There is no admission fee for children under 8 years old. For the proof of age, please bring passport copies with you. 

​* If you are going to visit other sites besides Ephesus in Western Turkey. There is a Museum Pass which provides multi visits to many sites without waiting in lines and you can make great savings. Valid for Ancient city of Ephesus, Basilica of St. John, Terrace Houses in Ephesus, Archaelogical Museum of Ephesus, Ancient city of Aphrodisias, Temple of Didyma, Ancient city of Smyrna, Ancient City of Miletus, Ancient City of Priene, Ancient City of Sardis, Ancient City of Pergamon, Asklepion of Pergamon and many others. For more information visit the following link: Museum Pass the Aegean - Multi visit pass for West Turkey

Ephesus is open to visitors every day of the week, and visiting hours may vary depending on the summer and winter seasons. It is closed until noon on the first day of religious holidays.

​Located in the historic Ancient City of Ephesus, the Ephesus Experience Museum stands out as a fascinating attraction meticulously designed to allow visitors to dive into the vibrant past of this Greco-Roman port city. Leveraging state-of-the-art 3D animations and AI-powered interactions, the museum offers an immersive experience that effortlessly transports guests back in time. When you step into its halls, a palpable sense of timelessness envelops you, momentarily blurring the lines between the contemporary age and the golden age of Ephesus. The museum's admirable use of advanced 3D technology reconstructs Ephesus as a thriving Ancient City and showcases the intricate details of its architecture, inhabitants, and cultural heritage. Lifelike representations and animated segments depicting the city's commerce, residential life, and majestic temples appear at every corner, providing a deep insight into the city's grandeur. The appeal of the Ephesus Experience Museum lies in its ability to evoke a deep sense of curiosity and amazement by taking you on a fascinating journey through the annals of history.

With expertly crafted exhibits and knowledgeable Ephesus tour guides enhancing the experience, losing yourself in the enchanting charm of Ephesus becomes an effortless yet unforgettable endeavor.

On his return journey from Corinth, Paul came to the bustling city of Ephesus to fulfill his promise. After a short visit, he returned and stayed in Ephesus for about two and a half years between 53-56 AD. This period marked an important point in his mission for the spread of Christian teachings throughout Asia Minor. By interacting with the Ephesians, Paul shared his wisdom and laid a strong foundation for Christianity. Once famous for its pagan worship, Ephesus became the haven of a growing Christian community thanks to Paul's tireless efforts.

During the excavations at Ephesus, more than 3,500 inscriptions have been found. Some of the most interesting are in a small cave on the slope of Bülbül Mountain (Nightingale Mountain).  According to a local legend, when St. John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus from Jerusalem, they had no place to stay.  John found this cave and hid Mary there for her safety.  It was not until some time later that John located a more suitable home for Mary higher up on the mountain, known as Panaya Capoulu.  In more recent years, the cave has been re-named “Cave of St. Paul” due to the frescoes and inscriptions on the walls which refer to St. Paul. 

The cave has been a Christian sacred site since the 1st or 2nd century. The walls were decorated with frescoes and inscriptions and white-washed several times, then re-painted with new images. Discovered under plaster on the walls are important 5th-century frescoes, with inscriptions, depicting the Virgin Mary, St. Paul and St. Thecla (a female disciple of Paul). This is the only known depiction of St. Paul at Ephesus and the earliest known appearance in the world of Paul and Thecla together.

The cave was discovered by a group of priests in 1892, while looking for the tomb of the Virgin Mary. Under the layers of plaster on the corridor walls are Greek phrases such as “the hidden of Mother of God” and “Paul help your servant”-written in charcoal and chalk. To protect these delicate and ancient wall frescoes, the cave is not open to the public. Unfortunately this site can not be visited during the Ephesus Tours.

​The first Christian congregation in Ephesus was founded by St John the Apostle and expanded by St Paul. On his return journey from Corinth, Paul came to the city of Ephesus to fulfill his promise after a short visit, and he came back and stayed for about two and a half years between 53-56AD. Most likely St. Paul wrote the Corinthians No.1 letter in Ephesus at this time period. When Paul came to Ephesus, he preached the gospel in the synagogue of Ephesus and the hall of Tyrannus. Tyrannus was an owner of a lecture hall at Ephesus. All this information is  mentioned in the New Testament, in the book of Acts of the Apostles (19:9).  The Ephesus Church, leaded the Seven Churches in the Asia Minor (Western Turkey today).

