Ephesus, Basilica of St. John & Virgin Mary's House Tour Kusadasi

Summary

Private Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Ephesus & Sacred Sites

You’ll walk ancient streets in Ephesus, visit sacred sites like Virgin Mary’s House and Basilica of St. John, enjoy real Turkish food, and travel with a local expert who brings every stop to life.

What’s the experience like?

Stepping off the ship in Kusadasi, I spotted our guide right away—holding a sign with my name and grinning like he’d been waiting all morning. The air was already warm and carried this faint salty tang from the sea mixed with the scent of roasting chestnuts from a nearby vendor. We hopped into a comfy minivan (air conditioning was a lifesaver) and set off toward Ephesus, winding past olive groves and sleepy roadside cafés where locals sipped strong tea.

Walking through Ephesus felt surreal—those marble streets have seen centuries come and go. Our guide, Cem, pointed out faded carvings on the Baths of Scholastica that most people just walk past. The Library of Celsus is even more impressive up close; you can still see the Latin inscriptions if you squint in the midday sun. We paused by the Grand Theater—Cem clapped his hands to show how sound carries all the way to the top row. There’s something about standing there that makes history feel close enough to touch.

Lunch was at a small family-run spot outside town—nothing fancy, but the gözleme was fresh off the griddle and they served this tangy ayran that hit just right after walking under the sun. After eating, we visited a Turkish handicrafts cooperative. I watched an older woman knotting silk into carpets; her hands moved so fast it was almost hypnotic. No pressure to buy anything, but I did end up picking out an evil eye bracelet for luck (they say it wards off bad vibes).

The Temple of Artemis is mostly ruins now—a few columns standing against the sky—but imagining what it once looked like gave me chills. Then we made our way up to the Basilica of St. John. The domes are gone but you can still see Justinian’s monogram carved into stone near what used to be the nave. Cem told us stories about St. John’s last days here; I caught myself running my fingers over cool marble as he talked.

Our last stop was Meryem Ana Evi—the House of Virgin Mary—tucked away in pine woods above Ephesus. It’s quiet there; people speak in whispers and light candles along one wall inside. There’s a spring outside where folks fill bottles for blessings—I took a sip just because everyone else did (it tasted cold and clean). On the drive back to Kusadasi port, I realized how much ground we’d covered—and how each place had its own mood and story.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ephesus and Surroundings Tour

• Meet at Kusadasi Cruise Port
• Visit Ancient City of Ephesus
• Lunch and Turkish Handicrafts Visit
• Explore Temple of Artemis
• Visit Basilica of St. John
• Visit House of the Virgin Mary

Top questions

How long does this private tour usually take?

Most guests spend around 6-7 hours on this tour, but you can adjust timing at each site since it’s private and flexible.

Is lunch included? What kind of food do you serve?

Yes, lunch is included! Expect traditional Turkish dishes like gözleme or kebabs at a local restaurant—not touristy at all.

Can we make extra stops or skip some places?

Absolutely—you’re free to spend more or less time anywhere or add quick stops along the way if you want.

Are entrance tickets included?

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

Will our guide stay with us throughout?

Your licensed local guide will be with your group from start to finish—no hand-offs or waiting around for others.

What’s included

Your tour covers private transport in a deluxe vehicle, a licensed local guide who stays with you all day, flexible timing at each site, lunch at a local spot, optional skip-the-line tickets, visits to Ephesus, Basilica of St. John, Temple of Artemis, House of Virgin Mary, plus stops at Turkish handicraft cooperatives—and yes, you’ll get an evil eye bead bracelet as a keepsake!