15 essential places to see and visit in the Aegean Coast (Türkiye)

Un trip along the Aegean coast en Türkiye It is one of the most exciting cultural itineraries that can be done in the entire region of Mediterranean coast.

In reality, very few routes in the world can compare with this area for the number and importance of places with high historical and artistic value.

This coastline and the lands immediately inland tell a story that spans 5 years.

This is where the heroes and myths of Homer come to life, where two of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world and where there are many places inscribed on the lists, both World Heritage for the Unesco, as well as the cultural assets that aspire to enter it.

Beyond some of the most important centers of Greek and Roman history, in this coastal region we can visit great modern cities full of life and monuments, natural wonders y charming towns.

Although most famous beaches in Türkiye They are located further south, here we will also find, if we wish, good places to rest and take a bath.

There are so many attractive places on this route that the traveler can dedicate as much time as necessary.

Places to see and visit in the Aegean Coast in Türkiye

We have made a selection of 15 stages between Çanakkale y Bodrum to help define what, without a doubt, would be one of the most exciting cultural trips that can be done today, visiting numerous declared sites Heritage.

Çanakkale

Located at the narrowest point of the Dardanelles, has been a transit point between Europe and Asia for millennia.

The area surrounding the port is the most attractive, since Çanakkale It is a perfect base for visiting Gallipoli and Troy.

Gallipoli

A short journey of the Dardanelles takes us from Çanakkale to gallipoli peninsula, in the European side of Türkiye.

Here we can make a route through the battlefields of one of the bloodiest campaigns of the World War I, which is known for some movies.

The area, of great natural beauty, is a national historical park created in recognition of its enormous importance.

The Gallipoli battlefields are registered on the tentative list of the World Heritage for the Unesco.

Troy

One of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, is the backdrop of the Iliad, the first work of Western literature.

In this place the remains of different cities that developed over several millennia are superimposed.

Apart from their literary connotations, the remains of Troy They define the contact between Mediterranean and Anatolian cultures.

El archaeological site of Troy is registered on the list of World Heritage for the Unesco.

Ayvalik

Ayvalik is a good example of the Anatolian coastal towns which until 1923 were mainly inhabited by inhabitants of greek culture, and one of those that has best preserved that legacy.

An entire neighborhood, practically abandoned for a century, is a witness to this presence, in addition to the mosques that occupy old churches.

At least one church is still active for the few Christian and Greek-speaking inhabitants who remain.

The Boat trips to Sarimsakli and Alibey beaches They are very nice.

Furthermore, the Greek island of Lesbos It is visible on the horizon and there are several ferries a week that guarantee the link.

The historic town and surrounding landscape of Ayvalik are registered on the tentative list of the World Heritage for the Unesco.

Pergamon

Crowning a hill above the modern city of Bergama, Pergamon acropolis It is one of the most interesting visits on this route.

Capital of kingdoms and later of the Roman province of Asia Minor, it was one of the cultural centers of antiquity.

Here was the famous Altar of Zeus which is currently located in Berlin.

El Trajan temple, , on high and asclepion In the lower part, are the fundamental places of the Pergamon archaeological site who is registered on the list of World Heritage for the Unesco.

Izmir

La third most populated city in Türkiye It is a modern and vibrant city that preserves much of its Levantine essence, that cultural mix between Ottoman and European elements.

With thousands of years of history and with elements of different civilizations, in addition to its lively modern life, Izmir It becomes a mandatory stop on this tour.

The historical port city of İzmir is registered on the tentative list of the World Heritage for the Unesco.

Ephesus

Ephesus It is, simply, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the entire Mediterranean, and its Temple of Artemis It was one of the wonders of the ancient world.

Although almost nothing remains of it, the remains of other monuments, such as the Celsus Library, they remember the time of splendor in the times of the Roman empire.

A place that cannot be missed on any tour along the coast, the archaeological site of Ephesus is registered on the list of World Heritage for the Unesco.

Pamukkale

Another of the fundamental destinations on this route is Pamukkale for its spectacular natural formations: An entire mountainside is covered in deposits of travertine that form extraordinary images.

Although it is no longer possible to bathe in the natural buckets, the show is unique.

The nearby Hellenistic and Roman remains of Hierapolis They form one of the most attractive historical complexes in western Turkey.

