Itinerary

• Meet and Greet

Our professional guide will meet you at the Kusadasi Port, holding a sign with your name on it. If you are staying in a hotel, your guide will meet you in the lobby. Then you'll start a short drive to Selcuk town, where all of the sights are located.

• House of Virgin Mary

After 20 minutes drive from Kusadasi you will arrive at the House of Virgin Mary, a holy place located on the top of a hill, about 9 km (5.5 miles) away from Ephesus. According to tradition, this is the place where Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent her final years. It is believed that after the crucifixion of Jesus, Mary was brought to Ephesus by St. John, where she lived in this house until her death. Visitors can see the small room where Mary is believed to have lived, as well as a kitchen and a prayer room. The house is surrounded by beautiful gardens and scenic views of the surrounding hills. Many visitors leave messages and prayers on the walls of the chapel, which has become a tradition.

• Ancient City of Ephesus

Upon arriving at Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world, we will start with the State Agora, the center of the city where the commercial, administrative, and political activities took place. Next, we will visit the Odeon, a small theater for music performances and public assemblies also located near the entrance of Ephesus.

Next, you will walk through Curetes Street, one of the most impressive streets in Ephesus, lined with marble columns and leading to the Library of Celsus. It was named after the priests of Cybele, who were responsible for the cult of the goddess. 

On the way, you will see The Domitian Temple, dedicated to the emperor Domitian, which was one of the most important religious buildings in Ephesus. It was built in the 1st century AD and had a large podium with a Corinthian-style facade. You will also see a famous Hellenistic sculpture depicting the Greek goddess Nike (Victory) standing on the prow of a ship with her wings outstretched, as if she is descending from the heavens to bless the sailors on the ship.

On the way to Celsus Library, you'll visit the Temple of Hadrian, a beautifully preserved temple dedicated to the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Built-in the 2nd century AD, the temple features intricate carvings and decorations that offer a glimpse into the grandeur of the ancient Roman architecture.

Once you reached the Celsus Library, you will have free time in one of the most impressive structures in the ancient world. The library was built in the 2nd century AD and was the third-largest library in the Roman Empire. It housed over 12,000 scrolls and was dedicated to the memory of Celsus, the governor of Asia Minor.

Next, you'll visit the Great Theater, which had a seating capacity of 25,000 people and was used for various events including gladiator fights, theater performances, and political assemblies. It was built in the 3rd century BC and is considered one of the largest and most impressive theaters of the ancient world.

After the theater, you'll end the tour and meet with your vehicle again to visit other sites included in the itinerary.

• Basilica of St. John

After our delicious lunch break, we will have a short drive to The Basilica of St. John, also known as the St. John's Church, is located on Ayasuluk Hill in Selçuk town. It was built by the emperor Justinian I in the 6th century over the believed burial site of St. John, who is said to have spent his last years in Ephesus. The basilica was constructed in the shape of a cross and it was one of the largest churches in the Byzantine Empire. Although the basilica was damaged by earthquakes and attacks over the centuries, some of its impressive features still remain, such as the intricate marble floors, the baptismal font, the frescoes, and the tombs of several saints. The interior of the basilica is adorned with mosaics and frescoes that depict scenes from the Bible and the lives of the saints. 

• Temple of Artemis

Finally, we will drive to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This magnificent temple was dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis and was said to have been the largest temple ever built.

• Drop Off

At the end of the tour, our guide will drop you off at Kusadasi Port, ensuring that you're back in plenty of time for your cruise departure. If you started the tour from a hotel, drop off will be at your hotel again.

Don't miss this chance to experience the best of Ephesus with this highly detailed full-day tour. Contact us today to book your "Legendary Ephesus" full-day tour and start planning your unforgettable adventure in Ephesus ancient city!

Pricelist

 Price Includes                          

• Professional English Speaking Guide
• Private A/C Mercedes Van
• Pick Up and Drop Off
• Parking Fees and All Taxes

 Price Excludes

• Entrance Fees (Tickets are pre-purchased 40$)
• A Delicious Local Lunch (Set Menu 10$)
• Beverages at Lunch
• Pick up from Izmir Port and Izmir Hotels. 

Online Reservation

Book your private tour right now! We will confirm your reservation via email. No pre-payment needed.