Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and Şirince fit comfortably into one day: in the order Ephesus in the morning, the House of the Virgin Mary at midday and Şirince in the afternoon, the total driving time is under an hour. All three stops are around Selçuk; Ephesus is 3 km south-west of the town, the House of the Virgin Mary about 7 km and Şirince 8 km away.
How Do You See Selçuk and Şirince in One Day?
The most efficient order is:
- 08:30 Ancient City of Ephesus: go in at opening time and allow 2.5–3 hours. Enter at the upper gate and leave by the lower gate.
- 12:00 House of the Virgin Mary: half an hour to an hour is enough for the visit on Mount Bülbül.
- 13:30 Şirince: 2–3 hours for lunch, the village streets and a wine tasting.
- 17:00 Selçuk centre or the drive back: if there is time, Ayasuluk Castle and the remains of the Temple of Artemis.
The logic of this order is simple: Ephesus is seen before the hottest hours, the shady, cooler Mount Bülbül falls in the midday heat, and Şirince is visited in the afternoon when the day-tripper crowds thin out.
What to Prioritise in Ephesus?
If you are short of time, prioritise Curetes Street, the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre in Ephesus. The Library of Celsus is a monument built by his son for Celsus, governor of Ephesus, who died in 106; the theatre held about 24,000 people. The Terrace Houses are on a separate ticket and add an hour. For details, see our Ancient City of Ephesus guide.
How Many Hours Are Enough in Şirince?
Two hours are enough in Şirince for lunch and a short walk, three hours with a wine tasting and shopping. Car access to the inner streets is restricted; cars are left at the village entrance. For the village's history and places to stay, see our Şirince guide.
Which Season Is Best for This Route?
The best time for the Selçuk and Şirince route is spring and autumn; in April, May, September and October the weather suits walking and crowds are smaller. The route still works in July and August, but entering Ephesus at opening time and spending midday in the shade of Mount Bülbül is essential.
In winter the route is even quieter; some shops in Şirince may be closed, but the village and the ancient city can be visited. Bring:
- Closed, non-slip shoes and a hat.
- At least one bottle of water; there is little shade in Ephesus.
- A light layer to cover your shoulders for the churches and the House of the Virgin Mary.
Who Should Choose This Route?
This route suits travellers on a short stay in Izmir, cruise passengers calling at Kuşadası and families who want to see history and village life on the same day. There is a lot of walking, so those who find walking difficult should shorten Ephesus and spend longer in Şirince.
The route is also easy to do from Kuşadası; for the port and the coast see our things to see in Kuşadası guide.
What Other Day Trips Can You Do with a Driver?
Besides the Selçuk route, the most popular day trips from Izmir with a car and driver are:
- Pamukkale and Hierapolis: a long trip to the travertines and the ancient city, but doable in one day; details in our Pamukkale guide.
- The Urla wine route: vineyard houses, wine tasting and lunch; details in our Urla guide.
- Sığacık and Seferihisar: the walled old town, the harbour and slow-city charm; details in our Sığacık guide.
How Do You Get from the Airport to Selçuk?
The road from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to Selçuk is about 75 km and takes about 1 hour on average. Between the two gates of Ephesus, the mountain road to the House of the Virgin Mary and the car park at Şirince, a car that waits for you all day cuts the route by hours compared with public transport.
For an hourly or daily car, get a quote on our Izmir Airport to Selçuk (Ephesus) transfer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and Şirince in one day?
Yes. In the order Ephesus in the morning, the House of the Virgin Mary at midday and Şirince in the afternoon, all three fit comfortably into one day.
How far is Ephesus from Şirince?
Ephesus is 3 km south-west of Selçuk and Şirince is 8 km from Selçuk; the drive between them is short.
What time should you set off for this route?
Leave Izmir early in the morning to enter Ephesus at opening time; the drive from the airport to Selçuk is about 1 hour.
How long do you need at the House of the Virgin Mary?
Half an hour to an hour is enough for the House of the Virgin Mary; on the day of the annual 15 August mass the site gets very crowded.
Can you do this route with children?
Yes, with school-age children; there is a lot of walking, so shorten Ephesus and take a break in Şirince.