Discover Ephesus, The House of Virgin Mary, and Artemission Temple on a guided tour. Your guide will have your name sign at the Kusadasi Cruise terminal exit just after you pass customs. Hotel guests (with the private option only) will be picked up from their hotel lobby. After meeting your guide, drive to the House of the Virgin Mary, located in the Aladag Mountains, 5 miles away from Ephesus. Visit Ephesus, one of the 12 cities of the Ionian League, an ancient Greek district on the western coast of Asia Minor, located near Izmir. As a port city, it was a major departure point for trade routes into Asia Minor. Walk through its historic marble streets lined with historic public buildings like the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Grand Theater. Stop at Artemission Temple, which used to be one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, as your last stop before driving back to Kusadasi town center.

Discover Ephesus, the second biggest open-air museum in the world, on a private tour. Enjoy pickup from your hotel in Kusadasi or Selcuk, or from the cruise ship port, then be driven to the major local landmarks. Allow your guide to teach you about Greco-Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman history. Apart from the city of ancient Ephesus, also explore one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - the Artemis Temple, as well as the temples of Hadrian and Domitian, the Fountains of Trojan, Polio, the Library of Celsus, and the Great Theater, which was once the center point of entertainment for up to 24,000 people. You will also get to see the House where Virgin Mary is believed to have spent her last years in life. The tour ends at approximately 4:00 PM, at which point you'll be taken back to your hotel or cruise ship.

Istanbul to Ephesus by flight to Izmir You will be picked up from your hotel in ISTANBUL the morning and transfer to Istanbul Airport IST or SAW for a morning flight to Izmir. ( Istanbul hotel pick up time, flight details will be emailed in your confirmation email ) After arriving in Izmir Airport, you will be met by your tour guide and driven to Ephesus (a 45-minute drive). Your tour will begin with a visit to the Artemission Temple, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Continuing to Ephesus, you will walk through history along the marble streets which are lined with wonderful public buildings. Among these buildings are the State Agora, Odeon, the Memnius Monument, the Temple of Domitian, the Polio Fountain, and Curetes Street. You will also encounter the Grand Theater which was built in the 3rd century B.C., before being later expanded to a 24,000 spectator arena by the Romans in the 1st century A.D. After Ephesus, lunch will be served in the garden of a local handicrafts center. Here you can see some of the traditional carpet weaving techniques used, and enjoy viewing some splendid displays of beautiful carpets. Following lunch, you will visit the House of Virgin Mary, located on the Aladag Mountains, 5 miles from Ephesus. At the third Ecumenical Council of 431 in Ephesus, it was claimed that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. After the discovery of the house, the Archbishop of Izmir declared it a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed here. Following this sacred place, you will drive back to to Izmir airport for your flight back to Istanbul. Once having landed at Istanbul you will be met by your representative and transferred back to your point of origin.

The Best of Ephesus Tour is a comprehensive, full-day excursion to the ancient city of Ephesus, located in Turkey. The tour offers an opportunity to explore and discover the rich history and culture of one of the most well-preserved classical cities in the world. During the tour, you will visit several important sites including the Library of Celsius, Hadrian's Temple, the Fountains of Trajan, the Temples of Hadrian and Domitian, the Terrace Houses, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Basilica of St. John. You will be guided by a professional and knowledgeable tour guide who will provide detailed explanations and historical context for each site. The tour offers a unique and immersive experience that brings the history and culture of Ephesus to life, making it an unforgettable and enriching adventure for anyone interested in ancient civilizations, history, and archaeology.

Ephesus is an ancient city located in modern-day Turkey, near the town of Selçuk. It was one of the most important cities of the Roman Empire and is considered one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world. Visitors to Ephesus can explore its well-preserved ruins, including the Library of Celsius, Hadrian's Temple, the Great Theater, and the Terrace Houses. The House of the Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St. John are also located near Ephesus and are popular pilgrimage sites for Christians. The best examples of mosaics, excellent frescos ( wall paintings ), one of the first examples of central heating system can be visibled in Terrace Houses.  The Temple of Artemis, also known as the Artemision, was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was located in the ancient city of Ephesus, Turkey and was dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis. The temple was considered to be one of the largest and most impressive structures in the ancient world and was known for its grand size and luxurious decoration. Unfortunately, the temple was destroyed in a fire and its ruins were later rediscovered in the 19th century. Despite its destruction, the Temple of Artemis remains a significant part of ancient history and is considered to be one of the most important archaeological sites in Turkey. The Basilica of St. John was built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century over the tomb of St. John the Apostle. It was once considered one of the largest basilicas in the world, rivaling the size of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. Although it is now in ruins, visitors can still admire its architectural features, including a nave and two aisles separated by columns. The basilica is located in Ephesus, a famous ancient city in Turkey, and is considered one of the main pilgrimage sites for Christians. The Ephesus Archaeological Museum is a museum located in Selçuk, near the ancient city of Ephesus, Turkey. The museum houses a large collection of artifacts and exhibits related to the history and archaeology of Ephesus, including ancient coins, mosaics, sculptures, ceramics, and inscriptions. The museum is a must-visit for those interested in the rich history of Ephesus and the surrounding area, and provides visitors with a comprehensive overview of the ancient city's culture, architecture, and daily life. Some of the most important pieces on display at the museum include the remains of the Temple of Artemis, the ancient city's theater, and the historic Library of Celsus.

