Pergamon Day Tour from Izmir: Sample Itinerary

Morning: Pergamon Acropolis (3–4 Hours)

Departure from Izmir hotels at approximately 08:00–08:30. Arrival at Bergama by 09:30–10:00, followed by cable car ascent to the Acropolis (cable car ticket purchased separately, approximately €3). The Acropolis visit covers the Zeus Altar base, the Great Library remains, the Temple of Athena, the Temple of Trajan (ten restored columns), and the 80-degree cliff theatre with its 10,000-seat cavea. Time on the Acropolis is typically 2–2.5 hours, including a guided walk through the Hellenistic and Roman-period structures.

Midday: Lunch in Bergama

Lunch is taken at a local restaurant in central Bergama, typically featuring traditional Aegean cuisine — zeytinyağlılar (olive oil dishes), grilled meats, and seasonal vegetables. Apasas guides recommend local establishments in the old bazaar quarter rather than tourist-oriented restaurants near the site entrance. Lunch is included in the tour price.

Afternoon: Pergamon Asclepion (1.5–2 Hours)

The Asclepion is located 2 km from Bergama town centre, within a colonnaded sacred precinct reached via the Sacred Way — a Roman-era road built for pilgrims arriving from Pergamon. The guided visit covers the incubation hall (where patients received healing dreams), the underground therapeutic tunnel with its acoustic design, the Asclepion theatre (3,500 seats), the temple of Asclepius, and the sacred spring whose water patients drank as part of the treatment protocol. The Asclepion visit concludes by mid-afternoon, with departure for Izmir by 15:00–15:30.

Optional: Red Basilica (Kızıl Avlu)

The Red Basilica (Kızıl Avlu) is the largest Roman-era building in Asia Minor north of Ephesus — a 60-metre-tall red brick temple originally built in the 2nd century AD for the Egyptian deities Isis, Serapis, and Harpocrates, later converted to a Byzantine church. It stands in central Bergama and can be visited before or after the Asclepion without adding significant driving time. Entry is approximately €5 and the visit takes 30–45 minutes.

Why Book Your Izmir Pergamon Tour with Apasas

Apasas Travel is TURSAB-licensed (Licence No. 125485) and has operated Aegean region tours for over 19 years. For Izmir-based Pergamon day tours specifically, Apasas offers:

Hotel pick-up from central Izmir: Transfers arranged from all Alsancak, Konak, Karşıyaka, Bornova, and Balçova hotels. Cruise passengers arriving at Izmir Alsancak Port (Kordon) are picked up directly from the port exit.
Licensed specialist guide: All guides hold Ministry of Culture licences and have site-specific knowledge of Pergamon's Hellenistic and Roman history, Galen's medical work, and the library-parchment connection.
Efficient routing: At 100 km, the Izmir–Pergamon distance is 100 km shorter than the Kusadasi–Pergamon route, providing 1.5–2 additional hours at the site.
No deposit required: Reserve online or by email. Payment is made on the tour day or via secure link after confirmation.
Private tour only: You share the vehicle with your group alone, enabling an unhurried pace at each monument.

Tour Name	Pergamon Tour from Izmir
Duration	Approximately 8 Hours
Tour Type	Private Pergamon Day Tour
Departure Point	Centrally Located Izmir Hotels and Izmir Alsancak Cruise Port
Pickup Time	Approximately 08:00–08:30
Return Time	Approximately 17:00–18:00, Depending on Traffic and Departure Location
Pickup & Drop-off	Hotel or Port Pickup and Drop-off Included
Language	English
Guide Service	Professional Ministry of Culture-Licensed English-Speaking Guide
Transportation	Private Comfortable Air-Conditioned Vehicle Included
Main Visits	Pergamon Acropolis and Pergamon Asclepion
Pergamon Acropolis	Explore the Ancient Hilltop Acropolis of Pergamon, Located Approximately 335 Metres Above Modern Bergama
Zeus Altar	See the Remains of the Monumental Zeus Altar and Learn About Its Importance in Hellenistic Pergamon
Great Library	Discover the Remains of the Great Library of Pergamon, One of the Most Important Libraries of the Ancient World
Temple of Athena	Explore the Remains of the Temple of Athena and Learn About Pergamon's Hellenistic Religious Heritage
Temple of Trajan	Visit the Roman-Era Temple of Trajan and Its Restored Marble Columns on the Acropolis
Pergamon Theatre	See the Dramatic Cliffside Theatre with Its Steep Seating and Panoramic Views Over the Valley
Acropolis Visit	Spend Approximately 2–2.5 Hours Exploring the Hellenistic and Roman Monuments with Your Licensed Guide
Acropolis Access	Access to the Acropolis by Cable Car or Approximately 20-Minute Walk; Cable Car Ticket Is Purchased Separately
Traditional Aegean Lunch	Enjoy a Traditional Lunch at a Local Restaurant in Central Bergama
Pergamon Asclepion	Explore One of the Most Famous Healing Centres of the Ancient World and Learn About Ancient Medicine
Sacred Way	Walk Along the Ancient Sacred Way Leading to the Asclepion Healing Complex
Asclepion Healing Centre	Discover the Ancient Treatment Facilities, Sacred Spring, Temple of Asclepius and Therapeutic Areas
Incubation Hall	Learn About the Ancient Practice of Healing Through Sleep and Sacred Dreams at the Asclepion
Underground Therapeutic Tunnel	Explore the Ancient Therapeutic Tunnel and Its Unique Acoustic Design
Asclepion Theatre	Visit the Ancient Theatre with Approximately 3,500 Seats Within the Asclepion Complex
Optional Red Basilica	The Red Basilica (Kızıl Avlu) in Central Bergama Can Be Added to the Itinerary on Request, Subject to Time and Availability
Private Experience	Enjoy a Private Tour with Your Own Vehicle and Licensed Guide, Allowing a More Personalized and Unhurried Visit
Historical Focus	Explore Pergamon's Hellenistic Kingdom, Ancient Library, Architecture, Religious Heritage and History of Ancient Medicine
Lunch	Traditional Local Lunch Included
Entrance Fees	Acropolis and Asclepion Entrance Fees Included
Cable Car	Not Included; Cable Car Ticket Is Purchased Separately
Beverages	Not Included
Personal Expenses	Not Included
Availability	Subject to Availability
Group Size	Private Tour
Walking Level	Moderate
Terrain	Uneven Ancient Stone Surfaces, Slopes, Steps, Steep Sections and Archaeological Site Walkways
Suitable For	Couples, Families, Solo Travelers, Private Groups, Cruise Passengers, History Enthusiasts and Archaeology Lovers
Child Friendly	Yes
Accessibility	Not Fully Wheelchair Accessible Due to Uneven Ancient Surfaces, Slopes and Steps
Dietary Options	Dietary Requirements Should Be Communicated in Advance
What to Bring	Comfortable Walking Shoes, Hat, Sunscreen and Water
Important Notes	Tour Itinerary May Be Slightly Adjusted Due to Traffic, Weather or Operational Conditions. Guests Should Be at Their Hotel or Port at Least 10 Minutes Before Departure. Cruise Passengers Should Provide Their Ship Name in Advance.
Cruise Port Pickup	Izmir Alsancak Cruise Port Pickup Available from the Port Exit
Cancellation	Free Cancellation up to 24 Hours Before the Tour Start Time. Cancellations Made Within 24 Hours of Departure Are Non-Refundable. In Case of Cruise Ship Schedule Changes or Port Cancellations, a Full Refund Will Be Provided.
Price	From $250 per Person
Reservation	Advance Booking Recommended. No Deposit Is Required at Booking.

Pergamon Tour from Izmir