Ephesus Turkey - Travel Guide & Practical Tips

If there's ever an archeological site that's worth visiting and easy to reach, Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that impresses with its sheer magnitude and grandeur, is a must for history lovers, culture enthusiasts. And really anyone that wants to learn more about Europe's ancient history!

This ancient site that receives about 1,5 million visitors a year, has many excavations, well-preserved ruins and quite a turbulent past. It's located near Selçuk on the west coast of Turkey, and provides a good insight into the ancient Greco-Roman world.

In this practical Ephesus Turkey Travel Guide I will tell you more about Ephesus’ unique history, with some fun facts, plenty of tips (at the end).

All based on our own experiences from our visit in May 2025. And as always, supported by many of my own pictures.

History of Ephesus

Founded in the 10th century BC by Ionian Greek colonists, Ephesus quickly grew from a small settlement into a thriving port city along the Aegean coast. Its strategic location made it ideal for trade under the rule of the Lydians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans.

By the 6th century BC, Ephesus was home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This temple, dedicated to the goddess Artemis, attracted pilgrims and accelerated the city’s wealth.

Under Roman rule in the 2nd century CE, Ephesus became a true metropolis with over 250,000 residents, with grand structures like the Library of Celsus, and it had a very advanced infrastructure already. 

Ephesus played a key role in early Christianity, linked to St. Paul and St. John, with the nearby House of the Virgin Mary said to be her final home.

The city’s decline began in the Byzantine era when the harbor silted, followed an earthquake and several fires. Subsequently by the Middle Ages, Ephesus was largely abandoned.

Excavations started in the 19th century, which revealed the uniquely well-preserved ancient city it currently is.

Work in progress

Archaeologists estimate that only 10-15% of Ephesus has been fully excavated, despite more than 150 years of work. The site covers approximately 415 hectares, but much is still buried due to the city's scale and challenges like funding and preservation.

Key areas like the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre (under renovation when we were there half May), and the Terrace Houses are accessible, but ongoing excavations continue to reveal new finds, like residential quarters and commercial areas.

The silting that led to Ephesus’ decline has preserved many artifacts, which provides even more hope for future discoveries.

Ephesus Turkey Travel Guide

Must-see’s

Ephesus is impressive in its grandeur and magnitude with much to see, but these are the top attractions:

1. Library of Celsus

This iconic two-story library, built in 117 CE, now forms a stunning façade with statues symbolizing wisdom and virtue. It’s one of the best-preserved structures of its kind.

2. Great Theatre

Seating 25,000, this amphitheater hosted gladiator battles and performances. Its acoustics are supposed to be impressive and the view from the top should be spectacular. But unfortunately it was closed due to renovations when we visited.

3. Temple of Artemis

Although only fragments remain, this site gives a hint of the grandeur of its ancient importance.

4. Terrace Houses

These luxurious Roman residences, also called the 'Houses of the Rich', offer a glimpse into elite life. Excavated under a protective roof, they showcase frescoes, intricate mosaics, and private bath systems. Each house had underfloor heating and running water, representing the unique Roman engineering already in those days!

The complex, built on a slope, has 6 multi-room villas, with ongoing excavations revealing more details about daily life.

5. Ephesus' Museums

Entrance to the on site Experience Museum (opposite the Amphitheatre near the lower gate) is included in the entrance fee. It's a fun 30-minute audio-visual/virtual reality experience, that's unique and should not be missed while there.

The classical Archaeological Museum is located in nearby Selçuk and displays artifacts like statues, coins, and mosaics from the Ephesus site.

Fun facts about Ephesus

There's much to know about Ephesus, which makes it extra fascinating!

1. A lost wonder

The Temple of Artemis, which was once 115 meters long, is now marked by a single reconstructed column.

2. Advanced plumbing

The city’s public toilets featured running water and a sewage system, which is quite remarkable for 2,000 years ago!

3. Biblical significance

Ephesus is mentioned in the Bible’s Book of Ephesians, and St. Paul preached in its Great Theatre.

4. Library rival

The Library of Celsus, which held 12,000 scrolls, was a big intellectual atraction that can easily compete with the renowned library of Alexandria.

5. Relocated city

Ephesus was moved multiple times to maintain sea access due to coastal changes.

6. Cute residents

Many stray cats can be found among the ruins, with one that even gained Instagram fame as @garfieldofephesus.

Future plans for Ephesus

Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, together with international teams, plan to expand excavations to uncover more of Ephesus’ residential and commercial districts.

This includes restoring additional sections of the Terrace Houses and improving visitor facilities, such as digital guides and more. There are also ongoing renovations to preserve the site.

