Basilica of St. John
Basilica of St. John

Basilica of St. John

8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in winter, until 6:30 p.m. in summer
Atatürk St. Jean Cadessi, Selçuk, Izmir, 35920

The basics

Although St. John’s Basilica has lain in ruins for over 600 years, the towering pillars and grand arches of the cross-shaped church still impress. Tours, including shore excursions, generally depart from Kusadasi, Izmir, or Bodrum and cover a mix of area sights. Ancient Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, always figures; Christians often add the House of the Virgin Mary and the Grotto of the Seven Sleepers; Muslims often include the 14th-century Isa Bey Mosque; while other popular attractions include Sirince, a village known for fruit wine, and the scant remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Wonders of the Ancient World.

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Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus including Basilica of St John and Temple of Artemis
Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus including Basilica of St John and Temple of Artemis
star-4.5
$203.00 per adult
Traveler Favorite
Our guide was great. I wish we would...
Our guide was great. I wish we would have had more time in this port. The tour was the best.
jbuhlman, Oct 2014
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Things to know before you go

  • There is a modest charge to visit the basilica, which includes access to Ayasuluk Castle, a 5-minute walk away.
  • Strollers will not be a problem in the basilica but Ephesus’ cobbles might be an issue.
  • Much of the basilica is wheelchair-accessible. There is a wheelchair-friendly bathroom in the ancient Ephesus site, a couple of miles (3 kilometers) away.
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How to get there

The Basilica of St. John sits on the eastern fringes of the little town of Selcuk, close to the Temple of Artemis and Ayasuluk Castle. Selcuk is about a 12-mile (20-kilometer) drive northeast of the Aegean Coast resort town of Kusadasi; the nearest airport, Izmir, lies about a 50-mile (80-kilometer) drive to the north.

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When to get there

The site is open from early in the morning until evening during the summer months, with shorter hours in winter (November through March). It’s a large site and rarely overly busy, so plan your day to beat the crowds at Ephesus and slot this one in when it suits.

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Ayasuluk Castle

Set on a mound overlooking modern Selcuk and ancient Ephesus, Ayasuluk Castle, also known as Ayasuluk Fortress or Ayasuluk Kalesi, has a history dating back to Stone Age times. Today’s vast ruins come from the Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods. Besides the impressive encircling wall, the castle is home to a mosque, a hammam, and the remains of a palace.

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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the nearest attractions to Basilica of St. John?
A:

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