When you see things to do in Ephesus, you will realize that it is not a good idea to come to Ephesus for a day trip. Most visitors miss the sights around the ancient city of Ephesus as they come to the region with cruise ships and day trips.

Ephesus is within the borders of Selcuk, a beautiful town in the city of Izmir. For those who visit Ephesus, it is a good idea to stay at hotels in Selcuk. There are budget-friendly small hotels and nice restaurants where you can find local Turkish cuisine. Things to see in Selcuk include a Roman Aqueduct, Byzantine Church and Ephesus Archeology Museum.

Library of Celcus

One of the most prominent tourist attractions in Ephesus is the Library of Celcus.

The Library of Celsus was built way back in 110 AD when the Roman Empire ruled the area and they have constructed an architectural marvel that gives us an example of what libraries looked like back in the Roman world.

When it was constructed, the library is believed to be the third-largest library in the Roman world behind only the ones in Alexandria and Pergamum and it is said to hold over twelve thousand scrolls until it was destroyed by a fire.

Despite it being built almost 2,000 years ago and damaged several times, you can still see its incredible facade with all most all the columns intact here in Ephesus. It is one of the most well-preserved piece of architecture in Ephesus and you will be blown away the moment you see it.

Ephesus Ancient Theatre

Ephesus Ancient Theatre is another impressive architecture you should check out when you are in Ephesus. The amphitheater was constructed on a slope of a hill and it is one of the first massive structures you will notice when you enter from the Southern entrance of Ephesus.

The Ephesus Ancient Theatre is 140 meters in width and it is said that the seats reached up to 30 meters and can hold more than 20,000 spectators in its heyday. That is pretty impressive considering that it was built almost 2,000 years earlier.

This well-preserved semi-circle theatre shows just how adept the Romans were at constructing massive structure and the fact that we can still see it today shows just how long-lasting their influences were.

Terrace Houses Of Ephesus

The Terrace Houses of Ephesus is another great place to visit in Ephesus if you wish to see what it was like to live in Ephesus back then.

Within the Terrace Houses, you will find an ongoing excavation and preservation of buried ancient houses and villas where we can still make out the kind of decors they had in their houses and what colored paint they used to paint their walls, which offer an insight into the everyday life of the inhabitants.

Since the restoration is still ongoing, you will have to pay to get access to the area. It is only 45 TRY per person and I think it was worth it especially for a history buff such as myself. The Terrace House closes 30 minutes before the Ephesus closing time so be sure to spare some time if you want to visit the Terrace Houses.

The Ephesus Museum

If you want to learn more about the ancient city of Ephesus, I highly recommend you visit Ephesus Museum, a museum dedicated to preserving all the discovered artifacts found around Ephesus.

The museum is divided into themes with over 8 different sections full of artifacts from beautiful sculptures to excavated artifacts and small objects found in places like the Terrace Houses.

Since the excavation and restoration are still ongoing, you never know what new things you might find in the museum so be sure to check it out when you are in Selcuk. Ephesus Museum opens from 9 AM to 6:30 PM every day.

Temple Of Artemis

the Temple of Artemis, another remnant of an ancient civilization, this time from the Greek era. The Temple of Artemis, or what’s left of it, was known as one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world.

The temple was believed to be initially built in the 6th century BC before the Roman swept through the area and continued to expand into the second century BC. There is not a whole lot left of the temple except a few Greek-style columns all scattered around a swamp/flatland.

Since it is free to enter and it is not too far from the city center, I think it is definitely worth a visit. Plus, you do not have to spend a dime to get into the Temple of Artemis. You will also have a great view of Ayasoluk Castle, our next destination.