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Selcuk Culture & history

Our most recommended Selcuk Culture & history

From Izmir: Full-Day Ephesus Tour

1. From Izmir: Full-Day Ephesus Tour

Start with a pickup from your hotel in Izmir. Then, the discovery of Ephesus begins with the House of the Virgin Mary and a 10-minute drive to the ancient city of Ephesus. Explore the city by walking on the marble streets, accompanied by a guide.  See the Odeon, State Agora, the Pretension, the Memmius Monument, the Domitian Temple, Hercules Gate, Curetes Street, Hadrian Temple, and the Latrines. Choose to take an optional visit to the terrace houses for an additional cost.  After the terrace houses, carry on with your exploration with the Celsus Library, Marble Road, Commercial Agora, Great Theater, and Arcadian (harbor road). Enjoy a nice lunch served in a quaint local restaurant. Visit the Temple of Artemisa and take pictures of the church of St. John and the Mosque of İsa Bey. Enjoy free time in the old village of Sirince to discover the traditional houses, the fruit-flavored wine production, and enjoy some wine tasting.  End the day with a transfer back to Izmir airport or to your hotel in Izmir.

From Kusadasi: Ephesus, House of Mary & Artemis Temple Tour

2. From Kusadasi: Ephesus, House of Mary & Artemis Temple Tour

According to your tour pickup time, meet with your guide and start your day. First, visit the House of Virgin Mary. Located 6 km to the north of the ruins of Ephesus, this church was built in 6C AD on top of the foundations of a house from 1C AD. Next check out Ephesus, an archeological treasure and the best preserved classical city in the Eastern Mediterranean. During 1C AD, Ephesus was the second largest city on the planet after Rome with more than 250.000 citizens. It was in the center of the known world and played the role of a gateway between the East and the West. With its giant harbor, it was also the center of trading in antiquity. It is also home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis. Walking on the ancient streets among the beautiful monuments such as the third largest library of the ancient world or the largest roman theatre on the Asia continent gives you the feeling of a time traveler. After lunch, continue to the Temple of Artemis. Its ancient cult dedicated to Artemis was famous in antiquity and made Ephesus a much-visited pilgrimage place. At the end of the tour, head back to your hotel or the port.

Kusadasi: Ephesus & Temple of Artemis Shore Excursion

3. Kusadasi: Ephesus & Temple of Artemis Shore Excursion

According your pick-up time, meet with your guide and transfer to the first sight in ancient Ephesus, the best preserved classic city in the eastern Mediterranean and the largest open air museum in Turkey. Ephesus contains more then 30 buildings and structures linked together by streets that still have the marks of ancient chariot wheels. Visit the Great Theatre, where St. Paul preached against the pagans and the gladiators once engaged in battle. Originally holding 25,000 people, this theater was built in the Hellenistic period and was renovated by several Roman emperors. Designed for theatrical performances, later alterations allowed gladiatorial contests to be held here. The face of the Library of Celsus, which has been remarkably restored, is probably the most photographed place in Ephesus originally built in 115 to 125. You might also be able to see the Odeon Temple, Fountain of Trajan, Temple of Hadrian, the steam Scholastica Baths, marble road, agora and the Temple of Domitian. After visiting ancient Ephesus, continue to the Temple of Arthemis. Considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of Artemis was dedicated to the Goddess of the Hunt. Only the foundation and one column remains of this temple which once measured 425 feet by 220 feet wide. St. Paul’s successful ministry in this city was considered a threat to this temple. The city reached its Golden Age and became a good model to the ancient world in culture and art. The tour finishes at around 1:00 PM, from here you will return to your hotel or cruise port.

