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Very old historic landmark that cruise ship excursions must have. The famous Selcuk Library is located in this ruin. It one of the kind ancient library that happened in history of Selcuk empire. The library is the famous landmark that should not miss. But the Ephesus city is one of biblical city that Paul is use to visit. This city has a port. The amphitheater is very large can seat 1000 people. The city is big from one end to other. I am glad that our bus drop off us in one end pick us on the other. The visit needs 2 hours here. If you visit the marketplace, you will need more time. There is a lot of tourist on the way.
A major archaeological site, Ephesus is one of the best preserved ancient cities in the world. I was amazed by these ruins 25 years ago, so when I had the opportunity to come back I booked the tour immediately. I was amazed at how much the area has grown and how many new sites were excavated. The Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Harbor Street, and Odeon are totally different and now in excellent condition. Founded in 10th century BC most of the architecture is from the 1st to 2nd AD. The history here is that it was once a powerful Greek and later Roman city, famous for its wealth, culture, and monumental architecture. Anyone who is intrigued with Greet or Roman history should visit. I've been to ruins around the world and this one is very special.
If you are visiting Kuşadası, you and most likely everyone else, especially cruise ship passenger are visiting as well. These well preserved and maintain ruins are worth a visit. Tips/Highlight: + Wear good shoes with grip. The pathways are stones that are uneven and can be slick, even when not wet. + Make sure to bring an umbrella, not only for rain, but for sun protection as there is little to no shade. + Hydrate, Hydrate on hotter days. Water is your friend + Expect crowds and lines. If there are 4+ ships in port, I wouldn't recommend going. + Pay to visit Terrace Houses. Though you will need to climb 100+ metal scaffolding like stairs to view the whole area and then descend stairs once again upon the exit; however, they are larger stone stairs that are much fewer. + Having a guide makes the experience much more meaningful ***Make sure that you are in good physical condition (especially ankle strength). They do have ambulances onsite and average about 1 a day that collect individuals who have fallen and injured them selves. There were at least two that went out when I was there due to the rain. ***If you need to use the restroom, there is one in the vendors area where the buses/taxis drop off that you can pay a small fee for. I'd highly recommend going there vs the free one near the entrance/exit by the theater **Make sure to say hello and great the feline guardians. Many of the cats are friendly and will accept a quick pat. Don't worry they are feed and watered. You will see piles of fresh kibble left by guides and others in spots where they frequently reside.
Ephesus. Land of ancient grandeur, sun-scorched ruins, and one hilariously misleading library façade. You stroll in all reverent, full of historical awe and you see it, the Library of Celsus, a towering stone structure built in 110 AD, columns soaring like it's auditioning to be the Vatican. You think: "Wow, this is going to be huge inside!" Then you walk through the entryway and bam, welcome to one modestly sized reading nook. Seriously, it's like ancient Instagram vs. reality. Massive ego on the outside, tiny little scroll closet on the inside. But still, credit where it's due. The thing's been standing since the 2nd century, through earthquakes, empires, and tourists who insist on touching everything. It's held up better than most modern buildings, and let's be real, better than most modern egos. The rest of Ephesus is pretty spectacular as well. Marble roads, open-air toilets (sharing was very in), and a theater that could seat thousands, proof that humans have always loved a little drama. The vibe is half archaeological wonder, half ancient ghost town. So yes, the library might be a little architectural catfish, but Ephesus itself is a brilliant, dusty marvel. Ephesus. Land of ancient grandeur, sun-scorched ruins, and one hilariously misleading library façade. You stroll in all reverent, full of historical awe and you see it, the Library of Celsus, a towering stone structure built in 110 AD, columns soaring like it's auditioning to be the Vatican. You think: "Wow, this is going to be huge inside!" Then you walk through the entryway and bam, welcome to one modestly sized reading nook. Seriously, it's like ancient Instagram vs. reality. Massive ego on the outside, tiny little scroll closet on the inside. But still, credit where it's due. The thing's been standing since the 2nd century, through earthquakes, empires, and tourists who insist on touching everything. It's held up better than most modern buildings, and let's be real, better than most modern egos. The rest of Ephesus is pretty spectacular as well. Marble roads, open-air toilets (sharing was very in), and a theater that could seat thousands, proof that humans have always loved a little drama. The vibe is half archaeological wonder, half ancient ghost town. So yes, the library might be a little architectural catfish, but Ephesus itself is a brilliant, dusty marvel.
