Ephesus Travel Guide
Turkey’s Best-Known Greco-Roman City
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Not to be missed on any visit to the region Ephesus was one of 12 ancient cities that formed the Greek region of Ionia and dates back as far as 5000BC. The city was famous for its temples and shrines, particularly that dedicated to Artemis (ancient Cybele), which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today travellers can wander the streets, visit the temples and sit in the theatre of what is the eastern Mediterranean’s best-preserved ancient city.
Establishing a powerful network of trading cities Greek émigrés to what is today western Turkey established Ephesus some time in the 6th century BC, enjoying its heyday through to the 5th century AD; at times the population reached 250,000 people. The silting up of its harbour forced its decline yet today the city’s remains are some of the most spectacular to be found anywhere in the Mediterranean. Famous for its Temple of Artemis (now located outside the site) visitors today can sit in a theatre capable of holding 25,000 spectators before walking down a marble road rutted by chariot wheels to admire the Library of Celsus, the columned façade that once held 12,000 scrolls. Ephesus has baths, brothels, shops, temples, houses and churches to explore and is unmissable for any visitor to the region.
Attractions in Ephesus
In Selçuk the excellent Ephesus Museum has a wide variety of artefacts from the site whilst a short distance away lies two additional sites – the House of the Virgin Mary where Mary’s last days are said to have been spent, and Şirince an ancient and well-preserved village originally built by Greeks. The International Izmir Festival each July attracts performers and crowds from around the world, with Ephesus acting as a venue.
Activities in Ephesus
The site of Ephesus itself is, as you would expect of a city that was once home to a quarter of a million people, very spread out; allow plenty of time, bring plenty of sun protection and water and wear comfortable footwear and allow the best part of a full day. A visit with a local guide is advisable as this will bring the site to life and enable you to see places not mentioned in guidebooks.
Relaxing
Most people travelling through the region tend to overnight in Selçuk where a wide range of accommodation and restaurants can be found and where there are several bars to relax in after a hard day’s sightseeing. Note that visitor’s in January may be able to combine a visit with the famous camel-wrestling festival.
Getting Around
A cost-effective and time-saving method of exploring is to hire a driver-guide, allowing you to see minor attractions in the area with the guide giving you a more detailed historical perspective of the sites you visit. Alternatively you can explore independently using local dolmuşes between the sites, and on foot; allow significantly more time if this is your preferred method of visiting.
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