Ephesus & Mary's House tour: Private guide, ship return guaranteed

Walk marble streets in Ephesus, then choose how long to linger at each stop

A five-hour private shore excursion from Ege Port Kuşadası visits the Roman ruins of Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary with a licensed local guide, lunch at a local restaurant, and a stop at a traditional carpet workshop. The tour guarantees on-time return to your ship, and you control how much time you spend at each site.

The experience

Five hours gives you time to walk the marble streets of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world, without rushing through it. Your private licensed guide leads you past grand theaters, temples and historic libraries while explaining daily life during the Roman period. After Ephesus, you move to the House of the Virgin Mary, a peaceful pilgrimage site surrounded by nature where Mary is believed to have spent her final years. The spiritual atmosphere there is quieter than the ruins: a deliberate contrast built into the day.

Lunch happens at a local restaurant midway through, then you stop at a traditional carpet workshop to watch weavers at work and see handmade pieces. This is not a rushed museum visit. Your guide stays with the group the whole time, and you decide how long to spend in each place. The private van holds a maximum of 10 people, so the group stays small. Your driver knows the route back to Ege Port Kuşadası well enough that you arrive with time to spare before your ship departs: that guarantee is written into the booking.

Skip-the-line entrance tickets to Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary are optional add-ons you can choose at checkout. The van is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible, and the sites themselves are navigable for most mobility levels.

What’s included

• Private licensed local guide who stays with your group from arrival to departure.
• private air-conditioned van for up to 10 people.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• visit to a traditional carpet workshop.
• guaranteed on-time return to Ege Port Kuşadası.
• flexibility to spend as much time as you want at each site.
• TURSAB insurance covering the services booked.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

AgesAdult (18 to 90 years) · Youth (6 to 17 years) · Child (2 to 5 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 35

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 68

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Samyeli Travel

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you are sailing from Ege Port Kuşadası and want a small private group with a licensed guide who knows both sites well and can adjust the pace to your interests. The guaranteed return time and fixed group size mean you control the day without worrying about missing your ship or being herded through crowds.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 17 years); Child (2 to 5 years); Infant (under 2).

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 are the marble streets and theaters I'll see at Ephesus?

Ephesus is one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world, and the tour walks you through its iconic landmarks: grand theaters where thousands once gathered, temples dedicated to gods, and historic libraries that served the city's educated class. Your guide explains what daily life looked like during the Roman period as you move through these structures.

How much time do I actually spend at the House of the Virgin Mary?

The House of the Virgin Mary is a pilgrimage site where Mary is believed to have lived in her final years, set in a peaceful, natural setting. You control how long you stay there. The tour does not rush you through any site.

Will I make it back to my ship on time?

Yes, on-time return to Ege Port Kuşadası is guaranteed. The five-hour tour is timed so you arrive back with time to spare before your ship departs, and this guarantee is part of the booking.

Is lunch included, and what about drinks?

A delicious lunch at a local restaurant is included in the tour price. Drinks are not included, so bring money or plan to purchase them separately.

Can I skip the entrance fees to Ephesus and Mary's House?

Entrance fees are optional add-ons you choose at checkout. If you do not add them, your guide will still accompany you but you will not enter those sites.

What happens at the carpet workshop stop?

You visit a traditional carpet workshop where you watch weavers at work and see centuries-old Turkish carpet-weaving techniques. You can view and purchase handmade pieces, but there is no obligation to buy.