Incredible. Impossible to review Ephesus without the word. Truly incredible. Let me start with the few negatives so you're prepared. The annoying guides are more aggressive and less informed than anywhere in Turkey. It starts in the parking lot where a couple of them posing as Ephesus workers misdirect you into a parking spot where they can harangue you. And you really would be in trouble if you ran them over but that's what they deserve. And the crowds, this place is crowded even in the off season, though off season mornings or evenings are the time to get here. It's very hard to avoid the troublesome tour groups, the guides just spout off nonsense and the groups can really keep you from seeing, just learn to stay ahead, behind, or away from them. But do not miss this experience, at least once in your lifetime. This was once one of the most important cities in the world, you can walk the same streets that Julius Caesar, Heraclitus, Anthony and Cleopatra, Saints John and Paul, the Virgin Mary, Alexander the Great, and Rohan de Silva trod. I've had a good meander through life, and the word comes from the River Meander where you'll find Ephesus, the same location (well sort of, it shifted with the river over the eons) since 1,000 BCE. It reached it's height in Emperor Augustus' reign, in 27 CE he made it the capital of Asia Minor. You've heard it in a hundred weddings "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." That's in Corinthians (I think, I'm Buddhist and my power to marry was invested in me by the Internet) and it was written here in Ephesus. You most definitely don't need a guide, what you want is a good guidebook (Rick Steve's is the best, National Geographic and Lonely Planet are very good) and the time to take your time. You can easily orient yourself from the entrance to the Temple of Artemis (one of the most photographed structures in Turkey). Bring some cat treats.
Stunning ancient ruins not far from Kuşadası in Turkey. The Romans ruled here around 129 BC. They were amazingly advanced in architecture as well as the modern amenities in their houses , like toilets, sewage pipes and heating systems. You can't help but be impressed by the knowledge and know how of a civilization so long ago. I would definitely recommend going in the Terrace Houses, filled with mosaic floors and very detailed fresco painted walls. There's still a lot of excavation on the site so it's probably always changing as new discoveries are made.
Oh, this place was so cool! It's actually rather large, but there's surprisingly only 20% of the city that's been excavated. The rest is still underground and they're still working on restoring more of it. Our tour guide was amazing and took us from one end of the city to the other, explaining along the way. We entered through the government side of the city and saw the parliament building. Our guide found and pointed out to us the symbols in some of the ancient marble that Christians used to identify themselves to others--the ichthus. He described how the city was laid out, the terra cotta pipes for water, how the city used to be two-stories and covered. The scratches in the marble were done by the Ephesians to help make the stones less slippery. We saw the public toilets and latrines, the residential area, the library, the small theater, the merchant area and finally the large public amphitheater. It's not known exactly where Paul preached in the town, but they generally know it was somewhere the merchants were upset because they wanted people to still buy their handmade golden idols. There's a small castle like building on a hill not far off that is believed to be where Paul was imprisoned. Despite the heat, this was such a cool spot. So much amazing history. We absolutely loved it! There's shops and snacks at the end of the ruins where we were able to try authentic Turkish dornduma (ice cream) and they really do the funny tricks and jokes when they're making it for you!
Visiting Ephesus was an amazing experience for me. I love ancient history and have always enjoyed exploring archeological ruins. When I booked my two week trip to Greece, I didn't know that a stop in Turkey to see Ephesus was a part of my Greek Island cruise. I was pretty excited once I found out. I spent the better part of my day exploring this ancient city made of marble and took lots of photos as well as notes from my tour guide. The city of Ephesus was built in the 10th century BC. It blossomed as a Greek city around the 4th century BC and eventually became a major Roman city. Ephesus was famous back then for being the home of the Temple of Artemis (or Temple of Diana). The Temple of Artemis is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and was destroyed around 400 AD. A lot of my own personal knowledge of Ephesus comes from biblical studies. The apostle Paul lived in Ephesus and wrote the book of 1 Corinthians while here. He then wrote an epistle to the Ephesians while he was in a Roman prison. The church in Ephesus was also one of the seven churches that the Book of Revelation was written to. One of the crazy things about Ephesus is that it is only 15% excavated. The city itself is huge and it will take decades before they ever finish excavating it. My tour was organized by my travel company and we had a guide from Turkey with a background in both archaeological and biblical studies. We wore headsets and spent more than half the day walking around and touring these amazing ruins. There were a couple of times that I slipped a little while walking on the marble streets. Curetes Street has a slight incline and you have to take small steps while walking on it. The Library of Celsus is the big highlight in Ephesus. Even though all that is left is its façade, you can still get a glimpse of how big is was. The Great Theatre of Ephesus is also a magnificent structure and I enjoyed walking around it. The Temple of Hadrian, the Gate of Augustus, the Fountain of Pollio and the goddess Nike stone carvings were other points of interest. I got a kick out of seeing the public toilets and cannot imagine what it was like being in that close proximity of each other while taking care of business. The House of the Virgin Mary is near the end of the tour if you want to check that out. As you depart Ephesus, vendors will hound you to buy something. I could go on and on about how much I enjoyed seeing this excavation. Ephesus was once one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It was completely abandoned by the 15th century. While on walking on the tour, I at times would put myself in the shoes of the people back in those days. I wonder what it was like to walk on these marble streets when this city was new. Or to see the Temple of Artemis before it was destroyed. I won't be alive when they fully excavate this site, but it would be awesome to see the whole thing.
