Ephesus & the House of the Virgin Mary
Daily tours
Kuşadası & Ephesus
Overview
The most visited day out from Kuşadası, and the one cruise passengers ask for first. Ephesus was the capital of Roman Asia: you walk downhill through it from the upper gate, past the Odeon and along Curetes Street to the façade of the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre.
Before or after, a short drive up Bülbül Mountain brings you to Meryemana, the small stone house venerated by Christians and Muslims as the last home of the Virgin Mary.
Our guides lead the tour in English, Dutch, German, French or Spanish.
The route
- 01
House of the Virgin Mary
A quiet chapel in the pines above Ephesus, visited by three popes. Allow time for the wishing wall and the spring.
- 02
Ephesus: upper city
The Magnesian Gate, the State Agora and the Odeon, where the city council met.
- 03
Curetes Street
The marble main street, lined with fountains, statues and the Temple of Hadrian.
- 04
Library of Celsus
The two-storey façade of the library built in 117–120 AD, the image everyone knows Ephesus by.
- 05
Great Theatre
Some 25,000 seats cut into the hillside, where Paul is said to have preached to the Ephesians.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons · Yair Haklai (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Dosseman (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Ekrem.Ozcan (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Arriving by cruise ship?
Send us your ship’s name and the time it docks and sails. Your guide meets you at the port when you come ashore and brings you back one hour before the ship sails.
Included
- Licensed guide in your language
- Transport with pick-up and drop-off
- Entrance fees to the sites on the programme
Not included
- Lunch and drinks
- Personal expenses
- Tips for guide and driver
Good to know
- If your ship stays in port until after 18:00, we pick you up early in the morning.
- Expect about 3 km on foot over marble and uneven stone: comfortable shoes, a hat and water.
FAQ
Why is there no price on the page?
The price depends on your group size, the guide language and the date. Send your date and number of guests and we reply with a firm price, usually within a few hours.
Can we change the programme?
Yes. The tour is private, for up to 12 guests, so we can shorten a stop, add one or change the order to suit you.
Can I cancel?
Yes, free of charge up to 3 days before the tour. After that the tour cannot be refunded, unless you send us a doctor’s report.
How do I book?
Send a request through the form, call us or write on WhatsApp. We confirm the guide and the pick-up time in writing.
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Kuşadası & Ephesus
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