Name: PRIVATE Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary Tour (Skip-The-Line)
SKU: 12889P1
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.9 (588 reviews)

WizardTrip

PRIVATE Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary Tour (Skip-The-Line)

4.9(588)· Kusadasi· By OTTI Travel

Free cancellationPrivate tour

From

€45per person

1 to 14 travelers per booking.

Time

1 × Adult × €99.91€99.91

Total€99.91

About the activity

Our PRIVATE Ephesus Tour is one of its kind about places it covers and it's our best-seller! This tour is a perfect option for those who have a full day to spend around the most important sights of the Ephesus area. This tour is guaranteed Skip-The-Line with pre-purchased tickets. You can always customize your tour with your private guide. This tour includes pick up and drop off service from Kusadasi Cruise Port. During your private tour, you will visit; Ephesus Ancient City which used to be the most important commercial center of the western Anatolia, the House of Virgin Mary where Mary had spent her last day, the Basilica of St. John where is believed that the evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill and the Temple of Artemision which is known as one of the seven wonders of the Antic World. Enjoy the personalized attention of your licensed tour guide and the comfort of your private mercedes van.

What's included

✓Pick Up and Drop Off from Cruise Port and Hotels
✓Transport by Luxury Private Vehicle
✓All Parking Fees and Taxes
✓English Speaking Tour Guide with Archaeological Backgroud

What is not included

✕Local Lunch
✕Ephesus Ancient City
✕Virgin Mary House
✕St John Basilica

Itinerary

1
Ephesus Ancient City
This enclosure for archaeological remains at Ephesus elegantly reconciles historic conservation with accessibility for visitors. The site of a succession of great ancient civilizations, Ephesus, on the south-west coast of modern Turkey, embodied a peculiarly fertile synthesis of architecture and culture. In 356BC the Greeks built the Artemesium (a colossal Ionic temple dedicated to Artemis the fertility goddess) which was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. During the 2nd century BC, Ephesus was the fourth largest city in the eastern Roman Empire, famous for its Artemision, the Library of Celsus and its medical school. Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes. Entrance fee not included.
· 1 h 30 min· Admission not included
2
Basilica of St. John
It is believed that the evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. Three hundred years after the death of St. John, a small chapel was constructed over the grave in the 4th century. The church of St John was changed into a marvelous basilica during the region of Emperor Justinian (527 -565 AD). The second half of the first century was full of persecution for the early Christians. Apostle James and Stephen were killed in Jerusalem. Paul was sent to Rome and executed. According to tradition John took The Mother Mary and came to Ephesus. He wrote his Gospel in Ephesus and the Revelation in Greece Island, Patmos in 96AD. Duration: 30 minutes. Entrance fee not included.
· 30 min· Admission not included
3
The House of the Virgin Mary
House of Virgin Mary is located on the top of the "Bulbul" mountain 9 km ahead of Ephesus, the shrine of Virgin Mary enjoys a marvelous atmosphere hidden in the green. It is the place where Mary may have spent her last days. Indeed, she may have come in the area together with Saint John, who spent several years in the area to spread Christianity. Mary preferred this remote place rather than living in crowded place. The house of Virgin Mary is a typical Roman architectural example, entirely made of stones. In the 4th century AD, a church, combining her house and grave, has been built. The original two-stored house, which consisted of an anteroom (where today candles are proposed), bedroom and praying room (Christian church area) and a room with fireplace (chapel for Muslims). Duration: 40 minutes. Entrance fee not included.
· 40 min· Admission not included
4
The Temple of Artemis
The Temple of Artemis is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. It has been built in the areas of Ephesus on a flat area which has over the centuries turned into a swamp. If you visit Ephesus today, you can only see the ruins of the foundations of this marvelous construction of the Hellenistic Age, entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns' capitals and shafts. Duration: 30 minutes.
· 30 min

How to use your ticket

Mobile or paper ticket accepted. One per booking

Meeting point and return

For Cruisers: Your private tour guide will be meeting you at the exit of the immigration gate of Kusadasi Cruise Port with a board with your name on it.

