9 places to visit in the Sultanhisar district of Aydın: Nysa Ancient City, Nysa Tüneli and Sultanhisar Zeytinlikleri. Plan your trip to Sultanhisar with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Sultanhisar is a district of Aydın province in the Aegean Region. The district lies at an altitude of 77 metres. Until 1958 it was a subdistrict centre attached to Nazilli; in that year it became a district in its own right.
It was founded as a centre of culture by the Seljuk dynasty in 1270. It came under Ottoman rule in 1425. Its name derives from the fortress (castle) of Nilüfer Sultan, daughter of Aydın Bey. During the Greek occupation, 52 residents were massacred and 22 houses were burned.
The district’s industry is based on agriculture. There are olive oil factories, cotton ginning mills and fig processing plants. Strawberry production is especially widespread, and many cold storage and shock-freezing facilities have been opened.
Sultanhisar was a subdistrict centre attached to Nazilli until 1958, and became a district in 1958. The name Sultanhisar comes from the fortress built for Nilüfer Sultan, sister of Mehmet Bey, founder of the Aydınoğlu Principality. Nysa was founded in the Hellenistic period, in the first half of the 3rd century BC. The geographer Strabo studied in Nysa. Nysa’s structures are examples of Roman architecture and engineering, built in harmony with the valley.
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Just north of Sultanhisar, Nysa is an important Hellenistic city founded in the 3rd century BC. Its 12,000-seat theatre, library, gymnasium and stadium, built over a deep valley, are the most striking structures in the ancient city.
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The 115-metre tunnel in the ancient city of Nysa runs beneath the stadium and connects the two banks of the city. It is an impressive example of Roman engineering.
View on mapAn ancient theatre with a capacity of ten thousand, located north-east of the library.
View on mapDescribed as the best-preserved structure in Nysa, this building is known as the council house of the elders.
View on mapA two-storey ancient library; according to some sources, it is the best-preserved ancient library in Anatolia.
View on mapA marketplace east of the bouleuterion, made up of halls surrounded on all sides by colonnades.
View on mapA sports complex where young people were educated; today, the large structural remains can be seen at the archaeological site.
View on mapRoughly two kilometres west of the archaeological site, on the Akharaka road.
View on mapOlive groves stretching across the slopes of Sultanhisar form the characteristic landscape of the area. Monumental olive trees, some hundreds of years old, can be found here.
View on mapWhile you are in Sultanhisar, you can also see the highlights of Aydın province. These places are in other districts.
Piyaz, made with dried beans, onion, parsley and tahini, is a traditional favourite on Sultanhisar tables.
Wild herbs gathered around Sultanhisar are cooked in olive oil and served.
Strawberries registered with a geographical indication; registered on 30.11.2020 at the application of the Sultanhisar Chamber of Agriculture.
In antiquity, Nysa was an important centre of education and culture. The famous geographer Strabo studied here. Its library was one of the major centres of knowledge in the ancient world.
Sultanhisar's economy consists of agriculture and tourism. Figs, olives and citrus fruit are grown. Nysa Ancient City contributes to cultural tourism.
Sultanhisar is 35 km from Aydın provincial centre and can be reached by road. It lies on the İzmir–Denizli railway line. The nearest airport is İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport (155 km).
The 9 highlights of Sultanhisar: Nysa Ancient City, Nysa Tunnel, Sultanhisar Olive Groves, Nysa Theatre, Nysa Bouleuterion (Gerontikon), Nysa Library, Nysa Agora, Nysa Gymnasium and Nysa Necropolis.
Piyaz, Zeytinyağlı Ot Yemekleri and Sultanhisar Çileği are the highlights of Sultanhisar's tables.
Sultanhisar is known for Sultanhisar Çileği and the heritage of Nysa Ancient City. Registered as a protected geographical indication with TÜRKPATENT.
Sultanhisar is 35 km from Aydın provincial centre and can be reached by road. It lies on the İzmir–Denizli railway line. The nearest airport is İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport (155 km).
Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.