The Top 10 Things to Do in Ephesus, Turkey
Ephesus is an ancient Greek city located on the west coast of Turkey that contains some of the best preserved ancient ruins in the Mediterranean region With over 6000 years of history, this fascinating destination offers an incredible diversity of sights and activities. If you’re planning a visit to Ephesus, you’ll want to make the most of your time exploring this captivating ancient city Here are the top 10 things you absolutely must do in Ephesus, Turkey.
- Explore the Ruins of Ancient Ephesus
The sprawling ruins of ancient Ephesus are undoubtedly the main highlight As you walk through the excavated streets, buildings and temples, you’ll get a vivid glimpse into daily life thousands of years ago Top sites to see include the massive Grand Theater, the iconic Library of Celsus facade, the lavish Terrace Houses of the wealthy elite, the Temple of Artemis, Harbor Street leading to the sea, the Ancient Agora marketplace, and more. Wear good shoes and go early to avoid crowds.
- Visit the House of the Virgin Mary
Perched on a hilltop overlooking Ephesus is the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be where Mary spent her final years. The peaceful chapel and serene atmosphere make this important Christian site a moving place for pilgrims and visitors of all faiths. It’s located about 4 km from Ephesus.
- View the Ephesus Museum Collection
To view an outstanding collection of classical statues, artifacts and reliefs excavated from Ephesus, don’t miss the Ephesus Museum in nearby Selçuk. Highlights include the iconic statues of Artemis and medusa heads from the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It’s a great way to further understand the history.
- Wander Through Charming Şirince Village
Nestled in the hills just a short drive from Ephesus lies the delightful village of Şirince. Meander the cobblestone lanes, shop at the boutiques, visit wineries, and dine at a restaurant on a pleasant village square. Staying overnight at one of the bed and breakfasts is highly recommended.
- See a Concert at the Celsus Library
During summer months, the ruins come alive at night for magical concerts staged at the spectacularly lit Celsus Library. Classical, jazz and pop music accompanied by atmospheric lighting make for an unforgettable Ephesus experience. A must for music lovers!
- Take a Day Trip to Vibrant Kuşadası
Just a quick 30 minute drive brings you to the lively seaside resort town of Kuşadası. Relax at a waterfront cafe, charter a yacht, soak up views on Ladies Beach, or find deals in the bazaar and Grand Bazaar. It’s a perfect contrast to ancient ruins.
- Indulge in Delicious Turkish Cuisine
Turkish food is an essential part of any visit. In Selçuk, try Bizim Ev’s buffet sampling of Aegean dishes. Şirince restaurants serve Turkish specialties with local wines in cozy settings. In Kuşadası, enjoy seafood meze at a harbor restaurant. The cuisine is seriously tasty.
- Visit the Ancient Baths for Relaxation
After a long day of walking, relax those tired muscles in the warm mineral waters of a traditional hamam or ancient bath. In Selçuk, Şifa Hamamı follows centuries-old Turkish bathing rituals for the ultimate unwinding. For a modern experience, Aqua Fantasy combines baths with fun water slides.
- Take a Day Trip to Şakran Natural Hot Springs
For a unique natural site, visit the Şakran Hamamı hot springs about an hour from Selçuk. Surrounded by nature, these thermal pools range from warm to extremely hot. Soaking in the mineral-rich waters is an unforgettable Turkish experience.
- Do Some Souvenir Shopping
Ephesus offers many special souvenirs. Find hand-woven carpets and textiles in Selçuk, hand-painted ceramics and arts in Şirince boutiques, evil eye beads and nazar amulets in Kuşadası, and more. Haggling is part of the fun!
With ancient ruins, historic sites, charming villages, delicious cuisine, culture, activities and scenic beauty, Ephesus is an incredible destination. Use this guide to the top things to do to help craft your own memorable visit exploring ancient, captivating Ephesus. Let the spirit of history come alive as you uncover this fascinating site.
See the Isabey Mosque
The Isabey Mosque is constructed in the 14th Century and a great example to the Turkish Anatolian Beylik architecture. Most of the stones of the mosque was recycled from the surrounding ruins and you can see the inspiration of the Turkish architects from the Syrian architecture since the mosque is similar to the Great Mosque of Damascus. Had two minarets in the past but only ones half is seen today just over the entrance of the mosque. It is built asymmetrically resulting in different diameters of domes. There are beautiful tiles to see in the domes and the garden is full of flowers in the summer and spring. Park your car around the Cathedral and walk to the mosque and the Selcuk Museum for a nice afternoon.
Explore the ancient city of Ephesus
But from the opposite direction. There are two main gates of Ephesus ancient city and one is mainly used to exit by almost all the big tour buses who rush to the house of The Virgin Mary in the morning. So you start from the opposite direction from the lower gate of Ephesus and it is highly recommended to be there at 7:50 sharp to get your tickets and enter the ancient city at the exact time of opening: 8:00 am. Dont forget to purchase tickets for the Terrace houses section as well which houses beautiful mosaics of the rich society of Ephesus. Start walking to the harbor street and continue to the Theater of Ephesus before walking above the harbor agora. Dont miss the first advertisement of the world in the middle of this marble street and explore the Library of Celsus and the gates opening to the harbor agora nearby. The Terrace houses is located nearby the library and beat the line with the pre-purchased tickets you have bought earlier. Take the aerial pictures of the marshes stretching to the Aegean Sea and half of the ancient city before visiting the latrines (toilets) right across the entrance of the terrace houses. Walk up the marble street and take pictures of the Temple of Hadrian and The Fountain of Trajan before reaching to the Gate of Hercules. Make photos like all the other tourists do in the middle of the gate and see the holy sanctuary of Domitian before walking around the city Agora and the Odeon. Take a break by the museum shop and refill your batteries before visiting the House of The Virgin Mary.
Kusadasi Turkey Cruise Port Guide | Top Things to Do in Kusadasi (4K)
FAQ
Is Ephesus in Turkey worth visiting?
-
Library of CelsusA famous Roman building with an ornate facade that was once a library and tomb for a Roman senator -
Temple of ArtemisOne of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, this temple was built to honor the goddess Artemis
-
Ancient City of EphesusWalk through the ruins of this ancient city and see how it was once laid out
How long should you spend at Ephesus?
A visit here can take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours depending on your interest and pace. The site has two gates named as the Upper Gate, also known as the South Gate and the lower gate, also known as the North Gate. During the visit to the Ancient City of Ephesus, some guests also tour the Terrace Houses.
What is the must see at Ephesus?
Ephesus Archaeological Site
The theater, with a capacity of 25,000 people, has become one of the symbols of the ancient city. Among the ruins of the city worth seeing are Hadrian’s Gate and the Temple of Hadrian, the stadium, the commercial and state agora, the Prytaneum, the Odeon and the ancient port.
Can you explore Ephesus on your own?
Of course you can visit Ephesus on your own! They also lent us a copy of a guide book to the site (which included a map of the layout) for us to consult and take with us for our tour.