What to Wear to Ephesus from a Cruise Ship

What shoes should I wear to Ephesus?

Closed walking shoes or sneakers with a soft, grippy sole. The main streets of Ephesus are paved with marble blocks laid in Roman times; they are uneven, they have gaps, and centuries of feet have polished some of them to a shine that turns slippery, especially on the downhill stretches. Flip-flops and smooth leather soles are the two things we would leave on the ship.

The usual route runs downhill from the Upper Gate to the Lower Gate, about 1.5 to 2 hours at an easy pace with a guide, so you walk down rather than climb. If you add the Terrace Houses, expect stairs and steel walkways for another 30 to 45 minutes, which is one more reason for shoes that hold your foot well. Our Upper Gate or Lower Gate guide explains the route.

What clothes work best on a hot port day?

Loose, light, breathable clothing in pale colors. Ephesus is an open site with very little shade, and from June through September the midday sun is strong. Official MGM climate normals for the Aydin region put the average high at 36.4°C (about 98°F) in July and 35.9°C (about 97°F) in August, with next to no rain.

A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses do more than any fabric choice, and sunscreen works best when you put it on before you leave the ship. Linen or light cotton that covers your shoulders also protects your skin and keeps you ready for the House of the Virgin Mary later in the day. Our Ephesus weather guide has every month of the cruise season.

Is there a dress code at the House of the Virgin Mary?

Yes, a simple one: covered shoulders and knees, for every visitor of every faith. The House of the Virgin Mary is an active pilgrimage and prayer site, and tradition holds that Mary spent her last years there. Shorts above the knee and sleeveless tops are not the right fit.

On a hot day the easy answer is a light scarf or a thin shirt with sleeves in your day bag. Put it on as you walk up to the house, take it off again at the vehicle. Long, loose trousers or a skirt below the knee keep you cool and ready for both Ephesus and the shrine. The Biblical Ephesus tour includes the House of Mary, so plan your outfit with it in mind.

What should I wear to visit a mosque in Selcuk?

Modest, loose clothes that cover shoulders and knees, a scarf for women to cover their hair, and shoes you can slip off easily. Shoes come off before you step onto the carpeted prayer hall, so socks you are happy to walk in are a small kindness to yourself.

Isa Bey Mosque, built in 1375 at the foot of Ayasuluk Hill, is free to enter and closes to visitors during prayer times. If it is part of your day, your guide times the visit between prayers. Keep voices low and do not walk in front of anyone who is praying.

What should I wear to Ephesus in October and the shoulder months?

Layers. The heat eases through the fall: September still averages a high of 32.2°C (about 90°F), October 26.4°C (about 80°F) and November 20.0°C (about 68°F). Mornings can start cool and the walk warms you up, so a light jacket or long-sleeve top over a T-shirt works well.

Spring is similar in reverse. March averages a high of 18.0°C (about 64°F) with close to ten rainy days, and by May it reaches 28.3°C (about 83°F). In March and November, the two rainiest months of the season, a folding poncho or a light rain shell earns its place in your bag; showers are usually short rather than all day. Our November port-day guide covers the late season in detail.

What should I carry in my day bag?

Keep it light, because you will carry it for the whole walk. A small backpack or cross-body bag with these is enough:

• Water, and a little more than you think you need in summer
• Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
• A scarf or thin shirt with sleeves for the House of Mary or a mosque
• Your ship card and whatever ID your cruise line asks you to carry ashore
• Some cash in small notes; our money guide covers currency
• A folding poncho in March, April or November

Your private vehicle waits at the Lower Gate, so anything you do not need on the walk, such as a jacket or shopping from the morning, can stay in it.

Can I change my plan if the weather turns?

Yes. On a very hot day, our Panoramic tour keeps you mostly in the vehicle, and with Your Ship, Your Day we shape the order and the pace around the heat, a light shower or your energy. Tell us your ship and date through our inquiry form, mention anyone who finds long walks or heat hard, and we will suggest what to wear for that exact day before you sail.