🫒 The Aegean Towns in Colour

SELÇUK & EPHESUS

1–2 days · 1 hour south of İzmir by train or bus

Selçuk is a small, friendly town at the gate of Ephesus. Stay here to visit the ruins early, before the tour buses.

1. Ephesus (Efes)

   The Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre for 24,000 people and a marble street where you walk like a Roman. Pay extra for the Terrace Houses, with mosaics and painted walls.

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2. Ephesus Museum

   Statues of Artemis and finds from the ancient city, in the centre of Selçuk.

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3. Basilica of St John

   The ruins of a huge church over the tomb of St John, on the hill under the castle.

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4. Temple of Artemis

   One lonely column is all that remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Storks nest on top.

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5. House of the Virgin Mary

   A small stone house in the forest where, by tradition, Mary spent her last years.

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ŞİRİNCE

Half a day · 8 km above Selçuk

1. Şirince village

   White and stone houses on a green hillside, a former Greek village. Taste the fruit wines: blackberry, peach, melon.

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2. Church of St John the Baptist

   An old church at the top of the village with a view over the valley.

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💡 Local tip: Buy olive oil soap and homemade jams from the village women.

PAMUKKALE & HIERAPOLIS

1 day + sunset · 3 hours east of Selçuk

"Cotton castle": white terraces of calcium with warm blue water, and an ancient spa city on top.

1. The travertines

   Walk barefoot up the white terraces in the warm water. Shoes are not allowed on the white stone.

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2. Hierapolis

   A Roman spa city with a huge theatre and a city of tombs (necropolis).

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3. Antique Pool (Cleopatra's Pool)

   Swim in warm mineral water over fallen Roman columns. Extra ticket.

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4. Sunset on the terraces

   Stay until sunset, when the white rock turns pink and gold.

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ALAÇATI & ÇEŞME

2 days · 1 hour west of İzmir

1. Alaçatı old town

   Stone houses with blue and green shutters, bougainvillea, boutiques and cafés.

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2. Alaçatı windmills

   Old windmills on the hill. Alaçatı is also one of the best windsurfing spots in Europe.

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3. Çeşme Castle

   An Ottoman castle over the harbour, with a small museum.

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4. Ilıca Beach

   Shallow, clear water, and warm springs in the sea.

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💡 Local tip: Alaçatı is very busy in July and August. Late spring and September are the sweet spot.

BERGAMA (PERGAMON)

1 day · 1.5 hours north of İzmir

1. Pergamon Acropolis

   Take the cable car up to a royal city on a mountain top: the Temple of Trajan and the steepest ancient theatre in the world.

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2. Asklepion

   A famous healing centre of the ancient world, where the doctor Galen worked.

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3. Red Basilica (Kızıl Avlu)

   A giant red-brick temple to the Egyptian gods in the middle of town.

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AYVALIK & CUNDA

2 days · 2 hours north of İzmir

1. Ayvalık old town

   Stone Greek houses with coloured doors, old churches turned into mosques, and the smell of olive oil.

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2. Cunda Island

   Connected by a bridge. Windmills, harbour restaurants and the Taksiyarhis Church museum.

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3. Şeytan Sofrası (Devil's Table)

   A hilltop with a view over hundreds of islands. The best sunset on the coast.

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4. Ayvalık weekly market

   Olives, cheese, herbs and village food. Ask your hotel for the day.

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💡 Local tip: Eat an Ayvalık tost, the famous overloaded toastie with sucuk, cheese and pickles.

ASSOS (BEHRAMKALE)

1–2 days · 1 hour north of Ayvalık

1. Temple of Athena

   On top of a volcanic hill, looking across to the Greek island of Lesbos. Aristotle lived and taught here.

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2. Assos harbour

   Stone hotels and fish restaurants right on the water below the ancient city.

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