FROM IZMIR Cruise Port: Ephesus and Mary's House Private Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
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Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 29 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is FROM IZMIR Cruise Port: Ephesus and Mary's House Private Tour worth booking?
FROM IZMIR Cruise Port: Ephesus and Mary's House Private Tour is a 6-hour experience in Selçuk, Turkey, from $79 per person. It scores 66 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 29 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 66 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (29)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $79 per person
Discover the top highlights of Ephesus on a private, stress-free shore excursion crafted exclusively for CRUISE PASSENGERS arriving at IZMIR CRUISE PORT. Travel in comfort with your own air-conditioned Minivan and expert
What you get
About this experience
Discover the top highlights of Ephesus on a private, stress-free shore excursion crafted exclusively for CRUISE PASSENGERS arriving at IZMIR CRUISE PORT. Travel in comfort with your own air-conditioned Minivan and expert local guide as you explore the UNESCO-listed Ancient City of Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Temple of Artemis. Your guide plans the entire day around your ship’s schedule—handling entrances, timing, comfort breaks, and optional cultural stops. Enjoy a flexible itinerary, personalised attention, and a guaranteed on-time return to your cruise ship. • Private shore excursion from İzmir Cruise Port, designed specifically for cruise passengers • Explore three major highlights in one day: Ephesus Ruins, House of the Virgin Mary, and Temple of Artemis • Enjoy a flexible, personalised itinerary with your own licensed guide • Worry-free booking with port pickup/drop-off and guaranteed on-time return
What's included
Included
- Transportation with A/C Minivans with separate Driver
- GUARANTEED ON-TIME RETURN FOR CRUISE PASSENGERS
- Professional LICENSED LOCAL TOUR GUIDE
- SKIP-THE-LINE ENTRANCE TICKET (according to the option chosen), allow you to bypass long lines
- Pick-up & Drop-off available only from Mentioned Places
- PRIVATE TOUR that ensures more personalized service
Not included
- Gratuities recommended
- Food and Drinks (optional)
- Entrance Fees if the option is not selected
What you'll see and do
Izmir
We will meet you at the Cruise Port! Once your tour is confirmed, we will promptly contact you with your personalised meeting time and exact pickup location, carefully planned according to your cruise ship’s arrival and departure schedule. After greeting our team at the port, you will begin your journey with a comfortable 1-hour drive to Ephesus. Along the way, your guide will share valuable insights about Turkey, the region, and what to expect during your tour.
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The House of the Virgin Mary
The House of the Virgin Mary is one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites, believed to be where Mary spent her final years after coming to Ephesus with John the Apostle. The shrine has been honored by several Popes, including Paul VI (1967), John Paul II (1979), and Benedict XVI (2006). Its discovery is linked to the visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich, a German nun who described the house in remarkable detail despite never having visited Ephesus. Her accounts, published by writer Clemens Brentano, inspired Father Poulin, a Lazarist priest from Izmir, to search for the site. In 1891, he found a small stone house that matched her descriptions perfectly, leading to archaeological studies and the preservation of the site we visit today.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Ephesus Ancient City
The Ruins of Ephesus form Turkey’s largest open-air museum, showcasing extraordinary remains from the Greek and Roman eras. As you walk through this ancient city, you will see highlights such as the Senate Building, Ancient Hospital, Temple of Domitian, Nike Statue, Hercules Gate, Trajan Fountain, Temple of Hadrian, the iconic Celsus Library, and the Grand Theatre—along with many other remarkable structures that reveal the grandeur of Ephesus.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
The Temple of Artemis
Artemis was the Greek goddess, the virginal huntress and twin of Apollo, who replaced the Titan Selene as Goddess of the Moon. The ancient temple was built around 650 BC to the cult of Artemis, was constructed on a site already sacred to the Anatolian Mother Goddess, Cybele. The temple was financed by the wealthy king of Lydia and the marshy ground was selected for the building site as a precaution against future earthquakes. During the time, it has been destroyed and collapsed many times due to the natural disasters.
