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.

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.

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.

Explore a 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 where she spent her final days, as authenticated by Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II. End your day at the Temple of Artemis, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.