Ephesus Tours from Izmir

Private Ephesus Tours
​from Izmir Airport, Izmir Hotels and Izmir Cruise Port
​Izmir Ephesus Tours

Izmir, is located at the western part of Turkey. It is the 3rd largest city of Turkey having population over 2.5 million people. The largest export port of Turkey.  Known as Smyrna in the ancient times. First settlement dates back to 3000 BC. Since the modern settlement was made on top of the old one there is not much to  see in down town Izmir. Highlight of the area is Ephesus. Ephesus is located 65 kilometers south of Izmir. It takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes by car from Izmir City Center. 
How much time do you need in Ephesus?
Ephesus is a very large archaeological site. A visit here can take from 2 to 4 hours. Generally we spent 2.5 hours in Ephesus during our Ephesus Tours from Izmir.
​Below please find a documentary of Ephesus and the highlights:

Ephesus Day Tour from Izmir

​We offer Private Ephesus Tours from Izmir Airport, Izmir Hotels and Izmir Cruise Port with Best Ephesus Tour Guides.
Below please find  suggested private Ephesus Tour from Izmir itineraries. If you would like to make a combination of the sites, just contact us

IZMIR No.1
Half Day Tour from Izmir (5 hours)
Your journey through time begins with a pleasant drive along the Aegean Coast. After an hour drive your first stop will be the Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 wonders of the ancients world. From here you will have the opportunity to view the Basilica of St. John and the 14th-century Isa Bey Mosque. After a short drive you will arrive to the ancient city of Ephesus. At one time, the city was the gateway to Asia Minor and boasted a population of 250,000. Formerly a seaport, it now lies several miles inland due to deposits of  river silt that have collected over the centuries. The region is steeped in history, The Virgin Mary reputedly spent her last days at nearby Mt. Pagus. As you walk along the old marble streets, you will pass the Odeon and Upper Agora. You will also see the ornate Hadrian Temple, the remains of some Terrace houses, the beautifully restored facade of the Celsus Library, the Roman Baths  of Scholastica, the Commercial Agora and the theater, which accommodates 25,000  spectators and is still used for occasional performances. Continue along the  colonnaded harbor boulevard, past the gymnasium and the remains of the stadium,  as you head toward the exit gate and the lower parking area. Return to Izmir. 

IZMIR No. 2
Full day Tour from Izmir with Lunch (6 hours)
Boarding your vehicle at airport of Izmir or your hotel in Izmir, drive south to Selcuk Town. En-route see the cotton fields, vineyards and pine woods while driving along the blue Aegean shores. Continue to Ephesus where you start at the Magnesia Gate and  walk downhill through the city. Your tour guide will point out the sights, bringing  the history of Ephesus to life as you pause at the Odeon, Upper Agora, Town Hall, Fountain of Trajan, Temple of Hadrian and Domitianus, Memmius Memorial,  Roman Baths and extraordinary Library of Celsus. At the end of a marble street leading from the library, gaze up at the impressive theater, built to seat 24.000 people. Enjoy a lunch in the grounds of a country house. Here you will see a private demonstration of the traditional  carpet making process from dying to spinning to weaving at a school where young  girls are trained in the craft. Your last stop will be the visit to the Isa Bey  Mosque, a delicate masterpiece of Turkish architecture from the fourteenth century. Afterwards drive back to Izmir. 

IZMIR No.3
Full day tour from Izmir
Ephesus, House of Mary & Basilica of St. John (8 hours) 
Biblical sites, including  Mary's last-known dwelling place, the ancient city of Ephesus and a relaxing  luncheon are featured in this fascinating, full-day excursion. As your vehicle  makes its way along the Aegean Coast, you will pass some fertile lands of the region. As you reach the silted valley, time seems to come to a halt and then reverse. After a steep drive up Mt. Pagus, you will arrive at a stone chapel.  This converted house probably dates from the 1st century and was envisioned by a  German nun as the site where the Virgin Mary spent her last days. Continuing to Ephesus, leave your coach at the parking area and proceed on foot through  Magnesia Gate. As you stroll along the old marble streets, you will pass the  Odeon and Upper Agora. You will also see the ornate Hadrian Temple, the remains of some Terrace houses, the beautifully restored facade of the Celsus Library, the Roman Baths  of Scholastica, the Commercial Agora and the theater, which accommodates 25,000  spectators and is still used for occasional performances. After your visit to Ephesus, re-board your vehicle for an enjoyable lunch.  Afterwards enjoy a presentation about Turkish weaving, see the girls at the looms  knotting carpets and kilims. Learn about the natural dyes and learn the  differences between Silk , flosh , wool and cotton weaving for handmade rugs.  The proprietors will give a fascinating demonstration of the local traditional  crafts. Next is the Basilica of St. John, one of the seven churches of Asia  Minor, is your final stop before your return to Izmir.  

