Pergamon Tour & Shore Excursions From Izmir
Embark on an Unforgettable One-Day Pergamon Tour
Explore the rich history and incredible beauty of Pergamon on this one-day tour that promises an experience you will not regret. Just 2300 years ago, this city was a vital hub of civilization and today, its charm remains indisputable.
The Acropolis of Pergamon, perched high on a stunningly beautiful hill comparable to Ephesus, is an unexpectedly vast area filled with hidden gems waiting to be discovered. This historical site is fascinating in every sense, offering an extraordinary location and a deep dive into ancient life.
Pergamon is one of Turkey's most significant historical treasures, recognized by UNESCO for its traces of Ionian, Hellenic, Roman, and Byzantine civilizations. The city's highlights include:
- The Upright Theatre: Known for its steep seating and magnificent views, this theatre once hosted thousands of spectators.
- Trajan Temple: A massive and awe-inspiring temple dedicated to Emperor Trajan.
- Legendary Zeus Altar: An important religious site featuring intricate sculptures and historical significance.
- Pergamon Library: Once rivaling the library of Alexandria, this was a center of knowledge and culture.
- The Armory: A testament to the city's strategic military role.
- Red Basilica: A colossal ancient building that now serves as a fascinating ruin.
- Asklepion: This ancient healing center was the home of the famous doctor Galen, the founder of pharmacology.
With its perfect location only a day trip away from Izmir, Pergamon offers an enriching and cheerful adventure through time.
Overview (Private Tour):
- Pick up From Izmir Hotels
- Drive to Bergama (Pergamon). It takes about 1.10 hrs
- Visit to The Pergamon Acropolis
-Grand Theatre
-The Temple of Zeus
-Arsenals
-Pergamon Library
-Temple of Athena
-The Temple of Trojan
-The Sanctuary of Dionyssos
-The Palace of King Attolos
-Cisterns
-City Wall and Gymnasium
Overview:
- Kizil Avlu (Red Baslica)
- Local Lunch Break (Eat out and Help out)
- Asclepion (Roman Medical center)
-Viran Kapı (Ruined Gate)
-Via Tecta (Sacred Way)
-Entrance Courtyard
-Propylon (Monumental Gate)
-Sacred Fountain (the holy spring and pools)
-Kryptoporiktus (Underground Passage)
-Sleeping Rooms
-Library
-The Ancient Theater
-The Temple of Asclepios
- Drive Back from Pergamon to Izmir Hotels
- The drop off at your hotel.
Pergamon Tour & Shore Excursions From Izmir
You will be met at the Izmir port, Izmir airport, or even your hotel in Izmir. On one of your Turkey holiday tours, you will embark on a fascinating day trip to explore two biblical cities, Pergamon and Izmir.
After picking you up, we will drive to Pergamon. During your journey, your local tour guide will provide extensive information about Pergamon, including its history, the renowned Asclepion healing center, links to Alexander The Great, the impressive Red Basilica, and the role of Christianity in the ancient city. Additionally, your tour guide will provide you with maps of Pergamon, Asclepion, and Turkey to enhance your understanding of these historical locations.
The journey from Izmir to Pergamon spans 197 kilometers (122 miles) and typically takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes, providing ample time for an engaging and informative tour.
Join us for an enriching experience where the ancient world meets modern Turkey, and every corner tells a story of its magnificent past.
Pergamon Acropolis
Nestled within the charming town of Bergama, the ancient ruins of Pergamon stand as a testament to its grandiose past. The tranquil Caicus River winds through the modern city, enhancing Bergama’s serene ambiance. Elevating 330 meters above the city, Pergamon’s archaeological remains are spread across more than 3000 acres, making it one of Turkey's most extraordinary archaeological treasures.
The site is notably divided into two main areas: the Acropolis and the lower city. The Acropolis, perched atop a colossal hill, offers breathtaking panoramic views. Its historical prominence is underscored by its once illustrious library, which was one of the richest in antiquity. Visitors to this UNESCO World Heritage site are rewarded with both the visual splendors of its high vantage points and the profound sense of history it encompasses.
