4-day
Specific Tour
Unlimited
___
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and one of the most fascinating and historic metropolises in the world. It is the only city that spans two continents, Europe and Asia, divided by the legendary Bosphorus strait. Known as the “City of Cities”, it is a unique crossroads of civilisations, where East meets West. Istanbul enchants every visitor with its imposing skyline of minarets and domes, its colourful, bustling bazaars, the aromas of spices, and its vibrant, modern cosmopolitan character. It is a destination that offers an unforgettable journey for the senses and through history.
The city’s history is immense and deeply intertwined with Hellenism. It was founded in the 7th century BC by Byzas as Byzantium. In 330 AD, Constantine the Great declared it the capital of the Roman Empire, renaming it New Rome, though it remained known as Constantinople. For more than 1,000 years it was the glorious capital of the Byzantine Empire and the most important centre of the Christian world. In 1453 the city was captured by the Ottomans under Sultan Mehmed II and became the capital of the Ottoman Empire until its collapse. With the founding of the modern Turkish Republic in 1923, the capital was moved to Ankara, but Istanbul remained the cultural, economic and tourist heart of the country.
Most of the top historic monuments are found on the historic peninsula of Sultanahmet. The city’s ultimate symbol is Hagia Sophia, a 6th-century architectural marvel with its awe-inspiring, iconic dome. Directly opposite stands the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque), famous for its six minarets and the magnificent blue Iznik tiles of its interior. A short distance away is Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman Sultans with its treasures and famous harem, as well as the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı), an atmospheric underground reservoir with the Medusa columns. For a unique shopping experience, you must visit the Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı), one of the largest covered markets in the world, and the Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı). Finally, a cruise on the Bosphorus is essential to admire the waterfront palaces (such as Dolmabahçe) and the bridges linking the two continents.
Istanbul is a paradise for food lovers, offering an incredible variety of oriental flavours and street food. Try authentic kebabs (such as Adana or Iskender), Lahmacun (the oriental pizza) and Pide. On the Galata Bridge, do not miss the famous Balık Ekmek (a sandwich with freshly grilled fish). For those with a sweet tooth, the city is the ultimate destination: traditional pistachio baklava (especially at the Karaköy Güllüoğlu shops), Knafeh (künefe) with melted cheese, and authentic Turkish delight (Lokum). Accompany your meals with strong Turkish coffee brewed over hot embers, traditional black tea (Çay) served in tulip-shaped glasses, or Ayran (a yoghurt drink).
Istanbul’s nightlife is lively and diverse, ranging from traditional taverns to ultra-chic clubs. The great Istiklal Avenue in the Beyoğlu district and the surrounding side streets (such as Asmalımescit) buzz with life every night, packed with bars, cafés and pubs. For a more traditional experience with live oriental music (Fasıl), good food and rakı, the Meyhane (traditional meze taverns) in Kadıköy (on the Asian side) or in Kumkapı are the perfect choice. If you are after cosmopolitan entertainment, high-end cocktail bars and big clubs overlooking the lights of the Bosphorus, the waterfront districts of Ortaköy, Kuruçeşme and Bebek boast some of the most spectacular venues in Europe.
The official currency of Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TRY). It is advisable to exchange currency or use a card (cards are widely accepted, but some cash is needed for street vendors and bazaars). Istanbul is one hour ahead of Greece (during summer time) or two hours ahead (during winter time, as Turkey does not change its clocks), and the international dialling code is 0090. The city is served mainly by the ultra-modern Istanbul International Airport (IST) on the European side (one of the largest in the world), which is connected to the city centre via the M11 Metro line or the Havaist express buses. On the Asian side is Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) airport, which mainly serves low-cost airlines and is connected to the centre by the M4 Metro line or the Havabus shuttle buses.
The trip runs for 4 days and starts from €375 per person, departing from Athens. You pick the dates — there is no fixed departure.
The price includes: flight tickets, 1 cabin bag up to 8 kg, airport taxes, fuel surcharges, 3 nights in a centrally located hotel, VAT.
