Private Ephesus, Sirince & Virgin Mary tour from Kusadasi port

Walk Ephesus marble streets and taste Sirince wine without waiting for a group

A private tour from Kusadasi port covering Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, Sirince village and the Temple of Artemis, with entrance fees and traditional lunch included. Your guide meets you at the port with your name sign, and you set the pace at each site: no group schedule to follow. The tour returns you to the port on time, with all fees paid upfront.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. House of the Virgin Mary45m · entry included
2. Ephesus1h 30m · entry included
3. Sirince1h 30m
4. Temple of Artemis15m

Private Ephesus and Village Tour

• Meet guide at Kusadasi port or hotel
• Drive to House of Virgin Mary
• Visit House of Virgin Mary
• Drive to Ephesus
• Tour Ephesus ancient city
• Enjoy traditional lunch at local restaurant
• Drive to Sirince village
• Explore Sirince village and shops
• Visit Artemis Temple
• Return to Kusadasi city center or port

The experience

Your guide meets you at Kusadasi port or your hotel at a time you choose, holding a sign with your name. From there, the route moves through four sites across seven to eight hours. The House of the Virgin Mary sits five miles away on the Aladag Mountains, a pilgrimage site since 1892 where Pope Paul VI prayed in 1967. Then comes Ephesus itself: the marble-lined streets, the Library of Celsus built in the 2nd century A.D., the Grand Theatre that once held 24,000 spectators, and the Temple of Hadrian. Your guide walks the ruins with you, and you spend as long as you want at each one.

Lunch happens at a local restaurant in the town, a traditional Turkish meal included in your rate. After eating, the route climbs to Sirince, a mountain village where narrow streets lined with handcrafts and olive oil stalls reflect a blend of Turkish and Greek culture. You can visit both the mosque and Orthodox church, taste the village's wine in small cafés, and wander the vineyards. The final stop is the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, before the drive back to Kusadasi port or city center.

Entrance fees to all four sites come pre-paid and included in your rate: the operator notes that most Turkish travel agents charge separately for these. The air-conditioned vehicle is yours alone, and your professional licensed guide speaks English. You choose how much time to spend at each attraction, and the return to port is guaranteed on time. There are no hidden costs.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• professional licensed English-speaking guide.
• entrance fees to the House of the Virgin Mary, Ephesus, Sirince and Temple of Artemis.
• traditional Turkish lunch at a local restaurant.
• pickup and drop-off at Kusadasi port or your hotel.
• guaranteed on-time return to port.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private tour without Terrace HousesGuide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00All-inclusive pricing with no hidden costs. When comparing our rates with others, please carefully check what is and isn't included. Pickup is included.

Private tour with Terrace HousesGuide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00Terrace Houses are included, with no hidden costs. When comparing our rates with others, please carefully check what is and isn't included. 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 day12 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Child (4 to 7 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Ephesus Shuttle Private & Small Group Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you're arriving at Kusadasi port and want to see the main ancient sites without the pace of a group tour. The private format means you set the time at each stop, and the included entrance fees and lunch remove the need to budget separately or hunt for a restaurant. Everything is arranged and paid for upfront.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 7 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is the House of the Virgin Mary and why is it on this tour?

The House of the Virgin Mary is a pilgrimage site on the Aladag Mountains where tradition holds that Mary came with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived until her death in 48 A.D. The Archbishop of Izmir declared it a place of pilgrimage in 1892, and Pope Paul VI visited and prayed there in 1967. It sits five miles from Ephesus and is the first stop after port pickup.

Can I spend extra time in Ephesus if I want to?

Yes. Because this is a private tour, you decide how long to stay at each site. Your guide will be with you at Ephesus, but there's no group schedule pushing you along. You move at your own pace through the marble streets, the Library of Celsus, the Grand Theatre and the other ruins.

What makes Sirince village worth visiting?

Sirince is a mountain village that blends Turkish and Greek culture, with narrow streets where local artisans sell handcrafts and olive oil. You can visit both a mosque and an Orthodox church, taste the village's local wine in small cafés, and walk among vineyards and peach trees. It's a working village, not a tourist stage.

Are entrance fees really included, or will I pay more at the gates?

Entrance fees to all four sites (House of the Virgin Mary, Ephesus, Sirince and Temple of Artemis) are included in your rate and pre-paid. Your guide will have the tickets, so you skip the lines at the gates. The operator emphasizes that most Turkish travel agents charge entrance fees separately, so compare carefully when booking.

What happens if my ship leaves early or I need to return to the port faster?

Tell your guide your required return time when you meet at the port. The tour is private and flexible, so the route can be adjusted. The operator guarantees on-time return to the port, and you control the pace at each stop, so you can shorten visits if needed.