West Coast Travel Guide

The West Coast of Turkey is one of the prime tourist attractions. Since ancient times, this region has been one of the most important cultural centers of the world. 

The area runs between Çanakkale in the north  and  Marmaris in the south. Troy, Assos (Behram Kale), Ayvalık, Pergamon, Izmir,  Çeşme, Miletos, Selcuk, Ephesus,   Kusadasi, Magnesium, Didim, Aisos, Halicarnasous (Bodrum),  Gökova Bay, Knidos, Dalyan, Chonos, Datca and Marmaris are the most important archeological places in the area.

The area offers you the possibility to get an overdosis of Greek temples (much more than Greece), Roman ruins and baths and archeological museums. If you dig deep enough here you are sure to find the remains of  once important city; many archeologists have dug deep and many cities have been found.

At the same time the West Coast has many great beach and resorts at  Çanakkale,  Ayvalık (Sarmısaklı),  Dikili, Kusadasi, Didim and Bodrum being the most important ones.

Izmir is the biggest city and the transport hub of the West. The city has had a very strong Greek character right up to this century. It is now a big, lively harbour town with some nice sights. There are 6 airports in the area; Çanakkale, Edremit, Efes where you can make domestic flighs and private landings, however, Izmir, Bodrum and Dalaman (Marmaris) airports are International where you may fly to several places in Europe.