Turkey and Greece are the two dominant Eastern Mediterranean travel destinations, often considered together by travellers planning regional trips. They share ancient history, excellent food traditions, and brilliant coastlines - but they’re very different countries.
Cost
Turkey wins convincingly on price. The Turkish lira’s sustained weakness has made Turkey exceptional value for Western Europeans, Americans, and most other international visitors - prices that would be considered budget in Athens are solidly mid-range in Istanbul.
| Expense | Turkey (approximate) | Greece (approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Midrange hotel (per night) | ₺1,500–4,000 (€45–110) | €90–200 |
| Dinner per person with wine | ₺200–450 (€6–15) | €25–50 |
| Museum/site entry | ₺300–1,500 (€9–45) | €8–25 |
| Local transport (city) | ₺12–18 per journey | €1.50–2.50 per journey |
| Domestic flight | ₺400–1,200 (€12–36) | €50–130 |
A week’s holiday in Turkey (midrange) typically costs 30–50% less than the equivalent in Greece, and up to 60% less compared to premium Greek islands like Mykonos or Santorini. The gap is widest for accommodation and eating out; it narrows slightly for international flights since both countries are similarly connected.
Greece, particularly the islands, has become expensive - comparable to southern France or coastal Italy in peak season. The Cycladic islands in particular have seen significant price inflation driven by tourism demand.
History and Ancient Sites
Both countries are extraordinary for history. Choose your priority:
Greece: The Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens (entry approximately €20, pre-book online to skip queues), Delphi (one of antiquity’s most atmospheric sites, €12), Olympia (birthplace of the Olympic Games, €12), the Bronze Age citadel of Mycenae, and Knossos on Crete (€15) - the largest surviving Minoan palace. The National Archaeological Museum in Athens (€12) is a world-class collection covering 5,000 years. Santorini’s prehistoric Akrotiri site (€12) was buried by a volcanic eruption around 1600 BC and is extraordinarily well-preserved. Most Greek archaeological sites include entry to the associated museum.
Turkey: Ephesus near Selçuk (entry approximately ₺1,500, €45 - the most complete Greco-Roman city outside Italy), Troy on the Aegean coast (₺400), Pergamon above İzmir (₺700), Hierapolis at Pamukkale with its white travertine terraces (₺700), and the underground cities of Cappadocia (Derinkuyu, ₺250). Istanbul alone contains Hagia Sophia (now a mosque, about €25 for foreign visitors), Topkapı Palace (about €55), the Basilica Cistern (about €38), and the Istanbul Archaeological Museum (₺600) - all within walking distance of each other. Turkey also holds more Hittite sites (Hattuşa, Alacahöyük) than anywhere else in the world.
Verdict: Both countries are exceptional. For sheer diversity of civilisations - Hittite, Phrygian, Lydian, Greco-Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman - Turkey has the edge. For the iconic Western narrative of ancient Greece, Greece is irreplaceable.
For Turkey, Istanbul tours and Ephesus tours skip the ticket queues, and our best Turkey tours guide has more. Hotels for each side: Search hotels in Greece or search hotels in Turkey.
Beaches
Greece: The island beaches are genuinely world-class for water clarity and scenery. Porto Katsiki on Lefkada (limestone cliffs dropping to turquoise water) and Myrtos on Kefalonia are frequently cited among Europe’s finest. Milos island has extraordinary variety - Sarakiniko’s white volcanic rock formations, Firiplaka, and Tsigrado. Elafonisi and Balos on Crete’s southwest coast offer pink-tinged sand and shallow lagoons. The Cyclades consistently deliver the turquoise Aegean colour that defines Mediterranean holiday imagery. Sunbeds at organised beaches cost approximately €10–25/day on most islands; free public beach access is always available nearby.
Turkey: The Turquoise Coast from Bodrum to Antalya is equally beautiful, less developed, and significantly less crowded than the popular Greek islands. Ölüdeniz’s Blue Lagoon near Fethiye is one of Turkey’s most photographed spots - a sheltered lagoon protected as a national park (entry approximately ₺30). Patara near Kaş has 18km of undeveloped sand backed by ancient Lycian ruins - one of the longest uninterrupted beaches in Turkey. Kaputaş, cut between limestone cliffs on the road between Kaş and Kalkan, is accessible by stairs from the road. The coves of the Datça and Bozburun peninsulas reward those with a rental car in Turkey.
