Walk where history still whispers—stone by stone, century by century. Ephesus is not just a ruin. It’s a memory you can walk through. Once a thriving Roman metropolis, it now stands in quiet splendor: marble roads, carved facades, and an amphitheater that once echoed with 25,000 voices. Nearby Selçuk embraces this legacy with its olive groves, storks nesting on aqueducts, and the serene beauty of the Basilica of St. John. And just beyond, a modest stone house on a hill—believed to be the final home of the Virgin Mary—draws pilgrims in silent reverence. Signature Sites: Library of Celsus, Grand Theater, Terrace Houses, Temple of Artemis, House of Virgin Mary Atmosphere: Sacred, timeless, sun-warmed Best Experienced: In the golden hours of early morning or late afternoon Tastes to Try: Selçuks tangy olives, local figs, and gözleme cooked on traditional sac griddles
Didyma
Didyma
Didyma Temple of Apollo, one of the most important divination centers of the ancient world, is located in the city center of Didim district, Aydın Province. It was the sanctuary of the ancient city of Miletus, where the Temple of Apollo, which was the divination center of important cities such as Ephesus and Priene, which formed the Ionian city-states, was originally connected. Didyma is actually not an ancient city, but a sacred site. The first written source about Didyma is Herodotus. As Herodotus says; When Alexander the Great took Miletus, Alexander the Great, who gave the temple management to the city of Miletus, was declared as the son of Zeus by the local people for this behavior. With the help of Alexander, the temple took its present form.
Pigeon Island
Pigeon Island
In the 13th century, the Genoese founded Pigeon Island and constructed a fortress there, beginning the island’s history. It underwent major alterations and upgrades over the years, which molded its own personality.
The castle played a key function under the Ottoman Empire as a “Pirate Police Station” to stop piracy in the area. The renowned Ottoman admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa oversaw the Ottoman expansion of the citadel, which included building the inner castle and armory in 1533. The Morea Revolt caused outside damage to the castle in the 19th century, prompting wall strengthening and renovations in 1826 and 1827.
Caravanserai
Caravanserai
Caravanserais are referred to as han and ribât in inscriptions and sources. Today, han has become a word used for structures built for accommodation and trade in the city. Hans were places where the production of goods and trade were carried out together and they were named after the goods produced here. Caravans used to temporarily stay here, market the goods they brought with them and carry out money transactions. Starting from China and ending in the Mediterranean ports, the Silk Road has been an important trade route for centuries. This road was not only a trade route, but also a route for the spread of various cultures and religions.
Miletus
Miletus
The capital of civilization, culture, art and science Miletus, is one of the most important cities in human history with a history of 3,500 years. Miletus, also known as the “city of philosophers”, has produced many historical figures such as the philosophers Thales, Anaximandros and Anaximenes and the city planner Hippodamos. Miletus Museum, which houses uniquely beautiful ruins and interesting artifacts, is an impressive archaeological site for visitors. The enchanting atmosphere and nature of Miletus, where philosophers once lived in this ancient land where free thought reigned and science was born, is a privileged cultural region where intellectual pleasure can be experienced.
Priene
Priene
Priene is one of the important ancient cities built on the southern slope of Samsun Mountain, 15 km southwest of Söke district. Built on a 370 meter high steep rock, it provided an advantage in resisting attacks. In addition, its high location allows the city to be seen from different directions. The first information about Priene, which is accepted to be a member of the Ionian Union like Miletus, is found in ancient sources in the middle of the 7th century BC. The theater with a capacity of 5000 people was built in 350 BC. In front of the temple built for the goddess Athena in the most dominant place of the city, there was a statue of Athena made of gold and ivory.
Isa Bey Mosque
Isa Bey Mosque
İsabey Mosque is located on the southwest side of the hill, between the Temple of Artemis and the Church of St. Jean. With this location, it is meaningful that the symbols of three different religions are between a triangle. And it is unique in the world. The mosque was built in 1375 by Isa Bey, the son of Aydınoğlu, to the architect Ali Ibn-el Dımışkü from Damascus. Some parts from Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis, especially columns, were used in the mosque. The inscription on the crown door reads the names of Isa Bey, son of Mehmet and Ali, son of the architect Dımışık.In the center of the mosque is a porticoed courtyard with a fountain. Of the two minarets rising above the eastern and western gates of the mosque, the eastern one was completely destroyed and only one minaret remains.
House of Virgin Mary
House of Virgin Mary
Virgin Mary House is located on the Bülbül Mountain, 9 km from Selçuk. It is known that John brought Virgin Mary to Ephesus 4 or 6 years after the death of Jesus. In 1891, the Lazarist priests, upon the dream of the German nun A. Katherina Emerich, discovered that the house where the Virgin Mary spent her last days was at the end of this research. This event is a new invention in the world of Christianity and shed light on the world of religion. This structure was cross-planned then restored. The house is considered sacred by Muslims, Pope VI. After Paul’s visit in 1967, the rites are held on the 15th day of August every year, and these rituals attract great attention.
Temple of Artemis
Temple of Artemis
The Temple of Artemis is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. It has been built in the areas of Ephesus on a flat area which has over the centuries turned into a swamp. If you visit Ephesus today, you can only see the ruins of the foundations of this marvelous construction of the Hellenistic Age, entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns’ capitals and shafts. The most beautiful remaining of this temple are today exhibited in the London British Museum.
