Must see
Ephesus Ancient City
The marble metropolis of 250,000 Romans: library, theater, temples and streets that still feel inhabited.
Written by locals, not copied from guidebooks
Attractions Around Ephesus
Every wonder within reach of Ephesus — described by the people who grew up next door to them.
Must see
Local favorite
Terrace Houses in Ephesus
Seven Roman villas under one protective roof, their frescoes and mosaics astonishingly intact. The sight most visitors wrongly skip.
Pilgrimage
House of Virgin Mary
The hillside house where tradition holds Mary lived her last years — discovered through a nun's visions, honored by three popes.
Seven Wonders
Temple of Artemis
One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, built and destroyed three times — its last column still standing guard.
Sacred site
Basilica of Saint John
Justinian's great basilica over the tomb of Saint John the Evangelist, with the finest view over Selcuk thrown in.
Living heritage
Isa Bey Mosque
A jewel of Seljuk architecture from 1375, still an active mosque — and the calmest courtyard in Selcuk.
Indoor gem
Ephesus Museum in Selcuk
Home of the famous Artemis statues, gladiator reliefs and the emperor's colossal head — Ephesus's portable treasures under one roof.
Best view
Ayasuluk Fortress
The citadel above Selcuk where Ephesus was born — Neolithic roots, Byzantine walls and the best panorama in town.
Village charm
Sirince Village
Whitewashed houses, fruit wines and lazy lanes six kilometers above Ephesus — the Aegean's favorite village.
Philosophy's cradle
Miletus Ancient City
The great port that gave the world its first philosopher — with a 15,000-seat Roman theater still standing proud.
Colossal
Didyma Apollo Temple
One of antiquity's greatest oracles and most colossal temples — its column drums wider than a dinner table.
Dramatic
Pergamon Ancient City
The mountaintop capital: the ancient world's steepest theater, the Zeus altar terrace and Revelation's "Satan's Throne."
Fascinating
Asclepion of Pergamon
Antiquity's most famous hospital, where Galen healed gladiators with springs, dreams and a whispering tunnel.
The port town
Kusadasi, Port of Ephesus
The lively resort where the cruise ships dock: beaches, bazaar, Pigeon Island castle and a national park next door.
City break
Izmir, Ancient Smyrna
Ancient Smyrna turned modern metropolis — Roman agora, legendary bazaar and the most relaxed seafront in Turkey.
See them all with one call
Any of these sites can be woven into your private tour. Tell us your wish list.