Private tour
Classic
Classic Türkiye 10 Days
The most complete journey through Türkiye in 10 days: discover dazzling Istanbul with Hagia Sophia and Topkapı
About this tour
Two days in Antakya, ancient Antioch, with a flight from Istanbul, an English-speaking guide and a private vehicle. You see the oldest mosque in Anatolia, the bazaar of laurel soap, one of the largest collections of Roman mosaics in the world and the Cave Church of St Peter, with the cuisine of Hatay — a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy — as the thread running through the trip.
Trip details
Duration
2 days / 1 night
Destination
Hatay
Category
Short break
Type
Private tour
Accommodation
1 hotel
Meals
3 included
Flights
2 domestic
Route
Day-by-day itinerary
1
Arrival in Antakya — Habib-i Neccar, the Old Town and the Uzun Çarşı Bazaar
Arrival
Istanbul Hatay
We fly from Istanbul to Hatay with Turkish Airlines (2 h) and meet you at the airport (HTY); some twenty-five minutes' drive later we are in Antakya, ancient Antioch, the third city of the Roman Empire. In the afternoon we visit the Habib-i Neccar Mosque, considered the oldest in Anatolia (AD 638) and rebuilt stone by stone after the 2023 earthquake. We continue on foot through Antakya's old town, with its courtyard houses, and explore the Uzun Çarşı Bazaar, where laurel soap is still cut by hand. Dinner of Hatay cuisine at the hotel: hummus with meat, the house kebab and freshly made künefe. Accommodation at a hotel of the planned category.
Flight:
Istanbul (IST) → Hatay (HTY) (Turkish Airlines)
Visits:
Habib-i Neccar Mosque, Antakya Old Town, Uzun Çarşı Bazaar and laurel soap workshops
Hotel:
Standard hotel Hatay · Half board
Meals: Dinner
2
Roman Mosaics and St Peter — Hatay Archaeology Museum and Return
DepartureWe start the morning at the Hatay Archaeology Museum, home to one of the largest collections of Roman and Byzantine mosaics in the world: entire floors from the 2nd to the 6th century rescued from the villas of Daphne, led by the Oceanus and Tethys mosaic. We continue to the Cave Church of St Peter, carved into the rock of Mount Staurin and one of the earliest places of Christian worship, with the façade the Crusaders added in the 12th century. A long lunch of mezes — Hatay has been a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy since 2017 and boasts more than 600 documented dishes — and transfer to the airport for the flight back to Istanbul. End of our services.
Flight:
Hatay (HTY) → Istanbul (IST) (Turkish Airlines)
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch
Planned accommodation
We work with several hotels in each category in every city; the exact hotel is confirmed when you book.
The hotels shown are the planned ones. If one isn't available, we'll offer another of a similar or higher category.
What's included
Included
- 1 night at a standard hotel in Antakya on half board (breakfast, and a dinner of Hatay cuisine on the evening of day 1)
- 1 meze lunch at a local restaurant on day 2
- Transfers Hatay airport (HTY)–hotel–airport
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver on both days
- Licensed, qualified English-speaking guide throughout the tour
- All entrance tickets in the itinerary: Hatay Archaeology Museum, the Cave Church of St Peter and the Habib-i Neccar Mosque
- Return domestic flights Istanbul–Hatay with Turkish Airlines, taxes included
Not included
- Return international flights
- Drinks with meals
- Tips: the usual amount is €3 per person per day for the guide and €2 for the driver
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Personal expenses and anything not listed under included services
Frequently asked questions
What's included in Ancient Antakya 2 Days?
Ancient Antakya 2 Days includes: 1 night at a standard hotel in Antakya on half board (breakfast, and a dinner of Hatay cuisine on the evening of day 1); 1 meze lunch at a local restaurant on day 2; Transfers Hatay airport (HTY)–hotel–airport; Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver on both days; Licensed, qualified English-speaking guide throughout the tour; All entrance tickets in the itinerary: Hatay Archaeology Museum, the Cave Church of St Peter and the Habib-i Neccar Mosque; Return domestic flights Istanbul–Hatay with Turkish Airlines, taxes included. Anything not included is listed just as clearly in the "What's included" section of this page.
Do I need to speak Turkish for this trip?
No. Your guide, Sinan, speaks fluent English and is with you throughout the trip. He takes care of all the arrangements, translations, bookings and negotiations for you.
Can I customise Ancient Antakya 2 Days?
Yes. Ancient Antakya 2 Days is a private tour, so this 2-day itinerary is flexible: you can change stops, add extra days, swap hotels or adjust the pace of the trip. Message me with your preferences and we'll design your tailor-made trip, with no extra charge for the planning.
When is the best time to visit Hatay?
Türkiye can be visited all year round. Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November) bring pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer is ideal for the coast, and winter has its own charm in Cappadocia, with snow-covered landscapes.
Why can't I see a price on this page?
Because this is a private tour and its price depends on your dates, how many of you are travelling, the hotel category and the visits you want to include. I'd rather work it out by hand and send you a real quote, with everything itemised, than show you a "from" price that ends up looking nothing like what you pay. Request it with the quote form on this page and you'll have it within 24 hours.
How do booking and payment work?
Once you request a quote, you receive a private link with the final price and the full itinerary, with no obligation. To confirm, you pay a 30% deposit. The balance is paid 31 days before departure, by bank transfer or card (+3% surcharge). If you cancel more than 90 days before departure, only the handling fee and any penalties charged for flights and services already issued are retained; closer to departure, the cancellation policy scale applies, the same one you'll see in your quote.
Read more
Related articles
Guides and tips for the destinations on this tour.
places
Antioch (Antakya): Hatay Mosaic Museum and St Peter's Cave Church
The city where the disciples were first called Christians is home to a cave church on the mountainside and a museum with
destinations
Hatay (Antioch): Mosaics, St Peter's Church and Türkiye's Best Food
Antioch was the third city of the Roman Empire and the place where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians.
destinations
Arsuz: The Fishing Village Where Hatay Goes Out to Eat
A little over an hour from Antakya, Arsuz is a quiet fishing bay with restaurants right on the water, and on the mountai
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