General
Ephesus is one of the true wonders of the world. Walking around this extraordinary ancient city takes you back in time like no other place can.
Highlights in Selcuk
The Ancient City of Ephesus
An ancient Greek city, Ephesus, is located in the South of Symrna (present-day Izmir). It dates back to 10th century BC. Despite this ancient beginning it’s remarkably well preserved, second only to Pompeii. The city was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was also an important centre for Early Christianity. Today, Ephesus is one 0f the most sought after archaeological wonders of the world
Temple of Artemis
The Temple of Artemis or Artemision, was a Greek temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis and is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destructed and rebuilt a number of times throughout its long history. Today only the ruins of the foundation of this amazing construction of the Hellenistic Age can be seen.
House of The Virgin Mary
This Catholic and Muslim shrine, located on Mount Koressos (Bulbul Dagi) is an important religious site. Catholic pilgrims visit the house based on the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken to this stone house by Saint John and lived there until her Assumption (according to Catholic doctrine) or Dormition (according to Orthodox belief).
Highlights Nearby Selcuk
Sirince Village
This pretty village, 12 km away from Ephesus, was once called Cirkince (ugly). Its habitants gave this name to the village on purpose as they did not want to be bothered by foreigners nor to share the beauty of their village. Over the years, visitors came to understand that the village was far from being ugly and, on the contrary, was very beautiful, so re-named it Sirince (pretty). This charming little village has managed to preserve its authenticity. Its unique architecture, tasty wine, olive oil, handicrafts and serene lifestyle makes it a must-see place if you’re visiting Ephesus.
Pergamon
This magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site, sits on top of a hill in a town called Bergama, two hours north of Ephesus. The acropolis of Pergamon was the capital of the Hellenistic Attalid dynasty, a major centre of learning in the ancient era. Monumental temples, theatres, gymnasium, stoa or porticoes, altar and library were set into the sloping terrain surrounded by an extensive city wall. Pergamon is cited as one of the seven churches of Asia in the Book of Revelation. The Sanctuary of Asclepius and Serapis Temple (today known as Red Basilica) are the other notable structures of Pergamon.
Pamukkale
A short drive away from Selcuk, Pamukkale translated into ‘cotton castle’. Hot springs and travertines, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water, create and extraordinary landscape. Tourists visit Pamukkale and Hierapolis not only for its extraordinary visats and its ancient history but also for wellness.
Izmir
Izmir is the third biggest city of Turkey after Istanbul and Ankara. The ancient city of Smyrna, the Agora of Smyrna and the Izmir Archaeology Museum are some of the highlights of a trip here. A walk by the sea in Konak and a meal at one of the nice sea-view restaurants allow you to soak up the atmosphere of this great city.
Other Things to Do / See
Basilica of St. John - The believed burial site of John the Apostle constructed by Justinian I in the 6th century. It’s located in Selcuk near Ephesus.
Ephesus Archaeology Museum - It houses finds from the nearby Ephesus excavation site. Its best-known exhibit is the statue of Artemis retrieved from the temple of the goddess in Ephesus.
Isa Bey Mosque - One of the oldest mosques remaining from the Anatolian Principalities (Beyliks).
Grotto of Seven Sleepers - Inscriptions dedicated to the Seven Sleepers were found on the walls of the church.
Hellenistic City Wall - A well preserved section of the wall can be seen on the way to the House of Mother Mary.
Aphrodisias - The name of the city is derived from the goddess of love, Aphrodite, who has her famous sanctuary here.
In this 4-night, 5-days tour you will get a chance to discover the amazing history of Ephesus.
Daily Highlights
Day 1
Transfer to your hotel. Settle in and discover the town of Selcuk.
Day 2
A fully loaded Ephesus tour including the ancient city of Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis.
Day 3
A visit to the Sirince Village to discover the serene village life in this part of Turkey.
Day 4
A day trip to either Pergamon or Pamukkale.
Day 5
Transfer to airport.
Hotels, Transfers and Guides
You will be staying at some of the highest rated hotels of Selcuk.
Private transfers will be arranged and expert guides will be assisting you in every step of your tour.
Prices
All of our tours are tailor-made so prices will depend on your preferences. Please ask.
You can combine this tour with another tour. See multi-centre tours tab for more details.
Why not combine an Ephesus tour with another tour to get a proper Turkey experience?
Best Time to Visit - Ephesus is in the Aegean region which is one of the warmer parts of Turkey. The coldest months are January and February with an average temperature of 10 C. The best time to visit would be between April and May or September to November for pleasantly warm temperatures. It hardly rains in summer months and can get very hot.
What to Pack - The summer months are hot so light clothing is recommended. For spring and autumn visits make sure to pack a jumper for cool evenings. A hat is definitely recommended especially for the full day Ephesus ancient city tour as it’s open air and provides little shade. It’s easy to find exchange offices so don’t worry too much about not having enough Turkish lira before your trip to Turkey
Available departures
All of our Ephesus tours are on demand tours so please tell us the dates you'd like to travel and whether you're interested in a 5 day tour or a tailor made tour option in the enquiry form.