History under the stars: Explore Türkiye’s timeless treasures

As several of Türkiye’s ancient sites open their doors to an evening audience, travelers are making the most of this unique opportunity to discover a whole new appreciation for the country and its rich history.

Türkiye is home to some of the world’s most impressive ancient ruins and open-air museums—a perennial favorite among day-trippers. Now, with Türkiye’s ‘Night Museum Project’, they can experience them in a new guise.

Dotted along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, various historical sites are transforming after dark through a series of illuminations.

From April to October 2024, the project attracted over 395,000 people to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Ephesus and Hierapolis-Pamukkale with the promise of an evening spectacle. And 2025 is set to feature even more illuminated monuments over the summer months—with many staying open as late as 23:00.

Ephesus by moonlight

Just 80 kilometers inland from the popular seaside city of İzmir lies one of the largest ancient cities in the world: Ephesus. A prominent metropolis from the Archaic era (800-500 BCE) to the Byzantine era (330-1453 CE), its remains reflect centuries of continuous cultural and architectural evolution.

Ephesus’ true magnificence is revealed at sunset. On the slope of nearby Mount Pion, the towering theater—and all 25,000 spectator seats—casts a glow over the city. Once a stage for political and philosophical discussions, gladiator fights, and theatrical performances, it is now an opportunity for visitors to pull back the curtain on Türkiye’s storied past.

Stroll the marble streets from the theater to the Library of Celsus, guided by underlit columns that once paved the way for emperors, scholars, and artisans. Owing to the careful reconstruction of its façade, the library is one of the most remarkable structures in Ephesus, displaying replica statues of the goddesses of wisdom, knowledge, intelligence, and valor.

In the ancient city of Patara, visitors are led to the region’s pristine 18-kilometer-long beach by several grand monuments. Walk the colonnaded street to the bouleuterion—home to the Lycian League and some of the earliest documented democratic meetings—before taking in the coastal surroundings from the ancient theater which is cut seamlessly into the Kurşunlu Hill.

The remains of various Roman buildings and Byzantine churches are also illuminated in Patara, granting night visitors a unique perspective of the past—from the moment the sun goes down until 22:00.

Late nights in Lycia

Further south and lining the peninsula between the seaside towns of Fethiye and Kemer is a collection of intriguing Lycian (15th-4th centuries BCE) settlements. Sharing a border with the Mediterranean Sea, they present travelers with a beautiful vista which—under nightfall—displays the blend of history and nature in an entirely new light.

The remains of various Roman buildings and Byzantine churches are also illuminated in Patara, granting night visitors a unique perspective of the past—from the moment the sun goes down until 22:00.

At the close of day, this contrast is ever more apparent. Glass-paneled ground excavations are illuminated, giving the illusion of walking on Türkiye’s historic foundations; while ancient pillars are underlit, exaggerating their imposing nature. Visitors can marvel at those belonging to the Temple of Apollo, watching as their glow is reflected in the darkened waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Side is also home to a striking theater that dates to the 2nd century CE. Exhibiting a lower cavea (seating area), vaulted upper section, and a three-story platform, its distinctive structure encourages visitors to fully embrace the complexities and splendor of the ancient stage.

Side after sundown

The ‘Night Museum’ experience continues along the Mediterranean coast to the town of Side. As modern shops and restaurants share a walkway with Roman and Hellenistic structures, visitors are guaranteed to stumble upon history at every turn.

Türkiye’s ancient cities have long been a window into the country’s bygone eras. Now, with select sites open at night, history is taking on a whole new dimension. Under the soft glow of moonlight and carefully placed lighting, these ruins invite travelers on an intimate and provocative journey through time.