Selçuk / Ephesus Travel Guide
Selçuk is the charming agricultural base for exploring Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient Roman cities in the Mediterranean. It features the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, the Basilica of Saint John, and the picturesque hill village of Şirince.
At A Glance
Realistic Daily Budgets (2026 Verified)
Itemized costs per person per day based on structured database benchmarks.
Dorm bed, bakeries/street eats, transit day pass, free sights.
Private room, sit-down lunch specials, museum admissions.
Boutique hotel, dinner with wine, fast-track sights.
🏛️ Top Sights & Verified Admission
Official 2026 entry prices, mandatory booking rules, and verified concession eligibility.
Ephesus Ruins & Library of Celsus
€20.00🛏️ Where to Stay
Stay in Selçuk town near the Ayasuluk fortress; you can easily walk or take a 1 Euro dolmuş to the ruins, avoiding the overpriced cruise ship port of Kuşadası.
🚇 Getting Around
Selçuk is walkable. Dolmuş minibuses run between Selçuk bus terminal and the lower gate of Ephesus every 15 minutes for 20 TRY (0.60 Euros). TCDD trains connect Selçuk directly to İzmir Airport.
🥖 Eating for Less
Eat authentic çöp şiş (marinated lamb skewers with roasted peppers) at local restaurants near Selçuk railway station for under 6 Euros.
Worth Paying For
Ephesus Archaeological Site (700 TRY / 20 Euros) is monumental. Adding the Terrace Houses ticket (200 TRY / 6 Euros) reveals magnificent Roman domestic mosaics and wall paintings.
Skip / Save Your Money
Visiting the Temple of Artemis site (one standing column of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) is completely free.
Common Tourist Traps & Money Mistakes
Taxis outside the ruins charge 15 Euros to drive 3 kilometers back to town; take the frequent public dolmuş instead.