Turkey & Greece Tour 15 Days: Istanbul to Santorini, Flights & Ferries
Overview
Turkey & Greece Tour 15 Days: Istanbul to Santorini, Flights & Ferries
Aegean Legends traces the old stories told on both sides of the Aegean Sea. The Turkish part covers Istanbul, a flight to Cappadocia and its fairy chimneys, and a walk through the streets of ancient Ephesus.
Then you cross over to Greece to see the Acropolis and the Plaka district of Athens. The trip ends with three nights on Santorini, known for its white villages and the sun going down over the caldera.
Tour Info
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This package comes with a mid-range hotel. To stay somewhere else, pick another hotel below and we add only the difference in price. We confirm availability with you.
Select a check-in date and the exact prices for those dates will appear.
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Middle Class✓ Hotel included in the package
✓ Hotel included in the package
The hotel prices here are estimates. Before your booking is final, our team will get in touch to confirm the price and availability.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Istanbul Arrival and Hotel Transfer
A member of our team welcomes you at Istanbul Airport and drives you to your hotel. Night in Istanbul.
Day 2 – Old City: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi and Basilica Cistern
After breakfast your guide shows you around the Old City. Today's stops:
- Hagia Sophia
- the Blue Mosque
- the Hippodrome, also known as Sultanahmet Square
- Topkapi Palace
- the Basilica Cistern
- the Grand Bazaar
You stay overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 – Spice Market, Bosphorus Cruise and Dolmabahce Palace
Breakfast comes first, then a day along the Bosphorus side of Istanbul:
- The Spice Market, also called the Egyptian Bazaar
- A boat trip on the Bosphorus between the European and Asian shores
- Dolmabahce Palace
- Ortakoy
- Taksim Square, then Istiklal Street
You stay the night in Istanbul.
Day 4 – Flight to Cappadocia, North Cappadocia Tour
You fly to Cappadocia today and set off on the North Cappadocia tour once you arrive:
- The castle at Uchisar
- Goreme Open Air Museum
- Pasabag, also known as Monks Valley
- The Devrent Valley
- Avanos, a town known for pottery
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 5 – Optional Balloon Flight and South Cappadocia Tour
(Optional) Start the day with a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the valleys of Cappadocia. After you land there is a small celebration and you receive a flight certificate.
Following breakfast, you set off on the South Cappadocia tour, which includes:
- Kaymakli or Derinkuyu Underground City
- The Pigeon Valley
- Ortahisar
- The village of Mustafapasa (Sinasos)
You stay the night in Cappadocia.
Day 6 – Izmir Flight and Transfer to Kusadasi
Breakfast, then a flight to Izmir. A transfer takes you on to your Kusadasi hotel, and you have the afternoon free to enjoy the sea. Night in Kusadasi.
Day 7 – Ephesus, Terrace Houses and Temple of Artemis
After breakfast you set out with your guide to see:
- the ancient city of Ephesus, taking in the Great Theatre, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and Curetes Street
- the Terrace Houses
- the House of the Virgin Mary
- the Temple of Artemis
You spend the night in Kusadasi.
Day 8 – Pamukkale Travertines and Hierapolis Day Trip
Today is a full day out to Pamukkale:
- The travertine terraces of Pamukkale
- Ancient city of Hierapolis and its theatre
- The Necropolis
- Cleopatra Pool (swimming optional, extra fee)
In the evening you head back to Kusadasi. Night in Kusadasi.
Day 9 – Turkey to Athens, by Plane or Ferry
After breakfast you leave Turkey for Athens. Depending on the season, you travel by plane or by ferry via Samos. On arrival a transfer takes you to your Athens hotel. Night in Athens.
Day 10 – Athens: Acropolis, Acropolis Museum and Plaka
After breakfast you see the Acropolis, including the Parthenon and the Erechtheion, followed by the Acropolis Museum and Plaka, the city's old quarter. Night in Athens.
Day 11 – Athens at Leisure, Optional Sounion or Saronic Cruise
The day in Athens is yours. If you want an outing, choose between a day out to Cape Sounion with its Temple of Poseidon, or sail around the Saronic islands (both optional). Night in Athens.
Day 12 – Piraeus Ferry to Santorini
In the morning we drive you to the port of Piraeus, where you board the ferry to Santorini. When you arrive, a transfer takes you to your hotel. Night in Santorini.
Day 13 – Santorini: Fira and Oia
After breakfast you explore Fira, then Oia, a village known for white houses, blue domes and the sun setting over the caldera. Night in Santorini.
Day 14 – Santorini Beaches, Optional Caldera Boat Trip
A free day to spend on the beaches of the island. As an option, you can join a boat trip around the caldera that stops at the volcano and the hot springs. Night in Santorini.
Day 15 – Departure from Santorini
After breakfast a transfer takes you to Santorini Airport, where your flight home departs.
