Ultimate guide to the best things to do in Ephesus and Selcuk, including updated entrance fees, opening hours, and tips for visiting.
Selcuk is a small town located in the Izmir province. It’s famous due to its proximity to the ruins of Ephesus, one of the most important archeological sites in Turkey.
Although most people choose to spend their time in Ephesus only, the town of Selcuk is also worth visiting. From the impressive Library of Celsus to the Great Theater or The Temple of Artemis to the small Greek village of Sirince, there are so many things to see and do.
This travel guide will show you the best things to do in Ephesus and Selcuk, including how to get there, where to stay, 2023 entrance fees, and a suggested itinerary.
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Best things to do in Ephesus Ancient City
Ephesus, or Efes in Turkish, is an ancient Greek city and one of the most impressive archeological sites in Turkey. The city later fell under the rule of the Romans around 130 BC and had a population of 250,000.
It’s also a pilgrimage site for Christians since it is said that Ephesus is the place where Saint Paul wrote the first letter to the Corinthians and Saint John wrote his Gospel. Ephesus may also have been the final resting place of the Virgin Mary.
In 2015, Ephesus was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. To this day, part of the city is still being excavated, so there’s still a lot more to be discovered about Ephesus.
One of the best things to do in Selcuk is to visit the ancient city of Ephesus. Take a step back in time as you wander around the ancient ruins, some of which are still well-preserved, and learn about the history of what was once a flourishing port city.
Tip: If you don’t want to worry about logistics, I recommend booking this guided tour of Ephesus which also includes a visit to the Temple of Artemis. The tour price includes transportation in an air-conditioned van and an expert guide.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A GUIDED TOUR OF EPHESUS
Below are some of the best things to see in Ephesus:
The Harbor of Ephesus
The Harbor of Ephesus was a transshipment area with several warehouses. Part of it is closed off to the public but you can still admire it from a distance and imagine what it looked like back in the day.
The Great Theater
Built during the Hellenistic period, around the 3rd and 1st century BC, the Great Theater is one of the most prominent attractions in Ephesus Selcuk.
With a capacity of 25,000, it was used for performances and gladiator fights. Since the amphitheater is built on the hill slopes, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the harbor and mountains.
If you want to have the Great Theater all to yourself, I highly recommend visiting early in the morning. At midday, it can get very crowded with tour groups but luckily most of them don’t spend too long here.
Library of Celsus
One of the most impressive things to see at Ephesus is the Library of Celsus. The library once housed over 12,000 scrolls and although only the façade is left, the intricate designs and carvings are still well-preserved.
Like the Great Theater, it’s best to visit early to avoid the crowds.
Public Latrines
Not too far away from the Library of Celsus are the ruins of a communal toilet that was used by the Ephesus citizens and visitors.
Curetes Street
This is the main road that runs along Ephesus. It used to be lined with shops where artisans and innkeepers sold their goods and services.
Along Curetes Street you can see the Heracles Gates, Terrace Houses, Nymphaeum Traiani, and The Temple of Hadrian.
The marble paving is quite slippery even in dry weather, so be careful when walking down the road.
The above photo was taken at around 11 a.m and you can see how crowded it was which is why it’s best to visit Ephesus as soon as it opens!
The Temple of Hadrian
This is another monument that was built in honor of Emperor Hadrian.
Terrace Houses
Dating back to the 1st century BC, this is where the elites of Ephesus used to live. You can see from the mosaics and marble walls adorned with frescoes that only the richest could afford to live there.
It does require an additional entrance fee or you can use your Turkiye Museum Pass to enter.
The Temple of Domitian
This monument was built in commemoration of Emperor Domitian.
The Bouleuterion
Constructed in a similar style to the GreatTheater but smaller, the Bouleuterion has a capacity of 1,800. It was used for council meetings, musical performances, and contests.
The Church of Mary
This one isn’t as popular as the other attractions in Ephesus but is still worth a quick stop. The church is located not too far from the north entrance.
The House of Virgin Mary
After the death of Jesus, St John and the Virgin Mary came to Ephesus and it is assumed that Mary spent her last days in this house.
Although there’s no concrete evidence of this, it’s still a pilgrimage site for many Christians and has even been visited by three popes.
