The ancient city of Ephesus, one of the most important places to be visited in Turkey. Ephesus, the best preserved Roman city in the Eastern Mediterranean, is visited by millions of people a year. It is recommended to take a private guided tour of Ephesus to get to know this special place.
This tour is designed for those who want to visit Ephesus from Istanbul with a guided tour. This tour includes going to Izmir by plane from Istanbul and joining a small group tour in Ephesus. However, if you want, this tour can be organized exclusively for you. Our suggestion would be to choose the private Ephesus tour.
It is a privilege to visit Ephesus with a knowledgeable and experienced tour guide. Visiting Ephesus with the narration of a private tour guide will make the Roman ruins come alive in your eyes.
BarefootPlus (Reborn Travel) has been organizing private tours from Istanbul and Kusadasi to Ephesus since 2004. In this article, we have listed the places to see on the guided tour of Ephesus.
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Private Guided Ephesus Tour in 2022
In the ancient city of Ephesus, there is the Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 wonders of the world. In addition, Library of Celsus, one of the most impressive Roman ruins in the world, is also located here.
You can trace the most famous rulers of the Roman Empire in Ephesus. For example, a temple dedicated to Hadrian and a fountain dedicated to Trajan are also located in Ephesus.
Of course, Ephesus’s fame is not only due to its Greco-Roman heritage. Ephesus, one of the most important cities in early Christian history, also hosted the apostles of Jesus and the Virgin Mary.
Ephesus was the most important cultural center of the world in late antiquity and it is still possible to see the traces of this heritage. It is recommended to take a private guided tour of Ephesus in order to get the best understanding of the history of Ephesus.
You can see the things to do in Ephesus under 10 headings below. I am sure that history lovers will find this quite exciting. As I mentioned before, this itinerary can be booked both by participating in a small group tour or as a private guided tour.
1. Temple of Artemis
The Temple of Artemis is considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis made a breakthrough in world architecture.
The Temple of Artemis, which was rebuilt several times due to floods, fires, and earthquakes, lost its importance with the abandonment of the polytheistic religion.
There is not much left from the Temple of Artemis. However, even the ruins of the temple are quite impressive. The stories your guide will tell on the private Ephesus tour will make this magnificent structure come alive in your eyes.
2. Library of Celsus
Celsus Polemaenus was a high-ranking bureaucrat in Rome. Celsus reached the peak of his power when he was appointed as the governor of the Asian provinces of Rome.
His son Tiberius wanted to crown his father’s accomplishments. For this reason, he started the construction of a library in Ephesus, which he dedicated to his father.
Celsus, who lost his life while the library was being built, was also buried next to the monument built in his name.
The library, whose construction was completed in 117 AD, was the third largest library in the ancient world. The library, which contains 12 thousand manuscripts, was damaged due to earthquakes.
Library of Celsus, whose façade has survived until today, is the most iconic symbol of Ephesus Ancient City.
3. Curetes Street
Curetes Street is the heart of Ephesus Ancient City. While walking in the Curetes, you can feel like a Roman citizen who lived hundreds of years ago.
There are many historical monuments built on the street during the peak period of the Roman Empire. This is one of the places that you will enjoy visiting on a guided tour of Ephesus.
4. Fountain of Trajan
The Roman Empire reached its height during the dynasty known as the Five Good Emperors. There is a fountain in Ephesus dedicated to Trajan, one of these emperors.
Built in 114, the Fountain of Trajan is a structure built in the same period as the Library of Celsus. Although the main architectural elements that make up the fountain have reached today, the details are no longer present.
According to the records, there was a statue of Emperor Trajan in the middle of the fountain. In addition, among the reliefs adorning the fountain was the depiction of Androclos, the legendary founder of Ephesus.
5. Temple of Hadrian
Hadrian was another of the five great emperors I mentioned above. One of the nobles of Ephesus built a temple dedicated to Hadrian following the emperor’s ascension to the throne.
Roman baths were later added next to the Temple of Hadrian. Statues of four Roman emperors in the Tetrarchy period were also placed at the entrance of the temple.
