Mytilene castle is a place that is well worth seeing. You have the ancient underground crypts, churches the jail, and some of the best views in Lesvos

We were there on Monday after 5 p.m. and it was closed. The main castle is under renovation and is surrounded by scaffolding. Mino, it is worth taking a walk along the alley to admire the beautiful views

While the place offers a beautiful view and is rich in history, the entrance instructions were not very clear. In addition, there were not enough signs or explanations about the artifacts. Overall, it’s definitely worth a visit, but there’s room for improvement. Tickets were free for under 18, and costs €5 for adults.

A very large and magnificent castle offers a delightful experience of watching the sea view from its forts. However, it closes early, so it is advisable to check the timings before planning a visit.

I cycled from the centre to the castle and left my bike at the entrance with the guard who happily accommodated me and offered advice on how to make the most of my visit. It was Christmas time and rather quiet but sunny, bright and warm. The view from the castle is breathtaking.

A good place to visit, much of it is in ruins and under restoration but the storage rooms underground were impressive. It was also free on the day we visited due to a holiday.

Awesome place! Amazing views, great way to spend 3'4 hours walking around and exploring, costs 2 euros

Nice and clean beach and the sea. Only down side is there is no option for food or drinks. Bring your own water.

It is a stony and very wavy beach. There are lots of snacks to eat and drink. Prices are not very cheap at average island prices. However, there are extreme waves in the afternoon, I recommend you to check the weather and wind conditions before going.

It's really beautiful but the wind and waves make it hard to enjoy unless you just spend the whole day looking at it.

Nice beach with bars but there is not too much shadow there (only few trees and sunbeds which get occupied pretty early in the morning). But worth a visit if you are nearby

Very, very windy. Nice waves, rocky beach, doesn’t differ much from the other beaches from the area.

Very nice beach, few bars and restaurants. You can find tree shadow or you can pay for sunbeds and umbrellas

Great beach, clear waters, ample free space, cool beach bars

Fun hike and experience past the river and waterfalls. Not an easy path as you cross over multiple surfaces, so it is a good challenge. Make sure to wear swimming clothes if you want to make it to the final waterfall. Best to park near the beach.

⸻ If you’re in Samos, this is an absolute must-visit! If you love adventure, water, and waterfalls, this place is perfect for you. It was truly an amazing experience. There’s no rope at the first crossing, but the second part has a rope to help you pass. Alternatively, you can use the ladder to get to the other side — it’s definitely the easier option. The water was beautiful — not freezing cold, just refreshing enough. One of the most stunning waterfalls I’ve ever seen in my life. Highly recommended!

Very nice walk. Bring your swimsuit if you want to see the first waterfall. At the restaurant, feel free to ask if you can see the food, the cook will be delighted to show you.

Nice, interesting place to visit. There is a lot of green trees and bush, calm river and rest from sun. First of all: you need waterproof bag, shoes for water and rocks and good condition. To reach first waterfall it’s sth around 15-20 minutes of walk, then you have to swim sth around one minute in cold water and you’ll see first of them. Nothing complicated, but still: you have to swim and don’t be afraid about rocks. Too see another ones, you need go by stairs (they are pretty scary) and then reaching taverna, go down also by stairs and steep hillside. On the right there is second waterfall (you have to go through the river). On the left, you have to go sth around 20 minutes in the river bed - a lot of slippy rocks. Be careful! It’s not for people who are not physically active. Although, still worth to see it.

Beautiful place. getting to the falls requires some wading and occasional short swims in cold water. Don't leave your expensive Salomon walking shoes at the start though as someone will steal them while leaving cheaper trainers and other stuff 🤬

Quite cool place but water cold as ice, even in July. Water shoes are necessary, just like swimming ability cause in one place in deeper, without feeling ground.

Bring good water shoes not flipflops. A wetbag to put your belongings (phone, water, a fruit), swimwear and strong knees and hands ;)To get to the "first part" of The waterfall you need to go up the wooden stairs (5min climb) then you go down on the side of the restaurant. Enjoy the adventure, take you time don't rush it. "Second part" we couldn't get there cause we weren't stong enough to pull ourselves up the rope. I wish I was cause I enjoyed that part we did do.

(Translated by Google) This is too much compared to the cost of living... Most of the sellers are not villagers, greengrocers. When you think of a village market, don't think of cheap prices. (Original) Bu hayat pahalılığına göre fazla kazık... satıcıların çoğu köylü değil manav aklınıza köy pazarı deyince ucuzluk gelmesin.

(Translated by Google) They call this an organic village market, trishka, it's organic, the guy got it from a truck after dumping it on his feet 😂 (Original) Şuna organik köy pazarımı diolar trişka işte organik ayağına kazık adam kamyonetten döküyo halden almış 😂

(Translated by Google) Not a few of the few that sell their own products (Original) Kendi ürünlerini satan çok az adı gibi değil

(Translated by Google) As always, I decided to go to this place by looking at the comments. The comments were generally good. I went and the sea is really turquoise and clean. The prices inside are not expensive and the employees are very fast and polite. Some people said that they searched our bags and took the food, I don't know what. Friends, you enter the beach club, it is not a public beach, the entrance fee is 200-300 lira in other places. Come to your senses or go to the public beach. Don't bother and follow the rules. The reason why I gave 4 points is that when we called 1 hour in advance, just like everyone else, we were told there were sunbeds available, and when we came all the way there, they told us at the door. . It was full, they said you can sit on the grass, it was a nice day, I will choose it again. (Original) Herzaman ki gibi yorumlara bakarak bu mekana gitmeye karar verdim yorumların geneli iyiydi. Gittim ve gerçekten denizi turkuaz tertemiz içerde fiyatlar pahalı değil, çalışanlar çook hızlı ve kibar. Bazı insanlar demiş ki çantamızı aradılar yemekleri aldılar bilmem ne. Arkadaşlar beach cluba giriyosunuz halk plajı değil başka yerlerde giriş 200 300 lira kendinize gelin yada gidin halk plajına bi zahmet sizde kurallara ayak uydurun 4 puan vermemin sebebi herkese yapıldığı gibi bize de telefonda 1 saat öncesinden aradığımızda senzlonglarda müsaitlik var denmesi ve onca yolu geldiğimizde kapıda bize de. Doldu çimlerde oturabilirsiniz denmesiydi olsun güzel bir gündü tekrar tercih edeceğim

