Ephesus

In Selçuk near İzmir, one of the ancient world's best-preserved harbour cities, with marble streets and the Library of Celsus.

Why go

Ephesus is one of the best-preserved cities of the ancient world. Its marble-paved streets, the two-storey façade of the Library of Celsus and the great theatre set into the hillside still convey what it felt like to walk through a Roman harbour city. The site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015.

Historical context

The city grew beside a coastline that shifted over the centuries; as its harbour silted up, the sea retreated kilometres from where it once lapped the docks. In Hellenistic and Roman times Ephesus was among the Aegean’s most important centres of trade and belief. The nearby Temple of Artemis, the Artemision, was counted among the Seven Wonders of the ancient world; today only a few traces of it remain.

What you will see

The main route begins at the upper gate and descends toward Harbour Street. Along the way you pass the Library of Celsus, the agora, bath complexes, the terraced houses and a great theatre that once seated around twenty-five thousand people. The terraced houses are a separately ticketed, roofed section that shows wealthy Roman domestic architecture together with its mosaics and frescoes.

How to get there

Ephesus lies about 3 kilometres from the district town of Selçuk and is easily reached from İzmir by train or car. The nearest airport is İzmir Adnan Menderes. The site has two gates; entering at the upper gate and leaving from the lower one makes most of the walk downhill. The path is largely flat and stone-paved.

When to visit

Spring and autumn are the most balanced seasons. Because the site is large and offers little shade, summer middays can be very hot; early morning or late afternoon is more comfortable. A hat, water and comfortable shoes help. Entry fees and hours can change, so it is worth checking current details from an official source before you go.

Responsible visiting

The marble streets and structures of Ephesus have stood in the open air for centuries, and many of them are fragile. Staying on the marked route, not touching columns or reliefs, and following guide and sign warnings in roofed sections such as the terraced houses all matter for both visitor safety and the protection of the remains. The ground is uneven and slippery in places; walking without hurry and outside the busiest hours is both safer and more enjoyable. Depending on excavation and maintenance work, some sections may be temporarily closed.

Nearby

Selçuk, with its castle, the Basilica of St John and its museum, fits easily into the same day. The House of the Virgin Mary sits on a nearby hill, while the village of Şirince, with its stone houses and vineyards, is a much-loved stop a short drive away.