For Hotel Guests: We will meet you by the hotel reception.

Private tour guide will meet you at the exit of the immigration gate of Kusadasi Cruise Port. Please look out for a sign with your name written on it. Our guides will be ready and waiting for you half an hour before your selected meeting time. If you happen to exit earlier, kindly wait at the designated guide meeting area.

Practical information

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
At time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time

Activity options

From Kusadasi Port or Hotels
Mercedes Vito / Sprinter
Pickup included

Duration

4 h à 6 h

How to prepare for your experience

Wear comfortable shoes as there will be a lot of walking.
Bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, especially during warmer months.
Consider bringing water, although it can be purchased on site.
Be prepared for crowds, especially during peak season.
Inform your guide about any specific interests you have to customize the tour.
Ensure you have the correct currency if you plan to purchase entrance tickets or souvenirs.

Discover the ancient wonders of Ephesus and its surroundings on a private, customizable tour.

Cancellation conditions

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Any questions?

Product code: 12889P1

Activity offered by OTTI Travel via Viator.

Who is this activity suitable for?

History enthusiasts
Cruise ship passengers
Travelers seeking a private and personalized experience
Those interested in ancient Roman and Greek history
Visitors with moderate physical fitness

Activity essentials

Private tour with personalized attention
Visit to key historical sites in the Ephesus area
Skip-the-line access with pre-purchased tickets
Comfortable transportation in a private Mercedes van
Knowledgeable guide with archaeological background
Convenient pick-up and drop-off service

Kusadasi: good to know

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.

Frequently asked questions

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes pick-up and drop-off from the cruise port or hotels, transportation by luxury private vehicle, all parking fees and taxes, and an English-speaking tour guide with archaeological background.

What is not included in the tour?

Local lunch, entrance fees for Ephesus Ancient City, Virgin Mary House, and St. John Basilica are not included.

How long does the tour last?

The tour duration is between 4 to 6 hours.

Where do we meet the guide?

For cruisers, the guide will meet you at the exit of the immigration gate of Kusadasi Cruise Port with a sign bearing your name. For hotel guests, the meeting point is by the hotel reception.

Can the tour be customized?

Yes, you can always customize your tour with your private guide.

What is the cancellation policy?

For a full refund, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.94.9(588)

5 stars

566

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Reviews provided by Viator, written by travellers on Viator and Tripadvisor.

★★★★★Viator review
Great Guide.
Helen_M, October 2026
Very knowledgable and personable guide. Zeneaj was an excellent guide who knew the area well. We learned many facts about Ephesus and the Virgin Mary.
★★★★★Viator review
Great Tour of Ephesus
Karl_B, September 2026
Wonderful full day tour from Kusadasi to Ephesus. Our tour guide Mel and driver Mehmet were very flexible in terms of our pickup, and allowed us to get the most out of the time we had. Melike was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about her town, and we understand far more about the entire area and history than we did after our first time there. Thanks Mel….we really enjoyed the day
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
Great experience
854nlw, September 2026
Enjoyable experience even on first rainy day of Summer. Serdar, our local guide was knowledgeable in the history of the House of Virgin Mary and Ephesus. He very polite & genuine & brought the visit to life for us. No pressure even after we attended a carpet demonstration later which was interesting!
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
Excellent to recommend them
Titipalacio, September 2026
Good site, good driver, and excellent guide
★★★★★Viator review
Well organized and enjoyable tour of Ephesus
Leanne_S, September 2026
We had a really good experience with this tour. Ahmet was a great tour guide who could not have been more accommodating or polite. He was extremely flexible to accommodate our timeline and preferences and assisted us with parking to make everything very seamless. He was also a very knowledgeable and engaged guide. I would recommend this tour and Ahmet.

15 activities · Turkey

Kusadasi, Turkey, has 15 activities, tours and experiences to book. Also worth exploring nearby: Selçuk, Izmir.

