Here are twelve questions and twelve answers about Ephesus: opening hours, the way from Istanbul, shops, Paul, early history, trade, languages, crowds, credit cards and famous visitors. Below them I add the trip from Istanbul step by step and a few words about daily life in the ancient city.
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What are the opening hours of the Ephesus archaeological site?
Ephesus winter opening time is 08:00 and summer opening time is 08:30.
How do I get to Ephesus from Istanbul?
There are several ways; The first one is airplane, the second is bus ride and the third one is train ride.
Is there a souvenir shop or gift store at the ancient city of Ephesus?
There are dozens of souvenir shops or gift stores on the both ends of Ephesus Ancient City.
What is the connection between the Apostle Paul and Ephesus?
Apostle Paul visited Ephesus Ancient City twice and spent about 3 years in total in Ephesus during the Roman era of the city. Paul spread the word of the Christ in Ephesus and converted people into Christianity.
What is the earliest history of Ephesus?
The earliest history of Ephesus dates back to the Neolithic period, around 6000 BCE, when the area was first settled.
What were the major industries of Ephesus?
Trade was the major industry of Ephesus, then followed the agriculture and craftsmanship.
Are there any day trips or excursions from Ephesus to nearby attractions?
You can visit all the attractions nearby Ephesus during a day trip.
What language was spoken in Ephesus during ancient times?
Greek and Roman Latin were spoken in Ephesus during ancient times.
What are the best times of year to avoid large crowds at Ephesus?
Can international visitors use credit cards to purchase tickets or souvenirs in Ephesus?
You can use international credit cards to purchase tickets or souvenirs in Ephesus.
Can I visit Ephesus Ancient City on my own, or do I need to join a guided tour?
Who were the most famous ancient people to been to Ephesus?
Ephesus hosted several historic celebrities such as Cleopatra, Mark Anthony, Augustus the Roman Emperor, Apostle Paul, Virgin Mary, John the Evangelist and many more.
How Do You Get From Istanbul to Ephesus?
Most visitors fly from Istanbul to İzmir and then continue by road or rail to Selçuk, the small town 3 kilometers from the ancient city of Ephesus. Here are the three steps in order.
- Fly from Istanbul to İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport.
- From the airport go to Selçuk by car, bus or train.
- From Selçuk it is a short ride to the gate where your visit starts.
I keep the details in my post How to Get to Ephesus from İzmir, Kuşadası or Istanbul. For opening hours and ticket prices please read my post Ephesus and Nearby Attractions Entry Times Update, they change from year to year.
How Did People Live and Work in Ancient Ephesus?
In ancient Ephesus people spoke Greek in daily life, Roman officials used Latin, and many made a living from trade, crafts and the visitors of the Temple of Artemis. It is the other side of your questions about languages, industries and famous people.
Pilgrims came for the goddess, so silversmiths sold little silver shrines of her, and they were angry when Paul’s teaching hurt their business (Acts 19:24-27). Goods came and went on Harbor Street, marble road between the Great Theater and the harbor.
Questions about safety, tickets in advance and clothing are in my post 15 Questions And 15 Answers For Visitors To Ephesus.
More Questions About the History of Ephesus
Who led the first Greek settlers to Ephesus?
Ionian Greek settlers founded Ephesus in the 10th century BC. Tradition names Androklos, a prince of Athens, as their leader. I tell his story in my post Founding Legends of Ephesus Ancient City.
Was Ephesus a Greek or a Roman city?
Both. Ephesus began as a Greek city and became the capital of the Roman province of Asia under Augustus in 27 BC. Most of the ruins you walk past today are from the Roman time.
Does Ephesus still exist today?
The ancient city is now an open-air archaeological site, called Efes in Turkish. The living town beside it is Selçuk, in İzmir Province, about 3 kilometers away.
What does Ephesus mean in Greek?
Nobody knows for sure, and the name has no clear meaning in Greek. Ephesos is the Greek form, but it is probably older than the Greek city: Hittite records of the Bronze Age mention a city called Apasa, most likely Ephesus.
