Europe Tours from Istanbul
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10 best Europe tour packages from Istanbul
Compiled by
MelissaEurope travel expert at TourRadar
- Istanbul to Athens: Capitals and Culture Expedition 1 FLIGHT INCLUDED - Small Group Tour
- From Istanbul to Dubrovnik: Balkan Capitals & Culture Tour Flight included - Small Group Tour
- Istanbul & Enchantment of Eastern Europe
- Eastern Europe & Balkans Unveiled with Turkey & Budapest 2026|2027
- Eastern Europe & Balkans Unveiled with Turkey 2026|2027 - 15 Days (from Istanbul to Budapest)
- Cruise & Rail: Istanbul to Paris (2026) (Istanbul to Paris, 2026)
- Legends of the Balkans with Istanbul and Gallipoli Istanbul → Budapest (2026)
- Best of Turkey and Greece with island hopping (Small Group)
- The Great Odyssey (Small Group)
- 11 Days - Magnificent Turkey&3 Nights Iconic Aegean
Istanbul to Athens: Capitals and Culture Expedition 1 FLIGHT INCLUDED - Small Group Tour
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Sights and information were good, very informative.”
Vicki, traveled in June
The 10-day route from Istanbul opens with a Bosphorus cruise and Spice Bazaar visit. Covering 1,200km across Southeast Europe, travelers fly to Sofia on day 3, then travel by comfortable bus through Skopje, Prizren, Tirana, and Ohrid, before reaching the Acropolis in Athens.
Duration 10 days Destinations Turkey, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, Greece Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Ajdinis From
- NZ$3,704
From Istanbul to Dubrovnik: Balkan Capitals & Culture Tour Flight included - Small Group Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Was on this experince between Athens-Dubrovnik, We saw a lot off cities arround Balkan,”
The Spice Bazaar and Rustem Pasha Mosque welcome visitors in Istanbul, followed by a Bosphorus cruise past Dolmabahce Palace. A flight to Sofia launches the next phase, continuing through Skopje, Prizren, and Tirana, before arriving in Dubrovnik via Kotor's UNESCO-listed bay. The seven-day route spans 1,200km across seven Balkan countries.
Duration 7 days Destinations Turkey, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Ajdinis From
- NZ$3,115
Starting in Istanbul with visits to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, this journey covers 12 days through Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, and Hungary. Travel includes internal flight from Istanbul to Bucharest, followed by a Danube river cruise from Giurgiu to Budapest aboard Emerald Star or Dawn.
Duration 12 days Destinations Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $20,759
46% Off- NZ$11,274You save $9,485
Duration 17 days Destinations Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $12,375
11% Off- NZ$11,075You save $1,300
Duration 15 days Destinations Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $11,485
11% Off- NZ$10,185You save $1,300
Duration 15 days Destinations Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Slovenia, Austria, France Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From $42,398
10% Off- NZ$38,158You save $4,240
This 12-day adventure from Istanbul to Budapest features the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar. Highlights include Gallipoli's war memorials and ancient Troy before boarding a premium river ship in Giurgiu. The route crosses through Bulgaria's medieval towns and Serbia's cultural capital Novi Sad, concluding in historic Budapest.
Duration 12 days Destinations Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Travel Marvel From
10% Off- NZ$8,720+$970 upfront costs
Best of Turkey and Greece with island hopping (Small Group)
121 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Turkey and Greece are truly packed with cultural places. The overall arrangements were fantastic and the experiences we had was truly an amazing one.”
Lee, traveled in September
The historic center of Istanbul, with Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, marks the starting point across southeastern Europe through 8 Turkish cities and 4 Greek islands. Land and sea travel from Turkey's interior to the Aegean coast leads to island-hopping via ferry through Samos, Mykonos, and Santorini en route to Athens.
Duration 15 days Destinations Istanbul, Ankara, Lake Tuz, Ozkonak, Cappadocia, Urgup, Avanos, Goreme, Uchisar, NevsehirSee all destinations Age Range Ages 6+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Eskapas From $6,469
3% Off- NZ$6,275You save $194
The Great Odyssey (Small Group)
41 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Every transfer and hotel pickup, great tour guides and good standard of accommodation and meals.”
Steven, traveled in September
Istanbul's Grand Bazaar opens a Turkish odyssey featuring Cappadocia's underground cities and Pamukkale's white terraces. The route crosses the Dardanelles to Troy's legendary ruins before a flight to Athens launches Greek island explorations of Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete.
