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The Aegean: Ephesus to Bodrum: 6-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
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The 6-day version for May: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 4-day plan · 5-day plan · 6-day plan · best time to go.
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6
days
500 km
distance
12.2 h
driving
38
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~14 hours of daylight in May — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
- Ephesus' marble street is walkable without broiling, the travertines hold spring meltwater, and Bodrum's gulets set their shoulder-season sails.
Day 1 Izmir → Selçuk & Ephesus
- Transit
- 2h45
- Finish
- ~17:40
- Temperature
- 13.2°C–26.1°C
- Rainy days
- ~5
- Daylight
- 14.1h
09:00
10:00
Ancient Roman sculptures and intricate coins tell stories of Smyrna's past in glass cases.
50 min · Izmir · Adult 90 TL
open: Daily 08:30-17:30
11:00
14:05
15:45
16:50
Temple of Artemis read more
See a solitary reconstructed column from one of the ancient world's wonders.
50 min · Selçuk & Ephesus
Overnight: Selçuk & Ephesus
e.g. Ephesus Palace · Atilla’s Getaway
Day 2 Around Selçuk & Ephesus
- Transit
- 1h00
- Finish
- ~16:15
- Temperature
- 13.2°C–26.1°C
- Rainy days
- ~5
- Daylight
- 14.1h
09:00
House of the Virgin Mary hzmeryemanaevi.com read more
A site tied to legend, though historically debated.
50 min · Selçuk & Ephesus
open: Daily 08:00-18:00
10:05
Library of Celsus read more
Gaze at the magnificent facade, a modern reconstruction of the ancient library.
50 min · Selçuk & Ephesus
11:10
İsa Bey Mosque read more
Admire this impressive 14th-century mosque modeled on Damascus.
50 min · Selçuk & Ephesus · Free
open: Daily 09:30-21:30
12:15
Ephesus Archaeological Museum muze.gov.tr read more
Explore ancient statues, pottery, glass, sarcophagi, and coins.
50 min · Selçuk & Ephesus · Adult 10€
open: Daily 08:00-17:30
13:20
14:25
Church of Mary read more
Visit the cathedral built over an earlier basilica, likely site of a key ecumenical council.
50 min · Selçuk & Ephesus
15:15
Ejder Restaurant search
Enjoy a wide menu with vegetarian options in a friendly setting.
60 min · Selçuk & Ephesus
open: Daily 12:00-00:00
Day 3 Pamukkale
- Transit
- 2h44
- Finish
- ~17:45
- Temperature
- 10.5°C–24.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~7
- Daylight
- 14.0h
11:10
12:50
13:50
14:50
Archaeology Museum muze.gov.tr map ↗
Explore artifacts from local excavations in a Roman bath house.
50 min · Pamukkale
open: Daily 08:00-18:30
15:50
16:55
Day 4 Around Pamukkale
- Transit
- 0h30
- Finish
- ~15:50
- Temperature
- 10.5°C–24.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~7
- Daylight
- 14.0h
09:00
10:00
11:00
12:00
13:00
14:00
14:50
Day 5 Bodrum
- Transit
- 4h09
- Finish
- ~17:35
- Temperature
- 17.6°C–23.7°C
- Rainy days
- ~3
- Daylight
- 14.0h
12:45
Stand in awe of the ruins of one of the Ancient World's Seven Wonders.
50 min · Bodrum · Adult €3 with a dodgy exchange rate to Lira
open: Daily 08:30-17:30
13:45
Experience the grandeur of this ancient Roman-era event space.
50 min · Bodrum · Free
open: Tu-Su 08:30-17:30
14:45
Explore well-preserved bastions and towers from the Knights Hospitaller.
50 min · Bodrum · Adult €23 April 2024)
open: Daily 09:00-22:30 (summer) 08:30-17:30 (winter)
15:45
Zeki Müren Art Museum muze.gov.tr map ↗
Browse memorabilia from the flamboyant singer-songwriter Zeki Müren.
50 min · Bodrum · Adult 75 TL
open: Tu-Su 08:30-17:30
16:45
Overnight here
Day 6 Around Bodrum
- Transit
- 1h03
- Finish
- ~16:55
- Temperature
- 17.6°C–23.7°C
- Rainy days
- ~3
- Daylight
- 14.0h
09:00
10:05
11:05
12:05
Bodrum Aquapark bodrumaquapark.net map ↗
Speed down waterslides and float through wave pools and rivers.
90 min · Bodrum
open: May-Sept daily 10:30-17:00
14:00
15:05
Myndos Gate search
Walk through the lone remnants of Halikarnassos's mighty city wall.
50 min · Bodrum
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.