Turkey & Greece Tour 9 Days: Istanbul, Ephesus, Athens & Islands
Overview
Turkey & Greece Tour 9 Days: Istanbul, Ephesus, Athens & Islands
This 9-day, 8-night journey links some of the most interesting places in Turkey and Greece. It starts in Istanbul, where you discover the city's long history at sights such as the Grand Bazaar and the Blue Mosque.
From there you head to Pamukkale, famous for its white travertine terraces and thermal springs, and to the ancient city of Ephesus with its well-preserved Roman ruins. In Athens you see the Acropolis, the Parthenon and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The trip ends on the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini, known for their beaches, pretty villages and sunsets.
All flights, 4-5 star hotels with breakfast, all transfers, English-speaking local guides and skip-the-line entrance tickets are included. Lunch, dinner and optional tours are not.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Istanbul
You are met at Istanbul Airport and taken to your hotel. Nothing is planned for the rest of the day.
Please note that the direct flight to Pamukkale later in the programme leaves early in the morning.
Day 2 – Classical Istanbul Old City Tour
At 09:30 am your guide picks you up for a full-day walking tour through the heart of Ottoman and Byzantine Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
Highlights of the day:
- Topkapi Palace (optional): the lavish home of the Ottoman sultans, with detailed architecture, precious artefacts and fine views over the Istanbul skyline.
- Blue Mosque: go inside to see the famous blue tiles and feel the calm of this architectural masterpiece.
- Hippodrome: the former centre of Byzantine entertainment and chariot racing, where ancient obelisks and monuments recall the city's past.
- Hagia Sophia (optional): a UNESCO World Heritage Site with vast domes, rich mosaics and a striking mix of Byzantine and Islamic influences.
- Grand Bazaar: among the oldest and largest covered markets anywhere, with winding alleys of colourful stalls full of Turkish goods.
Day 3 – Egyptian Spice Bazaar & Bosphorus Cruise
After breakfast at the hotel, the morning starts at the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, a busy market full of rich aromas, exotic spices, Turkish delight and other local products.
Then comes a relaxed Bosphorus cruise between Europe and Asia. From the deck you see the city's mix of architectural styles and pass the Ottoman palaces of Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 4 – Flight to Pamukkale & Tour, Night in Kusadasi
Today takes you from Istanbul to Pamukkale, with an overnight stop in Kusadasi. You fly from Istanbul to Denizli and visit the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale.
Highlights of the day:
- Hierapolis ruins: the first stop is this ancient city, where the remains of large buildings, streets and artefacts show how its people lived.
- Temple of Apollo: a classical temple among the ruins that reflects the city's historic and cultural importance.
- Calcium terraces: walk gently across the white terraces, a cascading natural formation created by hot springs rich in minerals.
The night is spent in Kusadasi, a popular seaside town with a lively atmosphere and fine views of the Aegean Sea.
Day 5 – Ephesus & House of the Virgin Mary, Flight to Athens
Pick-up from your hotel is at 10:00 AM. After a 20-minute drive you reach the Magnesia Gate of the ancient city of Ephesus.
Highlights of the day:
- The Library of Celsus and the Grand Theater.
- The ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- The Terrace Houses (optional), which show how people lived in ancient Ephesus.
- A Turkish lunch at a local restaurant (not included).
- The House of the Virgin Mary (optional), a place of pilgrimage for many.
After the tour you transfer to Izmir for a direct flight to Athens.
Day 6 – Athens Tour: Acropolis & Neoclassical Center
After breakfast, at the agreed time, a panoramic tour of the Athenian Neoclassical Center begins. A licensed English-speaking guide stays with you throughout and explains the history and background of each place.
- The Athenian Neoclassical Center: the Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the University, Library and National Academy, Ilion Palace, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Gate, and many other monuments and sites of interest.
- Acropolis: the “sacred rock”, together with the Acropolis Museum. Entry to both sites is included.
After the visit you can return to your hotel or explore the pretty streets of Plaka on your own. Overnight in Athens.
Day 7 – Ferry from Piraeus to Mykonos
In the morning your assistant arranges a private transfer to the port of Piraeus. There you board a ferry to Mykonos, an island famous for its views, at the best time of day for sunbathing on deck and watching the deep blue Aegean.
The name Mykonos means “heap of stones” or “rocky place” and comes from the hero Mykonos, son of King Anius of Delos. On arrival an English-speaking representative meets you, takes you to your hotel and shows you around the island.
The rest of the day is free to enjoy the relaxed pace of Mykonos. Walk the scenic lanes by day and enjoy the island's lively party scene at night.
Overnight in Mykonos.
Day 8 – Ferry from Mykonos to Santorini
After a Greek-style breakfast, our representative collects you at the agreed time in one of our private vehicles and takes you to the port.
The next stop is Santorini, an island that never stops inspiring. As the ferry approaches, look up at Fira, the capital, its white houses set high on the cliffs above the volcano.
An English-speaking representative meets you at the port, takes you to your hotel and gives you a short introduction to the island's sights. The rest of the day is yours to explore the narrow streets.
Day 9 – Flight from Santorini to Athens & Departure
At the agreed time you are transferred to Santorini airport for your flight to Athens. This is where our services end.
