Bodrum to Aphrodisias

IanAndHeather · 2nd July 2009, 11:51

Hi,

Has anybody been to the ancient site of Aphrodisias ? How far is it from Bodrum ? Is it driveable there and back in a day and what are the roads like ?

I always like to drag the family to at least one ancient site each holiday and we have done most of the nearer ones to Bodrum, eg Miletus, Ephesus, Iassos, Euromos etc.

Thanks for any advice.

Ian

irishmatelot · 2nd July 2009, 14:22

Hi Ian

Never been to Aphrodisias but I think it is very far for a return trip in one day from Bodrum. Have you exhausted all of the nearer sites? Have you tried Pergamon?

Paul

pebble · 2nd July 2009, 15:11

Aphrodisias is awesome. I dont think its a day trip though.
I was there years ago, before the siye was even open to the public, before all the excavations were complete........as a teenager, and things were so lax at the time, the caretaker dug out some mosaic tile to give me, can you imagine that?????? they were small little stones, could have been real turquoise and something green, i had them for years and years. He just used his pocket knife to dig them out. can you believe that?

Enjoy it when you go..........

The thing is, as kids we were dragged around to all these sites, as teenagers too, and we thought what a drag, it isnt until you start studying about this stuff that you appreciate the enormity of it all.

IanAndHeather · 2nd July 2009, 16:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by irishmatelot

Hi Ian

Never been to Aphrodisias but I think it is very far for a return trip in one day from Bodrum. Have you exhausted all of the nearer sites? Have you tried Pergamon?

Paul

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the suggestion - but I have a feeling that Pergamon may be further away from Bodrum than Aphrodisias as it is up past Izmir isnt it ? Its certainly way past "are we there yet ? "

It is on my 'to do' list though.

Ian

lesley northall · 2nd July 2009, 16:16

I believe its a long way, we are going in January. Have you been to Stratpnikeia, IIasos or Labranda. Cesme Castle is also nice

buzzzmedia · 2nd July 2009, 16:32

3 hour drive - head for Milas - Muğla - Kale (Denizli) - Tavas - about 140Km from what I can remember.

IanAndHeather · 2nd July 2009, 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by pebble

Aphrodisias is awesome. I dont think its a day trip though.
I was there years ago, before the siye was even open to the public, before all the excavations were complete........as a teenager, and things were so lax at the time, the caretaker dug out some mosaic tile to give me, can you imagine that?????? they were small little stones, could have been real turquoise and something green, i had them for years and years. He just used his pocket knife to dig them out. can you believe that?

Enjoy it when you go..........

The thing is, as kids we were dragged around to all these sites, as teenagers too, and we thought what a drag, it isnt until you start studying about this stuff that you appreciate the enormity of it all.

Hi Pebble,

It looks as though Aphrodisias may be a bit too far then. We are going to Datca for a couple of days so for their annual cultural experience I will have to drag them round Knidos instead.
Unfortunately my children have reached the stage where such things are now 'boring'. However I still remember a few years ago my son (then 14) being quite awestruck as we climbed up through the grand entrance and into the massive theatre at Miletus. Reminded him of a scene from his favourite computer game - 'Tomb Raider'.

Wishing you all the best.

Ian

ChrisBobs · 2nd July 2009, 20:16

I think the trip is about 2.5 hours one way if you go via Yatagan-Cine-Aydin-( turn for Denizli) Nazilli, then a bit out of Nazilli turn off for Aphrodisias. Quite a good road that way. Around Tavas there are road works.
So it would take as long as getting to Knidos , even via ferries ?.
Hey Pebble- those were the bad old days, those caretakers must have left something, as all reports are from awed folks. It is on my list for this winter...finally...?
Enjoy it all!
Cheers

Yildez · 3rd July 2009, 07:39

I visited Aphrodisias in September 1989 - as Pebble says "awesome"!!!! It was difficult to get there by dolmus (took hours) and felt very remote; there were no other visitors and I wandered round completely alone - magical!

Excavations were in progress by a French team at that point and I understand that there is a lot more to see now. What I remember most clearly is the Theatre, quite intimate compared to Aspendos or Pergamon, with the most beautiful carved dolphins on the end seats.

I'm planning a trip for this autumn and hope to re-visit on my way to Hattusa.

mumms · 5th July 2009, 21:06

hi did Aphrodisias last year its quite along drive but well worth it the stadium was absolutely breath taking especialy as we were the only ones there its not a well published sight so its nice not to feel rushed we then drove on to pamukale
where we spent the night the hotel pools are all thermal and leave your skin feeling soft we then went up to the terraces of pamukale which are amazing as you can walk right down you can swim in the waters here but at 40tyl its abit pricey for a swim