BEST SELLER EPHESUS PRIVATE TOUR: Mary's House and Ephesus Ruins

Experience the best-selling Ephesus tour with skip-the-line access. Explore the UNESCO-listed Ancient City with a private guide, visit iconic sites, and indulge in a personalized experience.

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Kusadasi - IMPORTANT INFORMATION

GROUP TOURS follow a fixed schedule, and you have to pay all ENTRY FEES IN ADVANCE, whether you are interested in the sites or not. Why pay for a place you don’t want to visit and feel obliged to go just because you paid for it?
The reason entry fees are not included in our PRIVATE TOURS is to provide you with more flexibility. When we meet in the morning, we ask about your interests and the places you want to visit, and we tailor the itinerary accordingly. This way, you only pay entry fees for the places that genuinely interest you.

With our PRIVATE TOURS, you have complete control and visit only the places you want to see.

Would you prefer to spend your day WAITING FOR OTHER FELLOW TRAVELERS and STICKING TO A FIXED ITINERARY on a group tour, or ENJOY A PRIVATE TOUR CUSTOMIZED JUST FOR YOUR FAMILY? The choice is yours!

  • Kusadasi - We meet you at the Cruise Port! Our team will be waiting next to Information Desk at the Exit Gate of Cruise Port by holding a sign which is your name written on it.
    After booking this tour, please contact our team to agree on your meeting time. There are several Cruise Ships with different timings. So, you might decide about the best meeting time which is fitting your schedule.
  • Ancient City of Ephesus - Ephesus Ruins is the largest open-air museum of Turkey which is dated to the Greek and Roman periods. Inside the Ruins of Ephesus, we explore Senate Building, Ancient Hospital, Domitian Temple, Nike Statue, Hercules Gate, Trajan Fountain, Hadrian Temple, Celsus Library, Grand Theatre of Ephesus and many more…
  • Ephesus Terrace Houses - Terrace Houses were the houses of rich & upper class people in Ephesus City have been lived, famed with gorgeous mosaics, frescoes and wall paintings. One of the best preserved site in the Ephesus in which archeological works still continue.
  • Meryemana (The Virgin Mary’s House) - The House of Virgin Mary is one of the pilgrimage centres of Christians where the Mary came to Ephesus with John the Apostle and lived her last 10 years.
    Pope Paul VI visited the shrine in 1967, and ‘unofficially’ confirmed its authenticity. Pope John Paul II also visited the shrine in 1979. Pope Benedict XVI visited this shrine in 2006.
    Whether or not she died in Ephesus was not known until Anne Catherine Emmerich’s vision. A disabled German nun who had never been to Ephesus, had a vision of the House of the Virgin Mary and described it in detail to the German writer Clemens Brentano who later published a book about it. Catherine Emmerich died in 1884. In 1891 Paul, Superior of the Lazarists from Izmir read about her visions and found a little building which corresponded with Emmerich’s descriptions. Then, the archeological works started which allows us to visit Mary’s House and see the result today!
  • The Temple of Artemis - Artemis was the Greek goddess, the virginal huntress and twin of Apollo, who replaced the Titan Selene as Goddess of the Moon.

The ancient temple was built around 650 BC to the cult of Artemis, was constructed on a site already sacred to the Anatolian Mother Goddess, Cybele. The temple was financed by the wealthy king of Lydia and the marshy ground was selected for the building site as a precaution against future earthquakes.

During the time, it has been destroyed and collapsed many times due to the natural disasters.

  • The Basilica of Saint John - You can see Saint John Basilica from a distance when we are in the Temple of Artemis. It is believed that the Evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the in & around Ephesus and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. The tomb of St John was under the central dome of the Basilica.
  • Kusadasi Shopping Center - You are able to see local handicrafts and experience local shopping if preferred. You will be also able to collect informations from your Local Tour Guide about: best traditional handicrafts, best places to go, things to be carrefull, and best tips for hassle free experience…
  • Kusadasi Castle - Also called Pigeon Island! One of the earliest settlements of modern Kusadasi. We will pass by and have an opportunity of seeing it in a distance. It is located very close to the Port, you might be able to have time after your tour if you are interested.
  • Kusadasi - We will drive through the Kusadasi Town and will have a panoramic view while listening the key informations from our Local Tour Guide.
  • Kusadasi - At the end of our tour, we will return to the Cruise Port.
    PLEASE NOTE THAT: There are several Ships with different arrival and departure times. We carefully check all the timings, confirm with the passengers, and coordinate the return time.

OUR TOURS ARE WITH GUARANTEED ON-TIME RETURN TO THE BOAT!

What's Included
  • Cruise Port/Hotel Pick-up & Drop-Off
  • Transportation with A/C Minivans with separate Driver
  • GUARANTEED ON-TIME RETURN FOR CRUISE PASSENGERS
  • Professional LICENSED LOCAL TOUR GUIDE
  • PRIVATE TOUR that ensures more personalized service
What's Not Included
  • Museum Tickets (we will send pre-purchased tickets with guide, you can pay as cash to your guide)
Additional Information

PRIVATE EPHESUS TOUR FOR YOUR PARTY ONLY!

Embark on a PRIVATE TOUR through Ephesus with a seasoned LOCAL GUIDE. Explore the UNESCO-listed Ancient City, retracing the footsteps of Apostle Paul and John. Stand where St. Paul preached at the Grand Theatre, capture iconic moments at Celsus Library, uncover the wonders of the Temple of Hadrian, and more.

