8 Fantastic Things to Do in Selcuk and Ephesus, Turkey

8 Best Things to Do in Selcuk and Ephesus, Turkey

1. Be Amazed at the Stunning Library of Celsus ❤️ Must Visit

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.

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?

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2. Check out the Ephesus Ancient Theatre

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

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.

Since the restoration is still ongoing, you will have to pay to access the area. It is only 45 TRY per person, and I think it is worth it, especially for a history buff like myself. The Terrace House closes 30 minutes before the Ephesus closing time, so be sure to spare some time if you want to visit the Terrace Houses.

4. Learn More at the Ephesus Museum 🏛️ Best Museum

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 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. Ephesus Museum opens from 9 AM to 6:30 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 120 TRY, plus an additional 70 TRY if you want an audio tour.

5. Drop by Isa Bey Mosque

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.

6. Visit the Temple of Artemis

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.

7. Check out Ayasoluk Castle

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 due to its location, I still think Ayasoluk Castle is worth a climb if you are looking to spend an evening strolling around Selcuk. If you wish to enter inside, you are going to have to pay the entrance fee, which is around 10 TRY per person. The fortress opens from 8 AM to 6 PM every day.

8. Take A Day Trip To Pamukkale ☀️ Great Day Trip

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 pick-up service from your hotel, a visit to the terrace pools as well as the ancient city of Hierapolis, and an ancient spa in Pamukkale, and they will drop you off in Selcuk at the end of the day. It is very convenient and quite affordable. To book the tour, you can click the link below:

Book a Tour to Pamukkale

Looking for a complete travel guide to Pamukkale? Check out:A Complete Travel Guide to Pamukkale, Turkey

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.

Also, keep in mind that from May to June is Ramadan, and even though you won't have a problem finding food places like Istanbul, it is going to be much more difficult if you plan to explore other places further during Ramadan.

How to Get to Selcuk and Ephesus, Turkey?

The closest large city to Selcuk and Ephesus is Istanbul, and in order to travel there, you have to get yourself to Istanbul first.

Thankfully, Istanbul is one of the largest hubs in the region, and you should have no trouble finding a flight from your home country to one of the two main airports in the city, Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW).

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.

To take a bus from Istanbul to Selcuk, you can get on one of the 3 daily buses running between Istanbul Central Station and Selcuk at 8 AM, 8 PM, and 10 PM. The journey will take you 11 hours and cost 20 USD. You can book the bus 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 from Istanbul straight from the airport and drive to Selcuk. The journey should take about 6 hours and cost around 50 USD per day, which is great if you are traveling in a big group and planning to explore Turkey further. Click the link below to rent a car.

Rent a car in Istanbul

Here's a complete guide on how to transit between SAW and IST Airports:How To Get From Sabiha Gokcen to Istanbul Airport and Vice Versa

How to Get Around Selcuk and Ephesus, Turkey?

By Foot: The good thing about using Selcuk as a base to explore places like Ephesus is that the attractions I recommended here are all accessible on foot, so you should have no trouble exploring all Selcuk has to offer without spending a dime.

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:

Tours in Selcuk

Ephesus Entrance Fee

The entrance fee for Ephesus is 100 TRY per person, but there is one section within Ephesus for which you will have to pay extra to get into, and some sections that are free.

If you buy the entrance ticket for 100 TRY, you will have access to Ephesus city, and you can stroll around however you like for as long as you like. The area is pretty massive, and it can take you more than an hour to see them all.

For an additional 45 TRY, you will be able to access the Terrace Houses, which is an ongoing preservation project indoors where they are trying to preserve the ancient residential houses they recently discovered in Ephesus. You will get to see a glimpse of what it was like living in Ephesus back in its heyday.

Ephesus Opening Hours

Ephesus has 2 opening hours, one for the summer (April, October) and two for the winter (November, March). For the summer, the Ephesus opening hours are between 8 AM and 7 PM, whereas in winter, the opening hours are between 8 AM and 5 PM every 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 (259.44 TRY) for accommodation.

Food: Food costs about 20 TRY on average per meal, so you can expect to pay around 120 TRY per person for 2 days in Selcuk.

Transportation: Since everything is walkable in Selcuk, you will be spending 0 TRY on transportation.

Activities: The entrance fee for Ephesus is 100 TRY, and for a day trip to Pamukkale, you can expect to pay around 60 USD (519 TRY) for the tour. So, in total, it would be 619 TRY for activities in Selcuk.

