10-Day Highlights of Turkey & Greece Tour: From Istanbul to Athens

Arrival in Istanbul – Airport Transfer and Free Day

Upon your arrival at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) at your scheduled time, you will be greeted at the international arrivals exit by our representative, holding a sign with your name or agency code for easy identification. After a brief meet-and-greet, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or begin exploring Istanbul at your own pace.

Optional Experience: For a memorable evening, you may choose to join the Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Show (available at an extra cost). Enjoy a scenic night on the Bosphorus with traditional entertainment and a delicious meal. Overnight in Istanbul.

Istanbul Old City Tour

After breakfast, around 8:30 AM, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin a full-day guided tour of Istanbul’s most iconic Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks.

The tour begins with a visit to the magnificent Hagia Sophia, a marvel of architecture that has served as a cathedral, a mosque, and now a museum, reflecting centuries of religious and cultural heritage.

Next, you’ll explore the stunning Blue Mosque, named for the exquisite blue İznik tiles adorning its interior. This mosque, with its six elegant minarets and grand central dome, remains one of Istanbul’s most recognized symbols.

Continue to the Hippodrome, once the heart of Byzantine social and political life. Here, you’ll see historic monuments such as the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column, and the German Fountain.

Afterward, enjoy a traditional Turkish lunch at a local restaurant.

The afternoon will take you to the opulent Topkapi Palace, the former residence of Ottoman sultans. You’ll have the opportunity to explore its elaborate courtyards, priceless artifacts, and optionally visit the Harem section (entrance ticket not included).

Your final stop will be the lively and colorful Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. Wander through its labyrinth of over 4,000 shops selling everything from jewelry and carpets to spices and souvenirs.

After the tour ends around 4:30 PM, you will be transferred back to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of your evening at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.

Flight to Kayseri/Nevsehir from Istanbul – North Cappadocia Tour

You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul around 4:00 AM and transferred to the airport for your early morning flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir (flight time between 6:00 – 7:30 AM). Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to Cappadocia to begin your full-day tour of North Cappadocia.

Your day begins at Devrent Valley, famous for its imaginative rock formations and fairy chimneys. Next, explore the surreal landscapes of Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley), known for its mushroom-shaped pinnacles.

Continue to Avanos, a charming town set along the Kızılırmak River, celebrated for its rich tradition in pottery-making. Here, you may witness a live pottery demonstration using ancient techniques.

After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Zelve Open Air Museum, once a thriving monastic retreat. Wander through its historic cave churches and dwellings carved directly into the soft volcanic rock.

Before the tour concludes, enjoy a brief photo stop at Uchisar Castle from the outside. Though entry into the castle is restricted, its base offers panoramic views of the region’s breathtaking landscape.

After the tour ends around 4:00 PM, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Overnight in Cappadocia.

For extra activities, you may choose one of the following options to enhance your day (available at an additional cost): enjoy traditional music and folk dances at the Turkish Night Show with Dinner, take an adventurous ATV Tour (2 hours), explore scenic trails on a Horseback Riding Tour (2 hours), or witness the spiritual Whirling Dervish Show (1 hour). Please note: only one activity can be booked per day..

South Cappadocia Tour – Flight Back to Istanbul

For an optional extra, you may book a Hot Air Balloon Ride at sunrise to enjoy breathtaking aerial views of Cappadocia’s surreal landscape (additional cost applies).

After breakfast at your hotel, around 9:30 AM, you will be picked up to begin your full-day guided tour of South Cappadocia. Your first stop is the Red Valley, where you’ll explore rock-cut churches and hike about 5 km through the scenic Rose Valley (Güllüdere Vadisi).

Next, visit Çavuşin Village, known for its abandoned stone houses and historic churches once used by Christian monks. Around noon, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, the tour continues with a visit to Pigeon Valley (Güvercinlik Vadisi), admired for its panoramic vistas and dovecotes carved into the cliffs. In the afternoon, explore one of Cappadocia’s famous underground cities—either Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City—where early Christians sought refuge from persecution.

After the tour ends around 4:00 PM, you will be transferred to either Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport for your late evening flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival, a representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Flight from Istanbul to Athens – Free Day (Flight Not Included)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel by 12:00 PM and transfer to Istanbul International Airport according to your flight schedule. Board your international flight to Athens, Greece, where our representative will greet you upon arrival and provide a transfer to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax or begin exploring Athens at your own pace. Overnight in Athens.

Please note: International flight tickets from Istanbul to Athens are not included in the tour package. Guests are responsible for arranging their own flights.

Athens City Tour with Acropolis Museum

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel around 08:45 AM. The tour begins with a panoramic drive through Athens, a modern city full of ancient landmarks and neoclassical buildings.

Our first stop will be the Panathenaic Stadium, the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble, and host of the first modern Olympic Games. After a short photo stop and introduction to its history, we continue driving past important sites including the former Royal Palace (now the Prime Minister’s residence), the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, and Syntagma Square, where you'll see the Greek Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier guarded by the Evzones.

We’ll also pass by the Academy of Athens, University of Athens, and National Library, all fine examples of neoclassical architecture.

The highlight of the tour is the Acropolis, where you’ll visit iconic monuments such as the Parthenon, Erechtheion, Temple of Athena Nike, and Propylaea—masterpieces of classical architecture.

Finally, you’ll visit the Acropolis Museum, home to nearly 4,000 artifacts, including the original Caryatids. The tour ends around 1:30 PM with a return to your hotel. The rest of the day is free. Overnight in Athens.

Athens to Nafplion via the Corinth Canal

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel around 08:45 AM. Departing Athens, we drive along the scenic coastal road towards the Peloponnese. Our first short stop is at the Corinth Canal, a narrow waterway connecting the Aegean and Ionian Seas.

We then continue to the Sanctuary of Asklepios to visit the Theater of Epidaurus, renowned for its exceptional acoustics and classical design. Next, we drive to Nafplion, the first capital of modern Greece, where we take a brief photo stop to admire the charming town.

In the afternoon, we proceed to Mycenae, one of the major centers of Greek civilization. Highlights include the Lion Gate and the Tomb of Agamemnon (Treasury of Atreus). Later, we drive through the scenic central Peloponnese region, passing Tripolis and Megalopolis, and arrive in Olympia for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight in Olympia.

Olympia to Delphi

After breakfast, we visit the ancient site of Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Your guided tour will include the Temple of Zeus, the Gymnasium, the Palaestra, and the ancient Stadium. Learn about the significance of the Games in Greek culture.

We also visit the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, which houses important artifacts from the site. In the afternoon, we drive through the regions of Ilia and Achaia, cross the impressive Rio-Antirio Bridge, and continue through Nafpaktos and Itea before reaching Delphi.

Evening is at leisure to explore Delphi on your own. Overnight in Delphi.

Delphi Tour – Return to Athens

After breakfast, we visit the archaeological site of Delphi, once considered the center of the world in ancient Greek religion. Highlights include the Temple of Apollo, the Treasuries, the Stadium, and the Priestess’ House.

Next, we explore the Delphi Archaeological Museum, home to significant exhibits including the famous Charioteer of Delphi.

In the afternoon, we return to Athens via Arachova, Levadia, and Thebes. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Athens.

Departure from Athens – End of Tour

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Athens (check-out time is before 11:00 AM). You will then be transferred to Athens International Airport according to your flight schedule. This marks the end of your tour and our services.