What happened to Paul at Ephesus?
​By St. Paul’s efforts, in a short time, Ephesus became the third important city of Christianity after Jerusalem and Antioch. Christianity quickly gained popularity in Ephesus. The popularity of this new religion concerned some people in Ephesus. The silversmith Demetrius and others, who made a living by selling and making silver statues of Mother Goddess Artemis, were very upset. Demetrius and his colleagues provoked thousands of people and met them at the Ephesus theater and started a big riot in 56AD. The crowd was shouting "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!". St Paul wanted to face the crowd, but the disciples didn't let him. Finally, the city clerk calmed down the crowd. Probably St. Paul was jailed in Ephesus for a while before he departed to North. 

It is obvious that Ephesus had an important role in Christianity. Both St. John and St. Paul was in Ephesus but neither of them were in Ephesus at the same time. 

In the New Testament, there are 13 letters of St. Paul. During his house arrest in Rome in 61 AD, St. Paul mailed 3 letters to the city of Ephesus: Timothy No.1, Timothy No. 2 and Ephesians. Paul's letters tended to be written in response to certain crises. Ephesus Church, most probably was facing major difficulties and St. Paul was aware of these.
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Timothy was one of the disciples of St. Paul. St. Paul met with Timothy during his missionary journeys in Lystra. Afterwards Timothy joined Paul and Silas, and they travelled together to the city of Ephesus. After Paul had to leave the city of Ephesus. Timothy became the head of the Christian Community in Ephesus. He is considered to be the first bishop of Ephesus. Although not stated in the bible, according to some apocryphal gospels, Timothy was martyred in Ephesus in 97AD when he was 80 years old. Probably Timothy met with St. John the Apostle , although there is no mention of this in the New Testament.

• Aristarchus and Gaius: Gaius and Aristarchus were Paul's travel companions who were captured by the angry mob in the Great Theater at Ephesus.
• Timothy: A travel companion of Paul from Lystra. Paul wrote two letters to Timothy from Rome which are mentioned as Timothy 1 and Timothy 2. Timothy became the first Christian bishop of Ephesus.
• Luke the Evangelist: He is the author of the Third Gospel and Acts, and his writings have been historically verified. Luke was also a doctor. He was probably Greek and was born in Antioch. Paul speaks of Luke, the "the beloved physician"
• Silas: He traveled with Paul through Anatolia and Greece.
• Epaphras: The churches in Colossae, Hierapolis and Laodicea was founded by Epaphras. Paul calls him “the faithful minister” Epaphras was from Colossae. The believers learned from Epaphras, who learned from Paul during his days in Ephesus.
• Trofimus and Tychius: Both were Gentile Greeks and native of Ephesus. Accompanied Paul on his third missionary journey. Mentioned as "Asianoi", meaning the native of the Roman province of Asia.
• Priscilla and Aquila: A Jewish Christian married couple who were deported from Rome by Claudius Caesar. Paul stayed in Corinth with them. They lived, worked, and traveled with the Apostle Paul. Paul described them as his "fellow workers in Christ Jesus". Like St. Paul they were also tent makers. 
• Apollios: An Jewish Christian from Alexandria. Played an important role in the early development of the church of Ephesus. Apollos arrived Ephesus before Paul. Priscilla and Aquila, instructed Apollos the Christian baptism, since Apollos "knew only the baptism of John". 
• Tyrannus: He owned a lecture hall (school) in Ephesus, where Paul preached.  Probably one of Paul's early converts in Ephesus.​

The exact details of St. Paul's death are unknown, but tradition holds that he was beheaded in Rome and thus died a martyr for his faith. St. Paul's death can be attributed to the Roman emperor Nero's death warrant targeting Christians following the devastating fire that devastated the city in 64 AD. The historical context shows that St. Paul wrote a series of letters to various Churches in Asia Minor from AD 60 to 64, during his period of house arrest until his execution. The most important of these letters are Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians, First Timothy and Second Timothy. We can analyze these letters as evidence of the religious and political climate of the period and shed light on the difficulties faced by early Christians under the Roman Empire.

