All-Inclusive VIP Ephesus Private Shore Excursion with Lunch
A fully customizable journey through ancient wonders, sacred sites, and timeless history — just for your group.
This private Ephesus shore excursion from Kusadasi brings you face to face with some of the most significant archaeological and spiritual landmarks in the ancient world, all within a single seamless day trip from the port.
Your personal guide meets you dockside holding a sign with your name, then escorts your group at your own pace through marble-paved streets, Roman theatres, and mountain sanctuaries. Lunch is included, entrance fees are covered, and there are no hidden costs waiting at the end of the tour.
Because this is a private experience, you decide where to linger and what to skip. The itinerary is a starting point, not a contract, and your guide adjusts every stop based on your interests as the day unfolds.
Tour Highlights
Walk the marble-paved main street of Ephesus, passing the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, and the 24,000-seat Grand Theatre.
Visit the House of Virgin Mary on the slopes of Aladag Mountains, a recognized pilgrimage site visited by multiple popes since 1967.
Explore the Basilica of St. John on Ayasolug Hill, believed to be the burial site of the evangelist who accompanied Mary to Ephesus.
Stand at the remains of the Temple of Artemis, once counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Enjoy a fully private tour with no waiting for other groups and the freedom to spend as much time as you wish at each site.
Sit down to a traditional Turkish lunch included in the price, with no extra charge at the table.
All entrance fees are included and the tour is fully all-inclusive, so you can focus entirely on the experience.
Itinerary
Your professional guide meets you at the Kusadasi cruise terminal holding a sign with your name. The drive to the Ephesus area takes approximately 20 minutes, passing the Okuz Mehmet Pasha Caravanserai and Kusadasi Marina along the way.
Explore the remarkable ruins of Ephesus, one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League and a major Aegean trade hub. Highlights include the Library of Celsus, the Baths of Scholastica, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Grand Theatre originally constructed in the 3rd century B.C. and later expanded by Rome to seat 24,000 spectators. The optional Terrace Houses can be added for an additional entrance fee paid on-site.
Located on the Aladag Mountains about five miles from Ephesus, this sanctuary marks the site where Mary is believed to have lived from 37 A.D. until her death in 48 A.D. after arriving with St. John. It was declared a place of pilgrimage by the Archbishop of Izmir in 1892 and visited by Pope Paul VI in 1967.
Enjoy a sit-down traditional Turkish meal at a local restaurant, fully included in your tour price. This is a relaxed midday break before continuing to the afternoon sites.
Visit the Basilica of St. John on the southern slope of Ayasolug Hill, traditionally identified as the burial place of the evangelist. The final stop is the Temple of Artemis, whose ancient columns once formed one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Your driver and guide return you to the cruise terminal or your hotel in Kusadasi, ensuring you are back well within the one-hour boarding window before your ship departs.
What Is Included and Excluded
Included
- Private professional licensed tour guide throughout
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver
- All entrance fees to Ephesus, House of Virgin Mary, Basilica of St. John, and Temple of Artemis
- Traditional Turkish lunch
- Hotel or cruise port pickup and drop-off
- Fully customizable itinerary
Not Included
- Terrace Houses entrance fee (optional, payable on-site)
- Personal shopping expenses
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Travel insurance
Important Information
Reserve Your Private Ephesus Experience
Secure your all-inclusive private shore excursion today and explore Ephesus, the House of Virgin Mary, and the Temple of Artemis entirely on your own terms — with lunch included and no hidden fees.
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