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Travel tips for Bergama, a great city to visit for the quality and importance of its ancient ruins. It’s worth exploring for a half to a full day.
Getting to Bergama
The nearest airport to Bergama is in Izmir. You can transfer to the bus terminal and Izmir and catch one of the frequent buses. The Bergama bus terminal is on the outskirts of town, but there’s a free shuttle service runs into the city center.
Getting Around Bergama
Once in town, everything is pretty much within walking distance. I never had to use a taxi, and my hotels were at most a 15 minute walk from all the major attractions. There are some hills up towards the Acropolis of Pergamon, but you can ride a cable car to get up to the ruins.
Where to Stay in Bergama
Bergama has gotten a lot more attention ever since ancient Pergamon was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014. Since then, some very nice hotels have popped up, mostly situated in historic homes.
I’ve stayed overnight in Bergama twice. The first time was a few years before the UNESCO designation was made, and the second time after. Both stays were in the old Greek quarter near the Acropolis of Pergamon and within walking distance to all the attractions in town.
Athena Pension
On my very first visit to the city, I stayed at Athena Pension. It’s run by a lovely local family and situated in an old Greek mansion with a beautiful garden. A delicious breakfast was included in the rate.
My room was very comfortable and completely silent at night. It was a bit on the chilly side but that kind of added to the experience. The rooms have a late 19th to early 20th century feel, especially with the giant key.
Attalos Suites Hotel
On my second overnight in June 2022, I chose Attalos Suites Hotel. It’s situated in a restored house with a big garden. Staff is very friendly and helpful and the owner speaks excellent English.
There’s a seasonal pool as well as a restaurant and garden café on site. We didn’t have the energy to use the pool, but we did eat a decent dinner at the restaurant.
My room was spacious and modern and very comfortable at night. Everyone in my group got a good night’s sleep, and we all loved the huge Turkish breakfast served in the morning.
Where to Eat in Bergama
I’ve had limited experience with restaurants in Bergama, but I’ve been happy with my choices. I’ve eaten some delicious meals.
Akropol
Akropol is a restaurant near the Acropolis of Pergamon. It’s situated in a historic building with a b beautiful garden and is among the most frequented restaurants in the city. I had a delicious meal there on my first visit to the city in May 2011. Prices are a little higher than normal but it’s worth it.
Burak Lokantası
On my second visit to the city in June 2022, we asked a few locals about a good place to eat. They recommended Burak Lokantası, which is a few minutes walk from the Red Basilica. It was an excellent choice.
Dishes are available cafeteria-style, with everything served from behind a glass display at the entrance. All of the food is home cooked and delicious. Everyone was satisfied with their meals. I had a vegetable stew topped with yogurt and a side of rice and kuru fasulye. Prices are more than reasonable, and service is friendly.
