Turkey is a place where history comes to life. Its amazing ancient towns and ruins give us a unique look into the lives of people from long ago. You can take a trip through time in these 19 ancient cities in Turkey. They have everything from the grandeur of empires to hidden archaeological treasures.
Table of Contents
Ephesus
Ephesus is one of the most famous ancient cities in Turkey and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ephesus is well-known for ruins such as the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. Located roughly an hour from İzmir, this iconic city is accessible all year round.
Also read: Ephesus Ancient City: 9 Key Attractions and Location
Aphrodisias
Aphrodisias is famous for its marble sculptures and well-kept old ruins. The Temple of Aphrodite, the Theater, and the Stadium are some of the most important buildings. They all show how talented the artists were in Turkey’s past. Easy access to Aphrodisias Ancient City from Izmir or Antalya only takes two hours.
Take a look at our article about Aphrodisias Ancient City to find out the interesting discovery of the archaeological site.
Aspendos
Aspendos is one of the best-preserved ancient cities in Turkey, and every year it draws about 15 million tourists. The ancient city is famous for its Roman theater, which has great acoustics. People can also see aqueducts and other old ruins that show how important the city was as a trade hub. It takes 45 minutes to drive from Antalya to Aspendos. You can combine your visit with nearby ancient cities like Perge or Side.
Assos
Set on a hill in Canakkale, Assos is one of the ancient cities in Turkey that offers breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea. The Temple of Athena and the peaceful ruins make it a must-see for anyone interested in old civilizations.
Read our article about Assos Ancient City to learn more about how to get there and how to plan your trip there.
Troy
Homer’s Iliad made Troy famous, and it is now one of the most famous ancient cities in Turkey. Its ruins, which can be found near the Gallipoli Strait, show how important it was strategically and how it was linked to old myths.
As you walk among the ruins standing still before the spectacular view of the Strait, it’s not easy to decide whether this city was invaded by Achaeans for the sake of Helen or for its glamorous location.
You can reach Troy by car with a 30-minute ride from Canakkale city center. Plan your trip to include a stop at the nearby ancient city of Assos.
Tip: To learn more about the past of the site, you should visit the Troy Museum.
Also read: 9 Layers of History: Ancient City of Troy
Pergamon
During both the Hellenistic and Roman times, Pergamon was an important part of Hellenistic culture and a hub for many artistic, scientific, and intellectual activities. The city’s architectural wonders, such as the renowned Pergamon Altar, are a testament to its rich cultural heritage. The city’s prestigious library attracted scholars from far and wide and was comparable to Alexandria’s renowned institution.
Located in modern Bergama, Pergamon is only two hours away from Izmir by car.
Termessos
Termessos is a historical settlement in Turkey that is hard to reach. It is high up in the Gulluk Mountain National Park, close to Antalya.
Halicarnassus
Halicarnassus is famous for the Tomb of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This ancient city played a pivotal role in shaping Anatolia’s cultural and intellectual landscape. It’s one of the ancient ruins in Turkey that you can easily access from the Bodrum city center on foot or by car.
Hierapolis
Hierapolis is a great place for history buffs to visit because it has old ruins like the Theater and Temple of Cybele. As the ancient city is close to Pamukkale, you can enjoy the hot pools near the travertines, so you should bring a swimsuit. To protect the native area, walk barefoot on the travertines.
From Denizli to Hierapolis, it takes 20 minutes to drive.
Clazomenae
Clazomenae is a lesser-known old city in Turkey. It is in Urla, which is near İzmir. Its ruins include pottery studios and coins with images of Apollo.
You should combine your trip with the nearby town of Urla where you can swim and taste fresh fish.
The ancient site is 45 minutes away from the city center of Izmir.
Perge
There are a lot of interesting historical structures in Perge, Turkey. It was once an important city in Pamphylia and has a stadium, a theater, and beautiful Hellenistic walls that are still in good shape. Antalya’s city center is 20 minutes away by car from Perge. You can take a taxi or go on a walk with a guide.
