Ephesus
Walk the marble streets of the ancient world
The place
To walk through Ephesus is to walk through a living chapter of the ancient world. Once the second city of the Roman Empire and a port of a quarter-million people, it has been excavated into one of the most complete classical cities anywhere - marble-paved avenues, a great theatre that seated 25,000, public latrines, terraced mansions with mosaic floors, and the soaring two-storey façade of the Library of Celsus rising at the end of the Curetes Way.
This was a place of myth and faith as much as commerce. The Temple of Artemis nearby was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; St Paul preached here and addressed his letter to the Ephesians; tradition holds that the Virgin Mary spent her final years in a small stone house on the hillside above. Few sites stitch together Greek, Roman and early Christian history so vividly.
Base yourself in the laid-back town of Selçuk or the old Greek village of Şirince, and you can pair the ruins with cherry-wine tastings, a fine archaeology museum, and the relaxed rhythm of the Aegean countryside.
What to do
Things to do in Ephesus
- Stand before the reconstructed façade of the Library of Celsus
- Climb the Great Theatre where St Paul once addressed the crowd
- Tour the mosaic-floored Terrace Houses of the Roman elite
- Visit the House of the Virgin Mary on Mount Koressos
- See the lone column marking the Temple of Artemis, an ancient Wonder
- Wander the hill village of Şirince and taste its fruit wines
- Explore the Ephesus Archaeological Museum in Selçuk
Gallery
Good to know
Ephesus,
answered.
The practical questions every traveller asks us before they go - answered by our local team.
What is the nearest airport to Ephesus?
İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) is the gateway, about 50 minutes by road from the ruins at Selçuk. It connects to Istanbul in around an hour, and trains also run from the airport to Selçuk if you are travelling independently.
How long do I need to visit Ephesus?
Allow half a day for the main site, including the Terrace Houses which are worth the separate ticket. A full day adds the House of the Virgin Mary, the Ephesus Museum in Selçuk and the hill village of Şirince.
Can I visit Ephesus as a day trip?
Yes - Ephesus is an easy day trip from İzmir, Kuşadası or even Istanbul with an early flight. Cruise passengers docking at Kuşadası are 25 minutes away. Our packages pair it with Pamukkale for a two-stop Aegean classical loop.
When is the best time to visit Ephesus?
April to June and September to October offer comfortable walking weather across the open marble site. In summer, go at opening time or late afternoon - there is almost no shade and midday heat is intense.
Ready when you are
Packages featuring Ephesus
Browse handcrafted itineraries that include Ephesus, each available in three service levels - or message our local team and we'll tailor one around you.