Private Ephesus and the Terrace Houses

Take this private Ephesus, Turkey tour and enjoy both an overview of this remarkable city and a visit to the well-preserved hillside Terrace Houses of the city’s upper class.

Meeting your professionally trained private tour guide, you will set out to the ancient city of Ephesus, once an important port that is now located three miles inland. Upon arrival at the upper gate of Ephesus, you will set out on foot with your guide to explore the unending monuments including the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the Thermal Baths of Scolastika and the Great Theater, built in the Greek era and reconstructed in the Roman period. Until recently, the theater still hosted concerts due to its remarkable acoustics.

You will also tour the terrace houses which are located on the slopes of Bulbul Mountain, opposite the Hadrian Temple. Also called “the houses of the rich,” they were built for the important and wealthy people of Ephesus, as only rich people could afford such houses. The terrace houses are a museum inside Ephesus with great engraving, mosaics, wall sections, and original floors of the homes, which offer an incredible view into the lifestyle of the rich Ephesians. The most ancient of the houses were built in the first century B.C. The houses were constructed with the highest standards for their day. They were decorated with mosaics and frescoes, and they had interior courtyards in the center, which opened to the sky. The houses also had cold and hot water.

After this wonderful visit, you will drive to a local restaurant where you will have a typical Turkish lunch. After lunch, guests will have the opportunity to see a Turkish carpet demonstration.