Merhaba! (This is how we say Hi in Turkish!👋)
I’m Hasan Gülday—born in Izmir, raised between Kuşadası and the marble streets—and I’ve been guiding in Ephesus for more than 15 years. I’ve watched sunsets in the Great Theater, counted bee coins in the museum, and yes, told the “ancient toilets had no partitions” story more times than I’ll admit 😅. Ephesus isn’t just ruins; it’s a living conversation between Romans, early Christians, and us curious moderns. Here are my top 10 reasons to visit Ephesus Ancient City, straight from a tour guide who loves Ephesus!

1) Walk through a real Roman city (no protective glass cases required)

Ephesus was once the capital of the Roman province of Asia Minor and the second-biggest city in the Roman Empire during its golden era. When you step onto Curetes Street, which is the main street of Ephesus, you’re tracing the same marble that emperors, merchants, and apostles crossed. On the day I’m writing this, entrance to the site is 40 Euros, and it’s open year-round—come early for cooler weather and softer light. Start here: Ephesus Ancient City overview
https://toursaroundturkey.com/ephesus-ancient-city/

2) The Library of Celsus: the showstopper with a soul

That two-story façade stops everyone in their tracks. Built in the 2nd century AD and holding over 12,000 scrolls, the library also served as the mausoleum of Tiberius Julius Celsus, who was the Roman governor of Ephesus. Celsus’ tomb lies beneath the west wall. The four statues out front represent Wisdom, Knowledge, Thought, and Valor.

Recent update from the field: conservation work began on September 25, 2024 to strengthen micro-cracked areas. Scaffoldings are currently removed, so this beauty will be standing for another 2,000 years.

More on the library
https://toursaroundturkey.com/library-of-celsus-in-ephesus/

3) The Great Theater: 25,000 seats and zero microphones 😊

The acoustics are so perfect if I sing a song at center-stage, and you’ll hear it in the upper rows. This is where Apostle Paul’s preaching sparked the famous silversmiths’ riot—history with a heartbeat. Also Apostle Paul wrote the letter that became 1 Corinthians in the Ephesus Grand Theater too. The theater still hosts special nights, including the Ephesus Opera and Ballet Festival—Swan Lake to Tosca under the stars isn’t a bad way to time-travel.

Festival details can be found at this link
https://toursaroundturkey.com/7th-international-ephesus-opera-and-ballet-festival-of-2024/

4) Terrace Houses: Roman “Beverly Hills”

Under a protective roof, you’ll find elite homes with heated floors, frescoed walls, and mosaics that resemble carpets that would make a modern interior designer blush. It’s the most insightful add-on on the site (a separate ticket applies). I love pointing out the hypocaust pipes—ancient central heating that sometimes puts my Kuşadası apartment to shame.

What to see in Ephesus
https://toursaroundturkey.com/ephesus-ancient-city/

5) The Temple of Artemis: wonder, memory, and one stubborn column

One of the Seven Wonders once stood just outside the city. Burned by Herostratus in 356 BC (yes, the night Alexander the Great was born), rebuilt, sacked by Goths, and finally dismantled in the Christian era—its story is the rise and fall of pagan grandeur. Today you’ll see foundations and a single re-erected column; in the nearby Ephesus Archeological Museum, two remarkable Artemis statues hold the temple’s spirit.

My guide to the Temple of Artemis
https://toursaroundturkey.com/temple-artemis-ephesus/

6) Walk the Bible’s margins: Paul, John, and Revelation

Ephesus is a pillar of early Christianity. Paul taught in the synagogue, at Hall of Tyrannus, and the theater; John worked and wrote in Asia Minor; the Church of Ephesus is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. The nearby Basilica of St. John marks Saint John the Evangelist’s tomb, and the House of the Virgin Mary sits quietly in the hills. If you like your history with scripture and scenery, you’re in the right place.

Read more

• Apostle Paul in Ephesus
  https://toursaroundturkey.com/apostle-paul-in-ephesus/
• Seven Churches overview
  https://toursaroundturkey.com/seven-churches/
• About Saint John the Evangelist
  https://toursaroundturkey.com/saint-john-the-evangelist-in-ephesus/
  https://toursaroundturkey.com/saint-john-the-evangelist-in-asia-minor/
  https://toursaroundturkey.com/saint-john-the-evangelist/
  https://toursaroundturkey.com/basilica-of-saint-john-nearby-ephesus/
  

7) The Ephesus Experience Museum: tech meets time travel

Inside the ancient city, this award-winning museum uses 360-degree projections, 3D storytelling, and soundscapes to “live” Ephesus as a living port city. Sessions run every day from 08:00 to 18:00, with 20-minute experiences across three halls; headphones come in 13 languages, and it’s fully accessible. Families love it, history nerds like me too 😄.

Experience museum details
https://toursaroundturkey.com/ephesus-experience-museum/

8) Engineering brilliance (and the famous no-privacy toilets)

From aqueducts and sewers to baths and fountains, Ephesus was a masterclass in city planning. Don’t miss the latrines: marble benches, flowing water, and a very social seating plan. I call it Rome’s first group chat 👀. It is the attraction where visitors of Ephesus learn, laugh, and suddenly, the past feels very human.

Learn more about Ephesus Latrines or Toilets
https://toursaroundturkey.com/ephesus-latrines/

9) Perfect day-trip ecosystem: faith, food, and a village with wine

Within fifteen minutes, you can reach the House of the Virgin Mary (entrance fee is currently 500 Turkish Lira), the Basilica of St. John (entrance fee is 6 Euros), the Ephesus Archaeological Museum (entrance fee 10 Euros), and Isa Bey Mosque (free). Add Şirince village for fruit wines and hillside views, or linger in Selçuk for gözleme (Turkish style stuffed pancake) and baklava.

More information and some practical tips!

https://toursaroundturkey.com/ephesus-ancient-city

10) Stories you won’t find on the info boards told by, well, me 👍

A good guide turns stones into voices. After thousands of tours, I know the hidden inscriptions, the best library photo angle, and where to pause in the theater to read a few lines from Paul or Revelation. I tailor each visit to meet the demands of my visitors, including pilgrims, families, photographers, and archaeology enthusiasts. Bring your curiosity, I’ll bring the stories.

Practical tips from your guide when you visit Ephesus Ancient City and Attractions Around Ephesus

• Best time: Mornings in spring and autumn. In summer, arrive early to beat the heat and crowds.
• Tickets and add-ons: Site entry is listed as 40 Euros; Terrace Houses, Ephesus Museum, Basilica of St. John, and House of the Virgin Mary have separate fees (see links above for current figures).
• Footwear and water: Marble is beautiful, and slippery at the same time. Wear grippy shoes, bring a hat, and hydrate. You can buy water, hats, and all kinds of needed supplies at the entrance of Ephesus.
• Current notes: Ephesus is open several nights of the week for the night tours. Contact me to confirm if it is open or not on the night that you want to visit.
• Special nights: Watch for festival performances in the Great Theater—an unforgettable way to see Ephesus after dark.

Ready to visit Ephesus?

Don’t just see the ruins—let me bring them to life with history, humor, and a few backstage secrets. Message me on WhatsApp at +90 544 640 35 70 or email info@toursaroundturkey.com, or use my contact form under this link;
Contact Hasan / Hire a Tour Guide
https://toursaroundturkey.com/contact-turkish-tour-guide-for-hiring/

See you on the marble streets,
Hasan Gülday, Licensed Tour Guide in Turkey

About me
https://toursaroundturkey.com/licensed-tour-guide-in-turkey/