(Translated by Google) Even though the sea is magnificent, the business is beyond awful. Disrespectful speeches to people at the entrance, thoughts of coming in if you want or not, bro, employees saying sit on the grass or stay standing and I won't give you a refund if you enter. Even though we called the occupancy rate 10 minutes in advance, they said we had vacant seats and drove all the way down the rough road. It is a beach that does not care about customer quality and repeats the same thing over and over again, just because we don't have enough room to travel. The beach that disrespectfully searched the bag in which we brought thermos food for the children and took 30 lira worth of chips. You will be disgraced with your money at the beach you paid for. It doesn't even deserve 1 star. (Original) Deniz muhteşem olmasına rağmen işletme berbat ötesi.Girişte insanlara saygızca konuşmalar,istersen gir istersen girme kardeşim kafasında takılmalar,Çimlere otur ya da ayakta kal girersen içeri para iadeni vermem diyen çalışanlar.Doluluk oranını telefonla 10 dakika önceden aramamıza rağmen boş yerlerimiz mevcut diyip onca bozuk yolu kaç km gidip yerimiz yok diye ve defalarca aynı şeyi tekrarlaryan müşteri kalitesine önem vermeyen bir beach . Çocuklar için termoslarda yemek götürdüğümüz çantayı saygızsızca arayıp 30 liralık cipsleri alan beach.Parasını verdiğiniz beachte paranızla rezil olursunuz. 1 yıldız bile haketmiyor.

(Translated by Google) The sea is really beautiful and clean. The staff at the door needs a high level of communication and speaking techniques, especially the tall brain. The high standards of a business depend partly on the personnel it employs. (Original) Deniz çok güzel ve temiz gerçekten. Kapıdaki personelin iletişim ve konuşma teknikleri konusunda yüksek düzeyde ihtiyacı var özellikle uzun boylu beyin. İşletmenin standartlarının yüksek olabilmesi çalıştırdığı personele bağlı biraz da..

(Translated by Google) The place and the sea are great, but the business is mediocre, especially there is a guy called Murat, I think the owner is Goren, he thinks he runs Miami Beach, there is no interest, he doesn't ask questions, he answers coolly... By the way, ask for your drink voucher at the entrance. Gentlemen, it either doesn't work or they forget it. Somehow, the other customers next to us were not aware of it and they warned us about this situation. It's a shame that this huge place is after 1 free drink... (Original) Mekan ve deniz süper ama İŞLETME VASAT hele bi murat dıye bırı var sahıbı sanırım goren miami beach işletiyor sanır ne ilgi var ne alaka soru soruyon havalı havalı cvplar... Bu arada Girişte içecek fişinizi isteyin beyfendıler ya işine gelmiyor yada unutuyor nasılsa yanımızda baska mussterılerın de haberi yoktu bızıde uyardılar bu durumdan koskoca mekan 1 ucretsız ıcecegın pesıne dusmus yazık...

(Translated by Google) The sea is beautiful. The business is pretty bad. Employees are indifferent. Beach is quite dirty. There were empty beer bottles under the sun loungers. (Original) Deniz güzel. Işletme ise oldukça kötü. Çalışanlar ilgisiz. Beach oldukça kirli. Şezlongların altında boş bira şişeleri vardı.

(Translated by Google) Sea, sand, sun, food and drink, everything is really beautiful. Well, the road is also important for me to come there again. I don't think I'll go again because of the road. (Original) Deniz, kum, güneş, yeme içme her şey gerçekten çok güzel. İyi de benim bir daha oraya gelmem için yol da önemli. Yoldan dolayı bir daha gitmeyi düşünmüyorum.

(Translated by Google) Unfortunately the visit came to an end at the reception. Very unfriendly and arrogant. Visitors are poorly informed. I can't recommend it to anyone. We were treated very badly. (Original) Leider hat der Besuch am Empfang sein Ende genommen. Sehr unfreundlich und überheblich. Besucher sind schlecht informiert. Kann ich keinem empfehlen. Wir wurden sehr schlecht behandelt.

A must visit monastry. Firstly the view of Pythagorio is spectacular up high on the mountain top. To top that off, the cave filled with icons and religious rich history is so unique that it would be a shame to miss it

Truly magical place, I’m glad we came here. The view from outside is perfect too! It was good to see the church inside. If you have a rental car, you must come here and see around, put your candle in.

Cool place unfortunately the Monastery wasn't open on both occasions of visiting when Google said it was which was a shame because I was looking to get some Icons whilst visiting. There is a miraculous icon in this cave which is very special when visiting but located in a great spot on the hill!

Panagia Spiliani is definitely worth a visit in Samos. The caves are fascinating to see, adding a touch of mystery and history to the place. What really makes it special though is being there at sunset. The serenity and the magical views over the city are simply breathtaking.

peaceful and beautiful interior of the Monastery. allows for moments of reflection and silence. Very nice and helpful nuns. Thank you for the cold lemonade on this hot day.

If you need a place to appreciate how beautiful the earth is, go to Panagia Spiliani Monastery. This is a place where you will find serenity and a breather from hustle and bustle. Take the time to sit down to enjoy the view and meditate on the beauty of this place. 100% worth the trip!

Lovely place, absolutely worth visiting. It's not only the cave and place of worship, it's also breathtaking view from the top of the hill.

The most beautiful island, if you like Greece it's a place you must go, still very authentic, lots of beautiful beaches, churches, historic places to visit, if you don't go you will never understand the peace it brings to the soul.

The pleasant atmosphere of the island sets you up for rest. There are places for quiet relaxation and fun, noisy recreation. A large selection of taverns and souvenirs. But the cats here are not fed or given water either How to change this???

I visit the island every year! It is a big island with lovely places full of restaurants and coffee! The beaches are lovely and you can still find beaches that don't charge the umbrella and the sunbeds on top of your order! Pythagoreio, Marathokabos, Kokkari, and psili Ammos are a few of the places you can visit!

While being over in Turkey we done the day visit to the Greek island Samos. We had a really nice day over on the island and would recommend going if you've got the chance. It's absolutely beautiful! The only thing I would say is make sure you know what you want to do before going and possibly think about hiring a motorbike or car for the day as some of the main attractions are more inland of the island. We visited a lovely little pizza restaurant just along down from the main square of the marina which I would also highly recommend, really reasonable priced and amazing food!

Very nice island. In September the water was too cold to really swim or dive, but the people are very nice and the prices are only high in Pythagoreo and Kampos, everywhere else it's pretty cheap. The highlight of the island is the village Manolates there you can also find the only museum of the island. You need a car to explore the island. Its big enough to keep you occupied for a couple of weeks, but nearly all churches are closed or in disrepair. Honest review: Its totally worth a visit and has its own charme, but don't expect too much.

