Ephesus Ancient City — Attraction in Selçuk

Exploring Ephesus is like stepping into a living museum of the ancient world. Nestled in Turkiye's Aegean region, this awe-inspiring archaeological site stands as one of the best-preserved cities of antiquity and offers a breathtaking look into the culture, religion, and architecture of the ancient Mediterranean. Ephesus is more than just an ancient city—it’s a testament to the glory of classical civilization and one of the most significant historical sites in the world.

Ephesus was once a major hub of commerce, culture, and religion, thriving as a city that connected the East and West. Walking through its beautifully preserved streets, you can feel its past vibrancy. The city’s architecture, engineering, and urban planning showcase the sophistication of ancient societies and provide invaluable insights into their daily lives, artistry, and devotion.

One of Ephesus’s crown jewels is the magnificent Library of Celsus, a grand structure that once housed thousands of scrolls and served as a cultural center for knowledge and learning. Its intricately carved facade, with its towering columns and ornate details, is one of the most iconic and photographed sights in the ancient world. Standing before it, you can almost imagine scholars gathering, sharing ideas, and contributing to human knowledge.

The Great Theatre is another marvel, seating over 24,000 people and offering incredible acoustics that still amaze visitors today. This theater witnessed everything from dramatic performances to political gatherings and gladiatorial contests. Sitting in its ancient stone seats, you can picture the lively crowds and feel the powerful connection to the past.

Ephesus also holds tremendous religious significance as a center of early Christianity. It’s known as the place where the Apostle Paul preached and later wrote some of his letters. The nearby Basilica of St. John and the House of the Virgin Mary, located just outside the main site, make Ephesus a cherished pilgrimage destination for Christians worldwide.

The Temple of Artemis, one of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, once stood here as a symbol of devotion and grandeur. Though only a single column remains today, the temple’s historical importance as a place of worship for the goddess Artemis is palpable. It’s a powerful reminder of Ephesus’s spiritual past and its influence across the ancient world.

Ephesus isn’t just a place for history enthusiasts; it’s a place that appeals to anyone with a love for culture, beauty, and storytelling. The site is expansive and beautifully maintained, with informational panels and guides who bring each ruin and relic to life. It’s easy to spend an entire day here, wandering through the ancient streets, marveling at the mosaics, statues, and carvings, and absorbing the city’s atmosphere.

Visiting Ephesus is an unforgettable journey through time. Its significance to the world lies in its unparalleled preservation, which allows us to glimpse the glory of a civilization that profoundly influenced the arts, sciences, religion, and politics. Ephesus is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Turkiye, a place where history feels remarkably alive, leaving you inspired and deeply connected to humanity’s...

We have been to Pompeii and liked Ephesus even more. You will pay a premium but if you love history, it is a must.

May 2024 weekday visit - we arrived at 755am at the upper entrance. There was not a single person, only the workers.

Free parking in the huge lot, though it seems most people don’t drive themselves

We had the place to ourselves for the first 30mins after entering at 8am, then some private, smaller tours started. If you care about photos, head to The Library first since that is the most photogenic spot in the whole site.

Then, start the free Rick Steves audio guide tour back at the Upper Entrance, which will take about 1.5hrs.

Larger tour groups started coming in around 10am. Then at noon it was chaotic with all the cruise boat tourists.

We bought the full 65euros ticket since we wanted to see terrace houses and the museum. The terrace houses are magnificent. I’m surprised that the tour groups barely stopped to look.

Try to avoid doing a big group tour so you can take your time and cool down when you want. There is an air conditioned cafe with the cleanest WC beside the Experience Museum near the lower entrance, and you do not need the more expensive ticket to use the cafe. It was really empty - because the big tour groups don’t have time to take you there.

There is a smaller food/drinks stand beside the library. It is obviously more expensive than a BiM or Soc, but still reasonably priced when converting to euros.

The Experience Museum has an Artechouse-esque digital experience which is actually high production value. Not a must-see, but more of an air conditioning break.

The archaeological museum is outside of the ancient city, about 8mins drive. It is a nice supplement to the ancient city and incredible to see the additional artifacts. I would not go to it if you haven’t seen the ancient city.

St John’s Basilica is on the 65euro bundle too, but not really worth seeing, and is also hot to go since it is all outdoors.

If you are in a rush, just get the ticket which includes terrace houses (52euros).

We spent 4.5hrs here and it was great. Of course prefer to come in the morning so you can have some peace and quiet, as well as nicer cooler weather. Just don’t do a giant tour group and you...

Visiting the ancient city of Ephesus feels like stepping into a time machine, transporting you back to the glory of antiquity. This was once a thriving metropolis – the capital of the Roman province of Asia  – and today its well-preserved ruins still exude that grandeur. Ephesus is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site , and every inch of it seems to whisper stories of the past . The site is expansive; I spent hours wandering the marble streets, and it still felt like there was more to discover . One of the most breathtaking highlights is the Library of Celsus, whose ornate two-story facade still stands tall after nearly two millennia. Once the third-largest library of the ancient world , it left me awe-struck by its beauty and historical significance.

The Great Theatre of Ephesus, a massive amphitheater that could hold about 24,000 spectators. Another highlight is the Great Theatre, a colossal amphitheater that could seat around 24,000 people in its heyday . Standing at its center and gazing up at the towering tiers of stone seats, I could almost hear the echoes of ancient crowds. It’s astounding to imagine that this arena hosted everything from dramatic plays and public assemblies to concerts and even gladiator fights nearly two thousand years ago . Connecting the library and the theatre is the Marble Road, an ancient street of gleaming stones. As I walked along it, I noticed carvings on the marble – including a footprint next to a heart – which legend says was an advertisement guiding visitors to a nearby brothel!  Such small details truly make the past feel alive.

Overall, Ephesus is one of the most impressive ancient sites I’ve ever visited. For history, culture, and architecture enthusiasts, it’s nothing short of spectacular – and even casual travelers will be amazed by the scale and beauty of this open-air museum. It’s a place that inspires the imagination at every turn, and a must-visit on any...