Athens vs Istanbul: Akropolis or Hagia Sophia?
Athens is 3000 year westerse beschaving: Akropolis, Parthenon. Istanbul is located on two continenten: Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, Bosporus.
Athens
Athens is 3000 year history bovenop a lively Mediterrane city: Akropolis on the horizon, Plaka-taverns with live bouzouki and beach bars on still no 30 minutes or the center.
Flight from NL: €90 return
View Athens →Istanbul
Istanbul is located on two continenten: European west-zijde with the Hagia Sophia, Asian east-zijde with quiet theehuizen. Bazaars, Bosporus-veerboten and the best kebab outside Anatolië.
Flight from NL: €100 return
View Istanbul →Best time to visit compared
Athens
April-June and September-October are perfect: 20-28°C, milde sun and kortere rijen at the Akropolis. July and August are 35°C+, combine eventueel with a eilandhopper. November-March is cheap but wisselvallig.
Istanbul
April to June and September to October: 18-25 degrees, perfecte temperature for walking. July and August are 30+ and very busy. Winter is cheap, sometimes rain or snow.
Flights + transfer from the Netherlands
Athens
From Schiphol to Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) in 3 hour 15 minutes. KLM, Aegean Airlines. From airport: metro €9 or bus X95 €5,50. Locally: metro/bus €1,20, 24-hour pass €4,10.
Istanbul
Directly from Schiphol to Istanbul (IST) in 3 hour 30 minutes. Turkish Airlines, KLM. Havaist bus to center €5 in 90 minutes.
Costs compared
Athens
Hostels from €20, mid-range hotels €75-110, vacation rentals €85 per night. Food: gyros pita €3-4, lunch in taverna €10-15, mezzeavond €25-30.
Istanbul
Hostels from €15, mid-range hotels €50 to 90, vacation rentals €60 per night. Food: kebab €5, lunch €8, dinner €15 to 25, çay (thee) €0,50.
Who is it for?
Choose Athens if you are...
History-fans (klassieke oudheid), basis for Griekse islands.
Choose Istanbul if you are...
Culture-mengelmoes-zoekers, bazar-shoppers, exotische vibe-lovers.
Our verdict
Istanbul is cheaper and has lake in te see. Athens is overzichtelijker. Flight between 1.5u, €70.