Wonderful place. The locals are really friendly and the island is great for hiking. It has a bit more foliage than some of the smaller islands which makes for great shade when the sun's burning. There are a lot of affordable places to eat and quite some nice hotels (I stayed at Villa Maria). You can get around the island by car or bus (or walking but that takes a bit long if all you need are some tomatoes for dinner). If you intend to use the bus often, which is what I did, make sure to inquire about departure times with locals, as this appears to change often. *Sidenote: I added a photo of the bus schedule as for april 2022.

Big surprise! Green island with beautiful beaches and warm, crystal clear sea and a few attraction. For active people I highly recommend hiking to Seitani beach and swimming in potami waterfalls, for lazy days Livadaki beach is a must, you won’t be bored. The people are super friendly, kind and talkative. Food tasty and affordable. I would say the west side prefer meat, in the East sea food is more common. There is no clubs. A lot of elderly tourists mainly from Germany. The city of Samos and Karlovasi looks like abandoned with its damaged buildings in other hand Pitagorio is absolutely lovely. Rent a car is a need. Take your swimming shoes but can forget snorkling. Temperature in October still warm 23-28°, evenings are chill and windy. Overall It is nice place to visit and rest.

It is a good place to have fun, especially if you have children. There are also many slides for adults. The ticket price includes food and drinks. However, we could not eat it. Everything was not tasty. Even the pasta was not cooked properly. The sausages were disgusting and seemed to be made of paper. The burger was also not tasty. You will have fun on the slides, but you will remain hungry.

The location and the sea are wonderful, and there are many enjoyable water slides. However, I am a bit concerned about the safety aspects. The metal platforms and stairs appear rusty, and the columns do not inspire confidence. I believe it would be beneficial to have a third party conduct a thorough inspection to ensure everything is in proper order. Regarding the inclusive lunch, while the concept is appreciated, the food is basic, and the quality is not particularly appealing, making it more of a necessity than a culinary delight.

Except for its price of ₺645 ($25), food and facilities were good enough. I'd recommend.

We visited last year. Cheap, nice but crowded and the food is not great.

Have really good water slides and very safe there are too many lifeguards. But there are many queues. And foods is not good. The prices cannot be said to be fair.

Good location and good premises for aqua park in the area. Friendly staff.

A very nice water park. A large selection of slides and attractions, both for children and adults. The water park itself is clean. The waiting time to enter the slides is quite short, especially when compared to other water parks. Lockers are available on site. There is a snack bar in the aquapark and juice dispensers. I don't know the price of the entrance, because we had them for free as part of our stay, but being there, it's definitely worth a visit with the kids.

Lovely place! The view is something — for two lira, you can use the super cool binoculars, and the restaurant / bar seems to be owned by the government so prices are rather accessible. The little basket of fried things we ordered was not good, but having a cold beer under the hot Aegean sun overlooking tone water like that is not to be missed. We went down via the stairs and up via the Elevator — one can really understand why it was built 😅

A View of Izmir You Can’t Miss! Asansör is one of Izmir’s most unique and charming landmarks. Built in 1907 to connect two neighborhoods separated by a steep hill, it was originally a practical solution for residents—but today it’s become a must-visit attraction. The restored elevator takes you up effortlessly, and within seconds you’re rewarded with spectacular panoramic views of Izmir, the coastline, and the Aegean Sea. At the top, there’s a lovely terrace where you can enjoy a coffee or meal while soaking in the scenery, especially magical at sunset when the city lights begin to sparkle. The surrounding neighborhood, Dario Moreno Street, adds even more charm with its colorful houses, quaint cafés, and lively yet cozy atmosphere. Asansör is more than just an elevator—it’s a blend of history, culture, and stunning vistas all in one spot. A perfect stop to experience Izmir’s beauty from above. 🌟 Travel Tip: Go in the late afternoon, stay for sunset, and then explore the nearby streets for a truly memorable evening.

The İzmir Historical Elevator Building is a charming landmark that blends nostalgia with sweeping views of the city and the Aegean Sea. Built to connect two steep streets, it still serves its original purpose while offering visitors a unique experience. The ride is free, the view from the top is stunning, and the café upstairs is a lovely spot to pause and take it all in. It is a beautiful reminder of İzmir’s layered history and thoughtful urban design. Definitely worth a visit, especially around sunset.

The İzmir Historical Elevator Building is a charming heritage landmark offering stunning panoramic views of the city and coastline. With its ornate architecture and nostalgic charm, it provides both locals and tourists a unique experience. Easy to access, well-maintained, and worth a visit.

More than a century history with the sponsor by a philanthropist. It has become a hotspot among tourists. The lift is free to use and it has a nice view from the stairs to the Aegean Sea. The cafe on top is a good place to sit and relax.

a must when u come to izmir. Attraction pf izmir where you can see coastal city. Come for sunset and you see both day and night of the city from the top of the hill

Truly amazing place! Probably top 1 in Izmir to Visit! Go early morning and you will enjoy even more! Be prepared for huge parking issue.

This place is huge. One can find anything from printing service to suits and souvenirs. Of course there are a lot of restaurants and cafes. There is no need to visit every corner of it. Maybe just casually stroll and see where one is lead to.

Beautiful place, lots of stores to buy just about anything. Some are cheap and others expensive. Cool experience seeing the historical building and having a tasty Turkish coffee in the middle of the market. It’s closed on sundays. Free to walk around

Everything you want, dont want or you dont know you want is there. Not too busy but still full of life. The small cafes are a welcomed break.

AMAZING PRODUCTS+GOLDSHOPS🔥 BUT you must be careful… some shops are shady and try to sell you 8k as 14k gold❗️ I tell u what to watch out for!⬇️ The ones on the PICTURES ARE TRUSTWORTHY & HONEST PEOPLE🙏 offering AMAZING PRICES and sell REAL 14k GOLD👌 u can TRUST THEM🩷 My FAVOURITE shop is HALIS&ORHAN i bought nearly all of my jewelery from them. They tested all of their products and my old ones also in front of my eyes. They r the BEST shop in the whole Bazaaar hands down!🙌😍🤩🤘 There are some other shops where even the 14k tester-liquid is fake!!!! 585 stamped is 14kgold dont forget!! I solved it by cross testing a lot of shops, 😉 these down always gave me good products 🥰⬇️ Have fun🩷 hope my information helps you🙏

A great place to walk around. We tried the mussels and rice. They were excellent. We also did the pickle juice which was also excellent. Lots and lots of interesting shops.

Unique bazaar as there is no goods and shops for tourists. Most of famous bazaar in Turkey is full of shops for tourist with expensive price. But here, most of customers are Izmir people. I like this bazaar. Merchants are friendly and kind! Visit here and feel some authentic turkey bazaar vibe!

