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

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

Outty Ranking 47 5.0 · 7 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $319

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September 2026

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Adults

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Age 12 and under

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From, per person$319
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Outty Ranking

47/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

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

Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary is a 3-hour experience in Kusadasi, Turkey, from $319 per person. It scores 47 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 5/5 rating across 7 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
47 / 100
Rating
5/5 (7)
Duration
3 hours
From
$319 per person

When your cruise docks in the Kusadasi port, head to Ephesus on a private tour! On this shore excursion, a private guide will ensure you make the most of your time in port as you visit Ephesus' major historical sites and

What you get

    About this experience

    When your cruise docks in the Kusadasi port, head to Ephesus on a private tour! On this shore excursion, a private guide will ensure you make the most of your time in port as you visit Ephesus' major historical sites and learn important bits of the ancient city's history. You’ll also visit the House of the 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

      Meet at Kusadasi harbour and continue to Ephesus. 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.

      90 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.

      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

    Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary in Kusadasi, photo 2Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin MaryKusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary in Kusadasi, photo 4Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary in Kusadasi, photo 5Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary in Kusadasi, photo 6Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary in Kusadasi, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    6 mentions

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

    Knowledge and storytelling

    2 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Traveler reviews

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

    5 star
    7
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    John J · June 2015

    We had a great private tour. Met...

    <p>We had a great private tour. Met right on time. Comfortable air conditioned van . Because so many ships were in port our guide took us to the House of the Virgin Mary first to beat the traffic. Very emotional experience. Remember to bring some paper or a piece of fabric to write a message for the wall outside the house.</p>

    via Viator

    Lisa H · June 2015

    This is the best thing we did on our...

    <p>This is the best thing we did on our 12 day cruise! Our tour guide was waiting with a sign bearing our name, spoke perfect English and made us feel welcome as he walked us to our beautiful, clean air-conditioned van complete we driver. Our first stop was the House of the Virgin Mary and during the 30 minute drive, he explained the Turkish culture and history while pointing out landmarks and sights along the way. The driver drove at a non-scary pace up the mountain. The second stop was the ruins at Ephesus and again our guide blew us away with his knowledge. It was such a hot day, that it was great to be able to tailor our 60 minute walk down the ruins to our needs while finding shady spots to talk - with a large group we would have not had that luxury. It was the highlight of our trip to stand in the house of the Virgin Mary, and walk on pavement where Anthony and Cleopatra once walked. <br/> Then he explained that even though we paid for a few hours, that as a Turkish ambassador he wanted to take us to other places if we were interested. We could visit all or any of leather shop, rug shop, ceramic shop. So picked the rug shop and wow was that amazing! The guide there showed us every step from the silk work, how to get the thread from the caccoon onto the spinning wheel, meaning behind the rugs and certain knots, and I even got to sit down and tie a know with a Turkish woman.<br/> This was the best return on our on the trip. Thank you so much!</p>

    via Viator

    Catherine D · January 2015

    We had a fantastic guide on this...

    <p>We had a fantastic guide on this tour. He was very knowledgeable and was able to tell us some interesting information about his country. Ephesus was amazing. We had some extra time on this tour so our guide took us to a couple of other places that we were interested in. This was a great day and I would highly recommend the tour. It was a highlight of our trip.</p>

    via Viator

    Heidi Heutel B · August 2014

    Emre, our guide, did a fantastic job...

    <p>Emre, our guide, did a fantastic job while escorting us through the House of Virgin Mary and Ephesus. We had a wonderful time and appreciated the personalized service Emre offered to us.</p>

    via Viator

    Keri S · July 2013

    Our tour guide Amray loves his...

    <p>Our tour guide Amray loves his country and was very excited to show it to us. Very professional and friendly!</p>

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    3 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
    2
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 47

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

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)92
    Review evidence (18% weight)31
    Booking momentum (14% weight)19
    Value for money (12% weight)0
    Listing quality (10% weight)70
    Local standing (8% weight)55
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

    Kusadasi 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 Kusadasi.

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

    +

    Prices start at $319 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Kusadasi usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary take?

    +

    Plan for about 3 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 Kusadasi is not rushed.

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

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 47 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 7 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Kusadasi, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Kusadasi 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 Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

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

    +

    Around 2 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 Kusadasi 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?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Kusadasi and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Kusadasi 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 Kusadasi?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Kusadasi experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include FOR CRUISERS: Ephesus & Virgin Mary Tour with ENTRY TICKET+LUNCH, Ephesus Temple of Artemis and House of Mary Private Half Day Tour, Ephesus and Temple of Artemis Private Tour from Kusadasi Port. 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 Kusadasi?

    +

    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 Kusadasi?

    +

    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?

    +

    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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