Historical sites in Aydın
Tralles Ancient City
About a kilometer north of the Aydın city center is the ancient city of Tralles. Believed to have been built in the third century BC by Thracians and Argives, Tralles later came under Roman and Ottoman rule. The fourth century BC Roman-era gymnasium is the ancient city’s only surviving structure.
Aphrodisias Ancient City
Aphrodisias, an ancient city in the Geyre Neighborhood of Karacasu District in Aydın, was founded as a village and grew into a city in the 2nd century BC. Over time, it became known as a “polis,” meaning “city-state,” and today it ranks among the foremost historical sites to visit in Aydın for its well-preserved traces from the Late Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras.
If you would like to explore this magnificent ancient city further, whose marble quarries, original sculptures, and countless details reveal the prosperity of its people and which is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, you can read our Aphrodisias travel guide, book a flight to İzmir, the closest airport to Aphrodisias, and embark on a delightful journey through the layers of thousands of years of history on site.
Miletus Ancient City
Believed to have been founded in the Bronze Age by Minoan Cretans, the ancient port of Miletus was later ruled by Alexander the Great, the Romans and the Byzantines. The city came under Seljuk and then Ottoman rule. Although it was once a significant trade center, the harbor of Miletus gradually filled with silt; this swamp-like environment gave rise to a malaria epidemic and the city was eventually abandoned.
Among the remaining structures in Miletus Ancient City are an ancient theatre, an agora, temples and baths. Miletus Ancient City is in the Didim district of Aydın.
Nysa Ancient City
Although long overshadowed by Ephesus and Aphrodisias, Nysa has become one of the most significant discoveries in recent years. Nestled on a steep slope and hidden among olive trees in the Sultanhisar district, the city is known as the “City of Education and Culture”. This is where the famed geographer and traveler Strabo received his education.
What sets Nysa apart most strikingly is the colossal tunnel system beneath the city, linking its two sides. It is also home to Anatolia’s second-best-preserved ancient library, after the Celsus Library in Ephesus. The Dionysos reliefs on the theater’s stage building are a nod to the city’s viticulture. If you are seeking a quiet, mystical journey into history, far from the crowds, Nysa should be at the top of your list.
Güvercinada Castle
Set on a small island in Kuşadası Bay, the 16th-century Güvercinada Castle was commissioned by Hayreddin Barbarossa, an Ottoman-era admiral. Formerly accessible only via boat, the Castle is now reachable via a land connection. It became a Tentative World Heritage Site in 2020.
Doğanbey Village
In the Söke district of Aydın, picturesque Doğanbey village dates to the seventh century BC. Populated primarily by Greeks during the Ottoman era, the tiny village was part of the Greek-Turkish population exchange in the 1920s. Many of the village’s original stone houses have been restored; these, along with its cobblestone streets and lovely views, have made Doğanbey village a popular destination for day trips.
Natural beauties in Aydın
Kuşadası
The Aydın province is known for its seaside, lush nature, and fresh air. The lively district of Kuşadası offers all of these elements. The seafront city of Kuşadası is approximately 59 kilometers from the Aydın city center, and offers a number of attractive beaches, including the Sevgi and Güvercinada beaches, along with the women-only Kadınlar Beach. Kuşadası is also a popular destination for visits to the famous Ephesus Ancient City.
Aydın’s hot springs
In addition to beaches and historical sites, Aydın is rich in mineral and thermal waters. The province features a number of spa/hot spring facilities in the Buharkent, Germencik, Söke, Ortakçı and İmamköy districts.
Didim
Didim, a pleasant seaside town in the Aydın province, is home to the popular Altınkum Beach, known for its clear waters and fine sand. About 100 kilometers from the Aydın city center, Didim is adjacent to the Didyma ancient city, which features the ruins of a majestic Temple of Apollo. Also, near Didim are the Roman-era Faustina Baths and the small island of.
Arapapıştı (İnceğiz) Canyon
Arapapıştı Canyon, lying on the borders of Aydın’s Bozdoğan and Karacasu districts and Muğla’s Kavaklıdere, is so striking that it makes one say, “I never knew Aydın had a place like this.” As the waters of Kemer Dam rise and fall, the canyon takes on a different color each season, but in spring and summer it glows in the most vivid shade of turquoise. On weekend boat tours, you can glide deep into the canyon and see the 2,500-year-old Persian rock tombs carved into the sheer cliffs from the water, while those who prefer to stay above can head to the Viewing Terrace for a panoramic view that easily rivals Norwegian fjords.