Kemeralti bazaar is quite a busy place. You can find hundreds of things to buy from there as the prices are reasonably low. Make sure you have enough space in your suitcase before visiting the bazaar because there are too many souvenirs to buy. There are beautiful bags with Turkish embroidery patterns and praying beads and countless teas and coffees. There are numerous cafes to have a quick bite but they are all super busy. This bazaar is a must visit place.

My husband discovered this gem and it became our favourite eating place. We were in Izmir for a wedding and ended up taking the whole wedding party for a meal, which they loved. We love seafood and were in our element, we could not eat enough. We loved that we were able to pick out the fish and know that we were eating fresh food. The fresh crunchy salad was to die for, it is the best salad we have ever had. If this restaurant was down the road from us, we would be eating there a lot. The atmosphere was great, the waiters and the rastaurant owner were fantastic. I rarely write reviews, but on this ocassion, I felt compelled to. Thank you Kordonboyu Balik for making our experience in Turkey memorable! :)

We were looking for a place to eat in Izmir, the owner offered us a table and we went to choose some mezzes, the kitchen suppose to be closed, after choosing the mezzes, they offer us a fish cacerole, we told him that probably will be too much food, he says to us that it was only a plate. So we say ok. When they brought us the food, they brought five mezzes of octopus what we didn't order and we realise we have too much food on the table, we told them if we could not have the fish cacerol and they told us it was too late, so we have to have it, this wast just a plate like they said. It was a big one. At the end of the dinner we have left so much food and we have a very big bill. The cacerole was 7525 liras, the octopus 2650 liras plus everything else what there is not complains about it. The only good thing I can say is that the food was very nice and tasty. A good waitress always should say what to order to the customer and advised properly.

I had a seabream which was a bit dry and salty, but overall it was nice. However, they charged me twice the price they initially told me for the fish. I had explicitly asked for the price beforehand—they showed me the fish and said it was around 300 grams, so approximately TL700–800. I agreed to that. But when the bill came, they charged around TL1,400 for the seabream—double the amount. I complained, and the waiter who misled me claimed it was actually 500 grams. I pointed out that this wasn’t what he had said earlier, but he simply repeated that it was 500 grams and added that he hadn’t weighed it when I asked for the price. “Good” and silly me for trusting him and ending up being charged twice what this “professional” waiter told me when I arrived.

Great food and location. Courteous staff too. Everything was delicious, superb for the price.

We very much enjoyed our dinner at Kordonboyu Balık. The staff was very nice and helpful. We highly recommend bal badem for dessert (see picture). This is normally not the kind of dessert I go for, but was so happy I followed the waiters’ recommendation.

Great place to have dinner at the pier. The service and fish quality are great and the atmosphere is appealing. Your bill will most likely exceed 200 tl for a minimum meal for two people.

When you go to a good restaurant, you trust the waiter when they advise you, here the advice was too order much more food we could eat and of course, on top of that, the more expensive one, so we left paying a fortune and the table full of food we weren't able to finish.

A well-preserved site. Don't miss the underground gallery abs tunnel as well as the very well-restored theater.

Healing Sanctuary of the Ancient World / The Asclepieion of Pergamon was not only a center for physical healing, but also a symbolic heart of ancient Greco-Roman medical science. Founded in the 4th century BC and flourishing during the Roman period, it was one of the three most famous healing temples of antiquity, alongside Epidaurus and Kos. It functioned as a sacred place where medicine, religion, and ritual came together in harmony. Patients would undergo purification rituals, offer sacrifices, and enter the temple through a long sacred way. Inside, treatments included dream interpretation, the use of medicinal herbs, hydrotherapy, mud baths, and even sound therapy using music and theater. The sacred spring was believed to have healing powers, and the underground tunnel—used to guide patients from the entrance to the heart of the sanctuary—symbolized a spiritual transition. When we visited the site, we were truly amazed by the scale of the sanctuary, especially the tunnel and the sacred water area. Even though centuries have passed, the infrastructure was still impressive. The massive columns, the length of the healing tunnel, and the well-preserved water systems reflected how advanced and well-planned this place was. It made us appreciate how seriously healing and human well-being were taken in the ancient world. #AsclepieionOfPergamon #AncientHealing #GalenLegacy #SacredSpring #AncientTunnel #PergamonHistory

We went as part of a tour towards the end of January and the place was very quiet. It is a beautiful location, steeped in the history of being the first medical healing space in the Western world. We were accompanied by a knowledgeable tour guide who explained everything to us. We were lucky to be the only 6 people there and had plenty of time to take a lot of uninterrupted photos. Highly recommended.

Interesting ruins with restored amphitheater.

Amazing to hear the story and see the ruins

Very beautiful and very important archeological site that was once one of the first Asclepeions ever and one of the most important as well, which were the first form of modern-day hospitals. I highly recommend visiting it if you’re in Izmir or its surroundings. (Pics are from July 2021)

The first hospital and treatment center in the history. Wonderful place to see and learn about history. The water that cures people is still running from a little fountain-tap.Museumpasses and museum card is valid. Entrance fee is 35 tl for a person for 2019.

They charge L500 each per return trip or L350 for a one way 3 minute ride. And that’s before paying to enter the Akropolis site. So we walked up (45 min) and down again through the additional places of interest for L0. You’re better to drive, walk or get a taxi.

There is a cable car which takes you to the Acropolis but upstairs you need to pay extra to see the museum. I honestly didnt go up. I stayed down and bonded with a local lady named Elif who was selling the most delicious wild honey so I bought two jars and we just talked.

If you have a car you're better off driving up, same views and you don't have to pay to park at the gondola and then also pay for the gondola itself. There isn't even a parking lot, what are you charging for?

Best way to go up. Buy the Aegean Museum Card is cheaper to visit all the sites Permagon, Red Basilica, Asklepion, Permagon Museum and mach more.

Cozy and enjoyable way to reach the Acropolis. However 20 TL is expensive I think.

Now one way price is even 500 TL.

I suffer from vertigo but it was the main way to visit the site. Professional service though

Priene is a very good location to visit. Not as developed as some other places, but enough of the ruins remain that you can get a sense of what the town must have been like in ancient times. Much better than Miletos. Very close to the small town of Güllübahçe where there are options to stay or good restaurants.

Priene is located in a very scenic place. Not many visitors, very peaceful and cool due to the trees. Totally worth a visit. Spent about an hour there.

A very beautiful place with an amazing view. Only 20 tl and free to walk around. It is a pretty steep walk but definitely worth it.

Have visited Priene several times. Always an amazing experience. Make sure you wear a hat in summer, it's hot up there.

oh my Zeus, God of Greek People. The place is blessed by nature and Gods.

