Ephesus and Selçuk: A Visitor’s Guide

In short: the ruins of Ephesus (Efes) lie about 3 km from the town of Selçuk, in İzmir province on Türkiye’s Aegean coast. Ephesus has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015. Plan a full morning for the ancient city, and more time for the Terrace Houses, the Ephesus Museum in Selçuk and the hill of Ayasuluk with the Basilica of St John.

Last checked: 12 November 2026. Opening hours differ between official sources and change with the season, so check the official museum website (muze.gov.tr) on the day. We don’t list ticket prices.

What the World Heritage Site includes

UNESCO lists Ephesus as one site with four parts:

• Çukuriçi Höyük: a prehistoric settlement mound.
• Ayasuluk Hill: Selçuk Castle, the Basilica of St John, the İsa Bey Bath and Mosque, and the site of the Temple of Artemis.
• The ancient city of Ephesus: the Greek and Roman city with its streets, theatre and library.
• The House of the Virgin Mary: a place of pilgrimage on the wooded slopes of Bülbül Dağı, a few kilometres from Selçuk.

Inside the ancient city

• Library of Celsus: the most famous façade in Ephesus, built in the early 2nd century AD. Austrian archaeologists began a new conservation project on the library in December 2024, planned to run until the end of 2027, so you may see scaffolding.
• Curetes Street: the marble street that runs downhill from the upper city to the Library of Celsus.
• Temple of Hadrian: a small, richly carved temple front on Curetes Street.
• The Great Theatre: a huge Roman theatre cut into the hillside.
• Ephesus Experience Museum: a visitor centre opposite the Great Theatre. Entry is included in the Ephesus ticket.

The Terrace Houses

The Terrace Houses (Yamaç Evler) are Roman-era houses inside the ancient city. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism lists them as a separate site with their own opening hours, which are shorter than the ancient city’s. Check whether you need a separate ticket when you buy yours.

In and around Selçuk

• Ephesus Museum: in Selçuk town, with finds from the ancient city. It is open every day, with no weekly closing day.
• Basilica of St John: on Ayasuluk Hill. A wooden-roofed church stood here in the early 5th century; Emperor Justinian rebuilt it as a great basilica in the mid-6th century.
• İsa Bey Mosque: built in 1375, just below the basilica.
• Temple of Artemis: one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It burned in 356 BC and was rebuilt around 330 BC.
• House of the Virgin Mary: on Bülbül Dağı, a few kilometres from Selçuk. There is no regular bus, so go by taxi or on a tour.

Getting there

• From İzmir: Selçuk is about 74 km south of İzmir. The İZBAN suburban line runs from İzmir to Selçuk, its southern terminus, and TCDD regional trains also stop at Selçuk. Check times on the İZBAN and TCDD websites.
• From Selçuk: the ruins are about 3 km away, a short taxi or minibus ride.
• From Kuşadası: Kuşadası, a resort town in neighbouring Aydın province, is a common base, and many day tours to Ephesus start there.

Tips for your visit

• Go early: the site has little shade, so in summer the morning is the most comfortable time.
• Wear good shoes: the marble streets are uneven and can be slippery.
• Bring water and a hat, especially from June to September.
• Allow enough time: the ancient city alone takes several hours; add the Terrace Houses and the museum for a full day.

Staying on the Aegean coast? See our İzmir travel guide and the best time to visit Turkey.

Sources we checked (November 2026): UNESCO: Ephesus · İzmir Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism: Ephesus · İzmir Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism: Selçuk · İzmir Provincial Directorate: World Heritage List · Ministry of Culture and Tourism: Ephesus Ancient City · Ministry of Culture and Tourism: Terrace Houses · Ministry of Culture and Tourism: Ephesus Experience Museum · Ministry of Culture and Tourism: Ephesus Museum · Austrian Academy of Sciences: Celsus Library conservation · İZBAN

Ephesus: questions

Header photo: the Library of Celsus. Photo: Benh LIEU SONG, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (resized).