Efes / Selçuk Car Rental

What Are Ephesus and Selçuk Like?

According to Wikipedia, Ephesus is an ancient city about three kilometres south-west of Selçuk; it was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2015. The Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, stood near this city; according to Go Türkiye only one column of the temple stands today. The Library of Celsus is one of the city's most beautiful buildings.

Go Türkiye writes that the ancient city has clearly marked paths and signs, can be explored on foot, and that one day is not enough to see the whole site. Selçuk is a small town where ruins, churches, mosques and the museum come together.

How to Get to Ephesus from Marmaris and the Airports

• From İzmir Airport: about 66 km; maps show 55–58 minutes of driving. For airport delivery see our İzmir Airport page.
• From Marmaris: about 205–218 km by road from the centre; two map sources give 171–178 minutes of driving. Because the round trip is about 410–435 km, planning one overnight stay is more comfortable than a single day; you can find the daily kilometre limit in the rental terms. For the route see our İzmir Airport to Marmaris guide, which also describes the route via Ephesus.
• Between Selçuk and the ancient city it is about 3 km (6–8 minutes).

Things to See and Do in Ephesus and Selçuk

• Ancient City of Ephesus: according to Go Türkiye you will see the Library of Celsus, Hadrian's Temple, the Great Theatre and the remains of the Temple of Artemis. Ask about entrance fees and hours before you go.
• Basilica of St John and Ayasuluk Hill: according to Go Türkiye the basilica stands over the tomb of St John, thought to have written the Gospel of John in Ephesus; on the hill are the remains of Selçuk Castle.
• House of the Virgin Mary: Go Türkiye mentions this house near Selçuk as a Christian pilgrimage site, with a spring beneath it and a wish wall.
• Cave of the Seven Sleepers and İsa Bey Mosque: Go Türkiye mentions the cave as a site revered in both the Christian and Islamic traditions, and the İsa Bey Mosque as a work of the Beylik era commissioned in 1375.
• Selçuk Museum and Şirince: the museum displays finds from Ephesus and its surroundings; Şirince is a hill village about 8 km from the centre of Selçuk, known for its wine (Go Türkiye).

Around Ephesus by Car: Distances

We measured the distances with two route planners (17 October 2026); traffic and the season change them.

• Ephesus – Selçuk: about 3 km, 6–8 minutes.
• Ephesus – İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport: about 66 km, 55–58 minutes.
• Ephesus – İzmir: about 77–85 km, 62–74 minutes.
• Ephesus – Bodrum-Milas Airport: about 134–145 km, 134–137 minutes.
• Ephesus – Bodrum: about 174–177 km, 150–154 minutes.
• Ephesus – Pamukkale: about 194–201 km, 123–129 minutes.
• Ephesus – Marmaris centre: about 205–218 km, 171–178 minutes.