
Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus including Basilica of St John and Temple of Artemis
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 32 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus including Basilica of St John and Temple of Artemis worth booking?
Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus including Basilica of St John and Temple of Artemis is a 6-hour experience in Kusadasi, Turkey, from $113 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 32 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (32)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $113 per person
Explore the spectacular ancient city of Ephesus on a private shore excursion from the Kusadasi port. Learn about the rich history of this ancient city and visit the House of Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St John and the T
What you get
About this experience
Explore the spectacular ancient city of Ephesus on a private shore excursion from the Kusadasi port. Learn about the rich history of this ancient city and visit the House of Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St John and the Temple or Artemis (also known as Temple of Diana). At the Ephesus Museum, see excavations from Ephesus, as well as frescoes, mosaics and the two famous statues of the Artemis of Ephesus. A private guided tour ensures you make the most of your brief time in port.
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
Ephesus Ancient City
Meet at Kusadasi harbor 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
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
Basilica of St. John
Basilica of St.John - Built by the Emperor Justinian over the tomb of St. John the Apostle, the Basilica, now in ruins, once rivaled St. Sophia in size. See the remaining graceful columns and mosaics of the Basilica as you take in the panorama of the rural Selcuk countryside and the ruins of The Temple of Artemis.
30 minutes here · Admission not included
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.
15 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






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 32 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
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
32 verified traveler reviews for Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus including Basilica of St John and Temple of Artemis. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing what we never knew.
Our guide was kind, gracious, and a terrific ambassador of Turkey. As a student of archeology, he was a constant source of interesting information. He was great about taking photographs and occasionally letting us loose to look around at things on our own. The air conditioned Mercedes van didn’t hurt. He was kind enough to arrange a delicious meal and introduced us to a Turkish rug seller who was professional and patient.
via Viator
Not crazy about the stop to the rug...
<p>Not crazy about the stop to the rug store...felt very pressured to purchase. Other than that, good tour.</p>
via Viator
Emore,our guide, was wonderful. He was...
<p>Emore,our guide, was wonderful. He was very well informed and did his best to accommodate us</p>
via Viator
Alex was a great tour guide. Even...
<p>Alex was a great tour guide. Even though the house of the Virgin Mary was crowded, it was beautiful to see. We especially enjoyed the Ancient City of Ephesus. The ruins are impressive and Alex told us about their advancements in engineering for such an old city. Lunch at a small Turkish restaurant was delicious and served family style. It was inexpensive but very good. Our final stop was to see how Turkish rugs are made. We enjoyed the demonstration and even purchased a Turkish rug!</p>
via Viator
Tour guide seemed to be just doing...
<p>Tour guide seemed to be just doing his job, Not all that into the tour. He did answer all questions and made time to stop at a carpet making location. This was a great experience but was also an attempt to get us to buy a rather expensive hand made carpet.</p>
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $113 to $420
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 11
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus including Basilica of St John and Temple of Artemis: 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 including Basilica of St John and Temple of Artemis cost?
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Prices start at $113 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 including Basilica of St John and Temple of Artemis 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 Kusadasi is not rushed.
Is Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus including Basilica of St John and Temple of Artemis worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 56 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 32 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 including Basilica of St John and Temple of Artemis?
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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 including Basilica of St John and Temple of Artemis 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 Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus including Basilica of St John and Temple of Artemis?
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Around 11 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?
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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 Kusadasi and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Kusadasi Shore Excursion: Private Tour to Ephesus including Basilica of St John and Temple of Artemis 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 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?
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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?
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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 Kusadasi?
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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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