IZMIR No.4
Full day Tour from Izmir 
Ephesus  & Villages (8hours)
Meet with your vehicle in front of your hotel in Izmir or Izmir airport passenger terminal. Depart Izmir for an hour drive to the magnificent site of Ephesus. Ephesus is the best preserved of the Greek/Roman cities in Anatolia and while you are visiting the ancient ruins of this magnificent site and your tour guide  will bring them alive. You will see the beautiful Celsus Library, restored and  reconstructed according to its original form by the architect  Friedmund Hueber in the 1970s. The most spectacular building of Ephesus is the Grand Theater, built during the Hellenistic age to hold 25,000 spectators. The city was also  the hometown of great philosopher Heraclitus. After a visit to Ephesus Antique Site, you will arrive at Sirince Village. This old Orthodox Village, 8 km from Selcuk Town, was once "Cirkince"(ugly). Indeed, its inhabitants gave this name on  the purpose as they did not want to be bothered by foreigners nor to share the  beauty of their village. Still after years, visitors understood that the village  was not ugly and called it "Sirince" (pretty). Today the village is a perfect  synthesis of Turkish-Greek culture as of the 1920s; after the Turkish  Independence War, people exchange between Greek and Turks has occurred and all  those typical Greek houses, though they kept their original outside  characteristics, have received the local layout inside. At Sirince Village you  will have chance of seeing the local life at a village and purchasing some small  local souvenirs and handicrafts. The village is also famous for its local grape  and other fruit wines. During the lunch, mingle with the local people of the  village. Have a cup of traditional Turkish coffee at the main coffee house of  the village. Your last stop will be the visit to the Isa Bey Mosque, a delicate  masterpiece of Turkish architecture from the fourteenth century. 

Important Notice:
There is no prepayment required for the reservation. To avoid disappointment, we recommend making your private tour from Izmir reservation at earliest possible.

For Private Tour from Izmir reservation, kindly advise us the following:
* Your Full Name
* Number of people in your party
* Date of Arrival 
* Name of the Cruise Ship/Hotel/Flight details
* Time to start the tour 
* Tour code or name 
* For travelers who will be staying at hotels in Basmane district, we recommend them to take the 9.00am train from Basmane train station which will arrive to Selcuk (Ephesus) at 10.15am. Our tour guide and vehicle can meet you at Selcuk train station. After the tour you will be dropped back to Selcuk train station for your return journey. Return train will leave Selcuk at 6.00pm and arrive at Izmir Basmane Train station at 7.15pm.
Cruise Ships calling to Cruise Port of Izmir: 
  • Costa Magica of Costa Cruises
  • MSC Lirica of MSC Cruises
  • Aegean Odyssey of Voyages to Antiquity
  • Costa Classica of Costa Cruises
  • Costa Fascinosa of Costa Cruises
  • Costa Deliziosa of Costa Cruises
  • Seabourn Spirit of Seabourn Cruise Line
  • Carnival Legend of Carnival Cruise Line
  • Costa Mediterranea of Costa Cruises
  • Seabourn Odyssey of Seabourn Cruises
  • Costa Pacifica of Costa Cruises
  • Costa neoRomantica of Costa Cruises
  • MSC Preziosa of MSC Cruises
  • MSC Armonia of MSC Cruises
  • Queen Elizabeth of Cunard Cruise Line
Private Ephesus Tours from Izmir Airport
Private Ephesus Tours from Izmir Port
Private Ephesus Tour Costs
Izmir Ephesus Tour Discounts
for Private Ephesus Tour bookings with English speaking tour guides on certain dates. To see these dates, please click.
Recommended hotels to stay in Izmir :
​(booking.com links)
Izmir Port Cruise Timetables
Izmir Cruise Port
Izmir Cruise Port Meeting Location
Booking.com
Ephesus Travel Guide by TransBalkan Tours is a fully licenced tour operator and a member of TURSAB. License: A 776.