Ionia, founded with the gathering of 12 cities on the Aegean Coast, one of the most beautiful geographies of the world, continues to guide the whole world even after 3000 years.
The Ionian Route, consisting of Foça, Çeşme, Menderes, Urla, Seferihisar, Selçuk, Söke, Didim, Kuşadası, Samos and Chios, transports its travelers to the past and the present at the same time.
All the streets on the Ionian Route lead not only to the sea, but also to the history, culture, literature, mathematics, philosophy, art and architecture that shaped the world. Starting from the earliest times of human history, you walk together with poets, artists and philosophers towards today.
As you traverse the roads, Phocaean sailors are anchoring in Foça harbor, perhaps to build Marseille. Gum mastic minstrels tell their stories accompanied by the smell of gum drops. In Çeşme, Eritrean merchants don’t even see you as they are in a tight bargain. In Urla, farmers returning from the olive harvest are on their way to the world’s first olive oil factory in Klozemenai. In Seferihisar, Dionysus Artists are rushing back and forth between Teos and Lebedos in a flurry of vintage festivities. In Menderes, a group of people walk from Kolophon to Claros with evil eye bead pouches in their hands to find answers to their questions. In Ephesus, Seljuk women are lined up on the slope of the Temple of Artemis, singing in unison to the notes of Pythagoras of Samos. When you pass the cotton fields in Söke and turn down the street towards Myus, you come across the philosophers of Miletus from Didim and the architects from Priena. When you see a crowd in the square of Kuşadası, you approach them; the route ends at the Paninion, the meeting center, but the journey of the world continues.
The Ionian Route invites its travelers to a fairytale-like experience. It aims to build a bridge between the ancient Ionian cities of thousands of years ago and the modern cities built around them through archaeology, history-culture, nature and gastronomy. While witnessing the processes of the world and humanity with the Ionian Route, you will also take a journey towards yourself with a good meal, a fascinating story or unique nature.
Launched in 2022 under the leadership of Seferihisar Municipality, the Ionian Route Project aims to become the most popular travel route in the world.
If you are ready for a 3000-year journey, the Ionian Route is waiting for you.