Embark on an exclusive private tour of Ephesus from the Kusadasi Cruise Port, designed solely for your group. This experience is tailored for cruise ship travelers.
Our itinerary includes visits to the House of the Virgin Mary, Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis, and the Basilica of St. John.
You will explore iconic landmarks within Ephesus such as the Library of Celsus, Roman Baths, Temple of Hadrian, Public Toilets, Marble Street, the Agora, and the Great Theatre, among others. We meticulously manage every detail for your convenience.
Ephesus holds significant importance in biblical history. St. Paul of Tarsus resided and preached here during his missionary journeys. According to various religious accounts, the Virgin Mary and St. John the Evangelist also lived in Ephesus. The city hosted the Third Ecumenical Council and is recognized as one of the Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Its remarkably preserved state allows visitors to feel as though they are stepping back in time, offering a truly immersive journey into antiquity.
✓ A delicious local lunch✓ Parking fees✓ Private luxury vehicle✓ Guaranteed on-time return for cruise travelers✓ Professional tour guide with expertise in biblical history✓ Expedited access in Ephesus (arrangements made to minimize waiting times)✕ Entrance ticket to Ephesus✕ Entrance ticket to the House of the Virgin Mary✕ Entrance ticket to the Basilica of St. John1 The House of the Virgin Mary
Duration: 45 minutes. Entrance fee is not included.
The House of the Virgin Mary, located near Ephesus, is believed to be where she spent her final days. She arrived here with St. John the Evangelist. The site has been visited and blessed by three Popes from the Vatican, and it attracts millions of pilgrims annually.
· 45 min · Admission not included
2 Ephesus Ancient City
Duration: 2 hours. Entrance fee is not included.
Ephesus is a magnificent ancient Roman city situated near the Kusadasi port. This tour encompasses visits to the House of the Virgin Mary, Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis, and the Basilica of St. John. Within Ephesus, you will see monuments like the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, the Temple of Hadrian, Trajan's Fountain, the Temple of Domitian, and the Parliament building. The Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, spent her last days here. A significant portion of the Gospel of St. John is thought to have been written in Ephesus, which is also recognized as one of the Seven Churches mentioned in the Bible. Lunch will be provided.
· 2 h · Admission not included
3 The Temple of Artemis
Duration: 20 minutes.
The Ephesians worshipped a mother goddess named Artemis. They constructed the Temple of Artemis, which was renowned as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
· 20 min
4 Basilica of St. John
Duration: 40 minutes. Entrance fee is not included.
This site marks the tomb of St. John, the author of the fourth book of the New Testament and the Book of Revelation. Early Christians erected a chapel here, and in the 6th century AD, Emperor Justinian the Great of the Byzantine Empire constructed a grand basilica.
· 40 min · Admission not included
Your mobile or paper ticket is accepted. One ticket is required per booking.
This tour is exclusively for cruise ship passengers. Please do not book if you are not traveling on a cruise.
Following your booking, we will coordinate the meeting time with you.
Your professional tour guide will greet you at the Kusadasi port's car park.
We advise arriving at the car park approximately 30 to 45 minutes after your ship has docked to help avoid crowds.
Wearing comfortable shoes is recommended. A hat is advisable for summer excursions.
Infants and young children can be accommodated in prams or strollers. Service animals are permitted on the tour. Public transportation options are conveniently located nearby. Specialized infant seats are available upon request. The tour is suitable for individuals of all physical fitness levels. This tour is exclusively for cruise ship travelers. If you are not a cruise traveler, please do not book. Travelers from Cruiseship Cruiseship Travelers: This option is for travelers departing from a cruiseship. Pickup is included. Wear comfortable walking shoes as there will be a significant amount of walking. Bring a hat and sunscreen, especially during warmer months. Ensure you have your camera ready to capture the historical sites. Stay hydrated throughout the tour. Listen attentively to your guide's insights on the biblical significance of the locations. Confirm your booking details and meeting point with the tour operator after reservation. To receive a full refund, please ensure your cancellation is made at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time.
Product code: 329748P4
Activity offered by Travelshow via Viator.
WizardTrip Help Center Cruise ship passengers History enthusiasts Religious pilgrims Travelers seeking private tours Exclusive private tour for your group Focus on biblical significance of Ephesus Visits to key religious sites: House of Virgin Mary, Basilica of St. John Explore the ancient city of Ephesus with expert guide Convenient pickup and drop-off from Kusadasi Port Includes a delicious local lunch
Population 130,835 (2022)
Elevation 11 m
Currency Turkish lira
Official language Turkish
Driving on the right
Power plugs C, F · 230 V
Emergency number 112
Capital city Ankara Average temperatures 6° Jan 8° Feb 10° Mar 14° Apr 20° May 25° Jun 29° Jul 29° Aug 24° Sept 18° Oct 13° Nov 8° Dec Sources: Wikidata; climate: NASA POWER, 2001-2025 averages.
Is this tour suitable for cruise ship passengers? + Yes, this tour is specifically designed for cruise ship passengers departing from Kusadasi Port.
What is included in the tour price? + The tour includes a delicious local lunch, parking fees, a private luxury vehicle, guaranteed on-time return for cruise travelers, a professional tour guide with biblical expertise, and expedited access in Ephesus.
What is not included in the tour price? + The entrance tickets for Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Basilica of St. John are not included.
How long does the tour last? + The tour duration is approximately 4 to 6 hours.
Can infants and small children join the tour? + Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available.
What is the cancellation policy? + For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
★★★★★ Viator review
Private tour for 1/2 the price.
Kim_F, October 2026
We went in Sept. 2026 and really enjoyed it! It was half the price of the Princess cruise tour and was private with just the two of us. We paid $85 for the two of us which included lunch. In addition we paid for the admission tickets to Mary’s House, Ephesus and St John’s Basilica. The original tour listing did not include the Terrace Houses but they had no problem adding them, we just had to pay the additional entrance fee. We were able to get to Mary’s House before all the buses showed up. The tour included a nice lunch at a rug weaving coop with a restaurant. We had the choice after lunch whether to see a rug weaving demonstration which we found really interesting. A rug sales pitch followed but there was no pressure to buy. If not interested you can just say no to the demonstration. Having a private tour was the way to go since we had control over the entire day. Our guide gave us a great recommendation for where to get baklava near the ship after our tour was over.
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Wonderful tour
robinbV7730PQ, October 2026
Tolga was a wonderful guide. He provided great information about Ephesus and Türkiye in general, and he has a fun sense of humor. We really enjoyed seeing the Virgin Mary House, and the tour of Ephesus was so much more than we expected. The visit to the rug makers was also very informative (just be ready to want to buy a rug!) All in all a very nice tour!
Response from the operator · Mobile43734924122 Thank you. We try our best for you.
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Great trip to Ephesus with Tolga
F3485YTjeffb, October 2026
Olga was an outstanding guide and I would highly recommend him to anyone looking g for a great tour!
Response from the operator · Mobile43734924122 Thank you. We try our best for you.
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Ephesus Excellence
robinkU5550CL, October 2026
Our tour was excellent! Elif was so professional, knowledgeable, personable, and patient.
Response from the operator · Mobile43734924122 Thank you. We try our best for you.
★★★★★ Viator review
Fatastic tour
Christine_J, October 2026
Elif was a wonderful tour guide. She was so knowledgeable. Even told us little things about what to not buy and to biy . She had a great personality. Really learned alot. Price was fantastic even included lunch
Response from the operator · Mobile43734924122 Thank you. We try our best for you.
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