NEW: Private The Most Detailed Ephesus Shore Excursion / with Lunch
47 Reviews
4.87 out of 5 stars Based on 47 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor
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Recommended by 98% of reviewers
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Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Kusadasi, Turkey
5 to 7 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Overview
All in one Private Ephesus Tour is a special concept that is created for travelers who are deeply interested in mythological, and historical aspects of Ephesus and surrounding historical sights. Lectures given by tour guides are concentrated on this specific concept. Unlike other Ephesus tour options, Terrace Houses and Ephesus Museum are included in the itinerary. By joining this tour, you’ll have interesting information on topics such as Roman engineering and architecture, civil and public buildings, daily life in Ephesus, Roman mosaics, frescoes and statues, stories behind the mythological figures found in Ephesus, rituals, and practices of pagan worship, imperial cult and so on…
This tour is guaranteed Skip-The-Line with pre-purchased tickets.
You can always customize your tour with your private guide.
The duration of this tour is about 5-7 hours including traveling time and delicious local lunch.
What's Included
- Brand New A/C Luxury Mercedes Vito with Private Driver
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines
- A Delicious Local Lunch
- Parking Fees and Taxes
- Pick Up and Drop Off service
- English Speaking Professional Licenced Tour Guide
- Drinks at the Lunch
- Entrance Fees (Tour guide will have pre-purchased tickets, so you can skip-the long ticket lines)
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup point
Show on Google Maps
Pickup details
From Kusadasi Cruise Port, Kusadasi Hotels, Izmir Cruise Port, Izmir Hotels
What To Expect
Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House)
Visit the House of Virgin Mary.
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Ancient City of Ephesus
Harbour Street, theatre, the Marble Street, Celcius Library, the gate of Mihridates and Mazues, Commercial Agora, latrina, Hadrian Temple, the Scolastica Baths, Trajan Fountain, Curetes Street, Polio Fountain, Memnius Monument, the Temple of Domitian, the Prytaneion, Odeon and the State Agora are visited.
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
State Agora
The agora on the southern part of the Basilica is the State Agora and was built in the Roman Period in the first century B.C. This agora was used not for commerce but for business, it played an important role as a meeting place for governmental discussions. During the excavations in the northeast corner of the Agora were found a great number of graves from the 7th-6th centuries B.C and a stone-paved road, and an archaic sarcophagus of terra cotta.From this, it is understood that in the archaic period this part of the Agora was used as the necropolis of Ephesus. There is a water reservoir at the corner of the Agora, which played an important role in Ephesus. Its water was brought to the city through the Pollio Aqueduct, the remains of the Pollio Aqueduct can be seen 5 kilometers away, along the Selçuk-Aydin highway.
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
The Odeion
This building has the shape of a small theatre with the stage building, seating places, and the orchestra. It had a double function in use. First, it was used as a Bouleuterion for the meetings of the Boules or the Senate. The second function was the Odeum as a concert hall for the performances. It was constructed in the 2nd century A.D by the order of Publius Vedius Antonius and his wife Flavia Paiana, two wealthy citizens in Ephesus.It had a capacity of 1500 spectators. It had 3 doors opening from the stage to the podium. The podium was narrow and one meter higher than the orchestra section. The stage building was two-storeyed and embellished with columns. The podium in front of the stage building and some parts of the seating were restored. The Odeon used to be enclosed with a wooden roof.Two councils administrated Ephesus. These were Demos or the parliament which was open to the public was taken place in the great theatre and the Bouleia which gathered in this small theatre.
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Temple of Domitian
Located at the south end of Domitian Street, it is the first structure in Ephesus known to be dedicated to an emperor. It was built on a high and wide terrace set by 50x100 meters in size, on vaulted foundations. The northern side of the terrace seems to be two-stories high, reached by stairs. The stairs are still visible today.The temple, built in the pro-style plan, had eight columns on the short side and thirteen columns on the long side, and four additional columns in front of the cella. On the northern side, there was an u-shaped altar, which is now displayed in the Izmir Museum.It was in the reign of Domitian that an emperor gave permission to build an Emperor Temple; that is the permission to be the 'neocoros' for the first time, which was a great honor for a city.It was in the reign of Domitian that an emperor gave permission to build an Emperor Temple; that is the permission to be the 'neocoros' for the first time, which was a great honor for a city.
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Hercules Gate (Pass By)
Hercules Gate is located towards the end of Curetes Street, it was called the Hercules gate because of the relief of Hercules on it. It was brought from another place in the fourth century AD to its current place, but the relief on it dates back to the second century AD.Only the two sides of the columns remain today and the other parts of it have not been found. The relief of the flying Nike in the Domitian Square is thought to also be a part of this gate.The Heracles Gate narrowed the access to the street, preventing the passage of vehicles. We can understand that from the Fourth Century, the street had become a pedestrian area.
