Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary tour from Kusadasi: Private guide

Walk the streets where Paul preached and Virgin Mary spent her final years

A private tour of Ephesus departing from Kusadasi Cruise Port with a licensed guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese, covering the UNESCO-listed ruins of the ancient city, the House of Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St. John and the Temple of Artemis. You walk through Ephesus step by step (past the Celsus Library, Great Theater, Odeon and Agora), then visit the sites tied to early Christian history before returning to the port on schedule.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. House of the Virgin Mary1h · entry included
2. Ephesus2h · entry included
3. Basilica of St. John45m · entry included
4. Temple of Artemis30m

Explore Ephesus and surrounding sites

• Meet guide at Kusadasi Cruise Port
• Drive to Ephesus
• Visit House of Virgin Mary
• Tour Ephesus ruins and Terrace Houses
• Visit Basilica of St John
• See Temple of Artemis ruins
• Walk through Kusadasi bazaar
• Return to Kusadasi Cruise Port

The experience

The tour starts at Kusadasi Cruise Port with a half-hour drive to Ephesus in a new Mercedes mini van sized to your group. Your licensed guide leads you through the ancient streets in sequence: the Odeon, the Latrines, the Love House, the Celsus Library, the Agora and the Great Theater, each one marking a layer of the city's past. The guide also points out the Port Street and explains what each structure meant to the people who built it. Inside Ephesus sits the Terrace Houses museum, where you can see how wealthy Romans lived: homes with their own baths, toilets and central heating systems decorated with mosaics.

The House of Virgin Mary stands as a separate stop, believed to be her final resting place and a significant site in Christian tradition. Nearby, the Basilica of St. John was built in the 6th century AD by Roman Emperor Justinian during the same period as Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. St. John the Apostle lived his last years in Ephesus and was buried on this site. The Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, sits close by the main ruins. Between the major sites, you walk through the Kusadasi bazaar with your guide before heading back to the port. Typical local food is included, and the operator guarantees your return on time for ship departure.

What’s included

• A new model Mercedes mini van sized to your group.
• all parking fees and taxes.
• typical local food.
• a licensed tour guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• guaranteed return to Kusadasi Cruise Port on time for ship departure.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (13 to 87 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 62

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Turquiahora Tours

Is this one for you?The tour involves steady walking through the ancient streets and multiple stops across four to six hours, so a moderate level of physical fitness helps you keep pace and enjoy the sites without strain. The itinerary is fixed and shared with your guide, so you move through Ephesus in a planned sequence rather than setting your own stops.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is the Celsus Library and why does it matter in Ephesus?

The Celsus Library is one of the most iconic structures in Ephesus, a grand Roman building that once held thousands of scrolls and stood as a symbol of the city's wealth and learning. It is one of the main stops on the walking tour through the ancient streets.

Why is the House of Virgin Mary important to this tour?

The House of Virgin Mary is believed to be where she spent her final years, making it a significant religious site. It is a separate stop on the itinerary and connects the tour to early Christian history in Turkey.

How long does it take to walk through the main ruins of Ephesus?

The tour covers Ephesus step by step over several hours, visiting the Odeon, Latrines, Love House, Celsus Library, Agora and Great Theater. The full tour runs between four and six hours from port pickup to return, with the walking portion making up the majority of that time.

What was the Temple of Artemis and where is it in relation to Ephesus?

The Temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It sits close by Ephesus and is included as a stop on the tour.