Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Ephesus?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Ephesus?

Most people spend one to two days in Ephesus during their visit. The world-renowned archeological site offers amazing highlights such as the famous sights and museums, the cuisine, and the shops and boutiques.

Ephesus, located in western Turkey, is one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world and a world-class destination for history enthusiasts. Once a thriving Greco-Roman city, it is home to many iconic landmarks. Many visitors stay in the nearby town of Selçuk, which has hotels and restaurants. This is also a popular destination with cruise ship passengers and tour groups, who usually visit for the day before moving on.

Do you have one or two days to visit Ephesus? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Ephesus?

Given only one day, you will likely find yourself hurrying to experience the Library of Celsus and the other activities here. To truly savor everything, more time is advisable. Many travelers opt for one to two days to appreciate everything. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.

How to spend a day in Ephesus

Ephesus is famous for it's world-class attractions, museums, and landmarks. You'll want to spend at least a day exploring one or more that you're interested in the most.

A few tour suggestions include:

PRIVATE EPHESUS TOUR FOR CRUISERS: with Museum Entrance Tickets ($53)
FOR CRUISERS: Private Ephesus Ancient City & Ephesus Museum Tour ($29)
Archeological Ephesus Ancient City and Museum Tour ($225)

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. Most of the food options are found in the nearby town of Selçuk. Popular dishes include kebabs, mezes, and pide (Turkish flatbread pizza). Many restaurants are casual and cater specifically to the tourist crowds.

A few tour suggestions include:

Private Ephesus Tour & Wine Tasting & Mediterrranean Lunch ($95)
Ephesus and Sirince with Wine tasting Private Half Day Shore Excursion ($176)
FOR CRUİSERS:Ephesus Private Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port ($12)

Public transit in Ephesus is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the archeological site quite easily. The town of Selçuk is well-connected by dolmuşes (shared minivans) that run frequently and offer affordable rides to nearby destinations, including Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Pamucak Beach area.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Ephesus?

Many visitors spend a weekend in Ephesus, as this is a good amount of time to see the world-renowned archeological site's major attractions such as the Library of Celsus. If you have a weekend to spend here, we have a few suggestions of things to do on your trip below.

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How to spend 2 days in Ephesus

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Ephesus will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the archeological site.

When visiting Ephesus, you absolutely can't miss the Library of Celsus as it's the main reason visitors come to this famous archeological site. It's very popular among who will enjoy all of the activities available. When planning your trip, make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience the various areas, along with breaks to eat and relax, too. Keep in mind that many visitors spend one to two days here, so you'll probably be missing out if you don't allow yourself plenty of time.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Ephesus, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.