Important Notes
Optional extras
- Cappadocia hot air balloon (Göreme): $310
- One extra night in an Istanbul hotel, before or after the tour: $65
- Two extra nights in an Istanbul hotel, before or after the tour: $125
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓All flights in the program
- ✓4-5 Stars Accommodation with breakfast
- ✓All Transfers
- ✓English Speaking Local Guides
- ✓Entrance Tickets Skip-Line
- ✕Lunch, Dinner
- ✕Optional additional tours or activities
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Turkey and Greece in 9 days, Istanbul to Santorini: the key facts
This 9-day, 8-night group package puts two countries into one trip. The first five days are in Turkey: three nights in Istanbul, a flight to Denizli for Pamukkale, a night in Kusadasi and a morning at Ephesus. That evening you fly from Izmir to Athens. In Greece you get a guided day in Athens with the Acropolis, then ferries from Piraeus to Mykonos and on to Santorini. The trip ends with a flight from Santorini to Athens on Day 9.
It suits couples and first-time visitors who want the main sights of both countries without planning each step alone. The days are full, and you get just one night on each island. The price is from $3,370 per person.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 9 days / 8 nights |
| Route | Istanbul – Denizli (Pamukkale) – Kusadasi (Ephesus) – Izmir – Athens – Mykonos – Santorini – Athens |
| Style | Group tour |
| Start / end | Istanbul Airport arrival / flight from Santorini to Athens, where services end |
| Included | All flights in the programme, 4–5 star hotels with breakfast, all transfers, English-speaking local guides, entrance tickets (skip-the-line) |
| Extra | International flights, lunch, dinner, optional tours, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Ephesus Terrace Houses, House of the Virgin Mary, extra Istanbul nights ($65 / $125) |
How do the flights and ferries fit together?
There are three flights and two ferries. On Day 4 you fly from Istanbul to Denizli early in the morning, and Day 1 warns that this flight leaves early. On Day 5, after Ephesus, you are driven to Izmir for a direct flight to Athens. On Day 7 you take a ferry from Piraeus to Mykonos, and on Day 8 a ferry from Mykonos to Santorini. On Day 9 you fly from Santorini to Athens. The page says "all flights" and "all transfers" are included, but it does not say whether the ferry tickets are. Ask for that, and for the flight and ferry times, in writing.
Which entrance tickets are covered?
The inclusions say "entrance tickets skip-line", but several stops are marked optional. In Istanbul, Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia are optional on Day 2. At Ephesus, the Terrace Houses and the House of the Virgin Mary are optional. In Athens, the page clearly says entry to the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum is included. Ask us for a written list of which tickets the price covers and which you buy yourself, so you can plan the Istanbul day.
Do we need separate visas for Turkey and Greece?
You enter two countries, and each has its own entry rules. Greece is part of the Schengen area, so your Greek entry follows Schengen rules for your passport, and Turkey has its own rules. Some travellers need a visa for one country but not the other. Check both for your nationality well before you book flights. Our page on Turkey visa requirements in 2026 covers the Turkish side. Your international flight home should leave from Athens, since the tour ends there on Day 9.
Which hotels are used, and where do we sleep each night?
The page promises 4–5 star hotels with breakfast but does not name them. From the day plans you sleep three nights in Istanbul, one in Kusadasi, two in Athens, one in Mykonos and one in Santorini. Day 8 does not state the night, but you arrive in Santorini and are taken to your hotel. Ask for hotel names and areas before you pay, especially on the islands, where the location can make a big difference.
How hard are the days?
Day 2 is a full walking day in Istanbul's old city from 09:30. Day 4 starts with an early flight, then a walk across the Pamukkale terraces and the Hierapolis ruins before the drive to Kusadasi. Day 5 is the longest: pick-up at 10:00, the Ephesus tour, the transfer to Izmir and an evening flight to Athens. The Greek days are lighter, with free afternoons in Plaka, Mykonos and Santorini. You will walk on marble and stone at Ephesus and on the Acropolis, so bring good shoes.
What should we wear at the mosques and Pamukkale?
On Day 2 you go inside the Blue Mosque. Cover your shoulders and knees, and women should bring a scarf for their hair. At Pamukkale you walk the white terraces barefoot, so carry a bag for your shoes and wear clothes you can roll up. In summer the Greek islands and Ephesus are hot and have little shade, so a hat, sunscreen and water help. Pack light, because you change hotels four times and carry bags onto two ferries.
Can we add nights or change the order?
The order is fixed, because it follows the flight and ferry plan. You can add one extra Istanbul night for $65 or two for $125, before or after the tour. The extras list also offers a Cappadocia balloon for $310, but this route does not go to Cappadocia, so ask about it if you are interested. To compare, see the Turkey and Greece combo, 9 days from $3,165, the private 9-day Turkey and Greece combo from $3,730, and the 12-day Turkey and Greece tour from $4,195. All are in Istanbul and Greece packages.
What happens on the last day?
On Day 9 you are taken to Santorini airport at the agreed time and fly to Athens. The page says "this is where our services end". It does not mention a transfer on arrival in Athens or a final hotel night. Plan your flight home from Athens on Day 9, or book your own Athens hotel if you want to stay longer. Ask us to confirm the Santorini–Athens flight time first.
How do I book the Turkey and Greece tour?
Choose your date and number of guests in the booking form on this page, or message us on WhatsApp. We check flights, ferries and hotels in both countries for your dates. Then we send the full plan in writing: hotel names, all flight and ferry times, whether the ferries are covered, and the list of included tickets. You pay only after you have read and confirmed it. The tour is run by Get Turkey Tours, TÜRSAB licence A-15751.
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