If you're into history, this is a must see. It is a city from ancient Roman and Greeks. They preserved most of the city and you see a lot and you learn a lot. Parking has a fee but there's plenty of parking. Entrance also has a fee, but free if you have museum card. I suggest to start from the top door and walk towards the bottom door because it's the hill down direction. I also suggest to rent a tour guide if you have financial means. When you're at the bottom door, you can exit, call a cab or rent a horse cart to go to the top door for your car, or you simply walk back inside the ancient city again, it takes 15-20 mins to walk back. There are restrooms inside and they were very clean. There is also a coffee shop close to Celcus library.
Such a historic site with the marble slab walkways and ancient ruins still standing. Close your eyes and you can imagine this beautiful place filled with the hustle and bustle of people walking down the streets. Ephesus is considered one of the greatest cities of the Western world and one of the 7 churches mentioned in the Holy Bible, thus an important part of Christian history. Highlights include the Theater carved into a hill, the Temple of Hadrian, The Gates of Hercules, The house of Mary and the impressive Library of Celsus. Our private guide walked us downhill which was a more impressive route than walking uphill like others were doing. The walkways can be slick in wet conditions, so take a walking stick to help. I don't think a trip to Turkey can be considered complete unless you come here to witness this amazing city formed back in 1000bc. read more
5 months ago
Ok so Yelp has Ephesus, Turkey in Selcuk city. So I am finally posting this place here. I guess if English words then Yelp will have a Yelp page in this country. This was one of my stops on my two week cruise and this one day stop was wonderful. I had a private tour once I got off ship to explore the Ancient City of Ephesus. Located near the Aegean coast in modern-day Turkey, near the town of Selçuk, about 80 kilometers south of Izmi. Ephesus is a well preserved ancient Roman port city in Turkey, famous for its extensive ruins like the Library of Celsus and the Great Theater. This was my favorite stop as things are so well preserved. If you are a doctor you would enjoy what I found which is the symbol of Hippocratic Oath. The key symbol linked to the Hippocratic Oath and medicine is the Rod of Asclepius which is a single snake wrapped around a staff, representing healing, rejuvenation (due to skin shedding), and the Greek god of medicine, Asclepius, who is invoked in the Oath. It's amazing to actually walk the streets where people in ancient past walked. Seeing the details in carvings of the marble was just fascinating and the toilets are still there! But please don't use them, it's just for looks only. I wished I had more time to explore this area for you have to pay extra to see the Terrance houses if you wanted to. Lovely place. Everything you learned in history books unravels when you are here in person. Wow! This place is massive. Love to uncover hidden spots and just be amazed with everything. There was nothing I didn't like. Just lots of walking and it's strenuous as paths with uneven paths and dirt roads. Be careful with your feet and don't injure yourself. Selcuk is nice place to visit and I am sure there are more places to explore and I would love to come back to Turkey. Great history. read more
Beautiful historic site covering such a large area. It's incredible to visit most of the property, but we really enjoyed the newer unearthed terrace houses. They illustrate such a high level of living so many years ago. It is amazing overall to be able to walk through time. read more
Very old historic landmark that cruise ship excursions must have. The famous Selcuk Library is located in this ruin. It one of the kind ancient library that happened in history of Selcuk empire. The library is the famous landmark that should not miss. But the Ephesus city is one of biblical city that Paul is use to visit. This city has a port. The amphitheater is very large can seat 1000 people. The city is big from one end to other. I am glad that our bus drop off us in one end pick us on the other. The visit needs 2 hours here. If you visit the marketplace, you will need more time. There is a lot of tourist on the way. read more
A major archaeological site, Ephesus is one of the best preserved ancient cities in the world. I was amazed by these ruins 25 years ago, so when I had the opportunity to come back I booked the tour immediately. I was amazed at how much the area has grown and how many new sites were excavated. The Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Harbor Street, and Odeon are totally different and now in excellent condition. Founded in 10th century BC most of the architecture is from the 1st to 2nd AD. The history here is that it was once a powerful Greek and later Roman city, famous for its wealth, culture, and monumental architecture. Anyone who is intrigued with Greet or Roman history should visit. I've been to ruins around the world and this one is very special. read more
