Location of Ephesus Ancient City

The location of Ephesus Ancient City is in Selçuk district of İzmir Province, on the Aegean coast of western Turkey. The ruins lie about 3 kilometers from Selçuk town, 20 to 30 minutes by road from Kuşadası and about an hour from İzmir Airport.

Ephesus on the Map of Turkey

Let’s have a look at the map. Ephesus is in the Aegean Region of Turkey, south of the city of İzmir and a little inland from the sea. On a phone map its coordinates are about 37.94 degrees north and 27.34 degrees east. In Turkish we call it Efes, and the full name is Efes Antik Kenti.

The nearest town is Selçuk, and the nearest holiday town on the coast is Kuşadası. In ancient times the sea was right at the city, and ships sailed up to the harbor at the end of Harbor Street. The river filled the harbor with silt, today the sea is a few kilometers away from the ruins.

Between Panayır Hill and Bülbül Hill

Ephesus was built in the valley between two hills. Panayır Hill, also called Mount Pion, rises behind the Great Theater. Theater is cut into its slope, so the seats look down the valley toward the old harbor.

Bülbül Hill is on the other side, and in Turkish its name means Nightingale Hill. The Terrace Houses are on its slope, and the House of the Virgin Mary stands further up on the same mountain.

Two Entrances of Ephesus Ancient City

The ruins have two entrances. The Upper Gate, also called the Magnesian Gate, is at the high end of the valley, on the road toward the House of the Virgin Mary. The Lower Gate is at the low end, near the main parking area and the road from Selçuk.

Most tours start at the Upper Gate and walk downhill, so you enter into the ruins from the top and finish at the Lower Gate. My post about the Ephesus Upper Gate or Lower Gate explains which one to choose.

Distance to İzmir Airport and Kuşadası Port

İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport is the nearest big airport, and the drive to Ephesus takes about an hour. Kuşadası port is much closer, only 20 to 30 minutes by car, so cruise guests reach the ruins quickly. I tell my guests to count about one hour from the airport and half an hour from the port.

The road, the train and the minibus are all explained in my post on how to get to Ephesus, and the cruise guests can read my Kuşadası cruise port to Ephesus walkthrough.

More Questions About the Location of Ephesus

Is Ephesus in Greece or in Turkey?

Ephesus is in Turkey, not in Greece. It was a Greek city in ancient times, and that is why many people look for it in Greece today. The ruins stand on the Aegean coast of western Turkey, beside the town of Selçuk.

Is Ephesus still on the sea?

No. In ancient times the sea came up to the harbor of Ephesus, but the river filled it with silt and the coast moved west. Today the ruins are a few kilometers inland, and the Aegean Sea is a short drive away.

Is Biblical Ephesus the same place as the ruins today?

Yes. The Ephesus of the New Testament, where Apostle Paul preached in Acts 19, is the same city. It was in the Roman province of Asia, which is western Turkey today, and the ruins stand beside Selçuk.

You can contact me if you need to learn more on Ephesus Ancient City. Also, you can book tour guide to Ephesus and surrounding attractions by writing to me. See you soon, Hasan Gülday.