From Kusadasi: Half-Day Shore Excursion to Ephesus & Tickets

4. From Kusadasi: Half-Day Shore Excursion to Ephesus & Tickets

Visit Ephesus and its attractions on a small-group excursion. See the Terrace Houses, the House of Virgin Mary, and Artemission Temple with entrance fees covered and a licensed tour guide. Meet your tour guide at Kusadasi Cruise Port or your hotel lobby at the pre-arranged time and begin your 20-minute drive to Ephesus. Once there, begin touring the city, which is one of the 12 cities of the Ionian League. As a port city, this was a major departure point for trade routes into Asia Minor. Walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them discover the Baths of Scholastica and the Library of Celsus. Encounter the Temple of Hadrian and The Grand Theater, which are 2 of the most impressive buildings in Ephesus. Visit the Terrace Houses, located on the skirt of Pion Mountain. See the 6 residential units which were built on 3 man-made terraces. These houses are decorated with wall frescoes and floor mosaics, settled by the wealthy citizens of Ephesus. See the House of Virgin Mary, located in the Aladag Mountains, 5 miles away from Ephesus, and learn about its connection to when Mary came to Ephesus in 431 A.D. and why this area became a place of pilgrimage in 1892. Stop at the Artemission Temple, where one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world used to be. This will be the final stop on your tour before your return drive to your point of origin.

Full Day Ephesus Tour

5. Full Day Ephesus Tour

Meet with your guide in front of the Kusadasi port passenger terminal or your hotel in Kusadasi. 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.

Kusadasi: Ephesus, Virgin Mary House, & Artemis Temple Tour

6. Kusadasi: Ephesus, Virgin Mary House, & Artemis Temple Tour

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.

From Izmir: Ephesus Guided Day Trip with Transfer & Lunch

7. 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. Sirince Village: The last stop of your excursion will be at the Sirince Village. This village is known as a great example of mixed Greek and Turkish culture. Walking around the village is a great opportunity to observe houses with Greek architecture, churches and explore the shops that are selling handcrafts of all types. As this is your last stop, the bus will continue on its way back. After one hour, you will arrive at your hotel. This day trip to Ephesus will be a memorable experience in your holidays.

Ruins of Ephesus & The Temple of Artemis Small Group Tour

8. Ruins of Ephesus & The Temple of Artemis Small Group Tour

Start your tour by being picked up either at your hotel in Kusadasi or at the Kusadasi port. Drive 20 mins to Ephesus, one of 12 cities of the Ionian League, the ancient Greek district on the western coast of Asia Minor. This city thrived centuries ago as a Greek colony and then as a part of ancient Rome. In its heyday, the cities bustling port was a major departure point for trade routes into Asia Minor. Today, the city is still filled with well-preserved ruins from this era.  Take a journey back in time as you walk down marble streets adorned with wonderful public buildings. See the ruins of the Baths of Scholastica, a bathing complex dating back to the 1st century. Admire the facade of the Library of Celsus. Once one of the largest libraries of the ancient world, this Roman structure was devasted when it was rocked by an earthquake, and burned by invading Goths in the same year. Despite its lack of luck, it’s magnificent façade still stands. Admire the massive collonade of the Temple of Hadrian. Explore the Grand Theater. This impressive structure housed 24,000 spectators and was where Emperors once saw plays, concerts, and gladiatorial fights. Marvel at the ruins of the Artmisission Temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Dedicated to the ancient Greek goddess of the hunt, pilgrims from all over the ancient world used to travel to this temple to seek the Goddess’s favor. After touring the temple, enjoy the convenience of being dropped off back at your hotel or the Kusadasi town center and port.