If you are visiting Kuşadası, you and most likely everyone else, especially cruise ship passenger are visiting as well. These well preserved and maintain ruins are worth a visit. Tips/Highlight: + Wear good shoes with grip. The pathways are stones that are uneven and can be slick, even when not wet. + Make sure to bring an umbrella, not only for rain, but for sun protection as there is little to no shade. + Hydrate, Hydrate on hotter days. Water is your friend + Expect crowds and lines. If there are 4+ ships in port, I wouldn't recommend going. + Pay to visit Terrace Houses. Though you will need to climb 100+ metal scaffolding like stairs to view the whole area and then descend stairs once again upon the exit; however, they are larger stone stairs that are much fewer. + Having a guide makes the experience much more meaningful ***Make sure that you are in good physical condition (especially ankle strength). They do have ambulances onsite and average about 1 a day that collect individuals who have fallen and injured them selves. There were at least two that went out when I was there due to the rain. ***If you need to use the restroom, there is one in the vendors area where the buses/taxis drop off that you can pay a small fee for. I'd highly recommend going there vs the free one near the entrance/exit by the theater **Make sure to say hello and great the feline guardians. Many of the cats are friendly and will accept a quick pat. Don't worry they are feed and watered. You will see piles of fresh kibble left by guides and others in spots where they frequently reside. read more
Absolutely love this place. Can't geek out on history and not be impressed. So happy that we came in the off season , if it was the summer time the heat and crowd would have been in unbearable. November is definitely one of the better months to come here. read more
Ephesus. Land of ancient grandeur, sun-scorched ruins, and one hilariously misleading library façade. You stroll in all reverent, full of historical awe and you see it, the Library of Celsus, a towering stone structure built in 110 AD, columns soaring like it's auditioning to be the Vatican. You think: "Wow, this is going to be huge inside!" Then you walk through the entryway and bam, welcome to one modestly sized reading nook. Seriously, it's like ancient Instagram vs. reality. Massive ego on the outside, tiny little scroll closet on the inside. But still, credit where it's due. The thing's been standing since the 2nd century, through earthquakes, empires, and tourists who insist on touching everything. It's held up better than most modern buildings, and let's be real, better than most modern egos. The rest of Ephesus is pretty spectacular as well. Marble roads, open-air toilets (sharing was very in), and a theater that could seat thousands, proof that humans have always loved a little drama. The vibe is half archaeological wonder, half ancient ghost town. So yes, the library might be a little architectural catfish, but Ephesus itself is a brilliant, dusty marvel. Ephesus. Land of ancient grandeur, sun-scorched ruins, and one hilariously misleading library façade. You stroll in all reverent, full of historical awe and you see it, the Library of Celsus, a towering stone structure built in 110 AD, columns soaring like it's auditioning to be the Vatican. You think: "Wow, this is going to be huge inside!" Then you walk through the entryway and bam, welcome to one modestly sized reading nook. Seriously, it's like ancient Instagram vs. reality. Massive ego on the outside, tiny little scroll closet on the inside. But still, credit where it's due. The thing's been standing since the 2nd century, through earthquakes, empires, and tourists who insist on touching everything. It's held up better than most modern buildings, and let's be real, better than most modern egos. The rest of Ephesus is pretty spectacular as well. Marble roads, open-air toilets (sharing was very in), and a theater that could seat thousands, proof that humans have always loved a little drama. The vibe is half archaeological wonder, half ancient ghost town. So yes, the library might be a little architectural catfish, but Ephesus itself is a brilliant, dusty marvel. read more
Incredible. Impossible to review Ephesus without the word. Truly incredible. Let me start with the few negatives so you're prepared. The annoying guides are more aggressive and less informed than anywhere in Turkey. It starts in the parking lot where a couple of them posing as Ephesus workers misdirect you into a parking spot where they can harangue you. And you really would be in trouble if you ran them over but that's what they deserve. And the crowds, this place is crowded even in the off season, though off season mornings or evenings are the time to get here. It's very hard to avoid the troublesome tour groups, the guides just spout off nonsense and the groups can really keep you from seeing, just learn to stay ahead, behind, or away from them. But do not miss this experience, at least once in your lifetime. This was once one of the most important cities in the world, you can walk the same streets that Julius Caesar, Heraclitus, Anthony and Cleopatra, Saints John and Paul, the Virgin Mary, Alexander the Great, and Rohan de Silva trod. I've had a good meander through life, and the word comes from the River Meander where you'll find Ephesus, the same location (well sort of, it shifted with the river over the eons) since 1,000 BCE. It reached it's height in Emperor Augustus' reign, in 27 CE he made it the capital of Asia Minor. You've heard it in a hundred weddings "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." That's in Corinthians (I think, I'm Buddhist and my power to marry was invested in me by the Internet) and it was written here in Ephesus. You most definitely don't need a guide, what you want is a good guidebook (Rick Steve's is the best, National Geographic and Lonely Planet are very good) and the time to take your time. You can easily orient yourself from the entrance to the Temple of Artemis (one of the most photographed structures in Turkey). Bring some cat treats. read more
