Home > Kusadasi > Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus including House of Virgin Mary and Temple of Artem
USD $78.00
Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus including House of Virgin Mary and Temple of Artem
Kusadasi, Turkey
The ancient city of Ephesus is a must-visit destination while you're in port in Kusadasi. On this private shore excursion, you will visit the ruins of the former Roman capital and learn about the history of its monuments and buildings from your private guide. You will also see the site of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the place where the Virgin Mary spent her final days.
When you disembark your cruise ship at the Kusadasi port, meet your private guide and make your way to the ancient city of Ephesus. On arrival, you will find yourself in front of the Magnesia Gate, built to the side of the road that connected Ephesus with Magnesia. Enter Ephesus through this gate, which pedestrians and horses and chariots used to make their way into the city.
Inside the city, tour the sites with your guide. You’ll see the Celsus Library, one of the most beautiful structures in Ephesus. It had capacity to hold more than 12,000 scrolls. The library is also a monumental tomb for Gaius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, the governor of the province of Asia, whose grave is located beneath the ground floor.
Your guide will lead you to the Odeon, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater and tell you historical facts and entertaining stories about these ancient sites. See the Temple of Hadrian, which holds three panels depicting the mythological foundation of Ephesus.
You’ll also see one of the most popular sites in Ephesus, the ruins of the Temple of Artemis. First built during the Archaic period, the temple is one of the Seven Wonders of Ancient World.
Lastly, visit the House of the Virgin Mary. Recognized by the Vatican as the place where the Virgin Mary spent her last days, this small house is a typical Roman construction, completely made of stone. The original two-story house consisted of several rooms, but today only the central part of the house and a room on the right of the altar are open to visitors, giving it the look of a church rather than a house.
Worry-free Shore Excursion: We will ensure your timely return to the Kusadasi port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
Our guide was great and explained things very clearly to our children aged 11 and 9.
Review by: David D, September 2015
Our tour was perfect! From the moment we stepped off the boat, our guide Tay and driver were so attentive and knowledgeable. We learned so much, went at a pace that was perfect for the four of us and could not have asked for a better experience.
Review by: Tam D, September 2015
Outstanding Amry was very knowledgeable and friendly. He went extra miles to ensure that we are satisfied with the tour. He deserved to be recognized as a history professor.
Review by: Karen D, June 2015
Although I was unable to go on this tour due to getting sick, my husband enjoyed it. We had private tour guide and he was knowledgeable, friendly and funny. I was able to join them in the afternoon and we visited a carpet shop out in the country side about 10 miles from town. We bought one of the rugs to remember our six weeks vacation!!! I cannot wait to get it as it will look beautiful along with the three others that we already have. Being on a private tour is the only way to go!!!
Review by: aaarogers, June 2015
We were a family of 5 including a 3, 5 and 73 year old and this was a great tour. Our tour guide Emry was great! He was extremely knowledgeable of the tour spots as well Turkey in general. He allowed us to go at our own speed slow... and answered all questions and kept the tour fun. After we had seen the major attractions he offered to take us to the leather and carpet shops. We passed on the leather, but he assured us that the carpet shop would be fun for the kids and they would not pressure us to purchase - he was right, it was a nice stop and we all enjoyed it. This was a great tour and we would highly recommend it -- if we hadn't had Emry to take us through and explain everything, we would have just wondered around aimlessly and not enjoyed the all the history that is there to see!
Review by: WVnomad, December 2014
Alex was awesome and we had a great time!
Review by: c.westhafer, November 2014
The tour company, and our guide, Alex get our highest marks. Probably the highlight of our entire cruise. So professional, yet very personal guide, who was very knowledgeable about Ephesus.
Review by: linda.powell, October 2014
Ephesus is not to be missed but you need an excellent guide. Guide quickly walked us through Ephesus; with limited commentary. We had been here previously 7 yrs ago with an excellent guide; we made a point of asking specific questions. If we hadn't he would not have taken the time to point out/explain. He was more interested in taking us to a carpet outlet; he was somewhat insulted when we declined.
Review by: Kathleen G, October 2014
We learned so much from our wonderful guide Eman. He made the experience one that we will never forget. His knowledge and insights were remarkable. If you schedule this trip ask for him. You will not be disappointed
Review by: Jim, October 2014
Very educational! Great tour!
Review by: Douglas S, September 2014
Our trip to Ephesus was very enjoyable and informative. Comfortable transportation. Excellent, knowledgeable guide. Pace was excellent and relaxed.
