The Aegean region is one of Türkiye's busiest areas for history and holidays, with UNESCO-listed ancient cities such as Ephesus, Aphrodisias, Pergamon, Sardis and Hierapolis, the long coastline of Muğla and the travertines of Pamukkale in Denizli.
Provinces of the Aegean Region
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03Things to Do in Afyonkarahisar
Afyonkarahisar Castle, Afyonkarahisar Grand Mosque and Gedik Ahmed Paşa Complex (İmaret Mosque)
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43Things to Do in Kütahya
Aizanoi (Çavdarhisar) Ancient City, Kütahya Castle and Kütahya Grand Mosque
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45Things to Do in Manisa
Sardis (Sart) Ancient City, Temple of Artemis at Sardis and Sultan Mosque and Hafsa Sultan Hospital (Darüşşifa)
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48Things to Do in Muğla
Bodrum Castle (Castle of St Peter), Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and Ölüdeniz
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About the Aegean Region
Top destinations: Ancient City of Ephesus, Pamukkale Travertines and Hierapolis, Aphrodisias, Pergamon Acropolis, Sardis, Bodrum Castle, Ölüdeniz, Dalyan and Kaunos, Aizanoi, Ulubey Canyon.
The Aegean region consists of eight provinces: Afyonkarahisar, Aydın, Denizli, Izmir, Kütahya, Manisa, Muğla and Uşak. The coastline runs through the provinces of Izmir, Aydın and Muğla, while Afyonkarahisar, Kütahya, Uşak and Denizli lie inland. As a result, sea, history and thermal tourism can all be combined on the same route.
Ancient cities and UNESCO sites
The region’s greatest strength is its ancient cities. In Izmir you can visit the Ancient City of Ephesus (inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015) and the Pergamon Acropolis (2014). In Aydın there are Aphrodisias (2017), Miletus, Priene, Didyma and Nysa; in Manisa, Sardis (2025); in Denizli, Hierapolis and Laodicea; in Kütahya, Aizanoi, known for its Temple of Zeus; and in Uşak, Blaundos and the Clandras Bridge. Aydın is regarded as one of Türkiye’s richest provinces for archaeology.
Coasts and nature
Muğla, with Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye, Datça, Dalyan and Göcek, is the province with the longest coastline in Türkiye. Ölüdeniz, Butterfly Valley, Kayaköy and İztuzu Beach are the best-known stops. In Denizli the travertines of Pamukkale, in Manisa Mount Spil National Park and the Kula-Salihli UNESCO Global Geopark, and in Uşak Ulubey Canyon complete the nature routes. Afyonkarahisar is known for its thermal hotels.
Cuisine and local products
The regional cuisine is based on olive oil, grains, fruit and pastries, and every province has a flavour of its own:
- Izmir: boyoz (baked pastry), kumru (sesame-roll sandwich), gevrek (sesame ring bread), lokma (fried dough balls in syrup) and şambali (semolina cake in syrup); Urla mastic artichokes, Çeşme mastic gum.
- Afyonkarahisar: kaymak (clotted cream), sucuk (spiced sausage), pastırma (cured beef) and kaymaklı ekmek kadayıfı.
- Aydın: figs, Çine köftesi, Söke kulak çorbası (ear-shaped dumpling soup), Germencik ekşili tavuk (sour chicken).
- Denizli: Tavas baklavası, yanık koyun yoğurdu (burnt sheep’s yoghurt), roasted chickpeas (leblebi), Honaz cherries.
- Manisa: Akhisar köfte, Salihli odun köfte, Alaşehir kapaması, Manisa mesir macunu (spiced paste) and seedless sultana grapes.
- Muğla: Bodrum çökertme kebabı, Muğla köftesi, Milas tepsi böreği; Datça almonds and pine honey.
- Kütahya: cimcik aşı, tosunumu, kaz tiridi (goose and bread stew); Kütahya tiles and Tavşanlı roasted chickpeas (leblebi).
- Uşak: tarhana (fermented soup mix), halva and baklava; Karahallı melon and Uşak carpets.
Getting There
Izmir, Muğla (Bodrum and Dalaman airports) and Denizli are the easiest centres to reach by air. Izmir, Manisa, Aydın, Denizli, Kütahya and Afyonkarahisar are also connected by rail; Kuşadası port and Izmir port provide sea connections. To tour the region, most routes are most comfortably combined by road.
Below you will find the guide to each province, along with its districts, famous dishes and transport information.