E P H E S U S T O U R
S A M P L E I T I N E R A R Y
DAY 1 Drive from Istanbul to Canakkale, approx 6 hours drive
Overnight in Canakkale
DAY 2 Depart to Ephesus
We drive to the ancient city of Ephesus
Overnight in Selcuk
Selcuk is a small town by the ancient city of Ephesus.
DAY 3 Visit Ephesus
In the morning start visiting Ephesus. Ephesus is undoubtedly one of the most important and well preserved cultural centers of the ancient world. Off the impressive highlights that we will see include Celsus Library, Baths, Temple of Hadrian, the huge Theatre and the Odeon. Continue with visiting the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. We also visit the House of the Virgin Mary.
Overnight in Selcuk
DAY 4 Drive back to Istanbul or continue to other destinations.
Early in the morning depart to Istanbul, or
If Pamukkale option chosen we drive to Pamukkale approx 3 hour drive,
Overnight in Pamukkale.
DAY 5 Visit white cliffs, Cleopatra hotspring pool and the ruins.
Pamukkale was built near the natural hot springs. Visit Thermal Baths. In ancient times, the grand city of Hierapolis attracted a steady stream of pilgrims, who came to baths in the curative waters to regain their health.
After the ruins if wished you can swim in the world famous Roman Pool or walk bare foot over white travertine pools .
Overnight in Pamukkale.
DAY 6 Drive to Istanul
After the end of your stay in Turkey you will be transferred back to the airport for your departure.
Ephesus day tours form the basis of all tours organized to the antique sites in the West Turkey. The antique Ephesus is known to be Turkey's best open air museum with temples, fountains, monuments, baths etc, all still standing visible in their integrity.
Of these, the immense Ephesus theatre and the elaborate Celsus library are the most striking highlights. The site spreads over an area of a couple of km from gate to gate, and would require at least one and half hours to complete your visit.
Extending your Ephesus tour to see St John Cathedral and St Mary's place, which are only 10-20 minutes drive each, will be an extra reward.
Seljuk or Kusadasi is very convenient as base for daily excursion to various nearby antique cities such as Nysia, Miletus, Priene, Sardis and Pergamon. map of location
Getting to Ephesus is either by road driving from Istanbul via Pergamon or flying to Izmir Airport first then driving to Ephesus, less then an hour drive. From Kusadasi there are boats operating to the Greek islands, Samos.
Be warned that in summers you need to take a hat and water with you before you enter antique city and you may also need comfortable walking shoes. As the site is rugged and marble walkways are slippery.
Istanbul ® Izmir: 564 km By road: 9 hrs drive Flight time: appx 1 hr 5 mins
Izmir ® Selcuk: 55 km
Terrace Houses excavations revealed six residential units at the lower end of the Bulbul Mountain slopes. Findings show that these houses had been in use from the 1C BC to 7C AD, almost about the end of Ephesus era. These houses show luxury of its time with solid construction standards and floor and wall decorations. The roofs covered with water proof tiles while mosaics and frescos on the floor and walls respectively. Interior courtyards form the centralized design plans where living and dining rooms open to receive day light. They had two floors, bedrooms and guest rooms on the upper floors, living and dining rooms on the ground floor. Centralized heating system provided hot air circulation through terracotta pipes embedded in the floor and walls. Beside cold water supply the houses also had hot water supply.
