Ephesus Private Tour: Ancient City & Temple of Artemis

Five to six hours on the streets St. Paul walked, with a guide who shows you the photo spots.

A private guided tour of Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis, with pickup from your cruise port or hotel and an English-speaking licensed guide for the full day. You set the pace at each site: linger at the Celsus Library, ask questions at the Grand Theatre where St. Paul preached, and spend as long as you want at the House of the Virgin Mary. The guide arranges your entry tickets in advance so you skip the lines at the gate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ephesus2h
2. House of the Virgin Mary45m
3. Temple of Artemis10m

Private full-day Ephesus tour

• Start tour at Ephesus Port
• Explore Ancient City of Ephesus
• Visit House of the Virgin Mary
• See Temple of Artemis

The experience

Five to six hours means you move through the ancient city without rushing. The tour starts at the port or your hotel, and a driver in an air-conditioned vehicle takes you to Ephesus itself. Once there, your licensed guide walks you through the Grand Theatre where St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, past the Celsus Library, the photo stop everyone wants, through the Roman Baths, the Temple of Hadrian, the Marble Street and the Public Toilets that show how Romans actually lived. Because it is a private tour, you linger where you want, ask your guide questions as they come up, and take pictures from the angles your guide knows work best.

The House of the Virgin Mary sits outside the main city, quieter and separate. Your guide takes you there after Ephesus so you can feel the atmosphere without the crowds. Then comes the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world: what remains is smaller than many expect, but your guide explains what stood there and why it mattered. The driver brings you back to the port or your hotel when the day ends.

Tickets are arranged before you arrive, which means no queue at the gate and no time wasted on paperwork. Your guide is with you the entire day, so the pace is yours. If you want to spend an extra twenty minutes at one site, you do. If you want to move faster through another, that works too. The vehicle is air-conditioned, parking is covered, and all taxes are included in the price.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with a separate driver.
• professional licensed local guide in English for the full day.
• pickup and drop-off at your cruise port or hotel.
• all entry tickets arranged in advance so you skip the lines.
• all taxes and parking fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

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

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 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

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Ephesus Port Tours

Is this one for you?This tour is built around a private pace. You and your travel companions move through the sites without a group schedule, which means you can spend extra time at the Celsus Library or linger at the House of the Virgin Mary if the moment calls for it. The five- to six-hour window works for cruise guests who need to be back at the port by a set time, and the driver tracks your schedule so the return is planned.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 4).

What did St. Paul do in Ephesus that makes the Grand Theatre important?

St. Paul preached to the Ephesians in the Grand Theatre, one of the largest Roman theatres in the ancient world. Your guide will show you where he stood and explain why this moment mattered to early Christianity in the region.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

You walk through the streets and sites of ancient Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and around the Temple of Artemis ruins. The pace is set by you and your guide. You can rest at any point, and the terrain includes paved streets and some uneven ancient stone.

Will I have time to take photos at the Celsus Library?

Yes. The Celsus Library is one of the main stops, and your guide knows the best angles for photographs. Because this is a private tour, you spend as much time there as you want, and your guide will position you for the shots that work best.

Do I need to buy tickets separately, or are they included?

Your guide arranges all entry tickets in advance, so you skip the lines at the gate. Tickets are not included in the tour price, but the advance arrangement means you walk straight in without waiting.

Is this tour suitable if I have mobility concerns?

The tour is wheelchair accessible, and the vehicle is fully air-conditioned. Walking through Ephesus involves ancient stone streets and some uneven terrain. Discuss your specific needs with the operator before booking so they can confirm what works for your situation.

What language is the guide in?

The guide speaks English only. Tours are not offered in Spanish or other languages.