- Sardis was the capital of Lydia, home of King Croesus
- Three of the Seven Churches of Revelation are here: Sardis, Thyatira and Philadelphia
- Kula has a volcanic UNESCO Global Geopark
- Easy to visit from İzmir
- Airports
- İzmir Adnan Menderes (ADB), about 45 minutes to an hour to Manisa
- Best time to go
- April-June and September-October
- Type
- Province
Manisa province lies just inland from İzmir, across Spil Mountain. It is a farming region of vineyards and olive groves, known for its sultanas, with a deep history that few UK visitors get to see. It sits in the Aegean region.
The highlight is Sardis, once capital of the kingdom of Lydia and home of King Croesus, where coinage is often said to have been first used. Christian travellers come for three of the Seven Churches of Revelation, and walkers and geology fans head east to the volcanic cones around Kula. See our Turkey guide for general planning.
Things to do
- Sardis – a restored Roman bath-gymnasium complex, a large synagogue and, a short walk away, the Temple of Artemis with its towering columns.
- Spil Mountain national park – forested slopes and viewpoints above Manisa, and the rock known locally as the "crying rock" of Niobe.
- Manisa old town – Ottoman mosques including the Muradiye Mosque, and the city's role as a training ground for Ottoman princes.
- The Mesir festival – an annual spring festival where a spiced paste is thrown to crowds from a mosque, recognised by UNESCO as intangible heritage.
- Kula – a town of old Ottoman houses surrounded by black lava fields and cinder cones, part of the Kula-Salihli UNESCO Global Geopark.
- Alaşehir – ancient Philadelphia, where a few walls of a Byzantine church survive.
- Akhisar – ancient Thyatira, with a small excavated area in the town centre.
- Vineyards – the Gediz valley and Kula area produce wine as well as grapes and sultanas.
Where to stay
- İzmir – the most practical base, with a huge choice of hotels and day trips into Manisa.
- Manisa city – a few business hotels, handy for Spil Mountain.
- Kula – a handful of restored houses and guesthouses for the geopark.
- Salihli – a convenient town for Sardis.
Getting there
Fly from the UK to İzmir, around four hours. Manisa city is about 45 minutes to an hour by road from the airport. Sardis is roughly an hour and a half east of İzmir, and regional trains on the İzmir–Uşak line stop near the site at Sart. A car makes it much easier to reach Kula and the geopark.
Best time to visit
Spring is green and pleasant, and the Mesir festival is usually held around March or April. September and October are good for the grape harvest. Summer inland is very hot, so see ruins early in the day.
Top attractions in Manisa
Manisa on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Sardis worth visiting?
Yes. It is one of the most important ancient sites in western Turkey and far quieter than Ephesus.
Can I visit the Seven Churches from Manisa?
Sardis, Thyatira and Philadelphia are all in Manisa province. Smyrna and Pergamum are in İzmir province, Laodicea in Denizli.
How do I get to Sardis without a car?
Take a regional train or bus from İzmir towards Salihli and get off at Sart, a short walk from the site.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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