3-Week Greece and Turkey Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Greece And Turkey itineraries

Compiled by

NadineGreece and Turkey travel expert at TourRadar

• 20 Day Southeast Europe Itinerary, incl. Athens and Istanbul

  A grand 20-day tour weaves through Greece and Turkey's iconic sites, from Athens' Acropolis to Istanbul's Topkapi Palace and Ephesus ruins. Three UNESCO sites await, while island-hopping adventures lead from Rhodes to Crete and Santorini. The package features internal flights and 4 dinners.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Athens: Begin your journey in Greece's capital.

    The Plaka neighborhood is best explored in late afternoon when crowds thin out. Start day two at the Acropolis at 8:00 AM to avoid the crowds and heat. A recent visitor noted: "The morning light on the Parthenon is magical, but bring water and sun protection - there's zero shade up there."

    
  • Days 3-4

    Northern Greece & Bulgaria: Travel north through mountain passes to Meteora.

    Remember that monasteries require modest dress with covered shoulders and knees for women. Visit Thessaloniki's Byzantine sites before crossing into Bulgaria. Stay in Sandanski, a town known for its thermal springs. Stop at the coastal town of Kamena Vourla to break up the drive.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Sofia & Istanbul: Visit Rila Monastery early before tour buses arrive.

    See Sofia's Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which looks stunning at sunset. Take an afternoon flight to Istanbul to avoid morning traffic. End your day with a transfer to Taksim Square to see the city's modern side.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Istanbul: Start with a morning Bosphorus cruise when the water is calm.

    Visit Süleymaniye Mosque before noon prayers. A previous visitor shares: "The Topkapi Palace gets intensely crowded - book the first entry time and head straight to the Harem section while others are still in the main courtyards."

    
  • Days 9-10

    Turkish Coast: Start at Ephesus early morning.

    Consider staying in Aydin instead of Kusadasi during peak season for better prices. Take the coastal drive to Marmaris and sit on the right side of the bus for the best views.

    
  • Days 11-12

    Rhodes & Crete: Take the morning ferry from Marmaris to Rhodes.

    Be aware that ferry schedules can be unpredictable outside summer. Visit Rhodes' medieval old town in late afternoon after cruise ships leave. Take an evening flight to Heraklion.

    
  • Days 13-15

    Crete: Make Heraklion your base for island exploration.

    Start at Knossos Palace early to avoid crowds. Pack swimming gear for the Libyan Sea beaches near Agia Galini. Most southern coast attractions close during winter months.

    
  • Days 16-17

    Santorini & Mykonos: The fast ferry from Crete reaches Santorini by 10 AM.

    Visit Oia before sunset crowds arrive. Explore Mykonos' streets in the afternoon when they're less busy. One traveler suggests: "Little Venice gets packed at sunset - find your spot at least an hour early."

    
  • Days 18-20

    Mykonos & Return to Athens: Explore Delos but remember it's closed Mondays.

    The Athens ferry arrives around 11 PM, so book your departure flight the next afternoon.

    

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

  A rich 19-day tour of Greece and Turkey visits UNESCO sites like Meteora monasteries and Ephesus ruins. Upscale hotels including Novotel Athenes and Grand Cevahir Istanbul host guests, while 10 included dinners and expert guides enhance visits to Athens, Rhodes, and Istanbul.

  

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  • Days 1-3

    Athens & Northern Greece

    Arrive in Athens and get settled in the afternoon. The next morning, head north to Kamena Vourla's seaside and the historic Thermopylae Pass. Visit Meteora's monasteries before 10 AM to avoid the crowds. You'll need good walking shoes with grip for the slippery monastery steps. Spend the night in Kalabaka with dinner included. On day 3, travel through Thessaly to see Delphi's archaeological site and Hosios Loukas Monastery before going back to Athens.

    
  • Days 4-6

    Greek Islands & Peloponnese

    Start early with a ferry to the Saronic Islands of Aegina and Poros. Always check ferry schedules a day ahead since they can change in low season. Visit the ancient theater at Epidaurus and stay overnight in Nafplio. Day 5 takes you to Olympia's archaeological site, ending in Patras. Cross the Rio-Antirrio bridge to Nafpaktos and Mycenae on day 6.

