SKIP-THE-LINE Private Full Day Tour to Ephesus from Kusadasi Port
Your Ephesus tour from Kusadasi will start with a drive to a scenically beautiful coastal road before reaching the ancient city of Ephesus. The first place you will visit on this exciting tour will be St. Mary’s House. Archaeological evidence shows that the little house dates from the 6th century but that the foundations were from the first century.
Next, you will visit the Ephesus ruins, predominantly from the later Roman period including the Terrace Houses (extra charge) located opposite Hadrian’s Temple. The wealthy and influential people of Ephesus lived in these houses, which are finely decorated with mosaics and frescoes giving a real impression of the ancient lifestyle.
Then, your tour will continue to the ruins of St. John's Basilica. The Basilica had a cruciform plan with four domes along its axis and a pair flanking the central dome to make the arm of the cross. Under the central dome, there is the grave of St John. Lunch is included and will be served at a traditional Turkish restaurant.
Order of the tour may change.
- Private guide for a more personalized experience
- Recharge with a delicious Turkish lunch
- Explore St Johns Basilica, Virgin Mary House and Ephesus
- Scheduling: This is a Private Tour That is Run Exclusively for the Person or Group Who Booked the Tour.
- Languages offered on the Activity / Tour: English, German, French, Italian
- Duration: 8 to 9 hours
- Printed or Mobile Voucher Accepted
- Pick-up servicePick up from Kusadasi Port.
- Easy CancellationYou can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Traditional Lunch
- Parking fees
- Entrance fees
- Roundtrip transportation from Kusadasi Port
- Professional guide
- Other services not mentioned
- Tips and gratuities (optional)
- Personal expenses
- Drinks
Our tour guide will meet you at Kusadasi Port or the lobby of listed hotels with a sign displaying your name at the pre-arranged time. The pick-up time will be provided in your confirmation. For Kusadasi Cruise Terminal, the pick-up time is typically 30 to 45 minutes after your cruise arrives.
Our first stop is the House of the Virgin Mary, located in the Aladag Mountains, about 5 miles from Ephesus. During the third Ecumenical Council in Ephesus in 431 AD, it was claimed that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 AD and lived there until her death in 48 AD. After the house was discovered, the Archbishop of Izmir declared it a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited and prayed there.
Drive to Ephesus, which was renowned in antiquity for its Temple of Artemis and became the greatest city in Asia Minor during the Roman Empire. Your Ephesus excursion will start at the upper Magnesia Gate and continue through the city, ending near the ancient harbor.
Along the way, you'll see the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the Thermal Baths of Scolastika, and the Great Theater, built during the Greek era and reconstructed in the Roman period.
The Great Theater has hosted a wide range of events, from the sermons of Paul to concerts by Sting, thanks to its remarkable acoustics. You will walk along the Arcadian Way, where Mark Antony and Cleopatra once rode in procession. You'll hear stories of Alexander the Great, the Virgin Mary, and many other famous visitors who walked the same marble streets that you are walking today.
Ephesus Terrace Houses located on the slopes of Pion Mountain, the Terrace Houses consist of six residential units built on three man-made terraces. These homes were occupied by wealthy citizens of Ephesus and were lavishly decorated with wall frescoes and floor mosaics.
Please note, there are many steps to ascend from the bottom to the top, so this tour is not recommended for people with walking difficulties or acrophobia (fear of heights).
Traditional Turkish Lunch is included in a local restaurant.
The Basilica of St. John is a significant historical and religious site located in Selçuk, near Ephesus.
- Ruins of the Basilica: Explore the remains of the 6th-century basilica built by Emperor Justinian I. The basilica is believed to be the burial site of St. John the Apostle.
- St. John’s Tomb: Visit the reputed tomb of St. John the Apostle, which is located under the central dome of the basilica.
- Columns and Capitals: Admire the impressive columns and intricately carved capitals that once supported the structure of the basilica.
- Baptistery: See the octagonal baptistery, which was used for early Christian baptisms.
- Frescoes and Mosaics: Observe the remains of ancient frescoes and mosaics that adorned the basilica's interior.
- Fortress of Ayasuluk: Explore the nearby Ayasuluk Fortress, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding area and further insight into the region’s history.
The Temple of Artemis, built in the 6th century BCE. Such was its tremendous size, double the dimensions of other Greek temples including the Parthenon, that it was soon regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Kusadasi Castle, as called Pigeon Island, is located next to port. You can see from your boat or do your own after the tour.
We will drive by Kusadasi Shopping Center, which is just a 5-minute walk from the port. After the tour, you will have free time to explore on your own. Your guide will point out the shopping area before the tour concludes.
We will drive by Caravanserai that is located very closed to port, just 5 minutes walking distance. You will have time to do your own after tour.
We will drive through Kusadasi Town and will have a panoramic view while listening the key informations from our Local Tour Guide.
At the end of our tour, we will return to the Kusadasi Cruise Port in accordance with your onboard time. Please note that multiple ships have different arrival and departure schedules. We meticulously check all timings, confirm them with our passengers, and coordinate our return to the cruise port accordingly. Our tours ensure a guaranteed on-time return to your ship!
- Please apply suncream and wear a hat especially in the summer season
- Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes as there is a lot of walking involved
- This tour is on a fully private basis just for your group
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We booked this tour for our anniversary trip, and it exceeded our expectations. The guide's insights into Ephesus' history were captivating. Skipping the lines was worth every penny, giving us more time to soak in the ancient beauty.
This tour was a highlight of our trip! Our guide was fantastic with the kids, and skipping the line saved us so much time. Ephesus is a must-see, and this tour made it an unforgettable experience.
I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT YOU WILL HAVE AN AMAZING EPHESUS TOUR. Our tour guide answered questions and took photos. I was also quite impressed with how she interacted with all of us touring❤️
We can't recommend this tour enough! Our guide was fantastic, and the kids loved every minute. Skipping the line made our visit hassle-free, allowing us to fully enjoy the wonders of Ephesus. A perfect family day out!
Absolutely amazing Ephesus tour, genuinely once in a lifetime experience.
Beautiful Ephesus tour. I enjoyed every minute of it. thank you!
My Ephesus guide was very patient, informative, helpful, super knowledgable on this walking tour. Made it an interesting & enjoyable learning experience about these wonderful amazing tour.