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Middle East · Open jaw · 12 NIGHTS

Türkiye’s port cities and heritage sites

More time in the middle and at the far end

Submitted by The Light Pack
Use this itinerary

Route and nights

  1. Istanbul3 nights
  2. İzmir4 nights
  3. Athens5 nights

Trip format: Open jaw · One hotel or guesthouse per overnight base

Tradeoff: The middle base gets time of its own. Book the last gateway separately and compare the total transport cost.

Compare: Rail, coach, flight or ferry combinations to verify

Trip stats

Trip days
13
Nights
12
Home Bases
3
Scheduled entries
60

Days by place

Athens
5
İzmir
4
Istanbul
3
Aegina
1

Hotels and other stays

Central Athens Hotel
5 nights
Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir · İzmir
4 nights
The Bank Hotel Istanbul
3 nights

Schedule by type

Meal
30
Activity
20
Lodging
6
Ground transport
4

Day-by-day agenda

Jump to Calendar View
Day 1 Istanbul
  1. to · Lodging Check in or drop off your bags The Bank Hotel Istanbul
  2. to · Activity Get oriented near your hotel and confirm the next day’s transport Istanbul

    Keep the outing optional if you arrive late.

  3. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Istanbul
The Bank Hotel IstanbulIstanbul
Day 2 Istanbul
  1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Sirkeci, Istanbul
  2. to · Activity See Ottoman civic and mosque architecture around Süleymaniye Süleymaniye, Istanbul

    Check mosque access around worship and limit indoor plans to confirmed sites.

    Official information
  3. to · Meal Lunch near the historic center Süleymaniye, Istanbul
  4. to · Activity Walk to a public courtyard or civic building exterior if access fits Süleymaniye, Istanbul
  5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Sirkeci, Istanbul
The Bank Hotel IstanbulIstanbul
Day 3 Istanbul
  1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Sirkeci, Istanbul
  2. to · Activity Visit one religious site with confirmed visitor access Sultanahmet, Istanbul

    Check dress, admission, visitor areas, and worship-related closures before arrival.

    Official information
  3. to · Meal Lunch around Sultanahmet Sultanahmet, Istanbul
  4. to · Activity Walk the public precinct around a second mosque or historic religious site Sultanahmet, Istanbul
  5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Sirkeci, Istanbul
The Bank Hotel IstanbulIstanbul
Day 4 İzmir
  1. to · Lodging Check out and collect your bags The Bank Hotel Istanbul
  2. to · Ground transport Travel from Istanbul to İzmir İzmir

    Check a workable coach or rail route and any connections. Use the actual boarding point and do not rely on this sample window. Plan food around the confirmed route.

    Official information
  3. to · Lodging Check in and confirm tomorrow’s first stop Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir

    Let your hotel or camp know if you expect to arrive late.

  4. to · Meal Dinner near your new hotel İzmir
Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmirİzmir
Day 5 İzmir
  1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Alsancak, İzmir
  2. to · Activity Visit an open local museum or gallery that fits the day İzmir city center

    Check the venue address, exhibitions, and actual hours.

    Official information
  3. to · Meal Lunch near the chosen venue İzmir city center
  4. to · Activity Walk the adjacent public streets or use a second gallery only if confirmed İzmir city center
  5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Alsancak, İzmir
Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmirİzmir
Day 6 İzmir
  1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Konak waterfront, İzmir
  2. to · Activity Walk a public seafront section of Kordon Kordon, İzmir
  3. to · Meal Lunch near the shore Kordon, İzmir
  4. to · Activity Choose a shaded park break or indoor alternative if heat or wind increases Kordon, İzmir
  5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Konak waterfront, İzmir
Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmirİzmir
Day 7 İzmir
  1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Konak waterfront, İzmir
  2. to · Activity Visit the Agora if open and compare public traces of historic Smyrna Agora of Smyrna, İzmir

    Check archaeological opening and choose a shorter outdoor route in heat.

    Official information
  3. to · Meal Lunch near Konak Agora of Smyrna, İzmir
  4. to · Activity Walk to the waterfront and compare the old trading streets and harbor Agora of Smyrna, İzmir
  5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Konak waterfront, İzmir
Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmirİzmir
Day 8 Athens
  1. to · Lodging Check out and collect your bags Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir
  2. to · Ground transport Travel from İzmir to Athens Athens

    Confirm a workable same-day international connection before booking lodging. Verify entry requirements and use destination local time if clocks differ. Plan food around the confirmed route.

  3. to · Lodging Check in and confirm tomorrow’s first stop Central Athens Hotel

    Let your hotel or camp know if you expect to arrive late.

