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Adult (Age 9+)

Ultra Private All-Inclusive Full Day Ephesus Tour From Istanbul

4.5 / 5 total 2446 reviews
Duration: 12 to 14 hours
Product code: 6528
Overview

Your day will begin with an early morning pick up from your central hotel in Istanbul for Istanbul to Ephesus Day Trip. Your private transport will be waiting for you at your hotel lobby and transfer you to Istanbul airport to board your flight to Izmir. Arrive in Izmir where you'll be greeted by your guide and driver and you'll begin your Ultra Private All-Inclusive Full Day Ephesus Tour From Istanbul!

Located in the modern village of Selcuk in Western Turkey, Ephesus is an uncovered Ancient world from the Roman Imperial period with relics dating as far back as the 10th Century BC. One of Turkey's major sightseeing attractions, this city was once home to 250,000 people. You'll visit the famous Temple of Artemis one of the 'Seven wonder's of the world' which once drew pilgrims from all over the Mediterranean. A temple dedicated and built to honour Artemis, one of three maiden goddesses of Olympus.

Don't miss the Celsus Libary which is the 3rd largest in the ancient world built to store 12,000 scrolls and house the tomb of Celsus. You'll next visit The Grand Theatre. The theatre could at once accommodate up to 25,000 people who came to witness demonstrations of a social, political and economic nature and most famously the Gladiator games. Rebuilt several times the theatre still stands and has held concerts for acts such as Elton John and Micheal Jackson. 

The Temple of Hadrian is your next site. More of a monument than a temple, the temple was built around 118 AD and inside displays mythological and religious scenes. Parts of The Temple of Hadrian, located in Ephesus Street, are actually plaster replicas as the genuine artefacts are located inside of the Ephesus museum which is where you'll visit next.

The Ephesus Museum is located in the heart of Selcuk and housing artefacts that were retrieved between 1867 and 1905 from Ephesus and after transported to Britain and later to Vienna. When the New Turkish Republic was founded, the government forbid antiques and artefacts to be taken out of Turkey and all artefacts were returned and placed in the museum in 1964. You can see sculptures and finds from The Terrace Houses including coins dating back to when money was first used in history. The highlight for most tourists is the Gladiator Roome which holds excavations from the Gladiator Cemetary. 

Opposite the Temple of Hadrian is The Terrace Houses. The complex is a site of luxurious villas once home to Ephesus's middle class and wealthy. Each of the houses had separate entrances from the street and also running water. Here you'll see the Domus which is a two-storeyed building owned then by a wealthy family. Perfectly preserved the house contained a courtyard, dining room and even a Basilica. Some houses in the complex even contain preserved rooms, painting and ornamental floor mosaics.

Head to another major attraction which holds a curious background, The House of The Virgin Mary. The apparent final resting place of The Mother Mary. Following the visions and the precise description from a book written by a German nun, a French priest in the 19th century discovered the ruins and after many years of debate convinced others that this place was, in fact, the last resting place of The Virgin Mary. Today the building is a Catholic shrine and chapel, still used and visited regularly by tourists from around the world. A popular scene here is the Wishing Wall were visitors write a wish upon a piece of cloth and tie it to the wall adorning thousands of wishes from others.

Down the hill is the Basilica of St. John. Proved by Historians that John The Apostle did spend time in this area with The Virgin Mary. Said to be the best spot for a sunset photo, the church stands on the slopes of Ayasoluk Hill in the centre of Selcuk. Partially restored and believed that if restored to former glory, the cathedral, would then become the seventh-largest in the world. Take a quick stop to the Ayasuluk Fortress located here for photos.

You'll next travel 15 minutes East to the charming village of Sirince. Enjoy here an Authentic Turkish lunch among the fruit gardens and greenery. Here you'll get to sample the locally made wine and olive oil. Wander through the traditional markets with crafts made by locals have the opportunity to visit leather and handmade carpet outlets. 

Travel back to the centre of Selcuk and hill of Ayasuluk to visit your last stop of the day, The Isa Bay Mosque. Built-in the 14th century, pre-Ottoman times, for sponsor and founder Isa Bay who was then ruling the Aydinid dynasty. During his reign, the town flourished and Isa Bay, in turn, founded several constructions in the area. The Muslim congregation has been gathering at St. Johns Basilica for Friday prayers for many years which led to the grand mosque being built in order to accommodate the ever-growing mass. 

Your tour of Ephesus ends here and your guide will transport you back to Izmir airport in time for your flight to back to Istanbul. Upon arriving in Istanbul you'll be met by your driver who will transport you back to your central hotel. Enjoy your Ephesus tour from Istanbul !

