Izmir Province

Our most recommended things to do in Izmir Province

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  1. From Kusadasi: Ephesus and Temple of Artemis Private Tour

  Ephesus was created by the Ionians in the 11th-Century BC and later expanded by the Romans. Now considered one of the grandest reconstructed sites in the ancient world, the region also hosted the likes of Cleopatra, Mark Antony, the Virgin Mary and John the Apostle. The ruins of Ephesus are the biggest open-air museum in Turkey and you will get to explore them on this half-day tour from Kusadasi port. Your route will take you past the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan, the Great Theater and the spectacular Celsus Library, one of the best-preserved buildings among the ruins. Ephesus is also a sacred site for Christians, due to its association with several biblical figures, including St. Paul and St. John the Evangelist. But the highlight is the last resting place of the Virgin Mary. After Jesus had been crucified on the cross, the Virgin Mary came to Ephesus to spend the last ...

  The tour guide was excellent. He was informative and interesting. The tour was well paced and the trip to the Ceramics outlet was worthwhile.

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 7/28/2015
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  2. Kusadasi: Private Ephesus Ruins + House of Virgin Mary Tour

  After meeting your guide at your Kusadasi Hotel, your private, guided tour of Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary will begin. Your expedition into Ancient Greek and Roman periods begins with a drive aboard an air-conditioned coach to Ephesus, an ancient city famous for its early Christian roots. Once here you will hear about the settlements of one of the biggest open air museums in the world, which receives over a million visitors each years. You will also see the constructions of the Ephesus Ancient Ruins; the parliament building, the ancient municipality, the ancient hospital, the Temple of Hadrian, the Trajan Fountain, the Celsus Library and the Great Theater. If you are hungry, you will also be able to receive recommendations from your guide. Next, you will experience a place that has been a host to pilgrims for centuries, the House of the Virgin Mary. At this site you will hear a...

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  3. Kusadasi Buggy Safari Adventure

  Journey off the beaten tracks in a buggy safari adventure. Enjoy driving along dirt paths, rivers and on the beach. Follow your guide along a meander river and spot the bright birds that nest alongside the water, then enjoy sweeping views of the Aegean Sea. Be ready to see lizards and snakes, while burning up the sandy parkour and passing through the marshes and forest. Ride along clouds of dust in the dusty roads. Take some perfect shots for your Instagram. When you get dirty enough, take a break at the Pamucak Beach for a refreshing swim, or test the limit of the buggies. Enjoy a stable, comfortable, and easy to steer vehicle.

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  4. Ephesus Entry Ticket with Mobile Phone Audio Tour

  Founded by the Greeks and conquered by the Romans, Ephesus was once a city of proverbial wealth. It was a bustling port which over time developed into an important center for Christianity. On this self-guided tour, benefit from skip-the-line entry then explore using your smartphone to travel back in time to the city’s former life. The tour is the perfect way to experience the site in a fun and insightful way, and gain valuable insight into one of the most popular places in Turkey. The first stop of the day is to the State Agora, which was once the political heart of the city boasting a lavish square. Continue on to Bouleuterion, and discover the meeting point of the city council which perhaps was also a space for artistic performances. As you stroll around the colonnades, stoas, and other buildings, listen to fascinating stories about what life was like here for locals. Arrive at the Te...

  I had a great time with this. It was easy and it helped me a lot to get around the site and learn some things.

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 12/7/2019
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  5. Ephesus Day Tour with Return Flights From Istanbul

  Explore an historical gem of the eastern Mediterranean on a full-day tour of Ephesus from Istanbul, with round-trip flights, and walk in the footsteps of Cleopatra, Mark Antony, the Virgin Mary, and John the Apostle. The largest open-air museum in Turkey, Ephesus contains more than 30 buildings and structures linked together by streets that still bear the marks of chariot wheels. Your guide will show you the awe-inspiring Great Theater, where St. Paul preached against the pagans and gladiators once engaged in battle. Walk along Marble Street to the Library of Celsus and be dazzled by its restored façade. Visit the Temple of Hadrian, Roman baths, and other remarkable ruins. Continue to the Church of the Virgin Mary. According to Christian tradition, Mary was brought to Ephesus by the Apostle John after the Resurrection of Christ. The church was erected on the foundation of the house whe...

  What an experience! Spending the day with my fantastic guide Nafia was more than I could ask for. Sine it was only the two of us, She showed me sites within Ephesus which she isn’t normally able to do with large groups. Her knowledge of this ancient city was impressive and I learned so many interesting facts throughout the day.

