From Izmir: Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary Private Tour

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From Izmir

4.836,593 reviews

Discover the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis, and the ancient city of Ephesus on a private tour from Izmir with a professional local guide. Enjoy a comfortable, flexible experience tailored to your interests, with in-depth explanations and plenty of time to explore each site at your own pace.

Highlights

Visit the House of the Virgin Mary

Discover one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites in the world, believed to be the final home of the Virgin Mary. Enjoy a peaceful visit surrounded by nature while learning about its spiritual and historical significance from your professional local guide.

Explore the Ancient City of Ephesus

Walk through one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world and admire iconic landmarks such as the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, and marble-paved streets. Your guide will bring the history of Ephesus to life with engaging stories and detailed explanations.

See the Temple of Artemis

Visit the remains of the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Learn about its impressive past and understand why this sacred site was so important in ancient times.

Private & Flexible Experience

Enjoy a comfortable private tour from Izmir with flexible timing and a personalized pace. Travel in a modern vehicle with a licensed guide who focuses entirely on your group’s interests and comfort.

Popular Times

2 PM:Usually as busy as it gets

6 AM: 0%

7 AM: 0%

8 AM: 16%

9 AM: 36%

10 AM: 56%

11 AM: 67%

12 PM: 81%

1 PM: 90%

2 PM: 94%

3 PM: 87%

4 PM: 71%

5 PM: 44%

6 PM: 0%

7 PM: 0%

8 PM: 0%

9 PM: 0%

10 PM: 0%

11 PM: 0%

What's included

Professional Licensed Guide

Private Air-Conditioned Transportation

Hotel or Port Pickup & Drop-Off

Entrance Tickets (If Selected)

Local Taxes & Parking Fees

Know before you go

The tour includes pickup and drop-off from your hotel or designated meeting point in Izmir.

Please inform us in advance about any mobility concerns or special requests.

Modest clothing is appreciated when visiting the House of the Virgin Mary.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, and water, especially during summer months.

Comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended.

Moderate walking is required inside Ephesus due to uneven marble streets and gentle slopes.

The drive from Izmir to Ephesus takes approximately 1 hour each way.

Opening Hours

Closed Now

Monday8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Tuesday8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Wednesday8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Thursday8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Friday8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Saturday8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Sunday8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Location of Ephesus Ancient City

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Cancellation Policy

Cruise Passenger Cancellation Policy (Port Guarantee)

If your cruise ship is delayed, changes itinerary, or cannot dock, you will receive a full refund (or free reschedule) as long as you notify us as soon as possible. We actively follow ship schedules and always plan the tour to return you to Kuşadası Cruise Port well before departure time.

Standard Cancellation Policy

Change Your Ticket to Another Museum or Modify ticket within 24 before of your scheduled visit

Reviews of Ephesus Ancient City

4.8

(36,593 Google Reviews)

Ari

a month ago

Beautiful and awe-inspiring! A must see if you're into history and archaeology. As of Jan 2026 the amphitheater is undergoing restoration, so its off limits to climb around, but the smaller theater is open. It is absolutely worth it to pass the extra and see the terrace homes. We got the museum card though because we are traveling around Turkiye and while everything is cheap, the museum prices for foreigners are extremely high. The bathroom inside after you enter the southgate is free, the ones outside the gates aren't. This is not a good place for wheelchairs or people with difficulty walking. It can get hot (it was a 65°F sunny day in Jan) so plan your attire accordingly and bring a hat/wear sunscreen. If its summertime, maybe even an umbrella for shade.

Paul

2 months ago

What a truly historic site to visit !! The history here is absolutely amazing and well worth the entrance fee and the lineups. This was one of our favourite sites to visit during our stay in Turkey. Even though we were on a small group tour that didn’t mean we had a private tour or anything. We were one of many smaller tour buses amongst all the larger and plentiful tour buses bringing in all the tourists. Maybe 750-1200 people there at the same time. A bit busy but still very much worth the wait and the crowds. An absolute astonishing site to visit and learn about. Incredible!! I would highly recommend you tour through Ephesus Ancient City if you are ever in Turkey 🇹🇷 Paul and Andrea Canada 🇨🇦

Justin Savoy

3 months ago

WOW is absolutely an understatement for how amazing Ephesus truly is. The entrance fee was 40 euro per person, but it is absolutely worth the price of admission. I had to stop multiple times throughout the city to reflect and realize how exceptionally beautiful Ephesus is. I highly recommend stopping at the cafe. The macarons were delicious. The cafe cats also really enjoyed the smoked Gouda and turkey sandwich haha. The Ephesus museum is also a very nice feature. There is an audio tour available that walks through the history of Ephesus. It is around 20 minutes long, but you may have to wait up to 20 minutes outside of the cafe for the next show to start. There are shops and food options situated conveniently outside of the exit. There are also a wide variety of cats and dogs throughout Ephesus, and all of them are incredibly friendly and well-behaved.

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