Greece and Türkiye have been trading ideas, flavors, and stories for millennia. This 13-day itinerary threads together Athens—seat of democracy and drama—and Istanbul, the city that spans Europe and Asia, blending classical ruins with Ottoman splendor and contemporary energy.

Expect grand monuments and alleyway secrets: marble temples high above Athens, hammams and hidden courtyards in Istanbul, island-laced horizons, and markets that perfume the air with spices and citrus. The vibe is adventurous and budget-conscious: think neighborhood tavernas, street eats, scenic ferries, and handpicked tours that maximize your time.

Practical notes: Athens is in the Schengen Area (euro currency); Türkiye uses the Turkish lira, and many visitors need an e-visa. Dress modestly for religious sites (shoulders/knees covered), watch for pickpockets in crowded areas, and book major sights in advance. Coffee is a ritual in both cities—sip slowly and savor it.

Athens

Ancient Athens still sets the stage: the Acropolis crowns the skyline, while modern neighborhoods hum with galleries, bakeries, and shaded squares. You’ll wander marble-paved history by day and graze on grilled meats, mezze, and seafood by night.

Getting to Athens: If you’re flying within Europe, compare fares on Omio (flights). Coming from beyond Europe, check long-haul deals via Trip.com (flights). There are also Europe-wide Omio trains and Omio buses, and ferries to Piraeus via Omio ferries.

Where to stay (budget to splurge)

• Browse Athens stays on VRBO or Hotels.com.
• Wallet-friendly: City Circus Athens (youthful, social, walkable to Psyrri/Monastiraki) or Athens Backpackers (near the Acropolis Museum).
• Mid-range: Novotel Athens / Novotel Athenes (rooftop pool, metro access).
• Classic splurge: Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Athens—historic grand dame with an Acropolis-facing rooftop.

Days 1–3: Ancient Athens, Neighborhoods, and Night Markets

Start with the essentials: Acropolis, Parthenon, and the Acropolis Museum. A guided walk gives context—myth, marble, and politics—so the stones speak.

• Guided Acropolis Walk — Acropolis and Parthenon Guided Walking Tour

  

  Why go: skip confusion, learn the backstory, and find the best vantage points for photos.
• Stroll Plaka’s neoclassical lanes, then climb Anafiotika’s whitewashed alleys for island vibes in the city.
• Dip into the Central Market (Varvakios) for feta, olives, and spice aromas; it’s a living slice of Athenian life.

Eat & drink:

• Breakfast/coffee: Taf Coffee (champion roasters; try a flat white or a Greek “briki” brew) and Mokka Specialty Coffee on Athinas (traditional coffee on hot sand).
• Lunch: Kostas (since 1950—legendary souvlaki with yogurt and parsley) or Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani (cured meats, cheeses, and warm pies; order the pastirma).
• Dinner: Atlantikos (fresh, affordable seafood in Psyrri—anchovies, fried calamari) or Psaras Taverna (Plaka stalwart for grilled fish and village salads).
• Sweets: Nancy’s Sweet Home in Psyrri (syrupy bougatsa and chocolate “volcano”).

Days 4–5: Athenian Riviera, Temple of Poseidon, and Coastal Sunsets

Follow the coastal road past sandy coves to Cape Sounion, where the Temple of Poseidon rules the headland. Golden-hour light is unforgettable.

• Small-Group Sounion Trip — Temple of Poseidon and Cape Sounion Half-Day Tour

  

  Ideal for sunset chasers; small groups = more time at the temple and viewpoints.
• Swim stops: public beaches around Vouliagmeni offer clear water; pack a towel and use the coastal bus if budgeting.
• Dine back in town: try mezze at Oineas (seasonal salads, slow-braised lamb) and a rooftop drink with Acropolis views afterward.

Day 6: Choose Your Adventure—Islands or Meteora

Pick a day trip to match your mood: island-hopping in the Saronic Gulf or a pilgrimage to the sky monasteries of Meteora.

• Saronic Islands Cruise (Hydra, Poros, Aegina) — From Athens: Hydra, Poros, and Aegina Day Cruise with Lunch

  

  Great for sea views, island strolls, and pistachios in Aegina.
• Meteora Monasteries — Meteora Day Trip with central Pick up & optional Lunch

  

  A dramatic UNESCO landscape—bring sturdy shoes and a camera.

Budget tips for Athens: Use the integrated metro/tram; consider an Acropolis combo ticket if you’ll see multiple sites; picnic lunches from bakeries reduce costs. Many museums offer free evenings on select days—check schedules.

Istanbul

Welcome to a city of minarets and modernity, of ferry horns and fragrant bazaars. Istanbul sits on two continents, and you’ll cross between them for street-food safaris, gilded palaces, and sunset cruises on the Bosphorus.