Review by: Myala H, September 2014
Ephesus was fantastic. Highlight of the cruise. Glad that we booked a private tour rather than do something through the cruise ship. It was a lot more expensive than the group your but worth it for a special occasion
Review by: Balibarb, August 2014
First I have to start with our tour guide Emre, he was fantastic! Incredibly Knowledgeable, very easy and interesting to listen to.Ephesus is a magnificent ancient city to visit he made us feel as if we could visualize the city the way it was 2000 years ago. He kept us in the shade as much as possible and walked ot our pace. He took us to off the cruise ship locations avoiding crowds and enabling us to experience authentic local sights. We went to a turkish rug manufacture and the entire production of the rugs were explained to us , without any pressure to purchase. We were served light refreshments and a choice of Turkish coffe( which I must say was the best coffee I have ever had), Turkish tea, local wine or their local spirtit ( Riki) . Then we went on to a leather factory. Here they put on a fashion show for us and my 2 daughters were able model some of the beautiful leather coats and jackets. The leather products were magnificent . Turkey was a highlight of our trip due to Emre and the wonderful sights to see. I found it very easy to contact the local tour company before we left. I will definitely use Viator exclusively for my tours.
Review by: Carol M, August 2014
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Ephesus in the very capable hands of our guide Emray. He was very knowledgeable and attentive, walking us through Ephesus at our own pace, pointing out good photo points and always finding shade when we needed to talk longer about the site and it's history. He identified what we wanted from the trip and made sure that we got what we wanted from it. We returned to our ship very satisfied that we had seen everything we wanted and had it well explained but because we had gone at our own pace we were not exhausted even on the hottest of days. Would recommend the trip and the guide wholeheartedly,
Review by: alva c, December 2013
THE BEST GUIDE WE HAD IN THE HOLE TRIP WAS ALEXANDER. THE VAN WAS CLEAN , VERY BIG AND COMFORTABLE. THE DRIVER ALSO EXCELENT. I WILL ALWAYS , ALWAYS WILL USE VIATOR FOR OUR TOURS. NEVER AGAIN I WILL TRUST ANY OTHER SOURSE. CONGRATULATIONS.
Review by: pennysue, October 2013
Couldn't have been better. Alex was a super tour guide and treated us with kindness and courtesy._br/_
Turkey was a very pleasant surprise. Beautiful scenery and very clean. We stopped to eat at a local place where Alex and his wife enjoy the food...delicious. He asked if wanted to go to the Bulbul Mountain Looms, a local school for making carpets including a silk farm. Quite interesting and I was lucky enough to purchase a beautiful carpet. Carpet making is one of Turkey's top industries. Alex asked if we were interested in seeing these made and later asked if we were interested in prices. I would like to clarify that this was not pushed on us at all (at least they made it seem that way). Ephesus has marble pathways, is quite interesting, but not easy for people with walking challenges. Alex was very considerate in keeping our slow pace. It is sad to see the many feral cats and homeless dogs everywhere.
Review by: Lori, October 2013
The guide was pathetic. It seemed that he did not want to be our guide. He took us to the required spots, and gave us perfunctory information. I was completely disappointed with the House of Virgin Mary. He could have told us about the water fountain and the wishing wall. We had no tools to take a few minutes to "get ahead" of the larger crowds. What should have been "memorable" for us was not.
Review by: Janet U, September 2013
I had visited Ephesus previously with a tour guide who was most informative so I had an expectation of the what the tour should entail. Two others in our party had not been to Ephesus. At the beginning of the tour our guide immediately started on the hard sell of visiting a carpet and a leather factory. We were very polite and said it really did not interest us we just wanted to see the historical sites. From that point on he could not really be bothered with us. We got very little information about the virgin Mary's house, and we were raced through Ephesus in record once again with very little explanation, a very disappointing experience. It was very obvious that other tour guides were giving their clients very detailed descriptions of specific parts of the ruins. Viator organization was professional but this tour guide sadly let you down very badly. We did 3 other private tours with viator on this trip none of which could be faulted.
Review by: Gordon B, September 2013
Inan was an excellent tour guide. Because we were in a small group and we arrived before the buses we avoided long lines at the House of the Virgin Mary. The ruins in Ephesus are remarkable and more impressive to see than those in Athens so you should not miss them. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable of the history. He was also able to take us to good shopping spots with the little bit of time we had left.
