Ephesus Tour from Kuşadası

The House of the Virgin Mary above Selcuk

We start the day at the House of the Virgin Mary, a small stone chapel on a pine-covered hill above Selcuk. Christian tradition holds that Mary spent her last years in this area, and the house is a pilgrimage site for visitors of several faiths, including Catholic popes in modern times. The mood is quiet, and a wall of wishes and a spring add to the visit.

Many travellers ask whether the House of the Virgin Mary is worth the stop on an Ephesus tour. It is, because it gives the day a calm opening before the large ancient site. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and expect to spend about half an hour here.

Ephesus Ancient City: the Odeon, Curetes Street and the Temple of Hadrian

Ephesus was one of the great cities of the Roman Empire, and an Ephesus ancient city tour begins at the Odeon, a small council theatre with curved stone seating. From there Curetes Street leads downhill, lined with columns, statues and the remains of shops and fountains.

Halfway down, the carved facade of the Temple of Hadrian appears on the left, with fine reliefs over the arch. Our guide explains who built these monuments and how people lived here. Marble paving can be slippery and the site has little shade, so bring water, a hat and good shoes. Opening hours and entry arrangements can change by season.

The Library of Celsus

The Library of Celsus is the image most people have of Ephesus: a two-storey stone facade with columns, niches and statues representing wisdom, knowledge and virtue. It was built in the second century as a library and as a monument to the Roman governor Celsus, and it once held thousands of scrolls.

Search for a Library of Celsus tour and you will see photographs from this very spot. Our guide explains the architecture and why the facade survives so well, and there is time to take pictures in good light. The library stands at the end of Curetes Street, next to the marble road that leads to the theatre.

The Terrace Houses

The Terrace Houses are the homes of wealthy Ephesians, built on the slope beside Curetes Street and now protected under a modern roof. They contain colourful frescoes, mosaic floors, painted walls and the remains of heating and plumbing, which show how comfortable life could be in a Roman city.

Walking through them is a quieter, more personal side of the visit, after the grand public buildings. Entry to this covered section is arranged by our team and guide, and it involves steps and narrow walkways. Allow time to look at the details, which are easy to miss for visitors in a hurry.

The Great Theatre and the Temple of Artemis

The Great Theatre rises from the hillside and could seat around 25,000 people. Plays, public meetings and contests were held here, and it is mentioned in early Christian history. The acoustics are remarkable, and your guide often shows how a spoken word reaches the top rows. Climb a few tiers for the view down the Arcadian Way.

Close to Selcuk, the Temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today only a single re-erected column and scattered foundations remain, but the stop shows how much has changed. Ask our guide about the temple's history, then return to Kusadasi, where the day ends at a carpet and leather showroom.