​We are proud to offer our valued customers the opportunity to go on an unforgettable Ephesus Biblical Tour. Our tours are conducted by our team of expert and knowledgeable Ephesus tour guides. The tour has been meticulously prepared to touch upon the rich history and importance of Paul in Ephesus. We understand the importance of experiencing these sacred places with a professional touch, of carefully planning and executing every detail to deliver a truly profound and enlightening journey. If you are looking for an unforgettable experience and would like to learn more about our Ephesus Biblical Tours, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our dedicated team looks forward to assisting you and providing all the necessary information.

Documentary of Cave of St. Paul in Ephesus:

Ephesus Biblical Tour
​Ephesus in the Bible
​7 Churches Tour Turkey

''Timothy, known as Timotheos in Ancient Greek, meaning honored by God. He was born in Lystra, a city in southwestern Central Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). The modern name for Lystra is Klistra, and it is located in south-central Turkey, approximately 24 miles southwest of Konya (Iconia in Biblical Times), near the modern village of Hatunsaray.

Timothy was born from a Jewish mother who became Christian later and a Greek father. During his second missionary journey, St. Paul visited Lystra and met with Timothy. Along with Silas, Timothy became Paul's trusted deciple and missionary partner. The New Testament states that Timothy traveled with Apostle Paul, who was also his mentor. They travelled to the Ancient City of Ephesus.

St. Paul with Timothy stayed in Ephesus for more than 2.5 years between 53-56 AD. Paul chose Ephesus as the center to spread the words of Jesus. Paul's missionary work in Ephesus had a significant impact on society, especially regarding the trade in idols associated with pagan gods, especially the Temple of Artemis. Paul's efforts to persuade the people to stop worshiping idols met with opposition, especially from the silversmith Demetrius, who led to rebellion in Ephesus in 56 AD. The riot forced Paul to leave the city, and he continued his travels until he was arrested by Roman soldiers in Jerusalem. Paul's claim to Roman citizenship led to his transfer to Rome, where he was eventually executed. Before he died while under house arrest, he wrote three letters to Ephesus; Two of these were written specifically to Timothy and show his devotion to his mission despite persecution.

Timothy had a leadership role in the Ephesus church, as seen in the two letters of St. Paul addressed to him, called Timothy 1 and Timothy 2. As indicated in the letter Timothy 1: 
''I asked you to stay longer in Ephesus when I went into Macedonia so you could command some people there to stop teaching false things. Tell them not to spend their time on stories that are not true and on long lists of names in family histories.''

Although the title "bishop" was not clearly indicated in reference to Timothy, the responsibilities and roles described in the New Testament are consistent with those of a bishop. Timothy was in charge with appointing leaders, teaching and promoting sound doctrine, and maintaining order within the church. These are all duties typically associated with the role of a bishop.

Additionally, historical sources outside the New Testament also support the idea that Timothy served as bishop of the church in Ephesus. Early Christian writers such as Eusebius and Ignatius of Antioch refer to Timothy as bishop of Ephesus. This lends credibility to Timothy's claim that he held a leadership position in the church.

​Presumably in 97 AD, Timothy was martyred under the command of Roman Emperor Trajan. According to a legend, he was beated to death by a crowd for protesting the exaggerated worship of the goddess Artemis.

The excavations in Ephesus have unveiled a significant discovery of a cave showcasing vital Early Christian frescoes and inscriptions. Situated on the southern side of ancient Ephesus, this find on the slopes is of great importance. Among the treasures found within are clear depictions of notable figures like Apostle Paul, Saint Thecla, and Thecla's mother Theocleia. These depictions from 5th century AD, sheds light on the rich religious history and cultural significance of Ephesus, offering valuable insights into Early Christian presence and practices. In the portrayal of Saint Thecla observing Saint Paul outside the window, a profound sense of reverence and storytelling is captured. The image delicately showcases Saint Paul seated with a book, embodying wisdom and devotion, as he gestures towards his audience with an eloquent preaching stance. Positioned behind Paul, Saint Thecla's mother adds a layer of caution and guidance with her raised hand, enhancing the narrative with an element of concern and protection. 