10 months ago
Stunning ancient ruins not far from Kuşadası in Turkey. The Romans ruled here around 129 BC. They were amazingly advanced in architecture as well as the modern amenities in their houses , like toilets, sewage pipes and heating systems. You can't help but be impressed by the knowledge and know how of a civilization so long ago. I would definitely recommend going in the Terrace Houses, filled with mosaic floors and very detailed fresco painted walls. There's still a lot of excavation on the site so it's probably always changing as new discoveries are made. read more
2 years ago
Oh, this place was so cool! It's actually rather large, but there's surprisingly only 20% of the city that's been excavated. The rest is still underground and they're still working on restoring more of it. Our tour guide was amazing and took us from one end of the city to the other, explaining along the way. We entered through the government side of the city and saw the parliament building. Our guide found and pointed out to us the symbols in some of the ancient marble that Christians used to identify themselves to others--the ichthus. He described how the city was laid out, the terra cotta pipes for water, how the city used to be two-stories and covered. The scratches in the marble were done by the Ephesians to help make the stones less slippery. We saw the public toilets and latrines, the residential area, the library, the small theater, the merchant area and finally the large public amphitheater. It's not known exactly where Paul preached in the town, but they generally know it was somewhere the merchants were upset because they wanted people to still buy their handmade golden idols. There's a small castle like building on a hill not far off that is believed to be where Paul was imprisoned. Despite the heat, this was such a cool spot. So much amazing history. We absolutely loved it! There's shops and snacks at the end of the ruins where we were able to try authentic Turkish dornduma (ice cream) and they really do the funny tricks and jokes when they're making it for you! read more
2 years ago
漫步在這土耳其古蹟中，這裡的每一磚每一瓦，都在訴說著的自己的故事～ 原來我們的行程還有包含土耳其， 我是上船了後才知道，第三次來這個國度了，還是被當地我們包車的導遊帶去三個宰遊客的工廠，雖然團員們什麼都沒買， 還是浪費了我們3個多小時的時間，害人家什麼都沒逛到 read more
Visiting Ephesus was an amazing experience for me. I love ancient history and have always enjoyed exploring archeological ruins. When I booked my two week trip to Greece, I didn't know that a stop in Turkey to see Ephesus was a part of my Greek Island cruise. I was pretty excited once I found out. I spent the better part of my day exploring this ancient city made of marble and took lots of photos as well as notes from my tour guide. The city of Ephesus was built in the 10th century BC. It blossomed as a Greek city around the 4th century BC and eventually became a major Roman city. Ephesus was famous back then for being the home of the Temple of Artemis (or Temple of Diana). The Temple of Artemis is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and was destroyed around 400 AD. A lot of my own personal knowledge of Ephesus comes from biblical studies. The apostle Paul lived in Ephesus and wrote the book of 1 Corinthians while here. He then wrote an epistle to the Ephesians while he was in a Roman prison. The church in Ephesus was also one of the seven churches that the Book of Revelation was written to. One of the crazy things about Ephesus is that it is only 15% excavated. The city itself is huge and it will take decades before they ever finish excavating it. My tour was organized by my travel company and we had a guide from Turkey with a background in both archaeological and biblical studies. We wore headsets and spent more than half the day walking around and touring these amazing ruins. There were a couple of times that I slipped a little while walking on the marble streets. Curetes Street has a slight incline and you have to take small steps while walking on it. The Library of Celsus is the big highlight in Ephesus. Even though all that is left is its façade, you can still get a glimpse of how big is was. The Great Theatre of Ephesus is also a magnificent structure and I enjoyed walking around it. The Temple of Hadrian, the Gate of Augustus, the Fountain of Pollio and the goddess Nike stone carvings were other points of interest. I got a kick out of seeing the public toilets and cannot imagine what it was like being in that close proximity of each other while taking care of business. The House of the Virgin Mary is near the end of the tour if you want to check that out. As you depart Ephesus, vendors will hound you to buy something. I could go on and on about how much I enjoyed seeing this excavation. Ephesus was once one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It was completely abandoned by the 15th century. While on walking on the tour, I at times would put myself in the shoes of the people back in those days. I wonder what it was like to walk on these marble streets when this city was new. Or to see the Temple of Artemis before it was destroyed. I won't be alive when they fully excavate this site, but it would be awesome to see the whole thing. read more
