Private Ephesus Tour with the House of Virgin Mary

Daily departures · Free cancellation · Pay nothing online

Ancient Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis with your own guide and vehicle.

Full day · about 7 hours Private 4 guide languages 4 stops Best seller

5 photos

Overview

This is the tour most of our guests choose, and the one we would give our own friends. Your guide picks you up from your hotel and stays with you all day, so the pace, the stops and the lunch break are yours to decide.

We enter Ephesus from the upper gate and walk downhill through two thousand years of history: the Odeon, the Temple of Hadrian, the public latrines, the two-storey façade of the Library of Celsus and, at the bottom, the 25,000-seat Great Theatre. After lunch in Selçuk we drive up to the House of the Virgin Mary and finish at the Temple of Artemis.

Highlights

Walk Curetes Street from the State Agora down to the Library of Celsus
Stand in the Great Theatre where St Paul preached to the Ephesians
Visit the stone house on Bülbül Mountain where the Virgin Mary is believed to have lived
See the last standing column of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders
Go at your own pace: stop for photos, coffee or the Terrace Houses whenever you like

In your price

Already covered for you

Licensed guide all day

Transport Private air-conditioned vehicle

Entrance fees on the itinerary

Pick-up Hotels in Kuşadası, Selçuk and Şirince

Lunch with soft drinks

Bottled water

No payment online. We confirm availability first.

You just enjoy the day, we take care of the rest.

See all inclusions and exclusions

Route

Ephesus3 hours
Virgin Mary45 min
Artemis20 min
LunchSelçuk

Itinerary

1
08:30

Pick-up from your hotel

Your guide meets you in the lobby. The drive to Ephesus takes 10 to 25 minutes depending on where you stay.
2
09:00

Ancient city of Ephesus

Enter from the Magnesian Gate before the cruise crowds arrive and walk downhill past the State Agora, the Odeon and Curetes Street.
3
10:30

Library of Celsus & Great Theatre

Time for photos at the library façade, then on through the Marble Road to the Great Theatre and the Harbour Street.
4
12:30

Lunch in Selçuk

Home-style Turkish food at a family-run restaurant: meze, grilled meat or fish, and vegetarian dishes on request.
5
14:00

House of the Virgin Mary

A short, quiet visit to the chapel on Bülbül Mountain, the holy spring and the wishing wall.
6
15:15

Temple of Artemis

The site of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, with a view of the Basilica of St John on Ayasuluk Hill.
7
15:45

Return to your hotel

Drop-off at your hotel, or anywhere in Selçuk or Kuşadası you like.

Times are approximate and may shift with traffic, opening hours or your ship's schedule.

What's included

Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Private licensed guide
Private air-conditioned vehicle
Entrance fees to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary
Lunch with soft drinks
Bottled water

Terrace Houses ticket (optional)
Tips for the guide and driver
Personal expenses

Good to know

Pick-up & meeting point: We pick you up from your hotel lobby in Kuşadası, Selçuk or Şirince. Staying elsewhere? Tell us and we will arrange a meeting point.
Start time: Flexible, 08:00–10:00
Guide languages: English, German, Spanish, Russian
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time.

Questions about this tour

How long do we spend inside Ephesus?

Around 2.5 to 3 hours walking the ancient city from the upper (Magnesian) gate down to the Great Theatre, so you see everything without walking back uphill.

What should I wear?

Comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sunscreen. The marble streets are uneven and there is very little shade between May and October. Shoulders and knees should be covered at the House of the Virgin Mary.

Is the tour suitable for children and older travellers?

Yes. The route is downhill and mostly paved. Strollers are possible but bumpy; tell us about any mobility needs and we will adapt the pace.

Can I cancel?

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts. Shore excursions can be cancelled free of charge if your ship skips the port.

Private Ephesus Tour with the House of Virgin Mary

Overview

Highlights

Already covered for you

Route

Itinerary

Pick-up from your hotel

Ancient city of Ephesus

Library of Celsus & Great Theatre

Lunch in Selçuk

House of the Virgin Mary

Temple of Artemis

Return to your hotel

What's included

Good to know

Questions about this tour

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Tell us your dates. We'll plan your Ephesus day.