• ​We regret to inform you that the cave where the early Christian frescoes are located is not currently open to public visits. Due to conservation concerns and the sensitive nature of the artwork, access to the site has been restricted to ensure the longevity and preservation of the artwork.

​Thecla is NOT mentioned in the book of Acts in the New Testament. The book of Acts chronicles the early history of the Christian church, focusing on the apostles and the spread of Christianity. Thecla was mentioned in apocryphal texts which are considered non-canonical, meaning their accuracy is uncertain. St. Paul during his second missionary, stopped in Iconium (Modern name Konya in Central Anatolia) where Thecla supposedly lived. In a peculiar turn of events, St. Paul found himself at the residence of Onesiphorus, where he delivered a compelling speech on detaching oneself from worldly pleasures and seeking a higher connection with God. A 17-year-old Thecla, residing nearby, attentively absorbed his words and was deeply moved by the impassioned message. The impact was so profound that Thecla made the bold decision to end her engagement, much to the dismay of her mother and intended spouse. The mother of Thecla: Theocleia complained about Paul to Iconium Governor Castillius, leading to the imprisonment of Paul. 

In an unexpected turn of events, Thela managed to outwit the prison guard by offering him a silver mirror. She successfully reached St. Paul. Displaying a remarkable act of reverence, Thecla knelt before Paul, honoring him with a kiss on his chains and attentively absorbing his counsel. As news of this encounter spread, causing a stir among Thecla's family and the Governor, the repercussions were severe as Paul faced physical abuse and public humiliation before being driven out of the city. 

Thecla was senteced to be burned. In a dramatic turn of events and miracles, the rain unexpectedly extinguishes the flames that want to consume her, allowing her to escape bravely. She cunningly disguises herself as a man and joins with Paul, seeking sanctuary in the serenity of a cemetery outside the city walls. Their journey takes an unexpected turn when they reach Psidian Antioch, they get into trouble again because of a nobleman named Alexandros who was in love with Thecla. This time she is put on a show in the arena to be torn apart by predators. Miracles happen and the animals do not attack Thecla and they protect her. Impressed by this and convinced by miraculous powers, the authorized governor of the region releases Thecla.

Upon sharing her harrowing experience with Paul, Thecla bid Paul farewell before journeying to Iconium and subsequently to Seleucia. Taking refuge in a cave, Thecla dedicated herself to enlightening the people around her with unwavering determination. Through her words and actions, she sought to bring wisdom and hope to those in need. Thecla's mysterious disappearance in this cave has sparked widespread fascination among the surrounding Christians, leading them to perceive the location as sacred. 

The feast of St. Thecla, honoring her as the first female teacher and healer, is an annual celebration held in the cave church in Seleucia that served as a clandestine place of worship until 312 AD. Recognized on September 23 by the Catholic Church and September 24 by the Orthodox Church, this historical site attracted visitors from far and wide, including individuals from Cyprus and Jerusalem, captivated by St. Thecla's renowned legacy. This revered location, both revered as a pilgrimage site and commemorated as a place of martyrdom, has welcomed the presence of numerous notable figures over the years, adding to its significance and historical importance.

Hundreds of cruise ships dock at the Kusadasi Port, the most popular cruise port in Turkey serving tourists travelling on Mediterranean cruises. Kusadasi Port has cafeterias, restaurants, shops, and taxis, Kusadasi Port is 2 minutes walking distance to downtown Kusadasi and Kusadasi Port to Ephesus is a 25 minutes drive. Izmir Airport to Kusadasi Cruise Port takes 1 hour drive.

Kusadasi Cruise Port is the cruise port for Ephesus and serves thousands of cruise passengers every year. World’s leading cruise ship companies choose Kusadasi Cruise Port as a port of call during their Eastern Mediterranean cruises. Kusadasi Cruise Port is able to handle ships of up to 5000 passengers on an ongoing basis, The largest cruise ship that docks at Kusadasi Cruise Port is Odyssey of the Seas. Kusadasi Cruise Port is the most popular cruise port in Turkey in terms of servicing cruise ships.

