Is free cancellation available for Izmir to Ephesus: Full-Day Tour with Lunch Included?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

How long does the tour last?

The approximate duration is 8 Hours.

Izmir to Ephesus: Full-Day Tour with Lunch Included

Name: Izmir to Ephesus: Full-Day Tour with Lunch Included
Start: 2024-12-04
End: 2025-12-31
Location: Izmir
Rating: 4.6

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.

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Izmir to Ephesus: Full-Day Tour with Lunch Included | ®ExcursionMania

Overview

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.

Select date, participants and language

Excursion Itinerary

Izmir

Start Activities

Bus / coach (Transfer)

Duration: 80 Minutes

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.

House of Virgin Mary

Visit, Guided tour, Free time,
Duration: 1 Hour Optional, Extra Fee

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 Ancient City

Visit, Guided tour, Free time, Walk,
Duration: 2 Hours , Extra Fee

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.

Local Restaurant

Lunch,
Duration: 45 Minutes , Extra Fee

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.

Temple of Artemis

Visit, Guided tour, Free time,
Duration: 30 Minutes Optional, Extra Fee

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!

Bus / coach (Transfer)

Duration: 80 Minutes

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.

Izmir

Finish Activities

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights

● Walk through Ephesus, including the Celsus Library and the Great Theater.
● Visit the serene Virgin Mary House, a sacred pilgrimage site.
● Discover the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, a Wonder of the Ancient World.
● Enjoy a traditional Turkish lunch during the tour.
● Explore the stunning Isabey Mosque and its unique Seljuk architecture.

What's Included and What's Not?

Included

Professional tour guide
Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel or Izmir airport
Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
Traditional Turkish lunch

Not Included

Entrance Fees
Drinks at lunch
Personal expenses

Not Suitable For This Activities

●People over 95 years
●People with back problems

Not Allowed This Activities

●Food and drinks in the vehicle
●Pets

Important Information

What to Bring

Camera

Cash

Comfortable shoes

Credit card

Hat

Sunglasses

Sunscreen

Information Before Booking

●This tour involves a significant amount of walking, making it suitable for active individuals.
●Families with children are welcome, but parents should be prepared for some walking.
●Not wheelchair accessible due to uneven terrain in Ephesus.
●Modest clothing is recommended when visiting religious sites like the Virgin Mary House and Isabey Mosque.

Know Before You Go

●Entrance fees are not included in the tour cost.
●Drinks during lunch are not included.
●Guests are advised to arrive at the pick-up point at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time.
●The itinerary may vary slightly depending on weather and traffic conditions.
●Comfortable walking shoes are recommended due to uneven surfaces at the sites.

About This Activity

Free Cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund

Reserve Now & Pay Later

Keep your travel plans flexible - book your spot and pay nothing today

Duration 8 Hours

Check availability to see starting times.

Live Tour Guide

English, Spanish

Pickup Optional

Transfer services are provided from hotels in and around İzmir city center. Please wait in your hotel lobby.

Location

Izmir Türkiye

All reviews are from verified customers who purchased the activity. Reviews can only be submitted after the activity takes place.

By Traveler Types

Couples

Families

Group of Friends

Solo Travelers

By star rating

5 Star

4 Star

3 Star

2 Star

1 Star

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 enjoyable experience overall.

Helpful? Yes

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 perfect 10 and would highly recommend it to others.

Helpful? Yes

Gino Hensley - United States of America
12 April

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

Jodie Sanford - United Kingdom
13 April

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

Owen Valentine - France
14 April

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

Cleveland Weaver - Australia
15 April

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

Brenton Colon - United Kingdom
16 April

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

Antonia Ochoa - Italy
17 April

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

Kasey Beard - Argentina
18 April

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

Edwin Garner - France
19 April

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

Ruby Kaufman - Australia
20 April

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

Jason Schaefer - United Kingdom
21 April

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

Rene Rowland - Russia
22 April

Helpful? Yes

Milford Oliver - Argentina
23 April

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

Allison Burke - Canada
24 April

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

Tristan Mcfarland - United States of America
25 April

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

Billie Kane - United Kingdom
26 April

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

Kieth Fry - Argentina
27 April

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

Preston Roman - Russia
28 April

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

Jessie Blackburn - Australia
29 April

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

Eloy Williams - United States of America
30 April

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

Mariana Neal - Spain
01 March

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

Glenn Petty - United Kingdom
02 March

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

Logan Whitney - Argentina
03 March

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

Freddie Noble - Germany
04 March

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

Long Rice - Japan
05 April

We had an enjoyable and entertaining experience overall.

Helpful? Yes

Harrison Waller - United Kingdom
06 March

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

Chelsea Bray - Australia
07 March

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

Margret Maldonado - New Zealand
08 March

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

Deangelo Solis - Mexico
09 March

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

Kellie Casey - Italy
10 March

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

Johnathon Robbins - France
11 March

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