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Selcuk Small group activities

Our most recommended Selcuk Small group activities

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

1. 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.

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.

From Kusadasi: Highlights of Ephesus - Small Group Tour

3. From Kusadasi: 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 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.

Ruins of Ephesus & The Temple of Artemis Small Group Tour

4. 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.

Full-Day Tour of Ancient Ruins in Ephesus from Izmir

5. Full-Day Tour of Ancient Ruins in Ephesus from Izmir

This full-day tour from Izmir, takes you to Ephesus in Selçuk to explore Turkey’s best preserved ruins from the ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine civilizations. Visit the most important ruins in Ephesus, including the Temple of Artemis, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World before it was destroyed in 401 AD. You will also see the Library of Celsus, built to hold 12,000 scrolls and at its time one of the largest libraries in the world. The nearby Great Theater, which was the largest outdoor theater in the world, was designed to hold 24,000 people – even its ruins are huge. After enjoying a lunch of traditional Turkish cuisine, you will travel to the House of the Virgin Mary on Bulbul Mountain, where archeologists and historians believe the mother of Jesus lived at the end of her life.

From Kusadasi and Selcuk: Guided Pamukkale Tour

6. From Kusadasi and Selcuk: Guided Pamukkale Tour

After pick up, have a 3 hours long drive with a break on the midway through breathtaking views of Meander Valley, mountains, farming lands, fruit tree gardens, small towns and villages. First, visit Hierapolis. The Necropolis (cemetery) of Hierapolis is one of the biggest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia with 1,200 graves, Roman Bath, Domitian Gate, the Main Street, and Byzantian Gate. Then you take a short walk over to the natural warm water terraces which were formed by running warm water that contains high levels of calcium. A swim in the effervescent waters of the Sacred Pool should be at the top of the list on any travel itinerary. In addition to a high level of natural radioactivity, the water contains calcium bicarbonate, calcium sulfate, magnesium and carbon dioxide and after a swim, you should simply dry off and let the minerals do their magic. You will be given enough free time to be on your own pace as well to get a better feeling of the site of Pamukkale. In the late afternoon 3 hours drive back to Kusadasi and return to your hotel or point of your departure.

From Istanbul: 1-Day Ephesus Tour with Virgin Mary House

7. From Istanbul: 1-Day Ephesus Tour with Virgin Mary House

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.

From Istanbul: Cappadocia, Ephesus, & Pamukkale Private Tour

8. From Istanbul: Cappadocia, Ephesus, & Pamukkale Private Tour

See Istanbul, Cappadocia, Izmir, Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Hierapolis. Enjoy pre-selected hotels, with breakfast and lunch included. Choose your own spot for supper and explore a bit on your own. Day 1: Istanbul To Cappadocia by Plane; Full-Day Tour of Southern CappadociaEnjoy pick-up from your hotel to the airport for a one-hour flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival at Cappadocia, meet your guide at the airport who will have your name on a sign. Relax while your guide transfers you to the tour office in Goreme. Next, depart for a full-day tour of Southern Cappadocia. See Pidgeon Valley, the Underground City of Kaymakli, the continue along the countryside to the Kızılcukur Valley. Visit Selime Monastery before returning to your hotel.  Day 2: Cappadocia To Izmir; North TourBe picked up from your hotel after breakfast and depart for a full-day exploration of North Cappadocia. Visit Goreme Open Air Museum, Cavusin Vallage, Monsk Valley, Devrent, and the towns of Urgup, Ortahisar and Avanos. Return to your hotel in Cappadocia before leaving for your transfer to the airport for the flight to Izmir. Upon arrival in Izmir, you will be met at the airport once again with your name and you will be delivered to the next hotel in Kusadası. Day 3: Full-day Ephesus TourLeave your hotel after breakfast and depart for Ephesus. See the Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World. Visit the biggest amphitheater and the Celsius Library. Tour around ruins left from the ancient city, and see the House of the Virgin Mary, thought to be her last dwelling. At the end of the tour enjoy a transfer back to the hotel. Relax and explore Kusadasi at your own pace with free time in the evening. Day 4: Tour of Pamukkale and The Ancient City of Hierapolis; Flight Back To IstanbulBe picked up from your hotel after breakfast and depart for a full-day Pamukkale and Hierapolis tour. Visit the Old Gates, the cemetery, and the theatre of Hierapolis (part of the James Bond film shoot).  Take in the waterfall known as Travertines, and swim in the calcified pools made famous by Cleopatra. At the end of the tour sit back as you are delivered to the airport for a short flight back to Istanbul.

