From Cappadocia’s balloons to Santorini’s caldera

Who it is for

For anyone with two weeks who wants both sides of the Aegean: Byzantine and Ottoman Turkey, ancient Greece and its islands.

Not for anyone who wants few transfers, since there are five bases, two countries, a flight between them and boats between the islands.

The strategy

Istanbul comes first, with Cappadocia straight after by plane: Kapadokya airport is about 40 minutes from Göreme. From Cappadocia to Athens you have to fly, usually connecting in Istanbul; check the connection before buying. Turkey and Greece have different entry rules, so check the documents for your nationality. From Athens to Mykonos, ferries leave from Piraeus or Rafina, and the flight takes about 45 minutes; in season there are ferries from Mykonos to Santorini. The trip ends in Santorini: a 45 to 50 minute flight to Athens or, from April to October, seasonal direct flights to several European cities. Go in May and June or in September, when the islands are open and Cappadocia is not yet hot.

What you will see

• Hagia Sophia, Istanbul. Basilica completed in 537, a mosque from 1453, a museum from 1935 to 2020, and a mosque again since July 2020.
• Göreme Açık Hava Müzesi, Cappadocia. The Göreme Open-Air Museum brings together a rock-cut monastic complex, used from the 4th to the 13th century, with the Maidens' Monastery, the churches of St.
• Acropolis and Parthenon, Athens. The site brings together the Parthenon (447–432 BC), the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion with its porch of the Caryatids.
• Little Venice, Mykonos. The row of houses over the sea at the western tip of Chora began to be built in the mid-18th century by merchants and captains.
• Fira–Oia rim trail, Santorini. About 10 km and 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours of walking along the top of the cliff, passing through Firostefani, Imerovigli, and Skaros.

Day by day

Istanbul

1. 1
   Day 1: Historic peninsula, from the walls to the bazaar

   1. 2Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii)Up to half an hourEssential
   2. 1Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)One to two hoursEssential
   3. 5Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan)Up to half an hourWorth a visit
   4. 3Topkapı PalaceOne to two hoursEssential
   5. 9Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı)Up to half an hourIf there is time
   6. 6Egyptian Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı)Up to half an hourWorth a visit
2. 2
   Day 2: Galata, İstiklal and the Bosphorus shore

   1. Galata TowerOne to two hoursYou can skip it
   2. 7Dolmabahçe PalaceOne to two hoursWorth a visit
3. 3
   Day 3: Golden Horn and the Asian side

   1. 8Chora (Kariye)Half a day or moreWorth a visit
4. 4
   Day 4: Princes' Islands (Büyükada) (day trip) · if you have more time

   

Cappadocia

1. 5
   Day 5: Balloon at dawn, the Open-Air Museum and Zelve valley

   1. 6PaşabağUp to half an hourWorth a visit
2. 6
   Day 6: Uçhisar, Pigeon Valley and Avanos

   1. AvanosUp to half an hourWorth a visit
3. 7
   Day 7: To the south: Derinkuyu and the Ihlara canyon

   
4. 8
   Day 8: Kayseri and Erciyes (day trip) · if you have more time

Athens

1. 9
   Day 9: The Acropolis, the museum and the hill

   1. 1Acropolis and ParthenonOne to two hoursEssential
   2. 2Acropolis MuseumEssential
2. 10
   Day 10: The Agora, the market, and the Archaeological Museum

   1. 4Ancient Agora and HephaisteionWorth a visit
   2. 5KerameikosUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   3. 3National Archaeological MuseumOne to two hoursEssential
3. 11
   Day 11: The port, the sea and the view · if you have more time

   1. 7Stavros Niarchos Cultural Center (SNFCC)Worth a visit
   2. Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro)Up to half an hourIf there is time
   3. 6LycabettusUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   4. 1Acropolis and ParthenonOne to two hoursEssential

Mykonos

1. 12
   Day 12: Chora on foot: Kastro, Little Venice and the windmills

   1. 3Panagia ParaportianiUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   2. 1Little VeniceUp to half an hourEssential
   3. 2Kato MiliUp to half an hourEssential
2. 13
   Day 13: Delos in the morning, a southern beach in the afternoon

   1. 6Platys GialosHalf a day or moreWorth a visit
3. 14
   Day 14: Ano Mera, the north coast and the Armenistis lighthouse · if you have more time

   1. 4Panagia Tourliani MonasteryUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   2. 7Agios SostisHalf a day or moreWorth a visit
   3. 5Armenistis LighthouseUp to half an hourWorth a visit

Santorini

1. 15
   Day 15: The caldera rim, from Fira to Oia

   
2. 16
   Day 16: Volcano, Thirasia, and vineyards

   
3. 17
   Day 17: Bronze Age and black sand · if you have more time