Marvel at the opulent TERRACE HOUSES OF ANCIENT EPHESUS, showcasing Roman-era luxury with stunning mosaics and frescoes. Experience tranquility at the House of Virgen Mary (can be changed to BASILICA OF ST.JOHN THE APOSTLE upon request), a significant Biblical site. Your expert guide will offer tons of informations, and photography tips, ensuring you capture the essence of each site.

This personalized PRIVATE TOUR caters exclusively to your PARTY, ensuring an intimate experience. Upon request, indulge in a LOCAL LUNCH to complete your day of exploration. Uncover the beauty of Ephesus in a PRIVATE TOUR, tailored to your preferences.

  • UPON YOUR SHIP’S ARRIVAL AT THE PORT, WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO MEET WITH OUR TEAM WITHIN 30 TO 45 MINUTES. BY DOING SO, YOU CAN BYPASS THE CROWDS, SCHOOL BUSES, AND HARSH WEATHER CONDITIONS, ENSURING AN ENHANCED AND MORE ENJOYABLE TOUR EXPERIENCE OF EPHESUS.
  • OUR PRIVATE TOURS ENSURE GUARANTEED ON-TIME RETURN TO THE CRUISE SHIP.
  • BOOK YOUR PRIVATE TOUR WITH US, VERIFIED PROVIDER OF KUSADASI/EPHESUS CRUISE PORT!
Location
Kusadasi
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(1023 Ratings)
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Y8137ascarmenn
Jul 24, 2024
Royal Carribean - This tour was absolutely amazing. Me and my family got to see so many beautiful sites and got to experience the real Turkish culture. Our tour guide Fatima was so amazing she did great!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Coastal31119247786
Jul 24, 2024
Private tour from Royal Caribbean ship - Fatima was a wonderful tour guide and was very informative. She led the tour with expertise and knowledge. I would definitely recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cristianvo1119mq
Jul 24, 2024
Wonderful Ephesus Tour with incredible guide, highlight of my trip - We had a phenomenal tour with our guide Funda! She was able to adapt the tour to our wishes and gave us an in-depth perspective on the ruins of Ephesus, the house of the Virgin Mary, the art, process, and culture of Turkish rug-makers, and more. She is also an incredibly sweet and easy-going person who made Ephesus a highlight of our trip to Turkey. As someone who tires easily, I found myself engaged and interested all day. If you're planning a trip to the area, she is hands down the best you'll get.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Catherinecj849sq
Jul 24, 2024
Amazing tour with Funda! - Amazing trip! Our tour guide, Funda, was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. She gave us a really good overview of Turkish history and geography, and explained everything in great detail and at a great pace. One of the best tour guides I’ve ever had!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
T4815tvsuej
Jul 24, 2024
Ezgi is the best. - Ezgi is an excellent tour guide. We have three generations, 5 adults 2 kids, Ezgi is very professional, knowledgeable, and caring, we had learned so much and enjoyed trips very much. She is one of the best. We highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alicehl5205gh
Jul 24, 2024
Best time in turkey! - Our tourist guide named Ezgi. She was amazing 🤩 explained everything detail. Super nice. We have a big family together, elder to kids. She took care of everyone. Super amazing time!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Annahi5431dm
Jul 24, 2024
EFS tour with Ezgi - Ezgi was our tour guide and she was great! Very accommodating and took us wherever we wanted to go. She was very patient and waited with us through all the long lines. We also go to all the best places in Kusadasi, Turkey. Highly reccomend if you end up going!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nidhia446
Jul 24, 2024
Good value for money and personalized experience - Our one day Turkey trip (at Kusadasi) was made much better because of our fabulous guide Bugra Can. We were traveling in a group of 12 people. The trip was designed around our needs and requirements. We had two kids under 12 with us, they also had a nice time. We had a whole bus for our group with a designated driver and the awesome guide Bugra. They took us to carpet cooperative Turkmen. We bought carpets and then he took us to see the highlights of Kusadasi. He told us about the places to visit in the AC bus so we don't have to spend too much time in the heat. It is 90 + degree today so that was really helpful as we are not sweating and getting tired out in the heat. We bought skip on the line tickets from the guide (with cash), but if you don't have cash you can buy tickets at the entrance too with card. He took us to a the same carpet place again at the time of lunch. They had not much vegetarian options, but since we ate meat it was good for us. Fresh and local food was delicious and refreshing. We would recommend this trip as good value for money and personalized experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ryanhy1843tw
Jul 24, 2024
Wonderful experience exceeding all expectations - Ezgi is our tour guide and she was very patient and knowledgeable. From start to finish, this tour exceeded all expectations! The seamless organization allowed us to effortlessly access every attraction without any hassle. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable, providing insightful commentary that enriched our experience at every stop. What really stood out was the flexibility offered throughout the tour; we could explore at our own pace yet never felt rushed. It was the perfect balance of efficiency and leisure. Highly recommended for anyone looking to make the most out of their travel time while gaining a deep understanding of the sites visited! The van was remodeled so the air conditioning is perfectly working now!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marymw5572xh
Jul 24, 2024
Kusadasi ephesus tour - Bugra was our guide we were a group of 12 private bus quick tours, and very informative, Bugra was knowledgeable and very patient with our children. Thank you for a great experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
2 Adult
September 2024
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