The archaelogical ruins at Ephesus are simply amazing. Frequently on visiting ancient ruins, all you can see is a small bit of rubble.
However, Ephesus has many buildings including Celsus Library, Roman latrines and an ampitheatre among many other ruins.
There is a very special atmosphere there and on one section of the road, you can see the ancient worn-in tracks of Roman chariot wheels. A carved effigy of Nike the ancient goddess can also be viewed there. The city is inland and it gets incredibly hot there, so bring plenty of sun lotion and water and remember to wear your hat.
Any resorts like Gumbet, Bodrum etc run trips there.
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The local archeological museum is superb. It's also a fairly inexpensive taxi ride up the mountain to Maryamane, thought to be the house the Virgin Mary lived in after coming to Ephesus with the apostle John. It is a lovely spot, richly scented with pine and freshened by a sea breeze, with an extraordinary atmosphere, and even the possibility of lunch. The beach scene of Kuşadası is likewise not far from Ephesus, and there are ruins south along the Meander river that are also worth visit. Ephesus is far more impressive than the nearby Temple of Artemis, which is just a few tumbled columns. In Ephesus, you actually get the sense of being in an ancient Roman city and you appreciate how something as simple as the silting of a harbour can erase the usefulness of such a place to the Romans.
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