Ephesus, Temple of Artemis & Mary's House Small Group Tour

Ephesus in a morning: the theatre, the temple, the shrine

A small group tour from Izmir covers Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis and the House of the Virgin Mary in 5 to 7 hours, with a professional English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport and skip-the-line entry. Pickup from your Izmir hotel, port or airport is included. Site entrances are paid separately at checkout. The itinerary moves through the ancient city's major structures: the theatre that held 25,000 people where St. Paul preached, the Library, Roman Baths, Odeon and Agora, then stops at a ceramic or rug weaving demonstration before finishing at the pilgrimage shrine where three popes have visited.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ephesus1h 45m
2. Temple of Artemis15m
3. House of the Virgin Mary1h 15m

Explore Ephesus and nearby sites

• Pick up from Izmir port, airport, hotels
• Visit Ephesus ancient city
• See Temple of Artemis
• Watch ceramic or rug weaving demonstration
• Visit House of Virgin Mary shrine

The experience

Ephesus is one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world, and this tour moves through it with a guide who knows the layers: the structures, the history, the stories that hold them together. You start at the ancient theatre, the one with the 25,000-person capacity where St. Paul preached, then walk through the Library, Roman Baths, Fountains, Temples, Agora and other structures that map out how the city worked. The guide handles the detail. You stand in front of it.

From Ephesus, the route takes you to the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. What remains is smaller than what once stood there, but the site itself carries the weight of that history. After the temple, you stop at a ceramic house or rug weaving workshop where you watch the craft being made: a break in the walking and a look at how the region still works with its hands.

The final stop is the House of the Virgin Mary, a pilgrimage shrine in the hills above the coast where Christians believe Mary spent her last years. Three popes have visited (Paul VI in 1967, John Paul II in 1979, and Benedict XVI in 2006), and it remains an active church. The shrine sits apart from the archaeological sites, quieter and more devotional in tone. Your guide is with you through all of it; the van is air-conditioned; parking and local taxes are covered. Site entrances to Ephesus and Mary's House are paid at the gate or arranged at checkout.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned van transport.
• pickup from your Izmir hotel, airport or port.
• local taxes and parking fees.
• a ceramic or rug weaving demonstration.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (19 to 69 years) · Senior (70 and older) · Youth (9 to 18 years) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleInfant seats available

Operated by Ephesus Tours by Local Guides

Is this one for you?Choose this small group tour if you prefer a shared experience with a guide rather than exploring independently, and need pickup from Izmir to fit the day into your schedule.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 18 years); Child (4 to 8 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What's inside the Ephesus ruins that I'll actually see?

Ephesus holds the theatre where St. Paul preached (capacity 25,000), the Library, Roman Baths, Fountains, Temples, the Odeon (a small theatre), the Agora, and other structures that show how a major Greco-Roman city was laid out and used. Your guide explains what each one was and why it mattered.

Is the Temple of Artemis one of the seven wonders?

The Temple of Artemis is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. What you see today are the remains of that structure: less than what once stood there, but the site itself carries the historical weight.

What happens at the ceramic house or rug weaving stop?

You watch a demonstration of either ceramic-making or rug weaving, depending on the day. It's a working workshop where you see the craft being made by hand, a break from the walking and a look at how the region still produces these goods.

Do I need to pay extra for entry to Ephesus and Mary's House?

Yes, site entrances are paid separately. Ephesus is 40 euros and the House of the Virgin Mary is 15 euros. You can arrange these at checkout or pay at the gate on the day.

How long is the total tour, and does that include driving time?

The tour runs 5 to 7 hours total, and that time includes the drive from Izmir, all the stops, and the walking through the sites. Pickup from your hotel, port or airport is included.

Is this tour accessible for people with mobility concerns?

The tour is wheelchair accessible, and specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with young children. It's suitable for all physical fitness levels.