Priene, Miletus and Didyma Trip from Izmir or Kusadasi
Overview
Three ancient Ionian cities, one full day out of Izmir. This trip follows the old coastline of the Aegean, where the Meander River slowly filled the harbors and left great cities stranded inland. Priene Ancient City sits on terraces beneath a sheer rock face, laid out on one of the earliest street grids in the Greek world. You can still trace house blocks, the council chamber and the theater seats where citizens sat centuries ago.
At Miletus the scale changes. The theater once seated over 15,000 people, and the Bath of Faustina nearby still shows its heated rooms and pools. Lunch at a local Turkish restaurant comes between the morning and afternoon sites.
The day finishes at Didyma, where the enormous Temple of Apollo stands with columns taller than a house and carved column bases you can walk right up to. Travel is by air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide, entrance fees are covered, and you’re picked up and returned to your Izmir hotel, the airport or the cruise port. Bring sturdy shoes and sun protection.
Highlights
- Walk the grid-planned streets of Priene beneath its steep mountain backdrop
- See the theater at Miletus, which once held more than 15,000 spectators
- Step inside the well-preserved Bath of Faustina at Miletus
- Stand among the giant columns of the Temple of Apollo at Didyma
- Break for an included lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant
- Travel with an English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned vehicle
Itinerary
Priene, Miletus and Didyma Day Trip from Izmir
Your day begins with pickup between 7:30 and 8:00 AM from your Izmir hotel, Izmir airport or the Izmir cruise port. You'll travel south along the Aegean in an air-conditioned vehicle with your English-speaking guide. First stop is Priene Ancient City, set on terraces below a steep mountain wall above the Meander plain.
Priene is one of the earliest cities laid out on a grid plan, so the streets still cross at neat right angles. Your guide will walk you past the Temple of Athena, the theater and the council house. The ground is uneven and there's a climb from the parking area, so wear closed shoes with grip. Shade is limited in summer, so bring a hat and water.
Next comes Miletus, once a major Ionian port before the river silted up its harbors. The huge theater held more than 15,000 spectators, and you can climb partway up the seating for the view over the plain. You'll also see the well-preserved Bath of Faustina, named for the wife of Marcus Aurelius. Lunch follows at a local Turkish restaurant and is included in your tour price.
After lunch you'll continue to Didyma, linked to Miletus in antiquity by a sacred road. The Temple of Apollo here is one of the largest temples of the Hellenistic period, and its massive columns still stand although the building was never finished. The regular group tour also includes a shopping stop before you head back.
The tour wraps up around 4:00 PM, when you'll be dropped off at your hotel, Izmir airport, the cruise port or a city center location. Expect a fair amount of walking across three sites on stone and gravel. Dinner isn't included, so you're free to pick a restaurant in Izmir at your own expense.
- Included Meal(s): Lunch
What's included
- Pickup and drop-off at centrally located Izmir hotels, Izmir airport or Izmir cruise port
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking guide throughout the tour
- Lunch at a local Turkish restaurant
- Entrance fees to Priene, Miletus and Didyma
- Local taxes and service charges
What's not included
- Personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities
Good to know
- Pickup is scheduled between 7:30 and 8:00 AM; the tour ends with drop-off at around 4:00 PM.
- This is a regular group tour. It can be arranged as a private tour on request, at additional cost.
- The regular group tour includes a shopping stop.
- All three archaeological sites have uneven stone paths and steps, including a climb at Priene. Wear closed, non-slip walking shoes.
- Summer temperatures on the Aegean coast can be high with very little shade at the ruins. Bring a hat, sunscreen and water.
- Drop-off options include your hotel, Izmir airport, the Izmir cruise port or a city center location; please confirm your preference when booking.
- Most visitors to Turkey need a valid passport, and many nationalities require a visa or e-visa. Check the requirements for your nationality before travel.
- Cruise passengers should share their ship's departure time when booking so drop-off timing can be checked.
- Site layouts and open areas can change during ongoing excavation and restoration work.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the tour start?
You'll be picked up from your centrally located Izmir hotel, Izmir airport or the Izmir cruise port between 7:30 and 8:00 AM.
What time does the tour finish?
The tour ends at around 4:00 PM, when you're transferred back to your hotel, the airport, the cruise port or a city center drop-off point.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant is included in the tour price.
Are entrance fees covered?
Yes, entrance fees to the sites visited on the tour are included, along with local taxes and service charges.
Is this a private tour?
It runs as a regular group tour with a guide and fellow travelers. A private version can be arranged on request for an additional cost.
How much walking should I expect?
A fair amount. You'll cover three archaeological sites on stone, gravel and uneven ground, with a climb at Priene. Comfortable closed shoes make a big difference.
Is there a shopping stop?
Yes, the regular group tour includes one shopping stop during the day.
Can I join if I'm arriving on a cruise ship?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off at the Izmir cruise port are included. Let us know your ship's schedule when you book.
What should I bring?
Sun protection, water, a hat and sturdy walking shoes. A light layer is useful outside the summer months, since the sites are open and exposed.
What isn't included in the price?
Personal expenses and tips are not included.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
If you need to cancel or change your travel dates, you must notify All Istanbul Tours at least 5 days before the tour starts. For a cancellation or date-change request received at least 5 days before the tour starts, the cost of all non-refundable flight and bus tickets will be deducted from the paid balance. For a cancellation or date-change request received less than 5 days before the tour starts, the full amount paid is non-refundable. If a traveler does not appear for the booked service, the reservation is treated as a no-show and the full amount paid is non-refundable.
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Best day trip ever. Highly recommend. Everything was on time, well organized and super interesting. Nizam is an unbelievable guide, if you get her you are lucky.