Basilica of St John
Basilica of St John
This crumbling medieval basilica once attracted pilgrims by the thousands to collect a miraculous dust that formed above the saint’s tomb.In its medieval zenith, the basilica was a major pilgrimage site, sitting directly on the overland route to the Holy Land. The architectural icon of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice copied the design of St. John’s, which like its Venetian counterpart was lined with gold mosaics depicting saints and gospel stories. Now-lost relics once held in the basilica included a piece of the True Cross that John carried around his neck, a garment worn by the saint made by the Virgin Mary, and the original manuscript of John’s Book of Revelation.
Ephesus
Ephesus
The most renowned ruin identified with the ruins of Ephesus is the “Library of Celcus” with its enormous columns. Dating back to the 2nd century AD, this library is one of the most important libraries of antiquity after Alexandria and Pergamon. Hadrian’s Gate and Hadrian’s Temple on Kuretler Street, built in honor of Emperor Hadrian, are also among the remarkable buildings. Artemision, one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, the great theater with a seating capacity of about 25 thousand people, the stadium, the trade and state agoras, the Prytaneum containing the Temple of Hestia (the sacred fire of the city), the odeon (assembly and concert hall) with a capacity of about 1800 people and the ancient harbor are other ruins to
Olive Museum
Olive Museum
In the museum, the history of olive oil making is chronologically presented from the Archaic Period up until today through archeological/ethnographic artifacts and simulations of the developed olive oil-making technologies and common use areas of olive oil. The museum consists of 11 different sections, each of which is connected to another with archways. Also, each of the sections has a door opening to the courtyard. In the courtyard, terracotta pithos and stone works of art belonging to different periods are exhibited. The museum sheds light on the past through exhibitions of tools and equipment for olive oil making; on the present through providing its visitors with various experiences; and on the future through educational activities intended for children.
Ephesus Archeologıcal Museum
Ephesus Archeologıcal Museum
In Ephesus, the archeological artifacts that were dug up between 1867-1905 were transported to the British Museum; and findings from 1905-1923 were taken to Vienna. With the founding of the New Turkish Republic, the goverment forbade taking antiques out of the country and required the artifacts that were taken outside the country back to Turkey. In 1964, the Ephesus Museum was founded and the findings from the excavations at Ephesus archeological site and around were put to this museum.At this charming and well-organised museum, there are not only findings from the ongoing excavations at Ephesus archeological site, but also the artifacts from the Cukurici Mound, the basilica of St John, and the Temple of Artemis. At one of the sections, one can see a wide collection of coins dating back to when money was first used in history.
Traverten
Traverten
The word travertine comes from “Tivertino”, the Roman name for Tivoli in Italy, where extensive travertine deposits are found. Travertine is a multifaceted rock formed by precipitation as a result of chemical reaction due to various causes and environments. After the thermal water comes out of the spring, it comes to the travertine head with a 320-meter-long channel and from there it pours into the travertine floors where 60-70 meters of sedimentation occurs and travels an average of 240-300 meters.The ancient city of Hierapolis has survived to the present day in a very good state of preservation. The Roman Bath, which we can definitely say that it was visited very often when it was a thermal center, is now used as an archaeological museum.Most of the ruins of the ancient city of Pamukkale Hierapolis, which stands in all its glory right next to Pamukkale Travertines, are also from this period. These ruins, along with the uniquely beautiful travertines, are included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List.
Menderes Delta National Park
Menderes Delta National Park
Dilek Peninsula-Büyük Menderes Delta National Park is a botanical garden where almost all the plants distributed on the coasts from the Mediterranean to the Caucasus are naturally seen together; a mountainous area with its birds of prey and wild animals and the underwater richness surrounding it, on the other hand, a delta with hundreds of bird species, rich fish varieties and historical and cultural richness surrounding all these. There are 209 bird species in this rich ecosystem. The region is also one of the most important hatching areas for the endangered Crested Pelican. In addition, the globally endangered Dwarf Cormorant also shelters here.Due to its unique biodiversity, Dilek Peninsula has also been recognized as a “Flora Biogenetic Reserve” by the Council of Europe
Village of Şirince
Village of Şirince
Sirince is a small cozy village with a fun history, beautiful landscapes, great food, hospitality and much more. It is perhaps the perfect synthesis of a traditional Turkish village and a traditional Greek village. The town, whose name actually means “cute” in Turkish, used to be called “Çirkince” which means “ugly”. This was an ironic take on the beauty of the village and was also used to keep others away. When people realized how spectacular the location and architecture of the village really was, they changed the name to Şirince in 1926.The village is located on a hill about 12 km from the ancient city of Ephesus and 85 km from Izmir.
Pamucak Beach
Pamucak Beach
Pamucak Beach, also known as Ephesus Beach is located only twenty minutes drive away from downtown Kusadasi. This beach is a true heaven for nature lovers, with its ideal spot between the green nature and the azure blue waters. Especially for those that particularly enjoy a quiet and peaceful beach, this is the ideal place. Stretching five kilometers along the Aegean Sea, its golden sand and pristine waters attract local and international visitors all year round.The coast is a protected area, and is therefore untouched. As well as being a popular spot for campers, it is a well-known place for enjoying daytime activities with your loved ones.