I started to visit Aydın, the land of Efeler, as a traveler who is a lover of history, culture and nature. I am traveling and writing for places to visit in Aydın and my travel notes .

When I came to Kuşadası on my Aegean Mediterranean tour , I decided to visit Aydın. I dived straight into the middle of the city. With its modern avenues and boulevards, it made a strong impression on my traveler’s heart. Its monuments and sculptures at the crossroads have added a distinct culture to its regular city. As a traveler, I also know that there are many historical places to visit in Aydın . Aegean Region’Greek mythology legends and Roman culture and art ruins have always fascinated me.

Let’s have a look at 27 Blue Flag Aydın Beaches

Having the leading cities of tourism such as Kuşadası and Didim in the Aegean region,IntellectualAlthough the city center is far from the sea, it is a province with 27 blue flag beaches. Having a mixture of Mediterranean and Aegean climates, the summer season is quite wide and the water temperature is high.

Let me first tell you a few of the coasts and beaches of Aydın, which stands out with its many natural beauties and history.

Didim Altinkum Beach

 Our blue flag beach, named Didim Altinkum with its sands that shine like gold in the sun, is located on the coast of Didim district of Aydın. When I come, after my trip to the ancient city of Apollo, I go to the sea and relax on this beach.

Didim Akbuk Beach Aydin places to visit and my travel notes

Of course, you can’t come to Didim without stopping by Akbuk Beach . It is among the most preferred places with its clean sea, beach and unique nature. 20 km from Didim . How far away you should see this dark.

Kusadasi Ladies Beach

Today, everyone can use the beach, which used to be allowed only for women. Located in Aydın Kuşadası, the women’s beach has a blue flag and is open to the public. If you do not have your own chair and umbrella, you can enjoy this beach by renting it.

Kusadasi Love Beach

I can say that it is a natural paradise with the sea, the beach and the picnic areas around it at the same time. Sevgi beach, which is quite large with a length of 12 km, will allow you to spend a nice day or vacation.

quote photo

Aydın Arapapıştı Canyon.

This region was used as a region term because the Arabs who came to the canyon during the Arab invasion period could not pass this canyon in any way. The name of this steep canyon, which the Arabs could not pass, has come to the present day as Arapapıştı .

Now, Arapapıştı Canyon on the Kemer Dam has been opened to tourism for the last two years. You can also visit the canyon with boat tours and see the rock tombs and different bird species in it.

Aphrodisias Ancient City

You should come to Karacasu Geyre Aydın for the ancient city of Afridisias, which is dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty . Famous photographer Ara Güler gets lost in this region where he came to take pictures of Arapapıştı canyon and encounters villagers living in historical monuments. By taking pictures of these historical artifacts, he begins to research what date it belongs to.

With the photographs he sent to America, it turns out that this is the ancient city of Aphrodisias, which was dedicated to Aphrodite, the god of beauty. With this discovery, which took place 60 years ago, excavation work begins and these present-day artifacts are unearthed. B.C. This temple, which is thought to have been built in the 6th century, started as a small village. During the Roman period of the 1st century BC, it was highly developed and many ancient artifacts were created. You need to spare 1 day to visit this place. You can also see the largest and strongest ancient stadium with a capacity of 20 thousand people from the ancient period.

Aydın Dilek Peninsula:

Imagine such a formation! It is a peninsula formed between the Büyük and Küçük meander rivers, 500 million years old. Dilek peninsula , which is under protection as a national park, remains within the borders of Güzelçamlı. When you come to Aydın Kuşadası, you should see this nature paradise, which is only 28 km away.

You ask why? It is a unique place where you can not stop taking pictures with its many animal species, plant diversity and natural beauties you can observe.

After it was transformed into a national park in 1994, it was registered as a Flora Biogenetic Reserve Area by the European Council. Buddha shows how rich this corner of paradise is in terms of living things.

Aydın Miletus Museum and Ancient City

It is one of the museums that should definitely be visited by those who love history as well as nature like me. Because;Miletus AntiqueYou can see many historical artifacts unearthed in the region here. 

