Its located about a 5-minute drive from Ephesus. How Much Money Do I Need For Selcuk, Turkey? Over the years, it was damaged by fire and today only a single standing column is left. The Basilica of St John was built in the 6th century to honor the burial site of St John who came to Ephesus with Mary, the mother of Jesus. All entrance fees, roundtrip hotel transfers from Selcuk and Kusadasi, a licensed guide, and lunch are included in the tour price. Privacy Policy and Ephesus is an ancient Greek city founded in the 10th century BC and abandoned in the 15th century. Once connected to the Trajan Fountain by a set of marble steps along a street aptly named Bath Street, this large bath boasted its own library and could hold up to a thousand people. With its marble seats, complete with lion paws and other ornamental designs carved into them, it would have been a polished place to see a performance. Top Sights & Places. It takes about 10 hours and tickets cost about 25. Cleopatra and Mark Antony spend time in the city. Reconstruction took place in 550 BC, but it was again destroyed around 200 years later apparently by an arsonist who wanted to be famous (his name was Herostratus). Initially, it was constructed under the orders of King Lysimachus (361-281 BC), a Hellenistic ruler who succeeded Alexander the Great in this region. Things to do in Selcuk. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Then make sure to read my post A 4 Days Istanbul Itinerary. Incredibly, the Temple of Artemis features in the New Testament, specifically in the Acts of John. The hotel also has its own restaurant and bar, so you dont have to go far to find a bite to eat after a busy day. The ancient city of Ephesus today is a kind of open-air museum, alluring, mysterious, incredibly beautiful even today. Visiting Ephesus in One Day: Exploring a Biblical City's Ruins From there, you can take either the minibus as I described above, or take a taxi. Incredibly, 80% of the site remains to be excavated. The Greco-Roman baths in Ephesus were more than just a place to wash, but served a social function too. Terms of Service apply. For more information, click here. Plus, you do not have to spend a dime to get into the Temple of Artemis. The capacity of the theater has helped to support the theory by archaeologists that, in its heyday, Ephesus had a population estimated to be around 250,000. Most international flights arrive in Istanbul. I dont drive and I dont want to spend money on a driver and car. Click here to book, Bus from Pamukkale to Selcuk: If youre coming from Pamukkale, youll first need to go to Denizli bus station. There are a lot of things to do and you are going to need a complete travel guide to see them all. The Basilica of St. John was built in the 6th century AD over the believed burial site of John the Apostle. By Tours: Selcuk is also a great base to explore other beautiful places like Pamukkale which can be easily reached via a day trip. From Izmir, its possible to get the train, but it only goes as far as Selcuk. Within this travel guide, I am going to show you how you can visit Ephesus and provide you with a comprehensive list of great things to do in Selcuk from visiting Ephesus to visiting Pamukkale, another stunning wonder of the world. This is the main thoroughfare through Ephesus. We flew from Cappadocia to Izmir, getting in midday, spent some time visiting Izmir, then drove to Selcuk. Four nights gives you plenty of time here. Top 7 Things to Do in Kusadasi - Holiday 4 Turkey Click here to book, Bus from Fethiye to Selcuk: The bus from Fethiye to Selcuk takes about 5 hours and tickets cost about 15. If you want to visit the Terraced Houses, there is an additional fee to pay. Below is a rough 2-day itinerary for Selcuk: Day 1: Explore Ephesus and all the attractions in the ruins and spend the afternoon at Ayasoluk Castle before ending the day. A Guide To Visiting Ephesus, Turkey: 21 Best Things To Know Bring a power bank just in case. To enter the Terraced Houses, you do have to pay 4 additional to the entrance fee into Ephesus. The fortress opens from 8 AM to 6 PM every day. From there, it takes about 3 hours to get to Selcuk. Here is, You can't deny it, Cappadocia is one hell of a stunning place to travel to and there is a ton of things you can do there. This is considered to be the main entrance, and its where the majority of visitors pass through particularly tour buses. Here are my recommendations: Comfortable shoes these are a must when visiting this archaeological site. There is not a whole lot left of the temple except a few Greek-style columns all scattered around a swamp/flatland. Selcuk is the closest town to Ephesus with a great range of hotels and restaurants. The main bus terminal in Selcuk can be found in the center of the city. Cat lover? Zipline Sirince: I didnt do this activity but saw it on the way to Sirince. You dont need a guided tour when visiting Ephesus, but it would certainly help. The staff are very helpful and make sure everything runs smoothly. Fall is one of the best times to visit Turkey. Cheers, Julie. Check travel advice and if you need a visa Turkey has had a tumultuous few years politically and only this week, was struck by two huge earthquakes killing thousands of people. The above photo was taken at around 11 a.m and you can see how crowded it was which is why its best to visit Ephesus as soon as it opens! Croesus enlarged the city, which saw its population grow exponentially. Various events have caused damage to the Library of Celsus over the centuries. The King of Hellenistic Egypt, Ptolemy XII Auletes, retired here. You will also have a great view of Ayasoluk Castle, our next destination. You can also tour a mosque, visit an Ancient Wonder of the World, and seewhere the Virgin Mary lived after the death of Jesus. Archaeological digs have uncovered settlements from the early Bronze Age, which some believe later became the foundations for Ephesus. For the summer, the Ephesus opening hours are between 8 AM and 7 PM whereas in winter the opening hours are between 8 AM to 5 PM every day. There are two entrances to the ruins of Ephesus. ISTANBUL:For things to do on a visit to Istanbul, read our article Best Things to Do in Istanbul. If youd rather opt for a private tour, theres this very highly rated tour that also departs from Selcuk. Selcuk is actually the best access point for visiting Ephesus just a 7-minute drive to the larger parking lot and lower entrance. The Temple of Artemis, also known as the Temple of Diana, is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Follow me as I fill my life with dreams, drop the weight and inspire you to live your dreams. Do you need a guided tour to visit Ephesus? Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. 20 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Turkey | PlanetWare Looking for a complete itinerary for Turkey? Throughout the Byzantine Roman period, Ephesus continued to be an important city. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Kusadasi - Tripadvisor Selcuk is a small town located in the Izmir province. One day I packed my life and started traveling except I packed too much. Turkey. You might get some rain here and there but I think it is worth the sacrifice for a much better experience in this beautiful place. 1. Transportation: Since everything is walkable in Selcuk, you will be spending 0 TRY for transportation. I took the bus from Otogar stasyonu in Istanbul but there are lots of other bus stations from where you can take the bus. It entered written history in the 7th century BC, when it was described as being attacked by the Cimmerians, an Iranian people with homelands north of the Black Sea. The Temple of Hadrian was an important structure within the city of Ephesus. We had dinner there and truly loved it and the magnificent sunset views are definitely a plus. Ephesus is accessible to a point. Here is, Ani, the ancient Armenian City in Kars is the highlight of Eastern Turkey but it can be quite tricky to visit unless you know how to do it properly. The bus journey will take you along mountain roads and hairpin turns with some of the best views. Julie Last updated: January 11, 2023 Turkey 12 Comments. 1 Ephesus. The closest large city to Selcuk and Ephesus is Istanbul and in order to travel there, you are going to have to get yourself to Istanbul first. Later, under Roman rule, the theater was reconstructed between 41 and 117 AD. Founded millennia ago, the ancient city was well ahead of its time. Ephesus Ancient Theatre is another impressive architecture you should check out when you are in Ephesus. However, certain parts are simply not going to be accessible for visitors with disabilities for example, visiting the Terraced Houses requires climbing a lot of steps. Thanks to this relative stability, the city entered a more prosperous era after this point, producing a long list of notable thinkers, philosophers, poets and painters, perhaps most famously the pre-Socratic philosopher Heraclitus. If you are thinking of visiting Ephesus during your trip to Turkey, this post is for you: I have been there on a recent trip and I am about to tell you everything you need to know about the site, and share practical information to plan your visit. In one of the dwellings, you can even see a huge marble hall as well as private baths, which points to the wealth of the people who once lived here. Along the eastern Mediterranean, discover the old yet well preserved city of Ephesus. Today, only a pillar remains in a field of rubble and relics. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The upper entrance is located to the southwest of the archaeological site, between the road to Selcuk and Marys House. Have a transit flight between IST and SAW airports in Istanbul? Looking for things to do in Ephesus? The most well known are the Baths of Varius. In fact, Ephesus is the main reason why most people come to Selcuk. Kusadasi is another easy place to base yourself when visiting Ephesus its a 25 minutes drive (just around 21 km, or 13 miles). The ancient city of Ephesus is located 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) to the southwest of the modern city of Selcuk. Guide to Renting a Car in Turkey + Tips for Driving in Best Things to do in Pamukkale Turkey + Essential Tips, Khun Korn Waterfall Chiang Rai: Guide to Visiting in 2023, Top Things to do in Koh Yao Noi + Best Beaches [2023 Guide], Guide to Khao Sok Floating Bungalows, Cheow Lan Lake. But if your flight gets in midday, then you wont have enough time to visit Ephesus and drive to Pamukkale. When we visited it was 170 Turkish Lira (approximately $8.60 USD 8 Euro / 7 GBP). Not too far away from the Library of Celsus are the ruins of a communal toilet that was used by the Ephesus citizens and visitors. Your email address will not be published. However, because of its size, its a good idea to know where the highlights are and understand (at least a little bit) about why theyre so important. When she's not traveling abroad, youll either find her exploring her own backyard or researching her next trip. 8 Best Things to Do in Selcuk and Ephesus, Turkey Be Amazed at the Stunning Library of Celsus Check out the Ephesus Ancient Theatre Admire the Ongoing Preservation At Terrace Houses of Ephesus Learn More at the Ephesus Museum Drop by Isa Bey Mosque Visit the Temple of Artemis Check out Ayasoluk Castle Take A Day Trip To Pamukkale Thanks to the ancient city of Ephesus and the House of The Virgin Mary, millions of tourists from land and sea come to see what Ephesus region has for them. This monument was built in commemoration of Emperor Domitian. Long are the days when you have to scramble your way to find a local sim card at an airport