Ephesus Tour from Bodrum: Celsus Library & Temple of Artemis

See three ancient wonders in one day without arranging the drive yourself

A full-day private or small-group tour from Bodrum to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world, with a professional guide, hotel or cruise port pickup, countryside lunch, and visits to the House of the Virgin Mary and Temple of Artemis. The tour runs 8 to 9 hours total, including the 2.5-hour drive each way. Cruise passengers can request a meeting time 30–45 minutes after docking to avoid crowds and midday heat, with guaranteed return before ship departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Ephesus2h
2. House of the Virgin Mary45m
3. Temple of Artemis30m

Explore Ephesus and nearby sites

• Pickup from hotel or Bodrum Port
• Drive 2.5 hours to Ephesus
• Explore Ephesus ruins and landmarks
• Visit the House of the Virgin Mary
• Enjoy a delicious lunch
• Visit the Temple of Artemis ruins
• Return drive to Bodrum
• Drop off at hotel or cruise port

The experience

The drive from Bodrum takes 2.5 hours through the Turkish countryside to reach Ephesus, an ancient Greek city that once thrived as an Ionian seaport on the Menderes River. Your licensed guide meets you at your hotel lobby or at the cruise port's main exit, holding a sign with your name. Once in Ephesus, you walk streets still marked by ancient chariot wheels and stand in front of the Great Theater, a colossal venue that once seated over 20,000 people for gladiatorial battles and performances. The Celsus Library, the third-largest library of the ancient world, anchors the tour with its beautifully restored façade visible from Marble Street. You also see the Temple of Hadrian, the Trajan Fountain, and the Odeon, a venue for musical performances.

After exploring the ruins, the tour moves to the House of the Virgin Mary, a pilgrimage site near Ephesus where Mary is believed to have spent her final years after being brought here by the Apostle John. The site has been visited by three popes (Paul VI in 1967, John Paul II in 1979, and Benedict XVI in 2006) each leaving gifts displayed as symbols of its sacred significance. Then comes lunch in a peaceful rural setting, where you eat authentic local food before heading to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Built in 650 BC on a sacred site to the Anatolian Mother Goddess Cybele, it was engineered on marshy ground to resist earthquakes and financed by the King of Lydia. Though now in ruins, its scale rivaled the Parthenon.

The return drive to Bodrum gives you time to rest and absorb the day. For cruise passengers, the operator monitors docking and departure times closely and guarantees your timely return to the port well before your ship leaves. Before departure, your guide shares tips on local artisan goods and safety advice tailored to your visit. You travel in an air-conditioned, non-smoking van with a dedicated driver. Parking fees are covered. The tour works for all fitness levels, and wheelchair-accessible areas and transportation are available.

What’s included

• Professional licensed guide fluent in English or Spanish.
• hotel or cruise port pickup and drop-off.
• private or small-group transportation in an air-conditioned van with dedicated driver.
• countryside lunch.
• parking fees.
• skip-the-line ticket assistance (entrance fees paid separately in cash).

Options for this experience

2 options

Ephesus private tour departing from Bodrum Port or hotelsGuide in English or Spanish · 7 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 11:30Includes pickup

Small Group TourGuide in English or Spanish · 7 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 11:30Small group, maximum 10 people, includes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 11:30

Book up to14h before

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 56

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Guide of Ephesus

Is this one for you?Choose the private option if you want the tour tailored entirely to your pace and interests. Pick the small-group version if you prefer to share the cost and meet other travelers. For cruise passengers, confirm your meeting time with the operator after booking by providing your ship name and docking time. This ensures you start at the right hour to avoid crowds and return comfortably before departure.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 7 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How long is the drive from Bodrum to Ephesus?

The drive takes 2.5 hours each way, so you spend roughly five hours traveling and four to five hours exploring the sites.

What is the Celsus Library and why does it matter?

The Celsus Library is the third-largest library of the ancient world, with a beautifully restored façade that stands on Marble Street in Ephesus. It represents the engineering and cultural richness of the Greco-Roman city at its height.

Can I book this tour if I'm arriving on a cruise ship?

Yes. The tour picks you up at the cruise port's main exit gate, and the operator guarantees your return well before your ship departs. For the best experience, meet your guide 30–45 minutes after docking to avoid crowds and heat. If your ship arrives before 7:00 AM, plan to meet at 7:45 AM.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes a professional licensed guide, hotel or cruise port pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned van with driver, parking fees, and a countryside lunch. You pay entrance fees to the sites directly in cash, and your guide can help you skip ticket lines.

Is the House of the Virgin Mary a religious pilgrimage site?

Yes. The House of the Virgin Mary is a revered Christian pilgrimage site where Mary is believed to have spent her final years after the Apostle John brought her there. Three popes have visited and left gifts displayed at the site.

What makes the Temple of Artemis significant?

The Temple of Artemis is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, built in 650 BC and financed by the King of Lydia. It was engineered on marshy ground to resist earthquakes and once rivaled the Parthenon in scale and grandeur.