How to visit and what to see in Ephesus (Türkiye) in 1 day: schedules, prices

El archaeological site of Ephesus It is one of the most impressive remains of the Ancient world in the Mediterranean and one of the visits that we all want to make at any time. trip through Türkiye.

Ephesus It was included in 2015 on the list of World Heritage for the Unesco for being an excellent example of urban planning adapted to the landscape, for being a testimony of cultural and religious traditions of local origin and also Hellenistic, Roman and Christian.

After many decades of archaeological and restoration work Ephesus appears before the visitor as the most complete greco-roman city.

A few hours in this place can make us imagine the magnificence of the classical world, even though only 20 percent of what it is estimated this great metropolis must have been like in its time of splendor has been unearthed.

As capital of Roman Asia Minor, Ephesus It was a large city of 200.000 inhabitants, and its port and great temple of artemis They attracted an incessant flow of merchants and pilgrims.

History of Ephesus, Wonder of the Ancient World

It must be remembered that the Hellenistic Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, next to the pyramids of Egypt, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Lighthouse of Alexandria and the statue of Zeus in Olympia.

El original ephesus It must have been founded about 3.000 years ago by Ionian immigrants.

Upon arriving they found that the inhabitants of the region venerated the goddess Cybele, as was general throughout Anatolia.

The Greeks managed to merge this cult with that of Sagebrush, creating a single fertility goddess which was venerated in a great temple.

Since then, countless pilgrims have come to this place, generating unimaginable prosperity.

All the powers that established themselves in this area, whether they were Lydians, Persians, Macedonians or Romans, maintained this lucrative cult.

Augusto turned to Ephesus in the capital of Asia Minor and in a large shopping center.

Ephesus It also plays an important role in the history of Christianity.

It is said that The Virgin lived here with San Juan and his house also became a place of pilgrimage for centuries.

San Pablo passed by several times Ephesus in its apostolate trips.

Tips for visiting Ephesus

Una visit to Ephesus must last at least two hours, although in that case only the most important places will be seen.

A little more time will give you the opportunity to enjoy the site and its monuments more.

Ephesus It is one of the favorite destinations of all travelers who travel through the area, including those who participate in cruises.

Logically it is the excursion most booked by cruise passengers who disembark in the Kusadasi port, which is less than 20 kilometers away.

Best time to visit Ephesus

Therefore it is advisable, as far as possible, to schedule the visit first thing in the morning or, much better, at the end of the day, when all the buses with groups have left.

It is worth remembering that at midday in summer it can be very hot in this area.

The last time we visited Ephesus We take advantage of the early hours of the afternoon to visit other places of interest in Selçuk, the current Turkish city that is about four kilometers away, and then approach Ephesus.

By then all the groups left and the visit was very calm, without any crowds. This is the recommended option if you spend the night in Selçuk.

Ephesus It is located on the slope of the pion hill and it can be said that there is a lower city and an upper city.

Although the area is well equipped, it is advisable to be prepared with sun protection, water and good footwear.

La main entrance to the archaeological site It is located in the area where antiquity accessed by travelers arriving from Izmir. Next to the ticket offices there are several souvenir and refreshment shops.

From Selcuk can be go to Ephesus by taxi or bus, or even taking a walk along a wonderful avenue lined with large trees.

The first thing you find when you enter the archaeological site It is a series of structures that are the remains of buildings characteristic of ancient sociability: gymnasiums, thermal baths, commercial agora and the theater.

Via Arcadiana in Ephesus

The first remains are not very impressive, but you soon reach one of the most impressive places in the complex: the point where the Arcadian Way y theater, which would surely be one of the most splendid in the Ancient world.

La Arcadian Way It emerges on our right side and was the entrance to the city for those who disembarked at the port, which was one of the most active in Asia Minor two millennia ago.

This road, more than 500 meters long, was flanked by porches where there would be shops, although currently only the pavement remains.

Historians claim that this street once had public lighting, something that only existed in Roma y Antioch.

We can walk the entire length of the road, but we will no longer reach the port.

There have been important changes on the coastline of this area of Türkiye over time and now the coastline is several kilometers away; the port loss was one of the reasons for the decline of Ephesus.

Instead of returning to the theater along the monumental road, we can turn a little to the right and discover a series of remains that, if not the most spectacular in the city, do deserve attention.