Review by: Annette M, July 2013
Our group of 8 had an excellent tour with our Guide "Alex". He was waiting for us when we came off the ship. The air conditioned bus was welcoming and clean. Alex was very informative (his English was very good) and he fit the tour to suit our needs and requests. Umbrellas were provided to keep the heat of the sun off of us when walking around Ephesus and he graciously took our group pictures in strategic beautiful locations. The House of Virgin Mary and ancient city of Ephesus were definitely highlights but we also learned about the art of carpet making right from the way they obtain the silk to the hand tying of knots. We were able to walk barefoot on several carpets to feel the difference while served some traditional Turkish beverages. Another highlight was going to a leather producer and having our own private fashion show on the runway just like the stars. Our guide provided us time for shopping with out feeling rushed and let us even sample some good Turkish Delight. We would highly recommend this tour!
On time but did not rate the guide very well. His English was hard to understand and left us on own to often
Review by: Janine B, September 2012
One of the best excursion trips we have even taken. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Will most definitely use Viator again in the future.
Review by: houstonkiki, September 2012
Our guide was "Hiluk" - very knowledgable and interesting, Great tour overall- Ephesus was amazing. We happened to be there just in time for the live gladiator show - which was very entertaining. Then we were taken to a Leather "runway show" and shop and a rug shop - Could have done without that.
Review by: Anonymous, September 2012
The driver, and particularly the guide provided us with an amazing experience. This excursion was the highlight of the cruise. The history that the guide gave and the places visited were not only unforgettable but most moving. Particularly the home of the Virgin Mary.
Review by: , September 2012
The driver, and particularly the guide provided us with an amazing experience. This excursion was the highlight of the cruise. The history that the guide gave and the places visited were not only unforgettable but most moving. Particularly the home of the Virgin Mary.
Review by: Lisa H, August 2012
Our guide Haluk was wonderful and very patient, as well as knowledgable about the sites. He was prompt, our English was good, and he kept up a good pace for our group of 4 adults and 2 kids. It's amazing how much information he knows and that he could answer pretty much any question we had. Having Haluk and our private driver made our trip very pleasant and educational. The only criticism I would have is that they took us to a leather shop where we saw a fashion show and received a hard sell to buy some very pricey leather jackets (and did); I would have liked to have been told about the plan beforehand, rather than having it sprung on us when we arrived at the shop. That being said, the visit was a nice, air-conditioned break after a hot, dusty afternoon and my kids thoroughly enjoyed the fashion show and trying on the leather jackets.
Review by: Magali, July 2012
Our guide Yilgert was top-notch, the best we have ever had in years of travel. He was extremely knowledgeable of the area, a great communicator and attentive to every need and detail. He definitely made our experience in Ephesus a fantastic one. He is the standard of what premium travelers are expecting
Review by: Victoriap87, July 2012
Excellent! Excellent! This private tour with a family of 5, our tour guide (Erisen) and our driver! I highly recommend this tour, as does my family. This was a highlight of our vacation. Erisen's English was perfect and totally understandable. He was knowledgeable, informative and just a nice man. He answered all our questions with ease. If you choose this tour, try to get him as a guide! We started out early at 7:30 to beat the heat and the crowds -- heading to Mary's house first was the best plan made by Erisen. There was just a few people there, but when we left the buses were lined up! Good call by our tour guide! The mini bus with great air conditioning we had could have held many more people, but it was just us -- this was great! We continued on to Ephesus, where we were able to view it all! Erisen explaining as we walked -- note: comfortable walking shoes, hats, and bottles of water are definitely a must during this tour. Ground is not level, but sneakers make it easy. It's hot in the summer in Turkey, but this tour is so worth the time and money. Also no pressure shopping at rug places and tourist traps. This was a great tour, highly recommended!
Review by: Victoriap87, June 2012
Excellent! Excellent! This private tour with a family of 5, our tour guide (Erisen) and our driver! I highly recommend this tour, as does my family. This was a highlight of our vacation. Erisen's English was perfect and totally understandable. He was knowledgeable, informative and just a nice man. He answered all our questions with ease. If you choose this tour, try to get him as a guide! We started out early at 7:30 to beat the heat and the crowds -- heading to Mary's house first was the best plan made by Erisen. There was just a few people there, but when we left the buses were lined up! Good call by our tour guide! The mini bus with great air conditioning we had could have held many more people, but it was just us -- this was great! We continued on to Ephesus, where we were able to view it all! Erisen explaining as we walked -- note: comfortable walking shoes, hats, and bottles of water are definitely a must during this tour. Ground is not level, but sneakers make it easy. It's hot in the summer in Turkey, but this tour is so worth the time and money. Also no pressure shopping at rug places and tourist traps. This was a great tour, highly recommended!
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