Private Ephesus tour from Izmir: Customize your day

Ancient Ephesus, the Virgin Mary's house, Temple of Artemis, and Isa Bey Mosque in one customizable day

A private Ephesus tour from Izmir with your own driver and English-speaking guide covers the ancient city's marble streets, the Basilica of St. John, House of the Virgin Mary, Temple of Artemis, Isa Bey Mosque, and the Ephesus Museum. You pick the order of stops, how long to spend at each site, and whether to add a traditional Turkish lunch. The guide adjusts the itinerary to match your interests and pace. Pickup from your Izmir hotel, airport, or cruise port is included, and the tour runs 5 to 8 hours depending on what you choose.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. House of the Virgin Mary50m
2. Temple of Artemis15m
3. Isa Bey Mosque5m
4. Basilica of St. John40m

Private Ephesus tour from Izmir

• Pick up from airport, hotel, or port
• Drive to Selcuk district
• Visit upper gate of Ephesus ancient city
• Tour terrace houses museum (optional)
• Visit House of the Virgin Mary
• See Temple of Artemis remains
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Visit local shops
• See Isa Bey Mosque
• Visit Basilica of St. John
• Tour Ephesus Archaeological Museum
• Return to pick-up location

The experience

Your private driver meets you at your hotel, airport, or cruise port and drives you roughly an hour to Selcuk, where Ephesus and its surrounding sites sit. The tour is built around what you want to see and how much time you want to spend: you decide whether to visit Ephesus Ancient City first (walking marble streets lined with state buildings and public ruins, with the option to add the Terrace Houses Museum if stairs are not a problem) or save it for afternoon when the morning crowds thin out. The guide is a licensed local professional who speaks English and knows the history of each site. Before the tour starts, you can tell them what matters most to you so they can shape the day accordingly.

The main stops are Ephesus Ancient City, the House of the Virgin Mary (a pilgrimage site where Mary is believed to have spent her final years), the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, now mostly ruins of marble foundations), the Isa Bey Mosque (built in 1375 and as grand as the temples and churches around it), the Basilica of St. John (where the apostle was buried and where Justinian later built a large church), and the Ephesus Museum (recently restored, displaying statues and artifacts from the ancient city). You have free time to shop in local stores, and you can stop for a traditional Turkish lunch at a local restaurant if you want one (15 euros per person, cash, plus drinks at 3 or 4 euros each). The driver returns you to your starting point when the tour ends.

For cruise passengers, the operator asks you to meet 30 to 45 minutes after your ship docks to avoid the peak crowds and heat that arrive when all the group tours descend at once. If your ship arrives at 7:30 AM, plan to meet at 8:00 AM. For later arrivals, meet 30 minutes after docking. The tour is timed so you return to the port before your ship leaves.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver.
• English-speaking licensed local tour guide.
• parking fees.
• hotel, airport or cruise port pickup and return.
• access to Ephesus Ancient City, House of the Virgin Mary, Temple of Artemis, Isa Bey Mosque, Basilica of St. John, and Ephesus Museum.
• free time for shopping in local stores.
• optional traditional Turkish lunch at a local restaurant (15 euros per person, cash).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day26 departure times: the first at 04:00, the last at 19:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight 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.

Paid on siteUS$ 85

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendly

Operated by Turkey Private Tours;Cappadocia,Istanbul,Ephesus and Pamukkale.

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to set the pace and choose which sites matter most to you. The private format and customizable itinerary let you skip what does not interest you, spend extra time at the ruins or museums you came for, and avoid the crowds that arrive when group tours all visit at once. Cruise passengers should plan to meet 30 to 45 minutes after docking so the tour fits comfortably before your ship leaves.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

Can I pick which sites to visit and how long to spend at each one?

Yes. You customize the itinerary with your guide before the tour starts. Ephesus Ancient City can be visited in the morning or afternoon depending on when you want to avoid crowds, and you decide whether to add the Terrace Houses Museum, visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Artemis, Isa Bey Mosque, the Basilica of St. John, or the Ephesus Museum. The guide adjusts the schedule and duration to match your interests.

What is included in the tour price?

Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, a professional English-speaking local tour guide, parking fees, and pickup from your hotel, airport, or cruise port are included. Traditional Turkish lunch is optional and costs 15 euros per person in cash. Drinks are 3 or 4 euros each.

How long does the tour take?

The tour runs 5 to 8 hours depending on which sites you choose to visit and how much time you spend at each one. You decide the length when you plan the itinerary with your guide.

Is the Terrace Houses Museum accessible for people with mobility issues?

The Terrace Houses Museum is not recommended for people with disabilities or wheelchair users because it requires climbing stairs. The rest of Ephesus Ancient City and the other sites on the tour are accessible for all physical fitness levels.

What time should I meet my guide if I'm arriving on a cruise ship?

Meet your guide 30 to 45 minutes after your ship docks. If your ship arrives at 7:30 AM, plan to meet at 8:00 AM. For ships arriving later than 7:00 AM, meet 30 minutes after docking. This timing helps you avoid the crowds and heat and ensures you return to the port before departure.