Ephesus Private Tour from Kusadasi Port

Tour Itinerary

This private tour offers an immersive journey through Ephesus, including visits to the Terrace Houses, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The tour begins with a private guide meeting you at Kusadasi Port. From there, a scenic 30-minute drive takes you to the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be the final home of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Declared a pilgrimage site by Pope Paul VI in 1967, this sacred place provides a peaceful atmosphere for visitors.

You will spend about one hour exploring the chapel, the wishing wall, and the holy spring. A short five-minute drive brings you to Ephesus‘ Upper Gate, where your guided walking tour of the ancient city begins. Your private driver will wait at the Lower Gate while you and your guide walk downhill through the breathtaking ruins of Ephesus, once home to over 250,000 inhabitants.

During this three-hour guided tour, you will explore the city’s highlights, including the Great Theatre, a grand structure with a capacity of 25,000 spectators where Saint Paul preached to the Ephesians. The State Agora and Augustus Basilica served as the political and economic center of the city, featuring ancient marketplaces and government buildings.

You will also see the Temple of Domitian, Trajan, and Hadrian, three impressive temples dedicated to Roman emperors, as well as the Hercules Gate, marking the beginning of Curetes Street, one of Ephesus’ main avenues. The tour continues to the Celsus Library, which once housed over 12,000 scrolls and was the third-largest library in the ancient world, after those in Alexandria and Pergamon. Nearby, the Terrace Houses, located on the slopes of Bülbül Mountain, provide insight into the luxurious lifestyle of Ephesus’ elite.

This site, part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List, features mosaics, frescoes, and private heating systems. Visiting the Terrace Houses requires climbing 80 steps through a well-preserved archaeological area, and an additional entrance fee applies. After exiting Ephesus, a short five-minute drive takes you to the remains of the Temple of Artemis. Once four times larger than the Parthenon in Athens, this temple was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Although only one column remains today, your guide will explain its historical significance and grandeur. Your guide will recommend a local restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Turkish cuisine. If interested, you may visit a weaving school or a ceramic art center, where skilled artisans demonstrate traditional techniques passed down for generations.

At the end of the tour, your guide will accompany you back to Kusadasi Port, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience. Tour duration is approximately six to seven hours, with moderate walking on uneven surfaces.