​We offer private Ephesus Tours from Kusadasi Cruise Port. Ephesus was once a Greek city and later a capital of the Asia Province of Roman Empire. From the Library of Celsus to the well-preserved Grand Theater, every corner of Ephesus is very interesting. ​Our Ephesus Ctuise Excursions includes visits to the must-see attractions near Kusadasi Cruise Port.  One of them is the Temple of Artemis. Considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, this temple was dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis who was named by the Romans as Diana.

• Explore the Ancient City of Ephesus: Begin your Ephesus journey by exploring the ancient city. Wandering its marbel streets, you will come across well-preserved monuments, boulevards and even ancient public toilets. During your visit to the Terrace Houses, you can witness the impressive mosaics and frescoes that decorated the homes of the wealthy during Roman times. Highlights to visit in the area: ancient city of Ephesus, the House of Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis, the Basilica of St. John and the Sirince Village.
• Visit the House of Virgin Mary: Another remarkable site near Ephesus is the House of Virgin Mary. According to some, this small stone house is where the Virgin Mary spent her last years. You'll feel a sense of peace and spirituality as you wander through its modest rooms, making this a must-visit for those seeking a spiritual connection.
• Enjoy Local Cuisine and Shopping: After enjoying yourself in history, take some time to relax and enjoy the local cuisine. Kusadasi offers many charming restaurants and cafes where you can sample delicious Turkish cuisine. Don't forget to visit the tourist shops where you can bargain for traditional handicrafts, textiles and spices. It's the perfect opportunity to bring a piece of Turkey into your home. A few steps away from Kusadası port, you can wander around tourist shops selling mostly fake bags, t-shirts, sweaters, shoes... Enjoy Turkish kebabs and Turkish ice cream just a few minutes' walk from Kusadasi Cruise Port.
• A scenic walk to Pigeon Island and enjoy a Turkish coffee or beer by the Aegean Sea.
• Swim in the Aegean Sea between May and October. The closest public beach to Kusadasi Port is Ladies Beach.

Explore Ephesus from Kusadasi Cruise Port and immerse yourself in history and enjoy local cuisine for an unforgettable experience. Book your Ephesus Private Tour with us now!

Is Ephesus the same as Kusadasi?
Ephesus and Kusadasi are two different places. Kusadasi is located 18 kilometers from Ephesus. Ephesus is today one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world, while Kusadasi is a popular tourist resort and has Turkey's most popular cruise port. The port of Kusadasi is the closest port to the ancient city of Ephesus.
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Where do cruise ships dock in Ephesus?
Cruise ships dock at Kusadasi port. Ephesus is only 18 km from Kusadasi Port. It takes about 20 minutes by car to go to Ephesus from Kusadasi Port. Ephesus, although in ancient times it was a port city, due to the silting of the river, can only be reached by land. Kusadasi Port is the closest port to Ephesus.
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How far is the cruise port from Kusadasi?
The cruise port in Kusadasi is in the very heart of Kusadasi Town. You can just walk directly off the ship and in 5 minutes be in the centre of Kusadasi Town.

Where do the cruise ships dock in Kusadasi Turkey?
Cruise ships dock at Kusadasi Port. Once you leave the cruise terminal, there's a shopping mall that leads you to Kusadasi town center. Getting to the center of Kusadasi on foot from the cruise terminal takes about 5 minutes.

How do I get from Kusadasi cruise port to Ephesus?
There is no direct public transport between Kusadasi and Ephesus. The easiest way is to take a taxi or book a Ephesus Tour from Kusadasi port.

