Yes, you can take a cruise around the Greek Islands from Turkey. Although it may seem like a contradiction, it is not only a possible option but also very common among international travelers. This way, a single itinerary can include visits to two countries, which is a hallmark of our agency and also of the other agencies within the Mandala Tours group: combined itineraries featuring two or more countries in the program. Here we explain what this option consists of and how you can incorporate it into your itinerary.
Where do they depart from and arrive at? Kusadasi
Cruises around the Greek Islands that depart from Turkey are circular in nature, meaning they also end at the same port. In this case, that of the city of Kusadasi, a small city very much geared toward tourism, not only for its cruises, but also for its beaches and, above all, for its proximity to one of the country’s major destinations: Ephesus.
This way, those who dock here have many options to make the most of their time: a cruise, vineyards, relaxation, and cultural visits to the aforementioned Greco-Roman archaeological site, one of the best preserved in the entire world. In addition, Kusadasi also has several sites worth visiting, mainly Pigeon Island, complete with a castle.
How should this cruise be planned?
A cruise around the Greek Islands from Turkey usually lasts a short to medium length of time, often four or five days, which is enough to see the most notable destinations such as Mykonos, Santorini, or Rhodes. This, combined with its circular nature, makes it easy to incorporate into a broader itinerary around Turkey.
A common option is to leave the cruise for the end of the itinerary, as the icing on the cake: after a week of intensive visits to archaeological sites, monumental mosques, or dreamlike landscapes, the final days become an epilogue for relaxing and enjoying the sailing, without ruling out short sightseeing walks on each island.
Another option is to place the cruise in the middle of the itinerary. Considering that the arrival airport in Turkey is usually Istanbul and that the reference airport for Kusadasi is Izmir, the program can be divided into three blocks of days:
- First block in Istanbul
- Second block for the Greek Islands cruise
- Third block for points of interest in Anatolia (Pamukkale, Ephesus, Cappadocia, etc.)
Once this last block is finished, you can head back to Istanbul to catch your final flight home.
Another thing to keep in mind: the visa
If any of these options appeals to you, we can get to work arranging all the bookings. However, you need to keep the visa issue in mind: since Greece and Turkey are different countries, their visa policies also differ. While Greece is part of the European Union and the Schengen Area, Turkey is not, so if you come from a third country, you should find out about the entry requirements for each state.
In Turkey’s specific case, you will need the so-called multiple-entry visa, which allows the holder to enter Turkey, leave for a few days, and re-enter without having to complete new entry procedures. This option is ideal for combined trips, which can take you not only to Greece but also to other countries in our catalog, such as Egypt or Jordan.
Please note that Mandala Tours does not offer visa processing services or booking of entry/exit flights, but we can advise you on the procedures to follow. And, above all, we can book your cruise around the Greek Islands from Turkey.
