Must-see attractions in South Aegean

  • Temple of Hestia

    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…

  • Temple of Domitian

    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…

  • Trajan Fountain

    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…

  • Baths of Varius

    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…

  • Zahire Pazarı

    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…

  • Stadium

    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…

  • Kadınlar Denizi

    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…

  • Church of St Demetrius

    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…

  • Bazaar

    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…

  • Ancient Theatre

    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…

  • Ottoman Cemetery

    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…

  • Myndos Gate

    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…

  • Konakaltı Kültür Merkezi

    South Aegean

    The beautiful galleried Konakaltı Kültür Merkezi, a traditional complex turned cultural centre, has done time as a caravanserai (traders on the upper…

  • Temple of Serapis

    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…

  • Gymnasium of Vedius

    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…

  • Hercules Gate

    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…

  • Pollio Fountain

    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…

  • Harbour Baths

    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…

  • Baths of Scholasticia

    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…

  • Memmius Monument

    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…

  • Lower Agora

    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…

  • Theatre Gymnasium

    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…

  • Merkez Adliye Camii

    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…

  • Old Town

    Marmaris

    The hilly streets around Marmaris Castle, atmospheric lanes that feel far removed from the yacht-filled marina, contain the city's last remaining…

  • Columns of the Evangelists

    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…

  • Jinan Garden

    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…

  • Kaleiçi Camii

    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…

  • Tomb of St Luke

    Ephesus

    It is thought that the ruins of the small circular building south of the Baths of Varius, which was once a church, contain the tomb of the evangelist, St…

  • Haci İbrahim Camii

    Kuşadası

    This 17th-century mosque employs an unusual style of Ottoman architecture. The wooden ceiling of the rectangular structure is covered by roof tiles.

  • Gate of Hadrian

    Ephesus

    This monumental arch, which links the Curetes Way with Marble St, is thought to have been dedicated to Hadrian when he visited Ephesus.

  • Kuşadası Town Beach

    Kuşadası

    Kuşadası town's small artificial beach is nice enough, but gets very crowded in summer with tourists from the big nearby hotels.

  • Upper Gate (Magnesian Gate)

    Ephesus

    This is the more popular entry point of Ephesus' two entrances. It was erected under Emperor Vespasian in the 1st century AD.

  • Temple of Isis

    Ephesus

    Objects discovered in this small temple in the Upper Agora suggested that it was dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis.

  • Windmills

    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.

  • Necropolis

    Ephesus

    Site of a necropolis dating to the 6th century BC which was later covered by the upper (or state) agora.

  • Atatürk Monument

    Kuşadası

    An enormous statue of the national hero overlooks Kuşadası from a hilltop to the west of the centre.

  • Bazaar

    Marmaris

    The mostly covered bazaar sells everything from haircuts to hats for concealing them.

  • Tepecik Camii

    Bodrum Town

    This small whitewashed mosque is right on the waterfront on Bodrum's main drag.

  • Hydreion

    Ephesus

    This rectangular fountain with four columns sits next to the Memmius Monument.

  • Atatürk Statue

    Marmaris

    Focal point at the southern end of the main drag, Ulusal Egemenlik Bulvarı.