When in Turkey be sure to take this fascinating Pergamon tour from Kusadasi by cable car. Present day Bergama was the site of the Greek, and later Roman, city of Pergamon, which was ruled for centuries by a powerful local dynasty.

The acropolis of Eumenes II remains a major attraction, and there are a host of other sights and a charming old quarter to entertain you. The old town lies at the foot of the city's acropolis, about ten minutes walk from the bus station. The foremost attraction is the Kizil Avlu or “Red Basilica,” a huge edifice on the river not far from the acropolis that was originally built as a temple to the Egyptian god Osiris, but later converted into a basilica by early Christians.

The area around the basilica is a jumble of ramshackle buildings, carpet and antique shops, mosques, and maze-like streets. South of here, along the high street is the Archaeological Museum, which has a large collection of locally unearthed relics, including a statue of Hadrian from the Asclepion and various busts of figures like Zeus and Socrates.