Private Ephesus Half Day Tour from Izmir: Ancient Highlights

Four hours to walk one of the world's largest open-air museums

A private half-day tour from Izmir to Ephesus with a professional English-speaking guide, hotel or port pickup, and visits to three major sites: the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis (one of the Ancient Seven Wonders), and the ancient city of Ephesus itself. The tour runs four hours and includes transport by private vehicle. Hotel or port drop-off is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. House of the Virgin Mary45m
2. Temple of Artemis30m
3. Ephesus2m

Visit Ephesus and nearby landmarks

• Visit House of Virgin Mary chapel
• See Temple of Artemis
• Explore ancient city of Ephesus

The experience

The tour leaves from your Izmir hotel or port and heads to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world. Your guide meets you at pickup and travels with you the whole way, explaining the sites as you move through them. The private vehicle means no waiting for other groups and no fixed departure times beyond your own hotel schedule.

You'll start at the House of the Virgin Mary, an active chapel where Mary is believed to have spent her final years: a site sacred to both Christian and Muslim pilgrims, and the only shrine in the world where both faiths pray together. From there, the tour takes you to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Ancient Seven Wonders of the World, before moving into Ephesus itself. The ancient city sprawls across the landscape as an open-air museum. Your guide walks you through the major structures and explains what you're standing in front of, rather than leaving you to puzzle it out alone.

The whole experience fits into a morning or afternoon, so it works alongside other plans in Izmir. Your guide is a professional who speaks English throughout, and the private vehicle handles the drive both ways, leaving you free to focus on what you're seeing rather than managing transport logistics.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide.
• private vehicle transport.
• hotel or port pickup and drop-off.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (6 to 10 years) · Infant (under 6)

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 if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ephesus Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling as a couple or small family and want to move at your own pace without joining a group. The private vehicle and guide mean no waiting for other travelers, and the four-hour window fits easily into a day based in Izmir.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 10 years); Infant (under 6).

What is the House of the Virgin Mary like when I get there?

The House of the Virgin Mary is an active chapel today, believed to be where Mary spent her last years. It holds significance for both Christian and Muslim visitors, and it's the only shrine in the world where both faiths pray together.

How long is the drive from Izmir to Ephesus?

The tour runs four hours total, which includes the drive, all three stops, and time spent at each site. The reference material does not break down the drive time separately from the tour time.

Will I have time to walk around Ephesus, or is it mostly viewing from a distance?

Ephesus is an open-air museum, so you walk through the ancient city itself with your guide. The guide explains the structures as you move through them rather than viewing from one spot.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available if needed.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes a professional English-speaking guide, transport by private vehicle, and hotel or port pickup and drop-off. Lunch, gratuities, and any facility fees are not included.