Ephesus, Selçuk: Tickets, Getting There & Visitor Guide (2026)

Ephesus is the best-preserved ancient city in the eastern Mediterranean. At its peak in the first and second centuries AD, it was the Roman province of Asia’s capital and one of the Roman Empire’s three largest cities, with a population estimated at 200,000–500,000. Walking its marble-paved streets today - past the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, the Terrace Houses, and the Temple of Hadrian - gives a more complete picture of a functioning Roman city than almost anywhere else in the world.

The ruins are located near the town of Selçuk in İzmir province, approximately 80km south of İzmir and 20km from Kuşadası. Most visitors approach from one of these two bases.

Tickets and Entry (as of 2026)

Main site entry: approximately ₺1,000 per person (as of 2026). This covers the majority of the ancient city, including the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, the main colonnaded street (Curetes Street), the Odeon, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Fountain of Trajan.

Terrace Houses (Slope Houses): sold separately, approximately ₺600 per person (as of 2026). The Terrace Houses are a complex of seven Roman villas built into the hillside above Curetes Street. They are covered by a modern protective structure with elevated walkways through the interiors, which contain remarkably well-preserved frescoes, mosaic floors, and marble wall cladding showing how wealthy Romans lived in the 1st–5th centuries AD. The Terrace Houses are worth the additional cost - they are the highlight of a visit to Ephesus for many visitors.

Combined tickets are available at the gate. In summer, buy your ticket online before arriving to avoid queues.

Opening Hours (as of 2026)

The site is open daily, 08:00–18:30 (April–October). In winter (November–March), closing time moves to approximately 17:00. Last entry is 1 hour before closing.

There is no single fixed day of closure - Ephesus is open every day of the year including national holidays.

What to See

The site has two main entrance gates. Most visitors enter from the Upper Gate (near the car parks) and walk downhill through the site to the Lower Gate near the harbour road. This downhill-to-harbour direction is the recommended route.

From the Upper Gate:

• Odeon (Bouleuterion): A small covered theatre (1,400 seats) used for city council meetings and musical performances. The original wooden roof is gone but the seating banks are well preserved.
• Prytaneion (Town Hall): Adjacent to the Odeon. The Artemis statues now in the Ephesus Museum in Selçuk town were found here.
• Curetes Street: The main ceremonial street of ancient Ephesus, paved with marble and lined with columns, fountain monuments, and statue bases. The marble is deeply worn by 2,000 years of foot traffic.

Midway along Curetes Street:

• Temple of Hadrian: An exceptionally preserved 2nd-century AD temple with an arch decorated with relief carvings of Medusa and Tyche. One of the most photographed spots in Ephesus.
• Terrace Houses entrance: On the hillside to the left of Curetes Street. Allow at least 45 minutes inside.

Lower section:

• Library of Celsus: The most iconic structure at Ephesus. Built around 117 AD as a monumental tomb and library, its two-storey facade of columns and niches has been partially reconstructed and is extraordinarily photogenic. The facade faces west, making it best photographed in afternoon light.
• Commercial Agora: The ancient city’s main market, adjacent to the Library.
• Great Theatre: Carved into the hillside of Mount Pion. Seating capacity of approximately 25,000. Performances and concerts are occasionally held here - check ahead of your visit. The view from the upper tiers across the harbour plain is one of the best in Ephesus.

How to Get There

From Kuşadası (20km): The easiest approach. Dolmuş (shared minibus) services run from Kuşadası town centre to Selçuk approximately every 30 minutes throughout the day; journey time approximately 30–40 minutes. Fare approximately ₺50 as of 2026. A private taxi from Kuşadası costs approximately ₺400–500 one way. Many Kuşadası hotels also offer half-day Ephesus tours with transport included.

From Selçuk town (3km): The lower entrance is walkable from Selçuk train station in about 35–40 minutes on a flat path. Taxis from Selçuk to either gate cost approximately ₺150–200 as of 2026. Dolmuş also connects town centre to the main car park near the upper gate.

From İzmir (80km): Intercity buses from İzmir Otogar (bus station) to Selçuk run approximately hourly and take around 75 minutes. İzmir is also on the İzban suburban rail network - the Selçuk station is served by train, and the walk from Selçuk station to the lower gate is manageable. The İzban option is slower (90–100 minutes) but more reliable on schedule.

By tour from Istanbul: Day-trip tours to Ephesus from Istanbul involve a flight or overnight coach to İzmir or Kuşadası. Most travellers on a 1-week Turkey itinerary include Ephesus as part of an Aegean coast leg rather than a day trip from Istanbul.

Best Time to Visit

Early morning (08:00–10:00): The site opens at 08:00. The first 90 minutes are significantly quieter than any other time of day and the light on the Library of Celsus is excellent from the east in the early morning. Cruise passengers from Kuşadası typically arrive from 10:00 onward.

Late afternoon (16:00–18:00): Day-trippers and cruise groups leave by 15:30–16:00. The Curetes Street scene in the afternoon - with the Library facing into the western light - is one of the best photography moments at any Turkish site.

Best season: April–May and September–October offer the best combination of weather and manageable crowds. July and August are extremely hot (temperatures regularly exceed 38°C in the open marble streets) and busy with cruise passengers. The site has very little shade. Carry water regardless of season.

Nearby Sites

Ephesus Museum, Selçuk: Houses statues and artefacts from the site including the famous Artemis statues, Roman mosaics, and tomb friezes. In Selçuk town centre, entry approximately ₺300 (as of 2026). Allow 45–60 minutes. Strongly recommended alongside the main site.

Basilica of St John, Selçuk: A Byzantine basilica on Ayasoluk Hill said to be built over the tomb of John the Evangelist. Partially ruined but atmospheric; excellent views over Selçuk from the hilltop. Entry approximately ₺200 (as of 2026).

Temple of Artemis (Artemision): One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World in antiquity; today only one column remains standing in a field outside Selçuk town. Worth the 10-minute walk or taxi for context, but manage expectations.

Kuşadası: The nearest resort town, with seafront restaurants and a busy harbour. Our Ephesus and Kuşadası guide covers both together.

For a week-long itinerary that includes the Aegean coast, see our 1-week Turkey itinerary.