(Translated by Google) It was one of the most beautiful ancient cities I've ever visited. While the structures typically preserved in ancient cities are common state structures like theaters, bathhouses, temples, libraries, and so on, you can also see the street layout where the people lived. I think this was what impressed me most. It's a fairly large ancient city, and it took us about three hours to tour it (we explore it in some detail, but even a cursory tour would still take a long time). It contains many structures: a theater, bathhouse, church, temple of Athena, stoa, sanctuary of Demeter, gymnasium. When the city was first founded, it was by the sea, but over the years, it has been pushed inland by the silt carried by the Meander River. It's even more beautiful to wander around with this in mind. (Original) Şimdiye kadar gittiğim en güzel antik kentlerden biriydi. Genelde antik kentlerde korunan yapılar tiyatro, hamam, tapınak, kütüphane..vs gibi devlete ait ortak yapılar olurken bu antik kentte halkın yaşadığı sokak düzenini de görmek mümkün. Sanırım en çok etkilendiğim şey bu oldu. Oldukça büyük bir antik kent, gezmemiz yaklaşık 3 saat sürdü (biz biraz detaylı geziyoruz ama yine de üstünkörü gezmek bile uzun sürer.) İçinde birçok yapı var: tiyatro, hamam, kilise, Athena tapınağı, stoa, demeter kutsal alanı, gymnasion.. Kent ilk kuruldugunda deniz kenarındaymış, Menderes nehrinin getirdiği alüvyonlardan dolayı yıllar içinde iç tarafta kalmış. Bunu hayal ederek dolaşmak daha da güzel olabilir :)

(Translated by Google) Gelebeç / Söke / Aydın The Acropolis is the name given to the fortresses built on the hills adjacent to ancient Greek cities. It was one of the 12 cities of Ionia. The Acropolis, which hosted many civilizations, including the Greeks and Romans, is notable for its fluted columns and the sheer size of its summit. It tells us about the lives of a great kingdom, and it excites us as people. Walk carefully. (Original) Gelebeç / Söke /Aydın Antik Yunan kentlerinde kentlerin yanıbaşındaki tepelere inşaa Edilen Hisarlara Verilen Addır Akropolis . İyonyanın 12 kentindenbir tanesidir . Yunan Roma vs gibi bir çok medeniyetlere ev sahipliği yapmış Akropolis Yivli Sütunları Ve Tepedeki Büyüklüğü ile Dikkat çekiyor .Büyük bir krallığın Bizlere Nasıl yaşadıklarını anlatıyor Olması Biz İnsanları Heyacanlandırıyor . Dikkatli gezmeler

Beautiful and sacred holy ground. Be prepared to do a lot of walking as most vehicles are not permitted close to the entrance. We enjoyed seeing the home of the Virgin Mary. The wall of intentions was moving and special. We enjoyed walking the grounds and looking at the landscape. Recommend dressing modestly or you will need to wear a covering. Photography is not permitted in the house.

The House of the Virgin Mary is a very small site, and the entrance fee is 500 TL per person, which feels a bit steep given the size. Still, the place holds strong spiritual significance, and if you’re religiously inclined, you’ll probably appreciate the atmosphere and the peaceful surroundings. A warning about taxis: drivers will often try to charge €40–50 for the trip from Selçuk, which is outrageous. Don’t pay anything close to that. Around €20 total for a full car (up to four passengers) is more realistic. Always agree on the price before getting in. Overall, the visit is meaningful mainly from a religious or spiritual perspective. If that’s important to you, it’s worth seeing. If not, it’s more of an optional stop rather than a must-see.

In Meryemana, Turkiye, the Virgin Mary's House is located. Reverant, quiet, with a prayer wall we stood in a contemplative mode, remembering the struggles of Jesus and the prophecy that was to unfold. I thought of the pain Mary and her sisters endured, but still after all these years Mary provides love and forgiveness to all those in need. These prayers and requests were represent at the prayer wall at Mary's House. It was symbolic of the needs from people all over the world. One gentle man touched my heart so, as he went around retrieving prayer notes that had fallen off the wall. He tenderly returned each note from the ground to the wall. A qentle act of kindness. There are no photographs allowed in Mary's House but prayer candles may be purchased there. Worth the visit!

Mary lived in this house after death of Jesus Christ. The house has two small rooms. The environment is very peaceful here. You will need to walk 10 mins to reach the house. Because of queue you may get a few seconds only inside the house. Overall, a must visit place if you are in Izmir.

Is it actually Mary’s house or just a tourist trap? Jury is still out. Is it worth a visit for you to decide for yourself? Yup. They herd you through the house at a gallop so don’t expect to spend much time checking things out inside the house. Basically just a quick walk through of a tiny house. There’s a holy fountain and a wishing wall too. The whole site might take you 20 minutes to get through.

A must visit especially for Catholics. They say that this is more believable as the house of mother Mary because John the Baptist went to Ephesus, Turkey after Jesus died. And since Jesus entrusted Mary with John, it is believed that they both went together to Ephesus, Turkey and Mary spent her days in this place.

There was about a 30 minute wait to reach the house. As you reach the house there is an open air alter with priests leading mass. You would need to check the schedule if necessary. Our guide shared that only about 12-14% of the house found in the foundation is from an archeological dig. You walk thru 3 rooms that include religious pictures and statue. After you leave the house you come to 3 fountains that have been blessed. There is then a fence where people tie their prayers. At the end of the walkway are restrooms and a museum shop.where you can purchase blessed icons. Right outside the gates and at the entry are shops selling souvenirs, candy and food. To me this seems out of place at a religious place.

Incredible historical site that you must visit if you stop in Kuşadası. The scale of this outdoor museum has to be seen in person. Knowing that only about half has been excavated makes a future visit even more tempting.

Part of Ephesus Ancient City, this particular ruin is probably the most impressive due to it's size. As you walk down what used to be central street, it already looks amazing but as you get up close and you have the chance to walk inside, you realize the absolute awesomeness of what was built.

This is located at one end of the ruins of city of Ephesus. The front part of the building still stands today. The wall has holes where the manuscripts were stored. You can visit some parts of this building only. It is definitely the highlight of Ephesus.

One of the most memorable experiences I have ever had. Such a beautiful location and historical value is incredible. This was a trade mecca in its day. This is where the Apostle Paul preached and resided during his time.

I am always so impressed with this world reknown sight. We had Ephesus all to ourselves the day we visited. It was a very unique visit in the RAIN. . The Library of Celsus is an ancient Roman building in Ephesus, Anatolia, located near the modern town of Selçuk, in the İzmir Province of western Turkey. It is world famous. It was designed not only to store scrolls and books—holding an estimated 12,000 manuscripts at its peak—but also to serve as a monumental tomb for Celsus, whose sarcophagus lies in a crypt beneath its main floor.

