Ephesus & Terrace Houses Tour: Ancient Ruins Guide

Walk through two millennia of trade routes and temples in a single morning

This five-hour tour from Kusadasi port takes you through the ancient city of Ephesus with a live guide in English or German, stopping at the Terrace Houses to see how Roman citizens lived, the Basilica of St. John, and the Temple of Artemis. Private transportation with an air-conditioned vehicle and a professional guide are included. Entrance fees to the sites are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Ephesus1h 30m
2. Ephesus Terrace Houses45m
3. Basilica of St. Johnpass by

Explore ancient Ephesus and Terrace Houses

• Stroll through Ancient Ephesus streets
• Explore Ephesus Terrace Houses
• Pass by St. John's Basilica

The experience

You're picked up from Kusadasi port and driven to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities on the Mediterranean coast. A knowledgeable guide leads you through the streets where merchants, pilgrims and ordinary residents once moved between temples, bathhouses and homes carved into hillsides. The Terrace Houses show how wealthy Roman families arranged their living spaces, with mosaics and frescoes still visible on the walls. You'll also see the Basilica of St. John, built over the burial site of the apostle, and the remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.

The tour moves at a pace that lets you absorb each stop rather than rush through. Your guide handles the history and context. The trade networks that made Ephesus wealthy, the religious significance of its shrines, the daily life preserved in stone. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters in the Turkish heat, and parking and handling charges are covered. The whole experience takes five hours, leaving your afternoon or evening free depending on when your ship departs.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Kusadasi port to Ephesus.
• professional guide in English or German.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• parking fees and handling charges.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 09:30 and 10:30

Book up to12h before

AgesUp to age 90

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and German

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 9 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Hello Ephesus

Is this one for you?Five hours is enough to see the major sites without rushing, but tight if your ship leaves early in the afternoon. Check your departure time before booking to make sure the tour fits your schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and German.

What exactly is inside the Terrace Houses at Ephesus?

The Terrace Houses are multi-story dwellings built into the hillside where wealthy Roman families lived, with preserved mosaics, frescoes and marble floors that show how the city's elite arranged their homes and decorated their walls.

Does this tour include entry to all the sites, or do I pay separately?

Entrance fees to the archaeological sites are not included in the tour price. You pay them separately at each location. The guide, transportation, and vehicle are covered.

How much walking is involved during the five hours?

You'll walk through the streets of ancient Ephesus and between the main attractions, but the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Infants and small children can use a pram or stroller if needed.

Will I have time to visit other sites in Kusadasi after the tour?

The tour takes five hours total, so depending on your ship's departure time, you may have time to explore the port town or nearby beaches before heading back to your vessel.