The Cruise Ships that will be calling to Kusadasi Cruise Port in 2024:

• Celestyal Olympia and Celestyal Crystal of Celestyal Cruises
• Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, Silver Moon, Silver Spirit of Silversea Cruises​
• Marina, Riviera, Sirena, Nautica of Oceania Cruises
• Wind Star, Star Legend and Star Pride of Windstar Cruises
• Marella Celebration and Marella Explorer of Marella Cruises / TUI Cruises
• Star Flyer of Star Clippers
• Azamara Journey of Azamara Cruises
• Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Mariner, Seven Seas Splendor of Regent Cruises
• Zuiderdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Veendam of Holland America Line
• Vision of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
• Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Star,  Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Spirit of Norwegian Cruise Line
• Viking Jupiter, Viking Sea of Viking Cruises
• Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Ovation, Seabourn Encore of Seabourn Cruise Lines
• Amera and Artania of Phoenix Reisen

Kusadasi Cruise Port Schedule: https://www.cruisetimetables.com/cruises-to-kusadasi-ephesus-turkey.html
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We offer Ephesus Tours from Kusadasi Cruise Port, for more information, please contact us.

Jewish existance in Izmir dates back to Roman times. Izmir was known as Smyrna those days. According to some historians, once Alexander the Great invaded Jerussalem, he sent some Jews to Smyrna. There was an active synagogue in Izmir in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Today in Sardis which is an hour drive from Izmir, it is possible to see the remains of a Jewish synagogue dating back to 3rd century AD.

After the Roman period, Smyrna had a decline until 16th century. During the Ottoman era, in 1492 Jews who are expelled from Spain were welcomed by the Ottoman Empire and some settled in Smyrna. Smyrna started becoming an exporting port city in 16th century. Attracted many traders including jews to the city. 

Majority of the Jews who migrated Smyrna lived in Agora and Havra Sokak districts. They built their living quarters, shops and synagogues there. There were 34 active small synagogues in Izmir. The main reason that there were several synagoues because of the different Jewish communities. Among these communities, there were Sephardic jews coming from Spain, coming from Europe, from Thessoloniki and during 2nd world war Ashkenazi jews coming from Germany. Each group attented to their own synagogue. Many of the synagogues of Izmir were founded next to each other. In 19th century jews started to move to new neigbourhood: Karatas. Founded Beth Israel Synagogue and a hospital in Karatas.

Synagogues in Izmir generaly have distinctive artchitectural style compared with the european versions. Many of them are surrounded with high walls and located by a courtyard. Some of them were influenced by Islamic designs and Greek motifs. Generally have two stories and second storey reserved for women. Facing to east. Earlier ones are centralised which are known as Sephardic. Later ones were inspired by european versions which would resemble a church.

Today there are 9 active synagogues in Izmir. The biggest one among them is Beit Israel Synagogue in Karatas/Asansor district. Number of Jews in the city of Izmir declined after foundation of Israel. Many jews moved to Israel. Today 1300 jews living in city of Izmir. 

Some of the synagogues of Izmir require restorations. Some of them are closed for visits. For security reasons synagogues in Izmir are open to public visit only by prior reservation. For the reservation passport copies are required.  Visitors should bring along their passports while visiting synagogues for security checks. All synagogues are closed for visits on Saturdays and during religious holidays. There is an admission fee of US$9 per person to visit the synagogues of Izmir.

How old is Sirince?
First foundation of the village dates back to the 1st century. Early christians of Ephesus escaped to the village to be protected from prosecutors. The village stayed as a Greek Orthodox Village until the exchange agreement between Republic of Turkey and Greece in 1924. During this exchange Greeks living in Turkey were exchanged with Turks living in Greece. This was a forced migration of both sides at the post war period of WW1. Turkish families mainly from Kavala region moved to the area. Greek families who moved from the village founded a new town named as "Nea Efesos'' (Νέα Έφεσος)

The official name change of the village was in the early years of the Republic of Turkey. Name of the village changed from Cirkince to Sirince. Until 20 years ago, the main industry of the village was agriculture. Because of its unique historical background, beauty. Since the village name was mentioned many times in novels and travel shows and documentaries, Sirince Village today is a very touristy site. 

​What is Sirince famous for?
Today the main industry is tourism. A lot of village homeowners converted their homes into restaurants, hotels and shops. Sirince Village, today is known with olives and peaches grown in july and fruit wines. Fruit wines are sweet wines, more like dessert wine. The most popular fruit wine from Sirince is black mulberry. 

Visitors can also find lots of herbal products such as lavender teas, sage, bay leaves, olive oil soap bars, olive oil lotions. Today the village is a perfect synthesis of Turkish-Greek culture. Visitors may enjoy taking pictures of old Greek homes. Most of them today are being restored and turned into small hotels. There are two abandoned Greek Orthodox Churches from the 19th century. 

