Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary day trip from Marmaris

Two ancient sites in one day: the Roman city and the chapel where Mary spent her final years

A 12-hour day trip from Marmaris to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary, with a professional English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, breakfast, lunch and all entrance fees. The itinerary moves from the chapel at Meryemana to the preserved Roman ruins of the ancient city, where you walk through theaters, temples and streets that date back two millennia.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. House of the Virgin Mary2h
2. Ephesus4h

Visit Ephesus and Virgin Mary House

• Stop for breakfast
• Explore Ancient City of Ephesus
• Visit House of Virgin Mary
• Have lunch

The experience

You get picked up from your Marmaris or Icmeler hotel in the early morning and travel to the House of the Virgin Mary first, a small chapel built on the site where some believe Jesus' mother spent her last days. The guide walks you through the chapel and its grounds. The stop is brief but central to the day's arc. After that comes the main event: the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Roman sites in the Mediterranean. You spend several hours here with your guide, moving through the Library of Celsus, the Grand Theater, the Temple of Hadrian and the streets where merchants once sold goods to crowds of thousands. The scale of it (the engineering, the detail carved into stone) becomes clear only when you stand inside it.

Breakfast happens early, before the sites open. Lunch is included partway through the day and gives you a chance to sit down after hours of walking. The tour runs 12 hours total, which means an early start and a late return to your hotel, but it also means you see both sites without rushing through either one. A professional guide in English narrates the history and points out details you'd miss alone. The exact travel time depends on traffic and the time of day, so the schedule can shift, but the sites themselves and the meals are fixed.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Marmaris or Icmeler.
• breakfast and lunch.
• entrance fees to both Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary.
• professional English-speaking guide throughout the day.

Before you book

Lasts 12h, from US$ 57 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesNext departure: 31 Oct 2027

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 24

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 46

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tourmania

Is this one for you?The 12-hour commitment means an early start and a late return, so this tour works best if your day is otherwise free. It doesn't leave room for other activities in Marmaris. If you want to see both sites without splitting them across two days, the full duration is what makes that possible.

Traveler reviews

4.60★★★★★★★★★★

5 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

How much walking is involved at Ephesus?

Ephesus covers a large area and the tour moves through multiple buildings and outdoor sections, so you'll be on your feet for several hours. The site has uneven ground and some steep sections, so a moderate level of physical fitness is needed to complete the full tour comfortably.

What is the House of the Virgin Mary like?

The House of the Virgin Mary is a small chapel at Meryemana, built on the spot where tradition holds that Mary spent her final years. The visit includes the chapel interior and the surrounding grounds. It's a quieter, more intimate stop compared to the sprawling ruins of Ephesus.

Does the tour include time to shop or explore on my own?

The guide leads you through both sites and explains the history as you go. The itinerary is structured around the main attractions and the included meals, so independent exploration time is limited, but you're not confined to a single spot. You move through the ruins and grounds with the group.

What's included in breakfast and lunch?

Breakfast and lunch are both included in the tour price. The specific menu isn't detailed in the tour description, but both meals are provided as part of the 12-hour day, so you won't need to budget separately for food.

Is there time to visit both Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary in one day?

Yes, both sites fit into the 12-hour tour. The House of the Virgin Mary is visited first, then you spend the majority of the day at Ephesus. The schedule is designed to see both without excessive rushing, though the full day does mean an early pickup and late return.