Ephesus— Tour Highlights and Travel Tips
Travel Highlights
- Marvel at the Library of Celsus, the real star of the show on tours to Turkey. It is an impressive structure that dominates the ruins at Ephesus and is regarded as the third-largest ancient library in the world.
- Imagine fighting as a gladiator at the amphitheater. The arena was the largest of its time, which could seat a staggering 25,000 people.
- Visit the cave of the seven sleepers. Here, seven Christians fell asleep after trying to escape religious persecution and woke up 200 years later, only to find the thriving city of Ephesus having sprung up around them.
- Walk among typical homes from the city’s heyday with impeccably preserved paintings and mosaics. This tour is not included in the ticket price but is well worth paying a little extra for.
- Take a tour of the Ephesus Museum in Selcuk. Many of the valuable sculptures and reliefs from Ephesus are housed here.
Travel Tips
- Try to arrive on time as the gates open at 8:00, especially in peak season. This is a major stop for many cruise ships so scores of tourists visit each day.
- Walk straight past everything and visit the Library of Ephesus first. From here, you can visit all the other stops on your way out.
- Many of the stone surfaces that you walk on have been worn down and are uneven. Wear shoes with a good grip to stop slipping as the road back is downhill.
- Taxi drivers at the gate will try to sell you a trip to the further entrance and explain that it saves you from walking uphill. Only do this if you are strapped for time. The uphill is gradual and not very straining as you walk slowly, admiring all the ruins.
- Take enough water with you. There are no shops past the gate and the only running water is also at the entrance.