Best of Ephesus Tour

Your Ephesus guide will meet you at port of Kusadasi. The guide will hold up a sign with your name on it. We Leaving the colorful town of  Kusadasi behind , you will pass throught the verdant countryside before  arriving at Ephesus. 

Your tour continues to ancient Ephesus, where you'll pass through the arched Magnesia Gate and begin a slow, downhill walk to the ruins of the Roman provincial capital. Your knowledgeable guide will highlight such sights as the beautifully preserved Temple of Hadrian, the magnificent Trajan Fountain, the Odeon Theater, once used for both political and entertainment purposes, and the beautiful Celsus Library with its imposing façade and two story Corinthian-style columns. The dramatic Great Theater is one of the few structures still used today. It seats twenty-five thousand and, although it was once an arena for gladiator games, it is now home to annual spring festivals.

The ancient city of Ephesus has hosted countless magnificent structures, such as the residences that are thought to have been inhabited by wealthy families, in the area called Terrace Houses. Ephesus Terrace Houses were built in a very luxurious way. Archaeologists preserved the wall drawings while excavating. Terrace houses in Ephesus have a total of 78 rooms and different wall drawings.

Archaeologists have been excavating 7 houses owned by the richest Ephesians. These were high ranking officers, governors and rich  tradesmen. The size of the homes are starting from 1000 square feet and the largest one was 6000 square feet. They date back to the 1st century AD and inhabited until 3rd century AD. The houses were destroyed and abandoned by a major earthquake and tsunami.

Although in ruins, the Basilica of St. John is still a majestic sight to behold. Among the remains, large columns, frescos and mosaics still stand, paying homage to the monumental basilica built during Emperor Justinian's reign. The structure was created in the shape of a cross and covered with six individual domes, the central one of which is thought to lie directly above the burial site of St. John.

SPECIAL NOTES

Guests must be able to walk approximately 1.5 miles over uneven and cobblestone surfaces, inclines and 10 - 30 steps. Comfortable shoes, a hat and plenty of sunscreen are recommended as shade is limited the order of the tour itinerary may vary in order to avoid congestion. Guests should watch their step at all times in order to avoid injuries.