It’s located about 8 km from Ephesus, so the only way to get there is by taxi or rental car. I didn’t get a chance to visit since buses don’t go there and private taxis from Selcuk were too expensive. If you want to visit, it’s best to take a guided tour of Ephesus, which usually includes a visit to the House of Virgin Mary.
The entrance ticket to Ephesus doesn’t include the House of Virgin Mary, so you need to buy a separate ticket.
How to get to Ephesus?
There are two entrances to the ruins of Ephesus. If you’re coming by bus (click here for the location of the bus station in Selcuk), you’ll be dropped off at the north entrance which has a huge parking lot.
Here, you’ll find a restaurant and several souvenir shops lining the road that leads to the ticket office. There’s also a free toilet past the ticket office.
The bus trip from Selcuk to Ephesus should take only about 5-10 minutes. Although you could potentially walk there in about 45 minutes, I wouldn’t recommend it, especially during summer as it can be very hot.
Alternatively, you can enter through the south entrance which also has a parking lot but I recommend the north entrance since the most popular monuments like the Great Theater and Library of Celsus are located not too far away.
Related post: How to get to Ephesus from Istanbul
Ephesus Entrance Fee
The August 2025 Ephesus entrance fee is 40 EUR and is included in the Turkiye Museum Pass (find out more about the museum pass here).
Ephesus opening hours and when to visit
Ephesus is open daily from 8 a.m to 6 p.m and the ticket office closes at 5:30 p.m. The best time to visit is around 8 or 9 a.m when it’s not too hot yet and the crowds are at their lowest.
During the summer months, from Wednesday to Saturday, you can also visit Ephesus at night between 7 p.m and 11.30 p.m
If you’re wondering how long you should spend in Ephesus, 2 to 3 hours should be enough to see everything.
Ephesus FAQ
What should you see at Ephesus?
Some of the best things to see at Ephesus include the Library of Celsus, the Great Theater, Curetes Street, and the Terrace Houses.
Is Ephesus worth visiting?
Yes! If you want to learn about the history of what was once a flourishing port city and see all the well-preserved ruins, then Ephesus is worth visiting.
How long should I spend in Ephesus?
It should take about 2 to 3 hours to walk around Ephesus, which is enough to see everything.
Best things to do in Selcuk
Now that you know all about the best attractions in Ephesus, it’s time to discover what Selcuk town has to offer.
Ephesus Archeological Museum
One of the best things to do in Selcuk after you’ve visited the ancient city of Ephesus is to go to Ephesus Archeological Museum located in Selcuk town.
Although it’s quite small, the museum houses loads of artifacts from the prehistoric, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman eras.
You’ll find statues, sculptures, sarcophagus, and old coins which have been excavated not only from Ephesus but also from the Basilica of St John and Temple of Artemis.
The museum is open every day from 8 a.m to 5:30 p.m (the last ticket sale is at 5 p.m) and tickets cost 10 EUR.
Note that the night museum experience is between 6.45 p.m and 10 p.m during the summer months.
Entrance fee: 10 EUR
Temple of Artemis
The Temple of Artemis, also known as the Temple of Diana, is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Dedicated to the goddess Artemis, it is estimated that the Greek temple had over 100 columns when it was first constructed around 570 BC.
Over the years, it was damaged by fire and today only a single standing column is left.
It’s located within walking distance of Selcuk town and is free to visit, so there’s no excuse to skip this Selcuk attraction.
About 20 to 30 minutes should be enough to explore the grounds. You can also get a nice view of Isa Bey Mosque, Basilica of St John, and Ayasuluk Castle from there.
If you want a little guided tour of the temple, you can hire a local guide at the entrance.
Entrance fee: free
Isa Bey Mosque
Located at the end of a cobblestoned street in Selcuk residential area is Isa Bey Mosque. Unlike other mosques, Isa Bey Mosque was built in an asymmetric style.
Some of the architectural elements of Artemis Temple were used to build the mosque which makes it even more fascinating.
Entrance fee: free
Basilica of St John
The Basilica of St John was built in the 6th century to honor the burial site of St John who came to Ephesus with Mary, the mother of Jesus.
The Basilica of St John lies at the top of a hill overlooking Selcuk and can easily be reached on foot if you’re staying in the town center. It’s only about a 5-minute walk from Nicea Hotel where I stayed.
