Ephesus is one of the most famous and well-preserved ancient cities in Turkey. As an important cultural, religious, and commercial center during Greek and Roman times, this iconic site attracts over 1 million visitors every year. But where exactly can you find the ruins of Ephesus on a map of Turkey?
A Brief History of Ephesus
Ephesus has a long and storied history spanning over 9000 years, It was founded as an Attic-Ionian Greek colony in the 10th century BCE and soon became one of the largest cities in the region,
The Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was constructed around 550 BCE. Ephesus later came under control of the Roman Republic in 129 BCE During the Roman period, the city prospered as the capital of the province of Asia Many famous monuments like the Library of Celsus were built.
After a period of decline, Ephesus was rebuilt during the Byzantine era but started losing importance after the harbor silted up The loss of the harbor led to the city’s eventual abandonment in the 15th century CE
Locating Ephesus on a Map
Ephesus is situated in western Turkey in the region known as Anatolia or Asia Minor. More precisely, the ancient city ruins are located near Selçuk, a small town in Izmir Province.
On a map of Turkey, first locate the Aegean Sea, which lies along the western coast of the country. Izmir, the third most populous city in Turkey, sits on a large bay connected to the Aegean Sea.
Now look south of Izmir along the coast to find the town of Selçuk situated at the base of Ayasuluk Hill. Ephesus stands right next to Selçuk about 3-4 km from the Aegean Sea coast.
Some key landmarks and distances to note:
- Ephesus is located around 70 km (43 mi) south of Izmir
- The famous seaside town of Kuşadası lies 20 km (12 mi) to the south
- The ruins are situated around 6 km (4 mi) northeast of Selçuk
- Ephesus stands 59 km (37 mi) north of the airport at İzmir
Prominent Features at the Ephesus Site
The main excavated area of Ephesus covers over 1 km in length, so there’s a lot to see! Here are some of the most notable features to spot on a map of the archaeological site:
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The Great Theater – One of the largest theaters in the ancient world with a capacity of 25,000 spectators
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The Library of Celsus – A stunning two-story library façade beautifully restored and one of the most iconic images of Ephesus
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The Temple of Hadrian – Impressive Corinthian style temple dedicated to the Roman emperor Hadrian
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Terrace Houses – Lavish multistory homes showcasing frescoes and mosaics from the prosperous Roman era
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The Arcadian Way – A historic marble road lined with columns that passed through the city center
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Marble Avenue – Stretches between the Library of Celsus to the Great Theater
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Basilica of St. John – A large church constructed in the 6th century CE, believed site of the apostle’s tomb
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Temple of Artemis – One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, with only a single renovated column remaining
So look for these major points of interest to help orient yourself among the sprawling ruins at Ephesus!
Ephesus Today: A Top Tourist Attraction in Turkey
Today Ephesus is one of the top attractions and best ancient sites in all of Turkey. Over 1 million people visit the ruins each year, drawn by the remarkably intact remains showcasing both Greek and Roman influences.
Walking along the old marble streets, you can vividly imagine what life was like thousands of years ago in this bustling metropolis. The sheer grand scale of features like the Library of Celsus and the Great Theater transport you right back to antiquity.
Beyond the ruins, sights like the nearby Basilica of St. John also showcase Ephesus’ importance as an early center of Christianity. Archaeological work continues, as only about 15% of the massive site has been excavated.
Whether you’re an ancient history buff, archaeology fan, or just love exploring ruins, Ephesus should be right at the top of your must-see list for any trip to Turkey! Use our guide to find Ephesus on a map and then go see this incredible site for yourself.
Visit one of the best preserved Roman sites in the world
The country formerly known as Turkey is now officially called Türkiye. Well continue to use the older designation until the countrys rebranding takes hold.
Ephesus is located 3km east of Selçuk along the western coast of Turkey. The ancient city is found south of the Selcuk-Efes airport and the D515 Highway.
Many visitors, however, make the day trip from the resort town of Kusidasi, on the (current) coast, often through a round-trip tour. The Ephesus ruins will take most visitors about 2-4 hours to walk through, as the walkable grounds are about a mile and a half long.
On this map you can see the marshy land to the east of the site, evidence of the silted up harbor of Ephesus that led to its demize. Zoom in the map to see more of the ancient Ephesus structures, including the famous theater on the east site of the hill that separates the site from modern Selçuk.
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Ephesus is one of the best preserved Roman sites in the world, and a very popular destination for tourists in Turkey.
It was at one time a port city. Silt did it in. The theatre dominates the view down Harbor Street, shown as Arkadiane on the map, which leads to the silted-up harbor you see on the map and in the picture below.
The city was famed for the nearby Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Among many other monumental buildings youll see fairly well preserved are the Library of Celsus and a theatre capable of holding 25,000 spectators.
The area surrounding Ephesus was already inhabited during the Neolithic Age (about 6000 BC).
Planetware gives us the sketch map below so that we can see some of the outlying monuments as well as the museum in Selçuk
Guidebooks, audio tours and personal guides are available at both Ephesus entrances, but you may wish to purchase a guide in advance to read a bit about the history of Ephesus and Turkey.