Search
Best Tour of Greece and Turkey 12 Day Tour
|12 Days, 16 Destinations |Starts from Athens
Best price guaranteed
No booking fees
Earn €20 in travel credits

Duration
12 days

Max Group Size
40

Tour Code
BTOGAT12DT

Tour Type
Request as private tour

Departure Type
Scheduled

Age Requirement
11 - 99 Ages

Guiding Method
Fully guided

Operated In
English

Physical level
easy

Tour route map

Athens

Pickup Time:

.. / ..

----------------

İstanbul

Dropoff Time:

.. / ..

Activities

DiscoveryCombined CountryExplorerHistoricalIn-depth CulturalReligiousSightseeingSolo TravelSee Itinerary

Tour Overview

Embark on a fascinating 12-day journey through Greece and Turkey, exploring some of the most iconic historical and cultural sites in both countries. From the ancient ruins of Athens to the vibrant city of Istanbul, this tour is a comprehensive experience filled with rich history, stunning landscapes, and fascinating stories.

Highlights

  • Discover Athens, the heart of ancient civilization. Visit the majestic Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Temple of Zeus, and other iconic landmarks that shaped Western history. Ancient Corinth Tour: Explore the ancient city of Corinth, famous for its ruins such as the Temple of Apollo and Acrocorinth, offering views of the surrounding landscape.
  • Visit the extraordinary Meteora rock formations in central Greece, home to a collection of stunning monasteries perched high above the ground. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Meteora is a place of natural beauty and spiritual significance.
  • Visit Veria, a town with deep connections to the Apostle Paul, before heading to Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city. Explore its Byzantine landmarks, including the White Tower and the Rotunda, and experience its vibrant culture.
  • Explore the ancient site of Philippi, known for its archaeological ruins and its association with Saint Paul. Continue to Kavala, a coastal city rich in history, with highlights like the Roman Aqueduct and Kavala Castle.
  • Cross into Turkey and visit the ancient city of Troy (Troia), famously immortalized in Homer's Iliad, and explore the ruins of the Trojan Horses. Continue to Canakkale, a city with its own important history, particularly related to the Gallipoli Campaign. Visit Pergamum, an ancient Greek city that once housed the Altar of Zeus and a renowned library. Continue to Thyatira, an ancient city mentioned in the Bible, before concluding your day in Izmir, a vibrant modern city on the Aegean coast.
  • Explore the ancient ruins of Ephesus, home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the grand Ephesus Theater. Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, where it’s believed she spent her final years, offering a serene and spiritual experience.
  • Discover the ruins of Sardis, the ancient capital of Lydia, and explore Philadelphia and Laodicea, two other cities mentioned in the Bible’s Book of Revelation, with fascinating archaeological sites.
  • Visit the stunning Pamukkale hot springs, famous for its white terraces formed by calcite-rich waters. Explore the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, a spa city with well-preserved Roman baths, theaters, and temples.
  • Conclude your journey with a full day exploring Istanbul, a city that straddles Europe and Asia. Visit the magnificent Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Topkapi Palace. Walk through the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, offering a taste of the city’s vibrant culture.

Itinerary

(Dinner Included)
Arrival at Athens airport meet assist transfer to the hotel for check-in (check-in the / time 14:00) In the afternoon, transfer to the restaurant for dinner. Overnight Athens

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure towards Ancient Corinthos (Acts 18.1-18), with a first stop, at Corinth Canal.
It was in ancient Corinth where Paul came and worked, established a thriving church and wrote two of the epistles, which are now part of the New Testament. We will see all the sites that are associated with his ministry: the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the roman Odeon, the Bema and Gallio’s seat, the pillars, stairs, and the place of public worship, where Paul preached. All these visits will certainly enhance the understanding of Corinthians I and II. Before ending the tour and returning to Athens, we will visit the ancient Greek port of Cenchrea (Acts 18:18) where Paul was during his second missionary journey, and the ruin of the early Christian 5th Century Basilica.
After lunch return to Athens city for a Sightseeing tour.
Visit the main points of interest in the city: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Royal Palace, Pan-Athenian Stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and visit the world-famous Acropolis, as well as Mars’ Hill (Areopagus) where Paul preached the truth to the Gentile Nation.
Tour ends with dinner and transfer to hotel. Overnight Athens  

