Ephesus Ancient City Tour from Izmir: Private Guide & Lunch

Temple of Artemis, Library of Celsus, and a carpet-weaving village — all in one morning from Izmir

A private 7-hour Ephesus tour from Izmir includes pickup from your hotel, port or airport, a professional guide in English, Spanish or German, lunch at a local restaurant, and stops at the Temple of Artemis, Library of Celsus, House of the Virgin Mary and a traditional carpet-weaving workshop. The guide shapes the pace and can skip the Virgin Mary House if you prefer. Transportation, parking and all entry fees are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ephesus and local culture

• Depart from Izmir city center
• Visit ancient city of Ephesus
• See Temple of Artemis ruins
• Tour House of the Virgin Mary
• Enjoy lunch at local restaurant
• Stop for Turkish tea and sweets
• Visit traditional carpet-weaving village
• Return to Izmir

The Experience

The tour departs from Izmir city center and heads to Ephesus, an ancient Greek and Roman city near Selçuk that once ranked among the world's most important. Your private guide meets you at pickup and stays with you for the full seven hours, controlling the rhythm of each stop instead of moving with a fixed group schedule. The Temple of Artemis — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — stands as fragments now, but the guide walks you through what those columns and sculptures meant in the ancient era. The Library of Celsus, with its grand facade and tiered chambers, anchors the archaeological heart of the site.

Lunch happens at a local restaurant midway through the day, and the itinerary also weaves in a visit to a traditional carpet-weaving village where you watch the craft firsthand, plus stops for Turkish tea and local sweets. The House of the Virgin Mary, a stone sanctuary on Mount Koressos believed to be the final home of Mary, mother of Jesus, is on the route but you can cancel it during the tour if the day feels full. All entry fees, parking and transportation between Izmir and Ephesus are covered; you only arrange the pickup point — your hotel name and address, or your port or airport terminal.

The drive back to Izmir closes the loop. A seven-hour commitment means you leave early and return by early afternoon, which works for port days or a morning departure from your hotel. Infants can ride in a pram or specialized seat; the tour suits all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

• Private transportation with pickup from your hotel, port or airport.
• a professional guide in English, Spanish or German.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• entry to Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis.
• parking fees.
• Turkish tea and local sweets at designated stops.
• a visit to a traditional carpet-weaving village.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availableNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Palladion Tour

Is this one for you?The seven-hour commitment means an early start and return by early afternoon, which fits a port day or a morning departure from your hotel. A private guide and driver let you linger at sites that hold your attention and move past others without waiting for a group to gather, so the pace stays yours instead of locked to a schedule.

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Top questions

What is the Temple of Artemis like when I get there?

The Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, survives today as fragments and ruins. Your guide explains the scale and artistry of the original structure — the marble columns, sculptures and sanctuary that made it one of antiquity's most celebrated buildings — so you understand what stood there even though only pieces remain.

Does the tour include entry to all the archaeological sites?

Yes. All entry fees to Ephesus and its major sites, including the Temple of Artemis and Library of Celsus, are included in the price. Parking fees are also covered, so there are no surprises at the gates.

Can I skip the House of the Virgin Mary if I don't want to visit it?

Yes. The House of the Virgin Mary is on the itinerary, but you can cancel that stop during the tour if you prefer to spend more time elsewhere or if the day feels full.

What time does the tour start and end?

The tour runs for seven hours total, departing from Izmir city center in the morning. Your guide and driver pick you up at your hotel, port or airport, so the exact start time depends on your location and when you confirm pickup.

Is lunch included, and where do we eat?

Yes, lunch is included at a local restaurant during the tour. The meal is part of the itinerary and gives you a break midway through the day to experience Turkish food and hospitality.

What languages does the guide speak?

Your guide speaks English, Spanish or German. You choose the language when you book, and the same guide stays with your group for the entire seven hours.