Istanbul: 8-Day Cappadocia, Ephesus, Konya, Pamukkale Tour

9. Istanbul: 8-Day Cappadocia, Ephesus, Konya, Pamukkale Tour

Discover the highlights of Turkey on a guided 8-day sightseeing tour. See the best of Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Konya. Visit the famous sites of Ephesus, Pammukale, and the Devrent Valley. Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul Arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST) or SAW airport where the tour representative will meet you with your name sign and private transfer to the hotel for your overnight stay in Istanbul. Day 2: Full-Day Istanbul Tour with Breakfast After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Istanbul. Visit the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Hippodrome, where chariot races and the Byzantine riots took place. Visit the Grand Bazaar for shopping and spend the night in Istanbul. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays so the Spice Market will be visited instead. Day 3: Istanbul – Izmir – Ephesus Tour – Kusadasi with Breakfast and Dinner Start day 3 with early morning pickup from the hotel and transfer to Istanbul IST or SAW airport for your flight to Izmir. Arrive at Izmir Airport and be met by your tour guide. Drive to Ephesus and see the Artemis Temple before continuing to Ephesus, one of the 12 cities of Ionia (an ancient Greek district on the western coast of Asia Minor). After Ephesus, visit the House of the Virgin Mary. This house is located in the Aladag Mountains 5 miles from Ephesus. Then drive to Kusadasi to stay overnight. Day 4: Kusadasi – Pamukkale Tour with Breakfast and Dinner Drive to Pamukkale to visit the Travertines, white terraces, and Hierapolis ancient city. Stay overnight in a Thermal Hotel. Day 5: Pamukkale – Cappadocia Cave Hotel with Breakfast Drive to Cappadocia which will be approximately 8 hours of driving. Visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the worldwide famous mystic, and Sultanhani Caravanserai, a roadside inn where travelers could rest Overnight in Cappadocia in a cave hotel. Day 6: Cappadocia Tour Cave Hotel with Breakfast See the Three Sisters Fairy Chimneys in Urgup. Then, visit Kaymakli Underground City. Visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum Continue to Uchisar Rock Castle to have a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia. Spend the night in a traditional Cappadocia cave hotel. This day includes an optional hot air ballooning experience during sunrise. Day 7: Full-Day Cappadocia Tour - Istanbul with Breakfast In the morning, admire the lunar landscape of the Devrent Valley. Stop at Avanos, the center of terra cotta works of art since 3000 BC, and enjoy a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop. Transfer to the airport for your domestic flight from Kayseri to Istanbul and then head to your hotel for an overnight stay. Day 8: Home with Breakfast After breakfast check out from the hotel and relax with a private transfer to the airport. Depends upon flights/hotel availabilities, reverse (Istanbul-Capp.-Pamukkale-Ephesus-Izmir-Istanbul) can be organized.

From Kusadasi: Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary Guided Tour

10. From Kusadasi: Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary Guided Tour

Ephesus is one of the most significant ancient cities in Turkey and is located near the modern city of Selcuk, which is approximately 19 km away from Kusadasi. A guided tour of Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary from Kusadasi offers visitors an excellent opportunity to explore the rich historical heritage of this ancient city, and the religious significance of the House of Virgin Mary. Ephesus was established in the 10th century BC, and it was one of the most important cities in the ancient world for centuries. In the Roman period, it was the second-largest city in the empire after Rome itself. It was an important center of trade, culture, and religion, and many notable figures from history have walked its streets, including Julius Ceasar, Cleopatra, and St. Paul. The guided tour of Ephesus offers visitors a chance to explore the most remarkable highlights of the city, including the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Artemis, the Great Theatre, and the House of Love. Visitors will have the opportunity to admire the magnificent architecture of these ancient structures, and learn about Ephesus' history and culture from an expert guide. The guided tour also includes a visit to the House of Virgin Mary, which is located only a few kilometers away from Ephesus. The House is believed to be the place where the Virgin Mary spent her final days, and it has become a significant pilgrimage site for Christians from all over the world. The House of Virgin Mary guided tour offers visitors an opportunity to explore the peaceful and serene surroundings of the House, and to learn about the history and significance of this religious site. Visitors will also have the chance to attend a mass if they wish, and to light a candle in memory of loved ones. Finally, the guided tour comes to an end with a visit to the Temple of Artemis, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Although only a few ruins remain today, visitors can still imagine the grandeur of this ancient temple, which was dedicated to the goddess of hunt and wild animals. In conclusion, the Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary guided Tour from Kusadasi offers visitors an exciting opportunity to explore the ancient history and religious significance of these important historical sites. With an expert guide to lead the way, visitors can enjoy learning about the past while exploring these remarkable sites.

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What people are saying about Selcuk

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 210 reviews

Super recommend! 10/10 Really Amazing. Everything was planned really well and coordinated perfectly. We had so much fun and learned a huge amount of knowlege of Ephesus and Pamukkale - Thanks to Emray. Our Amazing tour guide!!

Well organised tour. Lunch was included and it was very nice. Both the driver and tour guide were good. The tour guide gave a lot of information which was great

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

Very good guide ! Volkan is very knowledgeable person and very pleasant to be around . Ephesus is a must see experience

Very knowledgeable guide and overall a nice experience. Ride was comfortable and the meal enjoyable.