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Ephesus Ancient City

Ephesus Ancient City: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Izmir: Ephesus Guided Day Trip with Transfer & Lunch

1. From Izmir: Ephesus Guided Day Trip with Transfer & Lunch

Pick-Up: The Izmir Ephesus Tour is scheduled to start during the morning. A modern and comfortable bus will pick you up from your hotel in Izmir or from İzmir Airport and drive you towards Ephesus. The road trip will be approximately one hour. Our Guides: During your excursion, you will be accompanied by a professional tour guide who will be in charge to assist you. The experienced guide will also be in charge to explain everything you need to know in every stop of your journey. Ephesus Tour: The ancient city of Ephesus forms one of the most important and popular attractions in Turkey. It hosts a number of important monuments from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. These monuments include, among others, the Hadrian Temple, the Library of Celsius, the Grand Theatre, the Roman Baths, the Agora and the Latrina. Ephesus is also home to the infamous Temple of Artemis. As you will be touring around the ancient city, the guide will provide important information for every monument. House of Virgin Mary: At a close distance from the ancient city of Ephesus, there is another place of interest which is the House of Virgin Mary. Surrounded by a quiet and beautiful landscape, this house was chosen by Virgin Mary to spend her last days there with St. John. This location has enormous interest for the Christian population. Take a chance to admire nature and observe the spectacular setting while you are there. Lunch: Izmir Ephesus Tour continues with a lunch break at a local restaurant in the area. Relax and enjoy a tasteful open buffet with a variety of choices. Temple Of Artemis: The ancient city of Ephesus is mostly known for hosting the Temple of Artemis. This temple is listed among the 7 wonders of the ancient world due to its impressive size, design and importance for the area. It was constructed during the Hellenistic period and nowadays, visitors are able to observe and tour around the ruins of the temple. Isabey Mosque: The full day trip to Ephesus continues with a visit to Isabey Mosque. The mosque demonstrates an interesting character due to its majestic Seljukian architecture. The guide will explain everything you need to know about the mosque and its interior design.

Kusadasi Port: All Inclusive Ephesus Tour (Skip-The-Line)

2. Kusadasi Port: All Inclusive Ephesus Tour (Skip-The-Line)

Upon your arrival at Kusadasi Port, you will be greeted by your private guide who will accompany you throughout the tour. The first stop on our itinerary is the House of the Virgin Mary. The House of Virgin Mary is where Mary may have spent her last days. Indeed, she may have come in the area together with Saint John. 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. Pope Paul VI visited the shrine in 1967. The visit to the House (church) takes about 45 minutes and after our visit; there will be a 5 min drive to Ephesus. Ephesus is an exceptional testimony to the cultural traditions of the Hellenistic, Roman Imperial, and early Christian periods. Ephesus is an important site for Christianity; being one of the seven churches of revelation. Apostle Paul probably spent two and half years in Ephesus during his third missionary journey.It will take about 2 hours to discover Ephesus ancient city by walking on the marble streets, so it is helpful to wear comfortable shoes like sneakers. accompanied by our English-speaking tour guide. The site has two entrances; as it is slightly downhill, it is better to start from the upper gate. On our tour, we will be seeing Odeon, State Agora, Prytaneion, Memmius Monument, Domatian Temple, Hercules Gate, Curetes Street, Hadrian Temple, Latriens, and Private House (so-called Brothel, 'Terrace Houses') Celsus Library, Marble Road, Commercial Agora, Great Theater, and Arcadine (Harbour Road). We will visit the Temple of Artemis; which is one of the seven world wonders of antiquity. there will be a good chance to shoot photos of the Church of St. John and Mosque of Isa Bey from the best angle as well. After the tour, we will make sure to drop you off at Kusadasi Port promptly, ensuring that you are returned to your desired location on time. Your convenience and satisfaction are our top priorities throughout the tour.

Ephesus & House of Mother Mary & Temple of Artemis Tour

3. Ephesus & House of Mother Mary & Temple of Artemis Tour

Meet with your guide and drive to the country. See the Temple of Artemis, one of the wonders of the ancient world. Then a visit to Ephesus is a visit to one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world. Ancient historians believed that Ephesus was founded by the Amazons, but now, it is believed to have been the Hittite city of Apasas. With your private tour guide, you will see the Odeon, where the advisory council held its meetings and the Roman Baths, as well as many other columns, monuments, and ruins, including the Celsus Library and the Grand Theater of Ephesus. After our compliemtary lunch, enjoy the scenery or shopping opportunity. In the afternoon, visit the House of Mother Mary, where she rested in her last years on the top of the Mount Nightengale. Afterwards drive back to Kusadası Port or Hotel.