Commissioned in the years 110s CE by a consul of the Roman Empire, Tiberius Julius Aquila Polemaeanus for his father Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, it was completed during the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Celsus is buried in a crypt beneath the library. It was the third-largest library in the Greco-Roman world behind only those of Alexandria and Pergamum. Believed to have held around 12,000 scrolls. The facade was re-erected by archaeologists between 1970 and 1978.

Honestly one of the highlights of our visit. It was fairly busy and really hot but the views made it worth it. The best place to view the details is from underneath the arch next to it.

Beautiful location. A lot of the structures are intact and well preserved it was difficult to get there without a guide, taxi or tour group, so it can be pricey. The ancient library is a major highlight and they do live reacting of Roman guards. Lots of history. There is a small bathroom and market stand will snacks and food around the midway point of the walk. When we went (end of June) it was 103 degrees F° with no shade. We spent about an hour and a half walking through but needed to leave due to the heat. Would love to walk around more. Important: bring good hiking shoes that grip, the marble floors are polished and slippery. We had hiking boots and sandals and still slipped a few times, but our friends with simple sneakers had to walk very slowly and carefully to avoid falling down.

Visiting the land of Ephesus, the Ancient Greek Theaters and the Ancient Great Library of Celsus is a very special visit. The rain was pleasant and the temperatures cool ondaywevisited. Most visitorsshouldexpecthightemperaturesandverylittlecoolingbreezes. The Library of Celsus is an ancient Roman building in Ephesus, Photos of the library are world reknown. Ephesus is located in Anatolia, near the modern town of Selçuk, in the İzmir Province of western Turkey. It is world famous. It was designed not only to store scrolls and books—holding an estimated 12,000 manuscripts at its peak—but also to serve as a monumental tomb for Celsus, whose sarcophagus lies in a crypt beneath its main floor. Mark Anthony walked here long ago and households thrived and m markets prospered.

*Echoes of the Apostles and Empire* Standing in the Great Theatre of Ephesus is like standing in history itself. With a capacity of over 25,000 seats, this awe-inspiring structure was the largest theatre in ancient Asia Minor and still dominates the site with its grandeur. Built during the Hellenistic period and later expanded by the Romans, it hosted dramas, political events, and gladiator fights. For Christians, this theatre holds profound significance. According to Acts 19, the Apostle Paul’s preaching led many Ephesians to abandon idol worship, especially that of the goddess Artemis. This angered local silversmiths who made shrines for Artemis, causing a riot. The mob dragged Paul's companions into this very theatre, and for two hours the crowd shouted, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" Knowing this brings the stones to life with spiritual history. Unfortunately, during our recent visit, the theatre was under restoration, so we weren’t able to go inside. Still, seeing it from the outside was deeply moving. One unexpected highlight was meeting the famous local cat “Garfield,” who’s become something of a mascot at the theatre. We took so many fun photos with him—it truly made the visit even more memorable. We recommend visiting early morning or late afternoon to avoid the strong sun and crowds. #EphesusTheatre #Acts19 #ApostlePaul #GarfieldTheCat #BiblicalSites #UNESCO #TurkeyTravel #AncientDrama #FaithJourney

Believed to be the largest in the ancient world: could host up to 25,000 seated spectators. Initially used for drama, in Roman times gladiatorial combats were also held on its stage. Elton John performed a special, solo concert at the Great Theater on July 17, 2001.

We stayed in Izmir and drove to it. It was roughly an hour to get to it. Very nice site and well preserved.

A must see. Our guide was very knowledgeable and made it easy to visualize how the residents lived. Very advanced facilities such as water pipes, tolet system etc. Make sure you arrive early. When our tour bus left the cars trying to enter was out of sight.

Nice sunny ☀️ weather, you pay 💰 per person 28.71 euros 💶 if you get the deal. Parking 🅿️ cost 💲 around 3€ There are a small market with lots of options. We did all the walking around in 3 hours but this will definitely depend on you. January is great as there are not many tourists and prices of hotels are cheaper.

Simply amazing. I visited here after Metropolis. It was a short ride it only took me 15 minutes and it was worth it. This museum is full of classic cars and bikes. I had only twenty minutes to see everything because it closes at 16:30 but i'd definitely spend two hours just looking at stuff. They charge 300 liras per person which is fair considering the quality of the museum.

A very cool place to visit if you are near Izmir - the cars were awesome and in top condition with technical descriptions attached. Also, an original bat-cycle from the 1966 Batman movie!

This was an unexpected experience but well worth it. Hubby was in car heaven in our trip. Will definitely recommend. Is not on ant main place but if you can drive there is worth the time.

We love car museums, visit them everywhere we travel and I can say that this is one of the best. All items are in perfect condition, shiny as new. The variety is superb! There are 120 year old items, rare cars and old supercars. It you are near Izmir and looking for interesting places, this is the one.

It was good and so much fun and is 109 Lira's for 1 ticket it was so good for an 2 family just liked them. I'm recommending this museum

Its a must visit museum if you are a cat lover, the collection focuses on American, European cars and motorcycles, from the late 1800 to some unique 2020s cars. Verities of scaled car models collections. Every thing is well presented, the decorations and atmosphere including the coffee shop of a high luxurious taste I’m an admirer of the owner taste in the museum and hotel God bless him.

Absolutely brilliant and lovely Coffee in the Cafe☕️

It is a well, easy accessible mall designed for hot climates. You can find anything you look for. I was there one of the hottest days of July and had some discomfort while eating. Dining area is open air and there should be more AC that you can eat easily in the scorching days.

A very nice open air al fresco shopping centre. Not very big but it’s adequate.

The mall is not so big, mostly open and most of the shop are makeup and fashion stores. Also it's very family friendly.

open mall, nice with a lot of good turkish brands. and the prices is better

A summer mall We stopped here and had some coffee in our trip to the south of Turkey

It's an open air shopping mall located in center of Aydın. It's nice and cool place. At least you feel fresh air while you're buying things. There is a big food court and some popular cafes. You can find many popular brands and stores in it. There is enough place for parking,it's not wasting your time like other malls.

So easy to see and even driving time .Just next to main Street but it's a quite place to enjoy your time .A lot of potion for food .Second floor just food court Enjoy your time

This is my second visit to this site. Many believe that in just a few years, this site my rival Ephesus. It's amazing to have an ancient site with TWO theaters! I wish there were strategic rest places.

Wonderful site but the welcome centre or shop has prohibitive prices like the entrance fees as well. One star deducted for that. This is a site worth visiting as most tourists go to Hierapolis/Pemukkale travertine site. The site is currently continuing the renovation and discovery of further parts of the city. A wonderful walk in the history but bring you own water or be prepared to be paying premium price for water or beverages.

