Ephesus at a glance
Ephesus, called Efes in Turkish, is an ancient city in the Selçuk district of İzmir province on the Aegean coast of Türkiye. UNESCO added it to the World Heritage List in 2015. The entry describes a landscape of city and harbour sites that moved over the centuries, not only the Roman street that visitors walk today.
This guide covers what you need to plan a visit: tickets and opening hours, the Terrace Houses with their own ticket, the Library of Celsus, a route from the upper to the lower gate, tours, shore excursions from Kuşadası, day trips from Istanbul, the Temple of Artemis, the House of the Virgin Mary, the museum in Selçuk, history, getting there, the best time to visit and where to stay. Prices are in euros for 2026 and they can change. For Pamukkale and Hierapolis, which have their own guide, follow the link.
Our picks: Ephesus tours and tickets
Our take: if you want everything paid in advance, take the all-inclusive day with the Terrace Houses. From a cruise ship the fast-track tour is the safer choice, and the small-group tour is the budget option if you buy the entry on site.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Ephesus, Terrace Houses and Mary's House with entries
- Entries incl. Terrace Houses
- Licensed guide
- Pickup and return
The one day out where every entry on the programme is already paid, including the Terrace Houses and the Basilica of St. John.
Check availability →
Ephesus and Mary's House with fast-track entry
- Ephesus entry with fast track
- Licensed guide
- On-time port return
Ephesus entry with fast-track tickets is in the price, and the return to the ship is timed. The Terrace Houses are extra.
Check availability →
Small-group Ephesus tour for cruise passengers
- Licensed guide
- Kuşadası port transfer
- Guaranteed on-time return
A short guided visit from the port with a guaranteed return. Ephesus entry is paid on site.
Check availability →Ephesus tours and day trips
Guided visits from Selçuk, Kuşadası and İzmir, shore excursions and flight day trips from Istanbul, with live prices and availability.
Plan your Ephesus visit
One page for each question you are likely to have.
Tickets and opening hours
Prices, winter hours, children, the museum pass and what a ticket covers.
Ephesus tours compared
Private guides, small groups, transfers and what to check before you book.
Ephesus from Kuşadası
Shore excursions, transfers and a plan for a port day.
Day trip from Istanbul
Flight times and what a long one-day trip with a flight involves.
Ephesus and Pamukkale
Distance, travel time and two-day tours that combine both.
The Terrace Houses
Separate ticket, mosaics, frescoes and winter hours.
Library of Celsus
Who built it, what was rebuilt and how to photograph it.
Self-guided route
From the upper gate to the lower gate, stop by stop.
Temple of Artemis
One column, free access and how to fit it into your day.
House of the Virgin Mary
Visiting hours, tradition and respectful visiting.
Ephesus Museum
The finds from the site, in Selçuk town.
History of Ephesus
From early settlement to the Roman provincial capital and the Christian city.
Things to do in Selçuk
Twelve ideas around Ephesus, including Şirince.
Getting to Ephesus
İzmir airport, train, dolmuş and taxi.
Best time to visit
Monthly temperatures and rain, heat and cruise days.
Where to stay
Selçuk, Şirince or Kuşadası: which base fits your plans.
A first visit in outline
The usual order of stops, from the upper gate downhill.
Buy tickets and pick a gate
Entry is €40 for foreign adults. The upper gate is the usual start for the walk downhill, and the lower gate is the usual end.
Tickets and hours →Walk down the Curetes Street
From the State Agora and Odeon past the Prytaneion, the Temple of Hadrian and the side street to the Terrace Houses and latrines.
Self-guided route →Add the Terrace Houses
Their ticket is €15 extra, and they close earlier than the rest of the site in winter.
Terrace Houses →End at the Great Theatre
Past the Library of Celsus and the Marble Road area to the Great Theatre and the Harbour Street, then the lower gate.
Library of Celsus →A few things to know before you go
The points that most often change a plan.
Two tickets, two prices
Ephesus costs €40 for foreign adults and includes the digital experience museum. The Terrace Houses are €15 extra, and the museum in Selçuk is a separate €10 visit.
Winter hours are shorter
From 1 October 2026 to 1 April 2027 the site is open 08:00–18:00 and the Terrace Houses 09:00–17:00. Ticket sales end earlier than closing time.
The Marble Road path is closed
The path along the Marble Road from the Library of Celsus has been closed since 10 April 2025, with no end date. Check the current detour on site.
Evening visits are seasonal
In 2026 the evening programme ran from 1 June to 1 October, Wednesday to Saturday until 23:00. Museum passes do not cover evening visits.
A textile roof, not glass
The roof over the Terrace Houses is a textile membrane with a coating, and the visitor path does not follow the ancient street plan.
The İsa Bey Mosque is open again
The mosque in Selçuk has been open for prayer again since 28 February 2025, after restoration.
More independent Türkiye guides
Separate guides from the same team.
Ephesus: frequently asked questions
How much does Ephesus cost in 2026?
€40 for a foreign adult, including the digital experience museum. The Terrace Houses are €15 on top, which makes €55 for both at the regular prices. The museum in Selçuk is €10. See the tickets page for children and passes.
How long should I plan for Ephesus?
Plan around 2 hours 30 minutes for the main site, plus time for the Terrace Houses if you add them. That is a guide figure, not a rule, and you can stay longer. From the cruise port add the drive each way, see Ephesus from Kuşadası.
Do I need a visa for Türkiye?
German citizens can enter visa-free for up to 90 days within 180 days, with a passport or an ID card. Holders of ordinary US passports are also visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 days; official US passports follow different rules. For other EU countries the rule depends on nationality and passport type, so check your government's travel advice.
Is the Terrace Houses ticket included in the Ephesus ticket?
No. The Terrace Houses have their own ticket, €15 for foreign adults in 2026. Read the included list of any tour carefully, because the Terrace Houses are not part of every tour. More on the Terrace Houses page.
Can I visit Ephesus in the evening?
Not all year. In 2026 the site stayed open until 23:00 from Wednesday to Saturday between 1 June and 1 October. Check whether an evening programme runs on your dates.
Is this an official Ephesus website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not connected to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the state museums, the excavation team, any tour operator or any cruise line.