Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary
Izmir, Turkey

Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary

Outty Ranking 48 4.8 · 4 traveler reviews5 hoursFrom $434
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Outty Ranking

48/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary worth booking?

Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary is a 5-hour experience in Izmir, Turkey, from $434 per person. It scores 48 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 4 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
48 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (4)
Duration
5 hours
From
$434 per person

When your cruise docks in the Izmir port, see some of the most popular sights in Turkey on a private shore excursion to Ephesus. Your private tour guide will lead you to the major historical landmarks of the ancient city, such as Odeon, the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater. You will also visit the House of Virgin Mary, where Mary spent the last days of her life.

What you get

    About this experience

    When your cruise docks in the Izmir port, see some of the most popular sights in Turkey on a private shore excursion to Ephesus. Your private tour guide will lead you to the major historical landmarks of the ancient city, such as Odeon, the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater. You will also visit the House of Virgin Mary, where Mary spent the last days of her life.

    What's included

    Included

    • Transport by private vehicle and professional driver
    • All taxes, fees and handling charges
    • Professional guide
    • Worry-Free Shore Excursion Guarantee

    Not included

    • Gratuities
    • Food and drinks, unless specified

    What you'll see and do

    1. Ephesus Ancient City

      Arrival to Ephesus - Enter through the Magnesia Gate and begin a slow, downhill walk with your guide into the ruins of this Roman provincial capital. Your route takes you past the Odeon, the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater. The theater had seating for 24,000, which was the site where it is believed St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, and is used today for a local spring festival.

      60 minutes here · Admission not included

    2. The House of the Virgin Mary

      House of the Virgin Mary - The Vatican has recognized this small house in the Solmissos Mountains as the final resting place of the Virgin Mary. A small shrine dedicated to St. Mary was found when the ruins of the house were first discovered.

      30 minutes here · Admission not included

    3. The Temple of Artemis

      The Temple of Artemis, which had been built at first during the Archaic period, today it's known one of the Seven Wonders of Ancient World.

      20 minutes here · Admission not included

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
    Languages
    de, pt, en, fr, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Achtypis Tours

    Know before you go

    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • At time of booking, Cruise Ship passengers must provide the following details under Special Requirements: Ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
    • Not recommended for children aged 4 and under
    • Children 18 years and under must be accompanied by an adult
    • Please enter your preferred pickup time in the Special Requirements box at the time of booking, and reconfirm 48 hours prior to the tour’s departure time
    • Children who do not occupy a seat are free of charge. Children who occupy a seat and are up to 11 years old, benefit from a discount

    Photos

    Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin MaryIzmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary, photo 3Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary, photo 4Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary, photo 5Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary, photo 6

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    4 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Food and drink

    1 mention

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Good for families

    1 mention

    Reviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.

    Small groups

    1 mention

    The group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.

    Traveler reviews

    4 verified traveler reviews for Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
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    Diane May M · June 2015

    We were greeted immediately from...

    <p>We were greeted immediately from departing the ship by a very friendly man named Alex who was our guide for the day. Alex made our day for sure, his knowledge and passion for these ancient sites was amazing. <br/> These two sites are very special so we were so thankful we did get such a good guide that knew so much we got so much great knowledge that we otherwise never would have known. I would highly recommend this tour and ask for Alex. John was the driver and he was equally as good. We are definitely going back to Turkey beautiful country and super people.</p>

    via Viator

    Laurie W · May 2014

    Emray was a fabulous guide! We was...

    <p>Emray was a fabulous guide! We was very friendly, knowledgable and spoke English well. This tour was my favorite of our trip! We even asked if we were interested in going to lunch at a local family owned carpet factory. There was no pressure at all. The food was great and we got to see every step in how they make handmade carpets.</p>

    via Viator

    Aaron J · September 2013

    This was a great tour of Ephesus and...

    <p>This was a great tour of Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary. Our guide Emre was incredibly knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. Only downside to the trip was that we were taken to a rug making store at the end and they were really great and took us in a private room and unrolled a bunch of rugs for us and were then a bit too pushy about having us buy one. Felt obligated to get one, which wasn't exactly what I wanted from this tour. Don't let them unroll the rugs unless you plan on buying.</p>

    via Viator

    William B · May 2013

    Our tour was fantastic. Our guide...

    <p>Our tour was fantastic. Our guide, Emre Dasdemir, was knowledgeable, considerate, respectful, helpful, interesting and funny. He made a point of educating us as well as entertaining us, in fact, he restored our faith in the Turkish people after a less than positive experience we had the previous day while in Istanbul. His knowledge of the sites we visited and his ability to provide relevant history and geographic information to ensure we developed a complete understanding of the relevance of the site historically was exceptional. We took three tours on our cruise, each from different providers, and this one was by far the most positive experience, due in large part, we believe, to the skill and personality of our guide. We would strongly recommend this tour and in particular our guide, to anyone visiting Turkey.</p>

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    1
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Achtypis Tours, who run 18 experiences we rank across 8 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 42.1.

    See everything Achtypis Tours runs

    Why this scores 48

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)89
    Review evidence (18% weight)30
    Booking momentum (14% weight)16
    Value for money (12% weight)23
    Listing quality (10% weight)72
    Local standing (8% weight)49
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

    Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Izmir.

    How much does Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary cost?

    +

    Prices start at $434 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 Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary take?

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    Plan for about 5 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 Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 48 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 4 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable outdoors in Izmir, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary?

    +

    No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.

    Is Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary?

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    Around 1 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 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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 Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary?

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    Included: Transport by private vehicle and professional driver; All taxes, fees and handling charges; Professional guide; and Worry-Free Shore Excursion Guarantee. Not included: Gratuities; and Food and drinks, unless specified. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary include hotel pickup?

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    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 94 listed pickup locations in and around Izmir.

    What languages is Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary offered in?

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    It is offered in German, Portuguese, English, French and Spanish. 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 Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary?

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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 Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary if the weather is bad?

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    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Izmir. Standard cancellation terms apply.

    What do travelers say about Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary?

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    Across 4 reviews averaging 4.8 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.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Izmir Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary.

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