Laodicea is a great place for a stroll through the ancient city: spacious ruins, an impressive amphitheater, and beautiful mosaics. Few tourists, so you can explore in peace. Bring comfortable shoes, water, and a hat—it's hot in the summer. Half a day is enough for exploring, I recommend it. Turtles are also spotted.

This place is absolutely a must see if your in the area. Its huge and so many great spots for pictures. You can view mosaic floors and a huge painted wall. So many columns and tge views from the hill into the valley are amazing.

This ancient city is absolutely amazing! Entrance was 12 euro per person. I believe it is well worth the fee. There is so much to see. You have freedom to walk around an explore as much as you want to.

✨ Laodikeia Ancient City is an incredible place where history truly comes alive! The ruins are remarkably well-preserved — from the grand theater to the detailed mosaics, every corner reflects the city’s glorious past. 🏛️ It’s peaceful, spacious, and beautifully restored, with clear information boards and breathtaking views over Denizli. 🌿⛰️ The visit was smooth, there was no waiting time at the entrance, and the staff was kind and helpful. Definitely worth seeing for anyone who loves archaeology and ancient civilizations! 💫📸

Not very busy. Lots of walking and ruins to see. The Basilica is very interesting (and is covered from the sun). There are no trees, wear a hat.

Visited in June 2023. It is a well-preserved archaeological site with history dating 2nd Century BC. It receives lots of tourists. The site boosts other sites like the pumukkele and the ancient pool.

Hierapolis Archaeological Museum | This museum is housed in the ancient Roman Bath structure within the Hierapolis archaeological site, making it not only a place to see artifacts but also an artifact itself. The restored bath complex displays impressive collections of statues, sarcophagi, and decorative reliefs excavated from Hierapolis and nearby Laodicea, Colossae, and Tripolis. The well-preserved sculptures from the Roman and Hellenistic periods provide a powerful glimpse into the life and art of this ancient region. If you're already visiting the travertines or Apostle Philip’s tomb, this museum is absolutely worth a stop. The museum does not require a separate ticket—it is included in the general entrance fee for Hierapolis and Pamukkale. #HierapolisMuseum #RomanBath #AncientSculptures #PamukkaleTravel

This Museum is also part of the city, a great place to explore. It is located inside an old Roman bath building, which makes the experience even more special. The museum has a rich collection of ancient statues, sarcophagi, coins, and other artifacts from the Roman and Byzantine periods, take a look at uploading. Everything is well organized and easy to understand. The atmosphere is calm and peaceful, no one allowed to speak up, and the view around the museum is also beautiful. Of course a must-visit for anyone interested in history and ancient cultures.

Hierapolis Archaeological Museum – A hidden gem where history comes alive! 🏛️✨ After exploring the ancient city of Hierapolis and the surreal Pamukkale terraces, I stepped into the Hierapolis Archaeological Museum — and it turned out to be one of the most rewarding parts of the visit. The museum is housed inside the beautifully restored Roman bath complex, which gives it an authentic and atmospheric setting. You can almost feel the echoes of ancient times as you walk through the halls. The collection is truly impressive — Roman sarcophagi, statues of gods and emperors, intricate reliefs, coins, and everyday artifacts all beautifully displayed. My favorite section was the hall of marble sculptures, where the craftsmanship and preservation are extraordinary. The artifacts found in Hierapolis, Laodicea, and Aphrodisias are showcased with clear explanations in both Turkish and English. It’s a small museum, but very well-curated — calm, educational, and air-conditioned (a welcome break after walking in the sun!). The view from the museum grounds over the travertines is another bonus — peaceful and photogenic. 🏺 Travel Info & Tips 📍 Location: Inside the Hierapolis archaeological site, right near the Antique Pool (Cleopatra’s Pool). Entry is included in your Pamukkale/Hierapolis ticket. 🕐 Opening Hours: Usually open every day, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM (may vary seasonally). 💰 Entry Fee: Free with your Hierapolis-Pamukkale ticket (no separate charge). 🕰️ Best Time to Visit: Late morning or afternoon, when the sun is strongest outside — perfect time to cool off indoors and learn about what you’ve just seen among the ruins. ⚠️ Precautions: Don’t rush — even though it’s small, every room has fascinating details. Photography is allowed, but avoid flash. Bring water — the walk from the ruins or travertines to the museum can be warm. 🚫 Things to Avoid: Don’t skip it thinking it’s “just another museum.” It completes the story of Hierapolis and makes the ruins more meaningful. Avoid visiting too close to closing time — you’ll want at least 45 minutes to appreciate it fully. ✨ Overall: The Hierapolis Archaeological Museum is a must-see for anyone visiting Pamukkale. It’s not just a collection of artifacts — it’s a window into the grandeur of the ancient world. The combination of history, architecture, and peaceful atmosphere makes it a perfect finale after exploring the ruins. A compact yet captivating museum that brings Hierapolis to life — beautifully preserved, thoughtfully displayed, and deeply inspiring. 🏺🌿

Really got inspired and admired by seeing the historic monuments and sculptures which were built perfectly in the old centuries without much technology. Also appreciated that they are still protected by the Archeological department. The museum inside is well maintained and created facilities for the tourists to explore this beautiful ancient Greek-Roman city. A must visit place for history and heritage seekers. Buggy car service is available at the entrance with an affordable ticket.

This is a small museum located inside the City of Hierapolis. It isivated inside one of the ancient bath houses. It has several artefacts from the Greek-Roman period. There are only a few rooms and can be covered in 30 mins. Guide is not required as descriptions are present with artefacts.

Small but wonderful collection of ruins!!

Free and incredible place. Don’t eat in the restaurant, 10€ And the hamburger was bad and the potatoes too

Google drive took us here via road under construction. Luckily still managed to enter the area. Feedback given to Google. The glass viewing platform cost 10TL per person but you can actually walk down around the restaurant to get a very good view as well. The carpet shop gave us some good bargain.

It's a great place, that I want to visit again, there is a great canyon there looks like perfect for camping and hiking around, so calm so clear co beautiful, just mountains and nature sounds, it's a great place for relax and refreshing, I'm surly recommended to you guys ❤️ someoneski_

Amazing views.🌞 This Canyon_ about 10 million years_ was the Lake. Near Izmir. About 2 hours by car. Enter _ 10 tl. Little wind. I am living in Izmir, what is why_ good excursion for me.

Amazing view of great canyon. 10TL for glass view. But there’s free view point at side. The shops sell carpets and souvenirs at affordable price.

