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.

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.

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.

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 170 ₺/ 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.

Day 1 Arrival to Istanbul (Saturday) Upon arrival at Istanbul greeted and drives to your hotel. C/IN. O/N Istanbul. (No Meal) Day 2 Treasures of Istanbul (Sunday) (09:00 - 15:00) Today you visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar.O/N Istanbul (B-L) Day 3 HD Bosphorus Tour+Flight to Izmir (Monday) (09:00-12:30) Upon breakfast at the hotel c/out. Today you visit Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) and enjoy cruising on Bosphorus.After tour flight to Izmir. C/IN. O/N Kusadasi. (B) Day 4 Ancient Ephesus Tour (Tuesday) (09:00 - 16:00) Today you visit The House of Virgin Mary; where she spent her final days, Ancient Ephesus; The best-preserved classical city in Eastern Mediterranean. and Temple of Artemis O/N Kusadasi. (B-L) Day 5 Pamukkale Tour (Wednesday) (08:00-20:00) Upon breakfast at the hotel c/out, Travel to Pamukkale; Pools of Heaven on Earth… swim in terraces and visit ancient city of Hierapolis. Drive to Fethiye. C/IN. O/N Fethiye (B-L) Day 6 12 Island Boat Tour (Thursday) (10:00 – 17:00) Today, enjoy 12 island boat tour to breath taking bays of Fethiye. Swim, sunbathing on boat. O/N in Fethiye (B-L) Day 7 Travel to Antalya (Friday) According to your public bus departure time, drive you to Fethiye bus station for your 4 hours bus journey to Antalya. Upon arrival greeted and drive you to your hotel. C/IN. O/N in Antalya. (B) Day 8 Antalya City Tour (Saturday) (09:30-16:00) Enjoy stunning view of Mediterranean from cable car ride 'from sea to sky', visit Duden waterfalls and explore the old town (Kaleici). You will see top attractions of the city: Hadrianus Gate, Clock Tower, Kesik Minare (Truncated Minaret).O/N Antalya. (B-L) Day 9 Konya&Cappadocia (Sunday) (08:30-20:00) Upon breakfast at the hotel c/out, visit the museum of 13th century Philosopher Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi. and 700-years-old Caravanserail (ancient traders and travellers on silk road). Drive to Cappadocia. C/IN. O/N Cappadocia (B-L) Day 10 Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia (Monday) (09:30-16:00) Today you visit Goreme Museum, Devrent Valley, Pasabagi, Avano, Goreme Panaroma, Uchisar. O/N Cappadocia (B-L) Optional: Hot Air Balloon Flight Day 11 Underground Cities of Cappadocia / Flight to Istanbul (Tuesday) (09:00-16:00) Upon breakfast at the hotel c/out, Today you visit Rose Valley, Cavusin, Pigeon Valley, Underground Cities, Ortahisar. After tour flight to Istanbul. C/IN. O/N Istanbul. (B-L) Day 12 Departure Day (Wednesday) According to your flight departure time, drives to Istanbul Airport. End of our service. (B)

Arriving to Ephesus & Comfort Break: After breakfast, we will continue our trip to Ephesus. You don’t have to worry about the ride being uncomfortable, because all of our busses are cozy and spacious, and they all have air-conditioning systems. You will also be able to have some refreshments during the trip. Once our lengthy but comfy trip is over, we can start our wonderful visit to the ancient city of Ephesus. Visiting the Ancient City of Ephesus: The visit will last for about two hours, during which you will get to take a walk through the past of one of the greatest ancient civilizations known to mankind. Our guides will tell you numerous stories and legend, as well as some captivating historical facts, as you take a stroll through the well-preserved remains of this great ancient city. Open Buffet Lunch: Once our visit to Ephesus is over, we will have an open buffet lunch in a fancy restaurant nearby. Free Time in Selcuk or Visiting the House of Mary: Once our lunch break is over, you will get some free time in the charming town of Selcuk. During that time, you can relax and have a drink at a local cafeteria, or explore other historical sites, such as: Museums, The Temple of Artemis or The House of Virgin Mary. Our guide will give you detailed information about these unique sites, but ultimately the choice is yours. Arriving Back to Marmaris: We expect to be in Marmaris at approximately 19:00. We will drop you off in front of your hotel so you can rest and unwind.

