Ephesus Tour from Bodrum Port: Private Day with Virgin Mary House
Overview
Ephesus Tour from Bodrum Port: Private Day with Virgin Mary House
Spend your port day on a private Ephesus tour from Bodrum Port that brings together ancient history and biblical heritage in one full day, with pickup and drop-off taken care of.
The trip is planned for cruise passengers and gives you an easy way to reach one of the most important archaeological sites in Turkey.
Marble Streets and a Place of Pilgrimage
Walk along the marble streets of Ephesus, passing the Library of Celsus, the Great Theater and the Temple of Hadrian. Afterwards comes the House of the Virgin Mary, which is an important pilgrimage site.
Return to Your Ship
Once the tour is over, the van takes you directly back to Bodrum Port, so rejoining your ship is relaxed.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Ephesus, Terrace Houses and House of the Virgin Mary from Bodrum
Bodrum sits on Turkey's Aegean coast and has one of the most attractive cruise ports in the country. A private trip from here lets you cover both Ephesus and the Virgin Mary's House in a single day.
At the agreed time your private guide is waiting for you, holding a sign. An easy two-hour drive brings you to Ephesus, among the best-preserved and most beautiful classical cities in the Mediterranean, and in its day a leading trading hub of Asia Minor.
As you walk the marble streets, you see the city's best-known landmarks: the Great Theater, which was expanded to hold 24,000 spectators, as well as the Library of Celsus, the Baths of Scholastica and the Temple of Hadrian. Your guide describes daily life in Roman times and why the city mattered so much.
Next comes the House of the Virgin Mary. It is a recognised pilgrimage site, and many believe she spent her final days here.
There is also the option to see the Terrace Houses, where well-kept mosaics and frescoes reveal the homes of the rich families of Ephesus.
When the tour ends, a comfortable drive returns you to Bodrum Port, where you board your ship.
Our service ends here. We hope to see you again on another trip along the lovely Turkish coast.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Private Tour
- ✓Licensed Tour Guide
- ✓Transportation by Private Van
- ✕Museum Tickets & Attraction Fees
- ✕Meals & Drinks
- ✕Gratuity (Suggested)
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at no charge until 7 days before your tour and you receive a full refund. If you cancel within the final 7 days before the tour, no refund is given. All times shown are local.
Write a review
Been on a trip with us? Tell other travelers how it went.
Travel guides
Ephesus shore excursion from Bodrum: the essentials
This private full-day shore trip collects cruise passengers at Bodrum Port, drives them to Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary, and brings them straight back to the ship, from $750. A licensed private guide waits at the port holding a sign, and a private van covers the drive of about two hours in each direction. At Ephesus you stroll along marble streets past the Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus, the Great Theater and the Baths of Scholastica.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 8 to 9 hours |
| Price | from $750 |
| Type | Private shore excursion |
| Start and end | Bodrum Port |
| Included | Private van, licensed private guide, pick-up and drop-off at the port |
| Not included | Meals and drinks, museum tickets and attraction fees, tips |
Can cruise passengers reach Ephesus from Bodrum?
Yes. The drive from Bodrum to Ephesus takes about two hours, so a private full-day tour lasting 8 to 9 hours fits into a standard port call. The tour is planned around your ship: the guide meets you at the agreed time and, at the end, you go directly back to Bodrum Port and can reboard without worry.
Which sites are on the route?
| Site | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Library of Celsus | Its well-known two-storey facade |
| Temple of Hadrian | Detailed Roman carving beside the marble street |
| Baths of Scholastica | A big Roman bath complex |
| Great Theater | Among the largest theatres of the ancient world |
| Terrace Houses | Roman houses with frescoes and mosaics |
| House of the Virgin Mary | A pilgrimage site where, by tradition, Mary lived her final years |
Ephesus was once a leading trade centre of Asia Minor, and it is among the best-preserved classical cities in the Mediterranean.
Which Bodrum shore excursion should you pick?
| Bodrum shore excursion | What it covers | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| This tour | The House of the Virgin Mary and Ephesus | $750 |
| Didyma, Priene and Miletus from Bodrum Port | Priene, Miletus and the Temple of Apollo at Didyma | $750 |
| Bodrum's ancient wonders for cruise passengers | The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, Bodrum Castle and the ancient theatre | $550 |
| Bodrum peninsula tour from the port | Gumusluk, Turkbuku, the windmills and a village lunch in Etrim | $650 |
If your ship also stops at Kusadasi, Ephesus is far closer from there: the Kusadasi shore excursion to Ephesus costs from $300. If Bodrum is your only port on the Aegean, this tour is how you see Ephesus.
How long do you spend at Ephesus?
With roughly four hours on the road in total, there is still time for a two- to three-hour guided walk through the ancient city plus a stop at the House of the Virgin Mary. The guide arranges the order around your all-aboard time, so the key sites always come first.
Which season works best?
Spring and autumn are best. In summer Ephesus is hot with very little shade, and because of the drive from Bodrum you get there later in the morning, so take a hat and lots of water.
What to bring
Comfortable shoes for walking on marble, sunscreen, a hat and water, clothes covering shoulders and knees for the House of the Virgin Mary, your ID and ship card, and cash or a card for tickets.
How to book
Pick your port date on this page and submit the form, or contact us on WhatsApp with the name of your ship, its arrival time and the all-aboard time. We confirm in writing, and payment is due only once we have confirmed. To see more, visit our Bodrum tours, Ephesus tours and Turkey tour packages.
Similar tours
Didyma, Priene & Miletus Private Shore Excursion from Bodrum Port
A private full day from Bodrum Port to three major Ionian sites: Didyma and its Temple of Apollo, Priene and Miletus.
Bodrum Private Shore Excursion: Castle, Mausoleum & Theatre, 7 Hours
A private shore excursion for cruise guests in Bodrum, covering St. Peter's Castle, the ancient theatre and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.