Is Ephesus accessible for people on wheel-chair?
 

My mother has been dreaming to visit it for years but she had A serious accident and she cannot walk any more… Do you know if it is possible for her to enter the site?

Hi

From Eschew's post in this forum 24/10/10 - http://www.fodors.com/community/crui...and-europe.cfm.

"Ephesus - best attraction in Ephesus is the Terrace Houses. No wheelchair accessibility and it is all stairs. The rest of the Ephesus ruins is wheelchair accessible. Warning: cobble stone surface. It will be bouncy and uncomfortable. There will be some restrictions on certain places he cannot access."

Hope this helps, good luck :)

It would not be the best place. It is hilly, she would not have access to many sites away from the main street, and it is over run by tourists.

My recollection of Ephesus is that it is steep and hilly and that it would be difficult for a person in a wheelchair to traverse. However, you may be able to find a private guide or tour company that will assist you:

http://www.ephesustours.biz/ephesust...s_disabled.htm

You could also try contacting this agency:
http://www.tursab.org.tr/en/accessib...all_1085.htmlm

2 testimonials on this website regarding the company being able to accommodate wheelchair users:
http://www.ephesusshuttle.com/Privat...estimonials/11

From tripadvisor:
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowTopic-...ean_Coast.html

Despite the truth of the above posts,she would probably love it.

I think you have two options:

The tough one : Start from top gate and brave the old marble and stone avenue. She will see a great deal, even if she will not be able to access the buildings. It will all be downhill and not very steep.

The easy one : Just enter from bottom gate and go as far as the beginning of the climb. She will see the library of Celsius which alone is worthwhile, and a number of other buildings and also get a good idea of the whole city.

Please take her there. If you are early enough or later in the afternoon when all cruise ship crowds have gone back, it will be fabulous.

I have seen one person in a wheelchair at Ephesus. As otherchelebi mentions, you must start at the top and just go down the main street. However, there were two persons with that person in the wheelchair who held on to it and controlled it. The person in the wheelchair cannot roll it independently.

My second link doesn't seem to be working. If you go to www.tursab.org.tr and type <i>accessible tourism</i> in the search box, it will take you to the page.

otherchelebi is the expert, and I certainly agree with him. I think it is possible for your mother to visit at least part of Ephesus. I sincerely hope she does so. Good luck!

Hi;
Turks are very hospitable people. They will definitely help you.

Thank you all!
Your advice is really precious to me. After having read carefully what you have written and taking into consideration the fact that it is a dream for her to be there, I think that we will be at least two persons accompanying her so that she can move from one place to there. Even if it is impossible to access all the sites, at least she will “roll” in the Marble Street and she will see the Library of Celsus!

vanessa-- I have traveled the world with a spouse on a wheelchair and I encourage you to go for it. Since this are your Mom's wishes and there are companies that specialize on this type traveler you will be able to make this happen for her. I always remembered fondly climbing all the way up to the Vatican Cuppola exhausted just to find this young man in a wheelchair up there taking on the magnificent view with the biggest smile I have ever seen. You will be glad you did the extra work :-D

I agree with your plan and I am sure that you will make her feel really happy.Even on the wheel chair she will see a lot ancient sites so it definitely worth doing. Actually, have a look here http://ephesus.ws for some photos of Ephesus and some interesting information on them. It will help you with your tour in the ancient site no matter if you hire a guide to accompany you.

Thanks for your question. You can check http://www.ephesustours.org