It’s not as popular as most of the attractions in Ephesus so you don’t necessarily need to visit as soon as it opens.
Plan to spend about 30 minutes there to explore the ruins and enjoy the panoramic views over Selcuk town, Isa Bey Mosque, and the neighboring mountains. The basilica is open daily from 8 a.m to 6 p.m.
Tip: The entrance to the Basilica is found here opposite a gift shop. If you just type “Basilica of St John” on Google Maps, you won’t be taken to the correct entrance.
Entrance fee: 6 EUR
Ayasuluk Castle
Sitting at the top of Ayasuluk Hill is Ayasuluk Castle which is also one of the best viewpoints in Selcuk.
From there, you get a 360-degree view of the nearby plantations bordered by soaring mountains and you can even see the entire town.
The castle was built during the 6th century AD and contains 17 towers, a mosque, and a Turkish Bath.
To get to Ayasuluk Castle, you have to enter through the Basilica of St John. Note that it opens slightly later at 9 a.m.
Tip: To get to Ayasuluk Castle, you first need to enter through the Basilica of St John and buy your ticket there.
Entrance fee: 6 EUR
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Take a walk around Selcuk town
Spend some time wandering around the cobblestoned streets of Selcuk and admire the beautiful houses and mosques.
The road leading to Isa Bey Mosque is my favorite since it’s very peaceful and quiet. It’s lined with cute little cafés and restaurants and you’ll even come across many cats here.
You can also explore the town center where most of the restaurants and shops are found.
Alternatively, if you want to cook your own meal or are looking for some fruits and snacks, you can go to Sok Supermarket.
Another thing to see in Selcuk is the ruin of an ancient aqueduct that was used to supply water to Ephesus. Today, only the ruins are left and a stork nest sitting on top of one of the archways.
Finally, if you want to do some shopping, there’s a huge local market not too far from the aqueduct ruins selling cheap clothes, shoes, souvenirs, and all kinds of stuff.
Explore Sirince
Sirince is a small Greek village located in the mountains on the outskirts of Selcuk.
Getting there is very easy since buses leave frequently from Selcuk bus station (otogar). It should then take around 20 minutes to get to the village.
The bus journey will take you along mountain roads and hairpin turns with some of the best views.
The bus will drop you off at the town entrance. This is also where you’ll have to wait for the bus back to Selcuk.
I initially thought that Sirince was too touristy with all the souvenir shops but as I walked further uphill along the little alleyways, I was able to escape the crowds and, at the same time, witness the incredible panoramic views.
There isn’t a whole lot to do in Sirince but you can simply wander around the cobblestoned streets, do some souvenir shopping, visit St John the Baptist Church, or go wine tasting.
If you don’t drink alcohol, you can sample some blackcurrant juice at literally every corner of Sirince.
Pamukkale Day Trip
Also known as Cotton Castle, Pamukkale is a series of cascading pools and one of the most popular attractions in Turkey.
Apart from swimming in the thermal pools, other things to do in Pamukkale include visiting the ancient city of Hierapolis and swimming in the Cleopatra pool.
There are daily tours to Pamukkale that leave from Selcuk.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A PAMUKKALE DAY TOUR FROM SELCUK
Related post: 11 Top things to do in Pamukkale
Cave of Seven Sleepers
According to legend, this is the location where seven men hid away to escape persecution due to their religious beliefs.
Unfortunately, the area is closed off and you can only look at it through the metal gate.
It’s located about a 5-minute drive from Ephesus.
Where to stay in Ephesus Selcuk?
Selcuk is the closest town to Ephesus with a great range of hotels and restaurants. Below are a few recommended places to stay:
Nicea Hotel: I chose to stay at this hotel since it’s located opposite Selcuk bus station and within walking distance of restaurants. It’s also only about a 5-minute drive from Ephesus. It’s very affordable and some of the rooms can accommodate up to 4 people. It’s very quiet at night and a free Turkish breakfast is included in the price. Check latest rates here.
Selena Hotel: This is another great place to stay in Selcuk. It’s slightly more expensive but still very affordable. Breakfast is served on the terrace which offers a nice view of Selcuk town. Check latest rates here.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN SELCUK
How to get to Selcuk?