From Kusadasi or Selcuk: Full-Day Ephesus Tour with Lunch

4. From Kusadasi or Selcuk: Full-Day Ephesus Tour with Lunch

Discover Ephesus and the cultural traditions of the Hellenistic, Roman Imperial, and early Christian periods on this full-day small group guided tour including hotel transfer and lunch at a local restaurant. Feel the importance of this site for Christianity, being home to one of the seven Churches of Revelation. Explore the city on marble streets accompanied by an English-speaking tour guide. Your tour begins as you are picked up from your hotel in the morning. From there, your first stop will be the House of Virgin Mary, which is thought 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. Proceed to Ephesus, where you will see the Odeon of Ancient Ephesus, the State Agora, the Prytaneion, the Memmius Monument, the Domitian Temple, Hercules Gate, Curetes Street, the Hadrian Temple, and latrines. Explore the Celsus Library, Marble Road, the Commercial Agora, the Great Theater, and the Arcadiane. Following lunch, visit the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of Antiquity.

Kusadasi or Selcuk: Highlights of Ephesus - Small Group Tour

5. Kusadasi or Selcuk: Highlights of Ephesus - Small Group Tour

The tour starts with your pick-up from your hotel in Kusadasi. The pick-up in Kusadasi starts at 08:30 am, and the pick-up in Selcuk starts at 09:00 am. After all the participants of the tour meet up; the discovery of Ephesus starts with the House of the Virgin Mary. The House of the Virgin Mary is the place where Mary may have spent her last days. Indeed, she may have come to this area together with Saint John. 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. Pope Paul VI visited the shrine in 1967. The visit to the House (church) takes about 1 hour and after our visit there will be a 10 min drive to Ephesus. Ephesus is an exceptional testimony to the cultural traditions of the Hellenistic, Roman Imperial, and early Christian periods. Ephesus is an important site for Christianity; being one of the seven Churches of Revelation Apostle Paul probably spent two and half years in Ephesus during his third missionary journey. In two hours, you will be exploring the city by walking on the marble streets, accompanied by our English-speaking tour guide. On our tour, we will be seeing the Odeon, state agora, the Prytaneion, the Memmius monument, the Domatian temple, Hercules Gate, curates street, the Hadrian temple, and the Latriens. The visit to the private houses (So-called ‘Terrace Houses’) is an optional visit for an extra 320 ₺/ per person and your guide should be informed beforehand. After the terrace houses, we will carry on with our exploration of the Celsus library, marble road, commercial Agora, great theatre, and Arcadiane (harbor road). A nice lunch will be served in a quaint local restaurant. After lunch, we will visit the temple of Artemis, one of the 'seven world wonders' of antiquity. Here, there will be a good chance to take gorgeous pictures of the church of St.John and the Mosque of İsa Bey. Sirince is an old village of ‘the Byzantine Greeks situated on the hills of Selcuk and 9 km from Ephesus. As part of the peace pact after the Turkish national war (1919-1922), a formal exchange of Turkish and Greeks, was agreed upon and Sirince is inhabited by Turkish now. The village is popular for beautiful traditional houses and fruit-flavored wine production, and you will have free time for some wine tasting. Our daily tour will be finalized around 4:30 pm and you will be brought back to your hotels.

From Istanbul: Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary Day Trip

6. From Istanbul: Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary Day Trip

After being picked up between 5AMand 5.30AM from your hotel in Istanbul, you will be driven to the airport where you will catch a flight to Izmir. Meet your private guide in Izmir and make your first visit to House of Virgin Mary, a small house in the Solmissos Mountains which is recognized as the final resting place of the Virgin Mary. See the small shrine dedicated to St. Mary which was found when the ruins of the house were first discovered. Continue your tour to the ancient city of Ephesus. Visit the Fountains of Trojan, Polio, The Temples of Hadrian and Domitian, the Library of Celsius, and the Great Theatre. After this make a stop for a traditional Turkish lunch. Visit a leather shop and continue to Isa Bey Mosque, one of the most delicate examples of Seljukian architecture, situated below the basilica of Saint John. To conclude your tour, stop at the Temple of Artemis, first built during the Archaic period and considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Afterwards, drive back to Izmir airport to make your flight back to Istanbul. Our Istanbul team will met you at the Istanbul airport and transfer you to your hotel in Istanbul.

