Tour Detail
3 Nights, 4 Days
An Enchanting Winter Fairytale with Istanbul Departure International Tours: Thessaloniki and Sofia Christmas Markets Tour
If you want to experience the excitement of the New Year in different cultures and discover the captivating atmosphere of winter in historic cities, routes departing from Istanbul are just right for you! Istanbul departure international tours, offering a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience, open brand-new doors for travel lovers during the winter season.
In particular, the Thessaloniki and Sofia Christmas Markets Tour offers a wonderful opportunity to explore the winter glow, historic streets and colorful New Year markets of neighboring countries. You can review the details of this magnificent tour below, focused entirely on cultural discovery and winter landscapes.
Istanbul Departure International Tours: Thessaloniki - Sofia Christmas Markets Route
This special tour program allows you to visit two established cities of the Balkans during the most colorful period of the winter season. Among the Istanbul departure international tours, the highlights of this tour, one of the most preferred winter routes, day by day:
Day 1: Thessaloniki, the Capital of History and Winter Glow (Greece)
Istanbul departure international tours begin with comfort, and the first stop of the journey is Thessaloniki, famous as the jewel of the Aegean and for its historical richness.
- Important Places to See: The house where Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was born, the city's symbol the White Tower, Aristotle Square, the Rotunda, the Arch of Galerius and the historic Ladadika district are explored panoramically.
- As the New Year approaches, you can stroll through the brilliantly decorated squares of Thessaloniki and browse the winter-themed souvenir stands.
Day 2: Winter Journey from Thessaloniki to Sofia (Bulgaria)
After breakfast, the journey heads toward Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, accompanied by unique mountain scenery.
- Important Places to See: Upon arriving in Sofia, you visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which enchants with its magnificent architecture, the historic St. Nedelya Church, the Russian Church, and the Banya Bashi Mosque, an Ottoman heritage.
- You can take a winter walk along Vitosha Boulevard, the city's main avenue, and taste traditional flavors.
Day 3: Sofia Christmas Markets and Cultural Discovery (Bulgaria)
On this day of the tour, the focus is entirely on Sofia's historical fabric and New Year atmosphere.
- Christmas Markets Experience: You stroll through the colorful Christmas markets set up in the city center; handmade wooden decorations, local winter snacks and souvenirs are discovered.
- Iconic structures of the city such as the Archaeological Museum, the National Theatre and Sofia University are seen up close.
Day 4: Return Journey
- Following the enjoyable tour full of unforgettable memories, transfer to the airport is provided and you return to Istanbul with Istanbul departure international tours.
Why Should You Choose This Winter Tour?
- Sparkling Winter Atmosphere: You get the chance to observe the New Year preparations and lively squares of neighboring cities firsthand.
- Rich History and Architecture: You can see many historical works together, from Ottoman traces to Byzantine ruins.
- Easy Transportation: Thanks to Istanbul departure international tours, you enjoy your holiday directly without dealing with flight and accommodation planning.
To experience the peace of the winter season and the excitement of the New Year in neighboring geographies, you too can review the Istanbul departure international tours options and reserve your place right away!
Tour Program
01 Istanbul - Ipsala
Meeting Points:
22:00 Kadıköy Marriage Registry Office Parking Lot
22:30 In front of Mecidiyeköy İstikbal-Altunbaş
23:00 In front of İncirli Ömür Plaza
23:45 In front of Silivri Vega Mall
01:00 Tekirdağ Namık Kemal Rest Area
After meeting with our guests at the departure points specified in the tour program, we proceed along the Tekirdağ – Malkara – Keşan – İpsala route, taking necessary breaks, and arrive at the İpsala Land Border Gate. Following the exit procedures we complete there, we cross over the Meriç River and arrive at the Greek Kipi Land Border Gate. After our passport and customs procedures there, we enter Greece.
