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
- Eastern Europe & Balkans Unveiled with Turkey & Budapest
- Eastern Europe & Balkans Unveiled with Turkey 2026|2027 - 15 Days (from Istanbul to Budapest)
- Cruise & Rail: Istanbul to Paris (2026) (Istanbul to Paris, 2026)
- Tantalising Türkiye with Mediterranean Wonders and Barcelona Istanbul → Barcelona (2026)
- Istanbul & Enchantment of Eastern Europe
- Legends of the Balkans with Istanbul and Gallipoli Istanbul → Budapest (2026)
- Istanbul & Enchantment of Eastern Europe & Budapest Escape
- Best of Turkey and Greece with Island Hopping
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$3,837
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$3,226
Duration 17 days Destinations Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $13,150
10% Off- NZ$11,850You save $1,300
Duration 15 days Destinations Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $12,225
11% Off- NZ$10,925You save $1,300
Duration 15 days Destinations Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Slovenia, Austria, France Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From
11% Off- NZ$42,398
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 $18,654
45% Off- NZ$10,287You save $8,367
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
45% Off- NZ$7,470+$963 upfront costs
Duration 14 days Destinations Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $19,422
43% Off- NZ$11,055You save $8,367
Best of Turkey and Greece with Island Hopping
122 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+ Operator Eskapas From $6,718
3% Off- NZ$6,517You save $202
What people love about Europe Tours from Istanbul
- Best of Turkey and Greece with Island Hopping
Excellent tour! Nadir, the tour guide for Turkey was such a kind, loving person, professional and very knowledge about the history of the Turkey. The islands in Greece are on your own. No tour guide. Everything was planned well. Ferry tickets were provided to hotel in Envelope! Overall great tour.
- The Great Odyssey
This tour was amaziing ! Even though it was an 18 day itinerary, everything was overall well organized, we didn't feel like we had to worry about anything. Seeing Pamukkale Travertines, riding hot air balloon ride in Capadoccia were some of my favourite experiences from this trip. Santorini, Crete was just a sight wherever you look at. Our guides were very entertaining and nice. They were experienced and knowledgable, they made us learn a lot. We had an fabolous time, thank you sooo much.
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."