Ephesus and House of Mary Tour from izmir with TICKETS option
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 27 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Ephesus and House of Mary Tour from izmir with TICKETS option worth booking?
Ephesus and House of Mary Tour from izmir with TICKETS option is a 6-hour experience in Izmir, Turkey, from $89 per person. It scores 75 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 27 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 75 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (27)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $89 per person
Discover ancient wonders on this Best Seller Ephesus Tour, designed especially for cruise guests. Visit: Ephesus Ruins, House of the Virgin Mary, and Temple of Artemis Enjoy skip-the-line tickets, luxury transportation, and pick-up & drop-off from Izmır Port and hotels. Explore Ephesus with an expert local guide, walking along the ancient marble streets once used by St. Paul, St. John, and Mother Mary. See highlights such as the Great Theater, Celsus Library, Trajan Fountain, and Odeon. Continue to the House of the Virgin Mary and learn about early Christian and Roman history. Capture memorable photos at top viewpoints and visit the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Cruise Guarantee: Tour timing is fully coordinated with your ship schedule, and timely return to port before onboard time is guaranteed.
What you get
About this experience
Discover ancient wonders on this Best Seller Ephesus Tour, designed especially for cruise guests. Visit: Ephesus Ruins, House of the Virgin Mary, and Temple of Artemis Enjoy skip-the-line tickets, luxury transportation, and pick-up & drop-off from Izmır Port and hotels. Explore Ephesus with an expert local guide, walking along the ancient marble streets once used by St. Paul, St. John, and Mother Mary. See highlights such as the Great Theater, Celsus Library, Trajan Fountain, and Odeon. Continue to the House of the Virgin Mary and learn about early Christian and Roman history. Capture memorable photos at top viewpoints and visit the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Cruise Guarantee: Tour timing is fully coordinated with your ship schedule, and timely return to port before onboard time is guaranteed.
What's included
Included
- Professional licensed tour guide
- Entry tickets (for the "Entry Tickets Included" option)
- Lunch in a family owned local restaurant
- Pick up and drop off from Izmır Port
- All sightseeings mentioned in the itinerary
Not included
- Personal expenses
- Drinks at lunch
- Entry tickets (for the "Entry Tickets Excluded" option)
What you'll see and do
According to the pick-up time that we will arrange according to your ship's arrival time, meet your guide at the port and set out towards the first visit point
60 minutes here
The House of the Virgin Mary
it is declared by the church to be the final house where Mary spent her last days. Also, it is believed that the Assumption took place there on the 15th of August.
45 minutes here · Admission not included
Ephesus Ancient City
An Archeological treasure, The best preserved classical city in Eastern Mediterranean. During the 1C AD Ephesus was the second largest city on the planet after Rome with more than 250.000 citizens. It was in the center of the known world and played the role of a gateway between the East and the West. It is also home to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of Artemis. Ephesus is also well preserved that, walking on the ancient streets among the beautiful monuments such as the third largest library of the ancient world or the largest roman theatre on Asia continent, gives you the feeling of a time traveler.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Selcuk
Lunch. Taste Turkish cuisine at selected family-owned restaurants.
45 minutes here
The Temple of Artemis
Considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, Temple of Artemis was dedicated to the goddess of the hunt. Only the foundation and one column remains of this temple which once measured 425 feet long, 220 feet long. Paul’s successful ministry in this city was considered a threat to this very temple.The city reached the Golden Age and became a good model to the Antique World in culture and art, as well.
30 minutes here
At the end of the tour drive you back to your hotel
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
PRIVATE TOUR WITH TICKETS ✅
This Option: INCLUDES ENTRY TICKETS to Ephesus and House of Mary. Private Tour: with personal tour guide in a high model vehicle. The tour starting time will adjust according to the cruise arrival time. Duration: 7 hours Lunch: Taste Turkish cuisine at selected family-owned restaurants. Mercedes High Model Minibus. Guaranteed on time return. Pickup included
MINI GROUP WITHOUT TICKETS
This Option: EXCLUDES ENTRY TICKETS to Ephesus and House of Mary. Mini Group Tour: up to 12 people with English Speaking tour guide in a high model vehicle Skip-The-Line Tickets: Tour guide will have skip-the-line tickets to avoid ticket lines. Can be paid on tour day in cash or by card Duration: 7 hours Lunch: Taste Turkish cuisine at selected family-owned restaurants. ◉ Guaranteed on time return. Pickup included
MINI GROUP WITH TICKETS ✅
This Option: INCLUDES ENTRY TICKETS to Ephesus and House of Mary. Mini Group Tour: up 12 people with English Speaking tour guide in ahigh model vehicle. Duration: 7 hours Lunch: Taste Turkish cuisine at selected family-owned restaurants. Mercedes High Model Minibus. Guaranteed on time return. Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Tour Altinkum Travel
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The tour offer Group and Private Tour options INCLUDE and EXCLUDE ENTRY TICKETS
- Your tour guide may suggest visiting places with handmade items, but it’s completely optional for the guests.
- We GUARANTEE your timely return to the port
- ✅INCLUDES ENTRY TICKETS OPTIONS: You can pay for your entry tıckets at the tıme of booking with Entry tıckets ınclude optıons. Than means we take care of your tickets and enjoy the privilege of SKIP THE TICKET LINES, where your guide will keep the tickets ready for you without waiting in the ticket queue at the entrance of the ruins.
- ❌EXCLUDE ENTRY TICKETS OPTIONS: you can pay your entrance fees in cash or by credit card on the day of the tour. We would like to point out that, especially for the PRIVATE TOUR option, you do not have to pay the entrance fee for the ruins you do not want to see.