Highlights
  • Discover the UNESCO awarded world heritage site of Ephesus
  • See The Temple of Artemis a seventh wonder of the world
  • Visit the tomb of Celsus at the Celsus Library
  • Stand were thousands once came to witness the Gladiator Games
  • See important artefacts at The Ephesus Museum
  • Walk in the footsteps of the wealthy few that once inhabited The Terrace Houses
  • Visit the House of The Virgin Mary and tie a wish to the wishing wall
  • Visit St.John's Basilica and Ayasuluk Fortress
  • Travel to the charming village of Sirince and enjoy a traditional Turkish lunch
  • Visit the grand Isa Bay Mosque
Good to Know
  • Scheduling Scheduling: This is a Private Tour That is Run Exclusively for the Person or Group Who Booked the Tour.
  • Languages offered on the Activity / TourLanguages offered on the Activity / Tour: English, German, French, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish
  • Duration Duration: 12 to 14 hours
  • Skip the Line Skip the Line
  • Printed or Mobile Voucher Accepted Printed or Mobile Voucher Accepted
  • A minimum of 2 adults is required to book this tour A minimum of 2 adults is required to book this tour
  • This tour MUST be booked 3 days in advance This tour MUST be booked 3 days in advance
  • The order of itinerary is subject to change.The order of itinerary is subject to change.
  • Flights are non-refundable.Flights are non-refundable.
  • Pick-up service Pick-up service
    Pick up from centrally located Istanbul hotels.
  • Easy Cancellation Easy Cancellation
    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Inclusions
  • All Parking Fees
  • Traditional Turkish Lunch
  • All Entrance Fees
  • Private Guide
  • Private Transportation with AC
  • Return Izmir to Istanbul Flights
Exclusions
  • Personal Expenses
  • Gratuities
Pickup and Drop-off
Pick up from centrally located Istanbul hotels. Please include your hotel name and address when making your booking.

Know Before You Go
  • The order of itinerary is subject to change.
  • Appropriate clothing is a must when entering places of worship.
  • In the summer months, we recommend you wear comfortable clothing and suitable footwear for walking. Please bring with you a hat, sunglasses etc to protect yourself from the sun.
Recent Photos of This Tour
Customer Reviews
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Reviewed by Yolanda E. US   March 15, 2025
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Today has been amazing and we thank you all for giving us the best tour of Izmir.

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Reviewed by Sally SE   March 12, 2025
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Fantastisk tur! Guiden var oerhört kunnig och berättade levande historier om Efesos. Den privata turen gjorde att vi kunde utforska i vår egen takt. Mycket välorganiserat och rekommenderas starkt!"

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Reviewed by Charles Michel US   February 26, 2025
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I booked this tour last minute for a work trip to Istanbul, and it was the perfect escape from the city chaos. The early morning pickup was punctual, and the flight to Izmir gave me a chance to catch up on emails. Once we landed, our guide, Elif, took over, and I didn’t have to think about a thing. Ephesus was stunning the scale of the ancient city is unreal, and the Library of Celsus looked like something out of a movie. I appreciated the flexibility; I asked to skip the museum and spend more time at the Sirince village, and Elif made it happen without a hitch. Lunch was a relaxing break grilled lamb and fresh bread in a shaded courtyard. The private setup made it feel exclusive, and I was back at my Istanbul hotel by 8 PM, exhausted but thrilled. A fantastic day!

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Reviewed by Nicole and Adam D.G BR   February 03, 2025
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Este tour foi absolutamente incrível! Começando em Istambul, este tour privativo e all-inclusive ofereceu uma oportunidade perfeita para explorar a fascinante história de Éfeso. Nosso guia foi muito conhecedor e atencioso, explicando cada detalhe com grande cuidado. O antigo teatro e a Biblioteca de Celso me impressionaram particularmente. Cada momento do tour foi bem organizado, e não tivemos nenhum problema. Altamente recomendado

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Reviewed by Reynaldo T ES   January 17, 2025
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Una experiencia inolvidable! Desde el momento en que nos recogieron hasta el regreso a Estambul, todo estuvo perfectamente organizado. Nuestro guía fue increíblemente apasionado y nos contó historias fascinantes sobre Ephesus. La Biblioteca de Celso y el Gran Teatro fueron impresionantes. Además, la comida tradicional fue deliciosa. Definitivamente recomendaría este tour a cualquiera que visite Turquía.

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Reviewed by Jan, Tom, Debbie and Bill US   January 07, 2025
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This tour was an absolute dream! From the well-organized transfers to the deep historical insights, every moment was fascinating. The guide was incredibly knowledgeable, making Ephesus feel alive with stories. The House of the Virgin Mary had a peaceful atmosphere, and the Celsus Library was breathtaking. The private setting allowed us to explore at our own pace without crowds. The local lunch was delicious, adding an authentic touch to our experience. Highly recommend it!

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Reviewed by Sandra Gillings GB   December 18, 2024
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Visiting Ephesus from Surrey was incredible! The Celsus Library and Grand Theatre were stunning, and our guide made history come alive. Lunch in Sirince was lovely. A well-organised, must-do tour!

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Reviewed by C.Joah US   November 26, 2024
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Travelling from California, this Ephesus tour was a dream! The Grand Theatre and Celsus Library were breathtaking. Our guide was insightful, and lunch in Sirince was fantastic. A seamless, well-planned experience—highly recommended for history lovers!

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Reviewed by Emilio MX   November 11, 2024
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Visiting Ephesus from Jalisco was unforgettable! The Celsus Library and Grand Theatre were stunning, and our guide’s knowledge made history come alive. Lunch in Sirince was delicious. A well-organised, must-do experience!

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Reviewed by Dimitar G RO   October 28, 2024
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THANKS TO OUR GUIDE WE SAW ALL THE TOP PLACES TO VISIT AND MORE. BOOK WITH THEM AND YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED.

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