Theodosius, the last emperor of the united Rome, rebuilt the structure, which was damaged and destroyed by the earthquake. Theodosius was the emperor who played the biggest role in the Christianization of Rome after Constantine the Great.
6. Odeon
Odeon had two different functions in Ephesus. The first of these, the city council gathered here and the decisions about the future of the city were made here. Second, the concerts in the city would be here.
The Odeon, which has a capacity of 1500 people, is from the 2nd century, like many other iconic structures in Ephesus. Ephesus was a rising star in the 2nd century, the heyday of Pax Romana.
7. Arcadian Way
Arcadian Way was the main road of Ephesus Ancient City. This road, which allows you to go from the port to the Grand Theater, was the door of Ephesus City to the outside world.
Ephesus, one of the most active port cities in the world during the Ancient Age, was a place where trade routes intersected. Goods reaching the port by cargo ships were transported to the city through this road.
Ephesus is one of the places that must be visited in Turkey with a tour guide. While walking on the Arcadian Way, you can travel in time with the narration of a private tour guide in Ephesus.
8. Great Theater
The Great Theater, which had a capacity of 25000 people, was the most impressive architectural work of Ephesus Ancient City. Those who entered the city from the Arcadian Road would first see this fascinating structure.
Ephesus Theater, which had a 3-storey stage, was decorated with sculptures placed in niches. Gladiator fights were held in the land in front of the stage. The most magnificent art events of the ancient world were here.
It should also be noted that the world’s most important Gladiator reliefs are exhibited in the Ephesus Museum in Selcuk district. After visiting the ruins of Ephesus, you can consolidate your knowledge by visiting this museum.
9. House of Virgin Mary
According to tradition, after Jesus’ crucifixion, St. John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus. Mother Mary lived for the rest of her life in a house built at the foot of a mountain.
This house, which was found during excavations in the 19th century, has a typical Roman architecture. The delusions of a German nun named Anne Catherine Emmerich guided the finding of the house.
The House of Virgin Mary is located on the Christian pilgrimage route today and attracts millions of visitors from all over the world. You can learn in depth the history of this house, which has a very interesting story, on a guided tour of Ephesus.
10. Grotto of the Seven Sleepers
The Roman Empire persecuted Christians for 300 years. Anatolian geography hosted people fleeing this persecution for centuries. For this reason, today there is a considerable Christian heritage in places such as Ephesus and Cappadocia.
The Grotto of Seven Sleepers tells the story of seven faithful Christians who were persecuted during the reign of Emperor Decius. Seven people who fell asleep during this period wake up centuries later and find themselves in Christian Rome.
The Grotto of Seven Sleepers is among the most interesting places to see on a private guided tour of Ephesus. The narrations of your guide will make this historical ruin meaningful in your eyes.
Private Ephesus Tour from Istanbul
Private Ephesus Tour from Istanbul allows you to see the historical places I mentioned in this article. The tour, which starts with a flight from Istanbul to Izmir airport, continues with a guide and a driver welcoming you.
You discover the ancient city of Ephesus with the guide of BarefootPlus, who has 16 years of experience in Ephesus tours. At the end of the tour, you return to Istanbul and be dropped off at your hotel.
Private Ephesus Tour from Kusadasi
Private Ephesus Tour from Kusadasi starts with you being picked up from the cruise port by a driver and guide. On your guided tour of Ephesus, you discover the magnificent Roman heritage I mentioned above.
After the half-day tour, you are dropped back to the harbor in Kusadasi. You can also do this tour in a budget-friendly way by joining a small group tour. Or you can book it as a private guided Ephesus tour that will be organized just for you.
Contact Us
BarefootPlus is a licensed travel agency founded in 2004. If you would like us to help you with your travel plans to Ephesus, you can write us through CONTACT US page. We can organize a private guided tour from Istanbul to Ephesus for you or arrange for you to join small group guided tours.
Cappadocia is one of the most important places to see after visiting Ephesus. If you are also curious about Cappadocia tours, the blog post titled Cappadocia guided tour may also interest you.
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