13-Day Best of Turkey & Greece Tour: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Santorini
Tour Overview
Quick Answer
This 13-day Turkey & Greece tour combines Istanbul, Cappadocia, Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini with 4-star hotels, domestic and international flights, guided sightseeing, ferry tickets, and airport, port, and hotel transfers.
This itinerary combines the cultural heritage of Turkey with the historic landmarks and island landscapes of Greece in a carefully planned 13-day journey. Explore Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman monuments, cruise the Bosphorus, and discover Cappadocia’s valleys, underground cities, and rock-carved settlements. Continue to Athens for a guided visit to the Acropolis and its surrounding landmarks before sailing to Mykonos and Santorini, where traditional Cycladic architecture, coastal scenery, and free time create a balanced island experience. Domestic flights, international flights, ferry crossings, guided tours, and coordinated transfers are included for seamless travel between destinations.
Highlights
Explore Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome, and the Grand Bazaar on a guided tour of historic Istanbul.
Experience a scenic Bosphorus cruise before discovering Cappadocia's valleys, cave churches, fairy chimneys, and Kaymakli Underground City.
Visit the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Panathenaic Stadium, and other classical landmarks during a guided Athens city tour.
Discover Mykonos Town, Little Venice, traditional windmills, and the island's distinctive Cycladic atmosphere.
Enjoy Santorini's caldera views, Fira, volcanic landscapes, and free time to admire one of the Aegean's most iconic sunsets.
Itinerary
Welcome to Istanbul, a unique city where East meets West. Upon your arrival at Istanbul Airport or the cruise port, you will be greeted and privately transferred to your hotel.
Hotel check-in is available from 1:00 PM onward. After settling in, a representative will meet you at your hotel to brief you on the upcoming travel program.
The rest of the day is free for relaxation or optional exploration of Istanbul’s lively atmosphere.
After breakfast, your guide will meet you at approximately 10:00 AM for a full-day exploration of Istanbul’s historic peninsula.
Key highlights include:
• Ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople, once used for chariot races and public events
• Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, and German Fountain
• The iconic Blue Mosque with its famous blue Iznik tiles
• Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine heritage
• Topkapi Palace, former residence of Ottoman sultans
• Grand Bazaar, one of the largest covered markets in the world with thousands of shops
The tour ends around 4:00 PM, followed by return to your hotel. Evening free at leisure.
Today begins with a half-day sightseeing experience:
• Drive along the Golden Horn with views of ancient city walls
• Visit the vibrant Spice Bazaar filled with aromatic spices and local delights
• Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Bosphorus, sailing between Europe and Asia while viewing palaces, mansions, and historic waterfront architecture
The tour concludes at Sultanahmet around 12:30 PM. Afterward, you will be transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival, private transfer to your hotel in Göreme.
Optional early morning hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia’s valleys.
Between 9:45–10:00 AM, meet your guide for a full-day exploration of southern Cappadocia:
• Ortahisar Castle panoramic viewpoint
• Mustafapaşa Village (historic Greek settlement)
• Ancient ruins of Sobesos with mosaics
• Soganli Valley with rock-carved churches
• Traditional village lunch
• Kaymakli Underground City, a vast subterranean refuge
After breakfast, continue exploring northern Cappadocia:
• Uchisar Castle panoramic views
• Cavusin Village and Rose Valley
• Pasabag (Monks Valley) and Zelve Open Air Museum
• Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley)
• Urgup and Avanos pottery workshops
After the tour, transfer to Kayseri Airport for your flight to Istanbul and hotel transfer.
After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul Airport for your international flight to Athens.
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free.
Today you will explore the historical treasures of Athens with a guided tour:
• Panathenaic Stadium
• Temple of Olympian Zeus
• Hadrian’s Arch
• Syntagma Square & Parliament (Changing of the Guard)
• National Library, University, and Academy of Athens
The tour ends at the Acropolis, followed by a visit to the Acropolis Museum (entry included). Afternoon free for personal exploration.
Morning transfer to Piraeus Port for ferry to Mykonos. Upon arrival, hotel check-in and free time to explore:
• Mykonos Town (Chora)
• Old Port
• Little Venice area
A free day to enjoy the island’s charm:
• Walk through whitewashed alleys and narrow streets
• Visit traditional blue-domed chapels
• See the famous Mykonos Windmills and Paraportiani Church
Enjoy the island’s relaxed yet lively atmosphere at your own pace.
Morning at leisure before ferry transfer to Santorini, known for its volcanic cliffs and dramatic scenery.
Arrival and hotel transfer. Later, explore Fira with its cliffside views, volcanic landscape, and iconic blue-domed churches.
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Santorini. Optional activities include:
• Relaxing on volcanic black sand beaches
• Boat trip to Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni islands
• Swimming in natural hot springs
End the day with a sunset dinner overlooking the Santorini Caldera.
Morning free for last-minute enjoyment. After breakfast, transfer to the port for ferry back to Athens. Arrival and transfer to your hotel for overnight stay.
Depending on your flight time, private transfer to Athens International Airport for departure. End of services with unforgettable memories of Turkey and Greece.
Included
Excluded
Additional Notes
- Combines Turkey's historic landmarks with Greece's classical heritage and famous Aegean islands in one itinerary.
- Includes guided sightseeing at major archaeological, cultural, and UNESCO-recognized attractions.
