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Hot air ballons floating over cliffs in Turkey
Hot air balloons floating over cliffs in Turkey
  • Greece and Turkey

Greece and Turkey Vacations

Greece and Turkey are a match made in travel heaven. Their close proximity means you easily hop between them, starting in Athens with the Parthenon, then heading to islands like Santorini or Crete before crossing to Istanbul’s mosques, palaces, and busy streets. In Turkey, explore places like Ephesus and the Grand Bazaar, or follow the coastline along Bodrum and the Turquoise Coast. In Greece, tick off clifftop villages and peaceful beaches, with ancient ruins woven into everyday surroundings.

Our specialists help shape the journey to suit you. They can arrange private guides at key sites, recommend well-located stays (from boutique hotels in Mykonos to restored buildings in Istanbul) and plan a route that balances major highlights with quieter stops. From sailing trips along the Turkish coast to securing sought-after restaurant reservations, every element is carefully considered.

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Greece and Turkey work exceptionally well as a single trip. Short distances and frequent crossings make it easy to move between them, while the mix of ancient history, island landscapes, and eccentric cities keeps the pace varied.

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Nora

Greece Specialist
 

Suggested Itineraries for Greece and Turkey

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Where to Go in Greece and Turkey

Colourful mosque interior Istanbul

Istanbul

Set on both sides of the Bosphorus, Istanbul moves easily between continents and eras. Begin at Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque, then wander into the Grand Bazaar’s labyrinth of shops and side streets. Food is central to daily life: think meze, fresh seafood by the water, and pastries still warm from the oven. A cruise along the Bosphorus offers a different perspective, with palaces, mosques, and neighborhoods lining the shore, revealing just how vast and layered the city really is.

Santorini House

Santorini

Santorini is one of the most recognizable of the Cycladic islands, known for its cliffside villages overlooking a flooded volcanic caldera. Whitewashed buildings line the edges of Oia and Fira, where evenings are shaped around the shifting light at sunset. The island’s volcanic soil gives rise to distinctive wines, particularly Assyrtiko, often enjoyed at small hillside wineries. For a deeper sense of its past, visit Akrotiri, a remarkably preserved ancient settlement buried by volcanic ash, offering a glimpse into life here thousands of years ago.

Bodrum

Set along Turkey’s Aegean coast, Bodrum offers both relaxed beach life a lively town atmosphere. Days are spent on clear-water beaches or wandering streets lined with independent boutiques and easygoing restaurants. At the harbor, Bodrum Castle looks out over the marina, its walls now home to the Museum of Underwater Archaeology. Between time on the water, local markets, and long, unhurried meals by the sea, it’s a place that balances history with a laid-back coastal rhythm.

View of Chania old town from a restaurant

Chania

Set on Crete’s north coast, Chania combines Venetian, Ottoman, and Greek influences in a compact, walkable setting. The old harbor is its focal point, where a lighthouse watches over waterfront restaurants and pastel-colored buildings. Wander inland and you’ll find narrow streets lined with small shops, courtyards, and local bakeries. Beyond the town, beaches range from pink-tinged Elafonissi to the clear waters of Balos Lagoon. It’s a place that balances history with time by the sea, with plenty of reasons to slow down and stay a little longer.

 

What to Do in Greece and Turkey

A market in Athens

Athens' Creative Soul

Greece

Want to see where Athens truly comes alive? Stroll through Psiri and Koukaki. You’ll brush past colorful street art and duck into independent boutiques showcasing contemporary Greek design. Take your time browsing artisan shops before unwinding at a local café, and as the sun dips, grab a drink at a rooftop venue. You’ll get sweeping city views wrapped in a relaxed vibe, a perfect way to end the day.

Colourful lights at Istanbul's Grand Bazaar

Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar

Turkey

Step into centuries of bustling trade and lose yourself in the labyrinth of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. You can run your hands over vibrant textiles and admire intricately painted ceramics crafted by local artisans. When the main streets feel too busy, slip into one of the historic hans (courtyards) hidden just out of sight. These quiet, shaded corners offer a serene glimpse into the city’s rich commercial past.

Wine in Santorini

Wine Tasting in Santorini

Greece

Thirsty for a true taste of the Aegean? You simply can’t visit Greece without sipping your way through its ancient vineyards, and Santorini is the perfect place for a tipple or two. Thanks to dramatic volcanic eruptions, the island’s ash-rich soil produces some of the most distinctive wines in the world. Swirl a glass of crisp, citrus-forward Assyrtiko while the salty sea breeze cools your skin and you watch the fiery sun dip below the caldera.

Tunnels lit up in Cappadocia’s Underground Cities

Explore Cappadocia’s Underground Cities

Turkey

In Cappadocia, you can explore ancient underground cities carved into rock, where winding passageways reveal how early communities adapted to the rugged environment. Above ground, the region’s strange, sweeping rock formations carve out a silhouette unlike anything else on the planet. It’s a surreal adventure waiting for you to explore (and to snap an incredible photo or two, of course).

What to See in Greece and Turkey

Delos

Delos

Greece

Ready to step back in time and walk among the gods?  Just a short boat ride from the Aegean’s lively hubs, you’ll discover Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the mythical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Wander through this sun-drenched archaeological marvel, where remarkably preserved temples and intricate floor mosaics transport you straight into ancient Greece. Make sure you stroll past the iconic Terrace of the Lions, where fierce marble beasts have stood guard for millennia.

Hagia Sophia in the glow of the sun

Hagia Sophia

Turkey

In Istanbul, it’s impossible to ignore the immense Hagia Sophia. Standing beneath its vast dome, its intricate details that reflect centuries of transformation. Mosaics, marble surfaces, and architectural details show how the building has changed over time, with each layer linked to a different era. It’s like a stunning snapshot into how its past has been built into what stands today.

View of the castle Palace of the Grandmaster

The Palace of the Grand Master

Greece

The Palace of the Grand Master in Rhodes offers a deeper look into the island’s medieval past. From the outside, its fortified walls feel imposing, while inside, grand halls and carefully restored rooms reflect the lives of the Knights Hospitaller. Walking through its corridors, you get a clearer sense of the power and structure that once defined this part of the island’s history.

Library of Celsus in front of blue skies

Ephesus' Marble Streets

Turkey

Ephesus in Turkey stands out as one of the most well-preserved ancient cities in the region. Walking along its marble streets, you pass major landmarks like the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre, each still remarkably intact. The scale of the ruins and the layout of the city make it easy to imagine daily life during the Roman period, bringing history to life.

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