SKIP-THE-LINE EPHESUS and MARY'S HOUSE TOUR for Cruisers
Description
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 (can be changed to BASILICA OF ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE MARY 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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
At the exit of the cruise port, you will be welcomed by your professional licensed local tour guide who will be with you during your private tour and tell you every point of the ruins you will visit. We advise you to meet our team 30/45 minutes after your ship docked to the port.
The House of the Virgin Mary is believed to be the place where the mother of Jesus Christ spent her final years. The shrine has been visited by several Popes over the decades—Pope Paul VI in 1967, Pope John Paul II in 1979, and Pope Benedict XVI in 2006. During their visits, they offered various gifts and blessings to the site, many of which are still on display for visitors today.
Visit the UNESCO-listed Ancient City of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world. Highlights include the Odeon, where musical performances were once held; the Temple of Domitian, one of the earliest temples dedicated to a Roman emperor; and the iconic Celsus Library, the third-largest library of the ancient world. You will also explore the magnificent Great Theatre, seating 24,000 people, where St. Paul once preached to the Ephesians. Walk along the Marble Street, and discover the Roman Baths, fountains, temples, agora, public toilets, the historic Love House, and many more remarkable structures. For those interested, the Terrace Houses—renowned for their stunning mosaics and frescoes—are available as an optional visit.
The Terrace Houses complex in Ephesus consists of luxurious residential villas, located on the northern slope of Bülbüldağı Hill, next to Curetes Street and opposite the Temple of Hadrian. So far, two housing complexes - Eastern and Western - have been excavated. They were built according to the Hippodamian plan where the roads transect each other at right angles. The excavation work of the Terrace Houses started in 1960. The restoration of the houses is an ongoing process and every year there is something new to admire there.
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 marshy ground was selected for the building site as a precaution against future earthquakes.
You can see Saint John Basilica from a distance when we visit to Artemis temple. It is believed that the Evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. The tomb of St John was under the central dome of the basilica.
You will also have the chance to explore authentic local handicrafts and, if you choose, enjoy a truly genuine shopping experience. Your professional local tour guide will be by your side to offer valuable insights—highlighting the finest traditional crafts, recommending the most reputable places to visit, and providing expert tips to ensure a smooth, enjoyable, and completely hassle-free experience.
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.
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!
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
*****CRUISE PASSENGERS WHO WILL JOIN FROM THE CRUISE PORT***** • 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 busses, and harsh weather conditions, ensuring an enhanced and MORE ENJOYABLE TOUR EXPERIENCE OF EPHESUS. • WHY CHOOSE OUR PRIVATE TOURS OVER THE GROUP TOURS? In Ephesus, every moment counts, especially if it's your only chance to visit. OUR PRIVATE TOURS ensure you savor every bit of this extraordinary experience. Ever been on a group tour where one person's mishap halts the entire group? IN PRIVATE TOURS, your journey remains undisturbed, focused solely on your enjoyment. Flexibility reigns supreme in a PRIVATE TOUR. Your day in EPHESUS isn't bound by someone else's timetable. You dictate the pace, sights, and timeline of your excursion. Large groups often miss the nuanced details of each site due to logistical constraints. In OUR PRIVATE TOUR, delve deeper into the most intriguing facets of EPHESUS. Bid farewell to lagging behind, snapping hurried photos, or missing the guide's insights. In our PRIVATE TOUR, these hassles fade away, granting you a more immersive experience. No more struggling to hear or keep pace in a crowd. Our PRIVATE TOUR caters exclusively to your preferences, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable journey. Long queues for tickets or entry? Not on your watch. Our PRIVATE TOUR GUIDE takes care of all logistics, ensuring swift access to ruins and museums. Your own guide. Say goodbye to sharing with a throng of strangers. In our PRIVATE TOUR, the spotlight is solely on your experience. When it comes to exploring EPHESUS from the CRUISE PORT, our PRIVATE TOURS redefine what it means to truly experience this historical marvel. NOTE: ADDITIONAL FEES APPLY FOR PICK-UPS FROM IZMIR, BODRUM, OR OTHER PORTS THEN KUSADASI.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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!
Reviews(113)
Josh was a great tour guide! He modified the tour to accommodate our kids and the heat, which was very appreciated. He also took us to a few local businesses to see some Turkish rugs and Turkish leather. Great tour!
Obnoxious vendor Changed the time of the tour on us and called us a no-show Viator was unhelpful as well.
A great private tour with Taki our guide and Baski our driver to Ephesus and beyond! A busy day with such great energy and detail. The day flew by. Recommend highly!
Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your kind words. Knowing you had a great experience encourages us to keep delivering unforgettable tours. Best Turkey Tour Team
Canan, our tour guide through Viator, was very informative. Knew a lot of the history of Ephesus, from culture to Christianity and the area.
Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your kind words. Knowing you had a great experience encourages us to keep delivering unforgettable tours. Best Turkey Tour Team
We had a great time with Fatima. She made sure we get to the spots at the best times while avoiding the crowds. we had cruiser with sun princess. the best lunch and tour so far
Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your kind words. Knowing you had a great experience encourages us to keep delivering unforgettable tours. Best Turkey Tour Team
Ozzy was a great tour guide! Enjoyed our tour and had a wonderful time. We learned a lot about the history and culture of the area. Lunch was delicious.
Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your kind words. Knowing you had a great experience encourages us to keep delivering unforgettable tours. Best Turkey Tour Team
One of the best parts of this tour was that it was completely private. I loved the personalized experience, and having our own private vehicle to travel between each destination made the day so comfortable, relaxing, and enjoyable. We had an incredible tour in Kusadasi, and it was one of the highlights of our trip! Bahar was an outstanding guide. She was knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate about sharing the history of each site we visited. We toured Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis, and a silk rug factory. Ephesus was absolutely fascinating, and Bahar brought the ancient city to life with her detailed explanations and interesting stories. It was amazing to learn so much while walking through such well-preserved ruins. The silk rug factory was an unexpected favorite. We watched a live demonstration of how the rugs are made, learned about the silk-making process, and even got to participate in a hands-on demonstration. It was a unique and memorable experience. This tour was phenomenal from start to finish. Bahar made every stop informative and enjoyable. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Kusadasi and it is definitely a 10/10 experience!
Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your kind words. Knowing you had a great experience encourages us to keep delivering unforgettable tours. Best Turkey Tour Team
We had an outstanding guide named Deniz (Dennis). He picked us up on time and was extremely knowledgeable about Ephesus, House of Mary and The Temple of Artemis. We had a great lunch of local fare. We made back to the ship with plenty of time to spare.
Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your kind words. Knowing you had a great experience encourages us to keep delivering unforgettable tours. Best Turkey Tour Team
Cigdem was amazing! She is extremely knowledgeable and provided lots of historical information. She was very personable and welcoming!
Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your kind words. Knowing you had a great experience encourages us to keep delivering unforgettable tours. Best Turkey Tour Team
We had a wonderful and educational time with our tour guide, Fatima. She customized our whole itinerary around what we wanted to do from sightseeing to meals and Turkish coffee and tea. The van ride was comfortable and spacious. Our driver Ahmed was kind and helpful as well. We would recommend Fatima to everyone coming to visit!
Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your kind words. Knowing you had a great experience encourages us to keep delivering unforgettable tours. Best Turkey Tour Team