El Arch of Domitian, , and Swimmingpool in which you swim among the remains of columns are some of the monuments that are essential for a visit.

Pamukkale and Hierapolis They form a set included in the list of World Heritage for the Unesco.

Aphrodisias

In place of Aphrodisias there has been a place of worship fertility goddess for many millennia that, at some point, it became the Temple of Aphrodite.

The Romans They turned it into one of the most splendid cities in the entire province of Asia Minor, and today its museum shows one of the best collections of sculpture and Roman reliefs worldwide.

Relatively little visited despite being included in the list of the World Heritage for the Unesco, Aphrodisias It allows one of the most pleasant immersions in that culture.

Kusadasi

Kusadasi It is one of the most lively tourist centers in the entire Aegean Coast of Türkiye, with a prominent cruise port.

With little to see in terms of visits (the castle on a small island connected to the mainland by an artificial isthmus is usually closed), it attracts with its hotels and lively nightlife.

From here you can easily hire excursions to Ephesus (to the north) now Priene, Mileto y Didyma (to the south).

From this last place there are ferries to the greek island of samos.

Priene

La ancient city of Priene It has a special location on the steep slope of the mount Micale.

Its urban layout with straight streets that intersect perpendicularly, developed 2 years ago, is one of the oldest and best preserved in the ancient world.

Su Temple of Athena It is one of the great achievements of the ionic architecture.

Covered largely by trees, the Priene archaeological site It is very pleasant to visit, and is included in the tentative list of the World Heritage for the Unesco.

Mileto

One of the most important and famous cities of antiquity has left less impressive remains than others in the surrounding area, but it is still worth a visit that is usually included with the nearby Priene and Didima.

Among the buildings that remain in Mileto, the most impressive is the theater, which could seat 15 spectators.

A very interesting structure are the so-called Faustina Baths, which were the model of the hamam, the Turkish baths.

With materials from the ancient classical city, at the beginning of the 15th century the Ilyas Bey Mosque, full of splendid decorative details.

It is also one of the first examples of complex Ottoman, which, along with the mosque, also includes a set of buildings such as a hospital, school, kitchen and accommodation for travelers, and whose most splendid example is that of the Suleiman Mosque in Istanbul.

didyma

El Temple of Apollo en didyma, built in the 7th century BC in honor of the god of prophecies, was one of the main oracles of the Greek world.

With 108 columns, it was one of the most imposing of its time.

Although only three are still standing, the set is truly impressive due to its dimensions and some details of the decoration.

El Medusa head relief It is one of the most famous and reproduced due to its enormous expressive power.

Bafa Lake

What is now the Bafa Lake, 2 years ago it was a gulf of the Aegean Sea.

The deposits of Meander River They filled it in and this mass of water remained.

The old one Herakleia Centuries ago it was an active seaport, a condition it shared with Priene y Mileto, sites that are now several kilometers inland.

Herakleia is at the foot of the Mount Latmos and forms one of the most picturesque ensembles that can be imagined, with its Temple of Athena very well preserved and byzantine walls.

The place is very conducive to hiking and, in fact, many foreign visitors come for the excursions that can be done in these mountains.

Over there, lost in the rocks, there are remains of Byzantine monasteries and paintings.

Bodrum

Bodrum is the modern name of the ancient Halicarnassus, where the famous king Mausolus He built his great funerary monument that has given its name to the mausoleums.

However, the most interesting historical place to visit is the castle of san pedro, from the 15th century, which also houses an interesting Museum of Underwater Archeology.

Bodrum was one of the first tourist centers to develop, and now boasts a lively nightlife and a good range of shops, restaurants and hotels.

Its port is an excellent base for sailing excursions Around the area.

El St. Peter's Castle in Bodrum is included in the tentative list of the World Heritage for the Unesco.

At this place we can end the route along the Turkish coast of the Aegean Sea since from its airport there are numerous connections to Istanbul, Ankara and other cities.

We have also taken Bodrum as a starting point for another route along the coast, which would be the continuation of the one already described, and which takes us along the so-called Lycian Coast, also full of places full of interest.

Among them, the best turkish beaches, towns full of charm and the remains of the fascinating and mysterious ancient Lycian culture.