Recommended Stay:  At least 5 days.

If I could rank Turkey more than 5 stars, I would. Being the archeological junkie that I am, the entire country is as close to an ancient playground as it gets.

Countless ruins dot the Western region of this spellbinding country, and seeing them all is not only impossible, but it is also not recommended to do on one trip.

Hence, in this blog post, I connected my top choices for Western Turkey’s best ancient ruins in an exhilarating 5-day itinerary that anyone can easily replicate.

Turkey: Archeological Ruins Abound

As far as archaeological sites are concerned, Turkey certainly gives Egypt, Angkor Wat, Ancient Rome, and Ancient Greece a run for their money. I’ve read somewhere that Turkey possesses more Greek and Roman ruins than Italy and Greece combined, and I honestly believe that assertion.

I had visited a total of 10 extraordinary archaeological ruins while backpacking around Western Turkey, primarily through public buses.

Connect The Sites Via Public Transport

The public bus network is enormously extensive, incredibly comfortable, and the locals are exceedingly hospitable to a fault.

During my journeys across Turkey, I only took one plane ride, which was the short flight between Istanbul and Izmir. Frequent buses and trains also connect these two major cities, so you are welcome to skip this flight. Being short with time and finding an affordable flight on a budget airline were the deciding factors why I chose to fly.

Since I was not able to find a map that could outline public transport routes, I utilized Google maps to attempt to roughly illustrate the trajectory I took while circumnavigating this jewel of a country. You can download this map for FREE by clicking the share button.

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Before Your Trip:

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A. Travel Insurance

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B. Guidebooks

Personally, I like Lonely Planet and Rough Guides. If you are extending your trip to Istanbul, the Rick Steves Istanbul is hard to beat. Click any of the images below to read reviews about these books.

C. Book Your Plane Tickets Using Miles

Would you like to fly to Turkey for a discount? All of my trips the past decade had been ALMOST FREE via travel reward miles.

I’ve visited a total of 85 countries using miles and points. I accumulate these points from credit card rewards and bonuses, which is called travel hacking. Some of these travel credit cards are featured here.

D. Book Your Accommodations

If I am not staying for free using my hotel points earned from my credit cards, I use third-party booking sites such as booking.com, hostelworld.com, and agoda.com.

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The 10 Best Ancient Ruins To Visit In Western Turkey

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Day 1: Pergamon And Asclepion

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★★★★

I took an early morning flight to Izmir from Istanbul. Then, at the Izmir airport, I boarded a bus to transfer to the central bus station, where I rode another bus to Bergama for the ancient sites of Pergamon and Asclepion.

Izmir is the gateway to a multitude of astonishing ancient ruins. As a major transport hub, it is strategically situated halfway between Bergama and Selcuk (for Ephesus), making it the perfect spot to start our tour.

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Pergamon

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Bergama was my first destination outside of Istanbul. Mesmerized by the outstanding Pergamon Museum in Berlin, I was determined to track down where the artifacts from that museum originated from.

Pergamon is tactically positioned on the side of a towering hill overlooking the new city of Bergama. It is designated as a UNESCO-World Heritage Site.

The majority of Pergamon’s relics were “stolen” by German excavators, but the remaining columns continue to be evocative and atmospheric, making it worthwhile to visit the site.

When I visited, the cable car was under construction, so I hired a cab to take me around the town’s ruins. I saw people hiking to the site as well.

During the Hellenistic period (around 3rd century BC), Pergamon became the capital of the Attalid dynasty and was then considered to be the principal center for learning back in ancient times.

When the power transferred from the Greek to the Romans, Pergamon became the capital of the Roman Empire province of Asia before Ephesus. Pergamon’s main highlight is the Acropolis (an ancient Greek fortified city).

Emperor Hadrian transformed the Acropolis into a bustling metropolis, crowned with a steep 10,000–seater theater constructed on the hillside, an aqueduct, a gigantic library, and a breathtaking altar, most of which are impressively well-preserved in the eponymous museum in Berlin.

Most importantly, Pergamon was also the location of Ancient Rome’s most famous healing center, the Asclepion, which was my next stop.

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Asclepion

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Aside from being the principal medical complex during the Roman era, Asclepion also carries the distinction of being the first-ever psychiatric hospital in the world.

Strategically located below the Acropolis, this ancient center offered an array of treatments including massages, sacred water, mud baths, psychotherapy, and the use of herbs. Physicians of Pergamon’s gladiators were also stationed here.

Named after Asklepios, the god of healing, this treatment center has several existing structures that have survived the test of time, including a well-preserved theater and a fountain that spills out healing water.

You are probably curious about the theater — it was the source of entertainment for patients that needed to complete lengthy medical procedures.

