Izmir to Pergamon and Sardis: Private day trip

Settled since the 2nd millennium BC, Pergamon became one most important cities of the ancient world in the 3rd century BC, when it was the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon. By the 1st century AD Pergamon had developed into "the most famous and magnificent city of the Asia Minor" according to Pliny the Elder. Today, the acropolis is a dizzying reminder of its ancient import. Visitors can still see the ruins of the one of the world’s largest libraries, and its 10,000 seat theatre offers a magnificent vista of Pergamon Valley. Of the countless temples, the most important are the Great Altar of Pergamon (everything but the base was taken to Berlin), the Sanctuary of Asclepius, which was a world-renowned ancient healing center, and the Serapis Temple - originally dedicated to Egyptian gods, but later converted to a Byzantine church, and mentioned as one of the first Seven Churches in the Bible.

Settled for millenia, Sardis rose to prominence in the 7th and 6th centuries BC when it was the capital of the Lydian empire. Gold from the nearby river made it the the richest city in the world. Not only did they invent coinage, Croesus, the last Lydian King, funded the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, which became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The city continued to flourish under Roman rule, lasting long enough to be mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Today, the ruins of Sardis present a fascinating archaeological timeline, starting with the 4th century Jewish-owned shops, and the largest early Synagogue in the Mediterranean. You’ll also find the restored Hellenistic gymnasium, Roman houses, and about 1km away, the remains of the Temple of Artemis and an early Christian church.