Verdict: Greece for iconic island scenery and water clarity; Turkey for less-crowded beaches and lower beach costs.
Food
Turkey has one of the world’s most underrated food traditions. The Turkish breakfast - simit, olives, white cheese, tomato, cucumber, eggs, honey, kaymak, and a dozen small plates - is an institution, and a proper breakfast at a Van-style café is worth the trip on its own. The mezze tradition (meze) covers everything from stuffed vine leaves to cacık to muhammara (walnut-pepper spread). Fish restaurants line the Bosphorus in Istanbul, the Aegean coast, and every harbour town on the Mediterranean. Kebab varieties are genuinely different by region - Adana kebab (spicy, chargrilled), İskender (döner over bread with tomato sauce and butter), and testi kebabı (clay pot, Cappadocia) are each distinct dishes. A mid-range dinner for two with rakı costs approximately ₺600–1,200 depending on location.
Greece is the original Mediterranean diet in practice. Its strength is ingredients over technique: fresh-caught fish grilled simply, olive oil used lavishly, feta and graviera cheese, wild herbs, honey from mountain thyme. The Cycladic islands offer excellent seafood tavernas. Athens has a serious restaurant scene - Diporto Agoras for traditional lunch, Varoulko for modern seafood, neighbourhood tavernas in Monastiraki for everyday eating. A taverna dinner for two with wine costs approximately €45–80.
Verdict: Turkey for variety and value; Greece for simplicity and outstanding seafood at the source.
Ease of Travel
Greece is straightforward but requires planning for island travel. The Athens–island ferry system is efficient and extensive - Blue Star Ferries and Hellenic Seaways connect the Cyclades, Dodecanese, and Ionian islands. Ferry tickets are bookable online. Flying between islands is possible with Olympic Air, Sky Express, and Aegean. Athens International Airport handles most inbound flights.
Turkey has excellent internal transport at very competitive prices. Turkish Airlines domestic flights connect Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman, Cappadocia (Nevşehir and Kayseri), and Ankara - domestic tickets from approximately ₺400–1,200 one way. Intercity buses (Metro Turizm, Pamukkale Turizm) are cheap, comfortable, and well-organised. Coastal dolmuş and minibuses serve beach resort areas.
Both countries are genuinely easy for independent travellers. English is widely spoken in tourist areas in both countries; less so in rural Turkey than rural Greece. Google Translate handles Turkish with reasonable accuracy for practical needs.
Can You Visit Both?
Yes - and for travellers with 2+ weeks, combining Greece and Turkey is one of the best Aegean itineraries available.
By ferry (Aegean coast connections): Several island-to-coast ferry routes make a combined trip practical without flying:
- Bodrum–Kos: Daily crossings, approximately 1 hour, May–October (€20–35 one way)
- Kuşadası–Samos: Daily crossings, approximately 1.5 hours, April–October (€25–40)
- Marmaris–Rhodes: Daily crossings, approximately 1 hour, April–October (€30–45)
- Çeşme–Chios: Year-round crossings, approximately 45 minutes (€25–35) - the only route operating in winter
By air: Istanbul–Athens takes approximately 1.5 hours. Return tickets from approximately €60–100 with budget airlines or Turkish Airlines. A practical itinerary: start in Athens, island-hop through the Cyclades, take a ferry to the Turkish Aegean coast, then travel inland to Istanbul or Cappadocia before flying home.
Note that rental cars generally cannot be taken between countries - if driving is part of your plan, you will need to hire in each country separately.