Our services end here. Thank you for choosing to travel with us.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓14 Nights in a Middle-Class Hotel with Breakfast – Chosen from Our Selection, Subject to Availability and Your Approval
- ✓Flights within Turkey
- ✓Flight or Ferry Connection from Turkey to Athens
- ✓Ferry from Athens to Santorini
- ✓Every Airport, Port and Hotel Transfer
- ✓Guided Tours per the Itinerary
- ✓Entry Fees for the Sites Listed
- ✕International Flights
- ✕Lunches and Dinners
- ✕Hot Air Balloon Flight (Optional)
- ✕Greek Visa if Required
- ✕Personal Expenses
- ✕Tips for Guides and Drivers
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at no charge until 7 days before your tour and you receive a full refund. If you cancel within the final 7 days before the tour, no refund is given. All times shown are local.
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Aegean Legends, 15 days in Turkey and Greece: the essentials
Aegean Legends is a private trip that traces the famous stories on both sides of the Aegean, priced from $4,200 per person. On the Turkish side you see Istanbul, fly to the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, walk through Ephesus and stop at Pamukkale. Next you go over to Greece for the Acropolis and the Plaka in Athens, and end with three nights on Santorini. The price covers fourteen nights in hotels with breakfast, domestic flights within Turkey, the flight or ferry from Turkey to Athens, the ferry to Santorini, every transfer, the guided tours listed and entrance fees.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Length | 14 nights, 15 days |
| Price | $4,200 per person and up |
| Route | Istanbul, Cappadocia, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Athens, Santorini |
| Hotels | 14 nights including breakfast, middle-class hotels we select and you approve |
| What's covered | Flights inside Turkey, flight or ferry to Athens, Santorini ferry, every transfer, the guided tours listed, entrance fees |
| Not covered | International flights, tips, lunches and dinners, hot air balloon (optional), Greek visa where needed |
Is it possible to see Turkey and Greece on one trip?
It is, and two weeks gives you enough time to do both properly. Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale take eight days in Turkey; Athens and Santorini take seven in Greece. You get from the Turkish Aegean to Athens by plane, or by ferry through Samos depending on the season, and then a ferry carries you to Santorini.
What happens on each of the 15 days?
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | You arrive in Istanbul |
| Day 2 | Old City: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar, Basilica Cistern |
| Day 3 | Bosphorus cruise, Spice Market, Ortakoy, Dolmabahce Palace |
| Day 4 | Fly to Cappadocia; North Cappadocia tour with Goreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar Castle, Devrent Valley, Pasabag, Avanos |
| Day 5 | Sunrise balloon (optional); tour of South Cappadocia |
| Day 6 | Fly to Izmir, then a free afternoon on the coast at Kusadasi |
| Day 7 | Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Terrace Houses |
| Day 8 | Hierapolis and the travertines of Pamukkale |
| Day 9 | Journey to Athens |
| Day 10 | The Acropolis with the Erechtheion and the Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum, Plaka |
| Day 11 | Free in Athens; Cape Sounion or a cruise to the Saronic islands as options |
| Day 12 | Piraeus to Santorini by ferry |
| Day 13 | Oia and Fira, with sunset over the caldera |
| Day 14 | Free; caldera boat trip as an option |
| Day 15 | You leave from Santorini Airport |
How does it stack up against packages covering only Turkey?
| Package | Countries | Length | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Turkey tour | Turkey | 10 days | $2,800 per person |
| Best of Turkey timeless journey | Turkey | 10 days | $3,299 per person |
| Best of Turkey tour package | Turkey, including the Antalya coast | 15 days | $3,980 per person |
| This package | Greece and Turkey | 15 days | $4,200 per person |
Does the price include the Cappadocia balloon?
It does not; the balloon is an optional extra on the morning of day five. A standard flight at sunrise costs from $199, and a premium luxury flight from $399.
Will you need a Greek visa?
Greece belongs to the Schengen area, and whether you need a visa depends on your passport. Look up the latest rules for Turkey and for Greece before travelling; the package does not cover visa fees.
When should you go?
May, June and September work best. Santorini's beaches are warm enough, sightseeing in Istanbul, Ephesus and Athens is comfortable, and Cappadocia has its best balloon season. In July and August the islands are hot and crowded. Outside summer, some ferries run less often.
What should you pack?
Comfortable shoes for walking around ancient sites, swimwear and sun protection for Pamukkale and Santorini, warm layers for early mornings in Cappadocia, modest clothes for mosques and churches, and your passport for flights and ferries.
How can you reserve?
Pick your dates on this page and submit the form, or write to us on WhatsApp. We confirm the hotels, flights and ferries in writing, and payment is only taken once we have confirmed. Browse our Turkey tour packages for more ideas.
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