10 Tips for Visiting Ephesus, Turkey

10 Tips for Visiting Ephesus, Turkey

A visit to Ephesus should be a concern for every traveler on Turkey Route. After more than 150 years of excavations, the city's reclaimed and restored structures have made Ephesus the most complete ancient city in Europe.

The large city was founded in the 10th century BC. Built during the classical Greek era and began to flourish after 129 BC. came under the control of the Roman Republic. It is estimated that the city's population was at times between 33,000 and 56,000 people.

Ephesus was so wealthy that its centerpiece, the marble Temple of Artemis, was once the largest temple on earth and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today the temple is a shadow of its former glory, having been completely rebuilt three times before it was finally destroyed during a raid by the Goths, an East Germanic tribe, in 401 AD.

Despite the loss of the Temple of Artemis, Ephesus remains the best-preserved Roman city in the Mediterranean and one of Turkey's top attractions. Below we share our top tips for visiting Ephesus.

1. Check travel advisories

We have written a lot about Turkey since our trip last month. Unfortunately, much of this happened with a heavy heart. We simply loved our time there and based on our experience alone we would encourage others to visit Turkey in a heartbeat. However, with everything going on in the country, we have been forced to ask ourselves, is traveling to Turkey now essentially too risky?

alt="visit-ephesus-in-article-flag">Atlas & BootsThe Turkish flag flies high

Unfortunately, a country already rocked by violence and terrorist attacks has fallen into even deeper uncertainty since this month's failed coup. Despite the new developments, current advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) only advocates "against all travel within a 10km radius of the border with Syria and the city of Diyarbakir" and not against all travel to Turkey.

Currently our first tip for anyone considering visiting Ephesus or elsewhere in Turkey is it is important to check travel warnings and follow advice from local authorities before deciding to travel.

2. PLAN YOUR VISIT

By most estimates, Ephesus once had a population of between 33,000 and 56,000 during Roman times. As it stands, only 20% of the city has been excavated. The uncovered section covers an area of ​​4 km² but still contains one of the largest collections of Roman ruins in the world.

alt="visit-ephesus-map">Fair useA map of Ephesus

To get the most out of your visit to Ephesus, plan your approximate route before you arrive. If you just “show up and see,” you could easily miss some of the best sights.

Consider taking an Ephesus guide with you on this day. We chose our tried and tested companion, the Lonely Planet Guide, Turkey.

3. COME EARLY (OR LATE)

The best time to visit Ephesus is in the morning, before most of the crowds arrive, including any cruise day-trippers coming from the coast. The other option is to arrive in the afternoon as crowds thin out. Even if you arrive in the afternoon, you should have plenty of time to get around as long as you have your route planned.

The current opening times are as follows:

Another advantage of arriving earlier or later is that you can avoid the scorching heat of the day between 12:00 and 3:00 p.m.

4. Go straight to the main attractions

Once you board, you'll make your way to the main sights. For us the main sights were the main facade of the Library of Celsus, the Amphitheater of Ephesus and the main harbor street.

alt="Visit-Ephesus-in-Article">Atlas & BootsThere is not a tourist in sight in the Celsus Library

By going straight to the main attractions, we basically had them to ourselves, avoided the crowds, and got the photos we wanted.

5. Start at the bottom gate

We made the mistake of starting at the upper main gate and working our way to the lower gate and back again. We headed back to make sure we hadn't missed anything along the way as we'd gone straight to the main attractions first.

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We recommend starting at the bottom gate and returning there at the end of your visit. It is closer to Selçuk and therefore easier to reach if you want to go in from the city. The lower gate is also closer to the other attractions outside the walled ruins, including the Isa Bey Mosque, Ayasoluk Castle, the Archaeological Museum of Ephesus, and the Temple of Artemis. It is also cheaper if you travel by public transport as it is closer to the city.

6. TAKE LOTS OF WATER

Ephesus is very hot, very dry and has little shade. To make matters worse, the heat reflects off the white stone, making it almost unbearable at times.

You will need a lot of water, so take it with you. If (when!) you go out, you can buy something inside. It's more expensive, but this is not the time to save! There are small cafes and juice bars at each entrance, as well as toilets, information centers and friendly staff.

7. DRESS APPROPRIATELY

A sun hat, sunglasses and suitable shoes are a must. The heat and sun are relentless, so make sure you are properly prepared. You'll likely be doing quite a bit of walking and the stone floors are often slippery, so flip-flops and sandals are less than ideal.

Although Turkey is a predominantly Muslim country, Selçuk is not as traditional or strict as other Middle Eastern countries or other Turkey attractions such as the Blue Mosque. With that in mind, it's acceptable to show off your legs. Just make sure you pack plenty of sunscreen.

