Ephesus is the best-preserved ancient city in the eastern Mediterranean and one of the most complete archaeological sites in the world. Founded in the 10th century BC, it grew to become one of the largest cities of the Roman Empire, home to an estimated 250,000 people and the site of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Walking down the marble-paved Curetes Street, flanked by columns, statues, and the facades of public buildings, you gain an unparalleled sense of what daily life was like in a prosperous Roman metropolis. The Library of Celsus, with its magnificently restored two-story facade, remains one of the most iconic images of the ancient world.

The site sprawls across a hillside and contains an astonishing density of ruins: the Great Theater that seated 25,000, the Temple of Hadrian with its intricately carved arch, elaborate public latrines that reveal Roman social habits, the Arcadian Way that once connected the city to its harbor, and the Terrace Houses where wealthy citizens lived in homes with mosaic floors, frescoed walls, and sophisticated heating systems. These roofed Terrace Houses, accessible for an additional fee, are the highlight for many visitors, offering an intimate window into the private domestic world of the Roman elite that few other sites can match.

Pro tip: Enter from the upper (south) gate and walk downhill through the site, which is far easier than climbing uphill from the lower entrance. Visit the Terrace Houses, as they are worth the extra cost and are much cooler on hot days thanks to their protective roof structure. After Ephesus, drive 8 kilometers to the hilltop village of Sirince for excellent local wines and lunch in a beautifully preserved Ottoman-era village.