10 months ago
Walking the streets where Paul preached and miracle happened. This site has a humble entrance, and the more deeper further you go, the more stunning views. Library of Celcus, Temple of Artemis, toilet system with a shared sponge stick eww, and Grand Theater. read more
11 months ago
If you're into history, this is a must see. It is a city from ancient Roman and Greeks. They preserved most of the city and you see a lot and you learn a lot. Parking has a fee but there's plenty of parking. Entrance also has a fee, but free if you have museum card. I suggest to start from the top door and walk towards the bottom door because it's the hill down direction. I also suggest to rent a tour guide if you have financial means. When you're at the bottom door, you can exit, call a cab or rent a horse cart to go to the top door for your car, or you simply walk back inside the ancient city again, it takes 15-20 mins to walk back. There are restrooms inside and they were very clean. There is also a coffee shop close to Celcus library. read more
3 years ago
Ephesus was an ancient Greek, and later Roman, port city. Today, it's well-preserved ruins are truly impressive, giving a view into life in a Greco-Roman city during the reign of Caesar Augustus. We spent several hours taking in the history and architecture of the city. Interpretive signage was very good, but I'm happy that we came with a private guide who brought the ruins to life. read more
3 years ago
Excellent experience visiting Ephesus! No waiting in line, ticket was 250 TRY a person to see everything. We spent about two hours walking around without a guide but I'm sure you could do a half day tour learning about everything. There are some English speaking guides that wait at the entrance if you want to try to do your own private tour. Easy to find parking, it was 20 TRY cash if you go on your own. They have a few places outside to buy souvenirs, food and drinks. There is also one stand inside that sells refreshments. read more
This is a must stop on your Turkiye trip if you are planning some time outside of Istanbul. Continuing on with the early Greek mythology and the Christianity trail, Ephesus is one of the ancient seven wonders of the world where the Temple of Artemis, Library of Celsus and Temple of Hadrian once stood. I could not believe how free we were allowed to wander through this actual archaeological site as ancient as 4th Century BC. It was huge, I think maybe about 3 miles from one entrance to another. I was also very surprised not to find any traces of vandalism or graffiti at the site. I guess it is Banksy approved haha. Prepare for lots of sensory overload as you look at all the details in the columns and arches of the marbles stones used to built this massive Roman city at one point of time. You don't have to be a history buff to be enchanted by this beautiful site. If you come during peak season, I heard this place is a sea of crowded tour groups. Lucky for us, off-season travel means more opportunities for taking great photos but we had to be prepared to dress warm. It was a cloudy and drizzly day on the day we visited with lots of outdoor walking on miles and miles of cobblestones. It was such a worthwhile visit and definitely the top highlight of our travel to Turkiye! read more
While we were in Turkey, we took a tour of Ephesus which is one of the largest Roman archaeological sites in the eastern Mediterranean. The tour guide, a retired history teacher was very knowledgeable and spoke English fluently so we got a lot of good education on our tour. It was very cool to see and hear about so much history. If you go during the summer, bring a hat, water, and lots of sunblock. There's some shade throughout the route however it gets very hot. Make sure you start at the top so you are walking down versus up if you start at the bottom entrance. Wear shoes with good traction as the marble grounds can be slippery. There are vendors and toilets at the top and bottom entrances. While we were going down just past the theater, there was a nice short show they put on the for the visitors. Bring cash if you need it as there is no ATM. Most of the vendors take credit card. Depending on your own pace, the time to experience everything will vary however plan for at least an hour. read more
GO! I did not know much about this ancient city---taking a trip and tour there brought all the topics of elementary school social studies flooding back to me. What an amazing place to be in. I highly recommend hiring a guide to get the full story/history lesson of the place. This ancient Greek city is in Kusadasi, Turkey. It was built in the 10th century BC and was once a part of the Roman Empire. This may be the oldest place I have ever visited in my life. Freaking history. Also I can't believe how many earthquakes destroyed this place and each of the leaders it went through kept rebuilding it. Imagine living this way? I absolutely loved the amphitheater, seeing the famous Roman and Greek structures/ruins throughout (Arches, bath houses, columns, goddesses...etc) and the limestone/thermal waters that flow throughout. The Gladiator graves throughout was eerie for me as I always feel a bit uneasy among the dead. Make the trip and learn! read more
