# Türkiye’s port cities and heritage sites · More time in the middle and at the far end

[Canonical itinerary](<https://zukio.com/trips/middle-east/open-jaw/turkiye-s-port-cities-and-heritage-sites-z0767/>)

More time in the middle and at the far end

- Region: Middle East
- Trip format: Open jaw
- Nights: 12
- Interests: Design, Tradition & Beliefs, Arts & Theatre, Nature, History, Food & Drink

## Route and nights

- Istanbul · 3 night(s)
- İzmir · 4 night(s)
- Athens · 5 night(s)

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

## Day-by-day agenda

Suggested schedule. Times are local. Check hours and availability for your dates.

### Day 1 · Istanbul

- 15:00 to 15:45 · Check in or drop off your bags · The Bank Hotel Istanbul
- 16:05 to 17:30 · Get oriented near your hotel and confirm the next day’s transport · Istanbul. Keep the outing optional if you arrive late.
- 18:30 to 20:00 · Dinner near your hotel · Istanbul
Overnight: [The Bank Hotel Istanbul](<https://www.hotels.com/ho447674/the-bank-hotel-istanbul-a-member-of-design-hotels-istanbul-turkey/>) · Istanbul

### Day 2 · Istanbul

- 08:15 to 09:10 · Breakfast near your hotel · Sirkeci, Istanbul
- 09:30 to 12:00 · See Ottoman civic and mosque architecture around Süleymaniye · Süleymaniye, Istanbul. Check mosque access around worship and limit indoor plans to confirmed sites. [Official information](<https://istanbul.goturkiye.com/>)
- 12:15 to 13:30 · Lunch near the historic center · Süleymaniye, Istanbul
- 14:00 to 16:45 · Walk to a public courtyard or civic building exterior if access fits · Süleymaniye, Istanbul
- 18:30 to 20:00 · Dinner near your hotel · Sirkeci, Istanbul
Overnight: [The Bank Hotel Istanbul](<https://www.hotels.com/ho447674/the-bank-hotel-istanbul-a-member-of-design-hotels-istanbul-turkey/>) · Istanbul

### Day 3 · Istanbul

- 08:15 to 09:10 · Breakfast near your hotel · Sirkeci, Istanbul
- 09:30 to 12:00 · Visit one religious site with confirmed visitor access · Sultanahmet, Istanbul. Check dress, admission, visitor areas, and worship-related closures before arrival. [Official information](<https://istanbul.goturkiye.com/>)
- 12:15 to 13:30 · Lunch around Sultanahmet · Sultanahmet, Istanbul
- 14:00 to 16:45 · Walk the public precinct around a second mosque or historic religious site · Sultanahmet, Istanbul
- 18:30 to 20:00 · Dinner near your hotel · Sirkeci, Istanbul
Overnight: [The Bank Hotel Istanbul](<https://www.hotels.com/ho447674/the-bank-hotel-istanbul-a-member-of-design-hotels-istanbul-turkey/>) · Istanbul

### Day 4 · İzmir

- 07:15 to 08:00 · Check out and collect your bags · The Bank Hotel Istanbul
- 08:30 to 17:30 · 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](<https://www.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr/>)
- 17:30 to 18:40 · Check in and confirm tomorrow’s first stop · Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir. Let your hotel or camp know if you expect to arrive late.
- 19:15 to 20:45 · Dinner near your new hotel · İzmir
Overnight: [Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir](<https://www.hotels.com/ho254954/swissotel-buyuk-efes-izmir-izmir-turkey/>) · İzmir

### Day 5 · İzmir

- 08:15 to 09:10 · Breakfast near your hotel · Alsancak, İzmir
- 09:30 to 12:00 · Visit an open local museum or gallery that fits the day · İzmir city center. Check the venue address, exhibitions, and actual hours. [Official information](<https://izmir.goturkiye.com/>)
- 12:15 to 13:30 · Lunch near the chosen venue · İzmir city center
- 14:00 to 16:45 · Walk the adjacent public streets or use a second gallery only if confirmed · İzmir city center
- 18:30 to 20:00 · Dinner near your hotel · Alsancak, İzmir
Overnight: [Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir](<https://www.hotels.com/ho254954/swissotel-buyuk-efes-izmir-izmir-turkey/>) · İzmir

### Day 6 · İzmir

- 08:15 to 09:10 · Breakfast near your hotel · Konak waterfront, İzmir
- 09:30 to 12:00 · Walk a public seafront section of Kordon · Kordon, İzmir
- 12:15 to 13:30 · Lunch near the shore · Kordon, İzmir
- 14:00 to 16:45 · Choose a shaded park break or indoor alternative if heat or wind increases · Kordon, İzmir
- 18:30 to 20:00 · Dinner near your hotel · Konak waterfront, İzmir
Overnight: [Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir](<https://www.hotels.com/ho254954/swissotel-buyuk-efes-izmir-izmir-turkey/>) · İzmir

