Did you know that Selcuk, a small town in Turkey's Aegean region, is the main base for visiting one of the country's most remarkable archaeological sites: the ancient city of Ephesus and the Library of Celsus?
The Library of Celsus was completed in the early 2nd century AD and was one of the most impressive libraries of the Roman world. Its reconstructed facade remains one of the defining sights of Ephesus today.
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.
Without further ado, let's take a look at what this small town in Turkey has to offer and let's dive deep into all the nooks and crannies of the ancient city of Ephesus in great detail. But first, here are all the tourist attractions in Selcuk, all laid out on a map for you below:
Selcuk and Ephesus Things To Do Itinerary Map
Quick Summary
| ♥️ Must Visit: | the Library of Celsus |
|---|---|
| 🏛️ Best Museum: | Ephesus Museum |
| ☀️ Great Day Trip: | Pamukkale |
| 🛌 Place to Stay: | EPHESUS CENTRUM |
8 Best Things to Do in Selcuk and Ephesus, Turkey
1. Be Amazed at the Stunning Library of Celsus
- 📍 Location: the Library of Celsus [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "It’s wild standing in front of something built around 110 AD and realizing it once held more than twelve thousand scrolls."
The ancient Greek city of Ephesus is probably one of the main reasons why you are here in Selcuk, Turkey, and I can tell you right now that there will be a lot of places on this list that will involve Ephesus. One of the most prominent tourist attractions in Ephesus is the Library of Celsus.
The Library of Celsus was built way back in 110 AD when the Roman Empire ruled the area, and it was constructed as an architectural marvel that gives us an example of what libraries looked like back in the Roman world.
When it was constructed, the library was believed to be the third-largest library in the Roman world, behind only the ones in Alexandria and Pergamum. It is said to have held over twelve thousand scrolls until it was destroyed by a fire.
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Despite it being built almost 2,000 years ago and damaged several times, you can still see its incredible facade with almost all the columns intact here in Ephesus. It is one of the most well-preserved pieces of architecture in Ephesus, and you will be blown away the moment you see it.
Where to Stay in Selcuk and Ephesus, Turkey?
2. Check out the Ephesus Ancient Theatre
- 📍 Location: Ephesus Ancient Theatre [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "I was honestly blown away by how huge the Ephesus Theatre is, especially knowing it was built nearly 2,000 years ago."
Ephesus Ancient Theatre is another impressive architecture you should check out when you are in Ephesus. 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.
The Ephesus Ancient Theatre is 140 meters in width, and it is said that the seats reached up to 30 meters and could hold more than 20,000 spectators in its heyday. That is pretty impressive, considering that it was built almost 2,000 years earlier.
This well-preserved semi-circle theatre shows just how adept the Romans were at constructing massive structures, and the fact that we can still see it today shows just how long-lasting their influence was.
3. Admire the Ongoing Preservation At Terrace Houses of Ephesus
Photos by Ronan Reinart
- 📍 Location: The Terrace Houses of Ephesus [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 9 AM - 8 PM in the May - September 2026 schedule
- 💰 Entry Fees: 15 EUR per foreign adult
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "Such a well-preserved piece of history here! You can almost imagine what life must have been like back then."
The Terrace Houses of Ephesus are another great place to visit in Ephesus if you wish to see what it was like to live in Ephesus back then.
Within the Terrace Houses, you will find an ongoing excavation and preservation of buried ancient houses and villas. Here, we can still make out the kind of decor they had in their houses and the colored paint they used to paint their walls. This offers insight into the everyday life of the inhabitants.
The Terrace Houses require a separate ticket from the main Ephesus archaeological site. As of September 2026, admission for foreign adults is 15 EUR. The official visiting schedule can differ from the main Ephesus gates, so leave enough time to explore the houses rather than saving them until the very end of your visit.
Learn More at the Ephesus Museum
- 📍 Location: Ephesus Museum [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 8 PM in the May - September 2026 schedule
- 💰 Entry Fees: 10 EUR per foreign adult
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "I really recommend the Ephesus Museum if you want more context on the ancient city. It makes all those ruins feel a lot more connected."
If you want to learn more about the ancient city of Ephesus, I highly recommend you visit Ephesus Museum, a museum dedicated to preserving all the discovered artifacts found around Ephesus.