BEST OF EPHESUS: Private Tour for Cruise Passengers

7. BEST OF EPHESUS: Private Tour for Cruise Passengers

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!

Ephesus Antique City, Immersive Experience Museum

8. Ephesus Antique City, Immersive Experience Museum

EPHESUS EXPERIENCE MUSEUM Welcome to the Ephesus Experience Museum, where reality knows no bounds. This modern and captivating museum offers a realistic experience with high-quality visuals, sound, and screen technologies. Like a time machine, it transports you to the real Ephesus Ancient City, 8,000 years in the past. Here, you will feel and live the enchanting story of Ephesus. Through immersive experiences within the museum, you will vividly learn about the rich history of this unique ancient city, spanning from its ancient origins to the present day. Discover the significant role Ephesus played in ancient times and bear witness to the grandeur of its ancient structures. Through the Ephesus Experience Museum, you will immerse yourself in Ephesus as a true local and even get to know Artemis. With cutting-edge visual and sound systems, the museum offers a magnificent experience that will leave an indelible impression. Step into the past as you explore Ephesus' temples, theaters, and other captivating landmarks, allowing you to truly feel the atmosphere of that era. This technological marvel of a museum provides a one-of-a-kind experience for history and archaeology enthusiasts, aiming to create unforgettable memories for every visitor. The Ephesus Experience Museum stands as a must-visit destination for anyone who wishes to discover the allure of the past. Reserve your tickets now and embark on a captivating journey through the fascinating history of Ephesus in this extraordinary museum. Discover hidden stories and legends: Uncover the captivating tales and legends that surround Ephesus, from the mythical Artemis Temple to the fascinating stories behind the ancient city. Step back in time with cutting-edge technology: Experience the magic of advanced audiovisual technologies, holographic projections, and virtual reconstructions that transport you back in time, allowing you to witness the grandeur of Ephesus as it once stood.

Kusadasi Cruise Port: Antique Ephesus Tour (Skip-The-Line)

9. Kusadasi Cruise Port: Antique Ephesus Tour (Skip-The-Line)

Upon your arrival at Kusadasi Port, you will be greeted by your private guide who will accompany you throughout the tour. The first stop on our itinerary is the House of the Virgin Mary. The House of Virgin Mary is where Mary may have spent her last days. Indeed, she may have come in the area together with Saint John. 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. Pope Paul VI visited the shrine in 1967. The visit to the House (church) takes about 45 minutes and after our visit; there will be a 5 min drive to Ephesus. Ephesus is an exceptional testimony to the cultural traditions of the Hellenistic, Roman Imperial, and early Christian periods. Ephesus is an important site for Christianity; being one of the seven churches of revelation. Apostle Paul probably spent two and half years in Ephesus during his third missionary journey.It will take about 2 hours to discover Ephesus ancient city by walking on the marble streets, so it is useful to wear comfortable shoes like sneakers. accompanied by our tour guide. The site has two entrances; as it is slightly downhill, it is better to start from the upper gate. On our tour, we will be seeing Odeon, State Agora, Prytaneion, Memmius Monument, Domatian Temple, Hercules Gate, Curetes Street, Hadrian Temple, Celsus Library, Marble Road, Commercial Agora, Great Theater, and Arcadine (Harbour Road). Terrace Houses in Ephesus on Curetes street belonged to prominent people of the city. They are dated back to 1C AD; some were inhabited up to 7C AD. They were luxurious private houses with mosaic floors, fountains, and central heating. We will carry on with the Ephesus Museum, which consists of six chambers exhibiting collections from the ruins. Especially, the marble statues of the Goddess of Artemis are to be seen; one from the 1st century AD and the other from the 2nd century AD. After the tour, we will make sure to drop you off at Kusadasi Port promptly, ensuring that you are returned to your desired location on time. Your convenience and satisfaction are our top priorities throughout the tour.

Ephesus: Customised Day Tour from Kusadası

10. Ephesus: Customised Day Tour from Kusadası

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.

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What people are saying about Ephesus Ancient City

Olcay gave us a very nice day. She is very friendly and helpful, speaks perfect Dutch with a charming Flemish accent and is very knowledgeable and knows how to tell enthusiastically. We visited the ruins of Ephesus, the basilica of John and the house of Mary, after which we had a delicious lunch in a small restaurant that was perfectly located. An absolute must.

The trip was amazing and the tour was extremely well organized. Tejen may have been the best tour guide I have ever had in my life