Bibliothèque de Celsus
Bibliothèque de Celsus
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Built by Julius Aquila in 110 A.D. as a memorial for his father, the Celsus Library is one of the finest buildings in Ephesus. The two-story building contained over 12,000 hand-written books, making it one of the largest library collections of its time.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,761 reviews
Excellent
1,548
Very good
195
Average
17
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Steve_Grant1
Oldham, UK1,607 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
This is the major site in the ancient city of Ephesus. Take your time and take in the whole area arund you.
Written November 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sashakeena
Vancouver, Canada11,513 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
This is an amazing historical structure to see in Ephesus! It is a must place for getting your photos taken in front of this magnificent building!
Written November 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason S
Melbourne, Australia1,693 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
This is the main attraction to see at Ephesus along with the arena, the detail in the well preserved ruins is amazing.
When you walk down the main road and first look down on structure it’s simply breathtaking, you can walk in and around ruins and get up and close and actually touch it (so many top attractions are roped of these days)
I would say this is one of the top attractions to see in all of Turkey.
A must see.
When you walk down the main road and first look down on structure it’s simply breathtaking, you can walk in and around ruins and get up and close and actually touch it (so many top attractions are roped of these days)
I would say this is one of the top attractions to see in all of Turkey.
A must see.
Written June 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LolaGo1
Washington DC, DC6,452 contributions
Jun 2023 • Solo
For me, this is the best of all attractions in Ancient Ephesus. It is the most intact and its facades are ornate and beautiful. It also has several statues at its front areas.
I took several pictures of this attraction from different angles. Trully amazing!
I took several pictures of this attraction from different angles. Trully amazing!
Written June 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
doctorfoxtrot
Taguig City, Philippines8,186 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
This is simply the highlight of the visit to the ancient ruins in Ephesus. Aside from that huge theatre of course.
Ruins of the facade still makes an impression. And to think that this used to be one of the largest libraries in the world. Reminds me of the Acropolis in Athens , and Petra in Jordan.
Ruins of the facade still makes an impression. And to think that this used to be one of the largest libraries in the world. Reminds me of the Acropolis in Athens , and Petra in Jordan.
Written February 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
N H
Newton Le Willows, UK3,478 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
The most popular attraction at Ephesus and gets very crowded with people taking selfies. Inside is a lot emptier than outside and everything has been removed over the centuries but it’s still beautiful.
Written January 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
msa23_2000
Chino Hills, CA1,479 contributions
Apr 2022 • Solo
When you think of Ephesus this is the one that comes to mind. It is great to see. It is just a facade to the library but still stunning. Get a guide or read a book about it’s history to understand and appreciate it more.
Written December 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Circumnavigator
Brussels, Belgium347 contributions
Aug 2022
The Celsus Library is a remarkable building, the front of which has been amazingly well-preserved and restored throughout times. Good place to make photo shoots.
Written August 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alison S
Springfield, MA1,016 contributions
Apr 2022
The reconstructed façade of the library is absolutely lovely to contemplate - the color of the stone, the balance of the windows and doors (not identical, alternating in pattern), the columns and their detail. What craftsmanship!
Written June 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Merrowmum
Guildford, UK1,284 contributions
Jun 2022
This is most definitely the highlight of any visit to Ephesus. It might only be the frontage, but what a front! Try to get here early before the big tour groups arrive so that you get a better feel for the place (and a better chance of clearer photos). There are also some brilliant scenic photo opportunities higher up the site which include a clear view of the library.
Written June 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello,
Can you advise what you should expect upon arrival of the Ancient City? Is there tours? Do people speak English?
Written September 22, 2019
Hello! Yes, many people speak English. As far as tours, there are several self-guided tours that you can download on the internet. I did not see any guided tours beyond those that were prearranged with a professional tour company. We really enjoyed our self-guided tour.
Written October 17, 2019
Would you recommend to wear walking boots to visit or would trainers be fine? I’ll be visiting in September. Thanks!
Written July 4, 2018
When we visited I wore sandals as it was really hot out and my cousin wore trainers.
It began raining and we were both slipping on the marble floors.
So regardless of the shoe, just make sure it’s got a good grip on the sole. Cause there is a lot of marble and even without the rain we slipped a few times and so did many other people.
Written July 16, 2019
angelfire2015
Charlotte, North Carolina
Please Note--- May 3, 2017, Mariola is incorrect: it is Roman architecture,
not Greek.
I don't know my husband's trip advisor password so am sending this to you instead. Please correct.
Written June 10, 2017
indeed that is correct, in fact it's basically all Roman architecture as Hadrians temple, the amphitheatre and terraced houses can vouch for.
Written June 10, 2017
Hi, What are the hours of operation? We will arrive in the evening and need to leave the following morning? Hoping we can do an evening/night tour of the library?? Thanks
Written May 8, 2016
I don't think you can visit at night. I didn't see any lights there! We visited during the day. I don't think the staff work at night either so you can't buy entry tickets.
Written May 10, 2016
bonjour,
nous envisageons la visite d'Ephèse la deuxième semaine de janvier.
Au départ d'Istanbul vous nous conseillez de prendre l'avion et de rentrer le soir? ou bien de passer la nuit à Izmir? la visite avec guide?
merci
Written December 29, 2014
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Frequently Asked Questions about Bibliothèque de Celsus
- Hotels near Bibliothèque de Celsus:
- (1.32 mi) Cella Boutique Hotel & Spa Ephesus
- (1.57 mi) Akanthus Hotel Ephesus
- (1.63 mi) Hotel Mary's House
- (1.64 mi) Ayasoluk Boutique Hotel & Restaurant
- (1.66 mi) Celsus Boutique Hotel
- Restaurants near Bibliothèque de Celsus:
- (1.60 mi) Kybele Gastro - Restaurant
- (1.79 mi) Selcuk Pidecisi
- (0.33 mi) Efes Restaurant
- (1.85 mi) Ejder
- (1.63 mi) Mehmet and Ali Baba Kebab House