Temple of Hadrian
Temple of Hadrian is one of the best-preserved and most beautiful structures on Curetes Street. It was built before 138 A.D by P. Quintilius and was dedicated to Emperor Hadrian, who came to visit the city from Athens in 128 A.D The facade of the temple has four Corinthian columns supporting a curved arch, in the middle of which contains a relief of Tyche, goddess of victory. The side columns are square. The pedestal with inscriptions in front of the temple is the bases for the statues of the emperors between 293-305 CE, Diocletian, Maximian, Constantius I, and Galerius; the originals of the statues have not been found yet.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Ephesus Terrace Houses
Ephesus terrace houses are located on the hill, opposite the Hadrian Temple. Also called "the houses of wealthy Romans", important for the reason give us information about family life during the Roman period. They were built according to the Hippodamian plan of the city in which roads transected each other at the right angles.
There are six residential units on three terraces at the lower end of the slope of the Bulbul Mountain. The oldest building dates back to 1C BC and continued in use as a residence until 7C AD.Ephesus terrace houses are covered with protective roofing which resembles Roman houses. The mosaics on the floor and the frescos have been consolidated and two houses have been opened to the public as a museum.
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Library of Celsus
Celsus Library is one of the most beautiful structures in Ephesus. Celcius Library was built in 117 A.D. Celsus Library was a monumental tomb for Gaius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, the governor of the province of Asia; from his son Galius Julius Aquila. The grave of Celsus was beneath the ground floor, across the entrance and there was a statue of Athena over it. Because Athena was the goddess of wisdom.The scrolls of the manuscripts were kept in cupboards in niches on the walls. There were double walls behind the bookcases to prevent them from the extremes of temperature and humidity. The capacity of the library was more than 12,000 scrolls. It was the third richest library in ancient times after the Alexandra and Pergamum.
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Ephesus Ancient Greek Theatre
Ephesus theatre is the most magnificent structure in the Ephesus ancient city. The Ephesus Great Theatre is located on the slope of Panayir Hill, opposite Harbor Street, and is easily seen when entering from the south entrance to Ephesus. It was first constructed in the Hellenistic Period, in the third century BC during the reign of Lysimachos, but then during the Roman Period, it was enlarged and formed its current style that is seen today.t is the largest in Anatolia and has a capacity of 25,000 seats. The cavea has sixty-six rows of seats, divided by two diazoma (walkway between seats) into three horizontal sections. There are three sections of seats. In the lower section, Marble pieces, used for restoration, and the Emperor's Box were found.The Ephesus theatre was used not only for concerts and plays but also for religious, political, and philosophical discussions and for gladiator and animal fights.
25 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
The Temple of Artemis
The Temple of Artemis is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. It has been built in the areas of Ephesus on a flat area that has over the centuries turned into a swamp. If you visit Ephesus today, you can only see the ruins of the foundations of this marvelous construction of the Hellenistic Age, entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns' capitals and shafts. The most beautiful remains of this temple are today exhibited in the London British Museum.
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
The Basilica of Saint John
It is believed that the evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and was buried on the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. Three hundred years after the death of St. John, a small chapel was constructed over the grave in the 4th century. The church of St John was changed into a marvelous basilica during the region of Emperor Justinian (527 -565 AD).The second half of the first century was full of persecution for the early Christians. Apostle James and Stephen were killed in Jerusalem. Paul was sent to Rome and executed. According to tradition John took The Mother Mary and came to Ephesus. He wrote his Gospel in Ephesus and the Revelation on Greece Island, Patmos in 96AD.
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
Frequently Asked Questions
(6)Q: What is the cancellation policy for the NEW: Private The Most Detailed Ephesus Shore Excursion / with Lunch?
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-12889P10
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.87
47 reviews
Average 4.87 out of 5 stars based on 47 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
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Frequently Asked Questions (6)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.
Filter by:
Q:
What is the cancellation policy for the NEW: Private The Most Detailed Ephesus Shore Excursion / with Lunch?
A:Apr 2025
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+03).
Q:
What's included in the price?
A:
Apr 2025
The following is included:
- Brand New A/C Luxury Mercedes Vito with Private Driver.
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines.
- A Delicious Local Lunch.
- Parking Fees and Taxes.
- Pick Up and Drop Off service.
- English Speaking Professional Licenced Tour Guide.
The following is NOT included:
- Drinks at the Lunch.
- Entrance Fees (Tour guide will have pre-purchased tickets, so you can skip-the long ticket lines).
Q:
What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025
Q:
My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:
If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025
Q:
Is this an accessible tour?
A:Apr 2025
Accessibility information for the NEW: Private The Most Detailed Ephesus Shore Excursion / with Lunch is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Q:
Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for NEW: Private The Most Detailed Ephesus Shore Excursion / with Lunch will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- Brand New A/C Luxury Mercedes Vito with Private Driver
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines
- A Delicious Local Lunch
- Parking Fees and Taxes
- Pick Up and Drop Off service
- English Speaking Professional Licenced Tour Guide
- Drinks at the Lunch
- Entrance Fees (Tour guide will have pre-purchased tickets, so you can skip-the long ticket lines)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
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