Ephesus Daily Tour

CESATUR organizes tours that depart from your hotel around 09:30, with the first destination being Ephesus Ancient City. Ephesus is located 3 km southwest of the present-day town of Selçuk in İzmir province, Turkey. The city was founded in the 10th century BC by Attic and Ionian Greek colonists. It flourished after coming under the rule of the Roman Republic in 129 BC. Ephesus was famous for the Temple of Artemis, completed around 550 BC, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

During your visit, which lasts around 2-3 hours, you will see the following key sites:

Temple of Hadrian: One of the best-preserved and most picturesque structures on Curetes Street. The temple was built before 138 AD and dedicated to Emperor Hadrian, who visited the city in 128 AD.

Odeon: Built in the 2nd century AD by the wealthy Ephesus citizens Publis Vedius Antonius and his wife Flavia Paina, it resembles a small theater with seating, a stage, and an orchestra. The Odeon served various purposes.

Fountain of Trajan: Built around 104 AD, this monument honors Emperor Trajan. The statue of Trajan stood in the central niche, overlooking the pool.

Celsus Library: Built in honor of the Roman senator Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus by his son, Gaius Julius Aquila, around 110 AD. The library, designed to hold 12,000 scrolls, was the third-largest library of the ancient world after Alexandria and Pergamon. After being destroyed by earthquakes over the centuries, the façade was reconstructed in the 1970s.

Theater of Ephesus: The Great Theater was originally constructed in the 3rd century BC during the reign of Lysimachos, but it was expanded and adapted to its current form during the Roman period. The theater is the largest in Anatolia, with a capacity of 25,000 seats.

Arcadian Street: Located between the Harbor Baths and the Great Theater, this 530-meter-long street was lined with shops and galleries, with monumental arches and gates adorning both sides.

After exploring Ephesus, you will enjoy a lunch, which is also included in the tour. Next, you will visit the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Afterward, you will visit the House of Virgin Mary, a significant religious site.

The tour is typically conducted with small groups of 10-15 people. CESATUR provides free pick-up and drop-off services from hotels in Selçuk and Kuşadası. For hotels in other locations, please contact us for arrangements.