Private Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary Tour with Skip-The-Line Access
by OTTI Travel
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$98Overview
This private tour lasts about 4 to 6 hours and includes pickup and drop-off from Kusadasi Cruise Port by a private Mercedes van. The tour visits the ancient city of Ephesus, once a major commercial center in western Anatolia, with guaranteed skip-the-line entry using pre-purchased tickets. Visitors spend about 90 minutes exploring archaeological remains such as the Library of Celsus and the site of the Temple of Artemis, a former Seven Wonder of the ancient world. Next, the tour stops for around 30 minutes at the Basilica of St. John, a basilica built in the 6th century AD over the believed burial site of the evangelist St. John. The guide explains how the early Christians faced persecution in the first century and St. John’s connection to Ephesus, including his writings. The House of the Virgin Mary is visited for approximately 40 minutes. Located 9 kilometers from Ephesus on Bulbul Mountain, it is believed to be where Mary spent her last days. The stone-built Roman house includes an anteroom, bedroom, and prayer room, with a church built around it in the 4th century AD. Finally, the tour includes a 30-minute visit to the Temple of Artemis ruins. Though the temple is now mostly foundations, it was once a large marble structure renowned in the Hellenistic period. The tour is accompanied by an English-speaking guide with an archaeological background who can customize the itinerary. Admission fees and lunch are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Ephesus Ancient City
Spend about 90 minutes exploring the archaeological site of Ephesus on Turkey's southwest coast. The city was a major center in ancient times, with remains including the Library of Celsus and the site of the Temple of Artemis, built in 356 BC as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Ephesus was the fourth largest city in the eastern Roman Empire during the 2nd century BC.
90 min
Basilica of St. John
A 30-minute visit to the basilica built over the believed burial place of evangelist St. John on the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. The basilica was constructed during Emperor Justinian's reign in the 6th century AD, replacing an earlier chapel from the 4th century. The guide explains St. John's life in the region and the early Christian persecutions in the first century.
30 min
The House of the Virgin Mary
Located 9 kilometers from Ephesus atop Bulbul Mountain, this 40-minute stop visits the stone Roman house believed to be where Mary spent her final days. The house contains an anteroom, bedroom, prayer room, and a chapel with a fireplace. A church combining the house and Mary's grave was built here in the 4th century AD.
40 min
The Temple of Artemis
A 30-minute visit to the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, once a majestic marble temple and one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The site is now a swampy flat area with visible foundations and sculptured column remains from the Hellenistic period.
30 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Private Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary Tour with Skip-The-Line Access
by OTTI Travel
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$98Overview
This private tour lasts about 4 to 6 hours and includes pickup and drop-off from Kusadasi Cruise Port by a private Mercedes van. The tour visits the ancient city of Ephesus, once a major commercial center in western Anatolia, with guaranteed skip-the-line entry using pre-purchased tickets. Visitors spend about 90 minutes exploring archaeological remains such as the Library of Celsus and the site of the Temple of Artemis, a former Seven Wonder of the ancient world. Next, the tour stops for around 30 minutes at the Basilica of St. John, a basilica built in the 6th century AD over the believed burial site of the evangelist St. John. The guide explains how the early Christians faced persecution in the first century and St. John’s connection to Ephesus, including his writings. The House of the Virgin Mary is visited for approximately 40 minutes. Located 9 kilometers from Ephesus on Bulbul Mountain, it is believed to be where Mary spent her last days. The stone-built Roman house includes an anteroom, bedroom, and prayer room, with a church built around it in the 4th century AD. Finally, the tour includes a 30-minute visit to the Temple of Artemis ruins. Though the temple is now mostly foundations, it was once a large marble structure renowned in the Hellenistic period. The tour is accompanied by an English-speaking guide with an archaeological background who can customize the itinerary. Admission fees and lunch are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Ephesus Ancient City
Spend about 90 minutes exploring the archaeological site of Ephesus on Turkey's southwest coast. The city was a major center in ancient times, with remains including the Library of Celsus and the site of the Temple of Artemis, built in 356 BC as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Ephesus was the fourth largest city in the eastern Roman Empire during the 2nd century BC.
90 min
Basilica of St. John
A 30-minute visit to the basilica built over the believed burial place of evangelist St. John on the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. The basilica was constructed during Emperor Justinian's reign in the 6th century AD, replacing an earlier chapel from the 4th century. The guide explains St. John's life in the region and the early Christian persecutions in the first century.
30 min
The House of the Virgin Mary
Located 9 kilometers from Ephesus atop Bulbul Mountain, this 40-minute stop visits the stone Roman house believed to be where Mary spent her final days. The house contains an anteroom, bedroom, prayer room, and a chapel with a fireplace. A church combining the house and Mary's grave was built here in the 4th century AD.
40 min
The Temple of Artemis
A 30-minute visit to the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, once a majestic marble temple and one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The site is now a swampy flat area with visible foundations and sculptured column remains from the Hellenistic period.
30 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.