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A Complete Guide to the History of Ephesus Ancient City: Everything You Need to Know for Your 2025 Visit

  • ozlmcndan005
  • May 2
  • 5 min read

Updated: May 20

Map showing transportation options from Selcuk to Ephesus Ancient City

Founding of Ephesus


Ephesus (called Efes in Turkish) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with magnificent Roman ruins. It's located in the central Aegean region of Turkey, 4km west of Selcuk and 19km northeast of the seaside resort of Kusadasi.


The city of Ephesus can be traced back to the 10th century BC, but human settlement here is thousands of years older. The river was navigable from the sea, and a trading port grew up at Selçuk, 4km to the east, which may have moved from time to time as the river meandered in its lower course. Its estuary was a foul-smelling malarial swamp, so from about 290 BC the city moved west to its present site. From 129 BC, the new regional superpower, the Romans, took over: they started by looting the place but stayed to beautify it, and most of what you see today is their work from 100 BC to 260 AD.


The place was destroyed by the Goths in 263 AD, but was rebuilt and continued to flourish in the Byzantine Roman period. It was an important centre for early Christianity; St Paul preached here, and in 431 AD, Ephesus hosted the Third Ecumenical Council, which continued the task of defining orthodoxy and condemning heresy. And they sort of hosted the Fourth in 449 AD, but that in turn was condemned as heretical by the real Fourth at Chalcedon in 451 and didn't count unless you were Eastern Orthodox, so the Church was divided over how many unifying councils it had ever held. Meanwhile, in the real world, the coast was retreating, fierce enemies were stalking the land, and earthquakes were shaking the city. By the 7th century, Ephesus had lost its port, its livelihood, and its value, and was reduced to a small village. Its stonework was stolen for reuse, but the site was not rebuilt. Serious archaeology and restoration began at the end of the 19th century and continues today.


Ephesus is a year-round site. It has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry, and sunny summers with midday temperatures of 36-37°C. Always wear sun protection, such as a large floppy hat, even on cloudy days, as a lot of UV penetrates the cloud and there's little shade. Winters are mild and wet, but the site is well paved so you can avoid the puddles.


Photo showing dolmus in  Bus Terminal at Selcuk

How to get to Ephesus


By Dolmus

Dolmuses run from Selcuk Otogari to the northern/lower gate every 10-30 minutes, depending on the season. They connect to Kusadasi on the D515, so there's a good dolmus service here.


There are no dolmuses to the upper/southern gate.


To get to Selcuk or Kusadasi, see the Getting There pages for long-distance routes. Both have excellent bus services, and Selcuk is on the IZBAN suburban railway with trains every hour or two from Izmir.


By a Taxi

We explore Ephesus from the southern upper gate and we leave from the lower gate with our group. From Kusadasi, a good plan is to arrange a day trip with us.


Ephesus is one of the main tourist attractions in Turkey. If you are staying at a hotel in Selcuk or Kusadasi, you can join a daily tour of Ephesus.


By road

Independent travellers with their car can make a day trip (although it will be a long day) from any of the Aegean resorts. The site is at the junction of the D550 and D515 and is well signposted.


On foot

You could walk the 4km from Selcuk to either gate, but there is also a lot of walking around the site.


However, if you do one direction by dolmus (to/from the lower gate) and walk the other direction, you can make a stop at the Cave of the Seven Sleepers.


Museumpass card for foreign people
Museum Card

Fees and permits


As of May 2025, the Ephesus entrance fee 2025 is 1,722 TL (about €45), with an additional charge of 646 TL (about €15) for the Terrace Houses.


Parking at either gate is about €5.


The site is open daily from 08:00-17:00 (October to mid-April) and 08:00-18:00 (mid-April to June 5), and 08:00 - 23:00 (June 5 to September). Terrace Houses Ephesus entrance fee 2025 opens half an hour later and closes half an hour earlier.


Consider buying a Turkey Museum Pass–any admission gate can sell these, 7,105 TL (about €165) as of May 2023. There's a wide range available, but the one for this region is the Aegean Pass, 4,887.41 TL (about €95) as of May 2025. Most attractions included charge less than Ephesus, so you probably need to visit four or more others (within 7 days) to make the Aegean Pass a saving.


How to Get Around Ephesus


The grounds of Ephesus are seen entirely on foot, and take 90 minutes to 2.5 hours (plus 30 minutes for the Terrace Houses). The paving of the main avenue is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.


1-Upper Gate (Southern Gate). Entering from the upper gate (like most do), you walk north and downhill, which is easier, so that's what we do.


2-Lower Gate (Northern Gate). If you enter by the lower gate, it's a gentle gradient up, but you will walk against the general flow. Either way, you may have enough chances to enjoy the gaps between tour groups.


Things to Do in Ephesus


Great Theatre

Test the acoustics at the Great Theatre, if it's quiet and you're not competing with too many droning tour guides, and preferably with a companion in the back row to signal audibility. Declaim poetry or one of the great speeches from Shakespeare if you don't trust your singing voice. You'll discover that the focal flagstone is a sweet spot where you're heard, and your voice comes resonating back to drum upon your chest. Move just one metre away and the effect drops off, and after two metres it's gone. The same happens at well-preserved amphitheatres elsewhere; you have to stand central to hold your audience, and this illustrates how oratory and stage performance must have worked in the unamplified ancient world. The other big lesson is that you can't sort-of know the great poems and speeches, you have to nail them word-perfect.


Skydive

Efes airport and the dropzone are next to the lower gate.


Go next

Selçuk has the Ephesus Museum, displaying artefacts from the ancient city. Within town is the Byzantine Church of St John, and further out are sights such as the House of the Virgin Mary.


Kusadasi is the raucous beach resort nearby. The Greeks and Romans would have loved it.


Bergama might be a three-hour drive, as it's north of Izmir, but it's another superb site for the ruins of Pergamon.


Ephesus stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the enduring legacy of ancient civilizations. As you walk its marble streets, touch its weathered columns, and stand in the shadow of the Library of Celsus, you become part of a story that spans millennia. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a photography lover, or simply a curious traveler, Ephesus offers an unforgettable journey through time. Plan your visit carefully using the transportation and timing tips in this guide, and consider combining your trip with nearby attractions to make the most of your Aegean adventure. The whispers of the past await you in Ephesus where every stone tells a story and every step reveals another chapter of our shared human heritage.


 
 
 

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