Stopover Europe: Where to Go with One Istanbul Ticket

Your gateway to Europe doesn’t start in Paris or Rome—it begins with a flight to Istanbul. Whether you’re coming from Dubai or Dublin, this city bridges continents and centuries with every step. You’ll land in a metropolis where minarets meet modernity, where Turkish cuisine tempts you before you’ve even reached baggage claim. Istanbul isn’t just a destination—it’s your launchpad for exploring the continent.

With Pegasus Airlines, it’s easy to stretch your itinerary without stretching your budget. You can fly into Türkiye’s cultural capital and easily connect to other cities. While you fly, settle into Pegasus Cafe, Pegasus Airlines’ onboard food service that gives you a taste of Türkiye at 30,000 feet. Planning to bring along something special from your trip? Be sure to check the baggage allowance page—especially handy if you’re carrying hiking gear, local crafts, or a few treats from the Pegasus Cafe. Looking for more comfort or flexibility? An upgrade package may be the perfect fit.

For Food Lovers: From Istanbul to Europe’s Tastiest Tables

Your food adventure doesn’t have to end in Türkiye. Grab a cheap flight to Bologna and tuck into bowls of handmade tortellini under the arches of medieval streets. You’ll wander from market to trattoria, all under the shadow of the city’s famous towers.

Or head to the coast with a cheap flight to Marseille, where bouillabaisse bubbles in seaside bistros and fresh oysters come with sea views and rosé. This town didn’t inspire Alexandre Dumas’ the Count of Monte Cristo for nothing, with stunning views, a culture all its own, and a foodie paradise to match it all.

• Most popular stop for foodies: Paris
• Off-the-beaten-path option: Marseille’s fish markets and tiny bistros

For History Buffs: Istanbul to the Ancient World

You’ve just touched down in the city where empires met—why not keep the journey going? After taking in Istanbul’s domes and ruins, hop on a cheap flight to Athens and wander the Acropolis, where the columns whisper stories of democracy and myth.

Continue your historical trek with a cheap flight to Yerevan, where Soviet history and ancient churches collide in a landscape unlike any other. Or fly from Istanbul to cheap flights to Cairo, trading the Bosphorus for the Nile and boarding a felucca after seeing the pyramids. Each destination takes your history book off the shelf and brings it to life. Don’t forget to scan the baggage allowance page—you might just be bringing home a few stone-carved memories.

• Most popular stop for history lovers: Athens
• Off-the-beaten-path option: Yerevan’s mountaintop temples

For Coastline Dreamers: From the Bosphorus to the Beach

If Istanbul’s waterside strolls leave you craving more sea breeze, hop on a cheap flight to Dubrovnik, where fortress walls meet sparkling Adriatic views. Swim in hidden coves, eat fresh seafood with your toes in the sand, and toast the sunset with a glass of local wine.

Or fly to France’s southern gem with a cheap flight to Nice, where the pebbled beaches, pastel architecture, and Provencal flavors seduce you from the moment you land. Prefer Croatia’s vibe? A cheap flight to Split is your ticket to island hopping and Roman ruins by the sea. Istanbul may be the gateway, but your dream shore awaits.

• Most popular stop for beach lovers: Dubrovnik
• Off-the-beaten-path option: Split’s island adventures

For Off-the-Beaten-Path Explorers: From Istanbul to the Underrated

You’re not the tour-bus type. So after a plate of menemen at Pegasus Cafe, trade Istanbul’s bustle for a cheap flight to Tbilisi, where wine flows in underground taverns and cobblestoned alleys lead to thermal baths.

Get curious in Chisinau with a cheap flight to Chisinau, where quiet parks and Soviet-era charm reward the observant traveler. Or board a cheap flight to Skopje, where surreal statues and Ottoman echoes collide in North Macedonia’s quirky capital. Each stop is a surprise—and all just a flight from Türkiye.

• Most popular stop for curious adventurers: Tbilisi
• Off-the-beaten-path option: Moldova’s countryside monasteries

For Culture Seekers: Museums, Music, and Mosques

Start in Istanbul’s buzzing Karaköy district, where galleries and converted hammams blur the line between tradition and trend. Then take a cheap flight to Vienna to hear Mozart’s notes echo through grand concert halls, or sip coffee beneath Klimt’s golden gaze.

Need something grittier? A cheap flight to Belgrade takes you to art-splashed streets, underground jazz bars, and contemporary museums tucked into former factories. Istanbul starts the story; your next stop writes the next scene.

• Most popular stop for culture lovers: Vienna
• Off-the-beaten-path option: Belgrade’s gallery-filled warehouses

For Nature Lovers: From City Lights to Mountain Hikes

After tracing the Bosphorus, lace up your boots for alpine air. A cheap flight to Zurich from Istanbul gets you into the Swiss Alps in no time—picture snow-dusted trails, mirror lakes, and wildflower picnics.

Craving something wilder? A cheap flight to Cluj-Napoca drops you near Romania’s Carpathians, where legends of Dracula give way to real-life bear sightings and hushed forests. With Türkiye as your springboard, you don’t have to choose between culture and nature—you get both.

• Most popular stop for mountain lovers: Zurich
• Off-the-beaten-path option: Romania’s highland villages

From culinary layovers to ancient temples, hidden beaches to art-filled cities, every journey from Istanbul opens up a new world. Whether you’re packing hiking boots or opera tickets, the best adventures begin with one flight—and one smart stopover. Let Pegasus guide the way. ✈️