Published 25 October 2026
The Temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and it stood just outside the city of Ephesus. Today very little of it remains: a single re-erected column in a quiet, often marshy field on the edge of Selçuk. Below we explain what you will actually see, why the site still matters and how to fit a short stop into your day at Ephesus.
Why the Temple of Artemis was so famous
Artemis was the great goddess of Ephesus, and her sanctuary was one of the most important religious sites in the Greek world. Pilgrims, traders and rulers brought offerings to her temple. The sanctuary also served as a place of refuge and as a kind of treasury.
The temple that made the ancient lists of wonders was enormous. It was built in marble and surrounded by a forest of tall columns.
Ancient writers described it with real admiration. The poet Antipater of Sidon, who wrote one of the best-known lists of the Seven Wonders, said it outshone all the others.
A temple rebuilt several times
There was not just one Temple of Artemis. The site was sacred for centuries, and the temple was built and rebuilt several times on the same spot:
- Earlier shrines stood here long before the famous marble temples.
- The great Archaic temple was built in the 6th century BC, partly paid for by King Croesus of Lydia.
- The fire of 356 BC destroyed it. A man named Herostratus set it alight deliberately.
- The later temple was rebuilt on the same grand scale after the fire.
Herostratus reportedly started the fire to make his name immortal. The Ephesians tried to ban any mention of his name, but it survived in the historical record anyway. According to ancient tradition, the fire happened on the same night Alexander the Great was born.
The ancient geographer Strabo tells the story that Alexander later offered to pay for the rebuilding, and the Ephesians politely declined.
The rebuilt temple was damaged during raids in the 3rd century AD. As Christianity spread and the old cults faded, it fell into ruin. Its stone was carried off for use in other buildings, and river silt and marshland slowly covered what was left.
Rediscovery
For centuries nobody knew exactly where the temple had stood. The English engineer John Turtle Wood searched for years and finally located the site in 1869.
Many of the finest sculpted fragments from the temple are now in the British Museum in London, not in Turkey. Some finds from the wider Artemis cult, including the famous statues of the goddess, can be seen at the Ephesus Museum in Selçuk. Read more in our guide to the Ephesus Museum in Selçuk.
What you see today
The Temple of Artemis today is mostly an open field with scattered stone blocks and one tall column. The column was re-assembled from surviving fragments to give a sense of the original height. It is not standing in its complete original form.
The ground is low-lying and often wet. In the cooler, rainy months parts of the site can be waterlogged, with frogs and reeds around the foundations.
In spring and summer, storks often build their nest on top of the column.
What makes the visit worthwhile is the setting and the story. Standing in the field, you can look across to Ayasuluk Hill, crowned by the fortress, with the remains of the Basilica of St. John on its slopes and the İsa Bey Mosque at its foot. An ancient pagan sanctuary, a great early Christian church and a 14th-century mosque: layers of history visible in a single view.
Photo tip
The classic photograph shows the lone column in the foreground with Ayasuluk Hill and its castle behind. Morning and late afternoon light tend to work well.
If storks are nesting, a zoom lens or a phone with good zoom helps, as you cannot get close to the column itself.
Is it worth stopping?
Yes, as a short stop, but not as a destination on its own. About 15–20 minutes is enough to walk to the viewpoint, read the information panels, take photos and imagine the scale of the original building.
It is worth stopping if:
- you are interested in the Seven Wonders and want to stand where one of them stood;
- you are already visiting Ephesus or Selçuk, as the site is right on the way;
- you would like to combine it with the Basilica of St. John and the İsa Bey Mosque nearby.
You can skip it if:
- you are short on time, such as on a tight cruise day, and want to focus on Ephesus;
- you expect impressive standing ruins like those at Ephesus.
How to fit it into your day
The temple lies on the edge of Selçuk, a few minutes by car from the ancient city of Ephesus. We recommend visiting it after Ephesus, as you pass through Selçuk.
A suggested order
- Your driver collects you from your Kusadasi hotel or the Kusadasi cruise port.
- If your package includes the House of the Virgin Mary, you visit it first (30–60 minutes).
- You are dropped at the Ephesus Upper Gate and walk downhill through the ancient city (2–3 hours at an easy pace).
- Your driver waits for you at the Lower Gate.
- Temple of Artemis: about 15–20 minutes.
- Basilica of St. John: about 30–45 minutes.
- İsa Bey Mosque: about 15–20 minutes.
- Ephesus Museum: about 1 hour.
- Return to Kusadasi.
You do not need to add every stop. Choose the ones that suit your interests and your time.
Optional free stops
In every one of our Ephesus packages, the Temple of Artemis is an optional free stop. The same applies to the Basilica of St. John, the İsa Bey Mosque and the Ephesus Museum in Selçuk. Just tell your driver which stops you want.
Our trips are private transfers in a car with a driver. There is one price per vehicle for up to 8 people, with a second vehicle for larger groups.
The service is transfer only: guides and entrance tickets are not included. The information panels at the site and a little reading beforehand will help you get the most from the visit.
On a cruise day
Keep the rule simple: if your all-aboard time leaves you less than about six hours ashore, keep to Ephesus only. If you have more time, the Temple of Artemis is the easiest extra stop to add.
Our guide on how to get from Kusadasi cruise port to Ephesus and our cruise day planner can help you plan your day. If you are staying longer in the area, see our guide to Kusadasi in 1, 2 or 3 days.
Combine it with the Basilica of St. John
The Basilica of St. John on Ayasuluk Hill is the natural partner to the Temple of Artemis. It is only a short drive away, and from the basilica you can look back down at the temple site. Read more in our guide to the Basilica of St. John in Selçuk.
Practical tips
- Opening hours: entry arrangements and opening hours change, so check the official museum website before your visit.
- Footwear: paths can be muddy after rain, so wear comfortable shoes you do not mind getting dirty.
- Sun and water: there is little shade in summer, so bring a hat and water.
- Local sellers: you may meet sellers of souvenirs or “old coins” near the entrance. Ancient artefacts cannot legally be bought or exported, so treat any such offers with caution.
Frequently asked questions
What is left of the Temple of Artemis?
Foundations, scattered marble blocks and one column re-assembled from original fragments. Many of the best sculpted pieces are in the British Museum in London.
How long do I need at the site?
About 15–20 minutes is enough to walk around, read the panels and take photographs.
Is the Temple of Artemis included in your Ephesus trips?
Yes, as an optional free stop in all our Ephesus packages. Just let your driver know you would like to stop. Entrance tickets and guides are not included.
Will I see storks on the column?
Possibly. Storks often nest on top of the column in spring and summer, but this depends on the season and the birds themselves.
Can I visit the Temple of Artemis on a cruise day?
Yes, if you have enough time ashore. If your all-aboard time leaves you less than about six hours ashore, keep to Ephesus only. Check your ship’s time in port on our Kusadasi cruise ship schedule.
If you would like to add the Temple of Artemis to your day at Ephesus, take a look at our private Ephesus transfer from Kusadasi. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before, and you can pay in cash or by card.