Ephesus Tour from Izmir: Temple of Artemis & Sirince Village

One day, four ancient sites: Mary's house, a marble city, a wonder of the world, and a village that tastes like wine.

This full-day guided tour from Izmir covers the House of the Virgin Mary, the ruins of Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), and the traditional village of Şirince, with hotel pickup, an air-conditioned bus, a guide, buffet lunch and all entrance fees included. The tour runs 8 to 9 hours and suits all fitness levels. A multi-lingual guide may lead the group, and vegetarian meals are available on request.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. House of the Virgin Mary1h · entry included
2. Temple of Artemis30m · entry included
3. Ephesus3h · entry included
4. Sirince2h · entry included

Ephesus, Temple, and Sirince Village Tour

• Pick up from Izmir or Kusadasi
• Visit House of the Virgin Mary
• Drive to Temple of Artemis
• Explore Temple of Artemis and take photos
• Tour ancient city of Ephesus with guide
• Free time and wine tasting in Sirince village

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Izmir hotel or Kuşadası accommodation at 7:30 am, then moves to the House of the Virgin Mary in Selçuk. A site where Mary is believed to have spent her final years after traveling with Saint John. The visit takes about 45 minutes, and the Pope visited in 1967, making it a formal shrine of the Roman Catholic Church since 1986. A short drive follows to Ephesus itself.

Ephesus is where you spend two hours walking the marble streets with your guide, moving through the Odeon, the Temple of Hadrian, the Bouleterion, the Bath of Scholastica, and the Library of Celsus: one of the largest buildings in the ancient world. The Great Theater comes next, where Paul likely preached during his time in the city. If you want to see the Terrace Houses (the so-called brothel), that's an optional add-on you arrange with your guide beforehand. Between the sites, you'll pass the Curetes Street and the Marble Road, both lined with the remains of shops and homes. Lunch is a buffet served partway through the day.

After Ephesus, the tour moves to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of antiquity: now mostly foundation and a single standing column, but the angle lets you photograph the Church of St. John and the Mosque of Isa Bey nearby. The final stop is Şirince, a hillside village 7 km away that was home to Byzantine Greeks until the 1920s population exchange. You'll have free time to walk the narrow streets, see the traditional stone houses, and taste the local fruit-flavored wines the village is known for. The bus returns you to Izmir by late afternoon.

What’s included

• Hotel or airport pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned bus.
• entrance fees to the House of the Virgin Mary, Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis, and Şirince.
• a live English-speaking guide.
• buffet lunch.
• and parking fees.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private Ephesus TourGuide in English · 5 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 09:30Private tour, includes pickup

Excursion to Ephesus, Temple of Artemis and Sirince Village, departing from IzmirGuide in English · 07:30Small group tour, pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 09:30

Book up to9h before

AgesAdult (9 to 90 years) · Child (8 years) · Infant (under 8): free

GroupUp to 45

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Apasas travel

Is this one for you?Choose the shared tour if you're comfortable in a group and want the full day at a set pace with a guide handling all the stops and timing. Pick the private option if you travel with family or friends and want flexibility to linger at any site or adjust the schedule: both versions follow the same route and include the same sites, so the difference is group size and how much control you have over the day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 years); Infant (under 8): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long does the tour take and when does it start?

The tour runs 8 to 9 hours total. Pickup from your Izmir hotel begins at 7:30 am if you're staying in Kuşadası, or from your Izmir hotel at the agreed time, with the group meeting in Selçuk before the House of the Virgin Mary visit.

What exactly is the Library of Celsus and why is it a highlight?

The Library of Celsus is one of the largest and best-preserved buildings from the Roman city of Ephesus, built in the 2nd century AD as a monumental tomb and library. It stands three stories tall with a grand facade, and you'll see it during the two-hour walking tour of the ruins.

What is the Temple of Artemis and why does it matter?

The Temple of Artemis is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, though today only a single column and foundation stones remain. It was one of the largest buildings of antiquity, and the tour includes a stop there with photo opportunities of nearby St. John's Church and the Mosque of Isa Bey.

Is lunch included, and what if I'm vegetarian?

Yes, buffet lunch is included in the tour price. Vegetarian options are available. Just let the operator know when you book.

Can I skip the Terrace Houses or add them to the tour?

The Terrace Houses (the ancient residential buildings sometimes called the brothel) are optional and cost an extra 25 Turkish lira per person. Tell your guide before the tour if you want to visit them.

What happens in Şirince at the end of the day?

Şirince is a traditional village on the hills above Ephesus, known for its old stone houses and fruit-flavored wine production. You'll have free time to walk around, shop, and taste the local wines before the bus returns you to Izmir.