when you arrive. It was the famous Roman emperor Vespasian who ordered the building of the gate in the 1st century. Its also believed that, due to its location close to the upper agora, it was also used as a council chamber for the city government. Read all of our articles in our. Its slightly more expensive but still very affordable. Breakfast is served on the terrace which offers a nice view of Selcuk town. Youll also have the bonus of being shown around the ancient city with a guide, meaning youll get some extra historical insight into the ruins, rather than ambling around with a map and a guide book (if you have one) looking for information about what anything is. These would have had mosaic floors and even a small bath (but there was a fee to use them). And Emperor Augustus himself decreed that Ephesus should replace Pergamon as the capital of western Asia Minor. Despite it being built almost 2,000 years ago and damaged several times, you can still see its incredible facade with all most all the columns intact here in Ephesus. Don't have time to read? The amphitheater was constructed on a slope of a hill and it is one of the first massive structures you will notice when you enter from the Southern entrance of Ephesus. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We did everything on this list in just one day. Ephesus and St. Mary's House Day Trip from Izmir - Viator What are the best options for this. Unfortunately, an earthquake in 262 meant that they were out of action until the end of the 4th century. Much of the original Greek design was kept, however, such as the shape and the seating area. Here, youll find a restaurant and several souvenir shops lining the road that leads to the ticket office. Pick the one that suits you (and your budget) and then sit back without having to worry about timetables and bus fares. The ruins are impressive and worth the visit. Since it is quite a long drive from Selcuk to Pamukkale, the best way to travel there is to go on an organized tour. If youre wondering how long you should spend in Ephesus, 2 to 3 hours should be enough to see everything. Learn more about me here My Adventures Across The World participates in several affiliate programs. Things to Do in Selcuk Ancient City of Ephesus Ancient City of Ephesus See all things to do Ancient City of Ephesus 5 10,028 reviews #2 of 51 things to do in Selcuk Historic Sites Ancient Ruins Open now 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM Write a review About Suggested duration 2-3 hours Suggest edits to improve what we show. Deciding what to wear when visiting Ephesus is actually crucial to have a good experience. Most people who wish to visit Ephesus base themselves in either Selcuk or Kusadasi, and a few also stay in Izmir, which is a much larger city. It depends on how interested you are and the depth of history you want to discover, but I would recommend spending at least half a day (four hours) in Ephesus. When we visited, we paid 400 Turkish Lira (approximately $20 USD / 18,60 Euro / 16 GBP); admission for children is free. Getting there is very easy since buses leave frequently from Selcuk bus station (otogar). Within the Terrace Houses, you will find an ongoing excavation and preservation of buried ancient houses and villas where we can still make out the kind of decors they had in their houses and what colored paint they used to paint their walls, which offer an insight into the everyday life of the inhabitants. The Basilica of St John lies at the top of a hill overlooking Selcuk and can easily be reached on foot if youre staying in the town center. Taxes rose and the riches of the city were plundered by Rome. Now that you know a bit more about the history of this ancient city, lets see which landmarks you should not miss when visiting Ephesus. Language: English En. Now that we are done with Ephesus, it is time to explore the city of Selcuk. But it was revealed that what really happened was that the course of the Kaystros River moved, silting up the harbors and meaning the city had to move with it. Since the excavation and restoration are still ongoing, you never know what new things you might find in the museum so be sure to check it out when you are in Selcuk. Several sites (Ephesus, Isa Bey Mosque, and St. Johns Basilica) all have entrance fees. Hat bring a hat to provide shade and keep the sun off your head. Turkey Itinerary: Day 1 Arrive in Izmir. Top 10 Things to do in Ephesus Home . You will need about 4 hours (or more) to see the sights in Selcuk, so if you get in in the morning, you could visit Ephesus midday, and that evening drive to Pamukkale. We found 67 things to do for you near Ancient City of Ephesus Efes Antik Kenti Tiyatrosu 1,197 Reviews Selcuk Trkiye 1 minute from Ancient City of Ephesus Experiences from $20 See 45 Experiences Helenistik eme 1 Review Efes Antik Kenti, Selcuk Trkiye 1 minute from Ancient City of Ephesus Bibliothque de Celsus 1,754 Reviews The locals are friendly and most are very genuinely helpful unlike touters in a disguise as helpful locals you often meet in other touristy places. BEST TIME TO VISIT SELUK In true Delphic fashion, the oracle told Androclos something strange: that a boar and a fish would tell him where to go. If you want a tour that will take you to and from Selcuk and Ephesus, I recommend the "Turkey's Wonders - Pamukkale, Ephesus, Cappadocia Travel from-to Istanbul" tour. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The other thing I would need a tip is the transportation from Izmir airport to Selcuk? Dedicated to the goddess Artemis, it is estimated that the Greek temple had over 100 columns when it was first constructed around 570 BC. You can also go with other middle-eastern airlines like Qatar, Emirates, and Etihad if you are willing to transit to get a cheaper deal.
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