One Day in Ephesus: A Whirlwind Tour Through Ancient History – my suggested itinerary

Quick disclaimer: I’m a massive history nerd. So visiting Ephesus? A total dream come true. Add in the fact that I’m Christian, and this trip had an extra layer of meaning—it’s not every day you get to walk through places you’ve only ever read about!

That said, I only had half a day to explore (we flew in from Kayseri via Sun Express at 8:25 AM and landed in Izmir at 10:05 AM, with a 9 AM departure to Pamukkale scheduled for the next day). So I knew I needed to make every hour count—and thankfully, with the right planning, half a day was more than enough to get a real taste of this incredible site.

First Things First: Book a Guide!

I’ll admit—I was a little nervous at first. I love history, but endless piles of ruins can blur together without context. So I’m forever grateful we booked Denis, our local guide who absolutely brought Ephesus to life. If you’re considering a visit, book him! He made all the difference.

📱 Denis’ WhatsApp: +90 536 22 55 658
🌐 We found him via this site: ephesustravelguide.com

For reference, in March 2025, Denis quoted us €260 for a private tour for 6 people. It’s a bit of a splurge, but here’s what that rate included:

• Dedicated driver

• Private tour guide (again, request Denis—but be warned, he’s intense. Passionate, relentless, and eager to share every historical detail. If you’re after a relaxed, breezy walk-through… maybe not for you!)

• Mercedes Sprinter minibus (we chose the larger vehicle to accommodate our luggage—tour started straight from the airport)

• Pick-up and drop-off (for us: Izmir Airport to Ephesus Hotel and Art Gallery in Selçuk)

• Tips and service charges

Note: Entrance fees are not included, so consider a Museum Pass if you’re touring multiple sites across Turkey.

Stop 1: Basilica of St. John

From the airport, we dove straight into our historical journey—literally. First stop: the Basilica of St. John, built on Ayasuluk Hill. Entry requires a separate ticket, but it’s well worth it.

This spot was more than just pretty ruins. Denis used the site as a vantage point to explain the fascinating timeline of Ephesus:

• Ephesus 1 – where Ayasuluk Citadel is now. Originally settled by Amazonians

• Ephesus 2 – Taken by Persians, later renamed Selçuk (fun fact: the president required all towns to rename themselves to Turkish names))

• Ephesus 3 – Built when Alexander the Great liberated the Greeks. However, the bay silted up and prevented boats from docking here & the Roman emperor no longer funded this pagan city when Rome Christianized. Followed by earthquakes galore (and the reason why they never moved was because they believed earthquakes were punishments from God so why bother moving), Hence, it’s now the glorious Greco-Roman ruins we visit today.

• And present day? Ephesus is where tourism and agriculture reign

The Basilica itself was a case study in ancient recycling. When Artemis worship faded, materials from her temple were repurposed for the church. Later, the Ottomans reused those same stones for their mosque. Talk about resourceful!

Other cool finds:

• Sarcophagi (from the term “flesh eaters” – early Christian freezers, basically)

• A tiny baptism pool, oriented East toward Jerusalem

• Insight into how ruins have made local development almost impossible (you dig = you find ruins = government steps in)

Stop 2: The Ancient City of Ephesus

Next, we entered Ephesus the way ancient people once did—on foot, via the marble road. It’s impossible not to be blown away.

Highlights included:

• The Grand Theater – still hosting concerts until 2024 (yes, Elton John performed here!). And fun fact: this is where Act 19:23 onwards (Riot at Ephesus) occurred. The Temple of Artemis was also referenced in this Bible passage too.

• The Library of Celsus – once the 3rd largest in the ancient world

• A secret tunnel from the library to the brothel (scandalous!)

• The Agora, where Paul may have worked as a tentmaker

• Public toilets (men only… sigh)

Overall I was just super impressed by how advanced the city system was in terms of grid planning, material build, sewage system (existing way before the West had any of this)

Also—unexpected perk: I finally identified the bird I kept seeing all over Turkey! It’s the Eurasian magpie. Plus, we spotted some massive stork nests perched high up on ancient columns. Very National Geographic.

Stop 3: Local Eats at Askerin Yeri

By this point, our brains were stuffed with knowledge—and our stomachs were rumbling. Denis took us to Askerin Yeri, a local family-run restaurant he personally frequents. The chicken skewers were top-notch. Highly recommend if you have a car!

Stop 4: Carpet Coop

Next up: a quick visit to a local carpet cooperative. We learned how to tell the difference between handwoven and machine-made rugs (hint: tufted = machine). I even tried my hand at the double knot technique!

Tempted to buy? Yes. Could I afford it? Not quite. But the craftsmanship was stunning.

Stop 5: Local Product Stop (Spoiler: Skip It)

Our guide brought us to a local produce shop—great for free tastings, but I’d advise against buying anything here. The prices were steep, and you can find the same items (walnut-pomegranate sweets, Turkish delight, etc.) in Istanbul for much cheaper.

Stop 6: Art Gallery

Our final stop was a charming art gallery featuring mosaic work, pottery, and Murano-style glass. Best part? I got to make my own evil eye pendant! Pro tip: when someone asks for a volunteer, always raise your hand.

Final Thoughts + Hotel Stay

We checked in at Ephesus Hotel and Art Gallery—our base in Selçuk. It was honestly one of our favorite hotels from the entire Turkey trip. Great water pressure (very important), comfy rooms, and a balcony view of St. John’s Basilica and the lone surviving column from the Temple of Artemis.

The next morning, we woke up to the best breakfast spread of our trip. Then it was off to Pamukkale!

TL;DR: Ephesus in Half a Day? Totally Doable.

If you:

• Love history ✅

• Have a tight schedule ✅

• Want a guide who delivers 110% ✅

…then this whirlwind half-day Ephesus itinerary might be just what you’re looking for.

And seriously—book Denis.

Exploring other parts of Turkey? Do check out my other Turkey blogs!

Tips on How to Maximize your Turkey Trip in Goreme

One Day in Ephesus: A Whirlwind Tour Through Ancient History – my suggested itinerary

Tips to Maximize Pamukkale: A 1-Day Itinerary

What to see, do and eat when in Istanbul – a detailed breakdown by area