Here were the hot springs and port arena, but the most interesting thing is a particularly long and narrow building that was originally the port market, and which in the 4th century became a iglesia dedicated to The Virgin.

It was in this precise place where, in the 5th century, the two Councils of Ephesus, which had a decisive importance in the Christian world and many of their decisions are still in force.

Ephesus Theater

Then you can go back to Theater, which takes advantage of the slope of the Mount Pion to distribute the rows of seats.

What is visited now is the rehabilitation of the Roman theater, from the 24st century AD, which could accommodate 000 spectators.

In its moment of splendor, with marble walls that have disappeared, it must have been a truly magnificent place where works by classical authors were performed, but parties were also celebrated and it was the great meeting center of the city.

In front of the Theater and perpendicular therefore to the Arcadian Way run the Marble Street, which leads to Ágora and the Celsus Library, and it was also flanked by porticos.

Library of Celsus in Ephesus

La Celsus Library It is one of the most spectacular buildings in all Ephesus, especially because of the great reconstruction carried out by archaeologists.

Its elaborate façade shows two floors and is richly decorated, and a little-known detail is that it is actually a Funerary monument.

When a consul wanted to build a mausoleum for his father, Celso, in the interior of the city they only gave permission if the building had another function.

Thus, a large amount of money was dedicated to obtaining bibliographic funds, which allowed the tomb to be buried in the basement, which archaeologists discovered in 1904.

As a library it was one of the most important in the world of its time.

Curetes Street in Ephesus

You then arrive at the Curetes Street, one of the main Ephesus since it united the Lower Town with the Upper City.

At the beginning of this street is the call House of Pleasures, which is barely rebuilt. but it is one of those that always arouses the greatest interest.

It is often said that an engraving on the ground in the shape of the sole of a foot and a woman is a warning that this is the path to the brothel.

The house, with several patios, probably had different uses over the centuries. Very close are the latrines.

Temple of Hadrian in Ephesus

Following the Curetes Street you get to Hadrian's temple, another of the most attractive buildings in Ephesus, which stands out for its reliefs.

In the arch of the entrance there is represented a type, a local goddess, and on the tympanum another female figure emerges from a decoration of acanthus.

Next to it are the Scholastica Hot Springs.

Right in front the calls stand out Houses on Terrace, a series of large mansions organized around atriums, in which the most interesting thing is to observe the walls decorated with frescoes and mosaics.

You can visit two of them, but you must bear in mind that to do so you have to pay a special entrance fee since the general entrance fee is not valid.

On the way up to the Upper City You pass other places of interest such as Trajan's Nymphaeum, Hercules Gate and monument to Memmius.

In this upper part, where the public buildings dedicated to the city government were concentrated, the State Agora and Bouleuterion.

The latter is very well preserved, and although at first glance it could be taken for a theater, it was the meeting place of the city ​​council.

Ephesus visit schedules

The Visiting hours of the archaeological remains of Ephesus It is, from April to September, from 8 a.m. to 19 p.m., and the rest of the year, from 8,30:18 a.m. to XNUMX p.m., with last access in both cases one hour before closing time.

El entrance price to visit Ephesus It is 100 TRY (13,40 euros).

Visit the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus

Around Ephesus There are different places of interest that can be included in the visit depending on the time available.

Although the remains may be disappointing, we should try visit the Temple of Artemis, which is located about three kilometers from archaeological site of Ephesus, fair on the outskirts of Selçuk, the modern city that can serve as a base for the visit as it has a good number of restaurants and accommodations.

El Temple of Artemis in Ephesus We have already mentioned that it was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, and its importance was decisive from a cultural, religious, artistic point of view (it was one of the largest and most beautiful in the world in its time) and political point of view.

However, practically nothing remains of the different temples that were built there over the centuries.

It is on land that floods periodically and only one column has been rebuilt.

The visit to the Temple of Artemis is free. 

What to see in Selçuk around Ephesus

En Selçuk It is advisable to visit, among other places, the Basilica of saint john, Ayasuluk fortress and Isa Bey Mosque.

A little apart are the Maria's house, which is said to have welcomed The Virgin, and the Grotto of the Seven Sleepers.

In any case, Ephesus is one of most recommended visits in all of Türkiye.