Private Ephesus Tour: Full Day with Guide, Van & Skip-the-Line Access
Overview
Private Ephesus Tour: Full Day with Guide, Van & Skip-the-Line Access
Explore Ephesus, among the best-preserved ancient cities anywhere, in the company of an expert guide.
Marble Streets and the Library of Celsus
You walk through its grand ruins and get a sense of the scale of the Roman Empire, while your guide explains landmarks such as the Library of Celsus, the Great Theater and the Temple of Hadrian.
House of the Virgin Mary
The day also includes the House of the Virgin Mary, a holy pilgrimage site that the Vatican recognises.
With pickup from and drop-off at your hotel, a professional guide and a plan that makes the past easy to picture, the tour works for history fans and pilgrims alike.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Ephesus, House of the Virgin Mary & Isa Bey Mosque
The tour starts when your guide collects you from your Kusadasi or Selcuk hotel.
No classical city on the Mediterranean is better preserved than Ephesus, and there may be no better place on earth to picture everyday Roman life. You walk along its striking marble streets, past columns, temples and fountains, and see the Temple of Hadrian, the Great Theater and the grand Library of Celsus facade. Your expert guide explains every site along the way.
A short distance from Ephesus is the House of the Virgin Mary. Christian tradition holds that, after the Resurrection, the Apostle John took Mary to this place, and that she lived out her last days in this house. When the ruins were first found, they contained a small shrine to Mary, and the Vatican later recognised the site.
Next is Isa Bey Mosque, a 14th-century work of the earliest Muslim dynasty that made its home in western Anatolia. Here you learn about early Islamic architecture.
There is also the option to see the Terrace Houses, where well-preserved mosaics and frescoes reveal the lives of the rich families of Ephesus.
At the end of the tour you are taken back to your hotel.
Our service ends here. Thank you for travelling with Get Turkey Tours; we hope to see you again soon.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Private Tour
- ✓Local Tour Guides
- ✓Transportation by Private Van
- ✓Skip-the-line Access to Buy Tickets
- ✕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.
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A private full day in Ephesus: the essentials
Spend a full private day in Ephesus with a dedicated expert guide and a private van, from $300. The guide picks you up at your hotel in Kusadasi or Selcuk (or in Izmir) and leads you around one of the world's best-preserved ancient cities, from the Temple of Hadrian and the Library of Celsus to the Great Theater, before going on to the House of the Virgin Mary. Help with skip-the-line ticket buying is included, so your time goes on the sites rather than on queues.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 6 to 8 hours |
| Price | from $300 |
| Format | Private, just your group and a local guide |
| Begins and ends | At your hotel in Kusadasi, Selcuk or Izmir |
| What is covered | Private van, private guide, skip-the-line help with buying tickets |
| What is not covered | Tips, meals and drinks, museum tickets and attraction fees |
Is it worth having a private guide in Ephesus?
Yes, more so than at most places. The site is big, the best details are easily overlooked, and a lot of its story, from daily life and trade to religion and the early Christians, only makes sense when someone explains it. A private guide lets you choose the pace, stay longer where you want and skip what bores you. With the private van you also never wait for a taxi between Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and the other stops.
Which sites does the private tour cover?
| Site | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Ephesus ancient city | Columned marble streets, fountains and temples |
| Library of Celsus | Its grand two-storey facade |
| Temple of Hadrian | A finely carved Roman temple along Curetes Street |
| Great Theater | Among the biggest theatres of the ancient world |
| Harbor Street | The wide avenue that used to run down to the sea |
| Terrace Houses | Roman houses with frescoes and mosaics |
| House of the Virgin Mary | Pilgrimage site recognised by the Vatican |
| Isa Bey Mosque | Mosque in Selcuk from the 14th century |
How much time does Ephesus need?
To see the ancient city well with a guide takes around two to three hours, more if you include the Terrace Houses. Add the House of the Virgin Mary and the other stops, and a full day of six to eight hours covers it all without rushing.
Private tour or shore excursion: which should you book?
| Ephesus tour | Ideal for | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| This tour | Visitors with a hotel in Kusadasi, Selcuk or Izmir | $300 |
| Private Kusadasi shore excursion | Cruise guests, back at the ship on time | $300 |
| Shore excursion to Ephesus and Sirince | Also visits Sirince, a village on the hillside | $300 |
| Night tour of Ephesus | Ephesus in the dark, without heat or crowds | $250 |
| 2-day Ephesus and Pamukkale tour from Istanbul | Travelling from Istanbul, flights included | $675 |
What is the House of the Virgin Mary?
Christian tradition holds that the Apostle John brought Mary to the area around Ephesus, and that she lived out her final years in a little stone house on the slope above the city. Christians come here as pilgrims, Muslims also honour it, and several popes have visited. Dress modestly.
When should you visit Ephesus?
The best months are April to June and September to November. July and August are very hot, with little shade at the site, so a private tour with an early start really helps. Winter on the Aegean coast is mild and far quieter.
What should you pack?
Comfortable walking shoes, since the marble streets can be slippery, plus a hat, sunscreen and lots of water. Wear modest clothes covering shoulders and knees for the mosque and the House of the Virgin Mary. Bring a card or cash for the entrance tickets.
How does booking work?
Pick your date here and submit the form, or send us your hotel in Kusadasi, Selcuk or Izmir on WhatsApp. We confirm in writing, and payment comes only after confirmation. Browse more Ephesus tours and Turkey tour packages for other ideas.
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