Deluxe Ephesus, the Celsus Library & Terrace Houses
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port
Cesme, Turkey
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activityLevel
Strenuous Activity
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excursionType
All
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wheelchairAccessible
No
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startingAtPrice
$200
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minimumAge
Information Not Currently Available
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duration
Approximately 7 hours
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mealsIncluded
Meals included
Ephesus
Located within what was once the estuary of the River Kaystros, Ephesus comprises successive Hellenistic and Roman settlements founded on new locations, which followed the coastline as it retreated westward. Excavations have revealed grand monuments of the Roman Imperial period including the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. Little remains of the famous Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, which drew pilgrims from all around the Mediterranean. Since the 5th century, the House of the Virgin Mary, a domed cruciform chapel seven kilometers from Ephesus, became a major place of Christian pilgrimage. The Ancient City of Ephesus is an outstanding example of a Roman port city, with sea channel and harbor basin.
Magnificent Ephesus is a stand-out among the ancient ruins remaining in the world today. This incredible city was founded by the Carians and Lelegs, and later became the honeymoon playground of Antony and Cleopatra.
On your walking visit, don't miss the glorious Celsus Library façade, restored to its former splendor in the 1970s.
The Grand Amphitheatre holds more than 25,000 people. It was here that St Paul preached to the Ephesians in the first century AD, and where rocker Elton John held an unforgettable concert 2,000 years later.
You'll also see the Temple of Hadrian and pass the site of the Temple of Artemis -- one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Visit the Terrace Houses, located opposite Hadrian's Temple. The wealthy and important people of Ephesus used these finely decorated houses, their mosaics and frescoes giving a true impression of the ancient lifestyle.
On the way back to Cesme, enjoy a lunch of Turkish specialties at a weaving center. You will be able to enjoy an optional demonstration of carpet weaving and dyeing before returning to the port.
Please note: Tour requires two hours of walking at a slow pace, mostly downhill. The Terrace Houses are set on an incline and require some stair-climbing. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Shade is limited; to avoid sunburn, wear light, long clothing suitable for use as a cover-up. Bring a hat and sunglasses, wear biodegradable sunscreen. Bring bottled water. The drive to Ephesus is approximately 90 minutes each way.