Miletus
Milet
Birthplace of Greek philosophy and home of Thales, with a huge Roman theater, baths and the İlyas Bey Mosque, now far from the coast.
Miletus was once the most powerful port city of Ionia and produced early philosophers such as Thales and Anaximander, regarded as the birthplace of Western philosophy. Silt deposited by the Great Meander River (Büyük Menderes) later pushed the coastline about 10 km away. The highlight is the Roman theater, which could seat around 15,000 people; climbing to the top rewards visitors with views over the plain. Other sites include the Baths of Faustina, the ruins of Lion Harbour, and the 15th-century İlyas Bey Mosque. A small site museum is nearby. Check the official website for admission fees. A visit takes about 1.5 hours; the site is flat but offers little shade. It is usually combined with Priene and Didyma as a day trip.
Opening hours
Summer about 8:00 am–7:00 pm; winter until 5:00 pm
Nearby sights
- İlyas Bey Mosque
- Mavişehir Beach
- Temple of Apollo at Didyma
- Altınkum Beach
- D-Marin Didim Marina
- Akbük Bay
- Iasos
- Euromos (Temple of Zeus Lepsinos)