Lake Bafa and Latmos (Beşparmak) Mountains
This region is home not only to natural beauty but also to a geological and archaeological wonder. What was once a gulf of the Aegean Sea, Bafa gradually separated from the sea through alluvial deposits and became a lake. Rising just above its shores, the Latmos Mountains form a surreal landscape of gneissic rocks that resemble the moon’s surface.
This is one of the world’s most important prehistoric rock art sites. You can join guided trekking tours to see these red-painted images, dating back 8,000 years and largely centered on themes of family and spring festivities. Wandering among the ruins of the ancient city of Herakleia along the lakeshore and observing the monasteries scattered across the lake’s small islands offer a truly unique experience.
Aydın cuisine
Yuvarlama
Türkiye ’s Aegean region is renowned for its cuisine and Aydın is no exception. Among the region’s most beloved dishes is yuvarlama, a mixture of minced meat, onions, eggs and fragrant spices. The dish is served with yogurt and pepper sauce. It is frequently presented at weddings and on special occasions.
Çine meatballs
Almost every city in Türkiye has its special meat recipes. Aydın’s çine meatballs are a local specialty and mainly only available in the region. They are especially scrumptious accompanied by the local yayık ayran (a spicy, frothy ayran).
Pasha pastry
Savory pasha pastries are another local specialty. Usually made with phyllo dough, the pastries are stuffed with minced meat and cooked in broth; the dish is often served with yoghurt drizzled on top.
Koruk sour okra
Pickled dishes and olive oil dishes have a prominent place in Aydın’s cuisine. Koruk sour okra deploys the juice of unripened grapes – rather than lemon – for its sour flavor. It is said to be one of the most delicious okra dishes ever created.
Pumpkin dessert
The spectacular pumpkin dessert is available throughout Türkiye but Aydın has its own regional variation. Instead of chunks, pumpkin is cut into thin slices before being cooked with sugar. The dish is served with a topping of crushed walnuts.
Ortaklar Çöp Şiş (lamb skewers)
On the Aydın – İzmir highway, Ortaklar town in the Germencik district is a true temple of flavor. The secret of its çöp şiş lies in very finely chopped lamb, the addition of tail fat between the pieces, and threading the pieces onto reed skewers. The moment you sit down, piping-hot skewers, charred peppers, onions, and fresh lavaş are placed in front of you without even ordering.
Karacasu Pide (flat bread)
After visiting the ancient city of Aphrodisias, the first thing you should do is head toward the Karacasu district center. What truly sets Karacasu pide apart is its presentation and the crispness of its dough. Whether you choose the versions with plenty of minced meat, diced meat, or cheese, they are baked over a wood fire, so the crust turns crackling and never becomes soggy. For the finale, you must absolutely try the pide with Karacasu tahini. In Karacasu, it is served sprinkled with sugar and then baked once again in a wood-fired oven.
Aydın transportation guide
For air travel to Aydın, the main gateway is İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport. As of 2026, transportation options from the airport to Aydın are as follows:
• Train: from the station inside the airport, you can reach Aydın Garı in Efeler directly in a comfortable and economical way with TCDD regional trains.
• HAVAŞ and shuttle services: Regular HAVAŞ buses depart from the airport exit toward Aydın city center, Kuşadası and Söke.
• Car rental: By renting a car at the airport, you can reach Aydın city center in approximately 45 to 50 minutes via the İzmir-Aydın Motorway.
The Aydın-Denizli Motorway, completed in recent years, has transformed the city’s tourism landscape. Previously hard-to-reach eastern districts, such as Nazilli, Kuyucak, and Karacasu, are now much more accessible. Thanks to this highway, visiting the UNESCO-listed Aphrodisias Ancient City has become a convenient day trip for those departing from the center of İzmir or Aydın.
For city transportation, the “Aykart” travel card is valid on buses and urban lines. If you do not have an Aykart, you can still travel using contactless credit cards on all public transportation vehicles.
