Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus, House of Virgin Mary and Temple of Artemis

When your cruise ship arrives in Izmir, make the most of your time with this private shore excursion to Ephesus, where you'll see some of most famous sights in Turkey. With your private tour guide, walk around the ancient city, a former center of the ancient world and one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the eastern Mediterranean. Visit the House of Virgin Mary, where she spent the last days of her life, and try to imagine the beauty of the Temple of Artemis (also known as the Temple of Diana), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

1. 1

   Ephesus Ancient City

   1 hour

   Arrival to Ephesus - Enter through the Magnesia Gate and begin a slow, downhill walk with your guide into the ruins of this Roman provincial capital. Your route takes you past the Odeon, the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater. The theater had seating for 24,000, which was the site where it is believed St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, and is used today for a local spring festival.

2. 2

   The House of the Virgin Mary

   30 min

   House of the Virgin Mary - The Vatican has recognized this small house in the Solmissos Mountains as the final resting place of the Virgin Mary. A small shrine dedicated to St. Mary was found when the ruins of the house were first discovered.

3. 3

   Basilica of St. John

   20 min

   Basilica of St.John - Built by the Emperor Justinian over the tomb of St. John the Apostle, the Basilica, now in ruins, once rivaled St. Sophia in size. See the remaining graceful columns and mosaics of the Basilica as you take in the panorama of the rural Selcuk countryside and the ruins of The Temple of Artemis.

4. 4

   The Temple of Artemis

   20 min

   The Temple of Artemis, which had been built at first during the Archaic period, today it's known one of the Seven Wonders of Ancient World.

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• At time of booking, Cruise Ship passengers must provide the following details under Special Requirements: Ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
• Not recommended for children aged 4 and under
• Children 18 years and under must be accompanied by an adult
• Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participant. Please enter this into the special requirements field on booking

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.