  4. to · Meal Dinner near your new hotel Athens
Central Athens HotelAthens
Day 9 Athens
  1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Plaka, Athens
  2. to · Activity Walk the National Garden and public paths near Zappeion National Garden, Athens

    Check weather, slopes, and access before committing to the viewpoint.

    Official information
  3. to · Meal Lunch around Syntagma National Garden, Athens
  4. to · Activity Choose a city viewpoint or a second short garden route National Garden, Athens
  5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Plaka, Athens
Central Athens HotelAthens
Day 10 Aegina
  1. to · Ground transport Travel from Athens to Aegina, Greece Aegina, Greece

    Use an actual service and allow time to reach the first stop.

  2. to · Activity Walk the harbor town and see the public waterfront Aegina, Greece

    Verify ferries in both directions and the onward island route. If the temple is too tight, stay in town.

    Official information
  3. to · Meal Lunch near Aegina harbor Aegina, Greece
  4. to · Activity Visit the Temple of Aphaia if confirmed transport and opening fit Aegina, Greece
  5. to · Ground transport Return to Athens Athens

    Check the return before deciding when to leave.

  6. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Plaka, Athens
Central Athens HotelAthens
Day 11 Athens
  1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Plaka, Athens
  2. to · Activity Visit the Acropolis Museum and choose several sculpture galleries Acropolis Museum, Athens

    Check museum hours separately from the archaeological site.

    Official information
  3. to · Meal Lunch near Makrygianni Acropolis Museum, Athens
  4. to · Activity Walk the public streets around the museum or spend longer inside Acropolis Museum, Athens
  5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Plaka, Athens
Central Athens HotelAthens
Day 12 Athens
  1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Plaka, Athens
  2. to · Activity Browse Athens Central Market if trading and walk the neighboring streets Varvakios Central Market, Athens

    Check market hours and choose a shorter route if the market is busy.

    Official information
  3. to · Meal Have a Greek lunch around Psyrri or Monastiraki Varvakios Central Market, Athens
  4. to · Activity Walk toward the historic squares and take a cafe break Varvakios Central Market, Athens
  5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Plaka, Athens
Central Athens HotelAthens
Day 13 Athens
  1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Athens
  2. to · Lodging Check out and collect your bags Central Athens Hotel
  3. to · Activity Optional final stop near your hotel Athens

    Skip this if your departure needs the time.

Trip calendar

Itinerary map Print itinerary

Suggested schedule · All times are local. Check hours and availability for your dates.

  1. Day 1

    Istanbul

    Europe/Istanbul Open map for Istanbul
    1. to · Lodging Check in or drop off your bags The Bank Hotel Istanbul
    2. to · Activity Get oriented near your hotel and confirm the next day’s transport Istanbul

      Keep the outing optional if you arrive late.

    3. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Istanbul
    The Bank Hotel IstanbulIstanbul
  2. Day 2

    Istanbul

    Europe/Istanbul Open map for Istanbul
    1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Sirkeci, Istanbul
    2. to · Activity See Ottoman civic and mosque architecture around Süleymaniye Süleymaniye, Istanbul

      Check mosque access around worship and limit indoor plans to confirmed sites.

      Official information
    3. to · Meal Lunch near the historic center Süleymaniye, Istanbul
    4. to · Activity Walk to a public courtyard or civic building exterior if access fits Süleymaniye, Istanbul
    5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Sirkeci, Istanbul
    The Bank Hotel IstanbulIstanbul
  3. Day 3

    Istanbul

    Europe/Istanbul Open map for Istanbul
    1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Sirkeci, Istanbul
    2. to · Activity Visit one religious site with confirmed visitor access Sultanahmet, Istanbul

      Check dress, admission, visitor areas, and worship-related closures before arrival.

      Official information
    3. to · Meal Lunch around Sultanahmet Sultanahmet, Istanbul
    4. to · Activity Walk the public precinct around a second mosque or historic religious site Sultanahmet, Istanbul
    5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Sirkeci, Istanbul
    The Bank Hotel IstanbulIstanbul
  4. Day 4

    İzmir

    Europe/Istanbul
    1. to · Lodging Check out and collect your bags The Bank Hotel Istanbul
    2. to · Ground transport Travel from Istanbul to İzmir İzmir

      Check a workable coach or rail route and any connections. Use the actual boarding point and do not rely on this sample window. Plan food around the confirmed route.

      Official information
    3. to · Lodging Check in and confirm tomorrow’s first stop Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir

      Let your hotel or camp know if you expect to arrive late.

