Ephesus Tour from Kusadasi: Private Guide & Flexible Plan

Shape your own route through Ephesus with a professional guide who adjusts on the fly

A private Ephesus tour from Kusadasi pairs you with a licensed guide and dedicated driver for a customizable day exploring the ancient city's ruins, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Temple of Artemis. Your guide meets you at your hotel or cruise port, drives you through Ephesus to see the Celsus Library, Great Theatre, Roman Baths and other sites, then moves on to the pilgrimage house and the temple ruins. The itinerary shifts based on what interests you most.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ephesus2h
2. House of the Virgin Mary40m
3. Temple of Artemis20m

Explore Ephesus and nearby sites

• Meet guide at hotel or cruise port
• Drive to Ephesus ruins
• Tour Ephesus ruins
• Visit House of Virgin Mary
• Stop at Temple of Artemis
• Enjoy views of St. John's Basilica and Selcuk Castle
• Return to Kusadasi port or hotel

The experience

Ephesus arrives as a full-day private tour, not a group experience. A licensed professional guide meets you at your Kusadasi hotel or cruise port and drives you in an air-conditioned car with a separate driver handling the route. The arrangement means you set the pace: if the Celsus Library holds you longer than planned, the schedule bends. If a site doesn't grip you, you move on. The guide speaks English and knows which stops matter most to you before the day starts.

The ruins of Ephesus itself take roughly two hours. You walk past the Odeon, Roman Baths, Domitian Temple, Public Latrines, the Celsus Library and the Great Theatre: the bones of a city that once rivaled Rome. From there you head to the House of the Virgin Mary, a pilgrimage site officially recognized by the Catholic Church where Mary is believed to have spent her final years. Allow 30 to 45 minutes. The day ends at the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, where you also see views of St. John's Basilica, the Isabey Mosque and Selcuk Castle before returning to your hotel or cruise port.

Entry fees to individual sites: the ancient city, the House of the Virgin Mary, St. John's Basilica and the Ephesus Museum: are separate and paid on the day. Your guide recommends lunch spots if you want to eat, and gratuities are your choice. The car is fully air-conditioned, parking is covered, and the whole arrangement runs between four and six hours depending on how long you linger at each stop.

What’s included

• Private licensed professional tour guide fluent in English.
• private air-conditioned car with a separate driver.
• hotel or cruise port pickup and drop-off.
• all taxes and parking fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 60

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Liona Travel

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling as a couple, a small family or a group of friends who want to move at your own pace without waiting for other travelers. The private guide and car mean you control how long you spend at each stop, and the itinerary shifts based on what catches your interest.

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Top questions

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 inside the Ephesus ruins that I'll see on this tour?

The Ephesus ruins include the Celsus Library, the Great Theatre, the Odeon, Roman Baths, the Domitian Temple and Public Latrines. These are the major structures that survive from the ancient city, and your guide walks you through them and explains what each one was used for.

Is the House of the Virgin Mary a religious site, or can anyone visit?

The House of the Virgin Mary is a pilgrimage destination officially recognized by the Catholic Church, but it welcomes visitors of all backgrounds. It's the place where Mary is believed to have lived in her final years, and the site is open to anyone who wants to see it.

Can I skip a stop if I'm not interested in it?

Yes. The tour is customizable during the day, so if you want to spend more time at one site or skip another entirely, your guide adjusts the itinerary on the spot. That flexibility is built into how the tour works.

Does the price include entry to the ancient city and the House of the Virgin Mary?

Entry fees are not included. You pay separately for the Ephesus Ancient City (40 euros per person), the House of the Virgin Mary (13 euros per person), and any other sites you choose to enter, such as St. John's Basilica or the Ephesus Museum. Your guide can tell you which fees apply to the stops you want to make.

What happens if I'm arriving on a cruise ship? Can you pick me up at the port?

Yes. Pickup is included whether you're staying at a Kusadasi hotel or arriving at the cruise port. Your guide meets you at whichever location you specify and returns you there at the end of the tour.