01Activities to book

The best experiences in Kusadasi

15 in the catalogue

Top pick

PRIVATE Ephesus Tour for Cruisers with Skip the Line Tickets

from €45★ 4.9

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Private Ephesus Tour for Cruisers: On-Time Return and Skip-Line

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PRIVATE Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary Tour (Skip-The-Line)

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Private Biblical Ephesus Tour from Kusadasi Port with Lunch

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-10%

Top-Rated Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary Tour for Cruisers

from €12★ 4.9

Deal

FOR CRUISERS: Ephesus & Virgin Mary Tour with Entry Fees & Lunch

from €15★ 5.0

All activities · Kusadasi · 15

02On the water

Boats & cruises in Kusadasi

2 activities

Top pick

Private Ephesus Tour for Cruisers: On-Time Return and Skip-Line

from €26★ 5.0

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FOR CRUISERS: Skip The Lines PRIVATE EPHESUS TOUR & On Time Return

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03Categories

Private tours in Kusadasi

13 activities

Top pick

PRIVATE Ephesus Tour for Cruisers with Skip the Line Tickets

from €45★ 4.9

Top pick

Private Ephesus Tour for Cruisers: On-Time Return and Skip-Line

from €26★ 5.0

Top pick

PRIVATE All Inclusive Ephesus Tour (SKIP-THE-LINE)

from €63★ 5.0

Top pick

Private & Group Ephesus Tours with No Hidden Fees

from €99★ 4.9

Deal

ALL INCLUSIVE VIP Shore Excursion Customizable Ephesus with Lunch

from €163★ 4.9

Top pick

PRIVATE Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary Tour (Skip-The-Line)

from €45★ 4.9

04Categories

Guided tours in Kusadasi

12 activities

Top pick

All Inclusive Private Ephesus Tour for Cruisers - Skip the Line

from €12★ 4.9

Top pick

ALL INCLUSIVE Biblical Ephesus with BIBLE Oriented Guide & LUNCH

from €154★ 5.0

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Private Biblical Ephesus Tour from Kusadasi Port with Lunch

from €35★ 4.9

-10%

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from €12★ 4.9

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FOR CRUISERS: Ephesus & Virgin Mary Tour with Entry Fees & Lunch

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ALL INCLUDED: Ephesus Tour for Cruisers including ENTRY TICKETS

from €50★ 4.9

05Explore nearby

Nearby cities

2 cities

Selçuk

Izmir

Plan your trip

Guide · 8 min readThree Ephesus Tours for Kusadasi Cruise PassengersThree Ephesus excursions from the port of Kusadasi: a flexible tour, in a group or private, and two private tours. Length, admission tickets, languages and shop stops are compared.

Frequently asked questions about Kusadasi

What is there to do in Kusadasi?

Kusadasi has 15 activities, tours and day trips you can book online. Among the most booked: « PRIVATE Ephesus Tour for Cruisers with Skip the Line Tickets », « Private Ephesus Tour for Cruisers: On-Time Return and Skip-Line », « ALL INCLUSIVE Private Ephesus & The House of Mary & Turkish LUNCH ».

What are the top-rated activities in Kusadasi?

According to traveller reviews: « Private Ephesus Tour for Cruisers: On-Time Return and Skip-Line » (5.0/5, 9,384 reviews) ; « FOR CRUISERS: Skip The Lines PRIVATE EPHESUS TOUR & On Time Return » (5.0/5, 12,158 reviews) ; « FOR CRUISERS: Ephesus & Virgin Mary Tour with Entry Fees & Lunch » (5.0/5, 1,485 reviews).

Can you cancel an activity in Kusadasi for free?

Usually, yes: 13 of the 15 most popular activities in Kusadasi offer free cancellation. The exact terms are shown on each activity page before you book.

What is there to visit near Kusadasi?

Close to Kusadasi: Selçuk, Izmir.