Sagalassos & Pisidia Ancient City Tour (3 Days)

Overview

Climb into the mountains of ancient Pisidia on this three-day archaeology tour to Sagalassos, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean. Set above 1,450 metres in the Taurus Mountains near Aglasun in Burdur, Sagalassos was conquered by Alexander the Great in 333 BC and is crowned by the restored Antonine Nymphaeum, a monumental fountain that flows again after some 1,800 years. We also visit the dramatic mountain stronghold of Termessos and the superb Antalya Museum. Round-trip flights from Istanbul, 3-4 star hotels, transfers and an expert guide are included.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Istanbul to Antalya and Termessos

We fly from Istanbul to Antalya and drive up to Termessos, the eagle's-nest city in the Taurus Mountains that even Alexander the Great chose not to besiege. We explore its theatre perched over a gorge, the agora and the monumental tombs, then check in to our 3-4 star hotel.

Day 2 - Sagalassos, city in the clouds

A full day at Sagalassos near Aglasun. We walk the upper and lower agoras, the Roman baths, the theatre and, above all, the restored Antonine Nymphaeum whose water once again cascades across the ancient square. Excavated for decades by a leading international team, Sagalassos offers one of the most complete pictures of a Greco-Roman city in Anatolia. Overnight in the region.

Day 3 - Antalya Museum and return to Istanbul

We visit the Antalya Museum, home to outstanding statues and sarcophagi from Perge and the wider region, then explore old Antalya before transferring to the airport for our flight to Istanbul.

Tour highlights

Explore Sagalassos and its restored, flowing Antonine fountain at over 1,450 metres
Visit Termessos, the mountain city Alexander the Great left unconquered
See masterpieces of ancient sculpture in the Antalya Museum
Travel with an archaeology-focused expert guide
Flights from Istanbul, 3-4 star hotels and transfers included

Frequently Asked Questions

Sagalassos is one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean. Decades of careful excavation and the reconstruction of monuments such as the flowing Antonine Nymphaeum let visitors experience a Greco-Roman city almost as it once was, in a spectacular mountain setting.

Sagalassos lies near Aglasun in Burdur province, southwestern Turkey, set on the slopes of the Taurus Mountains at over 1,450 metres above sea level.

Yes. Alexander the Great conquered Sagalassos in 333 BC on his campaign through Anatolia. Nearby Termessos, however, was so well defended that he chose not to besiege it.

Round-trip domestic flights from Istanbul, 3-4 star hotels, all transfers, site and museum entrance fees, and an expert guide. Lunches and personal expenses are not included.

It involves a fair amount of walking on uneven ancient ground at altitude. A reasonable level of fitness and sturdy walking shoes are recommended.