- Group Tour Optıon: The group sizes will be up to 10-12 people maxımum. Groups are formed as passengers of the same ship.
- Private Tour Optıon: The tour wıll be provided only for your party wıth personal tour guıde. Stay ın the sites as much you wish, If there is any other site you want to visit, depending on time availability, it can be added to the program.
- The tour specialy designed for the cruise guests. Pick up and drop off only available from Izmir Port. The tour starting time will adjust according to your cruıse dock and onboard times. We GUARANTEE your timely return to the Port.
- Free entry for kids 8yr and below (take passport for children if any)
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 27 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
6 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Organization
4 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
27 verified traveler reviews for Ephesus and House of Mary Tour from izmir with TICKETS option. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Pinar great tour guide
Our tour guide Pinar was excellent. She was knowledgeable and organized. She made the day very memorable.
via Viator
Ephesus is not to be missed
A thoroughly enjoyable day out. Ephesus is so far beyond what I expected. The line ups were quite long for Mary’s house, but that is unavoidable. Our Turkish lunch was also a lovely treat - plentiful, varied and delicious. Firah (sp?) was an excellent and personable guide. Overall, a wonderful experience.
via Viator
Great Tour
Well organized with our very knowledgeable and friendly tour guide (Ogun). We were provided with ample time at each stop to appreciate the sights. The lunch was plentiful and tasty.
via Viator
Disappointing Private Tour of Ephesus from Izmir Port
We were really looking forward to our private day tour of Ephesus from our cruise stop in Izmir, especially with multiple ships in port and the crowds we anticipated. Unfortunately, the experience fell short of expectations. While the historical sites themselves were impressive, especially Ephesus, both that and the Virgin Mary House were extremely crowded, which is understandable in peak season. However, what made the day disappointing was our tour guide’s lack of engagement. While he seemed knowledgeable, he shared very little voluntarily and offered mostly surface-level facts that echoed what we could read on the plaques. It felt like he was going through the motions rather than bringing the sites to life, which is what we had hoped for in a private tour. The most frustrating part of the day was our lunch stop, which was unexpectedly held at a Turkish carpet cooperative. We had been expecting a nice local restaurant, but instead we were taken to a large facility where multiple tour groups were being funneled through. After lunch, we told our guide we didn’t need or want the carpet factory tour, as we were aware it would end in a high-pressure sales pitch. Despite this, he insisted we would offend the staff if we didn’t go through with it. After that, due to traffic and the time lost, we had to skip the Temple of Artemis, which was disappointing. We understand that crowds and timing are factors outside the tour company’s control, but we booked a private experience specifically to avoid these kinds of pitfalls—and unfortunately, it felt more like a standard group tour with little customization or care. A bright spot was our transportation: the Mercedes Sprinter van was very spacious and comfortable, and our driver was excellent. This tour had potential, but ultimately it missed the mark for us.
via Viator
Amazing.. well worth the cost.
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Mary's house, Ephesus, and the delicious lunch at a local restaurant. The trip was well organized, informative and fun. Feliz gave an interesting and informative commentary on all of the sites and answered questions about the sites, history and culture in Türkiye. i would recommend this tour without question.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $89 to $289
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 9
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Tour Altinkum Travel, who run 42 experiences we rank across 9 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 60.0.
See everything Tour Altinkum Travel runsWhy this scores 75
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Ephesus and House of Mary Tour from izmir with TICKETS option: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Izmir.
How much does Ephesus and House of Mary Tour from izmir with TICKETS option cost?
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Prices start at $89 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Izmir usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Ephesus and House of Mary Tour from izmir with TICKETS option take?
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Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Izmir is not rushed.
Is Ephesus and House of Mary Tour from izmir with TICKETS option worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 75 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 27 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Izmir, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Ephesus and House of Mary Tour from izmir with TICKETS option?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Ephesus and House of Mary Tour from izmir with TICKETS option suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Ephesus and House of Mary Tour from izmir with TICKETS option?
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Around 9 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Izmir can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Izmir and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Ephesus and House of Mary Tour from izmir with TICKETS option start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Izmir within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Izmir?
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On Outty we rank every Izmir experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Pamukkale Tour from Izmir, Ephesus Tour with Virgin Mary From Izmir All Inclusive, Ephesus Tour From Izmir. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Izmir?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Izmir?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Ephesus and House of Mary Tour from izmir with TICKETS option?
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Included: Professional licensed tour guide; Entry tickets (for the "Entry Tickets Included" option); Lunch in a family owned local restaurant; Pick up and drop off from Izmır Port; and All sightseeings mentioned in the itinerary. Not included: Personal expenses; Drinks at lunch; and Entry tickets (for the "Entry Tickets Excluded" option). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Ephesus and House of Mary Tour from izmir with TICKETS option include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 19 listed pickup locations in and around Izmir. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Ephesus and House of Mary Tour from izmir with TICKETS option offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Ephesus and House of Mary Tour from izmir with TICKETS option?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Ephesus and House of Mary Tour from izmir with TICKETS option wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Ephesus and House of Mary Tour from izmir with TICKETS option if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Ephesus and House of Mary Tour from izmir with TICKETS option?
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Across 27 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Ephesus and House of Mary Tour from izmir with TICKETS option?
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There are 3 options to choose from, including PRIVATE TOUR WITH TICKETS ✅, MINI GROUP WITHOUT TICKETS, MINI GROUP WITH TICKETS ✅. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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