Ephesus Tour from Kusadasi: Temple of Artemis & Basilica

Walk the marble streets where Paul preached, then climb to Mary's house in the mountains

A private full-day Biblical Ephesus tour from Kusadasi with a Bible-oriented guide, entrance fees and lunch included. You set the departure time and pace at each of the four main sites: the Temple of Artemis, Ephesus itself, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Basilica of St. John, while the guide handles all logistics and pre-paid entry. The tour combines early Christian history with pre-Christian heritage, and guaranteed return to port means no waiting for other groups.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Ephesus2h · entry included
2. House of the Virgin Mary1h · entry included
3. Basilica of St. John45m · entry included
4. Temple of Artemis15m

Biblical Ephesus private full day tour

• Meet guide at Kusadasi Port
• Drive 20 minutes to Ephesus
• Explore Ephesus ancient city
• Visit Chapel of the Virgin Mary
• Lunch with Turkish mezes and fruits
• Visit House of Virgin Mary
• Drive to St. John’s Basilica
• Visit St. John’s Basilica
• Stop at Temple of Artemis
• Drive back to Kusadasi port or hotel

The experience

Your guide meets you at Kusadasi port or hotel with a name sign at your chosen time, then drives 20 minutes to Ephesus. The city was a major Roman capital with a population near 250,000, and the Apostle Paul spent three years here during his third missionary tour. You walk the marble-paved street with grooves worn by chariot wheels, see the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre (which seated 25,000 people and is mentioned in Acts), and visit the Chapel of the Virgin Mary where the Third Ancient Council convened in 431 AD.

After Ephesus, you drive to the House of the Virgin Mary on the Aladag Mountains, five miles away. According to the Third Ecumenical Council, Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 AD and lived there until her death in 48 AD. Pope Paul VI visited and prayed there in 1967. Lunch is served at a local restaurant near the site: four kinds of Turkish mezes, salad, chicken and meatballs, and fruit.

The final two stops are the Basilica of St. John, where the evangelist spent his last years and was buried on Ayosolug Hill, and the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The temple was rebuilt over 120 years after a fire on the night Alexander the Great was born in 356 BC. Your guide has pre-paid tickets to all sites, so you skip the lines at each entrance. The tour ends with a drive back to Kusadasi port or your hotel.

What’s included

• Your guide meets you at the port or hotel with a name sign at your chosen time.
• entrance fees to all four sites with pre-paid tickets to skip the lines.
• private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a Bible-oriented professional guide in English throughout the day.
• traditional Turkish lunch with mezes, salad, chicken, meatballs and fruit.
• and guaranteed on-time return to port.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day12 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (8 to 90 years) · Child (4 to 7 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availableNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Private & Small Group Ephesus & Istanbul & Turkey Tours

Is this one for you?Because your guide meets you at the port with tickets already paid and a vehicle waiting, you avoid the logistics of arranging transport and entry on your own. The tour works whether you're staying in Kusadasi, arriving by cruise ship, or renting no car. You set the pace at each site instead of following a group schedule, so the day adapts to what matters most to you.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 7 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What exactly is the House of the Virgin Mary and why is it significant?

The House of the Virgin Mary is located on the Aladag Mountains five miles from Ephesus. According to the Third Ecumenical Council of 431 AD, Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 AD and lived there until her death in 48 AD. The site was declared a place of pilgrimage in 1892 and was visited by Pope Paul VI in 1967.

Can I choose when to start the tour, or is there a fixed departure time?

You decide on the departure time. Your guide will meet you at the port or hotel at your chosen time with a name sign, and the specific pickup time is confirmed during your booking.

What's included in the lunch, and where do we eat?

Lunch is served at a local restaurant near the House of the Virgin Mary and includes four kinds of Turkish mezes, salad, chicken and meatballs, and fruit.

How does the guide handle entrance fees to the sites?

Your guide has pre-paid tickets to all four attractions, so you skip the lines at each entrance. All entrance fees are included in the tour price with no hidden costs.

What was the Temple of Artemis, and what will I see there?

The Temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. It was rebuilt over 120 years after a fire in 356 BC. You visit the Artemision site as your last stop before returning to Kusadasi port.

How long does the full tour take?

The tour runs six to seven hours from pickup to return, with flexibility to spend as much time as you want at each site without waiting for other group members.