The museum is divided into themes, with over 8 different sections full of artifacts ranging from beautiful sculptures to excavated artifacts and small objects found in places like the Terrace Houses.
Since excavation and conservation work around Ephesus continues, the museum is a great complement to the archaeological site. As of September 2026, admission for foreign adults is 10 EUR. Under the May - September schedule, the museum is open from 8:30 AM to 8 PM, with the ticket office closing earlier.
Drop by Isa Bey Mosque
Photos by Carlos Delgado
Now that we are done with Ephesus, it is time to explore the city of Selcuk. One of the main attractions in Selcuk is Isa Bey Mosque, an old mosque built in the 14th Century located not too far from Selcuk city center.
The mosque is a great example of Seljukian architecture, and it is unique in that the mosque was intentionally constructed asymmetrical, unlike other mosques in Turkey.
The doors, windows, and domes weren't aligned in a way a typical mosque does, and the columns seen inside the prayer halls were from the ancient ruins, giving it a unique look. Isa Bey Mosque is open from 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM every day, and it is free to enter.
Visit the Temple of Artemis
- 📍 Location: Temple of Artemis [Map Link]
- 💰 Entry Fees: Free
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "I really enjoyed the view of Ayasoluk Castle from the temple ruins."
Not too far from Isa Bey Mosque, you will also find the Temple of Artemis, another remnant of an ancient civilization, this time from the Greek era. The Temple of Artemis, or what's left of it, was known as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.
The temple was believed to have been initially built in the 6th century BC, before the Romans swept through the area and continued to expand into the second century BC. There is not a whole lot left of the temple except for a few Greek-style columns, all scattered around a swamp/flatland.
Since it is free to enter and not too far from the city center, I think it is definitely worth a visit. Plus, you do not have to spend a dime to get into the Temple of Artemis. You will also have a great view of Ayasoluk Castle, our next destination.
Check out Ayasoluk Castle
- 📍 Location: Ayasoluk Castle [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: Ayasoluk Castle: 9 AM - 6 PM in the May - September 2026 schedule
- 💰 Entry Fees: Ayasoluk/St. John archaeological site: 6 EUR per foreign adult
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "I thought Ayasoluk Castle looked impressive from the outside, but there honestly wasn’t much left inside; the view is nice from the castle, though."
Ayasoluk Castle, or the Seljuk Fortress, is a massive stone fortress constructed by the Byzantines sometime around the 6th-8th Century AD. It was built on top of Ayasuluk Hill.
Except for its formidable walls, the site was not very well maintained, and there are only a handful of architectural remnants left inside the fortress. Once inside, you will find a small ruined mosque, several cisterns, and foundations of old houses, and that is all.
Despite not having a whole lot to see inside compared with Ephesus, I still think Ayasoluk Castle is worth the climb for the views over Selcuk. The castle is part of the wider Ayasoluk Hill/St. John archaeological area. As of September 2026, the foreign-adult ticket for the Ayasoluk/St. John site is 6 EUR, while the castle itself follows its own daytime visiting hours.
Take A Day Trip To Pamukkale
- 📍 Location: Pamukkale [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "Plan to spend the whole day there rather than trying to rush Pamukkale into a few hours. The travel time from Selcuk takes up a good part of the day."
If you have a day to spare, I would highly recommend that you go on a day trip from Selcuk and visit Pamukkale. It is an ancient tourist attraction where you will find all these photogenic white travertine terrace pools, and mineral-rich thermal waters flow into them.
You can choose to bathe in the white travertine pools, go for a swim in a proper thermal pool, or even go paragliding over Pamukkale and witness this natural wonder from above. There are many things you can do in and around Pamukkale, and you can expect to spend an entire day here if you plan to visit from Selcuk.
Since it is quite a long drive from Selcuk to Pamukkale, the best way to travel there is to go on an organized tour. There are often many organized tours going from Selcuk every day, but I highly recommend you go with the "Pamukkale Day Tour From Selcuk" tour.
The tour includes hotel pickup, Pamukkale's travertines and Hierapolis, and return transport to Selcuk. Current versions of this full-day tour take around 11 hours, and prices vary by date and inclusions, so check exactly what is covered before booking.
