Located in western Turkey, this ancient city was once Pergamon, home to the Hellenistic Pergamon Library. Its stone acropolis and red basilica sit among modern streets.
Bergama in Turkey's İzmir Province holds remnants of the ancient Greek city of Pergamon. The hilltop acropolis overlooks Roman ruins, Ottoman-period houses, and the Bakırçay River. Walk through a theater built into the slope with 78 seating rows, visit a medical complex where doctors used music for treatments, and explore a massive red-brick temple later converted into a church. The town still makes carpets using methods from the 11th century. Every June, a festival fills the streets with music performances, craft stalls, and demonstrations of weaving techniques.
Pergamon Acropolis
Begin at the Acropolis, where rulers from the Hellenistic period constructed a city competing with Alexandria. The hillside theater, with 78 rows of stone seats, gives clear views of the valley below. Marble columns from the partially rebuilt Temple of Trajan stand near the remains of a library that stored 200,000 scrolls. Foundations mark where the Altar of Zeus once stood—now displayed in Berlin. Take the cable car up before 8:30 AM to miss crowds, then follow the old road past crumbled gymnasium walls back to town. Wear sturdy shoes for uneven paths.
Sanctuary of Asclepius (Asklepion)
Doctors at this medical site treated patients with water therapies, mud treatments, and music in a theater that still hosts events. Walk the 820-meter Sacred Way to see the circular hall where treatments occurred and an underground passage where patients awaited healing dreams. Galen, a physician whose work influenced European medicine, practiced here. Spend an hour examining the columns of the treatment rooms and the library’s surviving sections. Bring water, as shade is limited.
Red Basilica (Kızıl Avlu)
This 2nd-century AD temple, built with red bricks and Egyptian granite, originally honored Egyptian gods. Two rounded side structures flank the main hall, one now functioning as a mosque. Openings in the floor reveal the Selinus River flowing beneath. Look for remaining mosaics and traces of pools used in rituals. Entry costs €3. Combine your visit with the Archaeology Museum, a five-minute walk away.
Bergama Archaeology Museum
Artifacts here range from Stone Age tools to Roman statues, with a model showing how the Acropolis looked in ancient times. Hellenistic-era oil lamps and medical inscriptions from the Asklepion help explain daily life. A section focuses on locally made carpets, highlighting patterns unique to nearby villages. The museum started as a storage shed during 19th-century digs. Allow 45 minutes to see everything.
Ottoman-Period Neighborhoods
Wooden houses from the 18th and 19th centuries line the streets of the Kurtuluş area. Some, like Elaia Hotel, keep original painted ceilings. Narrow lanes lead to the 14th-century Kulaksız Mosque and a 19th-century bathhouse still offering steam sessions. Locals sell olives, spices, and handwoven fabrics near the Tabak Bridge, a stone crossing dating to Roman times. The mix of homes and shops creates a working residential area.
Kozak Plateau
Pine forests cover this highland 20 km north of Bergama, where villages specialize in weaving and pine nut harvesting. Trails wind past abandoned stone bridges from the Ottoman era. In fall, a festival celebrates the pine nut harvest with stalls selling local honey and soap. Drive to viewpoints that look toward the Aegean Sea. Wear layers—temperatures drop at higher elevations.
Allianoi Roman Baths
East of town, thermal baths from the Roman period were uncovered in 1998, revealing mosaics and treatment pools. A reservoir now partly covers the site, sparking debates about preservation. Visible ruins include a stone archway and carvings in marble. Check with local guides for access, as visiting hours change frequently.
Bergama June Festival
For one week each June, the town hosts folk dancing, poetry events, and craft markets. Musicians perform in the Asklepion’s theater, and weavers demonstrate carpet-making in the central square. The festival aligns with the summer solstice, echoing ancient traditions. Turkish actors and singers often appear, attracting visitors from nearby cities.
Reaching Bergama
Fly into Izmir’s Adnan Menderes Airport, 110 km south. Buses from Izmir’s main station take 90 minutes. Overnight coaches from Istanbul arrive in 9.5 hours. Walk to the Acropolis and Red Basilica from the town center. Taxis reach the Asklepion in 10 minutes. Rent a car to visit coastal ruins like Elaia or beaches near Dikili.
Accommodation Options
Stay in restored 19th-century houses like Athena Pension, which serves breakfast in a courtyard garden. Attalos Suites Hotel provides modern rooms with a pool. Most lodgings in the old town sit within walking distance of evening tea spots and the Archaeology Museum. Book parking in advance if driving—the Acropolis road has limited space.
