Aydın's plains were the heartland of Ionian civilisation. Ephesus — one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world — stands near Selçuk, while Priene, Miletus and the Oracle Temple at Didyma form a 'three ancient cities' circuit along the Büyük Menderes (the original Meander river, which gave English its word).
The province is also Turkey's premier fig-growing region — dried Aydın figs are exported worldwide — and Kuşadası, on the Aegean coast, is one of the country's most visited resort and cruise ports.
Known for: Ephesus · Priene, Miletus, Didyma · Aydın figs · Büyük Menderes valley · Kuşadası
- Region
- Aegean
- Famous for
- Ephesus & ancient cities
- Best seasons
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Produce
- Figs, olive oil
Aydın on the live map
Explore Aydın and all of Turkey on the live intelligence map — tap a city node to fly in.
What Aydın is known for
Ephesus needs no introduction: the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, the Terrace Houses and the Temple of Artemis site pack extraordinary classical density into one walkable area. Priene's hilltop setting, Miletus's vast theatre and Didyma's monumental oracle temple each reward a half-day visit.
- Ephesus — Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Terrace Houses.
- Priene, Miletus, Didyma — the three ancient cities circuit.
- Kuşadası — Aegean resort and cruise hub.
- Aydın dried figs and olive oil.
Getting around
Selçuk (gateway to Ephesus) is 80 km from İzmir by train or bus. Kuşadası is 20 minutes from Selçuk; Miletus and Didyma are further south. A car allows the ancient cities circuit comfortably in a day.
On the platform
Aydın is joining Türkiye Gez as we expand into a Turkey-wide city intelligence platform. This guide is the launch foundation — live transport data, an interactive map and deeper neighborhood content roll out city by city, on the same architecture that powers Istanbul today.
Frequently asked questions
About Aydın
2Ancient Ephesus (one of the world's best-preserved classical cities), the Priene–Miletus–Didyma ancient circuit, Kuşadası resort and the province's famous dried figs.
The Ephesus site is in Selçuk, which is in the Aydın province (not İzmir), though İzmir is the nearest major city and airport.