Tucked between Teke Burnu and Doganbey Burnu in Türkiye’s Izmir province is the gulf and town of Sigacik, home to the ancient city of Teos. The two ports in the area were discovered by seafarers more than 3,000 years ago, as they offered safe shelter from the elements prompting the Egyptians to believe Sigacik was “where people live in the heart of the sea”.

Today, Sigacik is still popular with sailors as you can visit the ruins of Teos, enjoy a local seafood dinner, and enjoy time in many beautiful local bays. Here’s a look at the area and why you may want to add a visit to Sigacik and Teos to your yachting itinerary in Türkiye.

The Ancient City of Teos

The ancient city of Teos was one of the twelve famous Ionian cities. Built between 1050 – 1000 BC, it was once a prominent trading centre and home to many spectacular monuments, including the Temple of Dionysus (Baccus), created by the famous architect Hermogenes of Alabadanda, and the largest of all the temples dedicated to the Greek God of Happiness in Türkiye.

Compared to Ephesus, which also lies in the Izmir province, Teos is a small site that often gets overlooked. However, the remains are worth visiting, and the area attracts many tourists from the local resorts, especially during the high season.

Aside from the Temple of Dionysus, other highlights within the city’s walls include an ancient theatre, an acropolis, and a gymnasium where inscriptions suggest Teos was once used as a school where students studied sports and music. One inscription, discovered on a hidden staircase in 1992, has given historians a fascinating insight into the antics of the Mediterranean pirates and sea bandits prolific in the area during the 3^rd century BC. The 102 lines of small letters camouflaged on the staircase suggested that the ancient rulers of Teos were trying to gain the sacred immunity of “asylia”. To try and stop this happening and gain the mythical immunity themselves, pirates captured the ports of Teos, took over the city, and held the local teachers and dignitaries hostage. The pirates then demanded a tenth of the city’s wealth in gold and valuables, including the wages and savings of many of the well-paid teachers and rulers at the time.

If you are exploring the site, to the south of the gymnasium, a small jetty is also visible, all that remains of the original South Harbour breakwater. From here, you can see a small island with an impressive 62-meter rock face to its south. The island goes by many names: Ciftekale, Myonnessos, and Korsan Adasi (Pirate Island), to name but a few. The island can be reached via an 80-meter-long, semi-submerged pier that lies around 25 cm below the water, and it enjoys beautiful views over the Aegean. It is also popular with rock climbers and mountaineers.

Sigacik Bay and Marina

Sigacik was one of Türkiye’s first Cittaslow cities, and those who stop off usually do so to visit the ruins of Teos, enjoy the area’s relaxed atmosphere, or enjoy a traditional seafood lunch in one of the many local restaurants.

Those who visit by yacht tend to head for the Blue Flag-certified Teos Marina, which is sheltered from the northerlies and a convenient port of entry and ferry port from Samos.  ATMs, a good selection of cafes, bars, shops, and all standard yachting facilities can be found at the marina. It is also located within an hour overland from many popular tourist destinations, including Cesme, Kusadasi, and Ephesus. To know more about Sigacik or add a visit to the ancient city of Teos to your superyacht itinerary in Türkiye. Please GET IN TOUCH WITH US.

Sources: Official Turkish Museums Website and Wikipedia.