Ephesus Day Tour from Izmir: Four Ancient Sites with Guide

Four ancient sites in one day: the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, and a lone pillar from one of the Seven Wonders

A small-group day tour from Izmir to Selcuk visits Ephesus Ruins, Temple of Artemis, Isa Bey Mosque and House of the Virgin Mary with a professional local guide, lunch and air-conditioned transport. The tour covers the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, the ancient theater, and the reconstructed pillar that remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. House of the Virgin Mary30m · entry included
2. Library of Celsus20m · entry included
3. Temple of Hadrian at Ephesus10m · entry included
4. Isa Bey Mosque15m · entry included
5. Temple of Artemis15m · entry included

Explore Ephesus and Selcuk sites

• Visit House of the Virgin Mary
• Tour Ephesus ruins
• See Odeon theater
• Explore Library of Celsus
• Visit Temple of Hadrian
• See Great Theater of Ephesus
• Visit Isabey Mosque
• Explore Temple of Artemis
• Return transfer to Izmir

The experience

You're picked up from your Izmir hotel or port and driven to Selcuk, an area so layered with history that a single day barely scratches the surface. The tour opens at the House of the Virgin Mary, where according to Catholic and Orthodox tradition, Mary spent her final years after arriving with St. John around 37 CE. From there, you move into Ephesus itself: the best-preserved classical city on the Mediterranean and once a thriving trading center. Your guide walks you through the ruins on foot, pointing out the Library of Celsus with its restored facade and the replica statues of the Four Virtues carved into its niches, the Temple of Hadrian built in the 2nd century to honor the emperor's visit, and the vast marble theater that once held 24,000 spectators.

The Temple of Artemis stands apart: in an open field west of the city center, a single reconstructed column is all that remains of a structure that once counted 127 columns and ranked among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Isa Bey Mosque, built in 1375 during the transitional period when Selcuk was the capital of the Aydin Emirate, shows the architectural shift between Seljuk and Ottoman styles. Lunch is included partway through the day, and the air-conditioned vehicle means you're not walking the entire 11 hours. The guide handles the pacing and the history while you move between sites.

The tour ends with your return to Izmir, leaving you with the ruins themselves rather than a summary. What stays with most travelers is the scale: the theater's marble width of 145 meters, the Library's optical illusions built into its columns, and that single pillar standing alone in a field where a wonder once stood.

What’s included

• Professional local guide.
• lunch.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel or port pickup and drop-off in Izmir.

Options for this experience

2 options

Small group day tour of Ephesus departing from IzmirGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 25 Oct 2027Pickup is included

Spanish Guided Tour07:00Guided tour in Spanish, pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (8 to 90 years) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Alaturca Ephesus

Is this one for you?Book the English-language option if you want the guide's full historical context as you move through each site. The Spanish option serves the same stops and includes the same guide expertise, just in Spanish. Small-group size keeps the pace manageable and the guide accessible for questions throughout the day.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

In English. In Spanish, at 07:00.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 7 years); Infant (1 to 2 years): free.

What exactly is left of the Temple of Artemis after all these centuries?

The Temple of Artemis is represented by a single reconstructed pillar standing in an open field. At its peak, the temple had 127 columns and was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today that one column is what remains visible to visitors.

Can I see the Library of Celsus up close, or is it roped off?

The Library of Celsus is extensively restored and accessible to walk up to and examine. The restored facade shows the replica statues of the Four Virtues (Wisdom, Goodness, Thought and Knowledge) carved into the niches, and the optical tricks built into the columns and capitals are visible from ground level.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You walk between the sites within Ephesus and around the ruins, but the guide sets the pace and you travel by air-conditioned vehicle between the four main locations, so the walking is broken up across the 11-hour day.

Is lunch included, and what if I have dietary restrictions?

Lunch is included in the tour price. Drinks are not included and available to purchase. Alcoholic drinks can be bought depending on the option you select at checkout.

Do I need to book this in English, or is Spanish available?

The tour is offered with a live guide in English or Spanish. You choose your preferred language when you book.