Immerse yourself in the ancient wonders of Ephesus! Explore the awe-inspiring ruins, visit the Virgin Mary House, and discover Turkish culture on a memorable full-day tour.
This unforgettable full-day tour begins with a convenient pick-up from your hotel in Izmir, Izmir city center, or Izmir airport. As you set off on your journey, your expert guide will provide an engaging introduction to the region’s rich history and cultural significance. The first stop on this adventure is the ancient city of Ephesus, where you’ll enter through the magnificent Magnesia Gate, a prime example of ancient architectural brilliance. Your exploration continues with a downhill walk through the city’s extraordinary ruins, including the Odeon, the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Fountain of Trajan. The highlight of Ephesus is the Great Theater, a monumental structure that could once hold 24,000 spectators and where St. Paul is said to have delivered his famous sermon to the Ephesians.
After experiencing the grandeur of Ephesus, the tour proceeds to the Virgin Mary House, a revered pilgrimage site nestled in the scenic hills. Believed to be the final home of Mary, the mother of Jesus, this peaceful sanctuary offers a moment of reflection and spiritual connection amidst serene natural surroundings.
Next, delve into the wonders of the ancient world at the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Although only remnants of this grand structure remain, its historical importance and artistic influence make it a must-see destination. Your guide will reveal fascinating stories about its role as a cultural and religious hub in ancient times.
A delightful Turkish lunch awaits you afterward, offering the perfect opportunity to recharge and savor the region’s authentic flavors. Enjoy a variety of traditional dishes in a warm and inviting atmosphere, immersing yourself in Turkey’s rich culinary heritage.
The journey continues with a visit to the Isabey Mosque, an architectural masterpiece from the Seljuk era. This stunning 14th-century mosque showcases intricate designs and a tranquil ambiance, offering an inspiring glimpse into the region’s spiritual and cultural history. Your guide will share insights about its significance and unique features, leaving you in awe of its beauty.
At the end of the tour, you’ll be comfortably dropped off at your hotel in Izmir, Izmir city center, or Izmir airport, bringing this enriching experience to a close. With memories of ancient wonders, cultural treasures, and Turkish hospitality, this tour promises to be an unforgettable journey.
After a 1-hour 20-minute transfer, guests reach Selcuk from Izmir, join the group, and start the tour, diving into the rich history and culture of this fascinating region.
The Virgin Mary House, a sacred pilgrimage site near Ephesus, is believed to be Mary’s final home. Surrounded by serene nature, it offers peace and reflection for visitors of all faiths.
Ephesus, an ancient city, showcases stunning ruins like the Celsus Library, Great Theater, and Temple of Hadrian. Once a vibrant Roman hub, it’s a must-visit for history and architecture enthusiasts.
Guests will enjoy a delightful lunch break at a local restaurant in Selcuk, savoring authentic Turkish cuisine. This relaxing stop offers a taste of the region’s rich culinary traditions.
The Temple of Artemis, a Wonder of the Ancient World, now lies in ruins but reflects the grandeur and cultural importance of ancient Ephesus. A must-see for history enthusiasts!
At the end of the tour, guests will return to Izmir. After a memorable day of exploration, the group will say their goodbyes, leaving with unforgettable experiences and lasting memories.
For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.
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Hannah Mills - Germany
10 April
Onur, was a fantastic guide professional, attentive, and made sure everything ran smoothly. The trip itself was quite long, but she handled all the details effortlessly. The lunch provided was decent, though nothing special, and the venue was extremely busy. Despite the crowds, it was a really enjoy...
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Tyron Sherman - Australia
11 April
Mert, our tour guide, was absolutely incredible! He kept us engaged the entire time with fascinating facts and stories. The transportation was excellent a spacious, modern bus with plenty of room to relax. The lunch buffet was tasty, not gourmet but definitely satisfying. I’d rate this tour a perf...
Read MoreAll reviews are from verified customers who purchased the activity. Reviews can only be submitted after the activity takes place.
Overall Rating
4.6/5
Based on 32 Reviews
4.6/5
4.6/5
4.6/5
Onur, was a fantastic guide professional, attentive, and made sure everything ran smoothly. The trip itself was quite long, but she handled all the details effortlessly. The lunch provided was decent, though nothing special, and the venue was extremely busy. Despite the crowds, it was a really enjoyable experience overall.
Helpful? Yes
Mert, our tour guide, was absolutely incredible! He kept us engaged the entire time with fascinating facts and stories. The transportation was excellent a spacious, modern bus with plenty of room to relax. The lunch buffet was tasty, not gourmet but definitely satisfying. I’d rate this tour a perfect 10 and would highly recommend it to others.
Helpful? Yes
The tour was decent overall, but the lunch was disappointing just a basic roadside café meal. I also didn’t understand the last minute stop at a leather factory after the official tour ended. Pressuring tourists to buy things feels like a waste of time. That said, our guide was excellent and made the experience worthwhile.
Helpful? Yes
The tour was fantastic! Our guide was incredibly friendly and had a talent for bringing the history of Ephesus to life in an engaging way. The drivers were excellent, and the lunch was delicious too. What started as a group of strangers in the morning turned into saying goodbye to new friends by the end of the day. Truly a wonderful experience thank you for such a memorable trip!
Helpful? Yes
Exploring the ancient ruins of Ephesus was undoubtedly the best part of our excursion. However, the meal at Hotel Hiti left much to be desired the dishes were lukewarm and bland. The most frustrating segment was being taken to Silvio's Leather Exclusive, where we wasted a full hour being shown overpriced replica designer goods. That time would have been far better utilized visiting the Ephesus Museum, seeing the terrace houses, or simply enjoying a coffee at a nearby café.
Helpful? Yes
We had an absolutely wonderful day exploring Ephesus with our fantastic guide. His expertise was remarkable we came away with so much new knowledge about this incredible site. The lunch provided was excellent, featuring an impressive selection of tasty local dishes. Couldn't have asked for a better experience!
Helpful? Yes
We had an outstanding tour experience with our guide Ender, who was exceptionally knowledgeable and attentive throughout the entire trip. He patiently answered all our questions and provided fascinating insights both during transportation and at each attraction. The vehicle was spacious and comfortable, making the journey pleasant. This comprehensive tour exceeded our expectations the visit to Ephesus was truly magnificent. I wholeheartedly recommend this experience to anyone visiting the area
Helpful? Yes
Onur, was a truly outstanding guide who handled every detail perfectly throughout our lengthy excursion. While the lunch provided was merely adequate, and the venue extremely packed with visitors, these minor issues didn't detract from what was ultimately a highly enjoyable experience. Onur's professionalism and attention to detail really made the tour special.
Helpful? Yes
We had an absolutely fantastic experience thanks to our incredible tour guide. Their expertise and professionalism made this trip truly memorable. I couldn't have asked for a better guide they truly made all the difference in making this such a wonderful experience.
Helpful? Yes
I absolutely loved every aspect of the tour! The service was exceptional, with staff going above and beyond to ensure a wonderful experience. Everything was handled with great care and attention to detail. Truly outstanding treatment from start to finish.
Helpful? Yes
The tour had some unexpected changes we were required to switch vehicles both during the journey to the site and on our return trip. Additionally, we made an unscheduled stop at a fur factory that clearly served as a sales opportunity rather than an authentic cultural experience.
Helpful? Yes
The tour could be improved by eliminating the Temple of Artemis visit it wasn't particularly worthwhile. That time would be better spent allowing more exploration of Ephesus itself. I also found the stop at the leather goods shop unnecessary and would suggest removing it from the itinerary
Helpful? Yes
The tour had some unexpected changes we were required to switch vehicles both during the journey to the site and on our return trip. Additionally, we made an unscheduled stop at a fur factory that clearly served as a sales opportunity rather than an authentic cultural experience.
Helpful? Yes
We thoroughly enjoyed our guide's engaging and informative commentary about all the significant historical locations we visited. Their storytelling truly brought the past to life. The entire tour was exceptionally well organized, making for a completely hassle free experience from start to finish.