  Reviewed by Ron, United States, 11/27/2020
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  6. Selcuk: Full-Day Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary Tour

  Following a pickup from your hotel in Selcuk, enjoy a short drive to Ephesus in a comfortable, air-conditioned minivan. Start by visiting the extensive ruins in the ancient city. Admire the fascinating ancient structures surrounding you, including the spectacular Temple of Hadrian, the stunning facade of the Library of Celsus, and the vast Great Theater.     Continue the tour to the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Then, stop by the house of Virgin Mary, a popular place of pilgrimage for Catholics, where it is believed the Virgin Mary spent the remainder of her life. Located on top of Bulbul Mountain, it offers visitors a panoramic view of the town.   Finally, explore the Isa Bey Mosque and marvel at its crown-like doors, a jewel of Seljukian architecture combined with decorative elements from the Ottoman Empire.

  Our guide, Marcy is a warm-hearted passionate woman. She is a great storyteller, so as we were touring, we could envision the ancient places. Ephesus is really worth going with a great guide.

  Reviewed by Shu Yi Valerie, 3/11/2020
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  7. Kusadasi: Small Group Ephesus Tour

  Your tour will begin as you are picked up from your accommodation between 8:30AM and 9:00AM in the morning. From there your first stop will be to the House of Virgin Mary, which is speculated to be the place where Mary spent her final days. The site was officially declared a shrine of the Roman Catholic Church in 1986, and has since become a popular place of pilgrimage. Your tour will then proceed to Ephesus. Ephesus is an exceptional testimony to the cultural traditions of the Hellenistic, Roman Imperial, and early Christian periods. It is an important site for Christianity; being one of the seven Churches of Revelation. Over the space of two hours you will explore the city by walking on the marble streets accompanied by an English-speaking tour guide. Throughout your tour you will see Odeon, State Agora, Prytaneion, Memmius Monument, Domatian Temple, Hercules Gate, Curetes Street, Ha...

  Our guide was good but he Set it us up for a carpet deal He knew his stuff and shared it well! Perhaps we could have spent more time in the village that was once Greek then exchanged during the great exchange . A little disappointing.

  Reviewed by Patrice, United States, 9/26/2021
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  8. From Istanbul: Ephesus & Şirince Day Trip w/ Wine Tasting

  Spend the day exploring the most memorable places in Ephesus and Şirince on this guided full-day tour from Istanbul, lunch included. Visit the House of Virgin Mary, see the Temple of Artemis, and taste local wine at a vineyard. Enjoy convenient round-trip transportation from Istanbul. Start your trip by getting picked up from your hotel in Istanbul and transferred to the Istanbul Airport for your flight from Istanbul to Izmir. Upon arrival at Izmir Airport, meet your driver to head to Ephesus to start the tour. First, stop at the House of Virgin Mary, the place where Mary may have spent her last days. This place was officially declared a shrine of the Roman Catholic Church in 1986, and since then it has become a popular place of pilgrimage. The visit to the House of Virgin Mary takes about 45 minutes. After, take a 5-minute drive to Ephesus to continue the tour. Ephesus is an excepti...

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  9. Ephesus: Full-Day Tour from Kusadasi or Izmir

  You’ll meet your professional guide and head out on the drive to Ephesus-Selcuk. Ephesus is considered one of the most spectacular open-air museums in the world, and certainly a highlight of any visit to Turkey. During this guided full-day tour, the ancient city will come alive as you walk through the 2,000-year-old marble streets. Admire the Library of Celsius, Hadrian's Temple, the Fountains of Trajan, the temples of Hadrian and Domitian, and more. See the great theater that had a seating capacity of 24,000 spectators. Visit the terrace houses, located on the slopes of Bulbul Mountain, opposite the Hadrian Temple. The terrace houses were residences of the wealthy, and featured beautiful frescoes and mosaics in their interiors. After visiting the Ephesus ruins, you’ll continue on to the House of the Virgin Mary. The Vatican has recognized this small house in the Solmissos Mountains a...

  Ephesus is awe inspiring, a great tour around the excavated parts with a friendly guide, The house of virgin Mary and the church of St. John, the gospel writer, is included. Not to be missed!

  Reviewed by christian, 8/28/2021
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  10. Ephesus and Pamukkale: Day Trip by Plane from Istanbul

  Enjoy a full-day package trip that takes you on a guided tour from Istanbul to 2 of Turkey’s most fascinating attractions: the ancient cities of Ephesus and Hierapolis. Spend a full day marveling at ancient, multi-cultural architecture and monuments without worrying about any of the details of traveling and organizing. You’ll start your day with pickup from your hotel in Istanbul, bright and early at 5:15 AM for a transfer to the airport for your 7:30 AM flight to Izmir. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted and brought to Ephesus to meet with your guide and take your Ancient City Tour. Ephesus is an iconic former-Greek city, built in the 10th century, famed for its temples, monuments, and theaters. Known as the commercial, religious, and social center of antiquity, this is sure to be the highlight to your whole visit to Turkey. Explore the city’s combination of Greek, Roman and Byzantine mar...