Verdict
Both countries are outstanding. The choice typically comes down to travel style and priorities:
Choose Turkey if:
- Budget is a primary concern - Turkey is 30–50% cheaper across all categories
- You want a wider variety of landscapes within one trip (Istanbul + Cappadocia + the coast)
- Less-crowded beaches appeal more than the iconic (but busy) Greek islands
- Historical breadth matters - Turkey spans more civilisations in one country
- Winter travel is on the cards - Turkey has strong year-round appeal; Greece largely closes outside summer
Choose Greece if:
- Island-hopping the Cyclades or Ionian islands is the goal
- You want the definitive Mediterranean island experience - whitewashed villages, turquoise bays, clear Aegean water
- European infrastructure and EU membership simplifies logistics (particularly for UK and US travellers post-Brexit)
- The Acropolis and classical Greek history are central to your trip
For families: Turkey edges ahead - the all-inclusive resort infrastructure around Antalya and Belek is exceptionally developed, with kids’ clubs, water parks, and child-friendly transport at scale. Greek island ferries with young children require more planning; island infrastructure outside the main Cyclades is limited. Athens with children is manageable and rewarding, but the island-hopping circuit suits older children more than young ones.
For solo travellers: Both work well, but Turkey offers lower costs and richer independent street life. Istanbul’s neighbourhoods (Kadiköy, Balat, Cihangir) reward solo exploration without the feeling of paying premium prices for a single room. Greece’s islands in high season skew toward couples and groups; solo surcharges are common in Greek island accommodation.
For first-time visitors to the region: Start with Turkey if budget is important and you want maximum variety in one trip. Start with Greece if the Acropolis and island-hopping are the specific goals and the cost premium is acceptable. Either country delivers an outstanding introduction to the Eastern Mediterranean.
Do both: Turkey wins for cost; Greece wins for island ease. Combined, they cover the full Eastern Mediterranean arc. The Bodrum–Kos or Kuşadası–Samos ferry crossing is one of the most convenient ways to move between them without flying.
Visa Requirements
Turkey: Citizens of the UK, EU, USA, Canada, and Australia can enter Turkey visa-free for 90 days. Other nationalities may need the official e-visa portal, not third-party sites.
Greece (Schengen): EU citizens enter freely. Non-EU visitors from the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand enter visa-free for 90 days within the Schengen Area. The same Schengen allowance applies across all 27 Schengen countries.
Combining both: Turkey’s 90-day allowance is separate from Schengen’s 90-day allowance. Visitors can theoretically take 90 days in Greece/Schengen and 90 days in Turkey in the same 180-day period, though this requires planning. Flying Istanbul–Athens (1.5 hours) is the most common combination.
Weather and Timing
| Season | Turkey | Greece |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Apr–May) | 18–26°C, uncrowded, Aegean coast ideal | 17–23°C, good weather, most sites open |
| Early summer (Jun) | 24–32°C, warm sea, busy coastal resorts | 22–28°C, excellent - before peak crowds |
| Peak summer (Jul–Aug) | 30–40°C coast and interior, very crowded | 28–35°C, extremely busy everywhere |
| Autumn (Sep–Oct) | 22–32°C, warm sea, much quieter | 20–28°C, warm, ferry schedules reduced |
| Winter (Nov–Mar) | Istanbul, Cappadocia still excellent | Athens open; most islands largely closed |
Best months for both: May–June and September–October. Shoulder season in this region means 22–28°C, clear water, and significantly fewer crowds on both sides.
Turkey’s year-round advantage: Istanbul and Cappadocia operate as strong winter destinations. November through February brings cooler temperatures (Istanbul averages 8–12°C) but the cultural sights are at their best - museum queues disappear, balloon flights over Cappadocia work in clear winter air, and Istanbul’s restaurants and tea houses gain a different atmosphere. Greece’s island infrastructure largely shuts down from November to March; Athens remains open and is worth visiting in winter, but the island experience is unavailable.
Timing for combining both: May or September is ideal for a combined Greece–Turkey Aegean itinerary - warm enough for swimming at both, uncrowded enough to move freely.
Planning Turkey Further
- Turkey vs Egypt - which to visit?
- First-time visitor guide to Turkey
- Istanbul travel guide - Hagia Sophia, the Bosphorus, and the Grand Bazaar
- Ephesus guide - arguably the best Roman city outside Italy
- Turkey travel costs and budgets
- Best time to visit Turkey
Essential extras: An eSIM for Turkey from Airalo gives you mobile data from the moment you land - no airport SIM queue, no physical card. Travel insurance for Turkey should cover medical costs; Turkish private hospitals charge full rates for uninsured visitors.
Plan Your Trip
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