Ephesus

Ephesus is the best-preserved ancient city in the eastern Mediterranean and the single most visited archaeological site in Türkiye. For centuries it was the capital of the Roman province of Asia, a port city of perhaps a quarter of a million people, built around the shrine of the goddess Artemis. It was also a key city in the early Christian world, and St Paul launched many of his missions from here. UNESCO inscribed Ephesus on the World Heritage List in 2015. You can walk the marble street to the Library of Celsus, sit in the great theatre and look into the homes of the city’s wealthy.

Ephesus at a glance

Prices are for foreign visitors, as listed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in October 2026. An audio guide is available at the site, the Terrace Houses and the museum. Stacking all four sites comes to 71 euros per person: 55 for the site plus the Terrace Houses, 65 with the museum and 71 with the basilica.

What you will see

Ephesus has a history that goes back to about 6,000 BC. The city you walk through today is mainly Roman. The main highlights are:

• The Library of Celsus, the most photographed building on the site, with its two-story facade.
• The Great Theatre, a large theatre renovated in the Pax Romana period.
• The Odeum, used for council meetings and performances.
• The Agora, the center of the business district, with a two-story stoa.
• The Prytaneion (town hall) and the baths and latrines, which show how daily life worked.

The Terrace Houses are seven Roman houses on the slope of Mount Koressos, where the city’s prominent families lived. They have colored mosaics, marble walls, frescoes with mythological scenes, fountains and underfloor heating. They are the best place to understand how people lived, and they are worth the extra ticket.

Planning your visit

• Time. Allow half a day for the main site and Terrace Houses, and a full day if you add Selçuk and the basilica.
• Heat. There is little shade. Go at 08:00 or late in the afternoon, bring water and a hat, and wear flat shoes. The marble is slippery.
• Which entrance. Most visitors start at the upper gate and walk downhill along the main street, which is easier than climbing.
• Self-guided or guided. An audio guide is available. A guide adds context that the ruins alone do not give. Ask any tour operator what the price includes, and whether it covers the 40 euro ticket.
• Cruise passengers. Ask the cruise line for the return time to the ship, and the transfer time from Kuşadası port.

Nearby: Selçuk, St John and Şirince

Selçuk is the nearest town to Ephesus. The Ephesus Museum there holds the site’s finds, and the Basilica of St John was built over the grave of John the Apostle, who is believed to have written his Gospel in Ephesus. Ayasuluk Castle looks over the town, and Şirince, a hill village in the Selçuk district settled in 1923 by Turks who moved from Greece, is known for wine, olive oil and old houses.

When to go

Spring and autumn are the best seasons. May and October bring highs of about 26°C and 24°C, the sun is bearable and the tour crowds are thinner than in summer. July and August are the hottest, at about 33°C. These are MGM figures for İzmir, the nearest station in the national dataset, so conditions at Ephesus will differ a little.

Source: Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM), İzmir station, 1938 to 2025.

Getting to Ephesus

Ephesus is in Selçuk, in İzmir province. The İZBAN suburban rail line runs from İzmir, with stops at Adnan Menderes Airport, Torbalı, Tepeköy, Belevi and Selçuk, and from Selçuk you reach the site by taxi, minibus or on foot. Many visitors come from İzmir, Selçuk or Kuşadası. Check journey times and fares with the operators. See our İzmir page, Aegean coast guide and getting around guide.

Entry and visa

The UK and Canadian governments say their citizens can visit for tourism for up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa. Other nationalities should check their own government’s advice. See our visa requirements guide.

Combine Ephesus with other stops

Ephesus fits an Aegean route with İzmir and Pamukkale. See our itineraries guide, our budget guide and our history and culture tours.

Frequently asked questions

How much are Ephesus tickets?

The site ticket is 40 euros, and it includes the Ephesus Experience Museum. The Terrace Houses are 15 euros, the Ephesus Museum 10 euros and the Basilica of St John 6 euros (Ministry, October 2026).

What are the opening hours?

The site is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00, with the box office closing at 17:30. The Terrace Houses close at 17:00.

How long do I need at Ephesus?

Half a day for the site and Terrace Houses. A full day if you add Selçuk and St John.

When is the best time to visit?

May and September to October. July and August are very hot.

Are the Terrace Houses worth it?

Yes. They show how wealthy families lived, with mosaics, frescoes and underfloor heating.

How do I get to Ephesus?

By İZBAN train from İzmir to Selçuk, then a short transfer. Check the operators for current times.

Sources: Ministry of Culture and Tourism, UNESCO, İZBAN, MGM. Updated October 2026.