Ephesus
The ruins of a great Greek and Roman city near Selçuk, with a marble main street, a large theatre and the grand façade of the Library of Celsus. It is among the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean.
Izmir and Ephesus
Tourists heading for Ephesus, among the best-preserved ancient Greco-Roman cities, use Izmir, Turkey's third-largest city, as a base.
Attractive locations
Temple of Artemis
The site of a vast temple to the goddess Artemis, counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Only foundations and a single reconstructed column remain, close to the town of Selçuk.
House of the Virgin Mary
A small stone chapel on a wooded hill above Ephesus, believed by many Christians to be the last home of Mary. Muslims also honour the place, and pilgrims of both faiths visit.
Basilica of St. John
The ruins of a large Byzantine church on Ayasuluk Hill in Selçuk, built over the traditional tomb of St John the Apostle. Marble columns and a hilltop fortress nearby give good views.
Pergamon
The ruins of a Greek hilltop city, with a very steep theatre, temple foundations and the remains of a once-famous library. Its healing sanctuary, the Asklepion, lies in the lower town. A World Heritage site.
İzmir Clock Tower
An ornate early 20th-century clock tower in Konak Square, with Ottoman and Moorish details. It is the city's best-known symbol and a lively meeting spot beside the sea.
Kemeraltı Bazaar
A labyrinth of covered lanes and old mosques, shops and small workshops, running behind the waterfront. A good place for tea, local snacks and everyday shopping.
Airports
Adnan Menderes International Airport ADB
It is about 13 km in a straight line from Izmir and Ephesus.
Balıkesir Koca Seyit Airport EDO
It is about 127 km in a straight line from Izmir and Ephesus.
Milas Bodrum International Airport BJV
It is about 137 km in a straight line from Izmir and Ephesus.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Turkey (Türkiye) page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan8.2 °C130 mm
- Feb9.1 °C99 mm
- Mar11.4 °C61 mm
- Apr14.7 °C47 mm
- May19.5 °C29 mm
- Jun24.0 °C15 mm
- Jul27.2 °C3 mm
- Aug27.6 °C3 mm
- Sep23.5 °C19 mm
- Oct18.4 °C50 mm
- Nov13.7 °C82 mm
- Dec9.6 °C111 mm
Driest months: Jun, Jul, Aug. Wettest months: Jan, Feb, Dec.
Costs
Prices here are about 41% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
112 for police, ambulance and fire (one unified number).
ngo
Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay)
Helps with: Türkiye's national Red Crescent society. Its website lists disaster response, blood donation campaigns and volunteering. Its 168 line is a donation call centre, not a visitor help line.
Who qualifies: People in Türkiye who need its disaster relief or blood services, or want to volunteer.
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Türkiye
Helps with: The UN migration agency's main office in Ankara. Contact it about migration matters in Türkiye.
Who qualifies: Migrants and organisations working on migration. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +90 (312) 454 30 00
Email: ankmission@iom.int
Address: İlkbahar Mahallesi Konrad Adenauer Caddesi No:61-63 Çankaya/Ankara
embassy
Foreign embassies and consulates in Türkiye (official diplomatic portal)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy or consulate. The Turkish foreign ministry's Diplomatic Portal lists diplomatic missions, accredited missions and international organisations.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or consulate.
local government
Emergency number 112 (police, ambulance and fire)
Helps with: Reaches police, ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 112