A travel guide covering our post-cruise week in Athens, Greece, and Istanbul, Turkey. Highlights include climbing the Acropolis, watching the Athens Marathon, taking a free tour of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia, and walking across the Bosphorus Bridge from Europe to Asia.
From the Acropolis to the Bosphorus: Exploring Athens and Istanbul
After 21 days of non-stop ports on our Mediterranean cruise, we were ready for a slower pace. We planned three days in Athens, three days in Istanbul, before catching a red-eye to Kathmandu. I'm writing this now from the Istanbul Sabiha Airport, reflecting on a whirlwind week that took us from the cradle of democracy to the crossroads of two continents.
Athens, Greece: History and the Marathon
In Athens, we had the luxury of three full days to explore, which felt generous after the cruise. We started by downloading free Rick Steves audio tours onto my iPad—a fantastic, inexpensive way to explore the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, and the National Archeological Museum without paying for site audio guides.
Arrival and Logistics
Getting from the port in Piraeus to our hostel near Victoria Square was surprisingly easy and cheap: a city bus followed by a short metro ride, costing significantly less than the 30€ taxi fare others paid. After a quick internet session, we ventured out to discover the city.
The Original Marathon
During our first day, we ran into the noise of the Athens Marathon. This race is the original marathon, running 26 miles from Marathon, Greece, to the city. We watched the gruelling finish from the ancient Palladium Stadium (refurbished for the 2004 Olympics), cheering on exhausted runners—many of whom were Kenyans, dominating the top spots.
Ancient Sites and Greek Cuisine
We purchased a ticket that included admission to the Acropolis and six other major sites, valid for four days. The climb to the Acropolis (literally meaning "high city") was worth it, especially seeing the Parthenon up close. I even managed to capture a dramatic photo of the site as lightning briefly lit up the sky.
I was thrilled to finally have authentic Greek food. I loved the Greek salad, served with a solid block of feta cheese, olive oil, and oregano. The next day, we discovered a small restaurant near our hostel serving delicious gyros and Greek salad—a meal I thought "had died and gone to heaven."
Istanbul, Turkey: The Crossroads of Continents
Our mid-afternoon flight to Istanbul brought a surprise: a mandatory visa costing 45€ each for our four-day stay. Our hostel in Istanbul was incredible, featuring a rooftop terrace overlooking the sea and a perfect location near the major historical sites.
Turkish Delights and Free Tours
Our first Turkish meal was a delight, featuring a huge, inflated pita bread served with hummus and tzatziki, followed by our main course and complimentary tea. All for about $11.
On our first full day, we took a free walking tour, visiting major landmarks: the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Basilica Cistern, and the Grand Bazaar. Afterwards, we grabbed simple but delicious fish sandwiches near the port—fish caught and fried right there on a rocking boat.
Slow Travel and Bucket Lists
The intense pace of travel finally caught up to us, leading to a much-needed slow day where even the hostel manager asked if we were sick! We eventually rallied for an evening stroll around Sultanahmet Square.
The final day brought a bucket-list experience: walking from Europe to Asia across the Bosphorus Bridge. Istanbul is the only city in the world divided by two continents. We explored the new Asian side and the old European side, ending the day with one last delicious Turkish meal before our midnight flight to Nepal.
Reflections: Our time in Greece and Turkey was a fascinating study in contrasts—ancient ruins next to modern marathons in Athens, and the cultural mix of Greek, Ottoman, and contemporary life in Istanbul. After weeks of history and remarkable meals, we were ready for a drastic change of scenery.
Next Stop: Kathmandu, Nepal, and a whole new kind of adventure.
