12 days in Istanbul & Montpellier Itinerary

A physical and cultural bridge between Europe and Asia, the transcontinental city of Istanbul serves as a living reminder of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.

Istanbul is known for historic sites, museums, and shopping. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: admire the landmark architecture of Hagia Sophia, appreciate the extensive heritage of Sultanahmet District, get engrossed in the history at Topkapi Palace, and take a stroll through Ortakoy.

To see other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, read Istanbul trip planner.

Dublin, Ireland to Istanbul is an approximately 8-hour flight. You can also do a combination of ferry and car; or do a combination of ferry, train, bus, and taxi. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 3 hours traveling from Dublin to Istanbul. Plan for somewhat warmer nights when traveling from Dublin in December since evenings lows in Istanbul dip to 7°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Thu) early enough to fly to Montpellier.

"Montpellier is a modern, compact, and fast-growing city about 10 km (6 mi) inland from the Mediterranean coast with an active, youthful vibe.

Explore Montpellier's surroundings by going to Avignon (Musee Calvet, Pont d'Avignon, &more), Carrieres des Lumieres (in Les Baux de Provence) and Promenade a Cheval La Marisma (in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer). There's still lots to do: walk around Maison de la Nature, don't miss a visit to Chateau de L'Hauture, do a tasting at Domain du Banneret, and catch a live event at Arenes de Nimes.

To see ratings, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Montpellier trip app.

Traveling by flight from Istanbul to Montpellier takes 9.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Istanbul to Montpellier, you'll gain 2 hours due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Istanbul in December, plan for somewhat warmer days in Montpellier, with highs around 15°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Tue) to allow time to fly back home.