11 Days in Athens, Corfu & Istanbul: Ancient Wonders, Island Beaches, and Bosphorus Nights

Three storied destinations, one rich itinerary—trace classical Athens, unwind on Corfu’s emerald Ionian shores, then plunge into Istanbul’s bazaars, mosques, and glittering strait.
The iconic Acropolis of Athens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, bathed in warm sunset light.
Photo by Mohammed Zar on Pexels

From democratic debates under the Acropolis to the domes of Hagia Sophia, this 11-day Athens–Corfu–Istanbul itinerary threads together three civilizations that shaped the Mediterranean. You’ll climb storied hills, island-hop across translucent Ionian waters, and cross continents by ferry and yacht.

Expect marble masterpieces, Venetian alleyways, and spice-scented bazaars. In Athens, antiquity sits next to creative neighborhoods and late-night meze. On Corfu, cypress-studded hills tumble to hidden coves. Istanbul then overwhelms—in the best way—with call to prayer echoing over the Bosphorus and a table that groans with meze, kebabs, and baklava.

Practical notes: dress modestly for mosques (shoulders/knees covered, women bring a scarf), book Acropolis timed tickets early, and carry a contactless card—both cities use reloadable transit cards (Ath.ena Card; Istanbulkart). Tap water is fine in Athens; Istanbul cafes always pour bottled or filtered.

Athens

Welcome to the city that taught the world to argue well. Athens rewards curiosity: from hilltop sanctuaries to modern galleries, from markets piled with olives and pistachios to rooftop bars glowing under the Parthenon.

Base near Syntagma, Plaka, or Koukaki to walk to the Acropolis and museums. Plan one early-morning on the rock itself, one afternoon in the Acropolis Museum, and a golden-hour sprint to the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion.

Days 1–4: Antiquity, neighborhoods, and coastal sunset

Where to stay (Athens):

Coffee, breakfast, and bites:

  • The Clumsies: World-ranked bar that opens daytime for espresso and Greek brunch; stay for inventive cocktails at night.
  • Mokka Specialty Coffee: Try a briki-brewed Greek coffee, thick and aromatic, with a koulouri from a nearby street cart.
  • Kostas (Agias Irinis Sq.): Beloved stand serving classic pork souvlaki with tomato and yogurt since the 1950s—go early; they sell out.
  • Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani: Meze, pastirma, and cheeses in a deli-taverna setting; order the warm feta with honey and sesame.
  • Klimataria: Home-cooked stews and live music some nights; slow-braised lamb with lemon potatoes is the move.
  • Nightcaps: Rooftop at Brettos in Plaka (glowing liqueur wall) or destination cocktails at Baba au Rum.

Getting to Athens & getting around: Search Europe-bound flights on Omio (Flights). From ATH airport, the M3 metro to Syntagma/Monastiraki takes ~40 min (~$11). Rideshares and taxis run 30–45 min depending on traffic; budget ~$35–45.

Day 5 morning: Travel Athens → Corfu (Ionian Islands)

  • Fastest: 1-hour flight (Aegean/Sky Express), $50–120 if booked ahead. Compare on Omio (Flights).
  • Scenic alternative: Bus to Igoumenitsa (~5–6 hrs) + ferry to Corfu (~1.5 hrs), total 7–8 hrs, ~$45–65. Check Omio (Ferries) for sailings.

Corfu (Ionian Islands)

Corfu, or Kerkyra, is where Venetian fortresses, French arcades, and British cricket greens meet Greek island life. The UNESCO-listed Old Town is a maze of pastel alleys called kantounia; the countryside unfurls into olive groves and sapphire coves.

Use Corfu Town as your hub: explore Paleokastritsa’s caves by boat, swim at Glyfada’s long arc of sand, then toast the evening along the Liston, modeled after Paris’s Rue de Rivoli.

Days 5–7: Old Town, beaches, and a day at sea

Where to stay (Corfu Town base): Classic hotels line the Esplanade, while villas dot the Kommeno and Kontokali peninsulas.

