A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ephesus vs. Toulon for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Ephesus or Toulon?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Toulon, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Ephesus

Ephesus is a ancient, world-renowned, and fascinating archeological site. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums. See Ephesus travel costs.

Toulon

Toulon is a industrial, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path port city. Toulon is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Toulon travel costs.

Ephesus and Toulon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ephesus or Toulon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Toulon than Ephesus. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Toulon is very popular for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Ephesus attracts visitors for its museums and attractions. Ephesus is more touristy than Toulon and is popular for its well-preserved ruins and vast size Toulon is famous for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers. It is also well known for The Old Town.

How is Ephesus different from Toulon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Toulon and Ephesus. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ephesus or Toulon?

Ephesus is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Ephesus that are not to be missed. Of course, the iconic site is the ruins of Ephesus. There are also several fascinating museums in the area that offer deeper insights into the region's rich history and culture. The Ephesus Archaeological Museum in Selçuk is popular. It has an impressive collection of artifacts excavated from the ancient city, including statues, pottery, and inscriptions. Just outside the museum, the Temple of Artemis section displays remnants of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Selçuk Museum of Ephesus is another excellent spot to explore, with exhibits that highlight both the daily life of ancient Ephesians and their religious practices. A short drive from Ephesus is the House of the Virgin Mary museum, a revered site believed to be the final home of Mary, mother of Jesus, with a chapel and peaceful surroundings. Lastly, the İsa Bey Mosque and Museum in Selçuk adds to the area's historical depth, offering a glimpse into the Seljuk architecture and Islamic heritage of the region.

Toulon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

Is the Food Better in Ephesus or Toulon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at nice restaurants in both Ephesus and Toulon.

Ephesus has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Most of the food options are found in the nearby town of Selçuk. Popular dishes include kebabs, mezes, and pide (Turkish flatbread pizza). Many restaurants are casual and cater specifically to the tourist crowds.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Toulon area. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Ephesus or Toulon Better for Nightlife?

Toulon is a nice place to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Ephesus is not known for its evening party scene.

If you're looking for night time activities Toulon has a few options to choose from. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Most people don't head to Ephesus specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The there are a couple of bars and restaurants with live music in the town of Selçuk, but generally the nightlife is very low key.

Is Ephesus or Toulon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is adequate for its diving and snorkeling. However, Ephesus is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Toulon. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Ephesus is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ephesus or Toulon Better for Beaches?

Toulon is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Ephesus is not a beach destination.

Toulon has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Ephesus is not a beach destination.

Is Ephesus or Toulon Better for its Old Town?

Toulon is adequate for its old town. However, Ephesus does not have a historic old town.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Ephesus does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ephesus or Toulon?

Toulon is a great port city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Ephesus is not as popular, but is still a nice archeological site for its shopping areas.

Toulon is well-known for its shopping. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Many visitors go to Ephesus to go shopping. Selçuk has a variety of local shops and markets. Traditional handicrafts such as carpet and kilim weaving, ceramics, and leather goods are popular souvenirs. The Selçuk Market is held on Saturdays and offers fresh produce, spices, and other local products.

Is Ephesus or Toulon More Beautiful?

Toulon is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Ephesus is not a destination known for its beauty.

Toulon is a beautiful place to visit, too. Located on the French Riviera, you won't be disappointed by the beauty. Despite being less touristy than many nearby towns, there is still plenty to see and do.

Ephesus is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ephesus or Toulon Better for Families?

Ephesus and Toulon are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Ephesus offers lots of family activities. Kids who are into history or archeology will enjoy a visit to the famed ruins of Ephesus. There's also the Ephesus Archaeological Museum where everyone can learn about ancient Greek and Roman cultures in an interactive setting. The nearby House of the Virgin Mary offers a peaceful stop where kids can learn about its historical and religious significance in a tranquil environment. For an active experience, families can enjoy a short hike to Pamucak Beach, where children can swim, build sandcastles, and enjoy the Mediterranean sun.

Toulon is a family-friendly place to visit. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Ephesus or Toulon Better for Couples?

Ephesus and Toulon are both nice to visit as a couple.

Ephesus makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Many couples stop off at these ruins as part of a bigger tour of Turkey. The ruins are well preserved and impressive, but can get crowded if you visit during the peak times.

Toulon is a good archeological site for couples to visit. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Ephesus or Toulon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Ephesus and Toulon are nice places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Ephesus. Many backpackers stay in the nearby town of Selçuk, which has several hostels. This is also where you'll find a number of restaurants and shopping opportunities.

Toulon is a good archeological site to visit for backpackers. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

Is Ephesus or Toulon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Ephesus is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Ephesus is fairly effecient and thorough. The town of Selçuk is well-connected by dolmuşes (shared minivans) that run frequently and offer affordable rides to nearby destinations, including Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Pamucak Beach area.

Toulon has some public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is Ephesus or Toulon a more walkable city?

Toulon is a great port city for its high level of walkability. Also, Ephesus is not as popular, but is still a nice archeological site for its ease of walking around.

Toulon is a very walkable port city. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

Ephesus is a somewhat walkable archeological site. The ruins are spread out over a large area, but most of the key sites, like the Library of Celsus and the Great Theater, are within walking distance of each other. From Selçuk, it's about a half hour walk to the entrance of the Ephesus ruins, but most visitors prefer to take a short taxi or dolmuş ride to the site. Within Selçuk, many of the sites can be reached on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Ephesus Worth Visiting? and Is Toulon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toulon or Ephesus?

How long in Ephesus or Toulon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Ephesus or Toulon to fill your time. In our opinion, Toulon has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Toulon than Ephesus. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Toulon than Ephesus. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Toulon, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Toulon than Ephesus. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Toulon that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Toulon than Ephesus if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Toulon.

One day in Ephesus or Toulon?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Ephesus. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Toulon, you'll find nightlife and food. This port city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Ephesus or Toulon?

Ephesus is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Toulon, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Toulon has to offer.

Five days in Ephesus or Toulon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ephesus. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Toulon is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Ephesus or Toulon?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the ancient destination of Ephesus. This archeological site offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toulon. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Toulon. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ephesus and Toulon, we can see that Toulon is more expensive. And not only is Ephesus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ephesus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ephesus and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Toulon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toulon than you might in Ephesus.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ephesus Expensive? and Is Toulon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Toulon?

Toulon has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Toulon, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Ephesus or Toulon?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Ephesus or Toulon in the Summer?

Both Toulon and Ephesus during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Ephesus for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Toulon because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Ephesus is generally a little warmer than Toulon. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 27°C (81°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the summer, Ephesus often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Toulon. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 366 hours of full sun.

Ephesus usually gets less rain in July than Toulon. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ephesus or Toulon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Toulon. The autumn months attract visitors to Ephesus because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Toulon this time of year.

Ephesus is a little warmer than Toulon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Toulon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Toulon during autumn. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Toulon. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ephesus or Toulon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Toulon. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ephesus this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Toulon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Ephesus is a little warmer than Toulon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ephesus in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Toulon averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Ephesus often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 150 hours of full sun.

Ephesus receives a lot of rain in the winter. Ephesus usually gets more rain in January than Toulon. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ephesus or Toulon in the Spring?

Both Toulon and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Toulon in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Ephesus is generally a little warmer than Toulon. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 15°C (59°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Toulon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Toulon during spring. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Toulon. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toulon and Ephesus