The Terrace Houses — two blocks of multi-storey Roman townhouses terraced into the hillside above Curetes Street — are among the most remarkable domestic ruins in the ancient world. Lived in from the first century BC to the seventh century AD, they represent the homes of Ephesus's wealthy elite: the ground floors served as reception rooms with colonnaded courtyards, the upper floors as private apartments. Floors, walls, and ceilings still carry mosaics, frescoes, and marble panelling of extraordinary quality.
An additional entrance fee applies on top of the main site ticket, and the route through the covered excavation shelter takes 45 minutes to an hour. It is worth every minute. Ongoing excavation work is visible throughout, with archaeologists still at work in some rooms. English-language audio guides are available at the entrance. This is the one part of Ephesus that cruise ship day-trippers often skip — meaning it is also the least crowded.