The Turkish Aegean is characterized by 2,808 kilometres of coastline and a variety of ancient sites. A history over 2000 years old awaits you here on the Turkish Aegean. Centrally located in this region is Izmir, Turkey's third largest city, which is also known as the "Pearl of the Aegean".
The ancient cities of Ephesus, Troy and Pergamum located here are world-famous. The cities of Marmaris and Bodrum are also located here with their beaches that invite you to relax.
The large city of Izmir, located directly on the coast, with the nearby seaside resorts of Cesme and Kusadasi is well known. The climate on the Turkish Aegean is significantly milder than on the Turkish Riviera. Popular travel months are May to October, and July is recommended for bathers.
Iztuzu Beach in Dalyan: Natural beauty. This jewel in Dalyan in the province of Mugla in the southern Aegean is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey and one of the most beautiful natural beaches in the world: it has already been officially named the most beautiful beach in Turkey.
The Blue Lagoon in Ölüdeniz is considered the place with the most beautiful beaches in Turkey. That's exactly why the seaside resort on the Lycian coast is probably one of the best travel destinations for sun-hungry tourists.
Most of the region's olive oil is produced in Ayvalık and Edremit. There are several sugar factories in Afyon, Kütahya and Uşak, although there is also a sulfur factory in Kütahya.
The city of Denizli is the region's main textile centre and exports most of its products abroad. Carpet weaving is particularly present in Demirci, Gördes, Kula, Simav and Uşak. There are significant deposits of marble in Afyon, so production facilities have been set up on site. Cotton weaving is widespread in Aydın, Denizli, İzmir, Nazilli and Uşak.
Sasali - Turkey is one of the countries with the largest areas of floodplains and wetlands in Europe and the Middle East. These wetlands have a great influence and importance for wildlife as well as for the local economy.
Seferihisar is a small town on the coast of the Aegean region. The town is located on the southeastern coast of the Cesme peninsula, which is the largest peninsula in the Aegean with a coastline of around 1695 km.
Izmir - A very big town with the welcoming atmosphere of a village. We stayed out of town in a suburb called Buca in the apartment of our Turkish friend's mother. Everybody was very friendly and we experienced the genuine Turkish way of life, with mealtimes especially being a real family occasion.
Izmir - The archaeological Museums in Izmir is located in the cultural park of the city of Izmir, where finds from the western Anatolian, Ionian cities and the surrounding area can be seen, even if you prefer to visit the original sites, a worthwhile alternative.
Ephesus - Visiting the excavations of the Hellenistic - Roman city of Ephesus between Izmir and Kusadasi, which we visited several times during our travels, is always a special experience.
Şirince is a small Aegean village visited by many people because it preserves its historical architecture. It became famous as being the location where the story of the novel called “Farewell Anatolia” takes place. The novel was written by Greek author Dido Satiriou.
Sirince - Not far from Kusadasi and another highlight of a trip to Turkey could be a visit to the town of Sirince near Selcuk for every tourist.
Kemeraltı Bazaar - As a port town, İzmir has always been strategically important for trade between Anatolia and other Aegean cities. Not surprisingly, the region of Kemeralti on
Halicarnassos - There is hardly any place around Bodrum (formerly called Halicarnassus) in which you will not find at least the foundations of a temple or the remnants of an ancient settlement. If you look at lot of the known names of Greek scientists, artists and scientists, you need to learn, that lot of them lived in today's Turkey.
The small town of Akköy is located in the heart of the Meander Delta nature reserve on the Dilek Yarimadasi peninsula in the Izmir area, about 5 km from the ancient city of Miletus.
Allianoi - The most recent reports from Turkey about the Roman spa complex, sent by the local Allianoi Initiative led by the archaeologist professor Ahmet Yaras, says that now only the tops of excavated walls and columns poke through sand that workers employed by the Turkish State Waterworks are laying.
Izmir Tepekule - Recent excavations at Tepekule Hill near Bayraklı have shown that the Izmir region has been inhabited since around 3000 BC. The city's original name was "Smyrna," meaning "place of the holy mother."
Hierapolis - The ruins of ancient town follow the 1200 metre long and 6 metre wide road which is lined with columns all over the travertine terraces of Pamukkale from north to south.
Ortakent is located at the crossing of all the village roads. That's why it is one of the most important centres of the Bodrum Peninsular.
Gümbet stretches to the west of Bodrum and there is just a distance of about 3 kilometres between the centre of Bodrum and Gümbet. The region developed rapidly and became an alternative entertainment centre to Bodrum.
Teos - The Ionian city of Teos was located directly on the Bay of Sığacık, only about 35 kilometers away, at that time a day's journey from the gates of ancient Smyrna.
Clock Tower (Saat Kulesi) – The landmark of Izmir is not only a symbol of Konak, but of all of Izmir (formerly Smyrna) and is located at Konak Square in the immediate vicinity of the Yalı Mosque.
Karaburun – The peninsula, with its beautiful bays and ruggedly romantic landscape, invites you to take long hikes.
Bergama - The charming, lively provincial town of Bergama, with its 60,000 inhabitants, lies 30 km inland on the Bakır Çay (Kaikos) River, almost exactly 101 km from the metropolis of İzmir.
Ebiltem - Further planning for our project, "Cultural Journey along Roman Roads," led to contact with Ege University in Izmir during our online research.