{"id":36525,"date":"2026-02-24T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/the-many-charms-of-aydin\/"},"modified":"2026-02-23T16:15:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T13:15:07","slug":"the-many-charms-of-aydin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/the-many-charms-of-aydin\/","title":{"rendered":"The many charms of Ayd\u0131n"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Historical sites in Ayd\u0131n\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Temple
Temple of Apollo, Didim\/Ayd\u0131n.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tralles Ancient City<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

About a kilometer north of the Ayd\u0131n 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\u2019s only surviving structure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aphrodisias Ancient City<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Aphrodisias
Aphrodisias Ancient City, Ayd\u0131n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Aphrodisias, an ancient city in the Geyre Neighborhood of Karacasu District in Ayd\u0131n, was founded as a village and grew into a city in the 2nd century BC. Over time, it became known as a \u201cpolis,\u201d meaning “city-state,” and today it ranks among the foremost historical sites to visit in Ayd\u0131n for its well-preserved traces from the Late Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>, book a flight to \u0130zmir<\/a>, the closest airport to Aphrodisias, and embark on a delightful journey through the layers of thousands of years of history on site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miletus Ancient City<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 Ayd\u0131n.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nysa Ancient City<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The ancient theatre located in the ancient city of Nysa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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 \u201cCity of Education and Culture\u201d. This is where the famed geographer and traveler Strabo received his education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What sets Nysa apart most strikingly is the colossal tunnel system beneath the city, linking its two sides. It is also home to Anatolia\u2019s second-best-preserved ancient library, after the Celsus Library in Ephesus.\u00a0The Dionysos reliefs on the theater\u2019s stage building are a nod to the city\u2019s viticulture. If you are seeking a quiet, mystical journey into history, far from the crowds, Nysa should be at the top of your list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

G\u00fcvercinada Castle<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"G\u00fcvercinada
G\u00fcvercinada Castle, Ayd\u0131n. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Set on a small island in Ku\u015fadas\u0131 Bay, the 16th-century G\u00fcvercinada 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do\u011fanbey Village<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Do\u011fanbey
Do\u011fanbey Village, Ayd\u0131n.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the S\u00f6ke district of Ayd\u0131n, picturesque Do\u011fanbey 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\u2019s original stone houses have been restored; these, along with its cobblestone streets and lovely views, have made Do\u011fanbey village a popular destination for day trips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Natural beauties in Ayd\u0131n<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Didim
Didim, Ayd\u0131n.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ku\u015fadas\u0131<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Ku\u015fadas\u0131\"
Ku\u015fadas\u0131, Ayd\u0131n.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Ayd\u0131n province is known for its seaside, lush nature, and fresh air. The lively district of Ku\u015fadas\u0131 offers all of these elements. The seafront city of Ku\u015fadas\u0131 is approximately 59 kilometers from the Ayd\u0131n city center, and offers a number of attractive beaches, including the Sevgi and G\u00fcvercinada beaches, along with the women-only Kad\u0131nlar Beach. Ku\u015fadas\u0131 is also a popular destination for visits to the famous Ephesus Ancient City. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ayd\u0131n\u2019s hot springs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Ayd\u0131n
Thermal facilities in Ayd\u0131n Davutlar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In addition to beaches and historical sites, Ayd\u0131n is rich in mineral and thermal waters. The province features a number of spa\/hot spring facilities in the Buharkent, Germencik, S\u00f6ke, Ortak\u00e7\u0131 and \u0130mamk\u00f6y districts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Didim<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Didim, a pleasant seaside town in the Ayd\u0131n province, is home to the popular Alt\u0131nkum Beach, known for its clear waters and fine sand. About 100 kilometers from the Ayd\u0131n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arapap\u0131\u015ft\u0131 (\u0130nce\u011fiz) Canyon<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Arapap\u0131\u015ft\u0131
Arapap\u0131\u015ft\u0131 Canyon with its emerald green waters winding through steep cliffs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Arapap\u0131\u015ft\u0131 Canyon, lying on the borders of Ayd\u0131n\u2019s Bozdo\u011fan and Karacasu districts and Mu\u011fla\u2019s Kavakl\u0131dere, is so striking that it makes one say, \u201cI never knew Ayd\u0131n had a place like this.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lake Bafa and Latmos (Be\u015fparmak) Mountains<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The calm waters of Lake Bafa and the distinctive rock formations of the Latmos (Be\u015fparmak) Mountains<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the world\u2019s 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\u2019s small islands offer a truly unique experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ayd\u0131n cuisine<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Artichoke\"
Artichoke with olive oil.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Yuvarlama<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

T\u00fcrkiye \u2019s Aegean region is renowned for its cuisine and Ayd\u0131n is no exception. Among the region\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00c7ine meatballs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Almost every city in T\u00fcrkiye has its special meat recipes. Ayd\u0131n\u2019s \u00e7ine meatballs are a local specialty and mainly only available in the region. They are especially scrumptious accompanied by the local yay\u0131k ayran (a spicy, frothy ayran).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pasha pastry<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Koruk sour okra<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pickled dishes and olive oil dishes have a prominent place in Ayd\u0131n\u2019s cuisine. Koruk sour okra deploys the juice of unripened grapes \u2013 rather than lemon \u2013 for its sour flavor. It is said to be one of the most delicious okra dishes ever created.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pumpkin dessert\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Pumpkin
Pumpkin dessert with plenty of walnuts.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The spectacular pumpkin dessert is available throughout T\u00fcrkiye but Ayd\u0131n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ortaklar \u00c7\u00f6p \u015ei\u015f (lamb skewers)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Ortaklar
Ortaklar \u00c7\u00f6p \u015ei\u015f service<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On the Ayd\u0131n – \u0130zmir highway, Ortaklar town in the Germencik district is a true temple of flavor. The secret of its \u00e7\u00f6p \u015fi\u015f 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 lava\u015f are placed in front of you without even ordering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karacasu Pide (flat bread)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Karacasu
Karacasu pide service<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ayd\u0131n transportation guide<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Ayd\u0131n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For air travel to Ayd\u0131n, the main gateway is \u0130zmir Adnan Menderes Airport. As of 2026, transportation options from the airport to Ayd\u0131n are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Train: from the station inside the airport, you can reach Ayd\u0131n Gar\u0131 in Efeler directly in a comfortable and economical way with TCDD regional trains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 HAVA\u015e and shuttle services: Regular HAVA\u015e buses depart from the airport exit toward Ayd\u0131n city center, Ku\u015fadas\u0131 and S\u00f6ke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Car rental: By renting a car at the airport, you can reach Ayd\u0131n city center in approximately 45 to 50 minutes via the \u0130zmir-Ayd\u0131n Motorway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ayd\u0131n-Denizli Motorway, completed in recent years, has transformed the city\u2019s 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 \u0130zmir or Ayd\u0131n.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For city transportation, the \u201cAykart\u201d 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Historical sites in Ayd\u0131n\u00a0 Tralles Ancient City About a kilometer north of the Ayd\u0131n 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\u2019s only […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":36070,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[853,145,323,147,240,239],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-36525","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-aydin-travel-guide","8":"category-destinations","9":"category-natural-beauties-of-the-world","10":"category-trip-ideas","11":"category-turkey","12":"category-city-vacation"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36525","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/53"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36525"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36525\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":59292,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36525\/revisions\/59292"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36070"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36525"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}