As Türkiye’s third largest city, İzmir has always been an important port city throughout its 8,500-year history, thanks to the commercial and cultural exchange between it and the Aegean and Mediterranean ports situated on a peninsula, İzmir has hosted dozens of different civilizations throughout the course of its lengthy history, accumulating a wealth of historical and cultural artifacts.
The Ephesus-Mimas Way connects all of the routes that follow in the footsteps of history and culture on this historical peninsula, while also presenting stunning natural beauty. These walking routes also include olive and vineyard themed routes.
The routes starting from Selçuk, where the ancient city of Ephesus, which is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, is located, pass through the districts of Menderes, Seferihisar, Güzelbahçe, Urla, Çeşme and Karaburun. The walking trail, consisting of 49 tracks with a total length of 709 km, starts exactly in front of the Temple of Artemis in the ancient city of Ephesus and ends at Karaburun, whose mythological name is Mimas.
The Ephesus-Mimas Road connects all historical and cultural heritages, from the Ionian culture, which thrived for millennia on the peninsula on which İzmir is located, to the Ottoman Empire, which left indelible artifacts in this region. Six important cities of the Ionian civilization are located on this route: Ephesus (Selçuk), Kolophon (Menderes), Lebedos (Seferihisar), Teos (Sığacık, Seferihisar), Klazomenai (Urla), and Erythrai (Çeşme).
The Ephesus-Mimas Road has been marked in accordance with international standards and marked with guiding signs.