Helpful? Yes
We had an absolutely wonderful visit to this breathtaking destination. Our guide was exceptional both deeply knowledgeable about the area's history and incredibly personable. Their expertise and warm personality significantly enhanced our experience, making this journey truly memorable.
Helpful? Yes
The tour provided excellent historical insights and was exceptionally well planned. Every aspect of the itinerary flowed smoothly, with informative commentary that significantly enhanced our understanding of the sites. The organization was impeccable, making for a truly educational and stress free experience.
Helpful? Yes
Unfortunately, the transportation failed to collect me at the scheduled pickup time. Aside from this issue, the rest of the experience was satisfactory.
Helpful? Yes
The van transfer from Izmir to our first stop was uncomfortably bumpy. Aside from that, the tour itself was enjoyable. Our guide was outstanding, and the driver for the second part of the trip did a great job as well. I just wish we could have spent more time exploring Ephesus instead of making a stop at the leather factory.
Helpful? Yes
Tickets are currently unavailable. There are no border restrictions, but also no guarantees, especially for English speakers. This hotel operates as a large scale service provider, so involving a Russian company isn’t necessary in this situation. Nothing has changed compared to before.
Helpful? Yes
The trip was fantastic our guide was incredibly welcoming and had a talent for bringing the history of Ephesus to life in a clear and engaging way. The drivers were excellent, and the lunch provided was top notch. At the beginning of the day, everyone in the group was a stranger, but by the end, we were saying goodbye to new friends. It truly was a wonderful experience. Thank you for such a memorable day
Helpful? Yes
My visit to Izmir was truly unforgettable. Ephesus is an awe inspiring destination that everyone should experience at least once. No words can fully capture its rich history and breathtaking beauty. Walking through the ancient ruins, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sadness for the lost culture and the once thriving city now left empty. This journey left me with a mix of overwhelming joy, happiness, and deep emotion all in one trip
Helpful? Yes
Our tour guide was exceptional he had an excellent command of Spanish and provided us with detailed explanations throughout the experience. I couldn’t have asked for a better guide
Helpful? Yes
We had a wonderful experience with our guide, who was extremely patient and knowledgeable he took time to answer every one of our questions. The transportation was comfortable and efficient, even though the city was nearly shut down that day due to a major event. I would highly recommend this tour to others.
Helpful? Yes
Our guide was absolutely fantastic extremely knowledgeable and went above and beyond to help us. The driver was also excellent! However, booking through excursionmania was a frustrating experience. There was zero communication, the tour times listed were incorrect, and we were left waiting in an office for nearly 30 minutes before the tour actually started with no explanation. The lack of organization was really disappointing.
Helpful? Yes
I appreciated the well planned itinerary and the amount of time allocated at each site. However, I didn't enjoy the unscheduled stops at imitation leather shops that weren't part of the original tour plan. Also, I felt the guide made too many religious references throughout the tour this could have been toned down somewhat.
Helpful? Yes
The tour was absolutely wonderful our guide was exceptionally kind and welcoming, and the provided lunch was quite satisfying. I would definitely suggest this experience to others.
Helpful? Yes
Our guide was wonderful extremely patient, approachable, and clearly very knowledgeable about the historical context. Every aspect of the tour was excellent. Many thanks for a fantastic experience!
Helpful? Yes
We had an absolutely marvelous day exploring Ephesus with our exceptional guide, Ozzie. His expertise was truly impressive, and we came away feeling enriched by all we learned. The included lunch was superb, offering an extensive selection of flavorful dishes.
Helpful? Yes
We had an absolutely wonderful experience on this tour with guide! His insightful explanations and attention to detail made our visit truly special. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us in such an engaging way.
Helpful? Yes
This was an absolutely wonderful tour flawlessly organized from start to finish, including punctual hotel pickup and a delicious lunch. Our guide, Mert, deserves special praise for making the experience both fascinating and enjoyable with his expertise and warm personality. Exceptional in every way!
Helpful? Yes
Eren, made our tour absolutely exceptional his excellent guidance and top notch service ensured a flawless experience. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day!
Helpful? Yes
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