Tip: The Perge Ancient Ruins in Turkey are spread out. So, make sure your shoes are comfortable and walk at your own pace the whole way.
Sardis
Sardis is one of the most important ancient cities in Turkey as it was the capital of Lydia in the past. This ancient city is famous for the Temple of Artemis. Sardis is in Salihli, a small town close to Izmir. Driving from Izmir takes about two hours and a half.
Priene
Priene is an Ionian ancient city known for its well-kept Temple of Athena, Theater, Temple of Zeus, and more. The city was built using the “grid system” developed by the Miletian architect Hippodamus. Priene is the finest example of ancient city planning. The ancient city is located in Aydin, which is an hour’s drive from Kusadasi.
Xanthos
Xanthos is one of the ancient ruins in Turkey that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located in Antalya, it was the city of Lycia in the past. Its rock tombs and the Harpy Monument are unique traces of Lycian civilizations in Turkey. If you want to combine your visit with a swim, bring your swimwear because Patara Beach is only 15 minutes away by car.
Laodicea
Laodicea was a prosperous city in the Roman Empire. The most important source of income for the city is the cloth trade. Among the important structures of Laodicea that have survived to this day include Anatolia’s largest stadium, 2 theaters, 4 bath complexes, 5 Agoras, 2 Main Entrance Gates, and the Council House. The city is surrounded on all four sides by a necropolis area.
Located near Denizli, the ruins are 20 minutes from the city center by car.
Patara
Patara, which became the capital of the Lycian League, dates back to the 13th century BC. The ancient city of Patara stood for centuries because it was the only place in the Xanthos Valley that could open to the sea. The city also holds great significance for Christianity as Saint Nicholas was born in Patara.
Patara is close to the route of the Lycian Way hike and one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. This 18-kilometer Patara Beach is also one of the rare shores where Caretta-Carettas, have been laying eggs and hatching for millions of years.
Myra
Myra, which also means “the place of the Great Mother Goddess,” was a sacred place for the mother goddess Artemis. On the coins, Artemis is represented in the form of Kybele, the oldest goddess of Anatolia. It is famous for its rock tombs and the Church of St. Nicholas. This ancient city showcases the unique burial traditions and Christian heritage of ancient civilizations in Turkey. The ancient city is in Demre, which is about a two-hour drive from Antalya. Don’t miss Demre Bird Paradise, which has meandering views and 149 different bird species, if you visit Myra Ancient City.
Sagalassos
Sagalassos, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in Turkey, was one of the most important towns of Pisidia during the Roman Imperial Period in ancient times. The Neon Library, Hellenistic Fountain, Heroon, and Antonine Fountain are some of the structures uncovered in the excavations. In the ancient city of Sagalassos, active fountains where waters from the Taurus Mountains still flow are worth seeing.
From Antalya, it takes about 1.5 hours to drive to Sagalassos.
Arykanda
Arykanda, located in the south of the Bey Mountains near Antalya, is a remarkable ancient city that harmonizes nature and history. The ancient city is bounded by cliffs as a typical slope settlement. Among the most important remains of this city which was built on terraces, are the gymnasium and bath on the lower terrace, and the theater, odeon, stadium, agora, and small bath on the upper terrace.
Accessible by car, Arykanda is about 1.5 hours from Antalya, making it an ideal day trip for history buffs and nature lovers alike.
Conclusıon
These are only some of the ancient cities in Turkey among the countless old towns in the country. The ancient ruins in Turkey that rise from the ground for thousands of years reflect the lifestyles and cultures of different civilizations. Whether you’re a history buff or just like to travel, these places will amaze you with their cultural and architectural remains from the past.
Have you ever visited one of the ancient cities in Turkey? Which ones did you visit? Did you like them? Share your experiences about Turkey in the comments below!