I'm trying to decide what to see on my first visit to Izmir next month. I know Ephesus is doable but I've seen it before. I'm interested in Pergamon & Asclepius but don't know how to get there by public transporation. Any advice?
Posted by
Honolulu/Seattle, HI/WA, USA
2788 posts
Have you checked out RS Istanbul Guide Book or Lonely Planet Turkey Guide Book yet? We used both of them in our tour of Turkey last summer.
Posted by
Dunwoody, Georgia
338 posts
Bergama is worth a visit. There is a nice museum there and an old Egyptian church (red basillica) in addition to the ruins of Pergamum and the Asclepion. All of the sites will take a full day to see. I did not use public transportation to get there, but know that buses run regularly from Izmir. To take them you'd need to get a cab from the airport to the bus station (assuming that you're flying to Izmir). Please note that the sites are well outside of Bergama and you will need to either hike a few miles or take a cab to see them. You may want to run the numbers and check them against the cost of renting a car from the airport. I have not spent any appreciable time in the city of Izmir itself, so I can't make any recommendation for that. Good luck.
Posted by
OP
Sacramento, Ca, US
144 posts
Thanks, I'm trying to do this without a guidebook because I don't have time to go to the library. We leave in a couple of weeks and I have to finish my practical tips by tomorrow for my friends. Was just hoping for some help.
Posted by
OP
Sacramento, Ca, US
144 posts
Thanks, Georgia. I'm actually arriving on a cruise ship and did see that it is a lot of hiking just to get to/from bus stops. I think we'll just stay in Izmir or rent a car. I found one for $87.00US including all taxes.