Sardis’ main site comprises ruins from the Lydian empire—once ruled by King Croesus, famous for his wealth—during the sixth and seventh-centuries BC, alongside Roman-era remains including a gymnasium, basilica, and synagogue. A second site nearby centers on the ruins of the Greek Temple of Artemis from the third century BC.
Most visitors opt to explore Sardis’ sites on a private day trip from Izmir or Kusadasi to avoid the fuss of a rental car or public buses while benefiting from a guide who can detail the city’s history. Sardis also features on multi-day Seven Churches of Asia Minor Turkey tours, which visit the seven churches mentioned in the Bible’s Book of Revelation.
Set near the village of Sart (Sartmustafa) around 56 miles (90 kilometers) from Izmir, the easiest way to visit Sardis from Izmir or Kusadasi is on a tour. Alternatively, minibusses from Izmir run via Sart to nearby Salihli. From Kusadasi, your best option, aside from a tour, is a rental car. The ruins sit beside the Izmir-Ankara E96 highway and are signposted.
Sardis is open daily, with reduced hours between October and mid-April. Both sites are off Turkey’s main tourist trail and usually quiet, but arrive in the early morning to avoid any occasional visits by tour groups.
Sardis was hugely powerful and wealthy, not least for its invention of coinage—pure gold and silver coins were first minted here during the sixth-century BC reign of King Croesus. By their sheer scale, the ruins provide a fascinating insight into the city’s prosperity. Be sure to view the crumpled Temple of Artemis, situated on its own site; the magnificent, reconstructed two-story Roman gymnasium; the mosaic-bedecked synagogue; Byzantine shops; and the well-preserved Byzantine latrines.