During my visit, it was still deemed safe to drink the sacred water flowing out from an unappetizing plastic pipe, although I would not recommend it to those with weak digestive systems.

Hundreds of sick people still visit the site today, hoping to utilize an ancient healing method as an alternative intervention to cure a wide range of ailments.

Pergamon and Asclepion can be comfortably explored in half a day. Afterward, I walked around Bergama to check out some of the lesser-known sites such as the Red Basilica.

I also experienced some first hand genuine Turkish hospitality around town. Well-meaning locals kept on inviting me to have tea or engage in small talk.

Everybody was so friendly! (Some authentically, some with ulterior motives– to sell carpets). I also had some of the best Turkish delights here in Bergama. Yum!

If you want to read more about Pergamon, here’s an in-depth article about its Greek origins.

Here’s a video of how Pergamon looked like at its peak.

How to get to Bergama:

From Izmir airport, take a bus to Izmir’s central bus station (otogar). From there, you can take a bus to Bergama.

Buses that go to Cannakale also stop at Bergama. From the Bergama bus station, you can take a cab or a bus (dolmus) to the center of town.

If you are coming from Istanbul, there are buses that go straight to the Bergama otogar.

Transportation options change dramatically year after year so it is best to research for the best option before your trip.

Where to Stay in Bergama:

I used booking.com for my accommodations in Bergama. A quick search will yield a few reasonable choices.

Aristonicus Boutique Hotel – featuring traditional architecture with stone walls, this hotel is centrally located within walking distance from the Pergamon cable car. Located in Old Bergama, this boutique accommodation also offers Turkish breakfast and free WiFi access throughout the property.

Hera Hotel – offers panoramic views of the Acropolis and Bergama; this stone hotel also offers breakfast served in its terrace overlooking the village.

Feel free to explore the other deals in Bergama below.

Booking.com

If you are on a budget, I use hostelworld.com to book inexpensive accommodations.

Going Around Bergama:

There is a cable car that jets tourists from Bergama to the top of the Pergamon ancient site.

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Day 2: Ephesus, Artemis, and Basilica of St. John

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★★★★★

From Bergama, it was a 3-hour bus ride, via Izmir, to Selcuk, the gateway for Ephesus, Temple of Artemis, and Basilica of St. John.

Tours to three relatively diminutive but equally marvelous trio of ruins – Priene, Miletus, and Didyma – can also be booked in town.

Upon arrival in Selcuk, I made a beeline for the remarkably outstanding well-preserved ruins of Ephesus.

On the way to Ephesus, make sure to look for the last surviving column of the Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World.

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Temple of Artemis

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Previously the record-holder for being the largest temple in the world and one of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis is barely a shadow of its former glorious self.

Lamentably, only one pillar remains as the sole survivor of this once enormous temple of worship. Use your imagination to visualize the other 126 massive columns to get a sense of how gigantic this structure was before it descended to decay.

Presently, the top of the remaining pillar provides a secure habitat for storks. Zoom in to take a glimpse of the storks’ nest on top!

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Ephesus

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Considered to be the best-preserved classical city in the Eastern Mediterranean, Ephesus is worth half a day on a whirlwind visit.

Built around the 10th century BC, this ancient Greek city achieved its peak when the Romans took control around 129 BC and made Ephesus its capital.

It was also popular among Christian pilgrims as the Apostle Paul supposedly lived here. St. John was buried nearby, and Mary’s house is situated on the outskirts of town. It is possible to connect all of these pilgrimage sites in a day.

When exploring Ephesus, it is recommended to hire a guide or rent out an audioguide to help you bring this enormous ancient city to life.

There is an overwhelming amount of extraordinary archaeological jewels everywhere you turn.

Try to visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon as the mid-day heat can be oppressive. Bring bottled water.

There are two entrances – the upper gate and the lower gate. A recommended route is to start from the higher entrance and gently descend towards the bottom exit while exploring the marvelous ruins.

As already mentioned, there are so many highlights, but the Library of Celsus takes the top spot and deserves to be the ubiquitous poster child of souvenir magnets and postcards.

The breathtaking facade faces the east to ensure bookworms a steady flow of sunlight during the day time. It allegedly housed over 12,000 scrolls.

Take your time investigating the extraordinarily well-preserved exterior and fathom how fortunate you are for having the opportunity to stand before one of the most enthralling ancient structures left intact in the world.

Another magnificent Ephesus highlight is the enormous 25,000-seater theater that hosted plays and gladiator fights.

It continues to hold the title of the largest theater in the ancient world. Interestingly, the first remnants of gladiator relics were only excavated in this area as recently as May 2007.

Even though it requires an additional fee, the exceptionally well-preserved frescoes of the Terrace Houses are a sight to behold and are a must-see while in Ephesus.

