ephesus shuttle private & group tour

Legendary Ephesus Tour (from $67)

Welcome to the ultimate Ephesus experience with Ephesus Insider! Our Legendary Ephesus Tour is designed for the curious traveler who seeks a deep understanding of the ancient world. Led by our expert local guides, you'll embark on a full-day journey to discover the hidden treasures of one of the world's best-preserved ancient cities.

Unlike group tours that rush you through crowded sites, our private tour allows you to explore Ephesus at your own pace, with personalized attention from our professional licensed tour guides. Our high-model luxury private vehicles ensure a comfortable and stress-free ride between sites, so you can fully immerse yourself in the breathtaking sights and sounds of Ephesus.

From the stunning Library of Celsus to the impressive Great Theater, you'll witness the remarkable achievements of ancient engineering and architecture. But our Legendary Ephesus Tour doesn't stop there. We'll take you off the beaten path to explore the lesser-known gems of Ephesus, such as the charming House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be the final resting place of the mother of Jesus.

And to complete your journey, we'll treat you to a delicious local food experience, where you'll savor the flavors of the Aegean region.

Book your Legendary Ephesus Tour with Ephesus Insider today. We will provide you with a professional licensed tour guide and a high model luxury private vehicle to ensure you have the best possible experience. Our skip-the-line tickets will also allow you to avoid the long queues and save time. We also offer local food as part of our tour so you can experience the taste of Ephesus. And the best part is that there is no pre-payment needed, you can pay after the tour. Your satisfaction is our top priority, so we guarantee 100% satisfaction.

Ephesus Ancient City - House of Virgin Mary - St. John Basilica - Temple of Artemis

• Meet and Greet

Our professional guide will meet you at the Kusadasi Port, holding a sign with your name on it. If you are staying in a hotel, your guide will meet you in the lobby. Then you'll start a short drive to Selcuk town, where all of the sights are located.

• House of Virgin Mary

After 20 minutes drive from Kusadasi you will arrive at the House of Virgin Mary , a holy place located on the top of a hill, about 9 km (5.5 miles) away from Ephesus. According to tradition, this is the place where Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent her final years. It is believed that after the crucifixion of Jesus, Mary was brought to Ephesus by St. John, where she lived in this house until her death. Visitors can see the small room where Mary is believed to have lived, as well as a kitchen and a prayer room. The house is surrounded by beautiful gardens and scenic views of the surrounding hills. Many visitors leave messages and prayers on the walls of the chapel, which has become a tradition.

• Ancient City of Ephesus

Upon arriving at Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world, we will start with the State Agora, the center of the city where the commercial, administrative, and political activities took place. Next, we will visit the Odeon, a small theater for music performances and public assemblies also located near the entrance of Ephesus.

Next, you will walk through Curetes Street, one of the most impressive streets in Ephesus, lined with marble columns and leading to the Library of Celsus. It was named after the priests of Cybele, who were responsible for the cult of the goddess. 

On the way, you will see The Domitian Temple, dedicated to the emperor Domitian, which was one of the most important religious buildings in Ephesus. It was built in the 1st century AD and had a large podium with a Corinthian-style facade. You will also see a famous Hellenistic sculpture depicting the Greek goddess Nike (Victory) standing on the prow of a ship with her wings outstretched, as if she is descending from the heavens to bless the sailors on the ship. On the way to Celsus Library, you'll visit the Temple of Hadrian, a beautifully preserved temple dedicated to the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Built-in the 2nd century AD, the temple features intricate carvings and decorations that offer a glimpse into the grandeur of the ancient Roman architecture. Once you reached the Celsus Library , you will have free time in one of the most impressive structures in the ancient world. The library was built in the 2nd century AD and was the third-largest library in the Roman Empire. It housed over 12,000 scrolls and was dedicated to the memory of Celsus, the governor of Asia Minor.

Next, you'll visit the Great Theater, which had a seating capacity of 25,000 people and was used for various events including gladiator fights, theater performances, and political assemblies. It was built in the 3rd century BC and is considered one of the largest and most impressive theaters of the ancient world. After the theater, you'll end the tour and meet with your vehicle again to visit other sites included in the itinerary.

• Basilica of St. John

After our delicious lunch break, we will have a short drive to The Basilica of St. John , also known as the St. John's Church, is located on Ayasuluk Hill in Selçuk town. It was built by the emperor Justinian I in the 6th century over the believed burial site of St. John, who is said to have spent his last years in Ephesus. The basilica was constructed in the shape of a cross and it was one of the largest churches in the Byzantine Empire. Although the basilica was damaged by earthquakes and attacks over the centuries, some of its impressive features still remain, such as the intricate marble floors, the baptismal font, the frescoes, and the tombs of several saints. The interior of the basilica is adorned with mosaics and frescoes that depict scenes from the Bible and the lives of the saints. 

• Temple of Artemis

Finally, we will drive to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This magnificent temple was dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis and was said to have been the largest temple ever built.

At the end of the tour, our guide will drop you off at Kusadasi Port, ensuring that you're back in plenty of time for your cruise departure. If you started the tour from a hotel, drop off will be at your hotel again.

Don't miss this chance to experience the best of Ephesus with this highly detailed full-day tour. Contact us today to book your "Legendary Ephesus" full-day tour and start planning your unforgettable adventure in Ephesus ancient city!