Among Pergamon’s most striking features is its theater, hailed as the steepest theater along the Mediterranean coastline. This massive amphitheater could accommodate up to 10,000 spectators, impressing with its sheer scale and formidable architectural prowess. Additionally, the ruins include fragments of the Altar of Zeus, the original of which now resides in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. This altar was notably referred to as the "throne of Satan" by St. John in the Book of Revelations.
Pergamon’s library was an intellectual beacon of the ancient world, second only to Alexandria’s famous repository. Housing over 200,000 volumes, it spearheaded knowledge and scholarship until political intrigue led to the invention of parchment by Pergamon’s scholars in response to an Egyptian papyrus embargo. The plot thickened when Marc Antony seized the vast collection and gifted it to Cleopatra after Alexandria’s library was tragically lost to flames.
Visiting Pergamon offers not just a journey into an ancient civilization but also a breathtaking experience that lingers with you, thanks to its historical depth and scenic grandeur.
Kizil Avlu (Red Baslica)
The Red Basilica, originally constructed in the second-century as a temple dedicated to the Egyptian god Serapis, later underwent a transformation during the Byzantine Empire to become a basilica. This site stands as a testament to the region's rich historical and architectural heritage.
Following your exploration of the Red Basilica, it will be time for lunch. Our initiative, "Eat Out and Help Out," aims to support the local economy, which has faced challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This is an excellent opportunity for our guests to savor authentic local dishes in the countryside, thereby contributing positively to the community.
After a delightful lunch, a short drive will take us to Asclepion.
Asclepion (Medical Center)
Under the honorable direction of Galen, the most renowned physician of the Roman Empire, the city of Pergamon flourished as the heart of the cult of Asclepius, the revered Greek demigod of healing. This historic site, known as the Asclepion, served both as a grand temple and a sanctuary of health, promising restoration to all who sought its divine remedies. Tales of miraculous recoveries abound, with whispers of every patient leaving rejuvenated, although it's likely that the gravely ill were discreetly taken elsewhere.
Today, visitors can still marvel at significant remnants of this ancient healing center. The majestic marble colonnade street, the impressive theater, the extensive library, the revitalizing natural spring, and the well-preserved healing rooms all stand testament to its rich history and architectural grandeur.
After the enlightening exploration of Pergamon, embark on a scenic drive to the vibrant city of Izmir. The journey spans 107 kilometers (66.4 miles) and takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. As you arrive in Izmir, enjoy the convenience of a hotel drop-off, marking the end of a day filled with historical wonder and promising rejuvenation.
Highlights:
Pergamon Acropolis, Asclepion, Red Court
Our private tours are exactly what you need so as to avoid the monotony of typical tour itineraries and the chaos of big tour groups. Our private tours take you to places and areas that big buses can’t reach and offer you the flexibility to stop anywhere, anytime for whatever reason (photos, lunch brake, health needs etc). We are happy to offer you the rarest luxury of our times, individuality, in very competitive prices. You will sit back and enjoy the personal attention given by your driver who will be willing to satisfy your requests with professionalism and courtesy
NOTE 2: Our tours are conducted in English. If you want a guide in a different language, for example (Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Ryussian, Japanese, German, and French), we can provide it immediately. But guides in different languages cost a little more.
If you wish, you can extend your holiday; We have tours to Çeşme,7 Churches of Revelation etc.
If you wish, we can provide your transfer to airport or another city such as Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye, Kaş, and Antalya for a reasonable fee
- Book as soon as possible to guarantee availability, especially during public holidays and festivities.
- You can book up to 2 days before (Istanbul local time) if there are still places available. If less than 2 days before the start of your requested tour date, please contact us by email or phone as it would be a last-minute booking that will need to be checked for availability before your tour reservation is confirmed.
- Round-trip private transfer from Izmir
- Cable Car
- All sightseeing tours of the places mentioned in the program
- All tours with professional licensed English-speaking guidance.
- All transportation by air-conditioning and non-smoking new-model vehicles.
- All parking fees
- All entrance fees to the visited sites are in the itinerary.
- All taxes.
- Lunch
- Personal Expenses
- Tips to Tour Guide and Driver
- Gratuities (optional)
- Drinks
- Travel insurance
