Ephesus, Basilica of St. John & Turkish Bath Tour from Kusadasi

Summary

Private Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Ancient Ruins & Authentic Hamam

You’ll walk ancient streets in Ephesus, relax in an authentic Turkish bath, taste home-cooked food, and explore sacred ruins—all with a friendly local guide who knows every shortcut and story along the way.

What’s the experience like?

Stepping off the ship at Kusadasi port, I spotted our guide holding up my name on a big sheet—easy to find even in the early morning shuffle. The air had that salty hint you only get near the Aegean, and there was already a gentle buzz from local taxi drivers calling out offers. We set off right away, winding through town before reaching Ephesus. The marble streets felt cool underfoot, and you could almost hear echoes of ancient footsteps as we passed the Library of Celsus—its columns catching the sunlight just right. Our guide, who grew up nearby, pointed out tiny details I’d have missed: like the faint grooves in Marble Street from centuries of wagon wheels.

Lunch was at a family-run spot just outside town—nothing fancy, but the smell of grilled eggplant and fresh bread was honestly hard to resist. After eating, we stopped by a handicrafts cooperative; I watched an older woman knotting carpets so quickly her hands were a blur. No pressure to buy anything, just a chance to see how these crafts are made (and maybe try some strong Turkish tea). Next up: the Temple of Artemis. Not much left standing now except for one lonely column and some scattered stones, but knowing it was once one of the Seven Wonders made it feel special all the same.

The Turkish bath came later in the afternoon—a real local hamam with warm marble slabs and clouds of soap bubbles. My skin felt brand new after the scrub; there’s nothing quite like that first splash of cold water after all that heat. Before heading back to port, we visited the Basilica of St. John. The ruins sit on a hill with views stretching out toward Selçuk; you can see where Justinian’s church once stood over St. John’s tomb. Our guide pointed out carvings on old columns and shared stories about pilgrims who’d come here for centuries.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ephesus and Turkish Bath Tour

• Meet guide at Kusadasi Port
• Visit Ancient City of Ephesus
• Lunch and visit Turkish handicrafts cooperative
• Visit Temple of Artemis
• Enjoy Turkish bath with sauna and scrub
• Visit Basilica of St. John

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

Yes, most areas are wheelchair accessible and transport is adapted for strollers or prams too.

How long does the Turkish bath experience last?

The full hamam session—including sauna, scrub, and foam massage—takes about 30 minutes.

Will we have time to shop or buy souvenirs?

There’s no obligation to buy anything at stops like the handicrafts cooperative, but you’ll have time if something catches your eye.

Are entrance tickets included?

Skip-the-line entrance tickets are available as an option when booking your tour.

What’s included

Your own expert local guide from start to finish; private transport with pickup and drop-off at Kusadasi port; traditional Turkish lunch; entrance fees (optional skip-the-line); full Turkish bath experience with sauna and soap massage; visits to Ephesus ruins, Temple of Artemis, Basilica of St. John; stops at local handicraft workshops; all taxes and parking fees covered; guaranteed on-time return to your ship.