The quickest way to get to Selcuk is to fly into Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport and from there, you can hire a rental car or taxi, or take the bus to Selcuk. The drive from Izmir Airport to Selcuk takes about 1 hour.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK AN AIRPORT TRANSFER
Another option is to take the bus. Buses are very popular in Turkey and also the cheapest way to get from city to city. The bus station in Selcuk is located in the town center, within walking distance of most hotels.
Bus from Istanbul to Selcuk: If you’re on a budget, take the night bus from Istanbul to Selcuk. It takes about 10 hours and tickets cost about 30 EUR. I took the bus from Otogar İstasyonu in Istanbul but there are lots of other bus stations from where you can take the bus. Simply choose whichever one is closest to your hotel in Istanbul. Click here to book
Bus from Pamukkale to Selcuk: If you’re coming from Pamukkale, you’ll first need to go to Denizli bus station. From there, it takes about 3 hours to get to Selcuk. Tickets cost about 10 EUR. Click here to book
Bus from Fethiye to Selcuk: The bus from Fethiye to Selcuk takes about 5 hours and tickets cost about 20 EUR.
Related post: Renting a car in Turkey: Everything you need to know
How many days in Ephesus and Selcuk?
2 days in Ephesus and Selcuk should be enough but you can stay up to 3 days if you plan to take a day trip to Pamukkale.
Below is a suggested itinerary for Ephesus and Selcuk:
Day 1: Ancient city of Ephesus, afternoon in Sirince
Day 2: Artemis Temple, Isa Bey Mosque, Basilica of St John, Ayasuluk Castle, Selcuk town
Day 3: Pamukkale day trip
Best time to visit
The peak season is between June and August, so there will be more crowds. Thus, the best time to visit Ephesus and Selcuk is during the shoulder season – April /May or September/October.
The weather is also not too hot during these months.
Selcuk FAQ
Is Selcuk worth visiting?
Absolutely! There’s so much to see in Selcuk like the Artemis Temple, Basilica of St John, Ayasuluk Castle, and Isa Bey Mosque. Plus, it’s the perfect base for those wishing to visit Ephesus Archeological Site.
What is Selcuk known for?
Selcuk is famous mainly for its proximity to Ephesus but there are also plenty of other archeological sites to visit in Selcuk itself.
I hope you found this guide to the best things to do in Ephesus and Selcuk helpful. Let me know in the comment section if you have any questions.
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3 comments
We will be coming from Bodrum and heading to Ephesus/ Selçuk Turkey. We are spending 5 nights in Bodrum, could we make a day trip to Ephesus/ Selçuk then return to Bodrum? Also, is there anything to do in Bodrum other than golf, swim and relax??? I like attractions, history and touring, not tooo much into relaxing, swimming and golfing when I’m in such a historical country. I do have plans to be Ephesus/Selcuk for 2 night however I am rethinking that and looking into heading back to Istanbul 2 day earlier (skipping the extra 2 days) if is feasible or practical to visit Ephesus/Selcuk while in Bodrum. I think I need to spend more time in Istanbul . Do you have an itinerary for Istanbul (does not need to be Instagram worthy spots).
We will be coming from Bodrum and heading to Ephesus/ Selçuk Turkey. We are spending 5 nights in Bodrum, could we make a day trip to Ephesus/ Selçuk then return to Bodrum? Also, is there anything to do in Bodrum other than golf, swim and relax??? I like attractions, history and touring, not tooo much into relaxing, swimming and golfing when I’m in such a historical country. I do have plans to be Ephesus/Selcuk for 2 night however I am rethinking that and looking into heading back to Istanbul 2 day earlier (skipping the extra 2 days) if is feasible or practical to visit Ephesus/Selcuk while in Bodrum. I think I need to spend more time in Istanbul . Do you have an itinerary for Istanbul (does not need to be Instagram worthy spots).
Hi Lori. I highly recomme d spending 2 nights in Selcuk so you have enough time to explore Ephesus at a leisurely pace. You could also do a half-day trip to Sirince plus there’s plenty to see in Selcuk town itself. So 2 nights is the minimum imo.
I’m not sure if a day trip to Ephesus from Bodrum would be feasible as I haven’t been there.
I also have a 4 day itinerary for Istanbul but you can easily cut it to 2 days: https://www.letsventureout.com/4-days-in-istanbul-itinerary/