Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
Visit the Artemision at Selcuk: why it became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, what survives today, realistic visit time, how to combine it with Ephesus and which tours include it.
Yes — but visit for historical importance, not because a huge temple is still standing.
The Temple of Artemis, also called the Artemision, was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. UNESCO describes it as one of the largest and most powerful sanctuaries of the ancient world and notes that pilgrims came from across the Mediterranean.
Today, only foundations, scattered marble fragments and a reconstructed standing column remain. That makes the site very different from Ephesus Ancient City. For most travellers, 20–40 minutes is enough, and the best way to visit is as part of a wider Selcuk day.
If you expect a complete monumental temple, you may be disappointed. If you enjoy ancient history and want to stand at the location of one of the classical world's most famous buildings, it is absolutely worth the short stop.
One of the ancient Mediterranean's most important sanctuaries.
UNESCO's Ephesus World Heritage material explains that the sanctuary of Ephesian Artemis developed from a long Anatolian mother-goddess tradition and became one of the most influential sacred places of the ancient world.
Official Izmir tourism information describes the Temple of Artemis as one of the Seven Wonders and identifies it as the first great temple built entirely of marble. The famous sanctuary was rebuilt through several architectural phases, and the great classical temple became a major centre of pilgrimage and wealth.
The sanctuary also helps explain why Ephesus changed location over time. The older settlement grew around the Artemision before the later Hellenistic and Roman city developed farther away.
A famous location with modest surviving remains.
The reconstructed column
The single standing column is assembled from surviving drum fragments and gives the site its most recognisable modern silhouette.
Foundation remains
Low foundation traces and scattered architectural blocks help show the former footprint, but the site requires imagination because the monumental superstructure has disappeared.
Ayasuluk backdrop
The wider Selcuk landscape helps connect the Artemision with Ayasuluk Hill, St John's Basilica and the many historical layers that followed ancient Ephesus.
History before spectacle
Read about the temple before or during your stop. Knowing what stood here makes the short visit much more rewarding.
Official sources confirm the site, but do not publish a clear live standalone timetable and ticket price.
Official information from the Izmir Provincial Culture and Tourism Directorate, GoTürkiye, Selcuk Municipality and Turkish Museums identifies the Temple of Artemis as a major Selcuk/Ephesus attraction, but There is no confirmed dedicated Turkish Museums ticket page publishing a current daily opening schedule and standalone admission price for the Artemision.
For that reason, this guide does not copy an old opening-hour or fee figure from a third-party travel page. If exact access matters on your travel day, confirm locally in Selcuk or through your guide.
The practical planning point is simple: this is normally a short Selcuk stop, not a half-day archaeological visit like Ephesus Ancient City.
The Temple of Artemis is in Selcuk, separate from the main Ephesus archaeological site.
Easy local stop
The Artemision sits in the Selcuk area and is much easier to combine with the town's museum, St John's Basilica and Isa Bey Mosque than to treat as a separate excursion.
Short road transfer
The temple is a separate archaeological area from the main Ephesus entrance. Use a taxi, car, local transfer or guided route if you are moving directly between the two.
Combine it with a full Ephesus day
Selcuk is around 74 km south of Izmir according to the official provincial tourism authority. A full-day Ephesus route is the sensible way to include Artemis from the city.
Keep Selcuk sites together
Once you are in Selcuk, group the temple with St John's Basilica and the Ephesus Museum rather than making repeated transfers across the area.
Use the Temple of Artemis as one part of a stronger Ephesus and Selcuk itinerary.
Ephesus Ancient City
Give Ephesus the largest block of time. The Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Curetes Street and Terrace Houses deserve several hours.
Temple of Artemis
Use 20–40 minutes to understand the sanctuary's location and surviving remains. It works especially well after you already know how important Ephesus became.
St John's Basilica + Ephesus Museum
These are the strongest additions if you want the early Christian story and original artefacts from the wider Ephesus excavations.
House of the Virgin Mary
Add the mountain shrine if Christian pilgrimage history matters to you. It requires separate road transport and should not replace proper time at Ephesus.
Many Ephesus day tours include the Temple of Artemis as a short final stop.
One current Ephesus + House of the Virgin Mary tour option includes the Temple of Artemis in its wider route. For most visitors, Artemis adds historical depth to an Ephesus day rather than needing a dedicated multi-hour tour of its own.
Before booking, check the exact itinerary, pickup point, total duration, entrance-fee inclusions and whether the guide gives real explanation at the Artemision or only allows a quick photo stop.
Check current Ephesus tour options
Temple of Artemis planning questions.
Is the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus worth visiting?
Yes if ancient history matters to you, but keep expectations realistic. Only foundations, scattered blocks and a reconstructed standing column remain. Most travellers need about 20–40 minutes, so it works best as part of a wider Ephesus and Selcuk day.
Was the Temple of Artemis really one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World?
Yes. UNESCO and official Turkish tourism sources identify the Ephesian Temple of Artemis as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and one of the most important sanctuaries of antiquity.
How long do I need at the Temple of Artemis?
About 20–40 minutes is enough for most first-time visitors because the surviving remains are limited. History-focused travellers may stay longer to read interpretation, study the foundations and connect the site with the wider Ephesus landscape.
What are the current Temple of Artemis opening hours and ticket price?
The official Izmir tourism, GoTürkiye, Selcuk Municipality and Turkish Museums sources reviewed in September 2026 confirm the Artemision as a visitor attraction but do not provide a clear dedicated live daily timetable and current standalone admission price. Going2Turkey therefore does not hard-code an unverified fee or schedule; confirm locally if exact access matters.
Is the Temple of Artemis inside Ephesus Ancient City?
No. The Artemision is a separate archaeological area in the Selcuk heritage zone. Ephesus Ancient City is a different site and needs its own several-hour visit, so allow transport time between them.
What should I combine with the Temple of Artemis?
Combine it first with Ephesus Ancient City, then add St John's Basilica and the Ephesus Museum if time allows. The House of the Virgin Mary is another major option, but it sits on Bülbül Mountain and requires a separate road transfer.
Continue through Ephesus & Selcuk
Ephesus Ancient City
The headline archaeological experience and the place that deserves the most time.
House of the Virgin Mary
A separate mountain shrine with Christian pilgrimage importance.
Ephesus & Selcuk
Use the destination guide to organise Ephesus, Selcuk and the nearby heritage sites at a comfortable pace.
Pamukkale
Continue the main western Turkey route with travertines and Hierapolis.