EPHESUS ANCIENT CITY: WALK THROUGH HISTORY IN TURKEY'S MOST FAMOUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

Located on Turkey's stunning Aegean coast, Ephesus Ancient City is one of the world's most significant archaeological treasures. Once a thriving port city of the Roman Empire, today it stands as a remarkably preserved open-air museum that transports visitors straight into the pages of history.

Walking through Ephesus feels like stepping into a time machine — marble streets, grand theaters, ancient baths, and iconic structures surround you at every turn.


WHAT MAKES EPHESUS SO SPECIAL?

Ephesus was once the second-largest city of the Roman Empire, home to over 250,000 people at its peak. The city is believed to have been founded in the 10th century BC by Greek colonists and later flourished under Roman rule.

But beyond its size, what truly sets Ephesus apart is its exceptional preservation and the rich tapestry of history woven into its streets.


MUST-SEE HIGHLIGHTS OF EPHESUS

  • The Library of Celsus: Perhaps the most photographed site in Ephesus, this stunning structure once housed over 12,000 scrolls and stands as a testament to the city's intellectual and cultural legacy.

  • The Great Theater: With a seating capacity of 25,000, this theater still hosts performances today. It was here that St. Paul once preached to the people of Ephesus.

  • The Temple of Artemis (Artemision): Once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, only a few columns remain — but its historical significance continues to fascinate visitors.

  • Terrace Houses: These luxury Roman homes offer insight into daily life for Ephesus's wealthiest citizens, featuring intricate mosaics and remarkable frescoes.

  • The Marble Street and Curetes Street: Walk along these well-preserved ancient roads and imagine life during the height of Roman civilization.

  • The House of Virgin Mary: Located nearby, this sacred site is believed to be where Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent her final years. It remains a place of pilgrimage for visitors from around the world.


FUN FACTS ABOUT EPHESUS

  • The city once had an advanced plumbing and sewage system — centuries ahead of its time.
  • Ephesus is mentioned multiple times in the Bible, especially in connection with St. Paul.
  • Archaeological excavations in Ephesus have been ongoing for over 150 years — and new discoveries are still being made.

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME NEAR EPHESUS

If you have an extra day to spare while visiting this part of Turkey, consider exploring Pamukkale, Turkey's otherworldly natural wonder. With its famous white travertine terraces and ancient ruins, Pamukkale offers a completely different yet equally unforgettable experience.

You can read more about it in our detailed blog here: Pamukkale - Turkey's Otherworldly Cotton Castle


WANT TO SEE EPHESUS AND PAMUKKALE IN ONE AMAZING TRIP?

Take a look at our carefully crafted tour that combines both Ephesus and Pamukkale. It's the perfect way to explore two of Turkey's most remarkable destinations in one unforgettable journey.

Click here to explore the tour


PLAN YOUR DREAM TRIP WITH US

If you’d like to explore Ephesus, Pamukkale, or any other destination in Turkey, we’d love to help! With our trusted local network and personalized service, your trip will be smooth, memorable, and completely tailored to your needs.

Contact us here — we’ll take care of everything!

Kadir Akın

Kadir Akin is the managing partner of Turkey Tour Organizer Co. and a highly skilled travel advisor and tour guide. Kadir has worked in the tourist sector for more than 15 years, and he has a wealth of experience in trip planning and offering first-rate guiding services.

Whether visiting historical sites, trying the food, or finding off-the-beaten-path jewels, traveling with Kadir as your tour guide ensures a genuine and educational experience. Anyone looking for an insider's view of Turkey will find him to be a reliable and sought-after guide thanks to his love for his country and commitment to his profession.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Purchase all your needs Turkey Tour Organizer can handle every aspect of your trip from airline tickets, accommodation, guided tours, car hire, activities such as hot air balloon flight & whirling dervish ceremony, local experiences and many more 24 Hours Accessibility If you have a problem during your trip, you can easily contact us from our cell phones which are 24 hours available and we will be happy to sort out the situations for you.Builds Personalized Itineraries We are experts in helping our guests where they need to go and in helping to create possibilities most people never would have dreamed were possible.Time Saver Don’t be confused by calling or sending mails to each of the hotels or suppliers you would need during your trip in Turkey. Let us handle all these work and meanwhile you save lots of time since we will be the only people responsible for your package. Options Tours in Turkey can be arranged in many ways. We offer you an array of options and price quotes from a variety of travel suppliers, giving you an upper hand while making your travel planning. Less Stress Planning a trip can be stressful. There are so many options and details to worry about. Turkey Tour Organizer do the work, resulting in less stress for you. Updated Information Turkey Tour Organizer is constantly communicating with the travel community, thus giving you the most up to date info on airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, and other travel services to consider as you plan your trip. Personal Touch It is always easy to give what a traveler wants. However; we, as Turkey Tour Organizer also do our personal recommendations and touches to make your trip more enjoyable. Where to Go With Kids We are always happy to help our guests to find great locations that are kid- friendly. Trip Cancellation Something has come up and you need to cancel your trip? The only thing you need to do is to call us and we will do the transaction by considering the Cancellation Policy of your trip
When we receive your enquiry, we start designing your dream Turkish holiday itinerary. Building on our excellent network of local and national vendors, we select the very best for your specific style of travel and interests. Being freelance also gives us the opportunity to work with a variety of travel suppliers and select only the best for your customized program.Whether your travel style is 'see everything and pack each day full', 'relax and enjoy more time in fewer places' or anything in-between, we can arrange just about any program that you can imagine. We offer unique travel opportunities, home visits, and off-the-beaten-path adventures to give you a taste of the real Turkey. If you have any special interests, hobbies or passions - just let us know and we can design your itinerary to let you experience what you're interested in seeing and doing here. From hiking, culinary adventures, history, photography, sports, architecture, etc - Turkey offers something for every traveler. We are constantly researching new opportunities for our guests and always eager to hear feedback from past guests - this allows us to know who to recommend in the future and what people truly enjoy doing here. To further guarantee the quality, we only make suggestions based on companies and vendors that we have already established a successful relationship with. We are driven by the knowledge that my guests enjoy Turkey as much as we enjoy sharing my insight, history, traditions and the real Turkey. In Turkey, the tourism industry is set up to give small kick-backs to travel consultants - this doesn't mean that you're overcharged - in fact, you'll often receive a better rate as we are able to establish a discount due to frequent visits to the vendors who supply various services. If unable to secure the best rate for you, we will advise you if a better deal is more achievable by booking directly on line. Usually better rates are available to guides & agencies but if you're interested in self-booking your entire itinerary, we can also help you with the details via email/Skype/IM, etc for a small consulting fee. So, let's get started! Click on the 'contact us' text bubble at the top right and away we go. We look forward to creating the best Turkish holiday just for you.Please kindly be advised that all those services in www.turkeytourorganizer.com are operated by AND Travel Consulting CO.