Six aqueducts, numerous baths, and gorgeous houses and temples were also erected in this mesmerizing city, and their remains continue to captivate the thousands of tourists that visit this site.

Feel free to download this Ephesus map below from Alpaca Travel. It is a great supplement to the audioguide.

Ephesus Top 10 Must-See Checklist:

• Library of Celsus
• Hadrian’s Temple
• The Church of Mary
• The Marble Road
• The Theater
• Curetes Street
• The Terrace Houses (additional fee)
• Nymphaeum of Trajan
• The Odeon Theater
• Mazaeus-Mithridates Gate

If you are interested to check out how Ephesus looked like at its peak, check out the video below:

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Basilica of St. John

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After Ephesus, I still had enough time to browse through the excellent collection at the Ephesus Museum and then hike up to St. John’s Basilica, where St. John’s tomb was purportedly interred.

Constructed by Roman Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century, this massive basilica used to occupy one of Selcuk’s hills. It commemorates the spot where St. John the Baptist was believed to have been buried.

A grand 6-domed church stood in these ruins before an earthquake toppled it all over. Today, tourists can still peruse some of the surviving columns and remnants of frescoes that used to envelop this massive church.

Legend has it that St. John traveled from Jerusalem to the city of Ephesus, where he remained until his death at the age of 100. This site was allegedly where he wrote his gospel and the Revelation.

Located near the center of town and just about 2 miles from Ephesus, this is a must-visit stop if you want to immerse yourself in archaeology without the crowds. Visiting late in the day, I found myself the only tourist exploring the aisles of this gargantuan complex.

St. Mary’s House (House of the Virgin Mary) is also nearby, so if you have extra time, the place is worth a visit. During my trip, it was not accessible via public transport. Take a cab or join a private tour.

Dinner followed at a restaurant located next to the ancient Byzantine aqueduct where gigantic storks appear to have formed their nests.

After dinner, I looked for a travel agency that could take me to the archaeological ruins of Priene, Didyma, and Miletus the next day.

How to get to Selcuk (Gateway to Ephesus, Priene, Miletus, and Didyma):

From Bergama, take a bus to Izmir’s central bus station (otogar). From there, you can take a bus to Selcuk. It takes about 1-2 hours.

It is also possible to take a direct bus from Istanbul (~11 hours).

Trains also run between Istanbul / Izmir to Selcuk.

Transportation options change dramatically year after year so it is best to research for the best option before your trip.

Where to Stay in Selcuk:

I used booking.com for my accommodations in Selcuk. A quick search will yield a few wonderful properties.

Cella Boutique Hotel and Spa and the Ayasoluk Boutique Hotel are both well-reviewed centrally-located hotels.

Below are other great deals that are available in Selcuk.

Booking.com

Going Around Selcuk:

You can take a dolmus (bus) or walk from Selcuk to Ephesus.

You would need to sign up for a private tour to visit Priene, Didyma, and Miletus.

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Day 3: Priene, Didyma, and Miletus

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★★★★

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Priene

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Priene is the Ancient Greek City of Iona. The ruins were believed to be from 350BC. The site includes remnants of the Temple of Athena, funded by none other than Alexander the Great.

Originally located by a river, its residents moved the entire town to higher ground where its remains are currently located.

Recent excavations revealed that Priene contains one of the most stunning examples of Greek town planning. Aside from the Temple of Athena, it also has an agora (market), a theater, a stadium, and a gymnasium.

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Didyma

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Just like Priene, Didyma was also an important sacred site in the ancient Greek world. It boasts an oracle that was second only in importance to the one located in Delphi. It also has impressive standing columns from the Temple of Apollo.

In fact, it provided a better opportunity to experience the grandeur and scale of a relatively intact Greek ruin compared to the Temple of Artemis in Selcuk.

Exploring the spectacular ruins in Didyma was one of my most indelible experiences in all of Turkey, and a visit here is highly recommended.

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Miletus

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Miletus, a vital Greek port city, possesses outstanding ruins of an arresting Greek theater. Before it was conquered by the Persians, it was considered to be one of the most prosperous Greek cities in that period.

After the trip, I swiftly went back to the Selcuk otogar to take a dolmus (bus) to go to Pamucak, which is a beach town located 10 minutes away from Selcuk. I just had to dip my feet and experience the Aegean Sea.

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Day 4: Pamukkale and Hierapolis

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★★★★★

The most famous site in Pamukkale is the travertines, created by frozen calcium formed by water heated by volcanic lava. It is popularly called the “Cotton Castle”.

These travertines, formed by limestone deposited by hot springs, continues to be one of Turkey’s strongest tourist magnets. To add, these pools were considered to be the spa back in the day and were well regarded to have had healing powers.

During my summer visit, the small town was inundated by vacationers swimming in the inviting travertines pools.

