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

5.0
(1,347 reviews)
Kusadasi, Turkey

4 to 6 hours (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English

Discover the very best of EPHESUS on a stress-free PRIVATE SHORE EXCURSION designed especially FOR CRUISE PASSENGERS. With your own licensed local guide and comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle, you’ll explore the UNESCO-listed RUINS OF EPHESUS, the HOUSE OF THE VIRGIN MARY, and the TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS at a pace that suits you. Skip the stress of group buses, complicated logistics, and rushed schedules—your guide handles everything, from timing around your ship’s arrival to arranging entrances, comfort breaks, and optional shopping or artisan visits upon request. All you need to do is enjoy your day and be back at the port right on time.

- Worry-free Private Tour with port pickup, drop-off, and timing planned for your ship,
- Visit Ephesus, Mary's House, and Temple of Artemis in one day,
- Licensed local guide and private, air-conditioned vehicle just for your party,
- Flexible pace and route, customised to your interests and walking level,
- You can add & taste Authentic Turkish Lunch,

What's Included

Cruise Port/Hotel Pick-up & Drop-Off (mentioned on the details)
Transportation with A/C Minivans with separate Driver
GUARANTEED ON-TIME RETURN FOR CRUISE PASSENGERS
Museum Entrance Tickets (you can include or exclude the ticket according to the option)
Professional LICENSED LOCAL TOUR GUIDE
PRIVATE TOUR that ensures more personalized service
Museum EntranceTickets (you can include or exclude the ticket according to the option)

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
⚠️ Entrance Tickets of House of Mary and Ephesus Ruins are included if the included option is chosen. On the day of the tour, if you would like to visit any other place, you are responsible with the entrance ticket of that place. ⚠️

⛔️ GROUP TOURS force you to follow fixed schedules and visit places based on their timing, regardless of your interests! You’re stuck with fast and slow travelers alike, having to keep up with the group. Plus, you have to pay all ENTRY FEES IN ADVANCE, whether you're interested in the sites or not. Why pay for places you don't want to visit and feel obligated to go just because you paid? ⛔️

⚠️ Our PRIVATE TOURS give you the flexibility you need. Entry fees are not included, so you only pay for the places that genuinely interest you. In the morning, we discuss your interests and tailor the itinerary accordingly. ⚠️

✳️ With our PRIVATE TOURS, you have complete control, visiting only the places you want to see. Would you rather spend your day WAITING FOR OTHER TRAVELERS and FOLLOWING A FIXED ITINERARY, or ENJOY A PRIVATE TOUR CUSTOMIZED JUST FOR YOUR FAMILY? The choice is yours! ✳️

*****CRUISE PASSENGERS WHO WILL JOIN FROM THE CRUISE PORT*****
• 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 busses, and hot weather, ensuring an enhanced and MORE ENJOYABLE TOUR EXPERIENCE OF EPHESUS.

• WHY CHOOSE OUR PRIVATE TOURS OVER THE GROUP TOURS?
Your time is valuable, don't waste it in the Group Tours by waiting for other fellow travelers!

NOTE: ADDITIONAL FEES APPLY FOR PICK-UPS FROM IZMIR, BODRUM, OR OTHER PORTS THEN KUSADASI.

Itinerary

Duration: 4 to 6 hours (approximately)
  • Kusadasi (Pass by)

    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!

    Admission ticket free
  • Kusadasi (Pass by)

    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.

    Admission ticket free
  • 1
    Ancient City of Ephesus

    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.

    2 hours Admission ticket not included
  • 2
    Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House)

    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.

    1 hour Admission ticket not included
  • 3
    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 Admission ticket not included
  • Basilica of St. John (Pass by)

    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.

    Admission ticket free
  • Kusadasi Shopping Center (Pass by)

    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.

    Admission ticket free
  • Kusadasi Castle (Pass by)

    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.

    Admission ticket free
  • Kusadasi (Pass by)

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

    Admission ticket free
  • Kusadasi (Pass by)

    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!

    Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • 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
Supplied by BEST TURKEY TOUR

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Tags

Half-day Tours
Bus Tours
Private and Luxury
Private Sightseeing Tours
Walking Tours
Ports of Call Tours
Archaeology Tours
Car Tours
Shore Excursions
Excellent Quality
Worry-Free Shore Excursion
Top Product
Low Supplier Cancellation Rate
Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate
Curated Catalog
Port Pickup
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Rating

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