8. Pay extra to see the townhouses

When visiting such sites there is always the risk of being “tricked”. After a while, a very old temple can start to look like another very old temple, at least to the untrained eye. When we were first offered the additional pass for the townhouses, I anxiously handed over the fee. Did I just pay extra for access to another temple that I might not remember later?

alt="visit-ephesus-terraced-houses">Atlas & BootsA fascinating insight into the painstaking work of restoration

Well, no. First and foremost are the terraced housescovered with a protective canopy, providing a welcome respite from the unrelenting heat. More importantly, they provide a glimpse into the ancient life of the inhabitants of this once great city, as well as a working demonstration of the archeology and restoration still underway in Ephesus. The site provides a fascinating insight into some of the painstaking work that took place and continues today.

Entry to the terrace houses costs 20 TL ($7) and opening times are shorter than the main site, so take your time.

9. See the sights outside the city walls

Around Selçuk – outside the city walls of Ephesus – there are several attractions worth visiting. The magnificent Ayasoluk Castle on Ayasoluk Hill is perhaps the most dramatic and rewarding. It offers unparalleled views over the city and countryside. The entrance ticket also includes access to St. John's Basilica, where the tomb of John the Apostle is believed to be located. Nearby is the quiet and tranquil Isa Bey Mosque with its lush gardens and fountain courtyard.

alt=“visit-ephesus-in-article – 3″>Atlas & BootsAyasoluk Castle is a must see

There is also the original wonder of the world, the Temple of Artemis. All that remains of the original temple is a lone column (topped by a stork's nest), as most of the artifacts are now kept in the British Museum in London. However, the original site is still worth visiting, even if you just want to imagine the structure in its former glory.

Other nearby attractions include the House of the Virgin Mary, the Archaeological Museum of Ephesus and the Çamlık Railway Museum.

10. Don't stay in the city center

We decided not to stay in Selçuk town center, instead opting for a quiet hotel called Akay, just a few minutes' walk up the hill outside of town. Not only was the area quieter and quieter than the touristy (and slightly kitschy) city center, but it also meant we were only moments away from the other attractions around Selçuk.

alt=“visit-ephesus-in-article – 2″>Atlas & BootsThe view from our hotel outside the city

The aforementioned Ayasoluk Castle, St. John's Basilica and Isa Bey Mosque are all within walking distance of the hotel. There are a few restaurants in the area and the main town is just a 10 minute walk away.

Visit to Ephesus: the essentials

What: Visit to Ephesus in Turkey.

Where: We chose the Akay Hotel, which is perfectly located for visiting Ephesus as well as the other attractions around Selçuk. It is close to Ayasoluk Castle, St. John's Basilica and Isa Bey Mosque and just a 10-minute walk from the city center and train station.

The hotel features an inviting swimming pool, a small bar serving cold drinks, snacks and beer, and even a pair of turtles roaming the garden. The real attraction, however, is the expansive view of the surrounding city and landscape. Breakfast is served outside your room overlooking the view, so ask for an upstairs room.

The staff have limited English but will go out of their way to help you with anything you need. Şükran had a dictionary nearby and diligently wrote down sentences to make sure we understood each other correctly.

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When: The best time to visit Ephesus is spring (March to mid-June), when the weather is temperate and the days are long. Note that it may rain for a day or two, especially in April. Even if it is milder than summer, don't underestimate the sun. Summer will definitely be hot and likely crowded, while winter can be cold and rainy.

How: Take a taxi from your hotel to one of the entrance gates. The upper gate should cost no more than 20 TL (7 USD) and the lower gate 15 TL (5 USD). The entrance fee to Ephesus itself is 40 TL (14 USD), with entry to the terraced houses costing 20 TL (7 USD).

If you want to visit Ayasoluk Castle and St. John's Basilica (and you really should), the entrance fee is 10 TL ($3.5 USD) and gets you to both sites.

We arrived Turkey at Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul and spent a few days in Istanbul before heading to Selçuk. We took a domestic flight to Izmir (1 hour) and then got on a train to Selçuk (1 hour 20 minutes).

The airport is international and has connections to a number of domestic destinations throughout Turkey. Book via Skyscanner for the best prices.

The trains proved to be very reliable and easy to use. Further information and booking options can be found on the Turkish State Railways website. We also used the train to continue to Denizli to visit Pamukkale.

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Lonely Planet Turkey is a comprehensive travel guide to the country, ideal for those who want to both explore the top attractions and take the road less traveled.

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