02 Ipsala - Kavala - Drama - Thessaloniki
Yunanistan’a girişimizin ardından yol üzerinde kahvaltı molası veriyoruz. Molanın ardından, Kavala’ya doğru hareket ediyoruz. Kavala’ya varışımızın ardından panoramik şehir turumuza başlıyoruz. Eski şehre doğru giderken ilk göreceğimiz yer Aziz Nikola Kilisesi’dir. 1530 yılında Kanuni Sultan Süleyman tarafından İbrahim Paşa adına yaptırılan camii, 1926 yılında minaresi kısaltılarak çan kulesine dönüştürülüyor ve kiliseye çevriliyor ve önüne Hristiyan mozaikleri ekleniyor. Turumuzda göreceğimiz diğer tarihi yerler: Kavala Kalesi, Kavalalı Mehmet Ali Paşa’nın evi, günümüzde otel olarak kullanılan imaret, su kemeri ve kale içindeki eski şehir. Panoramik Kavala şehir turumuzun sonrasında dileyen misafirlerimiz ekstra olarak düzenlenecek olan Drama Noel Pazarı Köyü (15 €) turuna katılabilirler. Tur sonrası Yunanistan’ın başkenti Atina’dan sonra en büyük kenti olan Selanik’e doğru yola çıkıyoruz. Selanik‘e varışımızın ardından Selanik’in en büyük Kilisesi olan Aya Dimitros Kilisesi ve Atatürk evini ziyaret ediyoruz. Ardından panaromik şehir turumuzu gerçekleştiriyoruz. Kordon, Beyaz Kule, Döner Kule, Fuar, Büyük İskender heykeli, Yedi Kule, Roma döneminden kalan Galeriyos'un Zafer Tak'ını (Kamara), Rotonda, Bey Hamamı, Hamza Bey Camii’ni panoramik olarak görüyoruz. Tur sonrası meydanda bulunan Noel pazarını gezmeniz için serbest zaman veriyoruz. Verilecek serbest zaman sonrası otelimize doğru hareket ediyoruz. Otele varışımızın ardından check in işlemlerimizi gerçekleştiriyoruz. Akşam dileyen misafirlerimiz ekstra olarak düzenlenecek olan Yunan Tavernası turuna katılabilirler (Taverna Turu: 60 €). Tavernaya katılmak istemeyen misafirlerimiz otobüsle merkeze ulaşım sağlayabilirler (Transfer ücreti 10 €). Taverna turumuz sonrasında otele dönüş ve konaklama Selanik’teki otelimizde.
03 Thessaloniki - Sofia
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Sofia. On the way, guests who wish may join the Rila Monastery tour (25 €). Built in the 10th century, Rila Monastery is Bulgaria’s largest monastery and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the monastery visit, we continue to Sofia. Upon arrival, we begin our city tour. Places to be seen include St. Nedelya Church, the Rotunda Church, the Russian Church, St. Sophia Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Prime Minister’s Office and Parliament buildings, Sofia University, the National Palace of Culture, and Banyabaşı Mosque, designed by Mimar Sinan. After the tour, free time to visit the Christmas market. Then we proceed to our hotel. Accommodation at our hotel in Sofia. In the evening, guests who wish may join the dinner included Bulgarian Night tour (55 €). Guests who do not wish to attend the Bulgarian Night may go to the center by bus (transfer fee 10 €). After our tavern tour, return to the hotel and overnight stay at our hotel in Sofia.
04 Sofya - Plovdiv - Istanbul
After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we will visit Plovdiv, the second-largest city in Bulgaria, where the sights include Nebet Tepe, the Old Town, Battenberg Street, Argir Kuyumdzhioglu’s House (Ethnographic Museum), Ottoman houses, the amphitheater, the Cuma Mosque, and Cuma Square. After the city tour and free time, we will head toward the Kapıkule Border Gate. Upon arrival, we will complete our passport and customs procedures, shop at the duty-free store, and then depart for Istanbul. After arriving in Istanbul, we will drop off our guests at the designated points on the tour program along the return route and conclude our tour. We hope to see you again on our next trips…
What's Included
- Transportation by bus
- 2 nights accommodation in 3*- 4* hotels with breakfast included
- Panoramic city tours and transfers included in the program
Not Included
- Exit tax for international travel
- Visa fee and service charge
- Overseas Travel Health Insurance
- Lunches and dinners
- Optional excursions noted as extra in the program
- Museum and archaeological site entrance fees (Optional)
- Driver and guide tips (Optional)