Ancient Lydian ruins and Ottoman mosques dot this western Turkish city, where olive groves and vineyards stretch across the hills. Sardes, the former Lydian capital, lies nearby.
Manisa lies in Turkey’s Aegean region, between the Gediz River valley and Mount Sipylus. The Roman gymnasium ruins in Sardis, the 16th-century Muradiye Mosque with its detailed tile patterns, and the Mesir Paste Festival’s street processions each March give the area its character. Orchards here grow grapes, cherries, and melons that supply markets across the country. Thermal springs near Demirci and the hiking paths of Spil Dağı National Park attract visitors year-round. Three of the Seven Churches of Revelation—Sardis, Thyatira, and Philadelphia—stand within the province, their stone walls surrounded by working farms and fruit groves.
Ancient Ruins and Ottoman Monuments
Begin your trip at Sardis, 60 kilometers east of Manisa, where the Lydian Empire once minted gold coins. Climb the steps of the Temple of Artemis to see its remaining columns, then walk through the gymnasium’s marble courtyards restored by archaeologists. The Sardis Synagogue, built in the 3rd century, displays geometric floor mosaics still intact after centuries. In Akhisar’s Tepe Mezarlığı neighborhood, broken Roman pillars mark the site of Thyatira, one of the early Christian churches. Closer to the city center, the Muradiye Mosque’s domed roof and calligraphy-covered walls reflect the work of architect Sinan during the Ottoman era. Each March, crowds gather at the Sultan Mosque to watch the Mesir Festival’s candy-tossing ritual from its courtyard.
Natural Areas and Hiking Trails
Spil Dağı National Park covers the slopes west of Manisa with pine forests and rocky outcrops. Follow the path to the Weeping Rock, a limestone formation streaked with mineral deposits, or search for the Hittite-era carving of Cybele etched into a cliff face. April brings wild tulips and poppies to the park’s meadows. Near Kula, cone-shaped volcanic rocks rise from the ground, creating a landscape similar to Cappadocia’s famous formations. The thermal baths in Demirci, used since Roman times, provide warm pools surrounded by olive trees.
Mesir Paste Festival Traditions
Manisa’s streets fill each March for a festival dating back to the 1500s. The event centers on Mesir paste, a sticky confection made with cinnamon, ginger, and 39 other spices originally mixed as medicine for an Ottoman queen. Volunteers throw wrapped pieces from the Sultan Mosque’s minaret to crowds below, a tradition said to bring good health. Street performers play traditional saz instruments, and artisans sell pottery, textiles, and copperware. Many local cafes serve Mesir paste with strong Turkish coffee during the festival.
Food Markets and Regional Dishes
Order cilveli kahve, a coffee topped with crushed almonds, at breakfast or try köfte spiced with local herbs at family-run restaurants. Akhisar’s morning markets sell olives marinated in thyme and lemon, while Kırkağaç’s summer stalls display ripe melons known for their sweetness. On Mondays, Gördes’ market fills with vendors grilling kokoreç—seasoned lamb intestines wrapped in bread—and stacks of handwoven rugs. For dessert, buy fresh sultaniye grapes from Alaşehir orchards or jars of strawberry jam made in Köprübaşı villages.
Nearby Towns to Explore
Salihli, 40 minutes east by car, hosts a weekly farmers’ market with dried figs, olives, and olive oil pressed nearby. Kula’s 19th-century Ottoman houses, built with carved wooden balconies and stone foundations, stand apart from the region’s more modern towns. In Demirci, workshops still produce wool carpets using looms and dyeing methods from centuries past. Turgutlu, southwest of Manisa, has cherry orchards that bloom in April and shops selling leather bags and jackets.
Planning Your Visit
Visit between April and June or September and November to avoid summer heat that often reaches 40°C. Buses run hourly from Izmir’s central station, taking 50 minutes to reach Manisa. Bring shoes with thick soles for walking across uneven stone paths at archaeological sites. If you’re in the city during Ramadan, join families at sunset for picnics in the parks near Sultan Mosque, where vendors sell gözleme stuffed with cheese or potatoes.
