Where Is Bergama and How Do You Get There? A Travel Guide

In short: Bergama is a district of Izmir province, about 100–110 km north of Izmir city centre. Driving from Izmir to Bergama takes 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on your route. In this guide for visitors coming from all over Türkiye to see ancient Pergamon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we explain step by step exactly where Bergama is and how to get there by car, bus, İZBAN commuter train or plane.

Where is Bergama?

Bergama is a district of Izmir province in the northwest of Türkiye's Aegean Region. It lies in the Bakırçay basin, in a district with its own stretch of coastline, about 100–110 km from Izmir city centre.

Its neighbouring districts are Dikili, Kınık, Aliağa and Soma, with Ayvalık and Burhaniye (in Balıkesir province) to the north. The nearest airport to Bergama is Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (about 150 km). In other words, Bergama sits right on the main road route and is easy to reach from both Izmir and Balıkesir.

How to get to Bergama by car

Coming in your own car is the most comfortable and flexible way to reach Bergama, but there are also bus, İZBAN and air options. Below we go through each one – getting to Bergama by car, by public transport or by plane – and you'll find the best route for wherever you're coming from.

From Izmir to Bergama

There are two main routes from Izmir:

Northern Motorway (the fast option): take the Bayraklı–Karşıyaka ring road towards Çandarlı and join the motorway. After passing Yenişakran, at the Çandarlı/Tepeköy junction, turn towards Bergama rather than continuing towards Ayvalık. It's a toll road but the fastest; the journey takes about 1 hour.

D550 highway (the scenic option): a toll-free route via Çiğli, Menemen, the Foça junction, Aliağa and Yenişakran. It's about 110 km and takes 1 to 1.5 hours.

If you'd also like to see the Kozak Plateau, there's a longer but enjoyable alternative via Manisa and Kınık.

From Istanbul to Bergama

Istanbul to Bergama is about 450–465 km, around 5.5–6 hours by car. The easiest route is the Istanbul–Izmir Motorway (O-5, via the Osmangazi Bridge). Near Balıkesir, turn off towards Soma, then pass through Soma and Kınık to reach Bergama town centre. The motorway is tolled, so it's worth keeping an eye on your HGS toll-tag balance for current fees. Your sat nav will suggest the best route depending on traffic.

From Ankara to Bergama

Ankara to Bergama is about 600 km, around 7 hours by car. The route generally heads towards Balıkesir and reaches Bergama via the Soma–Kınık road.

A few tips before you set off

Weekend traffic: traffic can build up leaving Izmir on Saturday mornings and on the way back on Sunday evenings. Setting off early makes for a more comfortable drive.

Fuel: there may be fewer petrol stations as you get closer to Bergama, so it's best to fill up beforehand.

The ancient city: plan to visit the Acropolis and its surroundings during the day, and note down a few lunch options in advance.

Getting to Bergama by bus and public transport

If you don't have a car, public transport is an easy option too:

From Izmir Bus Station: there are regular buses and dolmuş minibuses to Bergama from Izmir's intercity bus terminal (İZOTAŞ). The Bergama dolmuş leaves from the district terminal on the upper floor of the bus station and takes about 1.5–2 hours to reach Bergama's district bus garage.

From Istanbul and Ankara: intercity coaches usually connect via Izmir; get off at Izmir Bus Station and change to the Bergama dolmuş.

By İZBAN: the northern end of İZBAN, Izmir's commuter rail line, is Aliağa. From any İZBAN station you can travel to Aliağa and take the connecting bus to Bergama from there. The whole journey can take around 3 hours. As lines and timetables can change, we recommend checking the latest information with İZBAN and ESHOT. At the time of writing, ESHOT bus 835 will take you from Aliağa to Bergama.

Note: there are no direct intercity trains to Bergama; travellers who prefer the train take İZBAN to Aliağa and change there.

Arriving by plane

If you're coming from further afield, the easiest option is to fly to Izmir. The nearest airport to Bergama is Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (about 150 km). From the airport you can reach Bergama in several ways:

Directly by hire car (about 1.5–2 hours),

By İZBAN to Aliağa, then the ESHOT 835 connecting bus,

By airport shuttle services or private transfers.

Once you arrive in Bergama: where to eat?

After the journey, the first thing you'll want is a good break. And there's a local detail worth knowing: most businesses in Bergama are closed on Sundays, so weekend visitors can struggle to find somewhere open.

The good news: Mehmet Hoca'nın Yeri, with its kumru, toasties and burgers, is open on Sundays too. What's more, its kumru are made with its own stone-oven bread, Bergama tulum cheese and sucuk from local butchers, so after exploring the ancient city you can enjoy a meal that's both quick and truly local. If you're curious about Bergama's famous dishes and where to eat them, take a look at our guide “What to eat in Bergama?” too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which province is Bergama in?

Bergama is a district of Izmir province. It lies in the northwest of the Aegean Region, about 100–110 km from Izmir city centre.

How long does it take to drive from Izmir to Bergama?

Driving from Izmir to Bergama takes about 1 hour on the northern motorway, or about 1 to 1.5 hours on the D550 highway. The distance is 100–110 km, depending on the route.

How many hours is it from Istanbul to Bergama by car?

Istanbul to Bergama is about 450–465 km and takes around 5.5–6 hours by car. The easiest route is the Istanbul–Izmir Motorway, then via Balıkesir/Soma and Kınık to Bergama.

What is the nearest airport to Bergama?

The nearest airport to Bergama is Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, about 150 km away.

How do I get to Bergama by public transport?

There are regular buses and dolmuş minibuses from Izmir Bus Station to Bergama, and the journey takes about 1.5–2 hours. Alternatively, you can take İZBAN to Aliağa and continue to Bergama by connecting bus.

If your travels bring you to Bergama, don't forget to stop by Mehmet Hoca'nın Yeri after visiting the ancient city for a stone-oven kumru made with local ingredients – we're open every day, weekends included.