On the weekends, Sirince becomes so crowded with Turkish visitors from big cities like Izmir and Aydin. Our recommendation is to visit this village during the weekdays. 

For the visitors there are many restaurants and small hotels.

Is Sirince worth visiting?
For travelers, traveling to Kusadasi, Selcuk and Izmir, we recommend to visit Sirince Village.
A visit to Sirince is highly recommended after visiting Ephesus on a day trip. But it is best to spend the night in Sirince. This hidden gem in Turkey really comes alive when the sun goes down.

For travelers who are overnighting in Sirince Village, we provide private Ephesus Tours from Sirince and also we offer private tours of Ephesus including visit to Sirince Village. If requested private airport transfers from Izmir Airport to Sirince Village.

For more information, contact us.

​Embark on a fascinating journey through time as you explore the extraordinary ruins of Ephesus at your leisure with the help of our free Ephesus audio guide. You can download this audio guide free. With this personal companion, you have the flexibility to pause and continue whenever you want; This allows you to fully enjoy yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture that once thrived in this ancient city.

This free audio guide is designed to give you a taste of Ephesus, providing you with limited but useful information about one of the most fascinating ancient cities. Although it's a great resource for a quick overview, we highly recommend a guided tour for a more in-depth exploration of Ephesus.

Ephesus Audio Guide offers an affordable option for budget-conscious travelers looking to understand the wonders of Ephesus. To access the guide, simply download it from the link provided, in a manageable total size of 32MB. Alternatively, you can choose to listen to the guide online if you have an internet connection durin your visit to the Ancient City of Ephesus, but we recommend downloading it in advance to ensure uninterrupted access, especially in areas with limited network coverage at some parts of Ephesus.

If you would prefer a more comprehensive and personalized tour, we also offer the possibility to book a guided tour; Our team will be happy to help you organize this. For more information about Ephesus Guided Tours, please contact us.

To listen online and to download, please visit the following link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14YotIWaNiOEAI4nWyFMbj4vMDokWyZfp/view?usp=sharing

You can also listen and save it on Spotify:

In addition to the English audio guide, we are proud to offer a Spanish version tailored specifically for Spanish-speaking visitors. Our Spanish Ephesus audio guide provides a comprehensive tour, allowing Spanish speakers to fully immerse themselves in the rich history and cultural significance of Ephesus. audioguia de Efeso 

Known as Pluto's Gate.  Ploutonion in Greek, Plutonium in Latin. The cave was celebrated as the portal to the underworld in Greco-Roman mythology and tradition. Pluto’s Gate, the legendary portal to the underworld in Greco-Roman mythology and tradition, has been located in Turkey, according to Italian archaeologists.

Historic sources located the site in the ancient Phrygian city of Hierapolis, now called Pamukkale. A cave where the ruins were located emits dangerous gases as the ancient gate  was said to be filled lethal mephitic vapors, according to historical sources.

The Greek geographer Strabo in 63BC mentioned about this cave: “This space is full of a vapor so misty and dense that one can scarcely see the  ground. Any animal that passes inside meets instant death,”

A team of archaeologists led by Italian Professor Francesco D'Andria made the discovery, and it has been open to the public visits recently. D'Andria has conducted extensive archaeological research at the World Heritage Site of Hierapolis. 12 years ago he claimed to discover there the tomb of Saint Philip, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ.

D'Andria also found the remains of a temple, a pool and a series of steps placed above the cave -- all matching the descriptions of the site in ancient sources. D'Andria said:  “People could watch the sacred rites from these steps, but they could not get to the area near the opening. Only the priests could stand in front of the portal. We could see the cave's lethal properties during the excavation. Several birds died as they tried to get close to the warm opening, instantly killed by the carbon dioxide fumes” 

If you would like to see the remains of this mysterious site. We organize private tours to Hierapolis (Pamukkale) from Kusadasi and Selcuk. Pamukkale is 3 hours drive from Kusadasi and Selcuk. For more information please visit:
Pamukkale Tour from Kusadasi
Pamukkale Tour from Selcuk