PRIVATE TOUR FOR CRUISERS: Mary's House (Meryemana) and Ephesus

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Kusadasi

   IMPORTANT INFORMATION GROUP TOURS follow a fixed schedule, and you have to pay all ENTRY FEES IN ADVANCE, whether you are interested in the sites or not. Why pay for a place you don't want to visit and feel obliged to go just because you paid for it? The reason entry fees are not included in our PRIVATE TOURS is to provide you with more flexibility. When we meet in the morning, we ask about your interests and the places you want to visit, and we tailor the itinerary accordingly. This way, you only pay entry fees for the places that genuinely interest you. With our PRIVATE TOURS, you have complete control and visit only the places you want to see. Would you prefer to spend your day WAITING FOR OTHER FELLOW TRAVELERS and STICKING TO A FIXED ITINERARY on a group tour, or ENJOY A PRIVATE TOUR CUSTOMIZED JUST FOR YOUR FAMILY? The choice is yours!

   Pass by without stopping

2. Kusadasi

   We will meet you at the Cruise Port! Once your tour is booked, we’ll reach out promptly with your customised meeting time and precise meeting location, arranged according to your cruise ship’s arrival & departure.

   Pass by without stopping

3. Ephesus Ancient City

   Ephesus Ruins is the largest open-air museum in Turkey, showcasing an extraordinary legacy from the Greek and Roman periods. As we explore this remarkably well-preserved ancient city, we will visit the Senate Building, the Ancient Hospital, the Temple of Domitian, the Nike Statue, Hercules Gate, Trajan Fountain, the Temple of Hadrian, the majestic Celsus Library, the Grand Theatre of Ephesus, and many other impressive structures that bring the ancient world vividly to life.

   120 minutes here · Admission not included

4. The House of the Virgin Mary

   The House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus is one of the most sacred Christian pilgrimage sites, believed to be the place where Mary spent her final years under the care of St. John the Apostle. Its significance grew worldwide after the detailed visions of German nun Anne Catherine Emmerich—visions that remarkably matched archaeological discoveries made in 1891, leading to the identification of the site as Mary’s final home. Over the years, the shrine has been honored by the visits of several Popes, including Pope Paul VI (1967), Pope John Paul II (1979), and Pope Benedict XVI (2006), further cementing its status as one of the most important holy sites in the Christian world.

   60 minutes here · Admission not included

5. The Temple of Artemis

   Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt, the moon, and the twin sister of Apollo, was one of the most venerated deities of the ancient world. Her great temple in Ephesus—originally built around 650 BC—stood on a site already sacred to the Anatolian Mother Goddess Cybele. Financed by the wealthy Lydian king, the temple was intentionally constructed on marshy ground to help absorb the impact of future earthquakes. Despite these precautions, the Temple of Artemis was repeatedly damaged and rebuilt over the centuries due to natural disasters, yet it remained one of the most magnificent and celebrated sanctuaries of antiquity.

   10 minutes here · Admission not included

6. Basilica of St. John

   You can see Saint John Basilica from a distance when we are in the Temple of Artemis. It is believed that the Evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the in & around Ephesus and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. The tomb of St John was under the central dome of the Basilica.

   Pass by without stopping

7. 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.

   Pass by without stopping

8. Kusadasi Castle

   Also known as Pigeon Island, this historic landmark is one of the earliest settlements of modern Kuşadası. During the tour, we will pass by and enjoy a view of it from a distance. Conveniently located near the port, it’s an easy spot to visit on your own after the tour if you’d like to explore further.

   Pass by without stopping

9. Kusadasi

   We will drive through the Kusadasi Town and will have a panoramic view while listening the key informations from our Local Tour Guide.

   Pass by without stopping

10. Kusadasi

    At the end of our tour, we will return to the Cruise Port. PLEASE NOTE THAT: There are several Ships with different arrival and departure times. We carefully check all the timings, confirm with the passengers, and coordinate the return time. OUR TOURS ARE WITH GUARANTEED ON-TIME RETURN TO THE BOAT!

    Pass by without stopping

Where it starts and ends

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. MINIVAN 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
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• UPON YOUR SHIP'S ARRIVAL AT THE PORT, WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO MEET WITH OUR TEAM WITHIN 30 TO 45 MINUTES. BY DOING SO, YOU CAN BYPASS THE CROWDS, SCHOOL BUSES, AND HARSH WEATHER CONDITIONS, ENSURING AN ENHANCED AND MORE ENJOYABLE TOUR EXPERIENCE OF EPHESUS.
• OUR PRIVATE TOURS ENSURE GUARANTEED ON-TIME RETURN TO THE CRUISE SHIP.
• BOOK YOUR PRIVATE TOUR WITH US, VERIFIED PROVIDER OF KUSADASI/EPHESUS CRUISE PORT!

Photos

Traveler reviews

1,364 verified traveler reviews for PRIVATE TOUR FOR CRUISERS: Mary's House (Meryemana) and Ephesus. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.