Ephesus tour from Izmir: Temple of Artemis & House of Virgin Mary

Walk marble streets past the Library of Celsus and stand where one of antiquity's Seven Wonders still rises.

A full-day guided tour from Izmir to Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Temple of Artemis, with a small group capped at 14 travelers. You'll spend two hours exploring Ephesus on foot with an English-speaking guide, passing the Library of Celsus, the Great Theater, and the Temple of Hadrian, then visit the Temple of Artemis and taste fruit wine in the hillside village of Şirince. Hotel or cruise port pickup, lunch at a local restaurant, and all transportation are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. House of the Virgin Mary1h · entry included
2. Temple of Artemis30m · entry included
3. Sirince2h · entry included
4. Ephesus3h · entry included

Explore Ephesus and Surroundings

• Visit House of Virgin Mary
• Drive to Ephesus
• Tour ancient city of Ephesus
• Visit Temple of Artemis
• Travel to Şirince village
• Enjoy fruit wine tasting in Şirince

The experience

The Library of Celsus anchors this tour: a three-story marble facade that still commands the center of Ephesus after nearly two thousand years. You'll walk the same marble streets where Apostle Paul spent two and a half years, passing the Odeon, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Great Theater, each one named and pointed out by your English-speaking guide. The walk covers the main ruins in two hours. Groups stay under 14 people, which means you move at a pace that lets you actually see what you're standing in front of instead of being herded through.

Before Ephesus, you stop at the House of the Virgin Mary, a pilgrimage site officially recognized by the Roman Catholic Church since 1986. The visit takes about 45 minutes, and then it's a short drive to Ephesus itself. After the ruins, you head to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: what remains is modest, but the site offers clear views of the Church of St. John and the Mosque of İsa Bey. The final stop is Şirince, a hillside village seven kilometers from Ephesus, where you get free time to taste the local fruit-flavored wines the village is known for.

Pickup happens from your Izmir hotel or the Kuşadası cruise port, depending on which option you book. Lunch at a local restaurant, all transportation in an air-conditioned bus, and the guide are included. The tour runs 7 to 8 hours total. If you want to see the Terrace Houses, sometimes called the brothel, that's an optional add-on you arrange with your guide beforehand.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking tour guide.
• hotel or cruise port pickup and drop-off in Kuşadası or Selçuk.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• transportation in an air-conditioned, non-smoking bus.
• local taxes.

Options for this experience

3 options

Small group tour departing from Kuşadası PortGuide in English · 08:30From Kuşadası Port it is a 30 minute drive to Ephesus; pickup is included

Kusadasi HotelsGuide in English · 08:30Pickup from Kusadasi hotels is included

Private Ephesus TourGuide in English · 08:30, 09:00, 09:30 and 10:00Private Ephesus tour; pickup is included

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 09:00, 09:30 and 10:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (8 to 90 years) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Apasas travel

Is this one for you?Small groups capped at 14 travelers mean you move at a pace where the guide can actually answer questions and you're not lost in a crowd. Pick the Small Group tour from Kuşadası Port if you're arriving by cruise ship, or choose the Private option if you want the flexibility of your own schedule and pickup from your Izmir hotel.

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Top questions

Can children come?

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

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is the Library of Celsus, and why does it matter?

The Library of Celsus is a three-story Roman structure built around 135 AD to hold thousands of scrolls, and it's one of the best-preserved buildings in Ephesus. Its marble facade still stands intact, making it the visual centerpiece of the ancient city you'll explore on foot.

How much walking is involved in the Ephesus part of the tour?

You'll walk the marble streets of Ephesus for about two hours with your guide, covering the main ruins including the Temple of Hadrian, the Great Theater, and the Odeon. The walking is on ancient stone streets, so comfortable shoes matter. The operator notes that this tour isn't recommended for people with significant walking difficulties.

Is the Temple of Artemis actually still standing?

The Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, is now mostly ruins: what remains are a few columns and foundations. The site is still worth visiting for its historical significance and for the clear views it offers of the Church of St. John and the Mosque of İsa Bey nearby.

What happens in Şirince, and how much free time do you get there?

Şirince is a traditional hillside village seven kilometers from Ephesus, known for its Byzantine-era houses and fruit-flavored wines. You'll have free time to walk around, shop, and taste the local wines the village produces. The wine tasting is included as part of the tour.

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

Yes. One of the three purchase options is the Small Group tour departing from Kuşadası Port, which includes pickup and drop-off at the port itself. The tour timing is arranged to fit a port day, and you'll be back in time for the ship's departure.