3 Days in Aydın: Day-by-Day Itinerary

Historic & Cultural

Miletus

Miletus was an influential ancient Greek city on the western coast of Anatolia, near the mouth of the Maeander River in present day Turkey. Renowned in antiquity for its wealth, maritime power, and extensive network of colonies, Miletus was a major center of trade, culture, and innovation from the Bronze Age through the Roman period. The city played a foundational role in the development of early Greek philosophy and science, serving as the home of the Milesian school with thinkers such as Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes.

Historic & Cultural

Miletus Nymphaeum

The Nymphaeum is a historic site located in Didim. It is a splendid fountain structure situated in the heart of the ancient city center of Miletus, between the Ionian Stoa and the Market Gate. It was originally built in the late 1st century CE and underwent an extension during the reign of Emperor Gordian III. Within walking distance of the Nymphaeum are Milet (336 m), İlyas Bey Camii (336 m), and Ionian stoa (49 m).

Religious Sites

İlyas Bey Mosque

İlyas Bey Mosque is a historical Islamic religious building at Milet in Didim district of Aydın Province, western Turkey. It was built in 1403 by Ilyas Bey, ruler of the Turkish Menteshe emirate.

Historic & Cultural

Ionic Stoa in Miletus

The Ionian Stoa is a historic structure located in the ancient city of Miletus in Didim. Situated on the eastern side of Miletus' North Agora, along the Sacred Way, it was built in the 1st century during the Roman period and modified under Emperor Trajan. This Ionian-style colonnade, approximately 100 meters long with around 35 columns originally, housed the city's shops. Today, four restored columns and a wall can be seen. It is within walking distance of Milet (307 m), İlyas Bey Camii (337 m), and Nymphaeum (49 m).

Museums

Miletus Museum

Miletus Museum is an archaeology museum located within the Miletus Ancient City area, near Balat Village, in the Didim district of Aydın.

Historic & Cultural

Aphrodisias

Aphrodisias was a Hellenistic Greek city in the historic Caria cultural region of western Asia Minor, today's Anatolia in Turkey. It is located near the modern village of Geyre, about 100 km (62 mi) east/inland from the coast of the Aegean Sea, and 230 km (140 mi) southeast of İzmir.

Plan 2.5 hours

Historic & Cultural

Sebasteion at Aphrodisias

The Sebasteion Temple is located within the Carian region settlement near Geyre Village, which is part of the Karacasu district of Aydın province. It is a sacred area belonging to Roman Emperors, located on the eastern edge of the main street of Aphrodisias, which extends in a north-south direction, and to the southwest of the front courtyard of the Temple of Aphrodite. The place where the temple is located is an old area outside the grid city plan.

Historic & Cultural

Roman Theatre of Aphrodisias

The Theatre in Karacasu, Denizli, is a significant structure within the ancient city of Aphrodisias. Originally built in the Late Hellenistic period, it underwent extensive renovation between 38 and 28 BC. With an estimated capacity of around 7,000 people, it was used for dramatic performances, public assemblies, and later adapted for gladiatorial contests. The Theatre is within walking distance of other ancient sites such as Aphrodisias (171 m), Sebasteion (193 m), and Aphrodisias Tetrastoon (68 m).

Museums

Afrodisias Müze

Afrodisias Museum is an archaeological museum located within the ancient city of Aphrodisias in the Karacasu district of Aydın. Opened to visitors in 1979, the museum exhibits sculptures, sarcophagi, and reliefs unearthed during excavations of the ancient city. The museum is particularly notable for the works of the Aphrodisias School of Sculpture, which was active from the 1st century BC to the 5th century AD. Aphrodisias (307 m), Sebasteion (118 m), and Tetrapylon (188 m) are within walking distance.

Historic & Cultural

Priene

Priene was an ancient Greek city of Ionia located at the base of an escarpment of Mycale, about 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) north of what was then the course of the Maeander River. It was 67 kilometres (42 mi) from ancient Anthea, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from ancient Aneon and 25 kilometres (16 mi) from ancient Miletus. The city was built on the sea coast, overlooking the former Latmian Gulf of the Aegean. It was developed on steep slopes and terraces extending from sea level to a height of 380 metres (1,250 ft) above sea level at the top of the escarpment. Because of siltation from the river filling the bay over several centuries, the city is now an inland site. It is located at a short distance west of the modern village Güllübahçe Turun in the Söke district of Aydın Province, Turkey.

Historic & Cultural

Temple of Athena (Priene)

The Temple of Athena Polias in Priene was an Ionic Order temple located northwest of Priene’s agora, inside the sanctuary complex. It was dedicated to Athena Polias, also the patron deity of Athens. It was the main temple in Priene, although there was a temple of Zeus.

Historic & Cultural

Sacred Hall

Kutsal Galeri is a historic site located in the ancient city of Priene, in the Söke district of Aydın. This historical area is within walking distance of the Temple of Athena (192 meters) and the Prytaneion (37 meters), both significant structures in Priene. Priene is an important Ionian city that was rebuilt in the 4th century BC according to the Hippodamian plan.

Religious Sites

Bishop's Church, Priene

The Bishop's Church, located in the ancient city of Priene, is a significant and large-scale structure from the Christian period. It is situated south of the theater, on Theater Street, which leads to the Temple of Athena. The church, built with a three-nave basilica plan, was constructed in the second half of the 5th century and remained in use until the 13th century. Notable features include a baptistery and a relic chapel, with opus-sectile technique used for the floor coverings. Priene (160 m), the Temple of Athena (152 m), and the Theater (37 m) are all within walking distance.