Ephesus Small Group Day Tour from Selcuk
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 46 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Ephesus Small Group Day Tour from Selcuk worth booking?
Ephesus Small Group Day Tour from Selcuk is a 8-hour experience in Selçuk, Turkey, from $148 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 46 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (46)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $148 per person
Step back thousands of years on this small-group guided tour of Ephesus from Selcuk. Start off in Selcuk, exploring the many ancient archeological sites, and then move on to Ephesus, once one of the most important cities
What you get
About this experience
Step back thousands of years on this small-group guided tour of Ephesus from Selcuk. Start off in Selcuk, exploring the many ancient archeological sites, and then move on to Ephesus, once one of the most important cities in Asia Minor. Stroll among the millennia-old ruins, many of which have only been excavated in the last century. See the remains of the Temple of Artemis and visit the supposed house of the Virgin Mary before stopping by a famous 14th-century mosque.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional guide
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Lunch
- Surcharges on fuel
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Not included
- Drinks
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
The House of the Virgin Mary
The House of the Virgin Mary (or Meryem Ana Evi in Turkish) is a place where, according to the beliefs of many people Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent the last years of her life. She was supposed to arrive at Ephesus together with St. John and lived there in the years 37-45 CE until her Assumption (according to Catholic doctrine) or Dormition (according to Orthodox belief).
30 minutes here · Admission included
Ephesus Ancient City
Of Turkey's hundreds of ancient cities and classical ruins, Ephesus is the grandest and best preserved. Indeed, it's the best place on the Mediterranean to get a feel for what life was like in ancient times. Ancient Ephesus was a great trading city and a centre for the cult of Cybele, the Anatolian fertility goddess.
120 minutes here · Admission included
The Odeion
The Odeion of Ancient Ephesus is a small, semi-circular theater originally constructed in the 2nd century A.D and financed by PubliusVedius Antonius and his wife FlaviaPaiana. The building would have served as a space for political meetings, social events, concerts and theatrical performances.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Temple of Hadrian
This temple dedicated to the Emperor Hadrian is considered one of the best preserved and most beautiful structures on Curetes Street. It was constructed in the beginning of the 2nd century AD by P. Quintilius to celebrate Hadrian visiting the city from Athens.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Bibliotheque de Celsus
Bibliotheque de Celsus, Selcuk, Turkey This magnificent library dating from the early 2nd century AD, the best-known monument in Ephesus, has been extensively restored. Originally built as part of a complex, the library looks bigger than it actually is: the convex facade base heightens the central elements, while the middle columns and capitals are larger than those at the ends. Facade niches hold replica statues of the Four Virtues. From left to right, they are Sophia (Wisdom), Arete (Goodness), Ennoia (Thought) and Episteme (Knowledge).
20 minutes here · Admission included
Efes Antik Kenti Tiyatrosu
The great theater of Ephesus is a splendidly preserved and very impressive building. This structure, built of marble, has a width of 145 meters, and its audience once reached up to 30 meters. In its heyday, it could accommodate up to 24,000 spectators. The construction of the theater began in Hellenistic times.
20 minutes here · Admission included
The Temple of Artemis
Temple of Artemis (or Artemision), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In an empty field to the west of the centre, this lone reconstructed pillar is all that remains of the massive Temple of Artemis (or Artemision) At its zenith, the temple counted 127 columns.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Isa Bey Mosque
Isabey mosque was built in a post-Seljuk/pre-Ottoman transitional style, when Selcuk was capital of the Aydin Emirate. An inscription in Arabic above the main entrance states that it was built in 1375.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Options you can book
Spanish Guided Tour
Spanish Guided Tour Pickup included
English Guided Tour
Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Alaturca Ephesus
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- Infant meals not included
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 46 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 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
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
46 verified traveler reviews for Ephesus Small Group Day Tour from Selcuk. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great tour and tour guide. A+++
Fantastic tour with Nizam ! Informative and funny guy. Made the tour extremely enjoyable. Much recommended
via Tripadvisor
Excellent
Our guide Octavio was amazing and was very knowledgeable . He knew everything about every single site !! I would choose him again.
via Tripadvisor
An informative tour of an amazing historical site
Our guide, Faiz, was energetic and able to communicate well with our group of 10 or so, spanning young children to older adults. I appreciated the balance between listening to information about the different sites and having time to explore on our own. The later demonstration of silk making and carpet weaving was very interesting.
via Tripadvisor
Knowledgeable Guide
Faisal has a lot of knowledge about pagan gods and symbols, as well as historical facts about Ephesus and surrounding sites that made this an enjoyable and educational tour. A good alternative to a private tour at half the price. Of course, the usual shopping component was included (carpet school, leather jackets) but that is the norm, and was somewhat educational in this case.
via Tripadvisor
Just a shopping trip
Three mentioned stops: St Mary's house, Ancient City of Efes, temple of Artemis (most sites mentioned at the description are just stops along the course of visit of the main archaeological site) and two unmentioned LONG stops at shops (a carpet weaving "school" and a leather goods store, complete with a catwalk fashion show just for our small group). Guide was average, with many sensational narratives unrelated to the sights. The "homemade" lunch was offered in one of the shops, a place no locals would ever visit for lunch.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $148 to $155
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 16
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Alaturca Ephesus, who run 6 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 54.0.
See everything Alaturca Ephesus runsWhy this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Ephesus Small Group Day Tour from Selcuk: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Selçuk.
How much does Ephesus Small Group Day Tour from Selcuk cost?
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Prices start at $148 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Selçuk usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Ephesus Small Group Day Tour from Selcuk take?
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Plan for about 8 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 Selçuk is not rushed.
Is Ephesus Small Group Day Tour from Selcuk worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 46 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Selçuk, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Ephesus Small Group Day Tour from Selcuk?
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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 Small Group Day Tour from Selcuk suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Ephesus Small Group Day Tour from Selcuk?
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Around 16 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 Selçuk 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 Selçuk and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Ephesus Small Group Day Tour from Selcuk 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 Selçuk 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 Selçuk?
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On Outty we rank every Selçuk experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include PRIVATE EPHESUS TOUR FOR CRUISERS: On-time Return and Skip-Line, FOR CRUISERS: Skip The Lines PRIVATE EPHESUS TOUR &On Time Return, PRIVATE TOUR FOR CRUISERS: Mary's House (Meryemana) and Ephesus. 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 Selçuk?
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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 Selçuk?
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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.
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