Duration 18 days Destinations Istanbul, Ankara, Lake Tuz, Nevsehir, Urgup, Cappadocia, Avanos, Uchisar, Sultanhani, PamukkaleSee all destinations Age Range Ages 6+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Eskapas From $7,141
3% Off- NZ$6,927You save $214
11 Days - Magnificent Turkey&3 Nights Iconic Aegean
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We found the organisation was very professional. I totally recommend the company.”
Madeleine, traveled in September
Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque highlight the Istanbul portion of this 2,100 km Turkish-Greek adventure. Domestic flights connect Istanbul to Cappadocia and Izmir, while the Celestyal Olympia cruise links Turkish coast to Greek islands. After exploring 10 cities, the journey circles back to Istanbul.
Duration 11 days Destinations Istanbul, Cappadocia, Kusadasi, Ephesus Archaeological Museum, Pamukkale, Patmos, Heraklion, Santorini, Athens, Mykonos Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Tour Altinkum Travel From
3% Off- NZ$5,247
What people love about Europe Tours from Istanbul
- Flavours of Turkey and Greece -III- (Small Group)
I and my Husband loved this trip. Hotel are first class. Mustafa, our guide was amazing. He had an endless knowledge of Turkish history and culture and was able to relate it to all the things we saw. The trip went smoothly and the group size was great. Thank you
- Best of Turkey and Greece with island hopping (Small Group)
This is really two tours combined. The first half is a deep dive into Turkey, it's history and culture. It is packed full of experiences and sights. Accomodation, meals and transport are all excellent but the real gem was our guide. Nadir was incedibly knowledgeable, passionate and helpful. The second half of the tour, The Greek Isles, is a real change of pace. While there are always transfers to and from ferries and resorts beyond that you are on your own to simply relax and enjoy yourself. The resorts were spectacular abd the transfers were great.
Seda and Tour Altinkum are my new go to for all things tour traveling! From the time I booked, until I boarded the plane home I got the top level customer service! I am a solo traveler so knowing I have someone there is important to me, and man, did Seda exceed this! The trip was one of a lifetime! I booked this trip with another 3 day tour of churches, and realizing that I would have duplicates in my iteanrry, Seda scheduled alternative outings that made the most magical memories! Top notch guides, drivers, hotels, and meals. All for a great price! Strongly recommend you check them out, and if you are lucky enough to get Seda, you will have no worries at all!
11 Days - Magnificent Turkey&3 Nights Iconic Aegean
What our customers ask about Europe Tours from Istanbul
What are the common starting locations for tours in Istanbul?
Tours begin from three central areas in Istanbul: the Sultanahmet district home to landmarks and hotels like the Grand Cevahir and DoubleTree Topkapi; the modern Taksim Square neighborhood known for its shopping and dining; and the Golden Horn area where the Elite World Grand Basin welcomes travelers. One guest shared "We were greeted by a friendly driver at the airport and taken to our hotel in the historic center which made us feel really special from day one."
What is the best time of year to start a tour from Istanbul?
The main travel season runs April through October when temperatures are mild and outdoor exploring is most comfortable. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) see temperatures between 68-77°F with smaller crowds at major attractions. A past traveler noted "It would have been more sensible to join this tour in spring season. Cappadocia Ephesus and Istanbul were very cold in winter."
What are the most popular first destinations after leaving Istanbul?
Tours commonly head to either Ankara (450km away) or the Ephesus/Kusadasi region. The Legends of Türkiye and Greece tour stops at Süleymaniye Mosque before continuing to Ankara while others like the Greco-Turkish Passion tour move directly to Ephesus. Overnight stays include hotels like the Grand Mercure Ankara or Ramada Plaza Kusadasi. According to one traveler: "Hotels were better than 4-star in some cities in Ankara and Pamukkale."
What are the must-see attractions covered in the first days in Istanbul?
Initial days focus on key historical sites: the Blue Mosque Hagia Sophia Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar. Tours include visits to the Sultanahmet district Hippodrome and Suleymaniye Mosque. A guest reported: "Starting in Istanbul with visits to the Spice Market and Bosphorus cruise was perfect - our guide made the city's history come alive."
What transportation options are provided from Istanbul Airport to hotels?
Most tours include free airport transfers via private vehicles or minibuses from both Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW). Tour representatives meet guests at designated points holding "TOURRADAR" signs. One traveler noted: "The driver greeted us at the airport with a big smile. Everything was planned down to the last detail."
How many days do most tours spend in Istanbul before moving on?
Tours typically allocate 2-3 days in Istanbul: one day for arrival and 1-2 days exploring major sites. Hotels like the Doubletree by Hilton Istanbul Topkapi and Elite World Istanbul serve as bases for discovering both historic areas and modern districts like Taksim Square. A traveler commented: "Alex our guide was awesome and very friendly and had a sound knowledge of Turkish history and culture."