Hotels near Agora of Smyrna

Sitting quietly amid modern apartment blocks between Kemeralti and Kadifekale, the Agora of Smyrna is one of the finest surviving Roman-era commercial squares in Turkey. Originally laid out in Hellenistic times and rebuilt in grand style by the emperor Marcus Aurelius after an earthquake in 178 CE, the site preserves rows of Corinthian columns, vaulted basement galleries and a monumental basilica. Look for the ancient Greek graffiti scratched into the vault walls - some of the oldest examples of ship, gladiator and love-note doodles anywhere in the ancient world, dating back nearly 2,000 years.

Opening hours: April to October 08:30 to 19:00 daily; November to March 08:30 to 17:30. Adult entry in 2026 is around 200 TRY; the Museum Pass Turkey is valid.

Pro Tip: Descend into the cool vaulted basement to escape the summer heat and study the graffiti panels with a torch - they are dimly lit and easy to miss.