Ephesus, or Efes in Turkish, is the most famous ancient site in Turkey. Located in the town of Selçuk on the Aegean coast, Ephesus is about an hour’s drive south of Izmir and three hours north of Bodrum. Kuşadası, the closest seaside town and a major stop for Mediterranean cruises, is less than 30 minutes away. Any of these cities (including the town of Selçuk itself) are good places to base yourself in if you are planning to visit Ephesus.
Ephesus, an ancient Greek and later Roman city, is one of the best-preserved historical sites in Turkey. Ephesus was home to one of the seven Ancient Wonders of the World: the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus. The temple no longer stands today but supposedly a fragment of a column is visible in an old field somewhere (it’s not within the main historical site).
Visiting Ephesus gives you a wonderful feel for what it was like to inhabit a city in ancient Greece (or Rome). The large, well-preserved site includes an amphitheater, an agora, an odeon, terraced houses, temples, a latrine (where you can sit on ancient toilets and marvel at the lack of privacy), and the famous Library of Celsus.
Key sites
- Library of Celsus – the crown jewel of the entire site, the library’s facade was lovingly pieced back together by archaeologists in the 1970s. It was one of the largest libraries in the ancient world (it held up to 12,000 scrolls) – behind only the library at Alexandria and the library of Pergamum (in Bergama). The highly ornamented building is a great example of ancient Roman baroque architecture. The library also served as a burial spot for Mr. Celsus himself, a Roman senator who was native to the region.
- Amphitheater – the ancient theater has a 25,000 person capacity and until recently was still used for performances.
- Temple of Hadrian – constructed in the second century A.D. in honor of a visit Hadrian made to Ephesus, this highly decorated small temple is right on the main street leading down to the library.
- Terraced houses – the terraced houses were excavated in more recent years and allow you to experience the stunning homes of the Ephesus elite. You will find beautiful frescoes, tiles, and marble work. The terraced houses are contained within the main site but they have a separate admission charge – 20TL per person. I didn’t have a chance to visit them the last time I was in Ephesus and I am still sad about this. I have heard that they are well worth the extra charge.
Tips for your visit
- There are two entrances to Ephesus – the lower entrance near the amphitheater and the upper entrance near the odeon. The main road leading from the odeon to the library is fairly steep and I would recommend not walking back up the hill if you can avoid it. If you have a driver / are going by tour group, ask them to drop you off at the upper entrance and pick you up at the lower entrance.
- Like most ancient sites in Turkey, Ephesus is short on shade and high on dust in the summer. On hot sunny days in the middle of the summer it can be really unbearable. Bring a water bottle and take it slow. Or better yet, pick a cloudy day for your visit, visit in the morning before it gets too hot, or visit in the shoulder seasons.
- Visitor info: Open daily from 8:00am to 6:30pm from April through September and closes at 8:30am to 6:00pm from October through March. Admission to the site is 40TL.
Other nearby sites
- Ephesus Museum – located in the town of Selçuk, this museum houses many of the artifacts discovered in Ephesus. Same operating hours as the Ephesus ruins. Admission is 10TL.
- House of the Virgin Mary (Meryemana Evi) – Located a few miles outside of Selçuk, this small, old stone house is said to be where Mary spent her final years. It is a site of pilgrimage for Christians and Muslims and has been visited by three popes. Open from 8am-6pm in the summer and 8am-5pm in winter. Admission is 25TL.
- Basilica of St. John – located in the city of Selçuk, this 6th century basilica is said to be built on the site of the tomb of John the Apostle. Same operating hours as the Ephesus ruins. Admission is 10TL.
- Isa Bey Mosque – 14th century mosque located just outside of Selçuk. Entrance to the mosque is free of charge.
- Şirince – this small town 8kms outside of Selçuk has become a popular spot for tourists. Its known for its cute, restored Ottoman houses, locally made fruit wine, and small-town feel. I haven’t been but I have heard that its a very pleasant place to spend a couple of hours or to stay in a B&B while you are in the area to visit Ephesus.