- Domestic flights and ferry connections reduce travel time between destinations.
- Offers a balance of guided experiences and independent leisure time.
- Private transfers and coordinated island transportation simplify multi-country travel.
- Upgrade to premium or boutique hotels.
- Add a Cappadocia sunrise hot air balloon flight.
- Arrange private sightseeing instead of scheduled small-group tours.
- Extend your stay before or after the tour.
- Add honeymoon amenities or special occasion arrangements.
- Visit the Grand Bazaar early for a quieter shopping experience.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes, as many historical sites have uneven stone surfaces.
- Sunrise provides the best lighting for photography in Cappadocia, while sunset is ideal in Santorini.
- Carry light layers, as temperatures can vary between inland regions and the Greek islands.
- Allow extra space in your luggage for local crafts, ceramics, and regional products.
Visa requirements for Turkey and Greece may differ based on your nationality and country of residence. We recommend reviewing the most current entry rules, visa policies, and passport requirements before your departure.
For many travelers, Turkey provides visa-free access or the option to apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa). Greece, as a member of the Schengen Area, may require travelers from certain countries to obtain a valid Schengen visa before arrival. Please ensure that your passport meets the required validity conditions, which generally means having at least six months of validity remaining from your entry date.
After your reservation is completed, our experienced travel team can assist you with updated visa information and entry procedures to help you prepare for a comfortable and seamless trip.
- This tour is available for Daily all year round
- Tour Can be customized.
- Price per person, based on a minimum of 2 adults.
- Price does not include international flight tickets.
- Transfers are considered with 1 luggage per person.
- Once domestic air tickets are issued cannot be modified and a 100% fees will apply in case of cancellation
- Domestic flights schedule may change.
- Domestic Flights Baggage Allowance (including 15 kilos of luggage + 8 kilos of hand luggage)
- Step 1: Booking Request & Confirmation
Once we receive your official request to book your chosen tour package, our team will check local availability and confirm all services (hotels, ferries, and transfers) accordingly.
- Step 2: Official Itinerary Review
Once everything is verified, we will email you your official, final tour itinerary detailing every aspect of your day-by-day journey.
- Step 3: Secure Your Reservation
Upon your review and explicit confirmation of this itinerary, we will proceed to the secure payment process to finalize your booking.
- Payment Schedule:
To lock in your dates and secure your hotels/transfers, a 50% booking deposit is required at the time of confirmation. The remaining 50% balance will be automatically and safely charged 3 weeks (21 days) prior to your scheduled tour start date.
🔒 100% Encrypted & Hassle-Free Bank Payment Gateway
- No Card Sharing Required: Your financial security is our top priority. You are never required to share your credit card numbers, CVV, or sensitive information via email, chat, or over the phone.
- How the Secure Link Works: We generate a unique, secure payment link directly through our bank’s certified merchant system. This link is pre-set specifically to your exact due invoice amount.
- The Process: You simply open the link, fill in your credit card information on the bank’s fully encrypted payment form, and the transaction is completed instantly.
- Instant Digital Receipts: The moment your payment is processed, our system automatically generates and emails you an official digital receipt for your financial records.
- Accepted Cards: For your security, we accept VISA and MASTERCARD credit cards only. Please note that debit cards, prepaid cards, or other payment cards are not supported by our secure payment gateway.
Reservations may only be canceled by submitting a formal written notice sent via email or certified mail directly to our agency. Because we pre-pay and secure local boutique hotels, high-speed ferries, and domestic flight entities well in advance on behalf of our travelers, our cancellation policy is strictly structured based on the timeline below:
- ⚠️ DOMESTIC FLIGHTS & FERRIES ARE 100% NON-REFUNDABLE: Once domestic flight or ferry tickets are officially issued, they cannot be modified, and a 100% cancellation fee applies to that portion of the package immediately, regardless of when the cancellation notice is received.
- ⏳ Land Portion Cancellation Scale:
For the remaining land portion costs that are legally recoverable from our local hotel and transfer entities, refunds are calculated as follows:
- Notice received 31 days or more prior to arrival/tour start date: 100% Refund (No cancellation fee applies to the land portion).
- Notice received between 31 and 21 days prior to scheduled tour: 75% Refund of the land portion.
- Notice received between 21 and 14 days prior to scheduled tour: 50% Refund of the land portion.
- Notice received 13 days or less prior to scheduled tour: No Refund will be issued.
Is the international flight between Turkey and Greece included?
Yes. The itinerary includes the flight from Istanbul to Athens, along with the listed domestic flights in Turkey.
Are ferry tickets included?
Yes. Ferry tickets between Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini are included according to the itinerary.
What type of accommodation is provided?
The tour includes 12 nights in 4-star hotels with daily breakfast.
How large are the tour groups?
Sightseeing tours operate with groups of up to 14 guests in Turkey and up to 35 guests in Greece. Transfers, ferries, and leisure time are arranged independently.
Is the Cappadocia hot air balloon ride included?
No. The balloon flight is optional and can be added separately.
Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors?
Yes. It combines the principal historical landmarks of Turkey with Athens and two of Greece's best-known islands in a single itinerary.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation is available up to 30 days before the scheduled tour date.
When does this tour operate?
This itinerary operates from 01 April - 25 October 2026.
