The visitor numbers of Ephesus have gone up year after year, and 2024 was a record: 2,626,753 people visited the ancient city. In 2025 the number was 2,552,734, still the highest of any museum or archaeological site in Turkey. Below I share the figures and what is behind them.
2024 was a truly spectacular year for the ancient city of Ephesus! According to official figures, exactly 2 million 626 thousand 753 people visited the Ancient City of Ephesus in 2024. This figure clearly shows how popular and attractive destination Ephesus has become. Imagine, almost 3 million people have come here to explore this magnificent ancient city!
After the low figures of the pandemic period of 20201, the ancient city of Ephesus has steadily increased the number of visitors every year. In 2024, there was a 119% increase compared to 2020. This clearly demonstrates Ephesus’ capacity for recovery and growth.
With this number of visitors, Ephesus became the second most visited archaeological site in Turkey in 2024. The Mevlana Museum in Konya ranked first, while the Hierapolis Pamukkale Ruins in Denizli ranked third. This ranking once again proves the important position of Ephesus on the cultural tourism map of Turkey and the world.
The popularity of the ancient city of Ephesus has been increasing in recent years. In 2023, 2 million 196 thousand 104 people visited Ephesus. In 2024, this number increased by about 430 thousand people, reaching 2 million 626 thousand 753. This means an increase of 19.6% in one year.
In recent years, Ephesus has also started to organize night visits2. Especially in the summer months, visiting Ephesus in cool weather and under special lighting offers a different experience to visitors. Night visits contribute to the increase in the number of visitors and tourism revenues of Ephesus.
In 2024, the ratio of night visits to the total number of visitors is approximately 5%. This means approximately 131,337 night visitors. Night visits allow Ephesus to be experienced in a different atmosphere and the magic of the ancient buildings, especially when illuminated, offers an unforgettable experience for visitors.
Ephesus Visitor Numbers in 2025 and 2026
In 2025, 2,552,734 people visited Ephesus, and it was the most visited museum or archaeological site in Turkey. Hierapolis Pamukkale came second with 2,302,218 visitors. For 2026 the museum expects nearly 3 million visitors, which would be a new record.
The number of 2025 is a little lower than the record of 2024, but this time Ephesus climbed to the first place of the list. The night visits became more popular every year. In 2025 they were so popular that night season of Ephesus was extended till 2 November.
In 2026 the night visits started again in June, on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, and they continue until 1 October 2026. Visitors can enter between 19:00 and 22:00, and everybody leaves the site by 23:00. You can read all the details in my article about Ephesus at night.
The lights now shine on the Library of Celsus, the agora, Curetes Street, the Temple of Domitian, the theater and the Terrace Houses. The projection show on the facade of the Library of Celsus, which started in 2025, continues in 2026 too.
In June and July 2026, the first two months of the season, 213,192 people visited Ephesus at night. That is already far more than the 131,337 night visitors of the whole 2024. Most of them, 206,272 people, were Turkish visitors, and many of them come for the cool evening after the hot day. The museum hopes to pass 300,000 night visitors by the end of the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people visit Ephesus in a year?
More than 2.5 million. The ancient city had a record 2,626,753 visitors in 2024 and 2,552,734 in 2025. The pandemic years are in my post Ephesus Visitors Numbers Are Back To Normal.
Why is Ephesus so popular with visitors?
It is one of the largest Roman sites in the eastern Mediterranean and joined the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015. It is also one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. My Top 10 Reasons To Visit Ephesus has more.
Do the visitor numbers include the Ephesus Museum in Selçuk?
No. The ancient city and the Ephesus Museum in Selçuk are counted as separate places, and the museum gets far fewer visitors. The numbers in this post are for the ancient city.
Your Turn To Visit Ephesus
As a tour guide, I am pleased with the increasing interest in Ephesus every year. Ephesus offers visitors an unforgettable experience not only with its historical ruins, but also with its surrounding natural beauties, quaint villages like Şirince and local delicacies. Especially night tours are a great option for those who want to experience the magical atmosphere of Ephesus differently.
I am sure that Ephesus will continue to be one of the most important tourist destinations in Turkey for years to come. As a guide who organizes tours in and around Ephesus, I would like to remind you that these statistics are not just numbers, there is a story, an experience behind each of them. If you haven’t visited Ephesus yet, I strongly suggest you add it to your plans. Exploring this magnificent ancient city will be an unforgettable experience!
- Ephesus Visitor Numbers From Previous Years
2017: 1,550,261
2018: 1,655,000
2019: 2,031,804
2020: 737,000 (due to the COVID-19 pandemic)
2021: 1,738,229 ↩︎ - Ephesus Night Tours ↩︎
