The Aegean coast runs from the Dardanelles in the north to the Muğla coast in the south, a long shoreline of ancient cities, olive groves, wine areas, islands and resort bays. It is green, hilly and more historic than the Mediterranean coast, with some of the best archaeological sites in the Mediterranean world. This guide covers the main places, how they fit together and when to go. See each destination page for plans and climate tables.

The Aegean at a glance

Place	Best for	Page
—	—	—
İzmir	Food, waterfront, base for the region	İzmir
Ephesus and Selçuk	The best-preserved ancient city	Ephesus
Pergamon (Bergama)	UNESCO ruins and the Asklepion	See below
Çeşme and Alaçatı	Beaches, windsurfing, wine	See below
Bodrum	Castle, bays, nightlife	Bodrum
Marmaris	Boat trips and Blue Voyage	Marmaris
Çanakkale	Troy, Gallipoli, islands	Çanakkale
Pamukkale (inland)	Travertines and Hierapolis	Pamukkale

The main places

İzmir

İzmir is Türkiye’s third-largest city and the Aegean’s gateway. It has the Kordon waterfront, the Asansör of 1907, the Kemeraltı Bazaar and the Agora of ancient Smyrna, and it is the base for Ephesus, Pergamon and Çeşme. Lonely Planet named it a 2024 Best in Travel city.

Ephesus and Selçuk

Ephesus is UNESCO-listed and the most visited ancient site in the country. Stay in Selçuk, the nearest town, or visit from İzmir. Read our Ephesus guide for tickets and hours.

Pergamon

Pergamon, in Bergama, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the location of the Asklepion, the ancient healing center. It is a good day trip from İzmir.

Bodrum, Çeşme and Alaçatı

Bodrum is the Aegean’s glamorous resort, with the Castle of St Peter and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology. Çeşme has Blue Flag beaches, and nearby Alaçatı is known for windsurfing, stone houses and windmills, and for eating out. Urla, a wine area near İzmir, has vineyards and restaurants opened by young chefs.

Assos and the islands

Assos is an ancient coastal town about 87 km south of Çanakkale with a temple of Athena above a small harbor. Gökçeada, a Cittaslow island since 2011, and Bozcaada, known for wine, are reached by ferry. See Çanakkale.

Pamukkale

Pamukkale is inland but forms part of many Aegean itineraries. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and our Pamukkale guide has hours and tickets.

A suggested Aegean route

Days 1 and 2. İzmir: the Kordon, the bazaar and the Agora.
Day 3. Ephesus and Selçuk.
Day 4. Pergamon, or Çeşme and Alaçatı.
Day 5. Pamukkale (overnight if you can).
Days 6 to 8. Bodrum or Marmaris for beach and boats.

Getting around

Most of the Aegean can be reached by bus, train, ferry or rental car, depending on the route. Rental cars are the most flexible way to reach Assos, the Çeşme Peninsula and smaller villages. Some ferries link Aegean ports with Greek islands in season, so check operators and carry your passport. See our getting around guide.

When to go

The Aegean has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. April to June and September to October are the most comfortable, with warm sea and fewer crowds. July and August are hot, and the big archaeological sites are best early in the day. Our destination pages give monthly climate tables, and our best time guide compares regions.