It is best to stay in town overnight so you can be one of the first ones to relish in these stunning terraced pools before the deluge of day-trippers arrives.

Do not forget to wear your swimwear if you wish to soak into these thermal cascading formations.

At the time of this writing, shoes are not permitted as they seem to stain and erode these natural wonders. Carry a day pack so you can pack your footwear as you will need to put them on again when you reach the top.

Nevertheless, little did I know that the travertines were not the only jewels in this neck of the woods. A little farther afield is the vast archaeological ruins of the ancient Roman spa town of Hierapolis, our ninth ancient site in this tour.

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Hierapolis

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This Greco-Roman town was constructed in the 2nd century as a sanctuary for those seeking relaxation and medical attention during ancient times.

Hierapolis is a top-notch archaeological site with an impressive Roman theater and other well-preserved structures. A definite must-see.

This is a sprawling site so make sure you pace yourself so you can see all the major highlights. Don’t miss the Antique Pool (pictured below), where you get to swim above submerged marble columns from antiquity.

Other noteworthy sites in this UNESCO World Heritage landmark include the octagonal-shaped Martyrium of St. Philip the Apostle, the Roman baths, and the necropolis.

How to get to Pamukkale (Gateway to the travertines, Hierapolis, and Afrodisias):

From Selcuk, take a bus to Denizli central bus station (otogar). From there, you can take a short bus to Pamukkale. It takes about a total of 3 hours.

It is also possible to take a direct bus from Istanbul or Izmir.

For rail fans, trains from Istanbul and Izmir also go to Denizli via Selcuk.

Transportation options change dramatically year after year so it is best to research for the best option before your trip.

Where to Stay in Pamukkale:

I used booking.com for my accommodations in Pamukkale. A quick search will yield a few reasonable choices.

Venus Suite Hotel – offers a garden, terrace, and an outdoor pool, this hotel is totally renovated in 2015. Free WiFi is accessible in all areas. The property arranges a free transfer shuttle service to the city center and travertines every 30 minutes.

Melrose House Hotel – just a 5-minute walk from Pamukkale’s town center, this family-run hotel offers comfortable rooms with air conditioning and free WiFi. Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool.

Be sure to check out the other deals in Pamukkale below.

Booking.com

If you are on a budget, I use hostelworld.com to book inexpensive accommodations.

Going Around Pamukkale:

You can walk to the travertines and Hierapolis from the center of town.

I used a private tour to Afrodisias, but it is also possible to use public transport to visit the ruins.

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Day 5: Aphrodisias

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★★★★★

When I visited, I decided to join a tour so I could learn more about the history of the site. I took a chance to get into an Aphrodisias tour the night before at my hotel. The tour required a minimum of four people before it could proceed. Luckily, there were three other interested tourists, so off we went the following day. It is also possible to visit this site via public transport.

Aphrodisias was the 8th and last ancient ruin I visited in Western Turkey and only next to Ephesus with regards to splendor.

Touring Aphrodisias was a fantastic way to end my archaeological expedition in this breathtaking region.

It boasts a well-preserved Roman stadium, with an estimated capacity of 30,000 spectators, that I have not seen in the other ruins I’ve visited.

This UNESCO-World Heritage site is vast and far less visited by tourists, so there are plenty of opportunities to experience the place without distractions.

TOP 5 MUST-SEE IN AFRODISIAS

• The Roman Stadium
• The Monumental Gateway or Tetrapylon
• Temple of Aphrodite
• The Bouleuterion (Council House)
• The Sebasteon

The tour lasted for a couple of hours, including about 30 minutes at the excellent complex museum which houses some of the astonishing reliefs excavated from this monumental ancient ruin.

After this fantastic archaeological voyage, I pressed on eastward towards Cappadocia from Pamukkale.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are from affiliate partners. The blog may receive a commission when you use any of the links at no extra cost to you. Please read the disclosure below.

Do Not Forget these Travel Essentials

Click any of the images below to read more about the product in Amazon.com

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Final Thoughts

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Indeed, Turkey is one of the most breathtaking countries in the world that I had the pleasure of visiting.

Whether you prefer the ocean or the outdoors, Turkey has always something to offer to gratify anyone’s cravings.

But, if you are into archaeology and exploring ancient sites, prepare to be swept off of your feet. The mesmerizing array of Roman and Greek ruins will certainly leave you speechless.

Although Turkey has so many more phenomenal sites, I guarantee that the ruins I had included in this itinerary will all leave a permanent mark in your memory.

After reading many guidebooks, gathering tips from other travelers, and gleaning reviews from travel websites, I am confident that this 5-day itinerary will blow you away.

Above all, I hope that this blog post has given you a rough guide on how to independently navigate this region.

Lastly, please let me know if you have any questions about this proposed itinerary by commenting below. I would certainly love to hear your feedback.

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