The lower entrance

The lower entrance (see photo on Ephesus page 4: sightseeing) is at the north of the site and closer to the road to Selçuk and the highway between Izmir and Kuşadası. It is now considered the main entrance and is where most visitors arrive, particular the tour buses. The bus stop for the dolmuş to/from Selçuk is also there (see Ephesus page 5: getting there).

There are also more facilities at the lower entrance, including a larger car park, toilets, a post office with ATM, and more cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops. Naturally, it is usually much more crowded.

The upper entrance

The upper entrance is at the southeast of the archaeological site, 3 km along the "back road", between Selçuk and the House of the Virgin Mary. This road also passes a turnoff for the Cave of the Seven Sleepers (1.5 km from the turnoff, right), the remains of the Upper City and the upper entrance (see below).

For further information about getting to Ephesus from Selçuk, see Ephesus page 5: how to get there.

Along the road outside the upper entrance are a smaller car park and a couple of restaurants, souvenir shops and toilets (costs 1 Turkish Lira). The ticket office is on the left, just inside the entrance gate.

There is no dolmuş service to the upper entrance, although you can take a Selçuk-Ephesus dolmuş and get off at the signposted turnoff for the Cave of the Seven Sleepers, or take a taxi or even a fayton (see Ephesus page 5: getting there). The back road is is a pleasant drive, walk or bicycle ride through a farmland of fields and peach trees (see Ionian Spring part 2 at The Cheshire Cat Blog).

There are a number of advantages in starting your visit to Ephesus at the upper entrance It is usually not so crowded as the lower entrance, and the atmosphere is thus a little more relaxed (and less selling pressure). You can visit the Cave of the Seven Sleepers, or see the ruins of the Upper City, including the Magnesian Gate, the East Gymnasium and "Luke's Grave", which are outside the upper entrance (see gallery page 2), before entering the archaeological site.

From the upper entrance the route through the site to the lower entrance is downhill, and you can see the ruins and exit by the lower entrance without having to double back (unless you've left your vehicle in the upper cark park).

From the upper entrance you also get a better overview of the site as you walk down towards Kuretes Street, and can leave the best (arguably) till last, since the most popular sights, such as the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre, are in the lower city.