Recep our guide was lovely and helpful. Perge Antik is a beautiful historic site, then we went on the Aspendos which is so well preserved. Side completely blew us away with beautiful location of the Temple of Apollo, just wow! We stopped for a lovely organic lunch with a view. An amazing day. Thank you Recep!”

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2.Ancient Perge, Aspendos Amphitheater and City of Side Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 644 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $42Top rated

This 10-hour Antalya day trip combines Perge’s Roman streets, Aspendos Theater, Side’s seafront ruins, and Apollo Temple, with hotel pickup, lunch, and a guide. Guides may include Ibrahim, Ozzy, Oğuzhan, Recep, or Gamze. Expect a small group of up to 15, long drives, and limited time at some stops.

“This tour was a very enjoyable dive into history! Our guide, Ms. Gamze, was exceptional. With a background in history and archaeology, her knowledge was both deep and comprehensive. I highly recommend her tour for anyone looking to explore these incredible historical sites. Her expertise and enthusiasm made the tour both informative and enjoyable, ensuring that we left with a greater appreciation for the rich heritage of Perge, Aspendos, and Side.”

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3.Day Tour of Ancient Roman Sites

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 278 reviews · 9 hours · from $89

Travel from Antalya with an English-speaking guide to Perge, Aspendos, Side, and Manavgat Waterfall. You’ll see Roman baths, colonnades, a 15,000-seat theater, and Side’s Temple of Apollo. Guides such as Fatima, Cigil, Kerem, and Tuly are praised for lively explanations. Expect a full day, outdoor walking, lunch, and limited time at each stop.

“An excellent day trip with an informative guide and pleasant company all round. Highly recommended.”

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4.From Izmir: Guided Tour of the Ancient City of Ephesus

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 205 reviews · 9 hours · from $117

Travel from Izmir to Ephesus in an air-conditioned minivan, then walk marble streets with a guide such as Alpi, Erman, or Alperen. See the Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Temple of Artemis, and optional House of Virgin Mary. Lunch is included, while Terrace House and Mary’s House tickets cost extra.

“Great logistic for the tour. Transportation of high quality. Our guide Erman speaks perfect Spanish, it was easy to understand all the information provided. This city it's amazing we enjoyed and leaned a lot.”

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5.Fire of Anatolia Dance Show at Ancient Aspendos Theater

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 198 reviews · 3 - 8 hours · from $64

Travel to Gloria Aspendos Arena for Fire of Anatolia, a large-scale Turkish dance performance staged in the ancient Aspendos Theater. You will see 120 dancers combine folk dance, ballet, modern choreography, dramatic lighting, and fast footwork in the shows Troy or Evolution. Transfers from Side may be added, while dinner is available with selected Kemer and Alanya options.

“Magnificent show. Professional dancers. Not the expected touristic attraction. An amazing experience in an ancient roman theatre”

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6.Hiking in Termessos Ancient City

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 152 reviews · 4 hours · from $62

Join Önder on a four-hour small-group hike from Antalya to Termessos, a 1,050-meter ancient city in Güllük Mountain National Park. You’ll see the theater, agora, cisterns, tombs, gates, and temples while walking through quiet mountain ruins. Transportation is included, but entrance fees are extra.

“The tour was beautiful and the theatre in particular was unbelievably scenic. Our guide Onder was excellent. He was really knowledgeable on the ancient city itself as well as rich Turkish history. Onder is incredibly friendly and went above and beyond for us, giving us great advice on our stay in Antalya and beyond. This was certainly a major highlight in our entire Turkish holiday. Thank you Onder.”

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7.Alanya: Ancient Ruins & Hidden Coves of Gazipaşa w/ Cave

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 63 reviews · 9 hours · from $53

Travel from Alanya to Syedra, Aytap, Delik Deniz, and Lying World Cave with an English, German, or Russian-speaking guide. Taner is among the named guides, and the day mixes Roman ruins, rocky coastal paths, a swim in King's Cove, cave exploring, lunch, and striking views. Sturdy shoes matter.

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8.Ancient Selge, Tazi Canyon & Adam Rocks Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 34 reviews · from $56

Take an 8-hour jeep-safari-style trip through Antalya Province to Tazi Canyon, Selge Ancient City, and Adam Rocks. You’ll see high canyon viewpoints, Roman ruins, unusual rock formations, and mountain scenery, with lunch, entry fees, hotel pickup, and a live English, Russian, or Turkish-speaking guide included.

“It was a good price,best service,awsome ghid and very respectfull, they are verry carreful with evrey needs. They are the best! i hope you gone select them, you gone thanks me later.”

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9.Alanya: Ancient & Coastal Ruins Tour – Syedra & Iotape

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 24 reviews · 9 hours · from $41

Travel from Alanya to Syedra, Iotape, Antiochia ad Cragum, Lie World Cave, and Delik Deniz with an English or German-speaking guide. You will walk among Roman ruins, swim in a natural rock pool, eat a local lunch, and stop at Adil Üstündağ Beach. Tatjana and Taner are among the guides named for their careful pacing and strong local knowledge.

“Very knoledgeable guide in history, good details and nice person. Kept good mood and wise pace for climing uphills.”

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