Open from 8.30am-7pm. For anyone staying in Bergama, it is highly recommended to get to the site right on opening before the hordes of day-trippers start arriving from 9am onward. Head straight to the top for the Temple of Trajan and the best vantage point of the theatre before the crowds hit. Recommended to read about this place before heading up because there are no guides on demand.
To arrive, walk in the northeast direction (you will clearly see the Akropol on the hill). The cable car runs up east side of the hill. Walking from the center should take no more than 15 minutes. Cable car roundtrip: 13 TL (10 TL one way) , Entrance fee: 25 TL. (see 'Discussion' of this listing for an "alternate" route to see the Akropol on the cheap)
The best way to see the Acropolis is to only take the cable car up (they will try to sell you a return ticket, insist on one-way) and then walk down the ancient road down via the Gymnasium. Ask someone how to get down the hill via the Gymnasium and they should indicate the way. There are some great sites that you will miss if you take the cable car down, and it's a very easy walk for anyone in good health. You will come upon a building to the right of the path with fantastically well-preserved mosaics and other artifacts, as well as a few other sites and the Gymnasium itself. When you come to the very bottom of the hill you will find a space in the fence where you can exit the area.
In the Acropolis, the remains that you see on the left hand side while going in are the monumental tombs or heroons built for the kings of Pergamon during the Hellenistic period. Shops are situated at their side. When you enter the Acropolis, the remains seen at your left side are the foundations of Propylon (monumental gates) which were constructed by Eumenes II. When you pass to the square surrounded with three stoas of the Doric order you will notice the ruins of the Temple of Athena, built during the time of Eumenes II in the 3rd century BC. It's just above the Theater.
The famous Library of Pergamon, which contained 200,000 books, was situated north of the square. Antonius gave all the books of the library to Cleopatra as a wedding gift. Pergamon's library on the Acropolis (the ancient Library of Pergamum) is the second best in the ancient Greek civilization. When the Ptolemies stopped exporting papyrus, partly because of competitors and partly because of shortages, the Pergamenes invented a new substance to use in codices, called pergaminus or pergamena (parchment) after the city.
The building that has been restored at present is the Temple of Trajan. Trajan started it but after his death Emperor Hadrian (117-138) finished the temple in Corinthian order and it was placed upon a terrace with dimensions of 68 × 58 m (223.10 ft × 190.29 ft). Attempts have been continuing by the German archaeologists since 1976 to erect this temple which has 6 x 9 columns and a peripteros plan (one row of columns around the temple). It is completely marble.
The Theater of Pergamon, one of the steepest theaters in the world, has a capacity of 10,000 people and was constructed in the 3rd century BC. The road in front of the theater leads to the Temple of Dionysos (known in Rome as Bacchus, god of wine). The temple, which arouses interest because of the staircase in front with a height of 4.5 m (14.76 ft) and 25 steps, has an exquisite appearance.
The famous Altar of Zeus in Pergamon is on the south of the theater. Eumenes II (197-159 BC) constructed it as a memorial of the victory against the Galatians. This Altar has the shape of a horseshoe and its dimensions are 36.44 × 34.20 m (119.55 ft × 112.20 ft). It is composed of four parts and the high relieves on it describe the war between the giants and the gods.
The Altar which was taken away from Pergamon in 1871 and carried to Germany by the German engineer Carl Humann, is exhibited at the Museum of Pergamum in Berlin, in a manner conforming to its original. Today the Turkish government is trying to get it back from Germany bringing the issue to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
On the south of the Altar, the Agora (market place) belonging to the 2nd century BC, is situated. In the middle of the Agora there is a small altar. Downwards in the Acropolis, the central city is placed.
To walk to the Asklepion, head west from the city center. As long as you start heading uphill, you're going the right way. It's a 15 minute walk from the center. You can just ask people if you are heading the right way. If you pass a military base, you're good. Entrance fee: 20 TL. Closes at 7.
