Luxury Full Day Ephesus Excursion From Kuşadası

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Begin your guided tour of Ephesus with a 30-minute drive to The House of the Virgin Mary, a holy shrine officially recognized by the Roman Catholic Church in 1896. The site was discovered in the 19th century, following visions from a nun who described it in a posthumously published book. It has since become a popular pilgrimage destination, attracting visitors, including popes. Notable is the "Wishing Wall," where pilgrims leave their wishes on paper or fabric.

   30 min

2. Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a rich history dating back to the 10th century BC, is renowned for its extensive Roman ruins, including the famous Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Key attractions include the Library of Celsus, which housed nearly 12,000 scrolls, and The Baths of Scholastica, a social hub for citizens. The Great Theater, a grand venue with a capacity of 25,000, hosted concerts, plays, and discussions on various topics, including gladiator fights. Ephesus offers numerous historical sights for visitors to explore.

   2 h

3. The Basilica of St. John, a stunning church constructed in the 6th century AD, is the next highlight on your Kusadasi guided tour. It is believed that the evangelist St. John spent his final years near Ephesus and was buried on a nearby hill. Three centuries after his passing, a small chapel was erected over his tomb, which later, under Emperor Justinian, was transformed into the grand Basilica we see today. Characterized by its unique use of brick and stone, this structure is a rare architectural find for its period. The Basilica features six magnificent domes and is designed in a cruciform style, making it an exquisite photographic landmark.

   1 h

4. The Ephesus Archaeological Museum is the next stop on your guided tour of Ephesus. Interesting objects from the Prehistoric, Mycenaean, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman eras can be found in the museum's two distinct archaeological and ethnographical departments. Explore many statues of Mother Goddess Artemis, exquisite mosaics, and gorgeous coins and sculptures.

   1.5 h

5. The Greek temple known as the Temple of Artemis or Artemision, or the Temple of Diana, was devoted to a localized manifestation of the goddess Artemis, who was identified with the Roman goddess Diana. On the eve of Alexander the Great's birth in 356 BCE, Herostratos destroyed the old temple, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The temple was demolished in 401 CE, although it had been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times throughout ancient history.The last temple's remnants and foundations are all that are left now.

   30 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 2 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Kusadasi

• Its from-price is 104% above the median of the 447 day trips we list in Kusadasi.
• It is longer than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 237 of 447.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Kusadasi

Kuşadası is a busy Aegean resort on Turkey's west coast, a short drive from Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean.

The town curves around a bay with a busy cruise port, a marina and Pigeon Island, linked to the shore by a causeway and topped by a small stone fortress. The old town's streets climb behind the harbour with bazaars, cafés and restaurants, and beaches such as Ladies Beach and Long Beach stretch along the coast.

Top-ranked sights in Kusadasi: Kusadasi Castle, Kusadasi Caravanserai (Öküz Mehmed Pasha Caravanserai), Kusadasi Shopping Center (Kusadasi AVM).

See all 1371 experiences in Kusadasi