Cafes, bakeries, and meals:

  • Josephine Café (Liston): Morning cappuccino and bougatsa under the arcades—prime people-watching on the Esplanade.
  • Papagiorgis Patisserie: Old-school spot for gelato and almond sweets—great post-fortress reward.
  • Pane e Souvlaki: Quick, tasty pita wraps and Corfiot-influenced gyros near the Town Hall Square.
  • Rex: Since 1932; order sofrito (garlicky veal in wine) or pastitsada (beef with cinnamon-tomato sauce on pasta)—two Corfiot classics.
  • Venetian Well: Romantic courtyard fine-dining; book ahead for a tasting menu rooted in island produce.
  • Imabari Seaside Lounge (Faliraki): Cocktails and a sunset dip right below the Old Town walls.

Day 8 morning: Travel Corfu → Istanbul

Istanbul

Two continents, one endlessly layered city. In Sultanahmet, empires stack up—Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman—while across the bridge in Karaköy and Beyoğlu, cafes, galleries, and rooftop bars hum into the night.

Plan one day for Old City icons, one for the Bosphorus and palaces, and one for food-forward neighborhoods like Kadıköy on the Asian side.

Days 8–11: Old City icons, Bosphorus, and food across continents

Where to stay (Istanbul):

Breakfasts, coffee, and where to feast:

  • Van Kahvaltı Evi (Cihangir): Kurdish-Turkish breakfast spread—honeycomb, kaymak clotted cream, eggs with sujuk, endless tea.
  • Namlı Gurme (Karaköy): Build-your-own breakfast plate at a beloved deli; don’t skip pastırma and ezine cheese.
  • Mandabatmaz (Beyoğlu): Legendary thick Turkish coffee; tiny, aromatic, perfect mid-walk pit stop.
  • Şehzade Cağ Kebap (Sirkeci): Erzurum-style horizontal spit kebab, crispy-edged and juicy—order two.
  • Hamdi Restaurant (Eminönü): Pistachio kebab and views over the Golden Horn; time sunset for a table by the window.
  • Çiya Sofrası (Kadıköy): Anatolian regional recipes you won’t find elsewhere—try the olive-oil meze and lahmacun.
  • Karaköy Güllüoğlu: The classic for baklava; pistachio “füstüklü” is the benchmark.
  • Nightlife: Jazz at Nardis by Galata Tower, or a Bosphorus-view cocktail at rooftops in Karaköy/Arnavutköy.

Getting around Istanbul: Load an Istanbulkart (trams T1/T2, metro, ferries). T1 tram links Sultanahmet to Karaköy; ferries to Kadıköy and Üsküdar are frequent and scenic.

Suggested pacing at a glance

  • Days 1–2 (Athens): Acropolis early, Plaka/Anafiotika, Acropolis Museum; evening meze crawl.
  • Day 3 (Athens): Central Market, Psyrri street art, sunset at Cape Sounion.
  • Day 4 (Athens): Optional Delphi/Meteora day trip if you crave countryside temples and cliffs:
  • Day 5 (Travel): Morning flight Athens → Corfu, Old Town wander and Liston aperitivo.
  • Day 6 (Corfu): Paleokastritsa caves + beach; dinner in the Old Town.
  • Day 7 (Corfu): Boat day with swims and BBQ; sunset at Faliraki.
  • Day 8 (Travel): Morning flight Corfu → Istanbul; evening Bosphorus cruise.
  • Day 9 (Istanbul): Old City (Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Cistern, Topkapi); baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu.
  • Day 10 (Istanbul): Asian side food tour, Kadıköy markets; sunset from Moda coast.
  • Day 11 (Istanbul): Spice and Grand Bazaars shopping; hammam or final museum; farewell meze.

Extra experiences (swap in as desired): Whirling dervish + dinner evening with Istanbul Traditional Turkish Dinner and Dervish Experience.

Istanbul Traditional Turkish Dinner and Dervish Experience on Viator

For every hop and sail in this itinerary, compare routes and fares on Omio (Flights), Omio (Trains in Europe), Omio (Buses in Europe), and Omio (Ferries in Europe).

Trip finale: You’ll leave with marble dust on your shoes, salt on your skin, and the sound of the muezzin stitched to sunset light. It’s a Mediterranean arc told in stone, sea, and spice—worth revisiting in every season.

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