A timber-framed Ottoman house on a cobbled lane in Birgi

Hidden Gems of Turkey · Recommended tour · 4 days

The Hidden Aegean: Traditional Villages & Timeless Landscapes

Just an hour or two from the beach resorts lies a different Aegean: Ottoman villages in the foothills, market towns that still run on the weekly bazaar, and olive groves as far as you can see. This private tour from İzmir slows right down, with boutique stays, village breakfasts and plenty of time to talk to the people who live there.

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Duration4 days · 3 nights
Route2 destinations
StylePrivate tour from İzmir
PricePrice on request

The route

2 destinations, one smooth route

1 Birgi 2 nights
2 İzmir area 1 night

Sites you visit

Tire
Şirince
Lake Bafa

1Birgi2İzmir areaŞirinceLake Bafa

Every stop can be lengthened or shortened, and other places added.

Old houses and lanes in the village of Birgi

Houses of Şirince village among green hills

Day by day

Your itinerary

Day1
Birgi: a journey into the past
Leave İzmir for Birgi, a village in the Bozdağ foothills that has kept its Ottoman soul. Walk its cobbled lanes past timber-framed mansions, see the carved wooden pulpit of its 700-year-old mosque and the painted rooms of the Çakırağa Mansion, then settle into your village guesthouse.
Overnight in Birgi
Day2
Tire and the local Aegean
Spend the day in Tire, a proud old market town. If it is market day, lose yourself in one of the liveliest village bazaars in Turkey, full of cheese, olives, herbs and handmade crafts. Then drive back through the countryside of fig and olive orchards.
Overnight in Birgi or Ödemiş
Day3
Şirince and the Aegean countryside
Visit Şirince, a hillside village of old stone houses above Ephesus, and meet local producers of olive oil, fruit wines and preserves. Time allowing, continue south to the shores of Lake Bafa, where ancient ruins sit among the boulders, before a last night near İzmir.
Overnight in İzmir area
Day4
Departure
Breakfast and a relaxed morning, then a private transfer to İzmir Airport or another agreed destination.

Price

On request

Send us your dates and the number of travellers, and we will reply with a personal price within 24 hours.

Ideal for travellers seeking village life, regional food, boutique stays and a slower cultural journey.
Tire's weekly market is held on Tuesdays; we plan your days around it where possible.
A private English-speaking guide can be added for any or all days.

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Included

3 nights in boutique and locally selected hotels, in a double room with breakfast
Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver throughout
Fuel and all vehicle expenses
Private pick-up in İzmir and drop-off at İzmir Airport

Not included

Entrance fees to sites, museums and monasteries
Lunches and dinners
Drinks and personal expenses
International and domestic flights
Any services not listed as included

Pre-booking

Reserve your dates

The Hidden Aegean: Traditional Villages & Timeless Landscapes. Send us your dates and we will reply with a personal price.

1
Send your pre-booking
Choose your dates and tell us who is travelling. There is nothing to pay at this stage.
2
We check everything
We confirm hotels, availability and the final price for your exact dates, usually within 24 hours.
3
Confirm and travel
Happy with it all? We secure your booking and look after every detail until you are home again.