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
After breakfast meet with your guide and board the bus for a journey to northern Greece!
Departure to Kalambaka. After lunch we will visit the spectacular Meteora, the UNESCOWorld Heritage Site, which is a mountainous region of stunning scenery. You will see hundred-year-old Byzantine monasteries on top of huge rocks, during the Middle Ages, first built in the 14th century by monks seeking isolation and salvation. We will visit two of the most famous of them, Holly Monastery of St Stephen(no stairs) and Holly Monastery of Varlaam (120 stairs) or Grand Meteora  (300 stairs). Dinner and Overnight Kalambaka  

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Breakfast and departure to Veria (Berea), another town evangelized by Paul (Acts 17.10-14). When Saint Paul visited this town in AD50, he came across a more “noble” Jewish community where he preached and created an important Church. This is where Paul met Sopatros, who would later become a valuable comrade who followed him on his return journey to Asia. We will visit the ancient synagogue where we will see the Byzantine mosaic in the monument commemorating his preaching. According to tradition, it was at this place where he preached. Depart for Thessaloniki   continue with city sightseeing tour.

Thessalonica is the city where Paul preached the gospel in the second and third missionary journey. For the early Christians of this city, he wrote epistles “To the Thessalonians.”. We will visit the Cathedral of St. Demetrius, the Protector Saint of the city, the Church of Saint Sofia, the great Church of Saint George which is hosted in a medieval building, the Byzantine temple of «Panagia Chalkeon», the historical Church of Prophet Elias, the White Tower and the Byzantine fortress of the city, the triumphal Arch of Galerius starting at the Via Egnatia, once a strategic artery of the Roman Empire.  dinner and Overnight Thessaloniki 

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
After breakfast, we depart for our one-day Philippi Christian tour. Philippi is the town where Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity. “And from there (He went) to Philippi, which is the leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman Colony. We remained in this city some days...” (Acts 16:12-18). Paul arrived here with Silas and Luke in the winter of AD 49 to AD50. There the first Christian baptism was performed, of a woman named Lydia. Although they were prosecuted and arrested, they received God’s help to escape from prison (Acts 16: 11-23) where there was the conversion of the jailer (Acts 16: 23-26). We will visit the Roman Theatre, the probable site of the prison where Paul and Silas were arrested.
We will continue towards the city of Kavala and the ancient city of Neapolis (Acts 16:11) where Paul landed with his disciples, Timothy and Silas. It was later renamed Christoupolis, meaning the city of God, because it was the first European city to accept Christianity. We will visit the Roman Aqueduct and the ruins of the Acropolis.
Transfer to your hotel for check-in and dinner. Overnight Kavala

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
After breakfast, we depart to Kavala Greek boarders. Cross the boarders to Turkey and transfer for lunch.
Visit Trojan Horse and continue to your hotel for check-in and dinner. Overnight Canakkale

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Breakfast and departure for our land tour, to explore three of the cities that received the letters of John: - Pergamum (Revelation 2: 12-17), now called Bergama, was the rival city of Alexandria in the arts and letters. On a visit to this city, we will see its Greco-Roman Theatre, the Temple of Trajan and the altar of Zeus. The Pergamum church characterizes the church from the time of Constantine (313-600 AD). At that time Christianity became the official religion of the Roman state. In this way, the church began to spread around the world. - Thyatira (Revelation 2: 18-29), which was an important trade center in ancient times, is now called Akrisar meaning White Castle. A letter to this Church was the longest of all the letters of the Apocalypse and the message it delivers is also among the toughest. We will have lunch at a local restaurant, return in the evening for dinner and spend the night there. - Izmir (Revelation 2: 8-11), at the time it was called Smyrna, which means bitter. The origin of word Smyrna derives from «myrrh», which was one of the components that served to embalm the dead (John 19:39). In this city, we will enjoy a panoramic visit and then visit the church of St. Polycarp. We will gather for dinner and spend the night there.Overnight Izmir  

