Hello Fodorites, heading to Turkey in September and have to transfer between Bodrum and Sirince. It's been suggested we stop off and see Priene, Miletus and Didyma enroute. As it will require more time for the driver and therefore some extra cost, wondering if anyone who's been can comment on whether or not these are must sees. Appreciate any help!

I think they're definitely worth the time to visit. Here's my description fro 2010.

"Didyma -- although this site is small, just the Sanctuary to Apollo itself, we found it the most impressive of the three because of its scale -- its about the size of the Parthenon. Of course, most of the columns are just rather tall stubs. There’s one toppled in the back, interesting because you can see how the columns were put together.

Miletus -- Features a grand theater and another sanctuary of Apollo called the Delphinion in reference to dolphins, sacred to the god, set by the water. The ruins of the baths are also impressive, and right now, studded with scarlet poppies.

Priene -- This Doric city is worth a stop if only for the Temple to Athena and the well preserved theater."

I loved all of them, I went with a tour. I felt Miletus is kind of underrated,especially the sight of the theatre when seen from a distance. Didyma's temle was fantastic,and Priene's location was great.
If you have an extra day there's no way you are missing these.

You could go through my post on PMD: http://ashwinbahulkar.wordpress.com/...s-didyma-tour/
And dont do them at mid day,like I did them,do them after lunch(starting at 1 PM),or early in the morning.

I would say the Temple of Zeus at Euromos is must-do as well, just off the main road west of Milas.

Everybody who is only a little bit interested in archeology or European History and culture visit these places, the others don't.

Google for these places in order to get an idea about them and then decide. Do what YOU like and not what OTHER PEOPLE find you should do.

Loved those sites!

You ought to visit one or two of the sites along that road, it would be a shame to drive past all them.

Also Heracleia at the village of Kapıkırı on Lake Bafa is a very scenic spot.

And the Karina Restaurant looks a nice place to stop for lunch:
http://www.karinabalik.com/

And you thought you were just getting a transfer! So much to see and so little time.

Croesus, Carina area is quite interesting, but Carina Balik is at the end of the road past Dilek lagoon, deadending at a major military area, and would mean about an hour of additional precious time for the return trip, if you are visiting both Didim and Priene.

If you are not doing Didim but only Miletus and Prienne, it is a longer drive.

Unless one has the whole day and is interested in wild life and nature parks, I suggest that karina/Dilek area may be ignored.

For those who like hikes, treks and cycling, it has terrific trails within a wild life preserve with many endemic flora and fauna, and the natural history museum nearby is decent and worth a visit.

On the other hand, as you suggested, Herakleia/kapikiri on lake Bafa can easily be visited and enjoyed without much time loss.

I loved Priene, was impressed by Miletus, and was rather more meh on Didyma due to the location. However, they do usually come on a package and I'll glad we went to all three. You can see my brief overview in my report from 2012:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...14-28-2012.cfm