Skip the Line Small Group Discovery Cruise Tour in Ephesus

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. After meeting your guide at the Kusadasi port, you'll board the waiting minivan just outside the port and head towards Ephesus, approximately a half-hour journey.

   15 min

2. Upon arrival at Ephesus, we embark on our exploration of this meticulously preserved ancient city. Originally founded in the 10th century BC by Attic and Ionian Greek settlers on the former Arzawan capital site, Ephesus thrived as a prominent city-state along the Ionian coast, approximately 3 kilometers southwest of modern-day Selçuk in İzmir Province, Turkey. During the Classical Greek period, it held significant status as one of the twelve cities belonging to the Ionian League. In 129 BC, Ephesus fell under the dominion of the Roman Republic, marking a pivotal era in its history.

   2.5 h

3. Next, we continue our journey to the House of the Virgin Mary, a Catholic pilgrimage site situated on Mount Koressos near Ephesus, approximately 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) from Selçuk in Turkey.

   1 h

4. Afterward, a lunch break is scheduled, which is included in the tour. Following that, we aim to immerse you in Ephesus's local culture, showcasing traditional carpet and rug art crafted through ancestral weaving techniques at the Teaching Village. You'll also have the opportunity to appreciate Ephesus ceramics during this experience.

   2 h

5. The Temple of Artemis, also called the Artemision or Temple of Diana, was an ancient Greek temple honoring a local version of the goddess Artemis (equivalent to the Roman goddess Diana). Situated in Ephesus, it underwent complete reconstruction twice: first following a destructive flood, and later, three centuries after, due to an arson attack. In its ultimate incarnation, it achieved renown as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. By the year 401 AD, the temple had suffered ruin or destruction. Today, only foundational remnants and fragments of the last temple remain at the site.

   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 82% below the median of the 1371 experiences we list in Kusadasi.
• It is longer than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 607 of 1371.
• 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