Europe Tours from Istanbul
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10 best Europe tour packages from Istanbul
Compiled by
MelissaEurope travel expert at TourRadar
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- Best of Turkey and Greece with island hopping (Small Group)
- The Great Odyssey (Small Group)
- OTTOMAN: Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Izmir, Athens, Mykonos, Santorini and much more.
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$3,738
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$3,143
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, 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
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
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 $18,117
45% Off- NZ$9,990You save $8,126
Duration 14 days Destinations Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $18,862
43% Off- NZ$10,736You save $8,126
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 Ages 6+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Eskapas From $6,525
3% Off- NZ$6,329You save $196
The Great Odyssey (Small Group)
41 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It covers best locations in both countries. We had some doubts at the beginning but it went very smoothly till the end.”
Sarah, 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 Ages 6+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Eskapas From $7,203
3% Off- NZ$6,987You save $216
OTTOMAN: Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Izmir, Athens, Mykonos, Santorini and much more.
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We were very happy the your went ahead. All the hotels were good too.”
Medahalli, traveled in March
Istanbul Airport welcomes visitors to iconic sites like Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque before a flight to Ankara. The path spans 8 cities across Turkey and Greece, featuring Cappadocia's underground cities and Santorini's caldera, concluding with a flight to Athens International Airport.
Duration 14 days Destinations Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Kusadasi, Athens, Mykonos, Santorini Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Greca From
3% Off- NZ$5,621
What people love about Europe Tours from Istanbul
- 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.
- 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
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."