When to Visit Selcuk and Ephesus, Turkey?
While June to August is considered to be the peak season, I do not think it is the best time to visit Selcuk. Although it is a popular time to visit, you will also be dealing with a large tourist crowd, as well as the jacked-up prices at hotels, which is not ideal. Furthermore, it is probably one of the hottest months to visit, making it less enjoyable to explore the outdoors.
What I would recommend instead is to visit during the shoulder seasons, either in May or September, when the tourist crowds are starting to wind down and the prices of hotels are starting to fall back to their normal level. 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.
Ramadan moves earlier each year because it follows the Islamic lunar calendar, so check the dates for the year you are traveling rather than planning around a fixed month.
How to Get to Selcuk and Ephesus, Turkey?
The closest major airport to Selcuk and Ephesus is Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB), about 60 km away. If you are arriving internationally, you can either fly into Izmir via a connection or travel overland from Istanbul.
Istanbul remains Turkey's biggest international gateway, with flights arriving at Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW). From Istanbul, flying to Izmir and continuing by train to Selcuk is often much faster than taking the bus all the way.
From the US, there are several direct flights you can take to Turkey from major cities in the US, such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, etc. All these flights are operated by Turkish Airlines, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding a flight from the US to Turkey.
From Europe, you can fly from the most popular European hubs like London, Paris, or Frankfurt via Turkish Airlines or local carriers such as British Airways, Air France, or Lufthansa, which also offer direct flights to Istanbul or Ankara.
From Asia, you can fly directly with Turkish Airlines from several hub cities like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Jakarta, and Bangkok. 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.
To find a cheap flight to Turkey, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and choose the best one.
Getting From Istanbul to Selcuk and Ephesus
By Bus: One of the cheapest ways to get around Turkey and quite efficient, too. I relied on buses most of the time, and they are comfortable and pretty reliable.
Long-distance buses still connect Istanbul with Selcuk, but operators, departure points, schedules, and fares change frequently. When I traveled this route, there were three daily buses at 8 AM, 8 PM, and 10 PM, the journey took around 11 hours, and I paid about 20 USD. Check the current options for your travel date before booking. You can compare buses from Istanbul to Selcuk here.
By Tours: One of the main reasons people visit Selcuk is to see the ancient Greek city of Ephesus. Since it is one of the most popular attractions in the country, there are many tours you can take straight from Istanbul all the way to Selcuk and beyond.
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.
By Car: You can also rent a car in Istanbul and drive to Selcuk. The drive is roughly 550 km and takes around 5 - 6 hours without long stops. Rental rates vary substantially by season, vehicle, insurance, and pickup location, so compare current prices rather than budgeting around a fixed daily rate.
How to Get Around Selcuk and Ephesus, Turkey?
By Foot: Central Selcuk is compact, and attractions such as the Ephesus Museum, Temple of Artemis, Isa Bey Mosque, and Ayasoluk Hill are walkable. Ephesus itself is about 3 km from central Selcuk, so you can walk there, but a dolmus is much easier in hot weather.
By Dolmus: Shared minibuses run between Selcuk and the Ephesus area throughout the day. The ride takes around 5 - 10 minutes. Fares in Turkey change quickly, so check the posted fare when you travel rather than relying on an old fixed price.
By Tours: Selcuk is also a great base to explore other beautiful places like Pamukkale, which can be easily reached via a day trip. I highly recommend that you go with the "Pamukkale Day Tour From Selcuk" tour if you wish to spend another day in Selcuk and explore Pamukkale. You can browse for more available tours in Selcuk below:
Ephesus Entrance Fee
As of September 2026, Ephesus costs 40 EUR per foreign adult, and the ticket includes the Ephesus Experience Museum. The Terrace Houses inside Ephesus require a separate 15 EUR ticket.
If you plan to visit both, a 72-hour Ephesus + Terrace Houses combined ticket is currently 52 EUR. There is also a 65 EUR 72-hour combination covering Ephesus, the Terrace Houses, Ephesus Museum in Selcuk, and the Ayasoluk/St. John archaeological site, which can be useful if you are following this guide.
The Temple of Artemis remains free. Ticket prices for foreign visitors are now set in euros, although payment at official ticket offices is generally made by card or in Turkish lira at the applicable exchange rate.