Tips for your Ephesus visit

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn have milder weather, which was perfect during our visit in May, since it can get very hot here in summer (up to 35°C/95°F).

When you visit between June-August make sure to go early to avoid crowds and heat.

In winter it's quieter, but it can get muddy too.

Practical advice

It can get very crowded and is popular for a reason! Therefore, I recommend to arrive before 9-10 am, to beat tour buses and find a parking space with more ease. Or go at the end of the day between 4-6 pm for golden hour and when most groups are gone already.

You can enter either at the top or the lower gate, which are both nice, but many of the most popular sites are located near the top entrance. The distance from both entrances is 3 km and can easily be covered in about 2-3 hours.

Be aware that the path around the site will be longer and doesn't provide much shade! You can however also walk back quickly via the main road inside Ephesus.

Time needed

I recommend at least 4 hours to explore the site with ease and be able to take it all in, including a visit to the Experience Center.

You can even go for a full day if you also want to visit nearby sites, the Terrace Houses and Archeological Museum in Selçuk.

Accessibility

There is limited wheelchair access here due to the terrain, for this it's recommended to inquire in advance. Also very important to wear sturdy shoes with good profiles here, as the paths can be steep and slippery with their marble surfaces!

I would not visit Ephesus when you are not in good mobility, when it rains or is very muddy, as the footpaths can become dangerous and I have already seen quite some people fall during our visit.

Respect

Don’t climb ruins or remove artifacts and be mindful of photobombing other people's pics, which nobody likes😁

If you take your time and be patient, there will always be a photo opportunity with less people, as the crowds always come in phases. And naturally everyone wants to get that perfect shot at spots like this:

Don’t forget to bring

• Water and snacks, since there are limited food options on-site, only at the entry gates.

• Hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses are recommended, especially for a visit in summer. Be aware that there will hardly be any shade between the sites, which means you'll be walking in the sun for several hours!

• And of course a camera is also indispensable to capture the beauty of the ruins. Just note that there are no drones or tripods allowed here.

Getting there

• By air: fly to İzmir Airport, 60 km away, then take a taxi or shuttle bus.

• By train or bus: connect from İzmir or Kuşadası to Selçuk.

• By car: Ephesus is a 10-minute drive from Selçuk, 25 minutes from Kuşadası and a 1,15-hour drive from Didim, where we were staying. At the Ephesus site there is paid parking available outside.

Tickets, tours & opening times

• The current entrance fee is €40 p.p. (May 2025), excl. audio guide, which was €6,50 p.p.

• Children under 7 years get free entrance.

• Parking costs €3,20 when you have cash Liras, or €4 when paid in Euros.

• The Terrace Houses require a separate ticket of €15 p.p. and you can also book guided tours for even more historical context.

• There are also combo tickets available for the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, House of Virgin Mary and Basilica of St. John, or buy them separately for €10, €18 and €6.

• You can purchase your tickets and book tours at the entrance with cash or creditcard, or online in advance at Ephesus government site.

• Or find combo tickets and a tour of your choosing, including skip the line access and transfers, on Ephesus day tours.

• The site is open from 8 am - 6.15 pm. But from 4 June 2025 Ephesus will also be open from 7 - 11 pm on Wednesday until Saturday, providing an extra magical night museology experience!

Nearby attractions

• House of the Virgin Mary: a quiet pilgrimage site, 7 km away.

• Sirince Village: 8 km away, known for its wine houses and charming streets.

• Selçuk: 3,7 km away and a must to visit for the Archeological Museum, the Basilica of St. John and local markets.

• Kuşadası: a popular and vibrant seaside town with a wide boulevard and many other sightseeing spots, just 19 km away.

Why Ephesus should be on your travel list

Ephesus is an impressive site where history seeps through every stone. From the grandeur of the Library of Celsus to the intricate details of the Terrace Houses, it's truly unique.

While overpriced and quite busy in my opinion, it was also imposing in its magnitude, and is listed as a UNESCO site for good reason!

Walking through this living museum was quite overwhelming and really did something to my soul.

An experience beyond compare, which you just have to feel for yourself.

Also, ongoing excavations are adding new discoveries every day, so don't wait too long.

For even more exploring, combine Ephesus with Kuşadası’s beaches or Şirince’s charm, via one of these tours, as both are located nearby and are worth visiting. If you have more time to spare, I would certainly also visit Didim and some of the surrounding sites. Read all about that in my previous Turkey blog, or go to my Turkey page for even more sightseeing tips and the most comfortable places to stay in this region.

I hope my Ephesus Turkey Travel Guide will help you plan your own visit with ease and always nice to hear about your Ephesus experiences or extra tips in the comments below!