Private Ephesus and Pergamon Shore Excursion
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore ancient Ephesus ruins
- Visit the Temple of Artemis
- Discover Pergamon's Acropolis
- See the Asclepius Temple
- Enjoy a traditional Turkish lunch
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Private transportation from Kusadasi Port
- Guided tours of Ephesus and Pergamon
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Gratuities for the guide and driver
Itinerary
Explore the stunning ruins of Ephesus on a full-day sightseeing tour. Ephesus is the best-preserved classical city on the Mediterranean, and perhaps the best place in the world to get a feeling of what life was like in Roman times. See fascinating ancient structures such as: Temple of Hadrian, the stunning facade of Library of Celsus, Great Theater and more.
See fascinating ancient structures such as the Temple of Hadrian, the stunning facade of the Library of Celsus, and the Great Theater. Your expert guide will provide you with information about the many remarkable sites you encounter throughout the day.
The House of the Virgin Mary lies just beyond Ephesus. According to Christian tradition, Mary was brought here by the Apostle John after the Resurrection of Christ and lived her final days in this house. A small shrine dedicated to St. Mary was found when the ruins of the house were first discovered. The Vatican has since recognized the site as the final resting place of the Virgin.
Visit Isa Bey Mosque from 14th century by the first Muslim family that settled in West Anatolia. You will have a great information about architecture of early Islam. We will continue with St. John Basilica where apostle John died and buried after he completed his missions in Anatolia. Then visit Temple of Artemis (Diana) which was one of the seven wonders of ancient World.
One of the last relics of Artemis Temple was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Ephesus Terrace Houses feature well-preserved Roman mosaics and frescoes, revealing the luxurious lifestyle of elite families in ancient Ephesus. They provide unique insight into daily life and advanced Roman architecture.
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour is suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
- Please inform the operator of any dietary restrictions in advance.
- Gratuities for the guide and driver are not included and are appreciated.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for uneven terrain.
- Bring a hat and sunscreen for sun protection.
- Carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Infants Required On Laps
Good to know
- Comfortable shoes, sunglasses and hat recommended
- At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
- Annual closing dates of all museums in Ephesus area as follows: January 1 - New Year, June 15/17 - Ramadan Festival, August 21/24 - Eid Festival
- Kid-friendly tour guide will be informative for all ages of your family
Traveler reviews
Great and Thorough Tour
We had a lovely time with Maria on our tour of Ephesus, Maria was very knowledgeable about the history of the area and was extremely helpful with local information. We would highly recommend Maria and Guided Istanbul Tours for anyone seeking out personal tours while in Turkey.
Ephesus and surrounds day tour
We flew in early from Istanbul and were met at the airport by our guide who was easy to find. A short walk to our car and we were on our way to an awesome day highlighted by the epic Ephesus complex Both our guide and driver were perfect the entire day. Thanks to our guide, Tijem and our driver, Eda for an amazing day!
Awesome tour in Ephesus
Aybike, our guide, was very nice and incredibly knowledgeable! She made our trip informative and fun! She showed some highly interesting places on the grounds and was very accommodating to our questions and needs. She even made great suggestions for lunch that were simply wonderful! I would choose her again in a second!
Exceptionnel Guide
Ceyla was our private guide for 2 days. She was knowledgeable, attentive and accommodating. She had warm and authentic demeanour and made excellent recommendations to ensure our day was tailored to meet our interests. I ended up unwell and she when over and beyond the call of duty to ensure I was better. She also shared valued advice for the next tours we were embarking on. Our driver expertly and patiently get us safely to each destination. Thank you Nancy and Edgar
Luxurious and Historical Ephesus Experience!
We embarked from the Oceania Cruise in Izmir. Instead of booking a bus tour we booked a private tour. We had a total of 14 people in our group— and went through Guidied Istanbul Tours company. They have a great selection of tours all around Turkey ports, so we decided to go through them. Ceyla Ergon welcomed us and we had a fabulous day with her! She is knowledgeable, friendly and her English is excellent. She has a great sense of humor— which made us feel at ease. (She is a great person!) All of her shopping recommendations were also on point. (You should see the scarf I picked up. Gorgeous!) Personally, I was thrilled that we skipped the long lines. We could take our time and not have to rush… the bus was always ready for us! As we were not hurrying — I was able to take some fantastic pictures. Our vehicle was a luxury Mercedes van with good air conditioning. My team and I want to thank everyone involved with creating this trip— but we want to especially thank our wonderful guide Ceyla. She helped create an experience we will never forget: Our unforgettable Ephesus Turkey excursion! We will be requesting her again —