Wow! It was because of places like this that I got interested in archaeology. (I even became am archaeologist for a while before switching to working in museums.) Unfortunately we don't have sites like this in the United States. (We do have some cool stuff though.) This is one of those places that you know exists, you've seen pictures in books, seen it on TV, but until it's right there in front of you it can't really exist. I already said "wow" didn't I? Walking through this ancient Greek/Roman (in use for a long time) city is truly a wonderous experience. Be sure to tour the covered area where ongoing excavations are taking place. The raised walkway offers spectacular views of the rooms and manor of the ancient frescoes and tiled floors. read more
Many historical places are just ruins that are kind of run down and not much to see, Ephesus (Greek) or Efes (Turkish) was not one of those places. I mean they are ruins but theres still plenty of existing (and partially restored) structure for you to see without having to use your imagination and listen to what your tour guide is telling you. Ephesus was really cool, and lots of historical things to see, definitely a site worth visiting. Hercules gate - OK it's just a gateway, but it well preserved. It's easy to miss if you don't have a tour guide because the direction of traffic is one way, and you actually walk thru it with the plain back side facing you. You have to turn around to see the side with the carving on it. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/efes-ephesus-izmir?select=iAyhxPrhuh9iW00F-XbeHg#stsZchoPh0WOH3aY3jNKpQ Library of Celsus - Also well preserved and many small details and original carvings remain. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/efes-ephesus-izmir?select=iAyhxPrhuh9iW00F-XbeHg#SoksxtFKC3SiKo5SHE9Hkg large open air theater was very impressive it could hold 25,000 people! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/efes-ephesus-izmir?select=iAyhxPrhuh9iW00F-XbeHg#4eV219rZYb9LjFslIRPwqg My favorite thing here was the toilets! Yes toilets! They had running water and all the statesmen and businessmen used these communal toilets together and talked business while "doing their business" which is where the term comes from. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/efes-ephesus-izmir?select=iAyhxPrhuh9iW00F-XbeHg#1mK7Iq36O9Qdl7UlK-8ugg There was even running water to wash up after "doing your business" in shallow troughs in front. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/efes-ephesus-izmir?select=iAyhxPrhuh9iW00F-XbeHg#91U2SrwtrYnJlzPmzQQkfg Amazing right, the first flushing toilet! Can you imagine doing business like that though?! Ok so we're going to offer 4 million (Fart) for 49% of the company (plop) and you'll still have the majority of the shares, but with our marketing (squeak) we should be able to grow your company (pooot, splash) so what do you say? do we have a deal? Lets shake on it! read more
Ephesus was an ancient Greek city, and later a major Roman city, on the coast of Ionia, near present-day Selçuk. The City was famed for the Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. Ephesus was also cited in the Book of Revelation and the the Gospel of John may have been written here. Although it was relatively hot and crowded, Gayle and I really enjoyed our visit here. We loved strolling the broad boulevards, marveled at the pillared facade of the Library of Celsus, walked up and down a larger version of Berkeley's Greek Theater, wondering about the lifestyles of the rich and famous at the Terrace Houses, hearing countless stories and observing the associated ruins, and taking pictures of all the cats that were hanging out in between. The Tour Bus dropped us off at one end, and our Tura Tour Guide led us through to the other end on a fascinating time-travel back to the grandeur of Rome. There's also a lot of souvenir opportunities (in tents) at the end and folks that will offer you a bargain price on bracelets at the entrance to the bus. I was partial to buying a signature glass pieces to help ward off the evil eye. Better yet, I found the limited peaks of Izmir province to be fascinating and maybe worth another look on a future non-Cruise related trip. read more
8 years ago
I am no history buff, but I still found our visit to Ephesus in Turkey to be awesome!!! Ephesus is the home of the Temple of Artemis which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World!! As the other Yelpers mentioned, the ancient ruins are amazing!!! If you find yourself in this part of the world, then go to Ephesus!! It is one of the most historical ancient places in the world that is well worth the price of admission. Don't forget your camera!! Enjoy!! read more
There are two entrances to Ephesus. This one, where you enter near the huge Roman style theater and one more a kilometer + away. You can walk through this entrance thru the historical site and reach the other entrance. This is an incredible site and well worth the time it takes to travel here. read more
