Aegean Travel Guide
The Library of Celsus, Ephesus. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
The Aegean region pairs Turkey's greatest classical ruins with its most relaxed coast. Ephesus is the best-preserved Greco-Roman city in the Mediterranean; inland, Pamukkale's white travertine terraces cascade above the ruins of Hierapolis.
The coast runs from Çeşme's windsurf beaches through Kuşadası to Bodrum's castle and marina, and down to Marmaris. Inland: Pergamon's acropolis, the village of Şirince, and the olive groves and fig orchards of the hinterland.
Destinations in Aegean
EphesusThe Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, the Terrace Houses.
PamukkaleThe white travertine terraces above Hierapolis, a UNESCO site since 1988.
Bodrum CastleThe 15th-century Castle of St. Peter and its Museum of Underwater Archaeology.
PergamonThe acropolis above Bergama: the steepest ancient theatre in the world.- HierapolisThe Roman spa city above the travertines: the theatre and Cleopatra's Pool.
Bodrum marina and old townWhitewashed streets, the marina, and the Mausoleum's last stones.
ŞirinceThe old Greek village above Selçuk: fruit wines and olive oil.
Çeşme and AlaçatıWind, stone houses and the Aegean's best windsurfing.
House of the Virgin MaryThe hillside shrine near Ephesus, a pilgrimage site since the 19th century.
Temple of ArtemisA single column stands where one of the Seven Wonders stood.
KuşadasıThe cruise port and beach town, 20 minutes from Ephesus.
Hover a region to explore it. Click a city pin to open its guide.
Top Cities & towns in Aegean
Regional food
- Aegean olive oil dishes: zeytinyağlılar, artichokes, herbs
- Kumru sandwich in Izmir (Çeşme's sesame-ring sandwich)
- Boyoz (Izmir's Sephardic pastry)
Getting there
Izmir Adnan Menderes (ADB) is the air gateway; Bodrum-Milas (BJV) serves the peninsula. Trains and buses link Izmir with Selçuk (Ephesus, about an hour) and Denizli (Pamukkale, about 4 hours). Ferries connect the coast with the Greek islands.