Sardis (Sardes)
Sardis (Sardes)
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Plan your visit
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
1 within 3 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
149 reviews
Excellent
111
Very good
33
Average
5
Poor
0
Terrible
0
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Altan Altındağ
Tekirdag, Türkiye2,155 contributions
Aug 2024 • Solo
Sardinia is an ancient city that made the capital of the Lydia state, located near the town of Sart in Manisa’s Salihli borough. It was founded in 1300 BC and destroyed in 1200 BC. It’s 9 km from the center of Salihli and 82 km from Izmir, spread across the Izmir-Ankara road.
Automatically translated
Written 18 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarper
Türkiye165 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
Sardes/Sardis, capital of Lydia, is located in Salihli, Manisa a western city in Turkey and in a village called SART. If you don't have a car, to get to the Sart from Salihli, find the main bus station and just next to the bus station there is an area for "village buses", small buses. There are many of them, you should look for Sart. It departs in every half hours and costs 3 TL per person. (Same, from the Sart)Trip to Sardis takes about 15 minutes. Buses are not crowded. Tell the driver or show him that you're off at the ancient city. You can't miss anyway, it's on the right side. It's a beatiful ancient city. You'll love it.
After you're go out from the Sardis, turn right and walk about 100 meters. You will see Arthemis Temple sign on the left. We walked to the temple and it takes about 20 minutes. Temple is still under reconstruction/restoration. Both were very impressive.
Beware in the hot day, keep a hat and bottle of water with you.
After you're go out from the Sardis, turn right and walk about 100 meters. You will see Arthemis Temple sign on the left. We walked to the temple and it takes about 20 minutes. Temple is still under reconstruction/restoration. Both were very impressive.
Beware in the hot day, keep a hat and bottle of water with you.
Written 23 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Norman F
Augusta, GA24 contributions
Dec 2012 • Couples
Sardis was a Lydian city that dates back to the 8 th Century BC. It was ruled by the Maeonians, Cimmerians, Persians, Romans and the Greeks, captured by Alexander The Great in 334 BC.
Today it is reached from Izmir about 40 miles away, located in the town of Salihli, easily by bus from the Izmir terminal. Commercial Busses run frequent and are very inexpensive.
There are two main parts of the city located a couple of kilometers apart. Do not miss the second part as it is the site of one of the 7 churches of Asia. The gymnasium has been well restored and both sites are amazing to see. Purchase a site guide and study it before your visit. Bring your camera, comfortable walking shoes and water.
Reserve a complete day, there are places to eat nearby and that is a treat in itself.
I recommend late september thru june to visit. It is open year round, tickets are avaliable at the site and are inexpensive. I have never seen a large crowd and have been to these sites on many trips, enjoy your trip.
Today it is reached from Izmir about 40 miles away, located in the town of Salihli, easily by bus from the Izmir terminal. Commercial Busses run frequent and are very inexpensive.
There are two main parts of the city located a couple of kilometers apart. Do not miss the second part as it is the site of one of the 7 churches of Asia. The gymnasium has been well restored and both sites are amazing to see. Purchase a site guide and study it before your visit. Bring your camera, comfortable walking shoes and water.
Reserve a complete day, there are places to eat nearby and that is a treat in itself.
I recommend late september thru june to visit. It is open year round, tickets are avaliable at the site and are inexpensive. I have never seen a large crowd and have been to these sites on many trips, enjoy your trip.
Written 12 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CherylintheDesert
Palm Desert, CA72 contributions
Jun 2013 • Solo
Go early and you could have these ruins to yourself!
A beautifully preserved synagogue and gymnasium. Mosaic floors are still intact in areas.
Temple of Artemis is part of the combined ticket. I walked to the Temple - but, unless you are in shape, I would recommend you take a car. I didn't realize how far it was when I started out.
The Temple of Artemis is fabulous as well. Mammoth sized columns give you a sense of the grandeur of the structure. And there is a later Byzantine Basilica built onto the end of the Temple that is lovely as well.
I so enjoyed this stop on my journey around Turkey. A "must see" for ancient architecture buffs.
A beautifully preserved synagogue and gymnasium. Mosaic floors are still intact in areas.
Temple of Artemis is part of the combined ticket. I walked to the Temple - but, unless you are in shape, I would recommend you take a car. I didn't realize how far it was when I started out.
The Temple of Artemis is fabulous as well. Mammoth sized columns give you a sense of the grandeur of the structure. And there is a later Byzantine Basilica built onto the end of the Temple that is lovely as well.
I so enjoyed this stop on my journey around Turkey. A "must see" for ancient architecture buffs.
Written 26 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bilge S
San Francisco, CA827 contributions
Oct 2012 • Friends
I have started this historic site in TA because I have spent sometime when I was a kid close to here in Turgutlu City.
This ancient city was the capital of Lydia and is the first place where money was founded and used. Its theatre also assumed as the first theatre in the history.
The synagog of Sardis is also very important in history as it proves the existence of Jews in Asia Minor and Roman life.
Definitely need to visit. Well preserved as well.
Need to taste local delicacy; meatball cooked on wood-coal in the restaurants on the highway at Salihli City direction.
This ancient city was the capital of Lydia and is the first place where money was founded and used. Its theatre also assumed as the first theatre in the history.
