Neighbourhoods
Alsancak (İzmir)
İzmir's walkable, café-dense waterfront district.
Selçuk
The small town base for visiting Ephesus itself.
Things to do
Ephesus, first entry
Arrive at opening — this is one of the best-preserved ancient cities on earth, and it fills with tour groups by 10am.
House of the Virgin Mary
A short drive from Ephesus, a genuinely moving pilgrimage site regardless of faith.
İzmir's Kordon waterfront, evening
A proper local promenade, worth an evening if your itinerary includes İzmir itself.
Eating & drinking
Any Selçuk lokanta (local eatery)
Simple, unfussy Turkish home cooking near the ruins — better and cheaper than anything at the site entrance.
Day trips
Local logistics
City-specific transport and safety notes — for country-wide context, see the Türkiye guide.
Base yourself in Selçuk if Ephesus is the priority — it's a short taxi or dolmuş ride from the ruins, versus over an hour from İzmir.
Very safe; no notable areas of concern.
Pacing & budget
Pacing: 2 days, based in Selçuk, comfortably covers Ephesus and its surrounding sites.
Budget: One of the best-value regions in the country — genuinely underpriced relative to the quality of the sites.
Visa, money, culture & transport for all of Türkiye
Currency, key phrases, getting around by train, and everything that applies to your whole trip — not just İzmir & Ephesus.