Many artifacts from the Archaic, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods, starting from the 15th century BC, will welcome you in the exhibition area, which consists of halls with pools.

Pigeon Island Castle

If you enter Kusadasi from the south from the beach, you will see it with its magnificent view. You will see that those who see it come to stop to enjoy the scenery and photograph like me. It was built against the threats that may come from the sea during the Peloponnese rebellion during the Pigeon Island time. Although it was built by İlyas Ağa in 1826, it has undergone a restoration until today. It was built to protect the Kusadasi bay. It was connected to the pigeon island, which is only an island, and then to the land.

 Tralleis Ancient City is among the places to visit in Aydın

The most beautiful land under the sky said HEREDOT  The ancient city of Tralleis , which was established on a hill at the foot of the Chestnut Mountains in the north, is  only 1 km from Aydın. as far away. It was formed by the Argosians and Trallesians in the BC period. The ancient city, which Alexander the Great captured in 334 BC, was later invaded and changed hands many times.

Magnesia Ancient City

At the sight of this ancient place, my anger at having taken the wrong path at the stigma of navigation turned into joy. I stopped as soon as I saw  the Magnesia Ancient City, where excavations are still going on on the left .

Although it has not been opened to tourism yet, I went inside upon request. And that BC. I started to wander the streets of the 500’s. Only I was traveling in that mythological age, not with everyone else. Let me briefly talk about its history. 

Saplı Island Didim Aydın places to visit

This mysterious piece of land on the Didim Akbuk side is sometimes an island and sometimes a peninsula. Sapli Island, whose connection with the land you can see when the waters subside, becomes a peninsula when the waters rise a little. Although not much remains of the ancient ruins of Hipedemos dating back to the 6th century BC, it is possible to see some traces of it. When viewed from above, it was named Saplı Ada with the appearance of a coffee pot with a handle.

Zeus Cave Aydin places to visit and my travel notes

Zeus Cave, which has become famous recently and is among the interesting natural formations to be seen, is on the side of Dilek peninsula. The combination of salt water from the sea and fresh water from the mountains in the cave created a different interesting situation. Recently, divers have even started to make exploratory dives in this cave. Zeus Cave , which you can reach on foot after a certain point, is also visited by jeep safari tours from the region.

Let’s take a look at the local flavors among the places to visit in Aydın and my travel notes.

Aydin local dishes

Let me write down a few of the dishes that have survived to the present day, from the Aydınoğulları family of Aydın, the land of Efes and cultures. 

One of the Most Famous…..

  • It is made by rolling
    the ground meat in the pan with eggs, onions and a few local spices. It is cooked separately from butter on top of Yuvarlama, which takes its name from here. I haven’t eaten but my mouth is watering even as I write it. Announced to my followers from Aydın 
  • Keskek
    , which is frequently made in Aydın’s wedding societies, is made by mixing lamb meat with wheat and butter and various spices. I think anything with lamb meat is delicious…
  • Black-eyed peas with olive oil .
    It is made from both dry and fresh black-eyed peas with olive oil, which is indispensable for the Aegean.
  • I had the opportunity to enjoy this unique taste of Çine meatballs , the recipe of which is still a secret and discovered by Tahsin Işık. In fact, the meatballs of many of our provinces are famous and I have tasted them in many of them. Çine meatballs is another. Especially if you want buttermilk on the side. I can say Miissss.
  • Country fries
    When you say frying, the water stops flowing in me. If you add olive oil to the fried eggplant, garlic, pepper and onion, a delicious feast will emerge. Of course, you can add it to yogurt if you prefer, like me.
  • Pasha
    Böreği A pastry fit for Pashas. I can even say that the recipe is mouth watering. First, they pour the broth on the phyllo dough that is opened by hand. And they fill it with ground beef and wrap it. It’s not over, they cover it with ground meat with yoghurt. Exquisite…
  • Tahini
    Pita is one of the local tastes that you will hear frequently in Aydın Yenipazar, Nazilli and Söke.

I came to visit Aydın , the land of Efeler, as a traveler who is a lover of history, culture and nature . These travel notes will give you some ideas.