Ephesus
Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia · Turkey
Did you know?
- Most visible structures date from 100 BC to 260 AD.
- Stand on the Great Theatre's central flagstone to test its acoustics.
- The site takes 90 minutes to 2.5 hours on foot, plus 30 minutes for Terrace Houses.
See also
Overview
Ephesus is a UNESCO-listed archaeological site filled with substantial Roman ruins. Its monumental streets, theatre, and Terrace Houses reward a slow, sun-aware walking visit.
Languages: Turkish
Why go?
Ephesus is a UNESCO World Heritage site with magnificent Roman ruins. The city can be traced back to the 10th century BC, and most visible structures date from 100 BC to 260 AD. It was an important early Christian center. The site is well-preserved and ongoing restorations make it a top archaeological destination.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting in
Ephesus is 4 km west of Selçuk and 19 km northeast of Kuşadası. Most visitors enter through the Upper (Southern) Gate and walk downhill. Dolmuşes from Selçuk serve only the lower gate; taxis can reach either gate. Parking costs 50 TL.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting around
The site is entirely walkable, taking 90 minutes to 2.5 hours (plus 30 minutes for the Terrace Houses). The main avenue is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, though with some uneven paving. You can enter or exit by either gate.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to go
Ephesus is open year-round. Summers are hot, dry, and sunny with temperatures up to 36-37°C; winters are mild and wet. Wear sun protection even on cloudy days as there is little shade.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay
No accommodation exists within the archaeological site. Nearest options are in Selçuk (4 km east) or the beach resort of Kuşadası (19 km southwest). See those articles for details.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to do
Key sights include the Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Temple of Hadrian, Terrace Houses (additional fee), the latrines, and the Commercial Market. Test the acoustics at the Great Theatre by standing on the central flagstone. Skydiving is available at Efes airport next to the lower gate.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Safety
Avoid buying 'Roman coins' or other antiquities from touts; they are fake and customs may detain you for attempting to export them.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Connectivity
Ephesus has 4G coverage from all Turkish carriers along the highways to Selçuk and Kuşadası. 5G has not rolled out in Turkey as of Sept 2022.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Budget
Entry fee is 700 TL (Sep 2023), plus 320 TL for the Terrace Houses. Parking is 50 TL. Consider the Aegean Museum Pass (2,200 TL) if visiting multiple sites.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day trips
Selçuk offers the Ephesus Museum, Church of St John, and House of the Virgin Mary. Kuşadası is a lively beach resort. Bergama (Pergamon) is a longer excursion north of İzmir.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
From Ephesus, head to Selçuk for the museum and Byzantine sites, Kuşadası for beaches, or Bergama for the ruins of Pergamon.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- see
Ancient Harbour
Originally at the foot of Arcadiane. Visitors and goods landed and cleared customs here at least until the 2nd century AD. Then the area silted up, and the city fought a 500–year battle, dredging and cutting navigation channels to try to retain sea access. You can't reach the harbour, but from the higher ground look over fields and highways with traffic scurrying away to an unseen Aegean.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Arcadiane
Nowadays, you can only access the top end. It's named for Emperor Arcadius, who reigned 395-408 AD and repaired the much older street. He turned it into a monumental avenue designed to impress arrivals, but its archways have been lost.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Church of Mary
A cathedral built around 500 AD over an earlier basilica. It's the likely site of the Third Ecumenical Council of 431 AD - these defined early Christian orthodoxy, with the First in Iznik
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Commercial Market
Flanked by Curetes St which here turns north and becomes known as Marble St. Only a few columns remain of the Temple of Serapis in the southwest corner of the agora, but dedication to this Egyptian deity indicates the scale of trade between Ephesus and the Nile, and there were probably ex-pat Egyptian merchants living in town. The temple was begun in the 2nd century AD but may never have been finished.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Fountain of Trajan
A grand public fountain along this part of the street, astride the main water conduit; its statues have been moved to the Selçuk museum. The water system and fountain were erected from 102 AD by the initiative and personal expense of Claudius Aristion, as the inscription is at pains to have you know. The water was not only for washing and drinking but powered mills, including a sawmill for marble. Aristion at times held just about every great position in the city. He fell foul of political skulduggery but was rehabilitated and was sufficiently esteemed to be buried within the city.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Great Theatre
A grand 24,000-seater set into the hillside, built from 200 BC and extended in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, but never roofed. It has been used for major rock concerts but is now too frail for anything that rocks harder than a chamber quartet - see below for the acoustics. St Paul came here intending to preach against the pagan cult of Diana, but he saw the size of the hepped-up crowd chanting her name, and legged it.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
House of Pleasure
It probably wasn't the brothel that its excavators supposed. Ephesus had plenty of those, but given its position this must have been about the most expensive and publicly visible des-res in the city. The name arose from all the erotica found within, but this was more likely private porn in an age that lacked cameras and the internet. Some priapic examples are in the Selçuk museum.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Library of Celsus
The magnificent facade known from brochures, a modern reconstruction of the ancient library.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Accessibility
Main avenue wheelchair and stroller accessible with some uneven surfaces.
Connectivity
4G available from all Turkish carriers.
Money
Entry: 700 TL + 320 TL for Terrace Houses (Sep 2023). Parking: 50 TL.
Safety
Beware of fake antiquities; customs may detain you.
Transport
Dolmuş from Selçuk to lower gate; taxis to either gate.
Weather
Hot summers (36-37°C), mild wet winters.