5 Day Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus Private Tour

9. 5 Day Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus Private Tour

Day 1 Meet your driver at the hotel reception for an Istanbul airport transfer to catch your flight to Cappadocia. Upon your arrival to Cappadocia, be welcomed by a representative with a sign bearing your name. Next, be transferred to the tour office. Join a private North Cappadocia day tour. Visit iconic landmarks like Uchisar Castle Viewpoint and Goreme Open Air Museum. See a pottery demonstration and have a traditional lunch in Avanos. Conitnue to Red River, Devrent Valley, Pasabag (Monks Valley), and a traditional carpet weaving school. As the tour wraps up at around 5 PM, be escorted to your hotel. Spend the night in Cappadocia. Day 2 Start your day with breakfast at your hotel. Meet your guide and leave from the hotel for a private South Cappadocia day tour. Enjoy Goreme Panorama, hiking in the Red Valley, Old Greek Cavusin Village, Love Valley, a traditional lunch, Kaymaklı Underground City, Onyx demonstration, and Pigeon Valley. Spend the night in Cappadocia. Day 3 After a hotel pick-up at around 08:00 AM, head to Pamukkale by visiting Sultan Han Caravansarai and Konya Mevlana Museum. Spend the night in Pamukkale. Day 4 Have a hearty breakfast and check out from the hotel. Head out with your guide for a private Pamukkale day tour. Explore Pamukkale White Travertines, the ruins of Hierapolis Old Roman Antique City (Necropol, Antique Theatre, Apollo Temple). At the end of to tour, transfer to Kusadasi. Spend the night in Kusadasi. Day 5 Checkout from the hotel after breakfast. Leave for another private day tour of Ephesus. Visit Ephesus Ancient Greek, Roman City (Celsus Library, Temple of Hadrian, Open - Air Theatre and the other ruins), Virgin Mary House, St. John Basilica, Isa Bey Mosque, and Artemis Temple. Conclude the tour at 05:00 PM and transfer to the airport for your flight back to Istanbul. Upon your arrival to Istanbul, be dropped off at your hotel.

Ephesus: Full-Day Tour from Kusadasi or Izmir

10. Ephesus: Full-Day Tour from Kusadasi or Izmir

You’ll meet your professional guide and head out on the drive to Ephesus-Selcuk. Ephesus is considered one of the most spectacular open-air museums in the world, and certainly a highlight of any visit to Turkey. During this guided full-day tour, the ancient city will come alive as you walk through the 2,000-year-old marble streets. Admire the Library of Celsius, Hadrian's Temple, the Fountains of Trajan, the temples of Hadrian and Domitian, and more. See the great theater that had a seating capacity of 24,000 spectators. Visit the terrace houses, located on the slopes of Bulbul Mountain, opposite the Hadrian Temple. The terrace houses were residences of the wealthy, and featured beautiful frescoes and mosaics in their interiors. After visiting the Ephesus ruins, you’ll continue on to the House of the 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. Your final visit will be to 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 Istanbul in size.

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What people are saying about Selcuk

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 2 reviews

We were picked up at the hotel on time. At Selcuk we were joined by our Guide Nizam who was very friendly from the word go. He had good knowledge about the places we visited and always made us comfortable. he was also very witty . We started off with visiting House of virgin Mary, then Ephesus and also visited silk weaving and carpet making factory, a leather factory and also some local wine tasting to top it all.

The tour guide Nizam was excellent and so was our driver. The pick up was exactly on time and everything was very well arranged. I highly recommend this tour company and the trip to Ephesus!

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

Hotel pick up on time, we’ll organised transport transfers, great guide, small group, excellent places visited including many more that just Ephesus. 10/10.

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