$80 /per person

$70 /per person, $60 /per person, $50 /per person,  price includes                          .

• Professional English Speaking Guide
• Private A/C Mercedes Van
• Pick Up and Drop Off
• Parking Fees and All Taxes

 Price Excludes

• Entrance Fees (Tickets are pre-purchased 40$)
• A Delicious Local Lunch (Set Menu 10$)
• Beverages at Lunch
• Pick up from Izmir Port and Izmir Hotels. 

Online reservation

Book your private tour right now we will confirm your reservation via email. no pre-payment needed..

What we offer in all our private tours?

Professional licensed tour guides.

Our expert guides are licensed and have extensive knowledge about the history and culture of Ephesus. They are fluent in multiple languages and will provide you with an unforgettable private tour experience.

Luxury Transportation

Our luxury vehicles provide you with the comfort and safety you need during your tour. We have a range of vehicles to choose from, 4 seater Mercedes Vito up to 14 seater Mercedes Sprinter.

Skip-the-line Tickets

With our skip the line tickets, you won't have to wait in long queues to enter the attractions. We will provide you with priority access, so you can maximize your time and enjoy your tour to the fullest. 

Delicious Local Food

We offer the opportunity to try delicious local food in our tours. Our guides know the best places to eat in Ephesus, and they will take you to taste the most traditional and delicious food in the area.

No Pre-Payment

We believe in providing our customers with a hassle-free experience, which is why we don't require any pre-payment. You can pay after your tour and only if you're completely satisfied with our services.

%100 Satisfaction

We are committed to providing you with a high-quality private tour experience. If you're not satisfied with our services, we'll do everything we can to make it right and ensure your complete satisfaction.

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Private Ephesus Tour

Tour Details

• Our Full Day Ephesus Tour from Istanbul inclusive Tour covers all the expenses such as private transportation, private tour guide, entrance fees, parking fees, and a delicious local lunch. This tour is a perfect option for who has full day to spend around the most important sights of the Ephesus area. There won't be any extra cost, and you can focus only on your lovely day together with your highly experienced tour guide.
• Begin your full-day guided tour of Ephesus with a relaxed 30-minute ride to the House of the Virgin Mary . Learn the extraordinary story behind this historic structure, discovered in the 19th century after a Catholic nun who'd never seen the building reported having visions. A book was published after her death, and her explanations were followed up years later, leading to the discovery of the main building. The building was officially declared a shrine of the Roman Catholic Church in 1896 and became a popular pilgrimage site visited by several popes. Check out the Wishing Wall, a particular place where visitors tie their hopes, dreams, and ideals on paper or cloth
• From the House of the Virgin Mary, you'll proceed to Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a remarkable history. Built in the 12th century BC, this ancient city is the most substantial collection of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean. Famous for the Temple of Artemis , one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, this destination offers a diversity of sights to please the eyes. Finally, you'll be mesmerized by the Library of Celsus , built-in 135 AD, and the third biggest library in the ancient world.
• Another highlight is the Scholastica Baths , where citizens could bathe, meet and gossip! Besides that, the biggest attraction in Ephesus is the Grand Theater , a massive building with 25,000 seats. Moreover, this theater used to be used for concerts, plays, and religious, political, and philosophical meetings. This theater is also mentioned in the Bible. St. Paul preached to the people near the grand theater of Ephesus. Also, gladiator fights and animal fights were held here. Afterward, check out a few more significant highlights before enjoying a delicious local lunch included in your private Ephesus tour from Istanbul.
• The Basilica of St. John , a magnificent 6th-century church ( AD ), is the next stop on your Ephesus excursion. It's believed that the evangelist John spent the last years of his life near Ephesus and was buried on a nearby hill. Three hundred years after his death, a small chapel was built over his tomb. A few hundred years later, Emperor Justinian converted this small chapel into a magnificent basilica.
• Before we end this fantastic Ephesus tour, our last stop is the Temple of Artemis , one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was built in the lands of Ephesus on an apartment terrain that's turned into a swamp over the centuries. If you visit Ephesus today, you can only see the ruins of the foundations of this marvelous structure from the Hellenistic era, made entirely of marble and full of sculptural column capitals and shafts. The most beautiful remains of this temple are now exhibited in the British Museum in London.
• This tour requires a minimum of 2 hours of walking. Comfortable shoes, a hat, and a camera are advised.
• This tour departs from Istanbul port, Istanbul hotels, or Istanbul Airport . Our Istanbul prices are a little bit higher than our Kusadasi prices because of the distance to Ephesus Ancient City. Besides, we will pick you up from Istanbul Airport, your hotel at Istanbul, or Istanbul port, and when the tour is over we drop you off where to want you.

Istanbul Port, Istanbul Hotels and Istanbul Airport

Ephesus Ancient City - Virgin Mary House - St. John Basilica - Artemis Temple

• Professional Tour Guide
• Private De-Luxe Vehicles
• Parking Fee
• Pick up and Drop off
• A Delicious Local Lunch
• Entrance Fees (Tickets are pre-purchased.)
• Beverages at Lunch
• Unlimited bottled water.
• Sun Protection UV Umbrella

Enquiry Form

No prepayment will be taken. You will only be contacted by email or phone before your arrival. So let's make sure everything is ok. You can make the payment in cash directly to the guide at the end of the tour. The total amount will be sent to you by email.