    4. to · Meal Dinner near your new hotel İzmir
    Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmirİzmir
  5. Day 5

    İzmir

    Europe/Istanbul Open map for İzmir
    1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Alsancak, İzmir
    2. to · Activity Visit an open local museum or gallery that fits the day İzmir city center

      Check the venue address, exhibitions, and actual hours.

      Official information
    3. to · Meal Lunch near the chosen venue İzmir city center
    4. to · Activity Walk the adjacent public streets or use a second gallery only if confirmed İzmir city center
    5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Alsancak, İzmir
    Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmirİzmir
  6. Day 6

    İzmir

    Europe/Istanbul Open map for İzmir
    1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Konak waterfront, İzmir
    2. to · Activity Walk a public seafront section of Kordon Kordon, İzmir
    3. to · Meal Lunch near the shore Kordon, İzmir
    4. to · Activity Choose a shaded park break or indoor alternative if heat or wind increases Kordon, İzmir
    5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Konak waterfront, İzmir
    Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmirİzmir
  7. Day 7

    İzmir

    Europe/Istanbul Open map for İzmir
    1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Konak waterfront, İzmir
    2. to · Activity Visit the Agora if open and compare public traces of historic Smyrna Agora of Smyrna, İzmir

      Check archaeological opening and choose a shorter outdoor route in heat.

      Official information
    3. to · Meal Lunch near Konak Agora of Smyrna, İzmir
    4. to · Activity Walk to the waterfront and compare the old trading streets and harbor Agora of Smyrna, İzmir
    5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Konak waterfront, İzmir
    Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmirİzmir
  8. Day 8

    Athens

    Europe/Athens
    1. to · Lodging Check out and collect your bags Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir
    2. to · Ground transport Travel from İzmir to Athens Athens

      Confirm a workable same-day international connection before booking lodging. Verify entry requirements and use destination local time if clocks differ. Plan food around the confirmed route.

    3. to · Lodging Check in and confirm tomorrow’s first stop Central Athens Hotel

      Let your hotel or camp know if you expect to arrive late.

    4. to · Meal Dinner near your new hotel Athens
    Central Athens HotelAthens
  9. Day 9

    Athens

    Europe/Athens Open map for Athens
    1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Plaka, Athens
    2. to · Activity Walk the National Garden and public paths near Zappeion National Garden, Athens

      Check weather, slopes, and access before committing to the viewpoint.

      Official information
    3. to · Meal Lunch around Syntagma National Garden, Athens
    4. to · Activity Choose a city viewpoint or a second short garden route National Garden, Athens
    5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Plaka, Athens
    Central Athens HotelAthens
  10. Day 10

    Aegina

    Europe/Athens Open map for Aegina
    1. to · Ground transport Travel from Athens to Aegina, Greece Aegina, Greece

      Use an actual service and allow time to reach the first stop.

    2. to · Activity Walk the harbor town and see the public waterfront Aegina, Greece

      Verify ferries in both directions and the onward island route. If the temple is too tight, stay in town.

      Official information
    3. to · Meal Lunch near Aegina harbor Aegina, Greece
    4. to · Activity Visit the Temple of Aphaia if confirmed transport and opening fit Aegina, Greece
    5. to · Ground transport Return to Athens Athens

      Check the return before deciding when to leave.

    6. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Plaka, Athens
    Central Athens HotelAthens
  11. Day 11

    Athens

    Europe/Athens Open map for Athens
    1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Plaka, Athens
    2. to · Activity Visit the Acropolis Museum and choose several sculpture galleries Acropolis Museum, Athens

      Check museum hours separately from the archaeological site.

      Official information
    3. to · Meal Lunch near Makrygianni Acropolis Museum, Athens
    4. to · Activity Walk the public streets around the museum or spend longer inside Acropolis Museum, Athens
    5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Plaka, Athens
    Central Athens HotelAthens
  12. Day 12

    Athens

    Europe/Athens Open map for Athens
    1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Plaka, Athens
    2. to · Activity Browse Athens Central Market if trading and walk the neighboring streets Varvakios Central Market, Athens

      Check market hours and choose a shorter route if the market is busy.

      Official information
    3. to · Meal Have a Greek lunch around Psyrri or Monastiraki Varvakios Central Market, Athens
    4. to · Activity Walk toward the historic squares and take a cafe break Varvakios Central Market, Athens
    5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Plaka, Athens
    Central Athens HotelAthens
  13. Day 13

    Athens

    Europe/Athens Open map for Athens
    1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Athens
    2. to · Lodging Check out and collect your bags Central Athens Hotel
    3. to · Activity Optional final stop near your hotel Athens

      Skip this if your departure needs the time.