Ephesus Tour from Kusadasi Cruise Port: Entry & Guide Included

Up to three ancient sites in one shore excursion, timed to get you back before your ship leaves.

A guided tour of Ephesus departing from Kusadasi cruise port, adding the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis on the full-day options, with entry tickets, air-conditioned transport and a licensed local guide. The tour returns you to the port on time for your ship's departure. You choose between a half-day tour of Ephesus alone or a full-day option adding Mary's House, and between a small group or a private tour customized to your interests.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ephesus2h · entry included
2. Kusadasi Shopping Center45m · entry included
3. House of the Virgin Mary45m · entry included
4. Temple of Artemis5m · entry included
5. Kusadasi Caravanseraipassing by
6. Kusadasi Castlepassing by

Ephesus tour and cultural visits

• Meet at the Cruise Port
• Explore Ancient City of Ephesus ruins
• Watch Turkish carpet weaving demonstration
• Lunch stop at a local restaurant
• Visit House of the Virgin Mary (full-day options)
• See Temple of Artemis ruins (full-day options)
• Drive through Kusadasi Town with panoramic views
• Pass by Kusadasi Castle (Pigeon Island)
• Chance to attend a leather fashion show
• Return to Cruise Port on time

The experience

Your ship docks at Kusadasi and you have a few hours ashore. Pickup and drop-off at the cruise port are included, so there's no need to arrange separate transport or figure out how to get into town. Your guide handles the timing, the entry tickets and the route back to the dock, which means you spend your time walking through Ephesus instead of negotiating logistics.

The heart of the tour is the ancient city itself. You walk the Marble Street and see the Library of Celsus (in its day the ancient world's third-largest library), the Grand Amphitheatre that once held 24,000 spectators, the Temple of Domitian, Roman baths, fountains, the agora and the public toilets, remains that show how people lived two thousand years ago. The guide walks at the group's pace and points out details, which buildings stood where, what they were used for, why they matter. If you book the full-day option, the tour continues to the House of the Virgin Mary on a hillside near Ephesus, a pilgrimage site where tradition holds Mary spent her final years, and then to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, originally built around 650 BC and funded by King Croesus of Lydia.

After Ephesus there's a break at a local carpet workshop where artisans demonstrate hand-weaving, and at the end of the day a chance to see a leather fashion show if you're interested. There's also a lunch stop at a small local restaurant. The minibus is air-conditioned and the driver is separate from the guide, so the pace stays steady and the commentary doesn't stop. The tour ends with a panoramic drive through Kusadasi town before returning you to the port: the operator confirms your ship's departure time and builds the schedule around it, so a late return is not a risk.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned minibus transport with a separate driver.
• professional licensed local guide speaking English.
• cruise port pickup and drop-off.
• entry tickets to Ephesus (half-day and full-day options) and to the House of the Virgin Mary (full-day only).
• guaranteed on-time return to your ship.
• stops at a local carpet workshop and leather outlet with time to browse or rest.

Options for this experience

4 options

Ephesus only, group tourGuide in English · No fixed timeMuseum entrance tickets are included. The tour visits the Ephesus Ruins, with an optional lunch break and free time at a local handicraft co-op. Group tour: Group tours are shared with other travelers from the same cruise, with a maximum of 20 participants. Duration: 4 hours. It usually takes about 3-4 hours, depending on how fast the group moves. Lunch: An optional lunch break at a cozy local restaurant.

Ephesus only, private tourGuide in English · No fixed timeMuseum entrance tickets are included. The tour visits the Ephesus Ruins, with an optional lunch break and free time at a local handicraft co-op. Private tour: Private tours are only for the person who books the tour and are not shared with others. Duration: 4 hours. It usually takes about 3-4 hours, depending on your interest in each place. Lunch: An optional lunch break at a cozy local restaurant.

Ephesus and Mary's House, groupGuide in English · No fixed timeMuseum entrance tickets are included. The tour visits the Ephesus Ruins and the House of Virgin Mary, with an optional lunch and free time at a handicraft co-op. Group tour: Group tours are shared with other travelers from the same cruise, with a maximum of 20 participants. Duration: 6 hours. It usually takes about 5-6 hours, depending on your interest in each place. Lunch: An optional lunch break at a cozy local restaurant.

Ephesus and Mary's House, privateGuide in English · No fixed timeMuseum entrance tickets are included. The tour visits the Ephesus Ruins and the House of Virgin Mary, with an optional lunch and free time at a handicraft co-op. Private tour: Private tours are only for the person who books the tour and are not shared with others. Duration: 6 hours. It usually takes about 5-6 hours, depending on your interest in each place. Lunch: An optional lunch break at a cozy local restaurant.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Infant (under 4): free

Live guideEnglish

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.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 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Kusadasi Shore Excursions

Is this one for you?Book the half-day Ephesus tour if your ship's port call is short or you want to explore Kusadasi town after the tour. You still see the Library of Celsus and the Grand Amphitheatre. Choose the full-day option and the private tour if you have more time and want to add the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis without following a group's pace.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 4): free.

What's inside the Library of Celsus that I'll actually see?

The Library of Celsus is now a ruin, but the facade and the grand entrance still stand. You'll see the carved stone front, the niches where statues once sat, and the layout that shows how readers moved through the building. Your guide explains how it worked and why it was so important to the city.

Can I choose to skip the carpet workshop and leather shop stops?

The breaks at the carpet workshop and leather outlet are built into the tour schedule. If you book a private tour, you can ask your guide to shorten or skip these stops when you meet. The private option gives you full control over the itinerary and pace.

What's the difference between the group tour and the private tour?

The group tour is shared with other passengers from the same cruise and follows a set route and schedule. The private tour is just you and your guide, who will customize the stops and timing based on what interests you most. You set the pace and choose which sites to linger at.

Is the House of the Virgin Mary included in every tour option?

No. The half-day option covers Ephesus only. The full-day option adds the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis. You choose which option suits your time at port when you book.

Are entry tickets to Ephesus included?

Yes, entry tickets to Ephesus are included in both the half-day and full-day tours. If you book the full-day option, entry to the House of the Virgin Mary is also included. The Temple of Artemis stop on that option is covered as well.