Ephesus Ancient City
Ephesus, one of the most important port cities of Anatolia throughout history, is today one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world. This unique heritage bears the traces of human history and takes its visitors back thousands of years.
History and Significance
Ephesus Ancient City, with a history dating back to around 6000 B.C. according to archaeological findings, is one of the oldest and most important settlements in Anatolia. Excavations carried out in Çukuriçi Höyük and on Ayasuluk Hill have uncovered traces of life from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods. The city is referred to as "Apasa" in Hittite sources and proves that the region has been continuously inhabited throughout history.
Rebuilt during the Ionian colonial period, Ephesus became a major cultural and commercial center, especially during the Hellenistic period. During the Roman Empire period, it rose to become one of the most important port cities of the empire as the capital of the Province of Asia. With a population exceeding 200,000, its advanced city planning, libraries, theaters, and monumental structures, it was among the metropolitan cities of the era.
The Temple of Artemis, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, reinforced the religious and cultural importance of Ephesus. The city also holds a special place in Christian history; historical sources state that the Apostle John lived here, the Virgin Mary spent her last years in Ephesus, and Saint Paul wrote his famous "Epistle to the Ephesians" here.
The silting of the harbor by alluvium in the 7th century A.D. negatively affected trade, and the city gradually lost its importance. Today, Ephesus, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world, welcoming millions of visitors every year. As Destina Transfer, we offer a professional VIP transfer service to ensure visitors travel safely, comfortably, and on time to Ephesus from the regions of Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, Selçuk, and Şirince.
6000 B.C.
Start of Neolithic settlements (Çukuriçi Höyük)
1050 B.C.
Settlement of the Ionians in the region and the founding process of Classical Ephesus
560 B.C.
Construction of the Temple of Artemis – One of the Seven Wonders of the World
334 B.C.
Conquest of the region by Alexander the Great; rise of the Hellenistic period
129 B.C.
Ephesus joins the Roman Empire and the Golden Age begins
7th Century A.D.
Silting of the harbor and the city's loss of commercial importance
Important Structures
Celsus Library
Built in 135 A.D., the library, which housed 12,000 manuscripts, is one of the most beautiful examples of Roman architecture.
Great Theatre
With a capacity of 25,000 people, it is one of the largest open-air theaters in the ancient world. It hosted theatrical performances, gladiator fights, and religious ceremonies.
Temple of Artemis
Only one column remains of the temple, known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. **You can also visit this historical spot with our private tours.**
Temple of Hadrian
Built in 138 A.D. in honor of Emperor Hadrian, the temple attracts attention with its Corinthian order columns and rich reliefs.
Terrace Houses
The terraced houses, where the wealthy families of the city lived, are decorated with mosaics and frescoes. They must be visited to see the lifestyle of the period up close.
House of the Virgin Mary
This sacred place, 7 km away from Ephesus, is an important pilgrimage center for Christians. **With Destina Transfer, you can easily add the House of the Virgin Mary to your Ephesus tour.**
Visitor Tips
Best Time to Visit
The spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) months are the most suitable periods for visiting due to the mild weather conditions.
Recommended Visit Duration
It is recommended to allocate at least 3-4 hours for a detailed visit to Ephesus. **With Destina Transfer's flexible tour programs, you can visit without worrying about time.**
Clothing and Equipment
It is recommended to bring comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water. There are uneven surfaces within the ancient city.
Guide Services
**As Destina Transfer, we organize private licensed tour guides upon request to make your tour more meaningful.**
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ephesus Tour
1- How to get to Ephesus Ancient City?
Ephesus is located in the Selçuk district of Izmir. Although there are options like public transport and taxi, the most comfortable and stress-free method is private transfer. **As Destina Transfer, we pick you up from Izmir Airport, your hotel, or Kuşadası port and take you to Ephesus door-to-door with our air-conditioned VIP vehicles.**
2- How much is the entrance fee? Is the Museum Card valid?
Ephesus entrance fees vary according to the season (generally around 40€). The Museum Card is valid for Turkish citizens. However, you may need to buy an extra ticket for some special sections such as the Terrace Houses. **For your tour requests, we can procure your tickets for you in advance if you wish.**
3- How long does it take to visit Ephesus?
Visiting the main areas of the ancient city takes approximately 2-3 hours. If you also want to see places like the House of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St. John, and Şirince, it is ideal to allocate a full day. **In Destina Transfer's private tours, the time is entirely yours, you can spend as much time as you wish without rushing.**
4- Is a tour guide necessary?
To fully experience the rich history of Ephesus, a professional guide is highly recommended. **As Destina Transfer, we organize private, licensed, and experienced tour guides for you upon request.** This way, your trip becomes much more meaningful and informative.
5- What should we bring with us?
Ephesus is a large open-air museum. It is important to bring comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and water. **We always keep cold water available for you in our vehicles.**
6- Is it suitable for disabled or elderly visitors?
Some of the marble and stone-paved roads of the ancient city can be arduous for those with walking difficulties. However, **as Destina Transfer, we eliminate the need to walk uphill by dropping you off at both the upper and lower gates of the ancient city.** If you specify your special situation during reservation, we will offer you the most suitable solution.
7- What other places can we see besides the Ephesus tour?
The most popular routes to enrich your Ephesus tour are the House of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St. John, and the authentic Şirince Village. **Since our tours are completely flexible, we can create a private program for you that covers all three points on the same day.**
8- Do you organize tours for cruise ship passengers?
Yes, this is one of our most popular services. We pick you up right on time from Kuşadası or Izmir port, arrange a private Ephesus tour for you, and safely take you back to the port by your ship's departure time. **You get a flexible trip adapted to your ship's schedule, without wasting time with crowded tour buses.**
9- What are the must-see places in Ephesus?
The Celsus Library, the Great Theatre, the Terrace Houses, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Marble Road are among the structures you must see. **Our professional drivers and guides will help you visit these spots in the most efficient way.**
10- When is the best time to visit?
The spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) months, when the air temperatures are milder, are the most ideal periods. If you plan to visit in the summer, **with Destina Transfer you can plan a tour in the early morning or in the cool of the evening to avoid crowds and heat.**
Customer Reviews
"Fantastic service. The driver was very helpful and the vehicle was spotless. Highly recommended for airport pickups and private trips around Ephesus."
"The driver was very kind, helped with luggage and kept us company. Even in heavy rain, he drove very carefully. Great service!"
"A very respectful and comfortable journey. The driver informed me about the arrival time beforehand, which made the trip stress-free. Thank you Destina!"