It is believed that Asklepion, built in the name of Aesculapius, the god of Health and Medicine, has existed since the 4th century BC. It contains premises such as a small theater with a capacity of 3,500 people, rooms where the patients were cured by the sound of water and music, the temple of Asklepion and the library. Here, the dreams of the patients were analyzed by their doctors (priests) 2000 years before Sigmund Freud did. One of the important personalities associated with the Asklepion was Galen (Galenus) from the 2nd c. AD. Archeology has found lots of gifts and dedications that people would make afterwards, such as small terracotta body parts, no doubt representing what had been healed. Notable extant structures in the Asclepieion include the Roman theater, the North Stoa, the South Stoa, the Temple of Asclepius, a circular treatment center (sometimes known as the Temple of Telesphorus), a healing spring, an underground passageway, a library, the Via Tecta (or the Sacred Way, which is a colonnaded street leading to the sanctuary), and a propylon.
You will pass this walking toward the Akropol cable car. Sign on the road says "Bazilika (Redhall)". It looks like a massive pile of red bricks. The huge structure was erected in the 2nd century under the reign of Hadrian as a temple to the popular Egyptian god Serapis. It was later converted into a Byzantine church. It consists of a main building and two round towers within an enormous temenos or sacred area. In the first century AD, the Christian Church at Pergamon inside the main building of the Red Basilica was one of the Seven Churches to which the Book of Revelation was addressed (Revelation 2:12). The forecourt is still supported by the 193 m wide Pergamon Bridge, the largest bridge substruction of antiquity. Winter daily 8:30am-5:30pm; summer daily 8:30am-6:30pm. Entrance fee is 5 TL.
Nowadays, there is a mosque located in one of the buildings. Access to the mosque is not the same as for the archaeological area.
Located on İzmir Caddesi in the center of town. This museum contains all of the many artifacts recovered in the archaeological digs at [wiki=6e678485a00130f068eb6b86729edc94]Pergamon[/wiki]. There is a miniature model altar of Zeus (original is in Berlin), and you will see that the sculptures are related to those found in archaeological digs in [wiki=eae037b8592d8859a49b18f3eca5166a]Aphrodisias[/wiki]. Admission is TL 5.
Newly opened in June 2011. Breakfast included, free wi-fi, kitchen open for use. Nice courtyard with huge TV, sofas and comfy chairs, orange tables and astroturf. Really close to the archaeology museum. Clean rooms, but a little bit dark. Very relaxed Aussie-Turkish owner - one of the nicest, most helpful guys you'll ever meet (and quite appropriately, his name really does translate to the Turkish word for "Help!"), as he'll practically bend over backwards to make sure you have a good time in Bergama.
*In the middle of the old part of historic Pergamon in an old Ottoman house. Very central but on a quiet alleyway yet near most of the sights of Bergama. Owner is incredibly nice. Free wifi, limited book exchange, kitchen with a staff that insists on cleaning up after you, supermarkets close, tea/coffee free self-service, laundry facilities, fantastic breakfast. You might be able to ask to sleep on the rooftop.
*Located in the heart of Bergama's Old Town. Archaeological sites are easily walkable from Odyssey because it is at the foot of the hill leading to the Acropolis and one block away from the Red Basilica. Nice terrace, lounge areas, large book exchange, kitchen but no cooking allowed unless you seek permission in advance, breakfast 10 TL, laundry, wireless in rooms.
*A friendly family pension is located in the heart of Bergama. It has a kitchen, laundry service, and free wireless internet. Complimentary breakfast. Most of the rooms have their own bathroom with a private shower, balcony, and air con. 500 m away from the Archaeology museum. Highest rated on Trip Advisor for Bergama.
One of the priciest in Bergama, with rooms to match. Lovely courtyard and terrace, incredible breakfast included. Free wifi. Rooms are each named after a Greek god. Newly opened in 2011.
If you are really looking to save money and have a tent, it would likely be possible to camp just west of town near the Asklepion. There are plenty of fields, and it's only about 15 minutes from the center of town.
*Campsite for motorhomes, caravans and tents with electric hook-up, water, bathroom and laundry facilities. Large restaurant attached.