Last updated: September 2026
The Temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and one of Ephesus's great sanctuaries.
Today, very little remains of the monumental structure that once stood there in antiquity. The most visible element is a reconstructed column built from fragments found on site, along with bases and blocks scattered across the area.
Because of this, the visit is quick.
The main reason to see the site is standing exactly where one of the ancient world's most famous buildings once stood.
Free entry.
Quick information
- Location: Selçuk, İzmir
- Entry: free
- Visit duration: approximately 20 to 30 minutes
- Currently listed reference hours: approximately 8:30am to 5:30pm
- How to get there: on foot from central Selçuk, taxi or car
- Best combination: the Basilica of St John and central Selçuk
- Other name: Temple of Diana
Hours can change. Confirm locally before your visit.
Is the Temple of Artemis worth visiting?
Yes, as long as your expectations are right.
Don't expect to find a preserved temple similar to the reconstructions shown in books and illustrations.
Almost the entire structure is gone.
The visit is worthwhile mainly for the site's historical importance and the fact that it was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Since entry is free and the site sits close to central Selçuk, it's easy to include in your itinerary.
What was the Temple of Artemis like?
The sanctuary went through different building phases.
One of the temple's great versions was built in marble and became known for its monumental scale.
After a fire in 356 BC, a new structure was built.
Historical and archaeological sources associate this phase with approximately 127 columns, some over 18 metres tall.
The temple was dedicated to Artemis of Ephesus, whose tradition carried distinctive features specific to the region.
What happened to the temple?
The Temple of Artemis went through destruction, reconstruction and transformation over the centuries.
As the sanctuary declined and the region's political and religious landscape changed, much of its material ended up being reused in other buildings.
The ruins were identified through 19th-century archaeological excavations.
Today, only foundations, fragments and a reassembled column help indicate the complex's original scale.
What's there to see today?
The main visible structure is the reconstructed column.
You'll also find:
- stone blocks;
- bases;
- architectural fragments;
- foundation remains.
It's precisely because so little remains that a visit of approximately 20 to 30 minutes is usually enough.
Is entry free?
Yes.
Free entry.
The site doesn't require the kind of ticket used for Ephesus or other museums in the region.
This makes the Temple of Artemis an easy stop for anyone already exploring Selçuk.
How much time should you allow?
Allow approximately:
20 to 30 minutes
There's no large archaeological circuit to walk.
Anyone with a strong interest in ancient history may want to stay longer, trying to picture the scale of the old temple and taking in the surrounding landscape.
How to get to the Temple of Artemis
The site is near central Selçuk.
The address used for location is:
Atatürk, Park İçi Yolu No:12, 35920 Selçuk/İzmir.
You can walk there from different parts of the centre.
It's also a simple stop for anyone travelling by taxi or car.
Are the Temple of Artemis and Ephesus in the same place?
No.
The main Ephesus archaeological site is in a different area.
The Temple of Artemis is much closer to the modern town of Selçuk.
So don't assume you'll automatically see the temple during your visit to the main Ephesus ruins.
A separate stop is needed.
Are the Temple of Artemis and the Temple of Diana the same place?
Yes.
Artemis is the goddess's Greek name.
Diana is her equivalent in Roman tradition.
Because of this, you'll also find references to the site as the Temple of Diana.
What to combine with the Temple of Artemis?
The Basilica of St John is nearby and one of the most practical combinations.
You can also see the İsa Bey Mosque and other areas of central Selçuk.
Since the Temple of Artemis requires little time, it works better as an addition to other attractions than as the main activity of the day.
Practical tips
- Free entry.
- Allow roughly 20 to 30 minutes.
- Don't expect to find a preserved temple.
- The main remnant is a reassembled column.
- The site is near central Selçuk.
- Combine it with the Basilica of St John.
- Ephesus is a separate archaeological site.
- Confirm the local hours before your visit.