You will be met at the harbor or at your hotel in Kusadasi or Selcuk. The guide will be holding up a sign with your name on it clearly so that you spot the correct pick-up service for you easily. It’s here you shall also meet your tour guide for the day who will give you some information of the plan for the day before heading off on your way to your destination. Pass through the verdant and picturesque countryside before arriving at your first stop, the House of Virgin Mary in accordance with the predominant Christian tradition, Mary was brought to Ephesus by the Apostle John after the Resurrection of Christ and lived out her final resting days here. After The House of Virgin Mary, make your way to the next destination at the ancient city of Ephesus. From here, the tour shall be a walking tour and will take you through one of the most magnificent excavations in the entire world. See the Odeon, The Fountain of Trajan, the stream baths of Scholastic, the Temple of Hadrian and the impressive library of Ephesus. The library is adorned with columns and statues. The Grand Theater where Saint Paul preached is the largest theater in antiquity with a capacity of 24,000 seats. Return to the bus through the Arcadian Way where Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession. After your 2-hour exploration around Ephesus, take a break for lunch. Then, continue on the tour and head for your next stop at the Temple of Artemis (Diana). This outstanding temple was built in honor of the Greek Goddess of hunting, wild nature, and fertility deemed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Once the tour comes to an end, you will head back to your bus and be driven back to your allocated drop-off points.

Spend a full day among the famous ruins of Ephesus, flying from Istanbul to Izmir and back. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel early in the morning and transfer you to Istanbul's Ataturk Airport for your flight to Izmir. Upon arrival at Izmir, you will meet with your tour guide and drive the 40 minutes to Ephesus. Visit the vast and rich archeological site of Ephesus, imagining life in Roman times as you pass through the ancient city gates. See the ruins of State Agora, a marketplace from Roman times. Admire Marble Road, dating back to 1 A.D. Then view the beautiful architecture of Celsus Library, the 3rd largest in the ancient world. Your guide will also show you Ephesus Theatre, which once held 15,000 spectators, and many other ancient landmarks of Ephesus' Greek and Roman pasts. After lunch visit the Virgin Mary’s House archeological site, where it is said Mary spent her last years with St. John. After visiting Virgin Mary’s House, head back to the Izmir Airport for your return flight to Istanbul. Be dropped off at your hotel at the end of the tour.

We meet you at the Cruise Port! Our team will be waiting next to Information Desk at the Exit Gate of Cruise Port by holding a sign which is your name written on it. After booking this tour, please contact our team to agree on your meeting time. Please note that there are several Cruise Ships with different arrival and departure timings. So, you might decide with our team about the best meeting time which is fitting your schedule. During the tour you will explore the below sights; • Ephesus Ancient City • Terrace Houses of Ephesus • Ephesus Archeological Museum • Temple of Artemis • Panoramic View of Kusadasi • Panoramic View of Kusadasi Castle In the end of our tour, we return to the Cruise Port according to your ONBOARD TIME! PLEASE NOTE THAT: There are several Ships with different arrival and departure times. We carefully check all the timings, confirm with the passengers, and coordinate our return time to Cruise Port. OUR TOURS ARE WITH GUARANTEED ON-TIME RETURN TO THE BOAT!

Meet with your professional guide . Drive to Ephesus-Selcuk. Ephesus is considered to one of the spectacular open-air museums in Turkey and in the world and one of the highlights of any visit to Turkey. During this privately guided tour, Ephesus city will come alive as you walk through 2,000 year-old marble streets to admire the Library of Celsius, Hadrians Temple, the Fountains of Trajan, Polio, the Temples of Hadrian and Domitian, Vedious and Scholastic Baths, Bouloterion, and the Great Theater with a capacity of 24.000 spectators. Also visit the Terrace Houses which are located on the slopes of Bulbul Mountain, opposite the Hadrian Temple. The Terrace Houses, also called “the houses of rich”, were for the important and wealthy people with beautiful frescoes and mosaics inside. After visiting Ephesus, continue on to the House of Virgin Mary. The Vatican has recognized this small house in the Solmissos Mountains as the final resting place of the Virgin Mary. A small shrine dedicated to St. Mary was found when the ruins of the house were first discovered. Lastly, visit the Basilica of St. John. Built by the Emperor Justinian over the tomb of St. John the Apostle, the Basilica, now in ruins, once rivaled St. Sophia in size. At the end of the day you will return to your hotel  

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 days of her life in the Bulbul Mountains. The house where she lived has recently been transformed into a site of pilgrimage and has become a sought-after destination for Christians from all over the world.