The Terrace Houses

Often called the 'Pompeii of Anatolia', the Terrace Houses reveal how Ephesus's wealthy actually lived — in richly decorated homes preserved down to their mosaics and frescoes.

Roman life, frozen in place

Built into the slope opposite the Temple of Hadrian, these terraced residences housed the city's elite from the 1st century AD. Under a modern protective roof you walk on glass and raised walkways above courtyards, marble-panelled rooms, mosaics and frescoes — muses, animals and scenes of daily life — surviving in astonishing detail.

Worth the extra ticket?

The Terrace Houses need a separate ticket of about €15 on top of the main Ephesus entry, and they are not covered by any Museum Pass. For anyone interested in daily life and Roman art they're the highlight of Ephesus; if you're tight on time or budget, they're the one thing you can comfortably skip.

Visitor tip

Allow 45 minutes to an hour. The covered walkways are shaded — a welcome escape from the midday heat.

On the map

Photos