Ephesus, Turkey - Ancient Classical City on the Mediterranean

Ephesus is one of the best-preserved ancient classical cities in the eastern Mediterranean. Ephesus was an important seaport as early as 600 BC, but over many centuries silt filled the harbor, and today the city is a few miles inland. Cruise ships use Kusadasi, about 8 miles away, as a gateway to Ephesus.

Ephesus gets very hot in the summer afternoons, so most shore excursions visit the ancient city in the morning, which also makes it very crowded in the summer. Coaches drop visitors off on one side of the city, and they walk down a gradual hill to the pick up point on the other side. Guides describe the amazing mosaics and architectural and engineering marvels of the extensive site. Plan to spend at least a half day at Ephesus, and be sure to wear good walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and take water.

Other interesting sites near Ephesus include the frescoes at the Church of St. John the Baptist, the celebrated House of the Virgin Mary, and the excellent Ephesus Museum.