    
  • Days 7-9

    Athens to Rhodes to Turkey

    Get to the Acropolis early to avoid crowds and heat. Take an overnight ferry to Rhodes and book a cabin for comfort. Next morning, explore Rhodes' medieval old town before catching the afternoon ferry to Marmaris. Keep in mind that Rhodes-Marmaris ferries might not run daily during off-season and depend on weather conditions.

    
  • Days 10-13

    Turkish Coast to Cappadocia

    After Marmaris, take a boat to see Dalyan's rock tombs and continue to Antalya. One visitor shared: "The waterfalls in Antalya are spectacular, but get there before sunset for the best photos." Travel through the Taurus Mountains to Cappadocia, stopping at Aspendos and Side. You'll have two full days to explore Cappadocia's underground cities and rock churches.

    
  • Days 14-16

    Western Turkey

    Start at Pamukkale's white travertines. Bring water shoes as the limestone gets slippery. Visit Ephesus early to avoid cruise ship crowds. Stay in Kusadasi or Izmir depending on the season, then travel to Bursa before reaching Istanbul.

    
  • Days 17-19

    Istanbul

    Visit the main attractions like Süleymaniye Mosque and Topkapi Palace. Take a private Bosphorus cruise and spend time in the lively Taksim area. Use your final day to see more of this unique city that connects two continents.

    

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

  This 21-day circuit through Turkey and Greece covers 13 remarkable destinations. Ancient wonders stretch from Troy to the Acropolis. Luxuriate in quality hotels including Doubletree Canakkale and Terra Blue Santorini. Domestic flights and ferry connections between islands included.

  

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  • Days 1-3

    Istanbul, Turkey

    Start your journey in Istanbul's historic Sultanahmet district. Visit the Blue Mosque on day two, bringing socks and modest clothing. Get to Topkapı Palace by 8:30 AM to avoid crowds. Visit the Spice Market in late afternoon when locals do their shopping. On day three, visit the quieter Fener and Balat neighborhoods with their photogenic Ottoman houses.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Aegean Coast

    Take a trip south to Çanakkale with a stop at Gallipoli's WWI sites. Visit Troy's ruins early the next morning before it gets too hot. Move on to ancient Pergamon and then Izmir. Try the local grilled sea bass - it's what the region is known for.

    
  • Days 6-7

    Mediterranean Coast

    Visit Pamukkale's white terraces - bring water shoes as the surface is slippery. Move on to Antalya's Old Town where ancient streets lead to a Roman harbor. A recent visitor shared: "Walking through Hadrian's Gate at sunset, with the mountains glowing pink behind the ancient stones, was unforgettable."

    
  • Days 8-10

    Cappadocia

    Travel inland to see Cappadocia's unique landscape. You can take a hot air balloon ride for $230 if you're willing to wake up at 4:30 AM. Visit underground cities like Göreme but bring a jacket as it's cool underground. You can watch Turkish Night shows featuring whirling dervishes in the evening.

    
  • Days 11-13

    Athens, Greece

    Fly to Athens and spend your first day in the Plaka neighborhood. Visit the Acropolis at 8 AM the next day to beat the crowds and heat. Use day three to see the New Acropolis Museum and explore Monastiraki's flea market.

    
  • Days 14-16

    Paros Island

    Take a 3-hour morning ferry from Piraeus to Paros. Stay in either Parikia or Naoussa. Visit Kolimbithres beach with its interesting rock formations. Local buses connect all the villages regularly.

    
  • Days 17-19

    Santorini

    Take a 2.5-hour ferry to Santorini. Book accommodation in Fira or Oia for views of the caldera but expect lots of stairs. For the famous Oia sunset, get to the Castle an hour early. Buses run between main towns every 30 minutes.

    
  • Days 20-21

    Final Days in Athens

    Return to Athens by fast ferry. Spend your last day seeing anything you missed and enjoy dinner with a view of the lit-up Acropolis.

    

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