Ephesus Private Day Tour from Izmir: Dedicated Guide & Driver

Six sites across classical, Christian and Islamic history, at your own rhythm.

A private day tour of Ephesus and Selçuk from Izmir pairs you with a dedicated licensed guide and separate driver for the full day, letting you linger at the sites that matter to you. The itinerary spans the House of the Virgin Mary, the marble streets and Terrace Houses of Ephesus, the Basilica of St. John, the Temple of Artemis, the Cave of the Seven Sleepers, and the İsa Bey Mosque: each representing a different layer of the region's classical, Christian and Islamic past. Pickup from your hotel is included. Lunch at a local restaurant in Selçuk is on you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each7 stops

1. House of the Virgin Mary45m
2. Ephesus2h
3. Basilica of St. John45m
4. Ephesus Terrace Houses20m
5. Temple of Artemis20m
6. Cave of the Seven Sleepers20m
7. Isa Bey Mosque30m

Explore Ephesus and Selçuk highlights

• Pick up guests from hotel
• Drive to Selçuk
• Visit House of the Virgin Mary
• Explore Ephesus Ancient City
• Visit Basilica and Tomb of St. John
• See Ephesus Terrace Houses
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Visit Temple of Artemis
• Explore Cave of the Seven Sleepers
• Visit Isa Bey Mosque
• Return to Izmir
• Drop off guests at hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Izmir hotel and a drive to Selçuk, where the House of the Virgin Mary sits on a hillside above the town. From there you move into Ephesus itself, walking the marble-paved streets past the Terrace Houses: elite Roman homes carved into the slope near the Library of Celsus, their mosaics and frescoes still visible after two millennia. Your guide and driver stay with you throughout, adjusting the pace so you're not rushed between stops.

After lunch at a local restaurant in Selçuk, the tour continues to three more sites that layer the region's religious history. The Basilica of St. John marks where the apostle was buried. The Temple of Artemis, once one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, now stands as a single column and foundation stones. The Cave of the Seven Sleepers holds a legend shared across Christian and Muslim tradition: seven young people who fled pagan persecution and slept for centuries. The day closes at the İsa Bey Mosque, built in 1374–1375 and among the finest surviving works of Anatolian Beylik architecture.

Because the itinerary is flexible, you choose which sites matter most and how long to spend at each. The separate guide and driver means someone is always focused on your questions and comfort, and the private vehicle means no waiting for other groups or adjusting to a fixed schedule. Entry fees to Ephesus, the Terrace Houses, the Basilica, the Temple of Artemis, and the Virgin Mary House are separate. Your guide can advise on what to prioritize if time or budget is tight.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Izmir.
• private vehicle and separate professional driver.
• licensed guide for the full day.
• access to six major sites across Ephesus and Selçuk.

Options for this experience

2 options

Full day optionUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or French · No fixed timePickup is included

Full day with minibus, flexible departure pickupUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English, Spanish or French · No fixed timeIncludes pickup by minibus

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

Before you book

Lasts 8h–10h, runs every day with no fixed time, from US$ 393 per group, with a live guide in English, Spanish and French, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 104

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Gezenthi Travel Agency

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to set your own pace through Ephesus without following a group schedule: the separate guide and driver mean someone is focused on your questions and comfort, and the flexible itinerary lets you linger where the history speaks to you and move past what doesn't.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

What is the Temple of Artemis like when I get there?

The Temple of Artemis, once one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and dedicated to the goddess of the hunt, now stands as a single column and foundation stones: a vast footprint (425 feet long, 220 feet wide) reduced to ruins, but still commanding the landscape where it stood for over two thousand years.

Can I spend more time at Ephesus and skip some of the other stops?

Yes. The itinerary is flexible, so you and your guide can adjust the day based on what interests you most: linger longer at Ephesus, skip sites that don't appeal to you, or shift the pace entirely. Your dedicated guide will work with you to build the day around your priorities.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included. You'll pause at a local restaurant in Selçuk and pay for your own meal. Your guide can recommend places and help with ordering.

Do I need to buy entry tickets separately?

Yes. Entry fees to Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St. John, the Terrace Houses, and the Temple of Artemis are separate from the tour price. Your guide will help you understand which sites are worth prioritizing if you want to be selective.

How long does the tour take?

The tour runs eight to ten hours depending on how long you spend at each site and where you choose to focus. Your guide adjusts the pace to match your interests, so the day can be shorter or longer within that range.