Ready to book?
Find the best hotel deals for this destination.
From €375 per person
Price per person for 2 people sharing a double room, in low season, with flights from Athens.
This is a starting price. The final price depends on your dates, flights and hotel, and we confirm it in the personal offer we send you. No payment is needed when you send your request.
With this trip you earn about 375 Loyalty points per person (1 point per €1, worth about €4 off a future trip). Points double for bookings completed in January and February. About Lia's Loyalty Club
Add whatever you need around this trip and send us one request. We reply with one final price for the whole trip.
Price and availability last updated: 18 May 2025
No account needed. We will let you know if anything worth knowing happens.
Optional tours, tickets and activities you can book for your days there. We arrange the trip — these you choose yourself.
Activities, experiences and local guides — book ahead and keep your days free of queues.
Compare prices from all major car rental companies, with free cancellation on most offers.
Attraction tickets, airport transfers, rail passes and day trips, booked in advance.
These activities are provided and sold by our partners. You complete the booking on their page, at exactly the same price.
This is a made-to-order trip, so you choose the dates. We are happy to advise on the best season for this destination and on how the weather, prices and crowds change through the year — just tell us roughly when you are thinking of travelling.
The main inclusions are:
The full list of what is and is not included appears in the "Included / Excluded" section on this page.
It depends on the season and the destination. Many trips do have a direct flight, but depending on your dates the airlines may not have a direct connection available for that period, in which case the trip may involve one stopover. We will tell you the exact flight routing clearly in your quote, before you proceed with the booking.
Not necessarily. The "From €X" price is the lowest price available today, based on current flight and hotel availability for that destination. Because availability changes daily, the final price for your specific dates may differ. We'll send you a firm, written quote before anything is charged, once you tell us the dates you have in mind.
Flight and hotel prices change daily depending on season, demand, day of the week, and how far in advance you book. That's why the price shown is indicative — the earlier you tell us your dates, the easier it is for us to secure the best possible price.
The single-room supplement varies by hotel and destination, and is included in the quote you'll receive for your specific dates. If you're travelling alone, let us know from the start so the quote already reflects the correct single-room price.
Payment is due in full at the time of booking. For certain hotels that have their own payment policy (for example a deposit or a specific payment deadline), we'll let you know clearly before you proceed, so you know exactly what applies.
Yes — once your booking is confirmed, the price is fixed and won't be affected by later changes in flight or hotel prices. Availability and price can only change before your booking is finalised.
Several trips offer the option to depart from a city other than Athens (for example Thessaloniki), usually with a small additional charge. If this applies to a specific trip, it will be noted on the page or mentioned when we send your quote.
For this destination, Greek/EU citizens do not need a visa for a tourist visit — a new-type ID card or a valid passport is enough. Entry rules change from time to time, so please confirm the current requirements with us before you book.
Changes and cancellations follow the terms of the airlines, hotels and suppliers booked for you, so the cost depends on how close to departure you are and on the fare rules of each booking. Tell us as early as possible and we will look for the least costly option. The general terms of participation apply to every booking.
Travel insurance is not included in the price unless the "Included" list on this page says otherwise. We strongly recommend it, especially for trips outside the EU, so that medical care, cancellation and lost luggage are covered. We can arrange a policy for you — just ask when you book.
Yes — this is an individual trip, not a group departure. There is no fixed itinerary and no coach schedule: you travel on your own, at your own pace. We can change the number of nights, the class of hotel, add or drop destinations and arrange transfers, car hire or private guides.
Send us a request through the form on this page, call us, or drop by the office. We will come back with availability and a written quotation before anything is charged. The trip as shown runs for 4 days.
Departure from: Athens · Thessaloniki · Larnaca.
Flights: Direct or with one connection, depending on the season.
Visa (Greek citizens): No visa needed.
Earliest departure: At least 7 days after booking.
Best time to go: All year round; April–June and September–October are the most pleasant.
Our office helps you with all of the above, step by step.
Our office helps you with all of the above, step by step.
