Last updated: September 2026

Ephesus is one of Turkey's most important archaeological sites and Selçuk's main attraction. The ancient city preserves streets, temples, public buildings, homes and some of the country's best-known Greco-Roman structures.

Among the major highlights are the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, Curetes Street and the Terrace Houses, which have a separate ticket.

Ephesus is large, and almost the entire visit takes place outdoors. To see the main points without rushing, allow roughly 3 to 4 hours.

Ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey
Ephesus, one of Turkey's most important and best-preserved ancient cities

Quick information

  • Location: Selçuk, İzmir, Turkey
  • Visit duration: approximately 3 to 4 hours
  • 2026 ticket: €40
  • Approximate value: 2,254 TL / R$237
  • Includes: access to Ephesus and the Ephesus Experience Museum
  • Terrace Houses: €15 extra
  • Approximate value: 845 TL / R$89
  • Daytime hours: 8am to 6:45pm
  • Open: daily
  • Best time: close to opening
  • How to get there: taxi, dolmuş, transfer or car from Selçuk

Prices checked in September 2026 and subject to change.

Is Ephesus worth visiting?

For anyone travelling through western Turkey, yes.

Ephesus was one of the great cities of antiquity and had enormous importance during the Roman period.

The visit's appeal lies precisely in walking through a relatively well-preserved ancient city, rather than just looking at isolated ruins.

Marble streets, homes, temples, markets, fountains and large public buildings help convey the scale Ephesus reached during its peak.

What to see in Ephesus

The site has many structures, but some deserve priority on a first visit.

Curetes Street

Curetes Street is one of Ephesus's main preserved thoroughfares.

Along the route you'll find columns, fountains, monuments and buildings that help you understand how different areas of the city were connected.

It's also the path toward some of the site's best-known structures.

Temple of Hadrian

The Temple of Hadrian sits along Curetes Street.

Its façade is one of the most recognisable features of this part of Ephesus, and it naturally comes into view as you walk toward the Library of Celsus.

Library of Celsus

The Library of Celsus is Ephesus's great symbol.

Its reconstructed façade is one of the site's most iconic images and shows the scale of public buildings that once stood in the ancient city.

It's worth taking in the monument from different angles before continuing toward the lower part of Ephesus.

Great Theatre

The Great Theatre is another essential structure.

Built into the natural slope of the hillside, the theatre has huge tiered seating and helps convey the population and cultural scale Ephesus reached.

The Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre are the two points that shouldn't be missed, even on a shorter visit.

Are the Terrace Houses worth the extra ticket?

The Terrace Houses have an additional ticket.

The current price is:

€15

approximately:

845 TL / R$89

The houses show a very different side of the ancient city.

Instead of large public buildings, visitors find former homes of wealthy families, with preserved mosaics, paintings and domestic spaces.

The visit takes place along walkways and stairs inside a covered structure.

For anyone who enjoys archaeology and wants to better understand private life in Ephesus, it's worth including.

How much does it cost to visit Ephesus?

The ticket for foreign visitors costs:

€40

At the exchange rate used in September 2026:

€40 ≈ 2,254 TL ≈ R$237

The ticket currently includes:

  • the ancient city of Ephesus;
  • the Ephesus Experience Museum.

The Terrace Houses cost:

€15 extra

So anyone wanting to also see the houses should budget approximately:

€55 per person

Prices subject to change.

What are the hours at Ephesus?

The currently stated daytime hours are:

8am to 6:45pm

and is open daily.

Ephesus also offers evening visits on certain days.

Currently, the evening visit is listed for:

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

from:

7pm to 11pm

with the ticket office open until approximately 10pm.

Since evening opening hours can change, confirm them before your trip if you plan to visit at night.

What's the best time?

Early morning tends to be the best choice.

Ephesus receives many groups, and almost the entire route is exposed to the sun.

Arriving close to opening helps you:

  • find lighter crowds;
  • avoid some of the heat;
  • walk the route more calmly;
  • leave time for the Terrace Houses.

In the warmer months, midday can be quite tiring.

How much time should you allow?

Allow roughly 3 to 4 hours to see the main points.

If you plan to take your time in the Terrace Houses and the Ephesus Experience Museum, you can use more.

Don't treat Ephesus as a quick one-hour visit.

Even without stopping long at each ruin, the size of the ancient city requires a fair amount of walking.

Which entrance should you use at Ephesus?

Ephesus has more than one entrance.

A practical strategy is to start at the upper entrance and walk down through most of the site, passing Curetes Street and the Library of Celsus before reaching the Great Theatre area and the lower entrance.

This cuts down on some of the uphill walking during the visit.

If you're using a taxi, driver or transfer, arrange in advance which entrance you'll be dropped at and where you'll be picked up.

How to get to Ephesus from Selçuk

Ephesus is very close to Selçuk.

Options include:

  • taxi;
  • dolmuş or local transport;
  • transfer;
  • car;
  • organised tour.

For anyone staying in Selçuk, there's no need to change hotels just to visit the site.

Selçuk works very well as a base for Ephesus and the region's other historic attractions.

Is Ephesus accessible?

Accessibility varies quite a bit across the site.

The route has:

  • stone streets;
  • uneven surfaces;
  • sloped areas;
  • stairs;
  • long walking distances.

The Terrace Houses also have several stairs and walkways.

People with reduced mobility should check the specific conditions of the areas they want to visit.

What to bring

Much of the visit takes place outdoors.

Bring:

  • water;
  • sun protection;
  • a hat or cap;
  • comfortable footwear;
  • clothing suited to the temperature.

There's little shade along several stretches.

What to combine with Ephesus?

After Ephesus, other nearby attractions can be seen in Selçuk.

The House of the Virgin Mary is in the nearby mountains and requires transport.

The Temple of Artemis and the Basilica of St John are much closer to the centre of Selçuk.

There's no need to fit everything into the same period. Ephesus alone deserves several hours.

Practical tips for visiting Ephesus

  • Allow roughly 3 to 4 hours.
  • Arrive close to the 8am opening.
  • The ticket costs €40 in 2026.
  • The Terrace Houses cost €15 extra.
  • Wear comfortable footwear.
  • Bring water and sun protection.
  • Consider starting at the upper entrance.
  • Arrange the pick-up point in advance if using a driver.
  • Allow more time if you want to visit the Terrace Houses.
  • Double-check the price and hours before your trip.
Final tip: Ephesus becomes far more interesting when the visit isn't just about the Library of Celsus. Walk along Curetes Street, include the Great Theatre, and notice how the different spaces formed a complete city. If your budget allows, the Terrace Houses add a perspective on private life that the grand monuments don't show.