Why You Should Explore Ephesus When Sailing Into Turkey
When I booked my Greek Isles cruise with Royal Caribbean, I expected the highlights to be Santorini’s blue domes or the party scene in Mykonos. What I didn’t expect was that the stop in Kuşadası, Turkey, would be the one that left me the most in awe. Just 30 minutes from the port lies Ephesus, an ancient city with roots in both Roman and biblical history — and it quickly became the most memorable stop of the journey.
We had no set plan stepping off the ship that morning. I was the trip organizer, and I’d read mixed advice on how to reach Ephesus. TikTok, which has quickly become my generation’s search engine, had suggested that a quick city bus ride would do the trick. But on the ground, things weren’t that simple.
As soon as we left the port, locals called out, offering rides. Some said the only way to visit was through a guided tour, while others pointed us toward taxis. With 10 people in our group, I knew we needed something more organized than a cab. Eventually, we decided to book a driver-guide who could take us to Ephesus — and explain what we were seeing along the way. It turned out to be the best decision of the trip.
Getting There: Transportation Tips
If you’re sailing into Kuşadası and planning to explore Ephesus, there are a few transportation options.
Taxis wait directly outside the port. For smaller groups, this is often the fastest way. Expect round-trip fares of €20–30 per person. This option makes sense if you’re comfortable exploring the ruins without a guide.
Public minibuses (dolmuş) run from Kuşadası to the town of Selçuk, where Ephesus is located. From Selçuk, you’ll need a short taxi ride to the entrance. This is the cheapest option but can be time-consuming, especially on a cruise stop when hours are limited.
Private drivers and guides are plentiful. Many drivers double as guides, weaving in history and local context. For our large group, this was the most convenient option, and it gave us access to insights we would have missed on our own.
Why Visiting Ephesus Isn’t Free
Like most UNESCO World Heritage sites, Ephesus charges an entry fee. Tickets cost about $40–50 USD per person, and this money goes toward conservation, excavation, and preservation of the ruins. Considering that the city dates back more than 2,000 years and was once one of the largest metropolises in the Roman Empire, the fee felt more than worth it.
Our guide first took us to the nearby House of the Virgin Mary, a pilgrimage site believed to be the final home of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The chapel is small, dark, and solemn. Candles flicker inside, and guards quietly enforce a no-photos rule, ensuring the reverence of the space remains intact. Walking through in silence felt like stepping back into a sacred moment in time.
The Lay of the Land
Ephesus itself is massive. At its height, the city covered about 4 square kilometers (1.5 square miles), though today visitors explore about a 1.5–2 kilometer route from the Upper Gate (Magnesian Gate) down to the Lower Gate (Harbor Gate).
The ruins are organized into three main areas:
Upper Ephesus — the political and religious center, home to the Odeon, the State Agora, and the Temple of Domitian.
Middle Ephesus (Curetes Street) — a marble-paved avenue lined with fountains, temples, and luxurious Roman terrace houses.
Lower Ephesus — the cultural and commercial hub, featuring the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, and the ancient Harbor Street.
Experiencing the Ruins
We arrived on one of the hottest days of the year — a staggering 106 degrees. Even our van’s air-conditioning struggled. Our guide wisely suggested we stick to the lower section, where many of the city’s most famous landmarks remain.
The first structure that greeted us was the Great Theatre, an imposing arena that could seat 25,000 spectators. Standing there, I imagined Paul the Apostle preaching to the Ephesians, as mentioned in the Book of Acts. The air was thick with heat, and even the marble beneath our feet radiated warmth, yet the sense of history made me forget the discomfort.
From there, we continued down marble walkways worn smooth by centuries of footsteps. We passed excavation sites revealing ancient tombs before arriving at Ephesus’ crown jewel: the Library of Celsus.
Standing Before the Library of Celsus
If there’s one image of Ephesus that makes it onto postcards, it’s the grand façade of the Library of Celsus. Built in the 2nd century AD, it once held over 12,000 scrolls and served as both a library and the mausoleum of Celsus Polemaeanus, a Roman governor.
Our guide explained how the library symbolized knowledge, culture, and the blending of Roman and Greek architecture. From a biblical perspective, Ephesus was also one of the early centers of Christianity — the city is mentioned multiple times in the New Testament, and it’s where Paul spent years teaching and writing his Epistle to the Ephesians. Standing in front of the library, with its towering Corinthian columns and intricate carvings, I felt connected not only to history but to faith.
Despite the blazing sun, the area buzzed with life. Tourists posed for photos, children climbed the steps, and groups listened intently to their guides. The atmosphere felt like a living museum, where every stone had a story to tell.
Why This Stop Stood Out
Of all the ports on our cruise — from Santorini to Cyprus to Mykonos — Kuşadası and Ephesus left the deepest impression. The ruins weren’t just ancient stones; they were tangible reminders of both world history and biblical heritage. The combination of cultural depth, religious significance, and sheer visual grandeur made it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