After pickup from your Istanbul hotel or Airbnb in Istanbul (which can be informed us by you after booking), transfer to the airport and relax during your short flight to Izmir. Upon your arrival at the airport in Izmir, our guide will meet you and drive you to Selcuk, a small town located just a few kilometers from the ancient city of Ephesus. You'll start your tour at the ancient city's main entrance, the Magnesia Gate, and explore the highlights of the site, including the Odeon, the Fountain of Trajan, the Terrace Houses, the Library of Celsus, and the Great Theatre. Our guide will provide you with a wealth of historical and cultural information about the city, its architecture, and its significance in the ancient world. 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 where she spent her final days, as authenticated by Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II. Next stop will be the Temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. Today there are only a series of columns and scattered ruins of this marvelous Hellenistic construction, though the grandeur of the colossal structure once exceeded that of the Parthenon. End of the day you will visit to Isa Bey Mosque, with the order of Aydinogullari Emirate Isa Bey, was built in 1375. It is a nice sample of Seljuk Turkish architecture. It is on the western side of Ayasuluk Hill on which stand the fortress and the church of Saint John. After the tour you will be transfered to Izmir airport to fly back to Istanbul. After arriving transfer to your hotel or Airbnb in Istanbul. End of Service.

Explore the stunning ruins of Ephesus on this full-day sightseeing tour from Izmir or Kusadasi, also available as a half-day option from Kusadasi for those short of time. As it is a private tour you can start at any time you like. You will also visit the small House of the Virgin Mary, where it is thought she spent her final days after St. John brought her to Ephesus following the death of Jesus. Located on Mount Bulbuldagi (Koressos), it’s a popular pilgrim site for Christians and Muslims and boasts a captivating, spiritual atmosphere. Once inside the grounds of Ephesus, wander among the ruins with your guide to see sites such as the Odeon Theatre, which could seat up to 1,400 spectators in its day. Admire the beautiful Roman statues and decorations carved into marble slabs at the Pollio Fountain. Other highlights include the Celcius Library, completed by the Romans in 117AD. The building has the most awe-inspiring façade, with columns, statues, and intact windows. Finally, explore the Greek Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, and go to the Basilica of St John (Kusadasi departures only), constructed by Justinian I over the burial site of the Apostle John.

Fully immerse yourself in Turkish culture with a 7-night tour through Istanbul, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, and Cappadocia. Don’t worry about booking transfers, guides, breakfasts, hotels, or domestic flights as all of this will be taken care of for you.  Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul Arrive at the Istanbul Airport (IST) or SAW Airport where the tour representative will meet you with a name sign and take you 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 and spend the night in Istanbul.  Day 3: Istanbul, Izmir & Kusadasi with Meals Start your day with a flight to Izmir and head to Ephesus. Visit the Artemis Temple before continuing to Ephesus, one of the twelve cities of Ionia. After Ephesus, lunch will be served in a local handicrafts center garden. Go to the House of the Virgin Mary before overnighting in Kusadasi. Day 4: Kusadasi with Meals Drive to Pamukkale to discover the Travertine terraces and the hot springs in Hierapolis. Visit the ancient city of Hierapolis at Pamukkale and stay overnight in Pamukkale. Day 5: Pamukkale to Cappadocia with Breakfast  Drive to Cappadocia to visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, a world-famous mystic, and Sultanhani Caravanseria, a roadside inn where travelers can rest and recover from the day’s journey. Stay overnight in Cappadocia in a cave hotel. Day 6: Cappadocia Tour Cave Hotel with Breakfast Start at the Three Sisters Fairy Chimneys in Urgup. Descend into the Kaymakli Underground City, one of the largest and deepest in Cappadocia. Visit the Goreme Open Air Museum and continue to the Uchisar Rock Castle for a panoramic view of Cappadocia. Spend the night in Cappadocia. Day 7: Full-Day Cappadocia Tour with Breakfast Experience the lunar landscape of Cappadocia in the Devrent Valley. Have lunch in Avanos, the center of terracotta art since 3000 BC, and enjoy a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop. In the afternoon, fly from Kayseri to Istanbul and overnight in Istanbul. Day 8: Istanbul with Breakfast After breakfast, check out from the hotel and enjoy a private transfer to the airport.

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.