Basilica of St. John in Selcuk
Plan a visit to the sixth-century basilica on Ayasuluk Hill: current 2026 hours, what survives, why the site matters to Christian history, how long to allow and how to combine it with Ephesus.
Yes — St. John's Basilica is one of the most important additions to an Ephesus and Selcuk day.
The Basilica of St. John stands on Ayasuluk Hill in Selcuk. Christian tradition associates the hill with the tomb of St. John the Apostle, and the large basilica visible today was built in the sixth century under Emperor Justinian.
UNESCO includes the basilica and Ayasuluk Hill within the Ephesus World Heritage property. Unlike the Temple of Artemis, where little architecture survives above ground, St. John's gives you a clearer sense of a large early-Christian complex with columns, walls, the baptistery, the church plan and views over Selcuk.
For most first-time visitors, allow roughly 45–75 minutes. History and faith-focused travellers may want longer, especially if they also explore the hill, photograph the wider complex and connect the basilica with Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis.
A major early-Christian pilgrimage site inside the UNESCO Ephesus landscape.
UNESCO explains that Christian pilgrimage in the Ephesus area eventually centred on important sites including the Basilica of St. John. The extensive basilica remains on Ayasuluk Hill are part of the evidence for Ephesus's importance to early Christianity.
Official Izmir tourism information says the present church was constructed in the sixth century during the reign of Emperor Justinian, over earlier structures connected with the traditional burial place of St. John. The complex included the church, baptistery, chapel and other spaces used throughout the Byzantine period.
GoTurkiye also places the basilica within a wider faith route linking the House of the Virgin Mary, Temple of Artemis, Ephesus and Sirince. That makes the site useful even for travellers who are not making a religious pilgrimage: it helps explain how the centre of settlement and worship shifted from ancient Ephesus toward Ayasuluk Hill.
Walk the church plan slowly rather than treating it as a single photo stop.
The basilica ruins
Follow the footprint of the large cruciform church, with reconstructed columns and surviving walls helping you understand the scale of the Justinianic building.
The traditional tomb area
Christian tradition holds that St. John was buried on Ayasuluk Hill. Treat the site respectfully as both an archaeological monument and a place of religious significance.
Baptistery and church complex
The official excavation history describes a wider complex including the baptistery, chapel and service spaces, showing that this was much more than a small memorial church.
Views across Selcuk
The hilltop setting helps you connect St. John's Basilica with the Temple of Artemis, Isa Bey Mosque, Selcuk and the broader Ephesus landscape.
Official seasonal hours are clear; the live standalone ticket price is not.
The current General Directorate for Cultural Assets and Museums visitor sheet for Ayasuluk Castle and St. Jean Monument lists the site as open every day.
For 1 April–31 October, the official schedule is 08:00–18:00, with the ticket office closing at 17:30. For the winter period, the official sheet lists 08:30–16:30, with the ticket office closing at 16:00.
The Turkish Museums system currently offers an official 72-hour combined ticket covering Ephesus Ancient City, Ephesus Museum, Terrace Houses and St. Jean Archaeological Site. The live product page says to buy the ticket/card at the ticket office, but the page checked today does not display a clear current price. Going2Turkey therefore does not invent a standalone or combined-ticket amount.
One of the easiest major Ephesus-area sites to reach from central Selcuk.
Walk, taxi or short local transfer
The basilica sits on Ayasuluk Hill at the edge of central Selcuk. Travellers staying in town can usually organise it far more easily than the House of the Virgin Mary on Bulbul Mountain.
Allow a separate transfer
St. John's Basilica is not inside the main Ephesus Ancient City ticket gates. Treat it as a separate Selcuk stop after the archaeological site rather than assuming you can walk directly through one continuous complex.
Best as part of a full Ephesus day
If travelling from Izmir, combine Selcuk's major sites in one route. Repeated transfers for individual monuments waste time compared with a planned Ephesus and Selcuk day.
Expect uneven archaeological surfaces
The site is on a hill and includes ancient paving, steps and exposed archaeological ground. Wear supportive shoes and allow extra time if mobility is limited.
Build one strong Ephesus and Selcuk heritage day.
Ephesus Ancient City
Give the Roman city several hours. It remains the main archaeological experience and should receive the biggest time block.
St. John's Basilica
Use 45–75 minutes for the basilica, Ayasuluk setting and early-Christian history before moving to the nearby Artemision or museum.
Temple of Artemis
A short but historically important stop. Keep expectations realistic because only limited remains survive.
House of the Virgin Mary
Add the mountain shrine if faith history matters to you or if your tour route already includes the transfer.
Do you need a tour for St. John's Basilica?
No. The basilica is straightforward to visit independently from Selcuk. A guide becomes more valuable when you want the whole story connecting Ephesus, early Christianity, the House of the Virgin Mary, Temple of Artemis and later Selcuk history.
One current Izmir–Ephesus tour option runs about 11 hours and includes Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, Temple of Artemis and Sirince; its description also references the Church of St John and Isa Bey Mosque. Tour routes can change, so check the exact itinerary before assuming entrance to St. John's is included.
Check current Ephesus tour options
Basilica of St. John planning questions.
Is the Basilica of St. John in Selcuk worth visiting?
Yes if early-Christian history, archaeology or the wider Ephesus story interests you. The sixth-century basilica ruins are substantial enough for a dedicated 45–75 minute visit and are easy to combine with the Temple of Artemis and Ephesus Museum.
What are the current Basilica of St. John opening hours?
The official Ayasuluk Castle and St. Jean Monument visitor sheet reviewed in September 2026 lists 08:00–18:00 from 1 April to 31 October, with the ticket office closing at 17:30. The winter schedule is 08:30–16:30 with the ticket office closing at 16:00. The site is listed as open every day.
How much is the Basilica of St. John ticket?
The Turkish Museums system currently offers a 72-hour combined ticket for Ephesus Ancient City, Ephesus Museum, Terrace Houses and St. Jean Archaeological Site, but the live official product page reviewed in September 2026 does not display a clear current price. Going2Turkey therefore does not hard-code an unverified standalone or combined-ticket amount.
How long do I need at St. John's Basilica?
About 45–75 minutes is a useful first-visit range. Allow longer if you want to study the church plan, baptistery and Ayasuluk Hill setting or if the site’s Christian history is a major part of your trip.
Is St. John's Basilica inside Ephesus Ancient City?
No. The basilica stands on Ayasuluk Hill in Selcuk and is a separate visitor site from Ephesus Ancient City. Plan separate entrance and transfer time even when you visit both on the same day.
What should I combine with the Basilica of St. John?
Combine it with Ephesus Ancient City first, then the Temple of Artemis and Ephesus Museum. The House of the Virgin Mary is another major option, but it requires a separate road transfer to Bulbul Mountain.
Continue through Ephesus & Selcuk
Ephesus Ancient City
The headline archaeological site and the place that deserves the largest time block.
Temple of Artemis
A short Selcuk stop at the location of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
House of the Virgin Mary
A separate mountain shrine that adds another major layer to the region's faith history.
Ephesus & Selcuk
Use the destination guide to organise all of the main sites without rushing them into one short visit.