The synagog of Sardis is also very important in history as it proves the existence of Jews in Asia Minor and Roman life.
Definitely need to visit. Well preserved as well.
Need to taste local delicacy; meatball cooked on wood-coal in the restaurants on the highway at Salihli City direction.
Written 7 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gregory D
New Lambton1,023 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
We visited Sardis, the ancient Lydian capital while driving between Pamukkale and Izmir.
Although much of the huge site is still unexcavated, enough is visible to get some idea of the wealth of the city, especially from the Roman and Byzantine period. The partially restored Marble Court of the Hall of the Imperial Cult gives a good impression of the magnificence of the place, as it was only one part of the massive baths complex, largely unexcavated. The Byzantine shops and the synogague, with its beautiful mosaics, were a highlight. Explanatory plaques were well presented and, although a couple of small tour groups came and went while we were there, it seems to be off the agenda compared to the tourist circuses at Ephesus and Pamukkale. Well worth the visit.
Although much of the huge site is still unexcavated, enough is visible to get some idea of the wealth of the city, especially from the Roman and Byzantine period. The partially restored Marble Court of the Hall of the Imperial Cult gives a good impression of the magnificence of the place, as it was only one part of the massive baths complex, largely unexcavated. The Byzantine shops and the synogague, with its beautiful mosaics, were a highlight. Explanatory plaques were well presented and, although a couple of small tour groups came and went while we were there, it seems to be off the agenda compared to the tourist circuses at Ephesus and Pamukkale. Well worth the visit.
Written 26 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AdnanMordeniz
London, UK1,026 contributions
Nov 2012 • Family
The ancient city is located 90 km of east city of izmir. The ancient city was capital of Lydia (Sardis .You will visit the marble synagogue and gymnasium and the archaeological Museum.
You enter the site along a roman road, past a well preserved and backing onto a synagogue, rows of byzantine shops which belonged to jewish merchants and artisans.
Across the road from the enclosed site continuing excavations have uncovered a stretch of the Lydian city wall and a Roman house with painted walls right on top of an earlier Lydian residence.
The synagog of Sardis is also very important in history as it proves the existence of Jews in Asia Minor and Roman life.
I definetely recommend this ancient city.
You enter the site along a roman road, past a well preserved and backing onto a synagogue, rows of byzantine shops which belonged to jewish merchants and artisans.
Across the road from the enclosed site continuing excavations have uncovered a stretch of the Lydian city wall and a Roman house with painted walls right on top of an earlier Lydian residence.
The synagog of Sardis is also very important in history as it proves the existence of Jews in Asia Minor and Roman life.
I definetely recommend this ancient city.
Written 23 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erox R
4 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
Tipp: Follow the main road to the top of Mountain. In the first 3 Kilometers there are few buildings and shops. All the time you will see many places where you can make a picknick or u can make a barbeque on some places especially. All needed things you can buy or rent. Cheap and very good. Villagers are selling lot of different types of fruits and fresh baked specialities of region. You may spend time where you feel good. Or continue to the top of Mountain. A lot o possibilities you will see to have a nice picknick and sightseeing nature and pollution free air. If you enter after 35 km top of Mountain, there is a big see and the Temperature is very nice. Its a bit coulder. Enjoy the see. Have some tea or lunch on locale Restaurants.
If you like to trip back to izmir, follow the main parallel road. Dont use mainroad. Go to direction "Kemalpaşa"
You will see lot of vegetables, trees, villages and you can always join a stop. In Kemalpaşa there are many other things to see. I cant explain them.
Its a must see, to use this Route againgst main road.
If you like to trip back to izmir, follow the main parallel road. Dont use mainroad. Go to direction "Kemalpaşa"
You will see lot of vegetables, trees, villages and you can always join a stop. In Kemalpaşa there are many other things to see. I cant explain them.
Its a must see, to use this Route againgst main road.
Written 15 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ASJ51
Amsterdam, The Netherlands69 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
Sardis is not as popular as Efes, but has lots to offer. There are two main sites about 1km apart that can easily be walked between although there is parking at both locations. The ruins are in fantastic condition, very accessible and have been sympathetically restored to give the gymnasium and baths a great wow factor. For the best pictures get there in the morning. If you are feeling more adventurous there is a good hike into the hills to the site of the acropolis.
Written 2 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Haruspex17
London, United Kingdom111 contributions
Jul 2021
Imagination is required to understand the splendour of the Lydian capital. We are helped in that by the reconstruction of the Gymnasium. While the visit is superlative if you know the history of Sardis and the major role it played in developing the foundations of modern economy, the site lacks interpretation panels. You are basically on your own to figure out what you are seeing - it is a shame that so much effort is going on into developing the site, and so little information is available.
Written 8 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there any dolmus / minibus from Sart train station to Sardis ancient city instead of walking? Thanks!
Written 18 June 2021
How long does it take to see all sights in Sardis (ancient Greek & Roman. Byzantine, synagogue, etc)
Written 4 April 2019
We were on a guided tour but managed to see everything (without rushing) in half a day. The sites are not large or spread out, so there isn't a lot of walking to do to reach everywhere.
Written 23 May 2019
Showing results 1-2 of 2
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing