Ephesus Ancient City Tour from Izmir: Temple of Artemis

Walk through marble avenues and stand beneath the Library of Celsus, where ancient Ephesus still speaks.

A 6-hour guided tour of the ancient city of Ephesus departing from Izmir, with entry to the ruins, the Temple of Artemis, and transport by air-conditioned minivan included. The guide leads you through two hours inside the city itself—past the Celsius Library, the Great Theatre, and temples and baths—then to Selçuk town and the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Live guides speak English, Spanish or French.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ephesus and nearby towns

• Visit Temple of Artemis
• Tour Ancient City of Ephesus
• Explore Selçuk town
• Discover Izmir city sights

The Experience

Six hours covers the main arc: you leave Izmir in an air-conditioned minivan, arrive at the ancient city, and spend two hours on foot through the ruins with your guide. The Celsius Library dominates the site—its grand facade still stands, columns intact, and the guide walks you through what it held and who built it. The Great Theatre, where 25,000 Romans once sat, is a short walk from there; you stand in the orchestra and look up at the stone tiers. Temples, public baths, and the remains of homes line the marble avenues between them. Admission is included, so you move straight through the gate.

After Ephesus, the tour stops in Selçuk, a small town built around the layers of what came after—the Basilica of St. John and the medieval Ayasuluk Fortress sit on the hillside above the streets. You have time to walk, eat, or browse the shops. Then comes the Temple of Artemis, the final stop. Only a few columns remain standing in an open field, but the guide explains what it was—one of the Seven Wonders, built to a scale that dwarfed the Celsius Library. You stand where it rose and listen to the story of how it fell. The drive back to Izmir follows, with a stop along the Kordon promenade if the schedule allows, or a pass through the Kemeralti Bazaar depending on the day.

The guide is live—not a recording—and speaks English, Spanish or French. They carry the weight of the tour; what you learn about the city's Roman period, the goddess Artemis, and why these buildings mattered comes from them. Transport is by minivan, minibus or midibus depending on group size, and the vehicle is air-conditioned. Entry fees to both Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis are paid upfront and included in the price. An open buffet lunch is included as well.

What’s included

• Entry to the Ancient City of Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis.
• an open buffet lunch.
• transport by air-conditioned minivan, minibus or midibus depending on group size.
• a live guide in English, Spanish or French.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Vistra

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want the main sites of ancient Ephesus—the Celsius Library, the Great Theatre, and the Temple of Artemis—in a single morning and afternoon, with a guide explaining the history as you walk. The fixed schedule and included transport mean you don't arrange pickups or entry separately; the day holds together without building it yourself.

Top questions

What exactly is the Library of Celsus and why is it the centerpiece of Ephesus?

The Celsius Library is a two-story Roman building with a grand marble facade, built in the 2nd century AD to hold thousands of scrolls. Its front wall still stands nearly intact at Ephesus, making it the most recognizable structure on the site; the guide explains its architecture and the role it played in the city's intellectual life.

How much time do I actually spend walking around inside the ancient city?

Two hours is the time allocated for the Ancient City of Ephesus itself, where you walk the marble avenues, see the Library, the Great Theatre, and the temples and baths on your own pace with the guide leading.

Is the Temple of Artemis worth seeing if only a few columns are left?

The Temple of Artemis is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and though only fragments remain, the guide shares the history of its construction and destruction. Standing at the site gives a sense of its scale and significance even in ruins.

What's included in the open buffet lunch?

The tour includes an open buffet meal, though the specific menu varies by day and location; your guide will direct you to the restaurant and explain the options when you arrive in Selçuk.

Can I do this tour if I'm not very fit or have mobility concerns?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels and is wheelchair accessible; the Ancient City itself involves walking on uneven ground and some slopes, but you set your own pace and can rest whenever needed. Strollers and prams are welcome for infants and small children.

Do I need to book a specific language guide in advance?

Guides are available in English, Spanish and French; confirm your language preference when you book so the operator can assign the right guide to your departure.