🏛️ İzmir Province, Turkey
Things to do in Ephesus
One of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean
Ephesus is a vast, beautifully preserved Greco-Roman city near the Aegean coast — marble streets, the towering façade of the Library of Celsus and a 25,000-seat theatre. It’s an easy half-day from the nearby town of Selçuk and a highlight of any Turkey itinerary beyond Istanbul.
Time needed
Half a day
Best time
April–June and September–October for mild weather
Region
İzmir Province, Turkey
Don’t miss
The Library of Celsus
The two-storey marble library façade is one of the most photographed ruins in the world — best in the softer light of early morning or late afternoon, when the crowds thin and the marble glows.
Check availability on GetYourGuideTop things to do in Ephesus
- The Library of Celsus and the marble Curetes Street leading down to it.Find tours
- The Great Theatre, carved into the hillside and still used for events.
- The Terrace Houses with their remarkable Roman mosaics and frescoes.Find tours
- Nearby: the House of the Virgin Mary and the last column of the Temple of Artemis.Find tours
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How to get to Ephesus
Fly from Istanbul to İzmir (ADB), ~1h10, then about an hour to Selçuk by car or train; the site is a short ride or 30-minute walk from town. Often combined with Pamukkale on a coastal loop.
Best time to visit
April–June and September–October for mild weather. Start at opening — the site is largely unshaded and gets fiercely hot and crowded by midday in summer.
Ephesus tips
- Go at opening or in the last two hours: cooler, quieter and far better light on the marble.
- Wear a hat and proper shoes — the site is large, exposed and paved in uneven ancient marble.
- Add the Terrace Houses ticket; the mosaics are the best-preserved part of the city and skip the worst crowds.
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