What to See in Ephesus, Turkey – A Guide to the Ancient City’s Top Sights

Ephesus is an ancient Greek city located on the west coast of Turkey that contains some of the best preserved ruins from Greek and Roman times As one of the most important cities in the ancient world, Ephesus has a wealth of historic sights for visitors to discover Here’s an overview of the top attractions and things to see on a trip to Ephesus, Turkey.

Explore the Ruins of Ancient Ephesus

The ruins of ancient Ephesus contain a remarkably well-preserved collection of ancient buildings, streets, theaters, temples, and more. It’s one of the highlights of any visit to the Aegean region of Turkey.

Some of the key sights in the ancient city ruins include

• The Library of Celsus – A beautifully restored library dating back to 135 AD with an impressive facade.

• Harbor Street – A marble-paved street that was the main thoroughfare through the ancient city.

• The Grand Theater – A massive theater that could hold 25,000 spectators for plays, concerts, and more.

• Terraced Houses – Lavish houses decorated with intricate mosaics that give a glimpse of wealthy life.

• Temple of Hadrian – An impressive temple dedicated to the Roman emperor Hadrian.

• Latrines – Public toilets that show the surprisingly advanced plumbing.

• The Agora – The marketplace where people gathered to shop and socialize.

Exploring the sprawling ruins takes 2-3 hours to do justice to the site. It’s best to arrive early, around 8 am when it opens, to avoid large tour groups.

Marvel at the Library of Celsus

The Library of Celsus is one of the most famous and best preserved buildings in Ephesus. Built around 135 AD, the library has a stunning facade with four female statues representing wisdom, virtue, intelligence, and knowledge. The interior likely held around 12,000 scrolls and was built as a monument to the Roman senator Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus. It’s an absolute must-see when exploring Ephesus.

Walk Down Harbor Street

Harbor Street was the main thoroughfare running through ancient Ephesus, leading from the Grand Theater east to the old harbor. The street was lined with columns, shops, statues, and other monuments. Sections of the street’s marble paving and ruins of buildings remain remarkably intact. As you walk its length, you can imagine the chariots and crowds that once bustled down this busy street.

See the Terraced Houses

The Terraced Houses provide a glimpse into the lives of the wealthy in Ephesus over 2000 years ago. These houses were built on a hillside with multiple stories and lavishly decorated with intricate mosaics and frescoes. They display details like heating systems, colored marble walls, and fountains that show the advanced building techniques and lifestyles of the era. It’s a fascinating site to explore within the larger ruins.

Take in a Show at the Grand Theater

One of the best preserved structures in Ephesus is the massive Grand Theater, which could hold an estimated 25,000 spectators. The semicircular theater was used for plays, religious ceremonies, gladiator fights, and more. Though largely ruined today, you can climb up the seating tiers to admire the sheer size of the theater and imagine the crowds it once held. The acoustics are still excellent, so enjoy the sound when a guide demonstrates just how far sound travels.

Admire the Temple of Hadrian

This ornate temple with stunning carvings and arches was dedicated to the Roman Emperor Hadrian when he visited the city in the 2nd century AD. Located in the center of ancient Ephesus, the Temple of Hadrian honors the emperor with detailed reliefs and statues. The facade has been beautifully reconstructed to give an idea of how impressive the temple was in its prime.

Visit the House of the Virgin Mary

One of the most important Christian sites near Ephesus is the House of the Virgin Mary. It’s located near the ancient city on Nightingale Mountain. The small stone house is believed to be where Mary, mother of Jesus, lived out her final years. The peaceful site draws Christian pilgrims who drink from a sacred spring and visit the chapel on site. There are also stunning views of Ephesus and the surrounding valleys from the walking trail.

Explore Ancient Agora

In ancient Greek cities, the agora was the center of public life, a marketplace and meeting place combined. The Agora of Ephesus was a landscape of public buildings, shops, temples, statues, and more. Today you can still see remnants like the northeast gate,Columned Square, and parts of important buildings. It offers insight into daily public life in the influential city.

More Sights to Discover

Beyond the major highlights, Ephesus has many more fascinating ancient sights and monuments to discover:

• The Pollio Fountain with intricate carvings
• Remains of the Temple of Domitanus
• The pillars and arch of the Heracles Gate
• Byzantine Aqueducts that run through the site
• The pillars of the Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 Wonders
• The Cave of the Seven Sleepers with mythological history
• Vedius Gymnasium where sports and baths were held
• St. John’s Basilica, an important pilgrimage site
• Selçuk Castle on Ayasuluk Hill with panoramic views

With so many diverse attractions, Ephesus offers an outstanding window into life in ancient times and the early spread of Christianity. Wandering the ruins transports you back in time to one of the ancient world’s most important cities.