Plan a romantic getaway and discover the ruins of this ancient city of love

APHRODISIAS

Region: Turkey

Nestled in the Meander river valley, Aphrodisias is one of the oldest sacred sites in Turkey. At its heart is an acropolis on a hill formed of the detritus of settlements dating back at least to the Early Bronze Age (as old as 2800 BC).

Today the ruins, set amid fertile fields of cotton and groves of spindly cypresses, include an elaborate Tetrapylon, or monumental gate, the foundations of the Temple of Aphrodite, the Christian bishop’s palace, a beautiful marble odeon (small theatre) in excellent condition, and a stadium still capable of seating nearly its original capacity of 30,000 spectators. The white marble theatre built into the side of the acropolis is also in excellent condition.