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Breakfast and move to Ephesus. Ancient Ephesus was the Roman capital of Asia Minor and an important center for Christianity from AD 50s. During AD52-54 Saint Paul lived here working with the congregation and organizing his missionary activity and teaching the Word of God (Acts 20:31) and this is where he wrote the Epistle to Corinthians I. Additionally this was one of the seven cities found in the Book of Revelation (Acts 2:1-7), indicating a strong church.
We will visit the house of Virgin Mary where she lived with John, on the hill behind the city. Then we will move to Kusadasi where we will enjoy dinner and spend overnight. Overnight Kusadasi

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Breakfast and set off for the city of Sardis (Revelation 3: 1-6), whose ruins bear near the present village of Sarte and Philadelphia (Revelation 3: 7-13). There, we will visit their respective churches. Philadelphia lies in a valley at the foot of a mountain plateau. The location of the city is now occupied by a small Turkish village name Shehr Allah, meaning “city of God”.We will continue to Laodicea (Revelation 3: 14-22) which was located at the site of the modern city of Denizli, where we will visit one of the seven churches.
Pamukkale is one of the most breathtaking places in the world, stunning for its white waterfalls and natural swimming pools, where will indulge in its beauty. The day will conclude with dinner and we will stay Overnight Pamukkale

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Breakfast and visit to the ancient city of Hierapolis. The hot springs of Hierapolis, mentioned by Paul in his letter to the Colossians (Col 4:13), meaning “Holy City”, a UNESCO world heritage site, classified for its hot springs and the ruins of the ancient capital of Phrygia, where Saint Philip is buried and Colossus (now known as the village of Honaz), whose church was mentioned in the Epistle to the Colossians. The hot springs of Hierapolis helped in the treatment of health problems, while the cold waters of Colossi were good to drink.Transfer to airport forDenizliairport  flight to Istanbul. Overnight Istanbul

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

After breakfast, we have Istanbul City Tour. Our first visit will be HIPPODROME. Ancient Hippodrome was the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Than we will visit SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE. Across from Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, it was built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Our next visit will be HAGIA SOPHIA GRAND MOSQUE. The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, previously known as the Church of Divine Wisdom, is simply the best of its kind! Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is the greatest surviving example of Byzantine Architecture. For 1000 years, it was once the largest church in the world, decorated with stunning 6th century golden mosaics. Today it is a mosque. Lunch break at 13:00 pm. After the lunch, TravelShop Group will take you to the ALI PASAZADE which is a unique atmosphere with reasonable prices for your shopping. Here you will find; Exotic Spices and Herbs, Turkish Baklava, Turkish Delights, Turkish Coffee, nuts and fruits, small souvenirs such as Ceramic Handicrafts, Evil Eyes totems, all naturel olive oil, soaps and many other goods in Souvenir Shops and stores. After tour, transfer back to hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Please Note: Please do not forget to carry headscarf with you for the visit of religious places as Blue Mosque & Haghia Sophia Mosque.

(Breakfast included)
After breakfast check out from your hotel and transfer to Airport for your flight back to home. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we would like to see you in the future in one of our tours again. Have a nice trip back home and thanks for choosing TravelShop Booking.

Trip includes

Included

2 nights hotel accommodation in Athens - Tiare Hotel
1 night hotel accommodation in Kalambaka - Hotel Antoniadis & similar category
1-night hotel accommodation in Thessaloniki   - Holiday Inn Thessaloniki, an IHG Hotel
1 night hotel accommodation in Kavala - Lucy Hotel
1 night hotel accommodation in Canakkale -Troia Tusan Hotel
1-night hotel accommodation in Izmir 4 star Blanca Hotel 
1-night hotel accommodation in Kusadasi  4 Star Odelia Resort Hotel 
1-night hotel accommodation in Pamukkale  5 Star Pam Thermal Hotel
2-nights hotel accommodation in Istanbul  5 Star La Quinta by Wyndham Istanbul

