Ephesus Tour from Marmaris: UNESCO Ruins with Guide & Lunch
Two hours inside the ancient city, standing where the Temple of Artemis once drew pilgrims from across the ancient world.
A full-day guided tour of the UNESCO-listed ruins of Ephesus departing from Marmaris, with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, breakfast, lunch and a choice of two afternoon sites. The 3-hour drive each way means you spend the middle of the day inside the ancient city itself, with a guided walk through Celsus Library, the Great Theater and the Odeon, then lunch in Selcuk before choosing either the House of Virgin Mary or the Archaeological Museum to close the afternoon.
Step-by-step itinerary
Full-day Ephesus tour from Marmaris
- Hotel pickup in Marmaris
- Drive to Selcuk with breakfast served
- Short comfort break on arrival
- Two-hour guided tour of Ephesus
- Lunch at local restaurant in Selcuk
- Visit House of Virgin Mary or Archaeological Museum
- Drive back to Marmaris
The Experience
You're picked up from your Marmaris hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle and driven toward Selcuk—a 3-hour route that includes a breakfast box en route, so you arrive fed and ready. The drive itself crosses the Turkish landscape between the coast and the inland ruins, and the guide uses the time to brief you on what you're about to walk through.
Once in Ephesus, you have two hours with your guide moving through the ancient city. The Celsus Library stands as the centerpiece—a two-story facade that has survived nearly two millennia—and you'll also walk past the Great Theater, where crowds once gathered, and the smaller Odeon. The guide narrates the history as you move, answering questions on site. After the guided portion, you break for lunch at a local restaurant in Selcuk, where an open buffet gives you choices rather than a fixed plate.
The afternoon splits into a choice: the House of Virgin Mary, a pilgrimage site in the hills outside town, or the Archaeological Museum in Selcuk itself, where artifacts from the ruins are displayed. Your guide presents both options and you decide based on what interests you. The day closes with the return drive to Marmaris, arriving back in the evening.
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and return transfer from Marmaris.
- air-conditioned vehicle for the full day.
- breakfast box during the morning drive.
- 2-hour guided tour of Ephesus with a professional English-speaking guide.
- open buffet lunch in Selcuk.
- entry to either the House of Virgin Mary or the Archaeological Museum (your choice).
Operated by Payless
Is this one for you?Book the shared group tour if you want the structure and cost savings of traveling with others; choose the private option if you prefer a dedicated guide and the flexibility to spend more or less time at each stop without keeping a group on schedule.
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How long is the drive from Marmaris to Ephesus?
The drive to Selcuk takes around 3 hours each way. Breakfast is served during the morning drive, and the return journey happens in the late afternoon and evening.
What exactly do I see inside the ancient city of Ephesus?
Ephesus includes the Celsus Library, the Great Theater, and the Odeon. You'll also see the remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The 2-hour guided tour covers these major sites with your guide's commentary on their history and significance.
Do I have to choose between the House of Virgin Mary and the Archaeological Museum, or can I see both?
You choose one or the other after lunch—the tour includes time for one afternoon site, not both. Your guide explains what each offers so you can decide based on your interests.
What's included in the lunch?
Lunch is an open buffet served at a local restaurant in Selcuk, giving you options to choose from rather than a single set meal. Breakfast is provided as a lunch box during the morning drive.
Is the guide English-speaking?
Yes, the tour guide speaks English and is available to answer questions throughout the day. Russian-language guides are also available depending on the departure date.
What's the total length of this tour?
The full day runs 14 hours from pickup at your hotel through return to Marmaris, including the 3-hour drive each way, the 2-hour guided walk in Ephesus, lunch, and the afternoon site visit.
Ephesus Tour from Marmaris: UNESCO Ruins with Guide & Lunch
14h · EN · RU · at your hotel
from US$ 40 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.89495 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider












