🏛️ Ephesus

Ancient Roman city - Walk marble streets where Cleopatra and St. Paul once walked

About Ephesus

Ephesus (Efes in Turkish) is one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean, rivaling Pompeii. Founded in the 10th century BCE, it reached its zenith as a major Roman city (1st-2nd centuries CE) with 250,000 inhabitants. The Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Temple of Hadrian, and Terrace Houses showcase Roman urban planning, architecture, and daily life. St. Paul preached here, and the Virgin Mary may have lived nearby, making it significant to Christian history.

⏰ Opening Hours & Best Times

  • Hours: Daily 8 AM-7 PM (April-October) | 8 AM-5 PM (November-March)
  • Terrace Houses: 8:30 AM-6:30 PM (April-Oct) | 8:30 AM-4:30 PM (Nov-Mar)
  • Closed: Open every day including holidays
  • Best time: Opening at 8 AM (cruise ship crowds arrive 9:30-10 AM)
  • Least crowded: Winter weekdays, late afternoon in summer
  • Avoid: 10 AM-2 PM when cruise ships dock at Kusadasi (30-min drive away)
  • Heat alert: Summer temperatures reach 40°C (104°F) - little shade on site

💰 Costs

  • Ephesus admission: ₺700 (€21) main archaeological site
  • Terrace Houses: +₺350 (€11) separate ticket, wealthy Romans' homes
  • Combined ticket: ₺1,050 (€32) Ephesus + Terrace Houses (recommended)
  • Audio guide: ₺200 (€6) rental at entrance
  • Group tours: ₺1,000-1,500 (€30-45) per person with skip-line + guide (2.5 hours)
  • Private guide: ₺7,000-12,000 (€200-370) up to 6 people (doesn't include tickets)
  • Archaeology specialist: ₺10,000-16,000 (€300-500) expert historian for deeper insights

Licensed guide mandatory for groups: Turkish regulations require official guides for tour groups at major archaeological sites. Private visitors can enter alone but guides bring ruins to life with historical narratives you can't get from signs.

🎯 Why Use a Guide

  • Decode ruins: Without context, it's just broken columns - guides reconstruct the ancient city visually
  • Historical depth: Share stories of Cleopatra, Mark Antony, St. Paul, Emperor Hadrian's visits
  • Terrace Houses insights: Explain frescoes, mosaics, underfloor heating, Roman luxury life
  • Efficient routing: Site is huge (2km+ walk) - guides optimize path, skip less interesting areas
  • Archaeological discoveries: Share recent excavations, restoration projects, ongoing research
  • Skip-the-line benefit: Cruise ship days create 30-60 minute ticket lines - guides bypass

✨ Don't Miss

  • 📚 Library of Celsus: Iconic two-story facade, once held 12,000 scrolls, 3rd-largest in ancient world
  • 🎭 Great Theatre: Seats 25,000, where St. Paul faced mob, still used for concerts today
  • 🏛️ Terrace Houses: Wealthy Romans' homes with stunning mosaics, frescoes, marble floors (extra ticket)
  • 🏛️ Temple of Hadrian: Ornate facade with Medusa head, dedicated to emperor and Artemis
  • 🚽 Public latrines: Communal toilets where Romans socialized while doing business
  • 🛣️ Marble Street: Polished marble road leading from theatre to harbor (now silted 5km inland)
  • 🏛️ Odeon: Smaller 1,500-seat theatre for city council meetings and concerts
  • 🛍️ Agora: Marketplace with columns still standing, commercial heart of ancient city
  • ⚕️ Brothel advertisement: Carved foot, woman, heart in marble - world's oldest advertisement

📝 Practical Tips

  • Terrace Houses worth it: Extra ₺350 absolutely justified - best-preserved mosaics and frescoes
  • Arrive early essential: Cruise ships disgorge 3,000+ tourists at 9:30 AM in peak season
  • Wear sun protection: Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses - minimal shade, intense summer heat
  • Comfortable shoes mandatory: 2-3km of walking on uneven ancient marble and stone
  • Bring water: 2-3 liters per person in summer - vendors expensive, limited shade
  • Two entrances: Upper gate (near Terrace Houses) or lower gate (near Library) - guides choose best route
  • Downhill advantage: Enter upper gate, walk downhill to lower gate for easier walking
  • Allow 2.5-3 hours: Minimum for main sites, 4+ hours if visiting museum and Terrace Houses thoroughly
  • Photography allowed: Most areas permit photos, no flash in Terrace Houses
  • Nearby sites: Ephesus Museum (15 min), House of Virgin Mary (10 min), Temple of Artemis ruins (5 min)
  • Base town: Stay in Selcuk (5km, quiet) or Kusadasi (20km, beach resort) - frequent shuttles

🗺️ Location & Access

  • Nearest town: Selcuk (5km, 10-min drive)
  • Beach resort: Kusadasi (20km, 30-min drive) - where cruise ships dock
  • Izmir Airport: 60km, 1-hour drive - major regional hub
  • From Istanbul: 550km, 1-hour flight to Izmir or 8-hour drive
  • Public transport: Dolmus (minibus) from Selcuk town center every 30 min
  • Taxi from Selcuk: ₺150-250 (€5-8) one way