Ephesus
The Prytaneum hosted this shrine, where the city's eternal flame was tended by vestal virgins, and was fronted by a giant statue of Artemis, now in the…
Must-see attractions in South Aegean
Ephesus
This honorary fountain from the early 2nd century AD was once dominated by a huge statue of the great soldier-emperor Trajan (r AD 98–117), grasping a…
Ephesus
Baths were situated at the main entrances to ancient cities so that visitors could be disinfected and wash before entering. These 2nd-century ones stand…
South Aegean
This carefully restored market in the shadow of the Pazar Camı (Bazaar Mosque) features lazy cafes spilling across a leafy cloistered courtyard dotted…
Kuşadası
Kuşadası's most famous beach is Kadınlar Denizi (literally 'Ladies Sea'), south of town and served by dolmuşes running along the coastal road. Kadınlar…
South Aegean
This 18th-century church, at the northern end of the village, is up the steps to the right as you enter Şirince along the Selçuk road. It served as a…
Kuşadası
Immediately in the line of sight of disembarking cruisers, the main bazaar area, which incorporates the Grand Bazaar and the Orient Bazaar, hawks 'genuine…
Bodrum Town
Ancient Halicarnassus' theatre was built in the hillside rock in the 4th century BC to seat 5000 spectators but that capacity was increased to 13,000 for…
Bodrum Town
These are the restored remains of the only surviving gate from what were originally 7km-long walls probably built by King Mausolus in the 4th century BC…
Selçuk
Running eastward from the southern base of Ayasuluk Hill, the remains of this long and quite tall Roman and Byzantine aqueduct are festively adorned with…
Ephesus
Marking the upper boundary of the Curetes Way, this two-storey gate with reliefs of Hercules on both main pillars was constructed in the 4th century AD…
Ephesus
Backing onto the Upper Agora, this fountain honouring the builder of a nearby aqueduct hints at the lavish nature of ancient Ephesus' fountains, most of…
Ephesus
Marble steps behind the Trajan Fountain lead up Bath St to this large hamam. In one niche is a headless statue of Scholasticia, who repaired the baths in…
Ephesus
This 110-sq-m one-time market had a massive colonnade. The shops in the colonnades traded in food and textiles; the agora's proximity to the harbour…
Ephesus
This monument from the 1st century AD is dedicated to Caius Memmius, nephew of the dictator Sulla who sacked Ephesus in 84 BC. Pillars with dancing…
Marmaris
The hilly streets around Marmaris Castle, atmospheric lanes that feel far removed from the yacht-filled marina, contain the city's last remaining…
Kuşadası
The 'Old Town Mosque', built by Grand Vizier Öküz Mehmed Pașa in the 17th century, is the most impressive mosque in Kușadasi and can accommodate 550…
Ephesus
This monumental arch, which links the Curetes Way with Marble St, is thought to have been dedicated to Hadrian when he visited Ephesus.
Bodrum Town
For the best vistas of Bodrum, head to the peninsula on the west side of town which is crowned by seven old windmills.
Ephesus
The road to/from Ephesus' Lower Gate passes this cave tomb on Panayır Dağı (Mt Pion), where seven young legendary Christians, persecuted by Emperor Decius…
South Aegean
The ruins of the ancient Carian port city Herakleia are scattered throughout Kapıkırı. In the upper village, the large Temple of Athena, just west of the…
Selçuk
In an empty field to the west of the centre, this lone reconstructed pillar is all that remains of the massive Temple of Artemis (or Artemision), built…
South Aegean
The seaside village of Kıyıkışlacık is surrounded by ancient Iasos, a Carian city that was once an island and prospered from its excellent harbour, rich…
Sanctuary of the Mother Goddess Cybele
Ephesus
Excavations on the northern slope of Panayır Dağı (Mt Pion) overlooking the so-called Grotto of the Seven Sleepers have revealed stelae or sepulchral…
South Aegean
This is the more important of Şirince's two churches and dates back to 1805. Neglected for decades by modern Turkey and held together (just barely) by an…
Ephesus
This ruined temple recalls Domitian (r AD 81–96), the tyrant as evil as Nero who banished St John to Patmos (where the evangelist wrote the Book of…
Ephesus
Outside the Lower Gate, the stadium dates from the 2nd century AD. The Byzantines removed most of its finely cut stones to build the fortress and the…
Bodrum Town
This Ottoman cemetery stands just above the marina, and contains the tombs of two famous Turkish seamen (Mustafa Pacha and his son). Part of the enclosure…
South Aegean
The beautiful galleried Konakaltı Kültür Merkezi, a traditional complex turned cultural centre, has done time as a caravanserai (traders on the upper…
Ephesus
This massive structure, reached by a flight of marble steps in the southwest corner of the Lower Agora, may have contained a temple to the Greco-Egyptian…
Ephesus
On a side road between the Lower Gate car park and the Selçuk road, this ruined 2nd-century-AD structure has exercise fields, baths, a lavatory, covered…
Ephesus
These baths, part of a complex that included a gymnasium and a sports area, were erected at the end of the 1st century AD but were badly damaged by an…
Ephesus
You can pick out the foundations of this once-colossal structure, which was used for physical training and dates from around AD 125. A lot of excavation…
Bodrum Town
The 'Central Courthouse Mosque' is in the old bazaar, located just off the harbourfront. The handsome stone structure boasts a single minaret. Visitors…
Ephesus
The middle of Harbour St (Arcadian Way) is marked by the shafts of Corinthian columns that once supported statues of the four Evangelists erected in the…
Marmaris
This Zen-style garden, complete with a pagoda and soothing water, commemorates Marmaris' Chinese twin city, Jinan in Shandong province. There's also a…
Kuşadası
This 17th-century mosque employs an unusual style of Ottoman architecture. The wooden ceiling of the rectangular structure is covered by roof tiles.
Kuşadası
Kuşadası town's small artificial beach is nice enough, but gets very crowded in summer with tourists from the big nearby hotels.
Ephesus
This is the more popular entry point of Ephesus' two entrances. It was erected under Emperor Vespasian in the 1st century AD.
