TOP SIGHTS AROUND EPHESUS!

We may have needed a cold Efes (or two) after publishing our Ultimate Guide to Ephesus. Nevertheless, it didn’t stop us from doing what we love, so we ventured out to discover the surroundings of Ephesus, or Efes as it is known in Turkish.

We’ll take you to Selçuk Castle, the House of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of Saint John, the Isa Bey Mosque, the Ephesus Museum, the Temple of Artemis, and the Cave of the Seven Sleepers in this post. In summary, we will outline the attractions outside of the actual ancient site of Ephesus that are worth seeing. Here’s how to maximise your time and lengthen your stay in Ephesus.

 İsa Bey Mosque And Selçuk Castle

SELÇUK CASTLE: AYASULUK CASTLE

With its dominant position above the entire town, Selçuk Castle is almost impossible to miss. Finding Ayasuluk Castle is much simpler than finding Ephesus. From a distance, some castles appear magnificent, yet they aren’t worth seeing. The Selçuk Castle is unique. The inner Ayasuluk Castle and the Basilica of Saint John are located on its grounds.

The Selcuk and Ottoman dynasties also made use of the Byzantine Castle. It is worth going up the stairs to the inner castle if only to take in the views. Aside from the vistas, you’ll find the remnants of a renovated mosque as well as the ruins of homes, cisterns, spas, and a small church.

Restored Mosque In The Inner Castle

THE BASILICA OF SAINT JOHN

Before it was devastated by an earthquake, the Basilica of Saint John must have been a remarkable structure. Nevertheless, it is claimed that Saint John is interred on the northern slope of Ayasulug Hill, where a little chapel was built in the fourth century. Emperor Justinian ordered the construction of a massive basilica because he believed that the little church did not adequately honour Saint John. A rarity in those days, the basilica was constructed with brick and stone and formed like a cross with six domes. These days, all that’s left of what must have been a magnificent structure are a few pillars, gates, and walls.

Saint John Basilica, An Impression Of Its Size

ISA BEY MOSQUE

The Isa Bey Mosque features a courtyard that has an almost supernatural quality, and it is located just beneath Saint John’s Basilica. It is an example of architecture from Seljuk. Even though we went inside the mosque, we thought the stunning courtyard and the artwork over the entrance gate were what made it appealing. Fascinating tombstones may be observed positioned against the rear wall of the courtyard.

Isa Bey Mosque From Selçuk Castle Grounds

THE EPHESUS MUSEUM

The Ephesus Museum or Efes Müzesi is located in the centre of Selçuk, and we highly recommend visiting it after you have seen Ephesus. The museum has an archaeological and ethnographical section displaying artefacts from the Prehistoric, Mycenaean, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman Periods. Each exhibition hall covers a specific theme and displays artefacts belonging to that topic from different times in history. These are the different subjects for each exhibition hall:

• Fountain Sculptures
• Terrace Houses Finds
• Coins
• Ephesus through the Ages
• Stone Artifacts
• Cult of Cybele
• Temple of Artemis Finds
• Artemis Ephesia
• Imperial Cult

Magnificent Artemis Statue in Ephesus Museum

THE TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS

Among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World is the Temple of Artemis. Having undergone two rebuilds, it must have been extremely spectacular. The most recent iteration has 127 17,5-meter-long columns. These days, the remaining pillars in the marshy area are few and far between. This location is worth a brief visit if you are interested in history; it is on the route from Selçuk to the historic site of Ephesus. However, be ready for some too-eager vendors of phoney coins to attempt and con you into purchasing real fake antique coins.

Artemis Temple

THE CAVE OF THE SEVEN SLEEPERS

The Cave of the Seven Sleepers is located on the slopes of Mount Pion, near the House of the Virgin Mary, and not too far from the ancient town of Efes. During your travels around Ephesus, the Grotto of the Seven Sleepers is little more than just another roadside attraction. Several tombs and the remnants of a Christian church may be seen atop the cave.

On Top Of The Cave Of The Seven Sleepers

THE HOUSE OF THE VIRGIN MARY

Situated on a mountain, approximately 9km away from Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary is surrounded by lush greenery. It’s claimed that Mary spent her final days there. The Roman structure combines a house, a church, and her tomb; only the centre portion is accessible to the public. Acknowledging Mary as the mother of one of their prophets, both Christians and Muslims make pilgrimages to the House of the Virgin Mary near Ephesus. You are welcome to participate in a ceremony honouring Mary’s Assumption every August 15th.

Make the drive to this location and pay the somewhat expensive admission charge if it holds special spiritual meaning for you. If not, your visit can leave you feeling a little down, particularly if you have the misfortune of having to stand in queue behind several busloads of people who are eager to enter the chapel.

ŞIRINCE, A QUAINT MOUNTAIN VILLAGE NEAR EPHESUS

Despite its reputation for being authentic and conventional, the mountain village near Ephesus is becoming a tourist circus. It has almost become a classic. Although Şirince is undoubtedly attractive since it has been “discovered,” it is also extremely crowded. The explanation is clear: it’s the ideal location for tour buses to pull over and show their customers what a Turkish village looks like. As a result, people are abundant in the tiny streets.

This village is quite lovely, so it’s unfortunate. It’s also a great place to visit if you stay long enough to watch the day-trippers go; there are dozens of wine shops selling wines made from the grapevines that surround the village, as well as lovely restaurants and cafés.

Şirince, is it worth visiting or not? That is really up to you, but don’t let the crowds deter you if you intend to visit in the heart of the tourist season. Travelling out of season and spending the night will give you the finest chance to experience the village as it was just a short while ago if you’re searching for a more laid-back vibe.

HOW ABOUT SELÇUK?

Selçuk is a great option as a base to visit Ephesus and the broader area. If you stay in the old town, Selçuk Castle, Isa Bey Mosque, and the Basilica of Saint John are within walking distance, as are the Ephesus Museum and Artemis Temple. The town itself is a nice mixture of old and new and caters to any traveller. Wandering around its streets, you’ll discover a lot more historical buildings and charming corners.

Old Hammam In Selçuk

WHERE TO STAY?

You will find there are plenty of options in Selçuk for all kinds of budgets and travellers. Check out our selection using the tabs below. We stayed at Ephesus Paradise Hotel in Selçuk. This is a lovely, boutique-style hotel in the old town of Selçuk, within walking distance of famous Selçuk spots such as Isa Bey Mosque, the Basilica of Saint John, and the Castle. It is run by a historian who wrote a book about Ephesus for sale at a reduced price at the hotel, compared to the Museum Shop in Efes.

MORE PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR YOUR EFES AREA VISIT

If you ask us, you need more than one day to cover Ephesus and the surrounding sights. But we’re into slow travel, and we prefer to take it easy to avoid the crowds. Is Ephesus worth visiting? Absolutely! To make the most of your visit to Ephesus (or Efes), invest time preparing your trip and choosing the right timing.

Click on the links below for current ticket prices and opening times.

• Ayasuluk Castle
• The Basilica of Saint John
• Ephesus Museum
• House of the Virgin Mary

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