FULL ITINERARY
Ship Arrival
Join one of our Izmir shore excursions offered by Shore Excursions Asia to explore Pergamum, an ancient city celebrated as a center of culture, learning, and healing in the classical world. Meet your guide at Izmir Cruise Port and drive through the fertile plains of the Aegean region to reach the UNESCO-listed archaeological site of Pergamum, known as the birthplace of parchment.
Pergamum Acropolis Exploration
Begin your visit at the Acropolis of Pergamum, a spectacular hilltop site that once rivaled Alexandria in prominence. Walk through the ruins of the city’s library, which once held 200,000 volumes, and see the Temple of Trajan, the Sanctuary of Demeter, and the Theater of Pergamum, dramatically built into the hillside with seating for 10,000 spectators. The strategic hilltop location offered both grandeur and protection, making Pergamum nearly impenetrable in ancient times.
Asclepion - Ancient Healing Center
Continue to the Asclepion, a 4th-century BC medical sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine. Learn how this sacred site functioned as one of the earliest health centers, where patients sought cures through baths, herbal remedies, and dream therapy. Walk along the sacred road lined with monuments and visit the remains of the rehabilitation hall, sacred spring, and the psychotherapy tunnel, where healing rituals once took place.
Lunch & Return to Port
Savor a traditional Turkish lunch at a local restaurant nearby, enjoying authentic Aegean flavors before your comfortable return to Izmir Cruise Port. This immersive day reveals the extraordinary history, innovation, and spirituality that defined ancient Pergamum.
Notes:
- This tour includes moderate to strenuous walking on uneven surfaces.
- A continuously operating cable car is used to reach the acropolis, with a 3-4 minute ride each way.
- Comfortable, closed-toe shoes, sun protection, and bottled water are recommended.
