Priene, Miletos & Didyma Day Tour from Kusadasi and Selcuk

Priene, Miletos and Didyma day tour from Kusadasi and Selcuk: the key facts

This is a guided day tour from your hotel in Kusadasi or Selcuk to three ancient sites south of Ephesus. In the morning you visit Priene, a hilltop city built to a grid plan. After lunch at a local restaurant you continue to Miletos, once a major Aegean port, and you finish at Didyma, the seat of an oracle and the site of a huge Temple of Apollo. On the drives between them the guide talks about the trade, philosophy and religion of ancient Ionia, and the road crosses farmland, the coastal plain and river deltas.

It suits travellers who have already seen Ephesus, or plan to, and want a second day of ancient sites in the same region. The price is from $293 per person.

Does this tour visit Ephesus?

No. The page files the tour under "Ephesus", because it starts from the Ephesus area, but the three stops are Priene, Miletos and Didyma. The overview presents it as a trip beyond Ephesus. If you also want Ephesus, book the Ephesus day tour from Kusadasi and Selcuk on another day, and read our Ephesus Ancient City guide. Ask us to confirm both in writing if you combine them.

What time are we picked up?

The overview and FAQ both give a start at 08:30 and a finish around 16:00. The booking form offers times from 08:00 to 14:00 and marks 09:00 as "suggested", which does not match. Choose any time on the form to send your request, but plan your day around the pick-up time we confirm in writing. A 16:00 return leaves the evening free, which is useful if you are moving on the next morning.

What is there to see at the three sites?

Priene sits on a hillside and is laid out to a regular plan, which the guide uses to explain how a Greek city was organised. Miletos was an important port, and the page notes it as the largest on the Aegean in its day. Didyma held an oracle, and its Temple of Apollo is described on the page as one of the largest buildings of the ancient world. Our Priene, Miletus and Didyma page gives more background, and the Ephesus and Kusadasi destination guide covers the area you stay in.

How much walking is involved?

Expect several hours on foot over the day, with uneven ground at all three sites. Priene is on a hillside, so there are slopes and steps. Miletos and Didyma are flatter but open, with little shade. Wear closed walking shoes, a hat and sun cream, and carry water, especially in summer. A light layer helps in spring and autumn and in the air-conditioned vehicle. If anyone in the group has limited mobility, tell us before booking.

Why is it priced higher than an Ephesus day tour?

The listed price is $293 per person, against $127 for our Ephesus day tour from the same towns. This route covers three separate sites and longer drives, and parking fees and road tolls are included, but the page does not explain the price beyond the inclusions, and it does not give a group size. If you want to know how many people usually join, or whether a private version would cost much more, ask us and we will answer in writing before you book.

Can we do this tour from Bodrum or as a private tour?

This listing starts only from hotels in Kusadasi or Selcuk. If you are arriving by cruise ship at Bodrum, we list a separate private Didyma, Priene and Miletus tour from Bodrum port. Cruise guests in Kusadasi can compare our Kusadasi shore excursions. For a hotel in the area, see Kusadasi hotels for Ephesus.

Which language will the guide speak?

The inclusions and the FAQ both say English. The page does not offer other languages for this tour. If you need another language, ask us before booking and we will tell you in writing whether it can be arranged and at what price.

How do we book the Priene, Miletos and Didyma tour?

Choose your date, a start time and the number of guests (1 to 12) on the booking form on this page, and give us your hotel name in Kusadasi or Selcuk. You can also write to us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88. We confirm the pick-up time and the details of the day, and we send the full plan in writing before you make any payment. More options from the same base are on our Ephesus and Kusadasi tours list. Get Turkey Tours holds TÜRSAB licence A-15751.