Turkey · Region
Selcuk
Selçuk is the modern gateway to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean, and its own hilltop is crowned by the ruins of the Basilica of St. John and a Byzantine citadel overlooking storks nesting on a Roman aqueduct. Beyond the ruins, this small Aegean town anchors a cluster of major pilgrimage and archaeological sites, including the House of the Virgin Mary and the Ephesus Archaeological Museum.
Top attractions
attraction Ephesus Ancient City: Selcuk Travel Guide (4.8★)
Ephesus is the best-preserved Roman city in the eastern Mediterranean, anchored by the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. 4.8★ (40,623 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Temple of Domitian: Selcuk Travel Guide
The Temple of Domitian sits at the top of Curetes Street in the ancient city of Ephesus, near Selçuk in the Izmir region.
attraction Ayasuluk Citadel: Selcuk Travel Guide (4.6★)
Ayasuluk Citadel sits on the hill above Selçuk, wrapped around the Basilica of St. John, and is open daily 9am–4:30pm. 4.6★ (1,395 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Basilica of Saint John: Selcuk Travel Guide (4.7★)
The Basilica of Saint John in Selcuk sits on Ayasuluk Hill above the town center, open daily 8am–6pm. 4.7★ (3,057 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Library of Celsus: Selcuk Travel Guide (4.8★)
The Library of Celsus is the two-story marble facade at the heart of Ephesus, and it's worth timing your visit around: aim for opening at 8am, or weekends before 10am, to see it before the tour buses fill the terrace. 4.8★ (10,595 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction The Temple of Artemis: Selcuk Travel Guide (4.2★)
The Temple of Artemis site in Selçuk is a free, open-air field with a single reconstructed column standing where one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World once stood. 4.2★ (6,299 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
Top-rated things to do in Selcuk
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Where to stay in Selcuk
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Frequently asked questions about Selcuk
How do I get to Selcuk?
Most travellers arrive via İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB), taking the İZBAN commuter rail line south with a change at Tepeköy onto the Selçuk branch, or a direct regional TCDD train, with the journey taking roughly ~1 hour by direct train; Selçuk's own train station also has regional services to İzmir, Aydın, and Denizli, and intercity buses connect to the wider Aegean coast.
How many days should I spend in Selcuk?
Plan on ~1-2 days to cover Ephesus itself along with the House of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St. John, and the town's museum and old quarter.
What is Selcuk known for?
Selçuk is the modern gateway to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean, and its own hilltop is crowned by the ruins of the Basilica of St. John and a Byzantine citadel overlooking storks nesting on a Roman aqueduct. Beyond the ruins, this small Aegean town anchors a cluster of major pilgrimage and archaeological sites, including the House of the Virgin Mary and the Ephesus Archaeological Museum.