15 minutes here · Admission not included
Selcuk
We will pass through the charming town of Selçuk, giving you a glimpse of local life in this small community located right beside the Ephesus ruins.
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Kusadasi Shopping Center
You will also have the chance to explore authentic local handicrafts and, if you choose, enjoy a truly genuine shopping experience. Your professional local tour guide will be by your side to offer valuable insights—highlighting the finest traditional crafts, recommending the most reputable places to visit, and providing expert tips to ensure a smooth, enjoyable, and completely hassle-free experience.
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Izmir
In the end of our tour, we will hit the road back to Izmir and drop you. Please note that the pick-up & drop-off places; Izmir Cruise Port, Izmir Airport, and Izmir Centerally located Hotels. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you join this tour from Izmir Cruise Port, or from Airport, OUR TOUR OFFERS YOU GUARANTEED ON-TIME RETURN!
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Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Options you can book
EXCL. MUSEUM ENTRANCE TICKETS
MUSEUM TICKETS: On the day of your tour, you can choose the Museums you are interested in visiting and pay the entrance fees on-site. PRIVATE TOUR: Tailor-made Private Tour excluding the Museum Entrance Tickets. Pickup included
INCL. MUSEUM ENTRANCE TICKETS
MUSEUM TICKETS: INCLUDING MUSEUM ENTRANCE TICKETS for Ephesus Ancient City and the House of Virgen Mary. 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
- BEST TURKEY TOUR
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- 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
- Pick up and Drop off services available from the below mentioned places;
- * Centrally located Hotels in Izmir * Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport * Izmir Cruise Port
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 29 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
29 verified traveler reviews for FROM IZMIR Cruise Port: Ephesus and Mary's House Private Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
josh
josh was a great guide transportation was excellent and the food and sites were great thank for your service
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your kind words. Knowing you had a great experience encourages us to keep delivering unforgettable tours. Best Turkey Tour Team
via Viator
Highly recommended
A fantastic tour with Peri suited to our needs. Highly recommended. Peri was very knowledgeable and attentive.
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your kind words. Knowing you had a great experience encourages us to keep delivering unforgettable tours. Best Turkey Tour Team
via Viator
Ephesus Tour
Ruins at Ephesus were spectacular. Tour guide was great but talked just a bit too much. Mary’s house was underwhelming and somewhat commercialized.
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your kind words. Knowing you had a great experience encourages us to keep delivering unforgettable tours. Best Turkey Tour Team
via Viator
Josh was great
Josh was a fantastic guide. We enjoyed our excursion from Izmir. He took us to a beautiful farm to table lunch where we bought handmade rugs. The leather factory was also great.
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your kind words. Knowing you had a great experience encourages us to keep delivering unforgettable tours. Best Turkey Tour Team
via Viator
The Perfect Mix of History, Food & Culture
Josh was an outstanding tour guide! He gave us the perfect mix of history, culture, and amazing local food while introducing us to local artists and small businesses. He was incredibly flexible, tailored the day to our interests, and made the experience feel personal. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide—highly recommend!
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your kind words. Knowing you had a great experience encourages us to keep delivering unforgettable tours. Best Turkey Tour Team
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
- $79 to $140
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 10
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 66
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
FROM IZMIR Cruise Port: Ephesus and Mary's House Private Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Selçuk.
How much does FROM IZMIR Cruise Port: Ephesus and Mary's House Private Tour cost?
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Prices start at $79 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 FROM IZMIR Cruise Port: Ephesus and Mary's House Private Tour 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 Selçuk is not rushed.
Is FROM IZMIR Cruise Port: Ephesus and Mary's House Private Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 66 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 29 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 FROM IZMIR Cruise Port: Ephesus and Mary's House Private Tour?
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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 FROM IZMIR Cruise Port: Ephesus and Mary's House Private Tour 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 FROM IZMIR Cruise Port: Ephesus and Mary's House Private Tour?
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Around 10 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 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does FROM IZMIR Cruise Port: Ephesus and Mary's House Private Tour 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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