PRIVATE Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary Tour (Skip-The-Line)

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4 to 6 hours (approx.)

Hotel pickup offered

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Overview

Our PRIVATE Ephesus Tour is one of its kind about places it covers and it's our best-seller! This tour is a perfect option for those who have a full day to spend around the most important sights of the Ephesus area.
This tour is guaranteed Skip-The-Line with pre-purchased tickets.
You can always customize your tour with your private guide.

This tour includes pick up and drop off service from Kusadasi Cruise Port. During your private tour, you will visit; Ephesus Ancient City which used to be the most important commercial center of the western Anatolia, the House of Virgin Mary where Mary had spent her last day, the Basilica of St. John where is believed that the evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill and the Temple of Artemision which is known as one of the seven wonders of the Antic World.

Enjoy the personalized attention of your licensed tour guide and the comfort of your private mercedes van.

What's Included

Pick Up and Drop Off from Cruise Port and Hotels
Transport by Luxury Private Vehicle
All Parking Fees and Taxes
English Speaking Tour Guide with Archaeological Backgroud

Lunch Local Lunch
Ephesus Ancient City
Virgin Mary House
St John Basilica

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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

Pickup details

For Cruisers: Your private tour guide will be meeting you at the exit of the immigration gate of Kusadasi Cruise Port with a board with your name on it.For Hotel Guests: We will meet you by the hotel reception.

What To Expect

Ephesus Ancient City

This enclosure for archaeological remains at Ephesus elegantly reconciles historic conservation with accessibility for visitors. The site of a succession of great ancient civilizations, Ephesus, on the south-west coast of modern Turkey, embodied a peculiarly fertile synthesis of architecture and culture. In 356BC the Greeks built the Artemesium (a colossal Ionic temple dedicated to Artemis the fertility goddess) which was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. During the 2nd century BC, Ephesus was the fourth largest city in the eastern Roman Empire, famous for its Artemision, the Library of Celsus and its medical school..

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Basilica of St. John

It is believed that the evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and buried in 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 in Greece Island, Patmos in 96AD.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House)

House of Virgin Mary is located on the top of the "Bulbul" mountain 9 km ahead of Ephesus, the shrine of Virgin Mary enjoys a marvelous atmosphere hidden in the green. It is the place where Mary may have spent her last days. Indeed, she may have come in the area together with Saint John, who spent several years in the area to spread Christianity. Mary preferred this remote place rather than living in crowded place.The house of Virgin Mary is a typical Roman architectural example, entirely made of stones. In the 4th century AD, a church, combining her house and grave, has been built. The original two-stored house, which consisted of an anteroom (where today candles are proposed), bedroom and praying room (Christian church area) and a room with fireplace (chapel for Muslims).

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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 which 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.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
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 PRIVATE Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary Tour (Skip-The-Line)?

A: 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). Read more Apr 2025