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Middle East · Open jaw · 13 NIGHTS

Türkiye’s port cities and heritage sites

Short middle stop and a slower finish

Submitted by The Early Ferry
Use this itinerary

Route and nights

  1. Istanbul5 nights
  2. İzmir2 nights
  3. Athens6 nights

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

Tradeoff: Two nights in the middle means one main visit. Keep a substantial final base for the last stretch.

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

Trip stats

Trip days
14
Nights
13
Home Bases
3
Scheduled entries
65

Days by place

Athens
6
Istanbul
5
İzmir
2
Aegina
1

Hotels and other stays

Central Athens Hotel
6 nights
Sirkeci Mansion · Istanbul
5 nights
Key Hotel · İzmir
2 nights

Schedule by type

Meal
33
Activity
22
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 Sirkeci Mansion
  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
Sirkeci MansionIstanbul
Day 2 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
Sirkeci MansionIstanbul
Day 3 Istanbul
  1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Sirkeci, Istanbul
  2. to · Activity Walk a public shore route and check ferry service for the day Bosphorus waterfront, Istanbul

    Check the actual departure, return, and any service notices.

    Official information
  3. to · Meal Lunch near a waterfront pier Bosphorus waterfront, Istanbul
  4. to · Activity Use a scheduled ferry if the route and weather fit or continue on shore Bosphorus waterfront, Istanbul
  5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Sirkeci, Istanbul
Sirkeci MansionIstanbul
Day 4 Istanbul
  1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Karaköy, Istanbul
  2. to · Activity Walk the Hippodrome area and compare the district’s imperial layers Sultanahmet, Istanbul

    Check what each ticket includes and whether visitor or religious access differs by building.

    Official information
  3. to · Meal Lunch near Sultanahmet Sultanahmet, Istanbul
  4. to · Activity Choose a confirmed palace or museum admission or a public exterior route Sultanahmet, Istanbul
  5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Karaköy, Istanbul
Sirkeci MansionIstanbul
Day 5 Istanbul
  1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Sirkeci, Istanbul
  2. to · Activity Start with a market breakfast and browse food streets around Eminönü Eminönü, Istanbul

    Check market trading and individual kitchen hours.

    Official information
  3. to · Meal Have a neighborhood meze lunch Eminönü, Istanbul
  4. to · Activity Walk public streets toward the waterfront or take a tea break Eminönü, Istanbul
  5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Sirkeci, Istanbul
Sirkeci MansionIstanbul
Day 6 İzmir
  1. to · Lodging Check out and collect your bags Sirkeci Mansion
  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 Key Hotel

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

  4. to · Meal Dinner near your new hotel İzmir
Key Hotelİzmir
Day 7 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
Key Hotelİzmir
Day 8 Athens
  1. to · Lodging Check out and collect your bags Key Hotel
  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 Visit the Acropolis with the confirmed admission time Acropolis of Athens

    Check heat restrictions, entry, and slope access. Adjust the route for the weather.

    Official information
  3. to · Meal Lunch in Plaka Acropolis of Athens
  4. to · Activity Walk public routes near the Ancient Agora or use a separate confirmed admission Acropolis of 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 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 12 Athens
  1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Plaka, Athens
  2. to · Activity See small Byzantine churches around the old center Kapnikarea Church, Athens

    Treat interiors as optional and check visitor hours around services.

    Official information
  3. to · Meal Lunch near Monastiraki Kapnikarea Church, Athens
  4. to · Activity Follow a short mythology and public-site walk toward the Agora area Kapnikarea Church, Athens
  5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Plaka, Athens
Central Athens HotelAthens
Day 13 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 14 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 Sirkeci Mansion
    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
    Sirkeci MansionIstanbul
  2. Day 2

    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
    Sirkeci MansionIstanbul
  3. Day 3

    Istanbul

    Europe/Istanbul Open map for Istanbul
    1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Sirkeci, Istanbul
    2. to · Activity Walk a public shore route and check ferry service for the day Bosphorus waterfront, Istanbul

      Check the actual departure, return, and any service notices.

      Official information
    3. to · Meal Lunch near a waterfront pier Bosphorus waterfront, Istanbul
    4. to · Activity Use a scheduled ferry if the route and weather fit or continue on shore Bosphorus waterfront, Istanbul
    5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Sirkeci, Istanbul
    Sirkeci MansionIstanbul
  4. Day 4

    Istanbul

    Europe/Istanbul Open map for Istanbul
    1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Karaköy, Istanbul
    2. to · Activity Walk the Hippodrome area and compare the district’s imperial layers Sultanahmet, Istanbul

      Check what each ticket includes and whether visitor or religious access differs by building.

      Official information
    3. to · Meal Lunch near Sultanahmet Sultanahmet, Istanbul
    4. to · Activity Choose a confirmed palace or museum admission or a public exterior route Sultanahmet, Istanbul
    5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Karaköy, Istanbul
    Sirkeci MansionIstanbul
  5. Day 5

    Istanbul

    Europe/Istanbul Open map for Istanbul
    1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Sirkeci, Istanbul
    2. to · Activity Start with a market breakfast and browse food streets around Eminönü Eminönü, Istanbul

      Check market trading and individual kitchen hours.

      Official information
    3. to · Meal Have a neighborhood meze lunch Eminönü, Istanbul
    4. to · Activity Walk public streets toward the waterfront or take a tea break Eminönü, Istanbul
    5. to · Meal Dinner near your hotel Sirkeci, Istanbul
    Sirkeci MansionIstanbul
  6. Day 6

    İzmir

    Europe/Istanbul
    1. to · Lodging Check out and collect your bags Sirkeci Mansion
    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 Key Hotel

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

    4. to · Meal Dinner near your new hotel İzmir
    Key Hotelİzmir
  7. Day 7

    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
    Key Hotelİzmir
  8. Day 8

    Athens

    Europe/Athens
    1. to · Lodging Check out and collect your bags Key Hotel
    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 Visit the Acropolis with the confirmed admission time Acropolis of Athens

      Check heat restrictions, entry, and slope access. Adjust the route for the weather.

      Official information
    3. to · Meal Lunch in Plaka Acropolis of Athens
    4. to · Activity Walk public routes near the Ancient Agora or use a separate confirmed admission Acropolis of 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 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
  12. Day 12

    Athens

    Europe/Athens Open map for Athens
    1. to · Meal Breakfast near your hotel Plaka, Athens
    2. to · Activity See small Byzantine churches around the old center Kapnikarea Church, Athens

      Treat interiors as optional and check visitor hours around services.

      Official information
    3. to · Meal Lunch near Monastiraki Kapnikarea Church, Athens
    4. to · Activity Follow a short mythology and public-site walk toward the Agora area Kapnikarea Church, 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 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
  14. Day 14

    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.