Uşak

Uşak is a mid-sized Turkish city that serves as a cultural gateway to Lydian antiquities and natural landscapes. The standout attraction is the Archaeological Museum housing the legendary Karun treasure, a collection of Lydian gold artifacts smuggled out of Turkey in the 1960s and later repatriated. The compact old town has Ottoman mosques and neoclassical mansions, while the surrounding countryside contains Roman ruins, canyons, and volcanic geoparks. It's not a destination for nightlife or beaches, but for travelers interested in archaeology and Turkish history, it offers authentic experiences without tourist crowds.

Uşak sits on the E96 highway and has a railway station on the İzmir-Ankara line. The station (Uşak garı) is north of the city center, with trains connecting to major cities. The otogar (bus station) serves intercity coaches. By car, Uşak is about 240 km from the Aegean coast and lies on routes between Izmir and Konya.

The city center is flat and compact, easily explored on foot. İsmet Paşa Caddesi is the main thoroughfare, with its pedestrianized northern half being particularly lively with shops and restaurants. Public minibuses run to suburbs, though visitors rarely need them. Parking in the center is difficult as side streets are marked no-parking despite widespread non-compliance.

The Archaeological Museum (Orhan Dengiz Blv 29, Tu-Su 09:00-17:00, adult 60 TL) is the top attraction, with three floors covering Paleolithic through Ottoman eras. The top floor displays the Lydian or Karun treasure, a princess's burial hoard discovered in 1966. The Atatürk and Ethnography Museum (Hisarkapı Uluyolu Sk 75, Tu-Su 08:30-17:30) occupies a merchant's house where Atatürk received the Greek surrender in 1922. The Carpet Museum (1st Gülek Sk 1, daily 09:15-17:00) displays locally-made kelim and Ushak rugs. The City History Museum (Besni Cd, free, Tu-Su 08:30-17:00) covers local history into modern times.

The Atatürk Monument (Atatürk Heykeli) at the north end of İsmet Paşa Cd commemorates the War of Independence. Football fans can watch Uşakspor play at Bir Eylül Stadyumu, 200 m west of the monument. Nearby natural attractions include Ulubey Canyon, the Cılandras Bridge, and ancient sites like Blaundus and Sebaste, though these require transportation.

İsmet Paşa Cd is the main eating strip. The local specialty is tarhana, a thick soup made from fermented flour and vegetables dried and ground to powder, a predecessor of instant soups. Meydan Döner (İsmet Paşa Cd 81, daily 11:00-21:00) serves döner wraps facing the Atatürk statue. Donas (İsmet Paşa Cd 72/B, daily 11:00-23:00) is a fast-food chain serving sticky döner wraps. Çorbacı Dede (Atatürk Blv 26, 24 hours) is the spot for late-night soups—lentil, chicken, or offal served with toasted bread and greens. Chicago (İsmet Paşa Cd 70, daily 09:00-00:00) next to Donas offers live music on Saturday nights.

Hotels cluster around the city center. Blaundus Otel (Barbaros Cd 30, B&B double 1000 TL) is central with parking. Anemon Uşak Otel (Polis Sk 16/1, B&B double 2000 TL) is smart, clean, and friendly. Dülgeroğlu Oteli (Cumhuriyet Cd 36, B&B double 1000 TL) occupies a converted han courtyard but feels musty. Grand Hotel Uzcan (Şehit Mustafa Kemal Akın Sk 3, B&B double 1200 TL) is clean and central with parking. Ramada (Gazi Blv, B&B double 2000 TL) is by the D300 highway, convenient for motorists but noisy.

Small supermarkets are plentiful. The closest to Old Town is Efe on Polis Cd, 100 m north of the Atatürk monument, open 24 hours. Uşak is famous internationally for its kelim and Ushak rugs, a distinctive weaving style exported to Europe since Ottoman times—the term 'Ushak' entered English to describe these carpets.

Uşak and its approach highways have 4G coverage from all Turkish carriers. As of January 2024, 5G has not yet rolled out in Turkey.

Kula to the west has a preserved old town and volcanic geopark area. Sardis, the ruins of the Lydian capital, lies on the route to Izmir. Afyonkarahisar to the east has a hilltop castle, with highways and railways diverging northeast to Ankara and southeast to Konya. Çavdarhisar to the north has impressive Aizanoi ruins including the Temple of Zeus. Denizli to the south is the hub for Pamukkale's surreal white travertine landscape.

Westward routes lead to Kula (geopark and old town), then Izmir and Manisa. Southward goes to Denizli for Pamukkale. Eastward through Afyonkarahisar leads to Ankara or Konya. Northward through Çavdarhisar reaches Aizanoi and Kütahya.