Kusadasi Private Tour: Option 4

Priene, Miletus and Didyma

Starting from Kusadasi

Tour Summary-
Type: Antiquities, Culture
Length: 8 Hours
Walking: Difficult - uneven surfaces
Mobility: NO wheelchairs
Guide: Licensed Guide
Languages: English
Prices: Scroll Down or Click here for Prices

This off the beaten path option is a wonderful tour for those who love archaeological sites and have already been to Ephesus. While no one of these sites can be compared to Ephesus, combined the three make for a fascinating and rewarding day trip.

Your driver and licensed guide will meet you in front of Kusadasi's port Passenger Terminal where you'll depart for the countryside. 

Your first stop will be Priene. The ancient city of Priene was once a harbor city, but silt from the Meander River filled in its bay and cut off its livelyhood. Today the site is nearly 16km away from the sea. The original city was a peninsula with two harbors on either side. Priene was laid out on a grid plan system with all streets at right angles to one another. The amazingly large site sits at the foot of a spectacular cliff (Mt. Mycale) and contains many superb examples of Hellenistic art and architecture.

Next visit Miletus, an ancient city located near the present Akköy at the mouth of the Meander River. Highly prosperous, it was one of the largest cities in Anatolia and founded many colonies. It was the home of the ancient philosophers Anaximander, Anaximenes and Thales, the town planner Hippodamus and architect Isidorus.  Having a prominent position on trade routes, Miletus became the most important port in this area and was the most active member of the twelve cities of the Ionian Confederation. From the 7th century B.C. the city has been controlled in turn by Persians, Romans and Seljuk Turks.

After a stop for lunch you continue to your last visit of the day, Didyma. The world Didyma meant "twins" and this place was believed to be the meeting place of Zeus and Leto who gave birth to their twins Apollo and Artemis. In the ancient world, Didyma was famed as a prophecy center dedicated to Apollo, and served a purpose in Anatolia similar to the oracle at Delphi in Greece. It was not a city but a sanctuary linked to Miletus with a 12 mile sacred road. Today the large scale of the standing columns will impress even the most well traveled visitors.

Tour Breakdown:
1- Depart pier and drive to Priene- 45 Minutes
2- Visit Priene- 1 Hour
3- Drive to Miletus - 30 Minutes
4- Visit Miletus - 1 Hour and 15 Minutes
5- Lunch Break - 1.5 Hours
6- Drive to Didyma - 30 Minutes
7- Visit Didyma - 45 Minutes
8- Return to pier - 1 hour and 15 Minutes

Note- If additional time is available during your tour, many guides will ask if you are interested in seeing how Turkish carpets are made or if you wish to shop. These free demonstrations are very interesting and quite informative, but they are also a selling opportunity.  Decide on your interest and tell your tour guide clearly whether shopping interests you or not.  You should never feel obligated to make a purchase on any tour.

Turkish VISA note: The Turkish government requires overnight visitors to obtain an entry VISA.  However visitors who are visiting the country by cruise ship are exempt from this entry requirement.  No entry Visa is required for a shore excursion however an entry Visa is required if your cruise starts in Istanbul.  Entry Visas for Americans can be obtained at the airport in Istanbul upon your arrival.  The cost is about $25 USD.

See More Options in this Port

Private Sightseeing Tours and Shore Excursions from Kusadasi to Ephesus, Priene, Miletus and Didyma