Ephesus Tour from Kusadasi: Ancient City, Virgin Mary's House & Temple of Artemis
Walk the marble streets of a civilization that shaped the ancient world, visit a sacred shrine, and stand before one of the Seven Wonders of Antiquity.
The Ephesus Tour from Kusadasi delivers a full-day journey through one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean, combining archaeology, early Christian history, and regional culture in a single itinerary.
Ephesus once ranked among the most powerful port cities of the Greek and Roman world. Its streets, libraries, and temples tell the story of a civilization that influenced trade, religion, and architecture across centuries.
The tour also visits the House of the Virgin Mary, a Catholic and interfaith pilgrimage site set on the slopes of Bulbul Mountain, and the site of the Temple of Artemis, which stood as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
A licensed local guide leads the entire tour, offering context that goes well beyond what any guidebook can provide. An open-buffet lunch featuring traditional Turkish cuisine is included at a local restaurant in Selcuk.
Tour Highlights
Walk through the monumental ruins of Ephesus Ancient City, including the Celsus Library, Temple of Hadrian, and the Great Theatre.
Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a revered pilgrimage shrine recognized by the Vatican and visited by several popes.
See the remaining column of the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, completed around 550 BC.
Photograph the most scenic spots in Ephesus with guidance from a knowledgeable local expert who knows the best angles and light.
Enjoy an open-buffet lunch at a local restaurant in Selcuk, featuring traditional Turkish dishes and vegetarian options.
Understand how three major world religions left their mark on the same stretch of land in ancient Selcuk and Ephesus.
Benefit from the insights of a licensed, local guide whose expertise brings the historical layers of each site to life.
Itinerary
Your guide or driver meets you at your hotel or the Kusadasi cruise port. The transfer to the Selcuk region takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
The tour begins at the Shrine of Mother Mary on Bulbul Mountain. The site is considered sacred by Catholics and Muslims alike and has been an official pilgrimage destination since the 19th century.
Enter the ancient city and walk its marble-paved streets with your guide. Key monuments include the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan, the Roman Baths, and the Great Theatre, which once held up to 25,000 spectators.
A sit-down open-buffet lunch is served at a local restaurant in Selcuk. Traditional Turkish dishes and vegetarian choices are available.
The final stop is the archaeological site of the Temple of Artemis at the edge of Selcuk. Though only one column remains standing, the scale of the original sanctuary is explained in full by your guide.
After the final site visit, the group returns to Kusadasi. Drop-off is at your hotel or the cruise port, depending on your booking.
What Is Included
Included
- Hotel or port pickup and drop-off from Kusadasi
- Licensed local tour guide throughout the day
- Entrance fees to Ephesus Ancient City
- Visit to the House of the Virgin Mary
- Visit to the Temple of Artemis site
- Open-buffet lunch at a local restaurant in Selcuk
- All transportation between sites
Not Included
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Drinks not included with the buffet lunch
- Optional photography or video permits inside sites
Important Information
Reserve Your Place on This Tour
Secure your spot on this guided day trip from Kusadasi and explore the ancient city of Ephesus, a UNESCO-listed site, alongside two of the region's most significant historical and religious landmarks.
Book Now
