The best things to do in Ephesus Ancient City are to walk the marble streets, see the Library of Celsus and the Great Theater, and step into the Terrace Houses. Nearby in Selçuk you can add the Basilica of St. John and the Ephesus Museum. Below is my list of 25, and a few tips for your walk.
Here are 25 things you can do when you visit Ephesus Ancient City;
Top Things to Do in Ephesus Ancient City and Selçuk
- Explore the ancient city and walk along its ancient streets to see the remains of temples, theaters, and other buildings that were built by the Romans.
- Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a popular pilgrimage site for Catholics located just outside Ephesus.
- Take a tour of the Ephesus Museum to see a collection of artifacts and relics found in the ancient city.
- Visit the Basilica of St. John, a church built on the site where St. John, one of Jesus’ apostles, is believed to be buried.
- Take a boat tour of the surrounding coastline and visit nearby islands to explore ancient ruins.
- Visit local markets and try traditional Turkish cuisine.
- See the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- Visit the Library of Celsus, a beautiful library built in the 2nd century AD.
- See the Great Theater, where Paul the Apostle is believed to have preached to the Ephesians.
- Visit the Agora, the center of public life in ancient Ephesus.
- See the Odeon, a small theater used for music and poetry performances.
- Visit the Gymnasium, where the citizens of ancient Ephesus exercised and trained.
- See the Baths of Scholastica, a Roman bath complex with hot and cold baths.
- Explore the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, which has a collection of artifacts and relics from the ancient city.
- Take a walk through the Selcuk Castle, a castle built in the 13th century that offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
More Ruins and Places to Visit Near Ephesus
- Visit the Temple of Hadrian, a temple dedicated to the Roman Emperor Hadrian.
- See the Temple of Domitian, a temple dedicated to the Roman Emperor Domitian.
- Visit the cisterns, underground reservoirs used to store water in ancient Ephesus.
- Take a walk along the marble street, a well-preserved street lined with columns and shops.
- Visit the Roman baths, a complex of hot and cold baths used by the citizens of ancient Ephesus.
- See the Ephesus Terrace Houses, well-preserved houses that were once home to the wealthy citizens of Ephesus.
- Take a stroll through the Ephesus Archaeological Park, which has many well-preserved ruins from the ancient city.
- Visit the Isabey Mosque, a beautiful mosque built in the 14th century.
- See the Ayasuluk Castle, a castle built in the 6th century that offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
- Visit the Sirince Village, a charming village known for its delicious fruit wines.
Tips for Visiting Ephesus Ancient City
The best way to visit Ephesus Ancient City is to enter at the Upper Gate early in the morning and walk downhill to the Lower Gate. Most guided tours go this way, so you never climb back up. I explain both entrances in my post about the Upper Gate and the Lower Gate.
One stop that is not on my list is the Hercules Gate on Curetes Street. Two tall pillars carry reliefs of Heracles with lion skin on his shoulder. It is one of the best photo spots in the city, and you pass it on your way down to the Library of Celsus.
Please remember that the Library of Celsus faces east, because its reading rooms needed the morning light. That is why the front looks best in the morning. In the afternoon the sun goes behind the building and the front stays in shadow.
At the end of your walk, take a look down the Harbor Street, the wide colonnaded street that runs from the Great Theater toward the old harbor. It is the flattest street in Ephesus, and from the theater the Lower Gate is only a short walk away.
In Summertime the marble gets very hot and there is little shade, so bring a hat and water. Wear comfortable shoes with rubber soles, because the polished marble is slippery, especially after rain.
The Terrace Houses have many steps and are not wheelchair accessible. If someone in your group uses a wheelchair, enter and leave by the Lower Gate and see the lower part of the city. My guide to Ephesus with a wheelchair or limited mobility explains the route.
Entry times change with the season and from year to year, so I keep them in one place. Please check my post about the entry times of Ephesus and nearby attractions before you go.
By the way, you will meet the cats of Ephesus. Some of them wait near the gates and in front of the Library of Celsus, and they pose very well for photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ephesus worth visiting?
Yes. Ephesus is one of the largest Roman sites in the eastern Mediterranean, and it joined the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015. In half a day you can walk the marble streets, sit in the Great Theater and see the front of the Library of Celsus.
How long do you need at Ephesus?
Plan two to four hours inside the ancient city. Two hours is enough for the walk from the Upper Gate to the Lower Gate, and four hours lets you add the Terrace Houses. With the museum and the Basilica of St. John in Selçuk, it becomes a full day.
Can you visit Ephesus on your own?
Yes, the route is easy to follow and the main buildings have signs. A guide adds the stories behind the stones, so it depends on how much you want to know about them.
