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
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- Best of Turkey and Greece with island hopping (Small Group)
- The Great Odyssey (Small Group)
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 10 to 84 year olds Operator Ajdinis From
- NZ$3,618
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 10 to 84 year olds Operator Ajdinis From
- NZ$3,042
The 24-day adventure showcases Istanbul's Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque before moving through Canakkale and Gallipoli. The Danube portion includes Bucharest, Constanta and Silistra. Spanning 17 cities across 8 countries, the tour concludes in Vienna with visits to the Opera House and Karlskirche.
Duration 24 days Destinations Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $17,045
15% Off- NZ$14,545You save $2,500
Duration 14 days Destinations Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator Emerald Cruises From $17,746
43% Off- NZ$10,111You save $7,635
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 up to 90 year olds Operator Emerald Cruises From $17,040
45% Off- NZ$9,405You save $7,635
Duration 15 days Destinations Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary Age Range up to 99 year olds 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 up to 100 year olds Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From $41,898
10% Off- NZ$37,708You save $4,190
Best of Turkey and Greece with island hopping (Small Group)
121 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“From the ancient sights of Istanbul and Athens to the natural marvels of Cappadocia and the breathtaking views of Santorini, I and my wife loved every part of this itinerary.”
Jack, traveled in June
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 6 to 80 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Operator Eskapas From $5,650
3% Off- NZ$5,480You save $169
The Great Odyssey (Small Group)
41 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Seeing Pamukkale Travertines, riding hot air balloon ride in Capadoccia were some of my favourite experiences from this trip.”
Sophie, traveled in August
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 6 to 80 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Operator Eskapas From $6,879
3% Off- NZ$6,673You save $206
What people love about Europe Tours from Istanbul
- Best of Turkey and Greece with island hopping (Small Group)
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 (Small Group)
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.
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."