Except for the imperial foot and the globe on which it stands, the statues that once adorned the Fountain of Trajan are now in museums, so the main element visitors see is the impressive reconstructed facade. Its ornate columns and soaring pediment look more like a theater than a fountain, particularly since its two pools are now empty and dry. An Ephesus guide can help put Trajan’s fountain into the context of daily life in the ancient city.
Ephesus is exposed to the sun, and summer temperatures can reach 90°F (32°C). Wear sunscreen, carry a bottle of water, and consider starting early in the morning to beat the heat.
The ground in Ephesus is uneven, and most tours involve well over a mile (1.5 kilometers) of walking, so wear comfortable shoes.
Although there are some ramps and wheelchair-accessible bathrooms, rough terrain makes Ephesus a very challenging destination for wheelchair users. The most accessible route follows Curetes Street and passes the Fountain of Trajan.
The Fountain of Trajan sits on the northern end of Curetes Street, one of Ephesus’ most important streets: it’s on the walking route between the main gate and the exit gate. Selçuk is the closest town to the Ephesus archaeological site. Still, many travelers visit from Kusadasi, a resort town and cruise port about 12 miles (20 kilometers) away, or elsewhere on Turkey’s Aegean Coast.
The Ephesus archaeological site is open 8am–8pm seven days a week in summer but closes earlier during the winter months. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site on a famous resort coast, Ephesus can get extremely busy during the European summer—aim to visit at the beginning or the end of the day, particularly when cruise ships are docked, or plan your vacation for shoulder seasons.
The image most associated with Ephesus is undoubtedly the Library of Celsus, with its towering 2-story facade, but this important city has so much more to offer. Not far from the Fountain of Trajan lies the small but perfectly formed Temple of Hadrian at Ephesus; the spectacular theater still houses 8,000 for concerts, while the Ephesus Terrace Houses (separate ticket required) show how wealthy Romans lived back in the day. The single column that remains of the Temple of Artemis (Artemision)—one of the original Seven Wonders of the World—is a 2-mile (3-kilometer) drive from the site.