Ephesus Opening Hours
Ephesus visiting hours change seasonally. Under the official May 1 - October 1, 2026 schedule, the archaeological site is open from 8:30 AM to 8 PM, although the upper and lower gate ticket offices close earlier. The Terrace Houses are open from 9 AM to 8 PM during the same schedule. Hours change outside this period, so check the current Ministry schedule before your visit.
During part of the summer season, Ephesus also operates selected night-museum evenings, offering another option if you want to avoid the hottest part of the day.
How Many Days To Spend in Selcuk and Ephesus, Turkey?
Two days should be enough to see all the tourist attractions around Selcuk, such as Ephesus and Pamukkale. 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.
Day 2: Go on a day trip to Pamukkale with an organized tour.
How Much Money Do I Need For Selcuk, Turkey?
With the rough itinerary above, we can calculate approximately how much you will be spending in Selçuk as follows:
Accommodation: For 3 nights in Selcuk, it should cost around 30 USD for accommodation.
Food: Food costs about 8 USD on average per meal, so you can expect to pay around 48 USD per person for 2 days in Selcuk.
Transportation: Central Selcuk is walkable, but Ephesus is around 3 km away. If you do not want to walk, add a small budget for the local dolmus or a taxi between Selcuk and the archaeological site.
Activities: For foreign visitors, Ephesus currently costs 40 EUR, the Terrace Houses 15 EUR, Ephesus Museum 10 EUR, and the Ayasoluk/St. John site 6 EUR. A 72-hour combined ticket covering all four currently costs 65 EUR. The Temple of Artemis is free. A full-day organized Pamukkale tour from Selcuk is a substantial additional expense, with current examples around 145 - 150 USD per person.
Total budget for 2 days in Selcuk: Around 155 USD without the Pamukkale day trip, or 300 USD with the Pamukkale day trip, excluding local transportation.
Is it Safe in Selcuk, Turkey?
Selcuk generally felt relaxed and easy to navigate when I visited, and I had no problems exploring the town independently. As with any busy tourist destination, keep an eye on your belongings around transport hubs and crowded attractions and use normal travel precautions.
That said, always take precautions and be aware of your surroundings and belongings at all times. Trust your instincts, and if something doesn't look safe, do not pursue it. Other than that, you should find no trouble here.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Turkey?
I used Turkcell when I traveled in Turkey, and it remains one of the main local options for visitors. As of September 2026, Turkcell's Tourist Welcome Pack includes 20 GB of data and 200 local minutes for 1,800 TRY, valid for 28 days. Tourist eSIM activation is also available for compatible phones with a biometric passport and NFC.
Tourist mobile packages and prices change frequently, so compare Turkcell, Vodafone, Türk Telekom, and travel eSIM options before buying. For most short trips, you do not need to worry about Turkey's long-term handset registration rules, but travelers staying for several months should check the current device-registration requirements.
Alternatively, if your phone supports eSIMs, you can set one up before arriving and have mobile data as soon as you land. You can browse through available eSIMs here.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
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5 Comments
Hi pete, awesome video and adventure! congratulations! it made me want to go to Turkey right away. Anyway I would like to know in Ephesus and in Cappadocia, how do you hop from one place to another? Is it by bus?
Hi Lyn, all by buses. It will be quite a long ride though, from Ephesus to Cappadocia so I would suggest you break the trip up and stop somewhere along the southern coast of Turkey if you have time. It's beautiful down there especially the butterfly valley. If you don't have much time, you might be able to get a flight to somewhere closer like Ankara and take a bus from there. There is some affordable flight to the capital city so do keep an eye out for it.
I hope this helps!
thank you very much for replying. I also want to know if I am in Cappadocia which is quite a big city with many tourist spots to explore, how do I go from one place to another, like from Red Valley to Pigeon Valley. I am planning to go there as a backpacker and not on a van with a guide.
Hey Lyn,
I'd recommend staying in Goreme like I did so that you are right at the center of everything and most of the hiking trails are within walking distance or a few minutes ride away. Most of the hotels and hostels should be able to direct you to where the trailheads are and how to get there in more detail.
I hope this helps!
Okay thanks.