What it's like
Magnesia on the Maeander was an ancient Greek city in Ionia, and later a Greco-Roman one. It was built on the slope of Mount Thorax, on the banks of the small river Lethacus, a tributary of the Maeander. Excavations here are still going on, so the site keeps changing.
A visit is about the ruins themselves, with the large stadium the best-known feature. Visitors come by dolmuş and bus rather than by coach, and the site is far from the crowds at Ephesus. Bring water and a hat, since there is little shade.
Good to know
- Little shade and 36-37°C at noon in summer, so go early or late in the day.
- The journey is a multi-stage ride, so allow time to get back to the port.
Magnesia on the Maeander
Magnesia on the Maeander is an ancient Greco-Roman city in Aydın Province, with a large stadium and excavations still going on. It is one of the quieter ancient sites near Kuşadası.
Tours that go here
Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.
Ephesus Ancient City
Most people come for the ruins and the long walk through them.
House of the Virgin Mary
A small house near Ephesus that Christians believe was the last home of the Virgin Mary. It is a quiet pilgrimage site, not a ruin to walk through.
Pigeon Island
Pigeon Island, known locally as Güvercinada, is a small island joined to the mainland by a pier and crowned by a 16th-century castle.
Dilek Peninsula National Park
Dilek Peninsula National Park is a wild stretch of mountains, forest and coast a short drive from Kuşadası. Visitors hike its trails, swim in its bays and explore canyons and the Zeus Cave.
The same kind of day, elsewhere
Ancient sites
