7 Excursions Along Turkey’s Aegean Sea
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Turkey’s Aegean Sea offers paradise beaches, cultural and scenic beauty, and southern cuisine at its finest. Visit unique archaeological sites and experience Turkish hospitality!
1. The Ancient City of Ephesus
It is said that 250 000 people once lived in what is now the ruined city of Ephesus. The ancient settlement’s landmark was the Library of Celsus, built 1900 years ago. For a long time, it was considered antiquity’s second-largest library after Alexandria, until it was destroyed by a fire caused by an earthquake in 262 AD. Curetes Street, paved with marble slabs, begins at the library and leads to the Gate of Hercules, the entrance to the upper city. Statues and reliefs, as well as the Temple of Hadrian, stand on either side of the street. The Great Theatre is on the western slope of Ephesus’s northern city hill. Gladiatorial combats and public assemblies once took place here.
As you can see, there is much to discover in this area. The seaside resort of Kusadasi is just a quarter of an hour’s drive away. Admission to the archaeological excavations is paid. You can also enjoy the nature of Dilek Yarimadasi Buyuk Menderes Delta National Park, an hour’s drive from Ephesus.
2. Lively Life in Izmir
Izmir is Turkey’s third-largest city. Before a great fire destroyed the city in 1922, it was called Smyrna. The Kemeralti district is special: you can taste many Turkish dishes in small restaurants and visit the bazaar. The Kordon harbour promenade is ideal for a relaxing walk with sea views. Izmir’s Archaeological Museum houses one of Turkey’s most important collections of historic finds. Clay objects from the 3rd millennium BC are exhibited here. Izmir’s landmark stands in Konak Square: the Saat Kulesi clock tower, built in 1872 in the late Ottoman style.
3. The Myth of Troy
The ancient ruined city of Troy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, about a 10-minute walk from the museum on Hisarlik Hill. The hill’s landscape is said to match descriptions in the “Iliad” in many details. The Trojan Horse on the hill is, of course, only a model and a good subject for photographs.
4. Culinary Adventures
Aegean cuisine is known for its exquisite dishes with olive oil, fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood, fish — especially sardines — and herbs. Growing olive trees and producing olive oil are part of the country’s culture.
High-quality wine has been grown in Urla on the Cesme peninsula since ancient times. Typical grape varieties include Emir, Dimrit and Okuzgozu. If you would like to try them, the best option is to visit wine festivals at the end of July and enjoy wine tasting and the Mediterranean atmosphere.
5. Endless Shopping — Turkish Markets
Spices, sweets, fruit, vegetables, souvenirs and clothes — everything that makes a Turkish market can be found in abundance. Large open-air city markets, such as the Thursday market in Ayvalik, are ideal for holiday strolls. The large market in Selcuk opens on Saturdays and is near the bus station in the centre. Vendors sell vegetables, clothes, leather goods, handmade products and jewellery. Action is essential here. At the fish market in Fethiye, you can buy fresh fish, and nearby restaurants will prepare a delicious meal from your purchase. So let us head to the market and immerse ourselves in Turkish life!
6. Sunbathing and Swimming at the Beach
The sea is simply part of a holiday in Turkey. We have selected two particularly beautiful beaches on Turkey’s Aegean coast: Ilica Beach is near Cesme. Hot thermal springs at 55 degrees rise in the sea there. This is why the water is warmer here than anywhere else. The one-and-a-half-kilometre beach looks like paradise, with white sand and crystal-clear water.
But the Blue Lagoon at Oludeniz is also ideal for sunbathing and swimming on holiday, about 15 kilometres from Fethiye. Parts of the beach are protected natural areas. If you want to lay out your towel at the upper end, on Kumburnu Beach, admission is paid. The atmosphere of the sea, pine forest and mountain scenery is worth it!
7. Craftsmanship with History
Unique patterns and quality craftsmanship also come from Turkey’s Aegean Sea. There are many villages to explore where people traditionally spin, dye and weave. Milas is one of the oldest settlements of Turkmen tribes and is known for its carpet-making. Eighty kilometres southwest of Izmir lies the small town of Tire. In its narrow streets, craftsmen have been making exquisite saddles, tinning work and felt products for more than 1000 years. Pottery is also widespread in the holiday-home region. Local talents can turn the typical red clay into plates, vases, cups or small sculptures.
If you would like a holiday at the resorts on Turkey’s Aegean coast, you can use convenient bus services from various cities in Ukraine.
BUS SERVICES TO THE AEGEAN COAST