Pergamon or Aphrodisias?
 

I'll be sailing next week on the Aegean Odyssey from Istanbul with a two day port visit to Izmir. In addition to a must-do tour of Ephesus, we have a choice of a full day tour to either Pergamon or Aphrodisias. I have a hard time choosing between the two as they both appear to be quite scenic and interesting. Aphrodisias is the further away of the two but I don't think that is a significant factor. Any suggestions?

I've been to both, and I'd recommend Aphrodisias. It's quite lovely, well excavated, and there is plenty to see. Pergamon is spectacularly situated, but the altar/temple of Zeus was carted off by the Germans, and it's fragments of its former glory.

Aphrodisias gives a sense of what a Greek city was like as you walk down its streets from one building to the next, Pergamon has grander, taller columns and a dramatic hillside setting, but lots of rubble, like Ephesus. Aphrodisias would give you a different perspective of life in a Greek city.

You'll enjoy either day. Have a nice cruise.

P.S.
There is little shade in either site, although more trees in Aphrodisias. Take a sun umbrella or a good hat and sunscreen.

You can combine Aphrodisias with Ephesus and even Sardis with just one overnight easily, whereas Pergamon would take a full day because it is in the opposite direction.

I've been to both as well. Tough choice. Momwow makes a great argument for Aphrodisias, and I agree with everything she says about seeing life in a Greek city. In fact, I have recommended Aprhodisias here before. However, between the two, the magnificence of the Pergamon hilltop and view of the ancient theater trumps Aphrodisias for me. Whatever you decide will be the right choice, and you will love it! Have a great trip. Turkey is a wonderful country. And don't forget the sun umbrella. You will need it!

Thanks for all your suggestions. I'll have to mull them over for a bit.

otherchelebi--Your suggestion would be a good one if I were on my own, but I am constrained by the ship's offerings (they are all at no extra cost as well). So I can't combine Ephesus and Aphrodisias but must choose between the latter and Pergamon. BTW I have been closely following your accounts of the situation in Istanbul, and I am looking forward to my return visit there, arriving Friday and sailing Thursday. I'll keep my fingers crossed that there will be no untoward events arising from possible events in Syria.

I agree that both are wonderful and well worth seeing. You can't make a bad choice here!

mowmow makes a great case for Aphrodias, so I'll make a case for Pergamon: Pergamon has one of the most spectacular theaters I saw in Turkey -- absolutely awesome. And I thought Pergamon less like Ephesus than Aphrodisias. Yes, a key temple was taken to Berlin -- which means that if you ever go there, you'll be able to imagine it in situ. (I saw the temple in Berlin first, and was glad to see what had once been its setting.)

Tough call!

I too was debating going to Pergamon, like kja have seen the temple in Berlin and have wanted to go to the original site ever since! This time we're doing Aphrosidias & Pamukkale, maybe Pergamon the next time...:)