### Day 7 · İzmir

- 08:15 to 09:10 · Breakfast near your hotel · Konak waterfront, İzmir
- 09:30 to 12:00 · 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](<https://izmir.goturkiye.com/>)
- 12:15 to 13:30 · Lunch near Konak · Agora of Smyrna, İzmir
- 14:00 to 16:45 · Walk to the waterfront and compare the old trading streets and harbor · Agora of Smyrna, İzmir
- 18:30 to 20:00 · Dinner near your hotel · Konak waterfront, İzmir
Overnight: [Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir](<https://www.hotels.com/ho254954/swissotel-buyuk-efes-izmir-izmir-turkey/>) · İzmir

### Day 8 · Athens

- 07:15 to 08:00 · Check out and collect your bags · Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir
- 08:30 to 18:00 · 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.
- 18:00 to 19:00 · Check in and confirm tomorrow’s first stop · Central Athens Hotel. Let your hotel or camp know if you expect to arrive late.
- 19:15 to 20:45 · Dinner near your new hotel · Athens
Overnight: [Central Athens Hotel](<https://www.hotels.com/ho228915/central-athens-hotel-athens-greece/>) · Athens

### Day 9 · Athens

- 08:15 to 09:10 · Breakfast near your hotel · Plaka, Athens
- 09:30 to 12:15 · Walk the National Garden and public paths near Zappeion · National Garden, Athens. Check weather, slopes, and access before committing to the viewpoint. [Official information](<https://www.thisisathens.org/>)
- 12:30 to 13:40 · Lunch around Syntagma · National Garden, Athens
- 14:00 to 16:50 · Choose a city viewpoint or a second short garden route · National Garden, Athens
- 18:30 to 20:00 · Dinner near your hotel · Plaka, Athens
Overnight: [Central Athens Hotel](<https://www.hotels.com/ho228915/central-athens-hotel-athens-greece/>) · Athens

### Day 10 · Aegina

- 08:00 to 10:15 · Travel from Athens to Aegina, Greece · Aegina, Greece. Use an actual service and allow time to reach the first stop.
- 10:25 to 12:15 · 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](<https://www.visitgreece.gr/>)
- 12:30 to 13:40 · Lunch near Aegina harbor · Aegina, Greece
- 13:55 to 15:35 · Visit the Temple of Aphaia if confirmed transport and opening fit · Aegina, Greece
- 15:50 to 17:45 · Return to Athens · Athens. Check the return before deciding when to leave.
- 18:30 to 20:00 · Dinner near your hotel · Plaka, Athens
Overnight: [Central Athens Hotel](<https://www.hotels.com/ho228915/central-athens-hotel-athens-greece/>) · Athens

### Day 11 · Athens

- 08:15 to 09:10 · Breakfast near your hotel · Plaka, Athens
- 09:30 to 12:15 · Visit the Acropolis Museum and choose several sculpture galleries · Acropolis Museum, Athens. Check museum hours separately from the archaeological site. [Official information](<https://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/en>)
- 12:30 to 13:40 · Lunch near Makrygianni · Acropolis Museum, Athens
- 14:00 to 16:50 · Walk the public streets around the museum or spend longer inside · Acropolis Museum, Athens
- 18:30 to 20:00 · Dinner near your hotel · Plaka, Athens
Overnight: [Central Athens Hotel](<https://www.hotels.com/ho228915/central-athens-hotel-athens-greece/>) · Athens

### Day 12 · Athens

- 08:15 to 09:10 · Breakfast near your hotel · Plaka, Athens
- 09:30 to 12:15 · 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](<https://www.thisisathens.org/>)
- 12:30 to 13:40 · Have a Greek lunch around Psyrri or Monastiraki · Varvakios Central Market, Athens
- 14:00 to 16:50 · Walk toward the historic squares and take a cafe break · Varvakios Central Market, Athens
- 18:30 to 20:00 · Dinner near your hotel · Plaka, Athens
Overnight: [Central Athens Hotel](<https://www.hotels.com/ho228915/central-athens-hotel-athens-greece/>) · Athens

### Day 13 · Athens

- 08:10 to 09:00 · Breakfast near your hotel · Athens
- 09:15 to 09:45 · Check out and collect your bags · Central Athens Hotel
- 10:00 to 10:40 · Optional final stop near your hotel · Athens. Skip this if your departure needs the time.