Licensed Agency - 17044
Licensed Agency - 17044
The Izmir region is home to some of the most significant archaeological sites in the world. From the grand colonnades of Ephesus to the sacred House of Virgin Mary, Royal Turkish Travel brings history to life with expert local guides.
The Izmir region is home to some of the most significant archaeological sites in the world. From the grand colonnades of Ephesus to the sacred House of Virgin Mary, Royal Turkish Travel brings history to life with expert local guides.
The ruins of Ephesus (Efes) are located near the town of Selçuk, approximately 80 km south of İzmir city centre. The drive takes about 1 hour. There are also regular TCDD train services from Basmane station in İzmir to Selçuk, taking about 1.5 hours. Most visitors combine Ephesus with the nearby House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis.
Allow 2–3 hours for Ephesus itself, plus 30–45 minutes each for the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis site if you choose to visit them. A full Ephesus day trip from İzmir typically takes 7–8 hours including transport.
Absolutely. İzmir is Turkey's third-largest city and one of its most cosmopolitan. The Kordon waterfront promenade, Kemeraltı Bazaar, Kadifekale fortress, and the Izmir Museum of History and Art are all worth exploring. The city is also an excellent base for day trips to Ephesus, Pergamum (Bergama), Çeşme, and Alaçatı.
Visiting with a licensed guide is strongly recommended — the site is large (2 km of main street) and much of the historical significance is invisible without context. A guide also knows which areas to prioritise and when to visit specific sections to avoid tour group congestion. The upper gate entrance is generally less crowded than the lower gate.
Within 30 minutes of Ephesus you can visit the House of the Virgin Mary (Meryemana), the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), the Basilica of St John, and the town of Selçuk with its excellent museum. Pamukkale is about 2.5 hours away and makes a good overnight extension.
Start your journey with a trusted Turkish travel agency. Licensed TÜRSAB No: 17044.
Private, fixed-price transfers with meet & greet and flight tracking — TÜRSAB-licensed (17044).
Get your transfer price →Turn the trip into something you keep. Royal Turkish Schools has taught Turkish in Istanbul and Izmir since 2009 — group and private courses, any level, starting every Monday.
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