Total Budget for 2 days in Selcuk: 998.44 TRY (115 USD)

Is it Safe in Selcuk, Turkey?

Like most places outside of tourist cities in Turkey, Selcuk is very safe, and you won't be meeting any problematic characters while you are here. The locals are friendly, and most are genuinely helpful, unlike touts in disguise as helpful locals that you often meet in other touristy places.

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?

Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Selcuk, Turkey without having to switch out your physical SIM card.

Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Selcuk, Turkey:

There are three major carriers in Turkey: Turkcell, Vodafone, and Turk Telekom, all of which offer a pretty similar range of traveler's packages as well as coverage.

I personally use Turkcell's Tourist Welcome Package, which costs around 149 TRY for 30 days. It comes with 20 GB of data, unlimited messaging, and 200 local minutes. This is more than enough for my trip to Turkey.

You can also go cheaper with an 8 GB 30-day plan for 60 TRY, and the price goes down from there depending on the GB you want for your data SIM card. Keep in mind that a foreign phone with a local SIM card has a grace period of 120 days. So, if you are planning to stay longer than 120 days, you will have to register your phone with the authority, which is unlikely to happen for tourists like us.

For more information about Turkey's local SIM card: Turkey's Prepaid Data SIM Card.

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.

What to Pack for Selcuk and Ephesus, Turkey?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Selcuk, Turkey:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Selcuk, Turkey in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: 12go is a great place to look for buses and trains to take in Turkey. You can easily reserve a seat and buy the tickets straight from the website online for your convenience.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Turkey

Turkey is a country that stands in the middle of Europe and Asia. Empires rose and fell on this land, and in order to see Turkey as a whole, you will have to go further than just Istanbul.

Here are a selection of articles and travel guides that you might need to further plan your trip to Turkey:

• First time visiting Turkey? Here are the 15 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Turkey.
• Looking for a complete itinerary and travel guide for Turkey? One Month Itinerary for Turkey.
• Have a transit flight between IST and SAW airports in Istanbul? Here is a complete guide on How To Get From Sabiha Gokcen To Istanbul Airport And Vice Versa.
• Istanbul is the crown jewel historical city of Turkey and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There are a lot of things to do, and you are going to need a complete travel guide to see them all. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Istanbul, Turkey.
• Pamukkale is home to the ancient travertines of Pamukkale, and it is a place you should definitely visit in Turkey. Here is A Complete Travel Guide to Pamukkale, Turkey.
• The southwestern coast of Turkey boasts some of the most stunning beaches, cliffs, and hiking trails in the country, and one of the best places you shouldn't miss is the Butterfly Valley. Here is A Complete Travel Guide to the Butterfly Valley, Turkey.
• Looking for a nice, quiet place by the beach to relax and do yoga for a few days in Turkey? There is no better place to be than Kabak. Here is A Complete Travel Guide to Kabak, Turkey.
• You can't deny it, Cappadocia is one hell of a stunning place to travel to, and there are tons of things you can do there. From riding a hot air balloon to hiking, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Cappadocia, Turkey.
• Mt. Nemrut and its massive stone statues of gods is one of the most unique places I have ever seen, but it is not the easiest place to visit. To save you the trouble, here is A Complete Travel Guide to Mt. Nemrut and all the information you need to make the journey as I did.
• If you are planning to travel to East Turkey, Van is one of the cities you must stop by. Known for its awesome breakfast and its location by the largest lake of Turkey, here is A Complete Travel Guide to Van, Turkey.
• Visiting Sumela Monastery is one of the highlights of traveling to Eastern Turkey, but due to its remote location, getting there can be tricky. Here is How to Travel to Sumela Monastery, Turkey and all the information you need to make the trip happen.
• 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. Here is How to Travel to Ani, Turkey and all the information you need to make the trip happen.
• Not convinced by my words? Maybe these photos of Turkey will help! 45 Photos that will inspire you to travel to Turkey.
• Since you are already all the way east, why not cross the border from Turkey to Georgia and make your way to Tbilisi, a vibrant capital city of Georgia? Check out my Georgia Travel Guide to plan your next trip to Georgia.
• For all articles about Turkey, visit Turkey Travel Guide page.
• Looking for more travel guides for the Middle East? You can find more on my Middle East Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.