 PS: If This hotel list not available at the time of your booking then we will arrange similar other hotel for your group. If you prefer a Different category hotel, there might be an additional cost

 

 


Hotel

Professional English - speaking tour guides

Guiding Method
Fully guided

English

11 Open buffet breakfasts
10 Local lunches at restaurants during to tours
11 Dinners at the hotels (Not: Two Indian Dinner Istanbul)

Vegetarian Halal Meat

All Airport transfer mention in site the Itinerary
Transportation in a fully air - conditioned, non - smoking coach

Coach / BusMini-coachPrivate Vehicle

Guided Athens Sightseeing tour & Ancient Corinth Tour
Guided Kalambaka – Meteoramonasteries Tour
Guided Veria – Thessaloniki Tour
Guided Philippi – Kavala Tour
Guided Kavala – Cross Boarders – Troia Canakkale Tour
Guided Pergamo – Thyatira – Izmir Tour
Guided Ephesus (Virgin Marry House) Kusadasi Tour
Guided Sardis – Philadelphia – Laodicea Tour
Guided Pamukkale – Hierapolis Tour
Guided Istanbul City Tour
All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
Turkey City Tax
Turkey Hotel room taxes

Good to Know:

Weather: Greece and Turkey have a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and mild winters. Pack comfortable clothing, sunscreen, and light layers for evenings.


Currency:


Greece uses the Euro (€).

Turkey uses the Turkish Lira (TRY). Most major cities accept credit cards, but it’s helpful to carry cash for smaller purchases.

Language:


In Greece, the official language is Greek, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas.

In Turkey, Turkish is the official language, but English is commonly spoken in tourist locations.

Dress Code: For religious sites, both in Greece and Turkey, modest attire is recommended (covering shoulders and knees). Women may need to cover their heads when visiting mosques in Turkey.


Travel Tips:


Currency Exchange: It’s a good idea to have a mix of cash and cards, and exchange some money ahead of time for convenience.

Cultural Etiquette: Respect local customs and traditions, especially when visiting religious sites. Turks are known for their hospitality, and Greek culture emphasizes respect for history and tradition.

Health and Safety: Both Greece and Turkey are safe travel destinations. Ensure you have travel insurance and stay hydrated during long sightseeing days. Tap water is generally safe to drink in urban areas.

Visas: Depending on your nationality, you may need a visa to enter Turkey. Check the specific visa requirements before traveling.

Excluded

International flights 
Domestic flight from Izmir to Istanbul

Insurance: All types

City Tax
Turkey entry visa
Greece Hotel room taxes
Greece entry visa
Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry
Any others expenses which are not mentioned at the included section.
Greece Hotel room taxes
Tipping
Optinal land excursion

Availability

Loading...

Loading. Please wait.

Now, just deposit 25% of the total

Book the tour by paying only 25% upfront, and settle the remaining amount 30 days before the tour departure.

Request a Private, Customizable Departure

By design, this is a group tour. You can however request a private, customized version of this tour for yourself or your private group of people. Private departures are usually more expensive, but come with these benefits:

Personal

Itinerary can be tweaked and customized.

Protected

Travel withing your own bubble.

Professional

Access our Travel Specialists insider knowledge.

Privacy

Enjoy a tour focused solely on you or your travel group.

Why book with Travelshopbooking

Best price quaranteed.

100% financial protection.

Earn $20+ in travel credits.

No credit card or booking fees.

Carbon neutral tours.

37 reviews on trustpilot

Cancellation Policy

On our global marketplace TravelShop Booking Supplier is recognized globally as an online tourism marketplace connecting travelers, suppliers, and tour operators worldwide. All users acknowledge that TravelShop Booking is a platform not liable for canceled tours, poor services, or unforeseen circumstances occurring before, during, or after the tour.

Need help or have a question about this tour?

if you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

We're ready to help.

Need help? Get more information

Kindly feel free to ask the tour provider for details on pricing, quotas, and additional information.

Response Time: 1 hourResponse Rate: 100%

Similar Tours

Check Availability