Temple of Artemis Temple
Ancient Ionic temple once one of the Seven Wonders
At Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis survives as foundations and scattered fragments from one of the Ancient World's wonders. Visitors study the site's archaeology within the wider Roman city excavations around Selçuk.
Temple of Artemis at a Glance#
Address: Selçuk, İzmir Province, Turkey (near Ephesus)
Hours: Daily 8:00am-7:00pm (seasonal variations)
About Temple of Artemis#
The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was an ancient Greek temple in what is now İzmir Province, celebrated in antiquity as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The temple was constructed and rebuilt in antiquity, with major versions of the monument erected in the first millennium BCE and later rebuilt after destruction. It functioned as a major sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Artemis until its decline in the later ancient period.
The site lies near the modern town of Selçuk in İzmir Province on Turkey’s Aegean coast, adjacent to the larger archaeological area of Ephesus.
- Seven Wonder status: Recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World for its size and architectural ambition in antiquity.
- Current remains: Only fragmentary foundations and archaeological traces remain on the original site near the modern town of Selçuk; most large sculptures and reliefs are now in museums elsewhere.
How to Get to Temple of Artemis#
Selçuk is reached from İzmir by ESHOT bus or train; the Temple is a short taxi ride from Selçuk town or Ephesus archaeological park. Many visitors combine the trip with a full day at Ephesus.
Tips for Visiting Temple of Artemis#
- The archaeological site of the Temple is mostly foundations-visit the nearby Terrace Houses and Ephesus Museum in Selçuk for complementary context.
- Combine a trip to the site with the Museum of Selçuk (Efes Müzesi) to see sculptures and artifacts recovered from the area.
- Expect a short visit-there is little left of the original columns but the story of the cult and its cultic objects is told in museum displays.
Best Time to Visit Temple of Artemis#
Spring and autumn for comfortable exploring and lighter crowds.
Weather & Climate near Temple of Artemis#
Temple of Artemis's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 4°C to 33°C. Moderate rainfall (699 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 7° | 139 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 3.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.8h |
| February | Acceptable | 5° - 14° | 8° | 103 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 3.7 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.7h |
| March | Very Good | 7° - 17° | 12° | 78 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.4 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Very Good | 10° - 21° | 16° | 47 mm | some cloud | 72% | 3.0 m/s | 1.4 high | 13.0h |
| May | Ideal | 13° - 26° | 20° | 23 mm | mostly sunny | 62% | 2.9 m/s | 1.8 very high | 14.0h |
| June | Ideal | 17° - 31° | 24° | 9 mm | clear | 49% | 3.5 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 14.5h |
| July | Ideal | 20° - 33° | 26° | 4 mm | clear | 39% | 4.3 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 14.3h |
| August | Ideal | 19° - 32° | 26° | 5 mm | clear | 39% | 4.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.4h |
| September | Ideal | 16° - 29° | 23° | 19 mm | clear | 48% | 3.4 m/s | 1.5 very high | 12.3h |
| October | Ideal | 12° - 24° | 18° | 42 mm | mostly sunny | 60% | 3.2 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.1h |
| November | Very Good | 9° - 19° | 14° | 88 mm | some cloud | 71% | 3.0 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.0h |
| December | Acceptable | 6° - 15° | 10° | 142 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.3 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.5h |
