Located on the western coast of Turkey, Ephesus is a city steeped in history and rich in culture. Once a bustling metropolis, Ephesus is now a vast archeological site that draws visitors from around the world. Among the many attractions that the area offers, Mary's last residence and the ruins of the ancient city stand out as must-see destinations for any traveler.
Even though you could spend many days exploring all of the great things Ephesus has to offer, we only had one day -- so here is our quick guide for one day in Ephesus! We started our day by hiring a local taxi driver for the day. He spoke pretty good English and agreed to take us to Mary’s last residence and then to the Ephesus ruins. I highly recommend hiring a local driver. He was very chatty and told us all about the places that we visited.
Mary's Last Residence The site of Mary's last residence is a place of great significance for Christians. According to tradition, Mary, the mother of Jesus, was brought to Ephesus by St. John the Evangelist after the crucifixion of Jesus. She is believed to have lived out the rest of her life in a small house on a hillside overlooking the city.
Today, visitors can see the small stone house that is believed to be the final home of Mary. Located on a quiet hillside just outside the city, the house has been preserved and restored over the centuries. Inside the house, visitors can see the small room where Mary is believed to have lived, as well as a small altar and icons of Mary.
For many visitors, a visit to Mary's last residence is a moving and deeply spiritual experience. The peaceful setting and simple beauty of the house offer a glimpse into the life of one of the most important figures in Christian history.
For us, we were deeply moved by the reverence that the humble building commanded. It was a small site that only took about an hour and a half to explore. Visitors included Christians and non-Christians alike, but all were respectul and reverent.
The Ruins of Ephesus Ephesus is also home to some of the most impressive ancient ruins in the world. Once a thriving city of over 250,000 people, Ephesus was a center of trade, culture, and religion in the ancient world.
After visiting Mary’s last residence, our driver took us to the ruins. This ruins of Ephesus were INCREDIBLE.
Today, visitors can explore the vast ruins of Ephesus, including the remains of temples, public buildings, and private homes. Among the many highlights of the site are the Library of Celsus, the Grand Theater, and the Temple of Artemis.
The Library of Celsus, one of the most iconic structures in Ephesus, was once the third-largest library in the ancient world. Built in the 2nd century AD, the library housed over 12,000 scrolls and was an important center of learning and scholarship.
The Grand Theater, which could seat over 25,000 people, was the site of many important events in ancient Ephesus. Today, visitors can stand in the center of the theater and imagine the bustling crowds and dramatic performances that once took place here.
The Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was a massive structure dedicated to the goddess Artemis. While little of the temple remains today, visitors can still see the foundations and pillars that give a sense of the temple's size and grandeur.
I definitely recommend visiting with a tour or guide, since there is a lot to see but not much interpretational signage. Lucky for us, we happened to be visiting with a friend who is an archaeologist and he served as an impromptu tour guide.
What to Wear We visited Ephesus in late May and the temperature was HOT. I dressed in a short sleeved silky dress, which ended up being a big mistake. Definitely wear materials that are loose and breathable. As for shoes, you will do a lot of walking – so I recommend wearing your most comfortable and breathable walking shoes. I wore Veja sneakers and LOVED them. Ben wore Tevas.
If You Have Time... In addition to these two major sites, we also had some down time. Our taxi driver took us to a rug store and a leather store. These stores big showrooms where merchants presented on the benefits of their products. The rugs were incredible, and our friends bought some, but unfortunately, we did not feel like we could spend $2,000 on a rug at the time. That being said, bartering is allowed, and our friends haggled the price of their rugs down from the initial asking price significantly. We then spent the evening in the port city of Kusadasi, where we found some delicious dinner and yummy Turkish delight!
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