- Pergamon was one of the first cities in the ancient world to develop parchment as a writing material after exports of Egyptian papyrus were restricted.
- The city's ancient library was once considered the second largest in the classical world, rivaling only the Library of Alexandria.
- Bergama is one of the few places in Turkey where the traditional craft of carpet weaving is still preserved through ancient geometric patterns.
- The modern city is built directly over parts of the ancient city, leading to frequent archaeological discoveries during urban infrastructure projects.
- Galen, one of the most influential physicians of antiquity, was born in Pergamon and conducted much of his medical research there.
About Bergama
Bergama is a historic Turkish city situated at the base of a dramatic mountain ridge, home to the sprawling ruins of the ancient Pergamon kingdom. The city represents a unique layering of Hellenistic, Roman, and Ottoman architectural styles, centered around the iconic Akropolis [57917] that overlooks the modern valley settlement. Visitors can explore the sophisticated medical history of the Asclepieion of Pergamon [6812] or admire the imposing red brick masonry of the Red Hall Basilica [38089]. Beyond the antique sites, the local culture is anchored by landmarks like the Bergama Ulu Camii [247382], which showcases regional religious architecture.
Highlights of Bergama
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Museums
Scale the mountain to view the steep Hellenistic theater and the remnants of the Altar of Zeus.
Historical places
Walk the ancient tunnel leading to a sanctuary that served as a sophisticated health center in Roman times.
Historical places
Observe the massive, centuries-old red brick walls built for an Egyptian-style cult temple.
Museums
View a collection of artifacts, including medical tools and ancient statues found during local excavations.
Temples
Visit a classic example of Ottoman-era religious architecture featuring distinctive stone masonry.
Historical places
See the massive circular layout designed for large-scale ancient entertainment.
Top things to do in Bergama
The 141 highest-rated places in Bergama, ranked by travellers.
1
Museums
Pergamon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, served as the capital of the Attalid dynasty and a major Hellenistic center of p...
2
Historical places
The Asclepieion of Pergamon served as one of the most significant ancient medical centers in the Greco-Roman world, func...
3
Museums
The Bergama Museum houses a significant collection of artifacts unearthed from the ancient city of Pergamon, a UNESCO Wo...
4
Historical places
The Red Hall Basilica, known as Kızıl Avlu in Turkish, is a massive Roman temple complex built during the 2nd century AD...
5
Museums
The Acropolis of Pergamon is a hilltop archaeological site in Bergama, Turkey, that served as the capital of the Attalid...
6
Museums
The Asklepion of Bergama is an ancient healing sanctuary dedicated to the god of medicine, Asklepios, established in the...
7
Parks
8
Temples
9
Venues
10
Temples
11
Historical places
12
Historical places
13
Historical places
14
Historical places
15
Parks
16
Parks
17
Historical places
18
Temples
19
Historical places
20
Historical places
21
Historical places
22
Historical places
23
Temples
24
Parks
25
Historical places
26
Historical places
27
Historical places
28
Parks
29
Parks
30
Parks
Explore by category
Jump straight to what you're into.
Bergama on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Bergama
Spring (April to June) or autumn (September to October) when temperatures are moderate for walking the steep terrain of the ruins.
2 days, allowing one full day for the mountain-top archaeological sites and a second day for the town center museums and local markets.
The city center is walkable, though a taxi or minibus is required to reach the higher altitude archaeological sites like the Akropolis.
Stay in the historic center near the base of the hill to access local markets and traditional cafes within walking distance of major ruins.
Mid-range; local transport and accommodation are generally affordable, though entry fees for major heritage sites are standardized for international visitors.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 141 curated attractions in and around Bergama, ranked by traveller ratings.
Pergamon Ancient City is the highest-rated place to visit in Bergama right now.
The largest category is temples, with 55 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Istanbul, Ankara, Beykoz.
Explore more of Turkey
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