Yes, another essential place to see for visitors to Turkey. Amazing what they built so long ago (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/efes-ephesus-izmir?select=XG24VU0r2O9FGPU962Z8Xw#hUUWy_jPHFNdYn15j6RFww) and how much remains (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/efes-ephesus-izmir?select=XG24VU0r2O9FGPU962Z8Xw#Z25Zb5fJchJgmF96to_4mQ) There are still active excavations so some areas are sealed off(http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/efes-ephesus-izmir?select=YNvDG8ACGfmepBvaZtqO5A#Ydunw_Z1_IX1sOX12IFeOA http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/efes-ephesus-izmir?select=YNvDG8ACGfmepBvaZtqO5A#C3Hs9NYAngmtnGiHlvZCmg) Bring something for the team that's hard at work to keep the ruins rodent free (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/efes-ephesus-izmir?select=XG24VU0r2O9FGPU962Z8Xw#V8mf2DdnFUeGwE8Kc673ZA) And when you're done, you can buy a fake watch at a shop by the parking lot (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/efes-ephesus-izmir?select=XG24VU0r2O9FGPU962Z8Xw#XG24VU0r2O9FGPU962Z8Xw) read more
6 years ago
Ephesus is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Artifacts found in the area, Cukurhoyok, date back to 6,200 BC. but an actual settlement was not established until the 4th century BC. During ancient times Ephesus was much closer to the sea and was probably a port city. Geological forces including earthquack disruptions changed the topography. It was the capitol city of Asia Minor from the 4th century BC until the 15th century AD. The city was visited by Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Mark Anthony and Cleopatra, as well as, being the home to St. Paul, St. John and the Virgin Mary in her final days. Nearby the Greeks built the Temple of Artemis in 356 BC which was one of the 7 ancient wonders of the world. Other reasons that make Ephesus an important destination include: the Celsus Library which was only second to the great library of Alexandra, it had the largest amphitheater of the ancient world, the Ephesus Museum of archaeology, and the fact that so many of the structures are still in tact compared to other historical sites of this time period make Ephesus worth seeing. The entrance fee is $11, the Archaeological Museum $3, House of the Virgin Mary $3, and St. John's Basilica $3. Ephesus is 45 minutes from the International Airport in Izmir and 20 minutes from Kusadasi cruise port. To be a guide at Ephesus is a very competitive position. The guides have an extensive education and speak several languages fluently. An interesting fact. Julius Caesar took many of the scrolls from the library of Celsus to the library of Alexandria at Cleopatra's request. read more
Ephesus is an interesting place. There were ongoing excavations as we toured the ruins. They showed us the graves of gladiators, we got to see one first known symbol doctors use today, the Celsius library that was built to honor Roman Senator Tiberius, Temple of Hadrian and the Great Theatre of Ephesus. On the way out they have an outdoor souvenir shop before you get back on the buses. Additionally, they had a camel you could pay to have a picture taken with if you wanted too. Make sure you have water, especially if you go in August. There is very little shade and hotter than the blazes. All-in-All not a bad experience if you are a history lover. read more
13 years ago
The Ephesus archeological site is located 11 miles north-east of the port town of Kusadasi. Before going here I'd never heard of it, and for me it was stopover on a Greek island cruise. However, I'm glad I did see it. This place has a lot of history. Established before the birth of Christ, the city grew to over 250,000 people and was apparently the world's fourth largest city in the first century BC (behind Rome, Alexandria and Antioch). It started as a Greek city and was later invaded by the Romans because of the strategic location in a fertile valley and close to the Agean Sea. Ephesus is the best-preserved Roman city in the Mediterranean region, and has better ruins than Rome. The city was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Roman Emperor Constantine I expanded the city and erected new public baths. The city was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. It was a mob scene outside The Magnesian Gate, but once inside it was not crowed in the spacious area. The ruins are magnificent, especially the stadium. The marble-paved Sacred Way still has shop buildings on each side still intact, and a water canal running behind the stores. Very sophisticated and impressive architecture, and an elaborate water and sewer system. Several of the building structure facades have been restored, including the town hall and Celsus Library. They have an interesting procession show with a Roman gladiator battle enactment. It would have been better if there was some shade from the oppressive sun in August. Bring in your own water or you will wither away in the heat. Located just two miles outside the town of Selcuk and near the port town of Kasudasi. Many people who come here also go to the nearby House of the Virgin Mary. I couldn't imagine a better Roman archeological site, but Pompei would be very cool also. Now that I've been here I recognize it from seeing concerts on TV at the Great Theatre by people like Pavorati, Elton John, Sting, Diana Ross and Ray Charles. read more
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