The Central Aegean Region of Turkey offers rolling hills and mountains surrounded by clear blue seas.  Its largest city is Izmir, modern and industrial, but home to a rich local culture and ancient archaeological gems.  If the sea is more your style, the port town of Kusadasi offers a superb base for exploring the region, most notably the Ephesus Archaeological Site. 

Ephesus is among the best-preserved ancient sites in the Mediterranean, rivaled only by Pompeii. It is remarkable to see how efficiently life functioned before the advent of technology. Ancient Ephesus was a great trading city and a centre for the cult of Cybele, the Anatolian fertility goddess. Under the influence of the Ionians, Cybele became Artemis, the virgin goddess of the hunt and the moon, and a fabulous temple was built in her honor. When the Romans took over and made this the province of Asia, Artemis became Diana and Ephesus became the Roman provincial capital.

Activities while in Izmir and Kusadasi

> Private Full Day Tour to Ephesus and St. Mary's House

Explore the best preserved ancient city in Turkey on a Full Day Tour to Ephesus.

Visit Ephesus which is known to be Commercial, the Religious and Social Center of Antiquity, and one of the highlights of any visit in Turkey. With the mythological stories and spectacular ruins you will feel the life in ancient Ephesus.

You will visit the Fountains of Trojan, Polio, The Temples of Hadrian and Domition, Private House, the Library of Celsius, Various and Scholastic Baths, Bouloterion and the Great Theatre with capacity of 24.000 spectators.

After enjoying the Turkish cuisine at lunch, you will visit the House of Virgin Mary, where she spent last days of her life. Your tour will end with a visit the Archaeological Museum of Ephesus.

> Full Day Pergamum and Asklepion Tour

Pergamum is one of the finest archaeological sites in Turkey. The city was a great center of culture and the capital of East Roman Empire.

On the Acropolis there are numerous remains including the celebrated Library, the steepest Theatre of Anatolia, the Temples of Trojan and Dionysos, the place of the monumental Altar of Zeus famous with the relief of God and devils, the Sanctuary of Demeter, the Gymnasium situated on terraces and the lower Agora.

After a delicious lunch with Turkish specialties, you will visit the Archaeological Museum of Bergama.  Continue to the Medical Center of the ancient world, Asklepion where the first psychological treatment had been used and which was dedicated to the God of Health, Asklepios.

Weather in Izmir

Top things to see and do in Izmir, Kusadasi and Ephesus  

Izmir Region Attractions
> Ancient City of Ephesus
> House of the Virgin Mary
> Basilica of St John

Izmir Attractions
> Kemeralti Market
> Saat Kulesi (Clock Tower) at Konak Square
> Saint Polycarp Church
> Asansor (Elevator)
> The Agora
> Kadifekale (Velvet Fortress)
> Ethnography Museum
> Archaeological Museum of Izmir

Kusadasi Attractions
> Fortress of Kusadasi
> Miletus
> Priene
> Didyma

Main Airport in Izmir and Kusadasi
> Adnan Menderes Airport Airport code ADB

Current Date/Time in Izmir and Kusadasi
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