Ephesus and Istanbul Combined 2-Day Mini Group Shore Excursion
Two iconic destinations, one seamless cruise experience across ancient ruins and Ottoman grandeur
This Ephesus and Istanbul combined shore excursion is purpose-built for Princess Cruise guests seeking a structured, small-group experience at two of Turkey's most celebrated destinations. Each tour day is capped at ten passengers, ensuring attentive guidance and a relaxed pace. Together, the two days cover millennia of history, from Hellenistic ruins to Byzantine cathedrals and Ottoman palaces.
On Day One, your guide meets you dockside at Kusadasi Cruise Terminal and leads you through the House of Virgin Mary, the marble avenues of ancient Ephesus, and the remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The route follows a logical geographic sequence, minimising driving time and maximising time on foot among the monuments.
Day Two centres on Istanbul, where the tour uses the city tram rather than a coach, allowing you to move efficiently through the historic peninsula despite the city's demanding traffic. The itinerary covers the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Grand Bazaar before returning to Galata Port by tram.
Tour Highlights
Walk the marble streets of ancient Ephesus, passing the Celsus Library, Hadrian Temple, and the Grand Theatre, which once held 24,000 spectators.
Visit the House of Virgin Mary on Mount Koressos, a pilgrimage site recognised by the Vatican and visited by multiple popes.
See the remaining column of the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, dedicated to the Greek goddess of fertility.
Travel through Istanbul by historic tram between Tophane and Sultanahmet, avoiding traffic and experiencing the city as residents do.
Explore Topkapi Palace, administrative heart of the Ottoman Empire for four centuries, including its weapons collection.
Stand inside Hagia Sophia, the great Byzantine church turned mosque, considered one of the finest architectural achievements in history.
Browse the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest covered markets with over 1,200 shops opened since 1461.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Your guide meets you at Kusadasi Cruise Terminal with a name sign and drives you to the House of Virgin Mary on Mount Koressos, where tradition holds that St. John brought Mary after the crucifixion. The site carries significance for both Christian and Muslim pilgrims.
The Ephesus walking tour proceeds along the ancient marble streets, passing the State Agora, Odeon, Memmius Monument, Temple of Domitian, Trajan Fountain, Baths of Scholastica, Hadrian Temple, Latrina, Celsus Library, and the Commercial Agora. The Grand Theatre, constructed in the third century BC and expanded by Rome to accommodate 24,000 people, closes this section of the walk.
The day concludes at the Temple of Artemis site, where a single standing column marks one of antiquity's Seven Wonders. The group then drives back through Gazibegendi Park to Kusadasi port.
Your Istanbul guide meets you at Galata Port Terminal and walks with the group 200 metres to Tophane Tram Station. After a 20-minute tram ride, the tour begins at the Hippodrome Square, the former civic and sporting heart of Byzantine Constantinople, before moving to the 17th-century Blue Mosque with its six minarets and celebrated Iznik tile interior.
The group visits Topkapi Palace, built by Sultan Mehmed II between 1460 and 1478, touring the weapons section among other courtyards. Hagia Sophia follows immediately — the Byzantine church converted to a mosque is one of the largest surviving examples of late antique architecture in the world.
The final stop is the Grand Bazaar, operating since 1461 and home to more than 1,200 shops across 58 covered streets. The group returns on foot to Sultanahmet Tram Station and rides back to Tophane, then walks 200 metres to the port.
What Is Included
Included
- Professional licensed local guide for each tour day
- Small group format, maximum 10 passengers per group
- All transfers by air-conditioned vehicle on Day 1
- Tram transport within Istanbul on Day 2
- Name sign meet-and-greet at both cruise terminals
- Entrance to Ephesus archaeological site
- Entrance to House of Virgin Mary
- Entrance to Topkapi Palace including weapons section
Not Included
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Food and beverages
- Hagia Sophia entrance fee if applicable
- Grand Bazaar purchases
- Any items of a personal nature
Important Information
Reserve Your Spot on This Two-Day Excursion
Places are strictly limited to ten passengers per group. Secure your dates now to avoid missing this combined Ephesus and Istanbul experience tailored for Princess Cruise guests.
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