Ephesus Day Tour from Kusadasi: Temple & Virgin Mary's House

A morning through a Roman city, from marble streets to one of the seven wonders

A full-day guided tour of Ephesus from Kusadasi covers the ruins of the second-largest city in the Roman Empire, including the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Artemis, and the House of Virgin Mary. Your guide meets you at the port or hotel, walks you through the ancient streets and monuments, and returns you at day's end. Lunch and air-conditioned transport are included. Entrance fees are paid on-site or arranged through your guide.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each3 stops

1. Ephesus2h
2. Temple of Artemis30m
3. House of the Virgin Mary1h

Explore Ephesus and Surroundings

• Meet guide at Kusadasi port or hotel
• Visit ancient city of Ephesus
• See Goddess Nike and Local Pharmacy
• Walk Hadrian Gate and Marble Street
• Explore Library of Celsus and Harbour Street
• Visit Temple of Artemis
• Tour House of Virgin Mary
• See Isabey Mosque in Selcuk
• Return to hotel

The experience

The day starts at your Kusadasi hotel or port, where your guide picks you up and drives you to Ephesus. Once there, you walk through what was once the harbor city of the Roman world: a place built almost entirely of marble and home to over 250,000 people in the 1st century BC. The Library of Celsus still stands, the third-largest library of antiquity, and you'll see the Hadrian Gate, the Local Pharmacy, Goddess Nike, and the streets where merchants and citizens moved two thousand years ago. The amphitheater seated over 25,000 people.

The Temple of Artemis, also called the Temple of Diana, is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and once stood in Ephesus. You see what remains of this Greek temple dedicated to the goddess. Nearby is the House of Virgin Mary, believed by many to be where Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent her final years. The Isabey Mosque, built in 1374–1375, sits on the outskirts of the Ayasuluk Hills and represents some of the finest architectural work from the Anatolian Beyliks period.

Lunch is included during the tour. At the end of the day, your guide returns you to your hotel or the port. The Ephesus entrance fee (40 €) and the House of Virgin Mary entrance fee (500 TRY) are paid separately. Your guide can arrange skip-the-line tickets if you prefer.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from your Kusadasi hotel or port.
• a fully air-conditioned vehicle for the day.
• lunch.
• and a professional tour guide in English.

Information

Lasts 6h–8h, runs every day at 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00, from US$ 249 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 15 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 157 private ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Child (5 to 7 years) · Infant (under 5): free

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

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Peron Tour Kusadasi/Turkey

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, so you follow the commentary without translation. If you read or speak English comfortably, you'll get the full context of what you're walking through instead of relying on a translated handout or audio device.

Traveler reviews

4.83★★★★★★★★★★

24 verified traveler reviews

5 ★20

4 ★4

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 7 years); Infant (under 5): free.

How much does it cost to enter Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary?

Ephesus entrance is 40 € and the House of Virgin Mary is 500 TRY. Both are paid on arrival or you can arrange skip-the-line tickets through your guide.

What was Ephesus like in the Roman period?

Ephesus was the second-largest city in the Roman Empire, with over 250,000 people in the 1st century BC. It was built almost entirely of marble, served as a harbor city, and had an amphitheater that seated more than 25,000 people.

Is the Temple of Artemis still standing?

The Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, no longer stands intact, but the remains are visible and your guide explains its history and significance during the tour.

What is included in the tour price?

Pickup and drop-off from your Kusadasi hotel or port, a fully air-conditioned vehicle, lunch, and a professional guide speaking English are all included. Entrance fees and tips are separate.