Getting from Athens to Istanbul (Day 7 morning):

• Flight: 1h30–1h40 nonstop; typical one-way fares ~$70–$180 depending on season. Compare options via Omio (flights).
• Bus: 12–14 hours overnight via Thessaloniki/Edirne—budget-friendly but long. See schedules on Omio (buses).

Where to stay (budget to splurge)

• Browse Istanbul stays on VRBO or Hotels.com.
• Budget/social: Cheers Hostel (Sultanahmet, steps from the sights).
• Mid-range boutique: Sirkeci Mansion (old-city comfort, great service).
• Splurge with views: Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul or waterfront palace glamour at Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul.

Days 7–9: Sultanahmet Classics—Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar

Begin in the historic core: domes, tiles, and centuries of empire. A guide streamlines entrances and reveals details you’d miss.

• Skip-the-Lines, Core Sights — Istanbul Guided Tour Hagia Sophia, Topkapi, Cistern with Tickets

  

  Efficient routing and pre-booked entries maximize your time.
• Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar: look up for dazzling vaults; buy by weight and always ask to sample. Haggle with humor.
• Blue Mosque note: it’s an active mosque; check prayer times and dress code (headscarves available at the door).

Eat & drink (Old City):

• Breakfast: Van Kahvaltı Evi (Cihangir) for eastern-Turkish spreads—honeycomb, cheeses, menemen (scrambled eggs with peppers).
• Lunch: Dürümzade (Beyoğlu)—smoky lamb or chicken wraps fresh off the mangal; or Köfteci Mustafa for juicy kofte with piyaz (bean salad).
• Dinner: Asmalı Cavit (meyhane classics—meze, grilled fish, and raki in lively Asmalımescit) or Karaköy Lokantası (Ottoman-inspired mains, beautiful tiles; book ahead).
• Coffee & sweets: Mandabatmaz (famously thick Turkish coffee) and Hafız Mustafa for baklava and Turkish delight.

Days 10–12: Bosphorus, Palaces, and the Asian Side

Shift to the waterfront: ornate palaces, breezy ferries, and neighborhoods with strong culinary identities. Evenings are for views from the strait.

• Dolmabahçe Palace Access — Dolmabahce Palace Skip the Ticket Line Entry with Audio Guide

  

  Crystal staircases, imperial salons, and sweeping Bosphorus views.
• Bosphorus Dinner Cruise — Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Show and Private Table

  

  See the city sparkle—palaces, mosques, and bridges—while sampling Turkish dishes.
• Cross to Kadıköy for a street-food gauntlet: midye dolma (stuffed mussels), çiğ köfte wraps, and the beloved tantuni. Don’t miss Çiya Sofrası for regional Anatolian recipes.
• Unwind in a hammam: Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı offers a serene, historic scrub-and-steam (book ahead).

Day 13: Views, Villages, and Last Bites

Ride the historic tram to Taksim, then walk down İstiklal for bookshops and simit carts. Climb Galata Tower or head to Pierre Loti Hill for a final panorama over the Golden Horn.

Slow the pace in Bosphorus neighborhoods: Ortaköy for kumpir (loaded baked potatoes) and mosque-side photos; Arnavutköy’s wooden yalıs; or a ferry to the Princes’ Islands for car-free lanes and sea air.

Optional add-on (time permitting):

• Cappadocia 2-Day Escape — 2 Day Cappadocia Tour From Istanbul With Optional BALLOON Flight

  

  If you can extend, the fairy chimneys at sunrise are worth the detour.

Budget tips for Istanbul: Load an Istanbulkart for seamless travel (metro, tram, funicular, ferries). Many museums are free with combo or city passes; street eats (simit, döner, balık ekmek) keep costs low without sacrificing flavor.

Airport transfers: For peace of mind, consider pre-booking: Athens airport arrivals via private transfer. Istanbul arrivals via private transfer.

Suggested Multi‑Day Flow At a Glance

• Days 1–3 (Athens): Acropolis tour, Plaka/Anafiotika, Central Market, Psyrri evenings.
• Days 4–5 (Athens): Athenian Riviera swim stops, Temple of Poseidon sunset.
• Day 6 (Athens): Saronic Islands cruise or Meteora day trip.
• Day 7: Morning flight Athens → Istanbul via Omio (flights).
• Days 7–9 (Istanbul): Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı, Grand Bazaar.
• Days 10–12 (Istanbul): Dolmabahçe, Bosphorus dinner cruise, Kadıköy and Beyoğlu food crawl.
• Day 13 (Istanbul): Viewpoints, Bosphorus neighborhoods, last-minute shopping.

With statues, stories, and straits as your backdrop, this Athens and Istanbul itinerary balances bucket-list sites with neighborhood discovery and budget-friendly local flavors. Expect big views, bigger history, and a string of small moments you’ll remember just as vividly.