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Ephesus was a polis, an ancient Greek city, and is an ancient Greek archaeological site in Selçuk. Before choosing a guided visit, think about what you would like to understand among the ruins.
The Library of Celsus belongs to Ephesus and is in Selçuk. It is a library: that simple fact gives you a useful question to bring along, about how to read a building through its purpose. Let your curiosity set the direction rather than trying to gather every name.
A guide can help connect individual ruins and suggest what deserves your attention. Leave room to look for yourself as well as listen, and consider which questions you would enjoy exploring. For a couple or a family, discussing those interests beforehand can help you choose a visit that appeals to everyone.
Selçuk is a town in Izmir Province. The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, also in Selçuk, was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Chersiphron is listed as an architect of the temple. Keep that name in mind if architecture is what draws you to an archaeological site.
The House of the Virgin Mary is a shrine of Our Lady in Selçuk. The Basilica of St. John is a church building and an archaeological site, belongs to Ephesus and is in Selçuk too. Its name refers to John the Evangelist.
Consider whether you want to concentrate on Ephesus or also explore a religious theme. Naming your interests is a useful way to compare descriptions without assuming every visit follows the same plan. Give yourself permission to choose a focused day and read the stones slowly.
For a day centred on Ephesus, compare the full-day small-group visit from Izmir with a full-day Ephesus outing in a small group. Other small-group guided visits from Kusadasi port include this Ephesus option and this alternative guided visit. Use the product descriptions to decide which proposal matches the kind of day you have in mind.
To broaden your choice, look at Ephesus and Sirince with a guide from Kusadasi port or the private guided visit to Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary from Kusadasi. There is also a guided Ephesus and Pamukkale trip from Istanbul. Choose the combination that interests you, leaving space for questions rather than treating the day as a list to complete.
Every trip that starts or stops here is also listed on the destination page.
In Selçuk, a town in Izmir Province.
A library that is part of Ephesus, in Selçuk.
One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The Basilica of St. John, part of Ephesus.
A shrine of Our Lady in Selçuk.
Sources: Wikidata (CC0).
