Duration: 7½ Hours

Arrive in Kusadasi and meet your guide at the port for a full-day sightseeing tour of Ephesus. Explore the ancient ruins of Ephesus, visit the Terrace Houses, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the St. John Basilica. After a day filled with history and culture, return to Kusadasi.

Highlights:

• Visit the ancient city of Ephesus, the Terrace Houses, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the St. John Basilica.
• Learn about the history of Ephesus and discover its ancient ruins.
• See the stunning Celsius Library and the Grand Theatre.
• Make a wish at the House of the Virgin Mary.
• Enjoy the breathtaking views of Kusadasi harbor on your way back.

Meet your professional guide at Kusadasi port and begin your journey to Ephesus, located near Selçuk. Ephesus is considered one of the world’s most remarkable open-air museums and is one of Turkey's major attractions. During your private tour, you will walk along the 2,000-year-old marble streets and explore some of the most iconic landmarks, including the Celsius Library, Hadrian's Temple, the Fountains of Trajan and Polio, the Temples of Hadrian and Domitian, the Scholastic Baths, Bouloterion, and the Great Theatre, which once held 24,000 spectators.

You will also visit the Terrace Houses, located on the slopes of Bulbul Mountain, where wealthy citizens once lived. These "houses of the rich" are adorned with stunning frescoes and mosaics. Afterward, continue to the House of the Virgin Mary, a small sanctuary in the Solmissos Mountains, recognized by the Vatican as her final resting place. The site includes a small chapel dedicated to St. Mary, which was discovered when the house was unearthed.

Your final stop will be the Basilica of St. John, built by Emperor Justinian over the tomb of St. John the Apostle. Once a grand structure, it now lies in ruins but was once comparable in size to the famed St. Sophia in Istanbul.

At the end of the tour, you will return to Kusadasi port, having experienced the rich history of Ephesus.