2-Week Greece and Turkey Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 2-week Greece And Turkey tour itineraries

Compiled by

NadineGreece and Turkey travel expert at TourRadar

• 14 Days in Greece and Turkey, incl. Athens and Istanbul

  Twenty-two cities unfold their stories across 14 days in Greece and Turkey. UNESCO sites include Mycenae citadel and Rhodes' Old Town. Cappadocia's underground cities and Istanbul's Topkapi Palace complement stays at Novotel Athenes and Ramada Cappadocia.

  

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  • Days 1-4

    Athens & surroundings

    Start your journey in Athens. On day 2, explore the Peloponnese and stop at the Corinth Canal. Visit ancient Olympia to learn about the Olympic Games' origins, then head to Patras to see Greece's largest cathedral. Day 3 takes you to Nafpaktos' Venetian fortress and the ruins of Mycenae. Pro tip: Visit the Acropolis before 8:30 AM to avoid crowds and heat.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Island hopping & coastal transition

    Take the overnight ferry from Piraeus to Rhodes. Pack motion sickness pills just in case the sea gets rough. After exploring Rhodes' medieval old town, catch the afternoon ferry to Marmaris, Turkey. Keep in mind that ferry schedules can be unpredictable outside summer.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Turkish Riviera

    Take a boat ride in Dalyan to view the Lycian Rock Tombs and enjoy a swim in thermal springs. Continue to Antalya to see the Roman theater at Aspendos and Side's Temple of Apollo. Your journey then takes you through the Taurus Mountains to Cappadocia.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Cappadocia & Central Turkey

    Spend a full day in Cappadocia's unique landscape. Explore the Kaymakli underground city and Göreme's rock churches. Remember to bring good walking shoes. As one visitor shared: "The morning balloon rides over Cappadocia are worth the 4 AM wake-up call - book in advance as they often sell out." Next, travel north to historic Safranbolu.

    
  • Days 11-14

    Istanbul

    Drive along the Black Sea coast and stop at Gökgöl Magrasi cave. Spend your final three days in Istanbul. Visit Süleymaniye Mosque early to avoid prayer times and take a Bosphorus cruise for great city views. Local advice: Skip the crowded tram to Taksim Square after 5 PM and walk or take a taxi instead.

    

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• 12 Day Eastern Europe Itinerary, incl. Athens and Istanbul

  Ancient wonders and natural beauty combine across 12 days in Greece and Turkey. Athens' ancient Acropolis, Thessaloniki's White Tower, Istanbul's Blue Mosque, and Cappadocia's cave churches create lasting memories.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Athens

    Traffic is busiest in the mornings, so plan your main activities for afternoons. Book your Acropolis visit early - a past visitor noted "Watching sunrise at the Acropolis was incredible - get there by 8:30 AM before tour groups arrive." Your central Athens hotel makes it simple to reach the main attractions. You'll get a guided tour of the Acropolis Museum included.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Delphi & Meteora

    The longest driving day takes you from Athens to Delphi and on to Meteora (430km total). Bring good walking shoes for Meteora's monasteries since the steps can be slippery. Remember the dress code: women need long skirts and covered shoulders, men must wear long pants. You'll stay in Kalabaka, right by Meteora.

    
  • Day 5

    Thessaloniki

    Spend your morning at more Meteora monasteries before a 3.5-hour drive to Thessaloniki. The White Tower area fills with locals enjoying outdoor cafes at night. Your stay at the Egnatia hotel puts all the main sites within walking distance.

    
  • Day 6

    Sofia via Rila

    Your journey into Bulgaria includes a stop at Rila Monastery in the mountains. Bring extra layers since it's cooler up there than in Sofia. From your hotel in central Sofia, you can walk to plenty of good restaurants for dinner.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Bucharest

    Travel through Veliko Tarnovo on your way to Bucharest. Consider taking the full-day trip to Transylvania ($120) to visit Bran Castle and Brașov. A recent visitor said, "The Transylvania day trip was a highlight - just be ready for a long but rewarding day."

    
  • Days 9-10

    Istanbul

    Take your included flight to Istanbul for guided tours of the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. Consider booking an evening boat trip on the Bosphorus to see the city lights. Your hotel in Sultanahmet makes it easy to walk to the main attractions.

    
  • Days 11-12

    Cappadocia

    Fly to Cappadocia to explore its unique landscape for two days. Book a hot air balloon ride early since spots fill up fast. You'll stay in a cave hotel for the full experience. One traveler shared: "The landscapes of Cappadocia were unforgettable - definitely splurge on the balloon ride for sunrise."

    

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• 13 Days in Greece, Turkey & Bulgaria, incl. Athens and Istanbul

  Rich cultural heritage unfolds over 13 days featuring Istanbul's Süleymaniye Mosque and Ephesus ruins. Coastal gems include Kusadasi and Bodrum, plus Rhodes Island. Upscale accommodations at Elite World Grand Basin Ekspres include breakfast.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Athens

    Start your trip in Athens and take time to adjust to the time zone. You'll find the Plaka district is most enjoyable in the evening when it's cooler and the tavernas are bustling. Plan to visit the Acropolis before 8:30 AM on day 2 to avoid crowds and heat. Make sure to wear shoes with good grip. The marble steps can be very slippery, especially near the Propylaea entrance.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Meteora & Northern Greece

    The drive north takes you through stunning mountain scenery to the Meteora monasteries. Remember to dress modestly with covered shoulders and knees to enter the monasteries. Stop in Thessaloniki to try the local bougatsa pastry in the Ladadika district. Expect a 30-45 minute border crossing into Bulgaria. The small town of Melnik shows off its wine-making history in its architecture. Make sure to try the local red wine.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Bulgaria to Istanbul

    Plan about 2 hours for your visit to Rila Monastery. Bring cash since many smaller Bulgarian towns don't accept cards. Your flight to Istanbul usually leaves in the mid-afternoon. For your first night in Istanbul, check out the rooftop bars by Galata Tower for amazing views of the city.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Istanbul Deep Dive

    Visit the Süleymaniye Mosque for impressive architecture without the crowds you'll find at the Blue Mosque. On your Bosphorus cruise, grab a seat on the right side to see Dolmabahçe Palace. The Spice Bazaar is a better option than the Grand Bazaar for authentic Turkish delight and feels less touristy.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Turkish Coast

    It's a 7-hour drive to Ephesus. Get there early to avoid the worst of the heat. The castle in Bodrum offers great views of the harbor but be ready for a steep climb in the summer heat. If you're planning dinner in Marmaris, book your waterfront restaurant ahead of time during peak season.

    
  • Days 11-13

    Rhodes and Return

    The ferry to Rhodes takes about an hour. Leave extra time for port procedures. As one traveler notes: 'Take motion sickness pills if you're sensitive - the Aegean can get choppy.' The walk up to the Lindos Acropolis takes about 20 minutes. You can take a donkey ride but it's not necessary if you're in decent shape. The final ferry back to Athens takes 12-16 hours depending on conditions. Try to book a cabin if you can, especially for overnight travel.

    

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