Miletos: Day Trips and Tours from Kuşadası

First founded over 4,000 years ago, Miletos offers visitors an inside look into life during ancient Greek and Roman times. The ruins here showcase an expertly-built theater where the town’s inhabitants would rally to watch gladiators, and animals fight to the death.

Day trips to Miletos from Kuşadası are fascinating for history enthusiasts and culture lovers alike. Best of all, these excursions typically include other captivating remains from the ancient world in their itineraries.

Here's all you need to know about Miletos, one of the most exciting day trips from Kuşadası.

How to get to Miletos from Kuşadası?

Miletos is located in Western Anatolia, 20 kilometers north of Didyma — another famed Greek archaeological site. It is just over 60 kilometers south of Kuşadası.

From Kuşadası to Miletos by car

It takes just under an hour to make the journey to Miletos from Kuşadası, following the D515 south of the port town. As you reach Söke, you’ll merge onto the D525 and continue as far as Yenidoğan where you’ll switch onto Didim Güllübahçe Yolu, which leads you to the archaeological site.

From Kuşadası to Miletos by public transport

Those without access to a car can make part of the jaunt to Miletos via public transport. You’ll board a bus to Didim Bus Station from Kuşadası Bus Station and when you arrive, you’ll need to hail a taxi to cover the short distance to Miletos. Overall, this journey takes around 1.5 hours.

Guided tour to Miletos from Kuşadası

Alternatively, book a guided excursion to Miletos and allow someone else to take care of the transportation details. These day trips last between 6 and 8 hours, and usually begin with a convenient accommodation pickup between 8 AM and 9 AM. You’ll simply select your hotel from a dropdown list upon booking and, on the day of your tour, await collection in the lobby from a friendly guide.

Alternatively, you may be asked to meet at Kuşadası Cruise Terminal.

How much does the entrance ticket to Miletos cost?

The entrance fee for Miletos is TRY100 (US$4) per person, while the entrance fee to the museum is also TRY100 (US$4) per person.

What is the typical itinerary?

All Miletos day trips have their own unique itinerary, however, there are several similarities between them all. After being collected from your hotel or meeting your guide at a predetermined destination, you’ll board your vehicle and make your way to your first destination.

In some cases, you may journey to Ephesus first where you’ll participate in a guided tour of its most renowned landmarks. However, oftentimes, the first stop of the day is at Priene. Continuing on, you’ll stop to admire the famed theater at Miletos, which has roots that stretch back to the 4th century B.C. From there, you may visit the neighboring site of Didyma to see its temple dedicated to the god of divine distance.

Alternatively, the final destination on your Miletos day tour may be the seaside village of Karine. The majority of these excursions include lunch at some point throughout the day during which you’ll have the opportunity to try local dishes.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Miletos?

There are several different Miletos day trips available to choose from, depending on the additional destinations you’d like to visit.

Guided tour to Miletos plus Priene and Didyma from Kuşadası

The first destination on this Miletos day trip is the Ionian city of Priene, which was founded in the 3rd century B.C. Here, you can wander its theater and bouleuterion, as well as what remains of the town’s Temple of Athena. Moving on, you’ll travel to Miletos where you’ll find a theater that once housed 15,000 spectators and was used for gladiator fights. Lastly, you’ll make the short journey to the archaeological site of Didyma, which was destroyed in the 5th century B.C. and rebuilt by Alexander the Great.

Day trip to Miletos plus Ephesus, Priene and Didyma from Kuşadası

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more comprehensive experience, select a Miletos day tour that includes Ephesus in its itinerary. Before discovering the ancient wonders of Miletos, Didyma and Priene, you’ll travel to Ephesus where you can roam a plethora of historic ruins, including the Library of Celsus, which was constructed as a funerary monument, and once held 12,000 scrolls, as well as the Grand Theater that provided entertainment to 25,000 spectators.

Shore excursion to Miletos plus Priene and Karine from Kuşadası

Those who have found themselves anchored at Kuşadası while on a tour of Turkey’s coast can book a guided excursion to several of the area’s most popular sites. Explore the Ionic remains of both Priene and Miletos before journeying to the fishing village of Karine. Here, you can marvel at a wealth of marine creatures, sample local produce and put your feet up to relax with a traditional meal.

How much does a day trip to Miletos from Kuşadası cost?

A basic day trip to Miletos plus Priene and Didyma costs US$150 per adult, and between US$70 and US$80 for children aged 5 to 8. You’ll be part of a small group limited to 14 guests and all admission fees are included.

Those who wish to book a day trip that includes Ephesus can expect to pay US$300 as a solo traveler of any age. However, you can reduce the cost per head by traveling in a party of two or more individuals. With 10 people in your group, you’ll each pay US$110.

Those who embark on a shore excursion that includes Karine will pay between US$280 and US$290 per person over the age of 9 if traveling alone. However, you’ll save money with each person added to your group. With 15 individuals booking together, you’ll each pay just over US$40.

What will you see and do?

Miletos was originally founded by the Cretans around 2,000 B.C. Situated on the coast, this destination served as a stronghold for a period of almost 500 years until the 12th century B.C., at which time the site was raided and burned at the order of Muršili — king of the Hittite Empire. The city was then refounded and around 200 years later developed into an important place of trade for a multitude of goods including fabrics, and wool.

While the area experienced harmony for several centuries, Miletos was once again destroyed — this time by the Persians — in 494 B.C. From then, it was once again reconstructed and served as a dwelling for both the Greeks, and later, the Romans.

The grand theater you can see on a day tour to Miletos is a Roman construct, which was commissioned in the 2nd century and built upon an older, Hellenic site from the 4th century B.C. Its main purpose was to defend the city against the threat of enemy raids, which were ever-present with a declining population.

What are the opening times?

Visitors on a day tour to Miletos can explore the site between 8:30 AM and 7 PM.

When is the best time to visit Miletos?

Spring is generally considered the best time to visit Miletus. The climate is mild and exploring the ruins is really comfortable.

Autumn is another good time to visit Miletus. Compared to the high season in summer, the temperature is lower and there are fewer people.

Plan your visit on weekdays rather than weekends to avoid crowds. Miletus is a popular tourist destination and visiting during the week will be quieter and less crowded.

Travel tips

• Miletos involves a significant amount of walking, often on uneven surfaces. Opt for comfortable clothing and shoes to ensure a pleasant and safe visit.
• Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a refillable water bottle. Miletos offers limited shade, and the sun can be intense, especially during the summer months. Protect yourself from the sun's rays and stay hydrated throughout your visit.
• Don't forget to bring a camera or smartphone to capture the stunning architecture and scenic views at Miletos. Photography enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunities to take memorable shots.