Great place, cool views, lots of stores

Extremly nice, would recommend to everyone. They have also this upside down house, and nice places to eat food. Something completely different from what we see in europe

This outlet is in the classy side of shopping in Turkey, don't expect the prices to be wonderfully fantastic for casual shopping, however, if you are targeting something in specific, you have higher chances of getting it cheaper here, even if it is just a few €/$. The area is clean and pleasant.

hi 👋 This place very good for having a rest after long driving also shopping with allot of different brands also walking area between the different shops i am recommended this place for short stops and really enjoy 😉

Good shopping venue & outlet by the highway. Good brands & so many great shops, grab your coffee here as well. Clean & organized

We took the stop on our way to Antalya, very nice location neat and clear and good service, ample parking space and good food to have.

Parking area is not well designed. Parking in and out is not easy due to layout of parking spots.

Nice place. Many brands available

Great location to buy cheap clothes that are brands. You probably end of staying a few hours. Your wife's weren't complain. They will say shoppers heaven. Good food options there. Alot of fast food for the kids. It's always packed.

View is nice. Lake is dirty full of plants, snakes and also some rubbish.

A very large lake, which is a huge water wealth

Beautiful lake with cool breeze, temperature was 22 Celsius whilst in Antalya it was 35. Terrific views, plenty of options to sit and have a coffee on the shore.

Beautiful lake in the middle of turkey

Natural and Camping, fishing boating lake.

Wonderful place. Lake was great like sea.

One of the most picturesque lakes in Turkey. You will not regret visiting this amazing place. Plenty of waterfront restaurants the lake is perfect for a swim or to fish. There are short boat rides you can enjoy. The beach is also not crowded compared to lakes.

One of the high point of my trip to Turkey. Honoring the Sufi religion and Rumi at the Mevlana Museum and Mosque. Cleansing in the water of life after visiting Rumi's burial site. The Mevlana Jalaluddin-i Rumi Mosque is magnificent. Sufism is a mystic body of religious practice found within Islam which is characterized by a focus on Islamic purification, spirituality, ritualism. Although Sufis were opposed to dry legalism, they strictly observed Islamic law and belonged to various schools of Islamic jurisprudence and theology. A day never to be forgotten .

One of Turkey’s most iconic and spiritual sites. This is the resting place of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, the famous Sufi poet and mystic. The museum preserves manuscripts, ceremonial garments and artifacts from the Whirling Dervishes, while the turquoise conical dome makes the building instantly recognizable. A deeply meaningful and historic place absolutely worth a visit.

Here lies one of the biggest inspirational poets of all time whose thoughts have enlightened the many souls. The museum is inside the complex, which houses Rumi's tomb. You get to learn about the life of disciples during the life of Rumi and the way things worked in 13th century.

This place is a huge deal for those who have enjoyed Rumi’s poems and deep thoughts at least once. It is free and no need to buy tickets. It is divided into doors (babs) and separate parts to roam around like the main museum, tombs, and poems and photos. No recording with flash but normal one is ok. Those who know persian can also read the scripts and poems that are everywhere. The garden part is also enjoyable for sitting or drinking coffee.

Beautiful museum where Rumi taught his views and received his mentor Shams. The museum holds Rumi's tomb and the history of Mevlevi Order. Do not get intimidated by the massive amount of people there. If you read Rumi and follow him, whatever your religion is, find a place to sit near his tomb, close your eyes and meditate.

Beautiful! Great place to learn about Rumi and the Sufi religion. It was pretty crowded, but you could move through at your own pace. Great place for people interested in history.

An amazing museum—perfect for those who love exploring museums and for anyone eager to learn more about Islam.

This cathedral site was probably the best cave site we visited. The path up the mountain into the various buildings/rooms is amazing and in great condition. The views of the historic site and the valley below it are stunning. You can easily picture why this site had historic religious significance as well as military value. You can also visualize in your head a caravan of camels loaded with treasure staying overnight here for protection (read the sign about this site that I posted for more details.) A very nice place to spend about an hour. Take your time, enjoy the views, and history. It was also less crowded than other places which is very nice too!

One of the interesting historic places in Cappadocia. The complex area was built on the path of rock mountain, you can see the study room, prayer rooms, cave rooms,… It s impressive structure what attracts you, when you climb to higher point, you can enjoy the beautiful views of the valley. I can just sit and enjoy the winds and views from there. Take about 30-40 for sightseeing and photographing. Be careful when you climb up and down, you need a good shoes for this place.

This is a unique cathedral. It used to serve as inn as well as a monastery. The view from this cathedral is also very unique. You can understand the history of this place without a guide too from the instruction boards located outside every room. You will need around 30 to 45 mins to cover this place. Be ready to climb a few stairs for the visit.

Selime Cathedral — Where Stone Whispers the Echo of Centuries At the very end of the Ihlara Valley, when the path seems to fade between dry hills and warm wind, an almost unreal sight appears: the Monastery of Selime, also known as the Selime Cathedral. Carved directly into volcanic rock, this vast structure feels more like a dream than something made by human hands. Walking through its corridors is like stepping into a world suspended between faith and survival. Centuries ago, Byzantine monks carved churches, kitchens, stables, and hidden passages into the stone. At its heart lies the “cathedral” — an enormous rock-cut church with columns sculpted from the mountain itself and faint frescoes that still cling to the walls. There’s a sacred silence in the air. Light filters softly through small openings, dancing across the worn surfaces. You can almost imagine the monks who once prayed here, the travelers who sought refuge, and the soldiers who later turned the monastery into a fortress. Every corner tells a story — even the shadows. From above, the view over the valley is breathtaking. The contrast between the blue sky, ochre cliffs, and human devotion etched into stone makes Selime Cathedral one of the most mysterious and hauntingly beautiful places in Cappadocia — a meeting point between nature and spirituality.

Selime Cathedral in Kayaaltı, Selime, near Güzelyurt in Aksaray, Turkey, is an impressive rock-cut monastery carved into the volcanic cliffs of Cappadocia. The surrounding landscape of fairy chimneys and valleys adds to its dramatic setting. A quiet, atmospheric stop that gives a real sense of Cappadocia’s historical depth.

Selime cathedral is in fact a complex structure that included a caravan passage, inn, cathedral, chapel, storage rooms etc. - a complete town in the rocks. This is the best preserve rock architecture we encountered in Cappadocia with eleborate rock carvings and frescoes, columns and tunnels from Byzantine period (8 thru 11 c.) The complex sits on the top of the hill and offers magnificent views over the valley. You can easily spent an hour there climbing all the tunnels and dead-ends and returning to the “red-arrow” route. For a speedy sightseeing either few pics and selfies 30 minutes may be enough.

I think it's worth driving past the Cathedral after visiting Ilhara Valley.. Most of the cave churches are similar. This one have quite alot of history so go with a local guide. The views from the Cathedral are spectacular!