Ephesus Tours from Izmir

Private Ephesus Tours and Excursions
​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 Tour No.1
Half Day Ephesus Tour from Izmir (5 hours)
​Your drive from Izmir to Ancient Ephesus takes just over an hour. You'll be glad that you took the time to see this magnificent place. Your journey through time begins with a pleasant drive along the Aegean Coast. After an hour, you'll arrive at the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, which Alexander the Great visited in 334 B.C. Your next stop is at Ephesus Ancient City, one of the most magnificent and best preserved ancient sites in the world. Historians originally believed that Ephesus was founded by the Amazons, but now it's more commonly thought to have been the Hittite city of Apasa. The Virgin Mary is said to have visited the site between 38 and 47 A.D. With your tour guide, you'll see the Odeon, where the advisory council held its meetings, and the baths, as well as many other columns, monuments, and ruins, including the Celsus Library, whose facade has been carefully reconstructed from all original pieces. We'll also see the Grand Theater, with a seating capacity of 24,000 people. You'll be brought back to Izmir at the conclusion of this fascinating tour.
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  • Izmir Tour No. 2
Tour of Ephesus from Izmir with Lunch (6 hours)
After boarding your vehicle at your hotel in Izmir or Izmir Airport or Izmir Cruise Port, we'll head southward to Selcuk Town. Take in the incredible views as we pass cotton fields, vineyards, and pine woods while driving along the blue Aegean shores. Start out this wonderful tour with a visit to the Temple of Artemis. See the remains of one of the 7 wonders of the Ancient World. Afterwards stroll along the ancient marble streets of Ephesus, passing the Odeon and State Agora. See the ornate Hadrian Temple, the remains of Roman Terrace houses, the beautifully restored façade of the Celsus Library, the Thermal Baths of Scholastica, the Commercial Agora, the Grand theatre of Ephesus, and more. After Ephesus, we'll stop for a traditional Tukish lunch. Here, you'll get to witness a private presentation of the traditional carpet making process, from dying to spinning to weaving. After your tour, you will be brought back to Izmir.

  • Izmir Tour No.3
Full day Biblical Ephesus Tour from Izmir
Ephesus, House of Mary and Basilica of St. John (8 hours) Travel along the Aegean Coast, passing some of the region's fertile lands. As you reach the silted valley, time seems to come to a halt and then reverse. Begin this day with a drive up Mt. Pagus to the House of the Virgin Mary, a Christian shrine in the vicinity of Ephesus. Some Christians and Muslims believe that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken to this stone house by Saint John following the crucifixion of Jesus. Roman Catholics believe that she lived there until her assumption into heaven. Other denominations of Christians recognize this spot as her burial place. Now continue on to Ephesus, one of the most magnificent and best preserved ancient sites in the world. Historians originally believed that Ephesus was founded by the Amazons, but now it is more commonly thought to have been the Hittite city of Apasa. The Virgin Mary is said to have visited the site between 38 and 47 A.D. With your private tour guide, you will see the Odeion, where the advisory council held its meetings; the Basilica, Curetes Street, baths, Celsus Library, whose facade has been carefully reconstructed from all original pieces; Marble Street, and the Great Theatre with a seating capacity of 24,000 people. Next, we'll make a stop a tasty traditional Turkish lunch, followed by an interesting presentation about Turkish weavings. After lunch, we'll visit the Basilica of St. John, built in the 6th century to house St. John's tomb chamber, and see the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, which Alexander the Great visited  in 334 BC. Afterwards, travel back to Izmir, having enjoyed a truly enriching day in one of the world's most isolated and distinctive areas.

  • Izmir Tour No.4
Full day Ephesus Tour from Izmir 
Ephesus & Sirince Village (8hours)Meet with your guide in front of your hotel in Izmir or Izmir Airport or Izmir Cruise Port passenger terminal and depart for an one hour drive to the magnificent site of Ephesus. Ephesus, the best preserved of the Greek/Roman cities in Anatolia, will come alive to you as you explore the ancient ruins of this magnificent site. You will see the beautiful Celsus Library, restored and reconstructed to its original form,as well as the Grand Theatre, the most spectacular building of Ephesus, built during the Hellenistic age to hold 24,000 spectators. Opposite the Temple of Hadrian are the Terrace Houses, the impressive homes of Ephesus' wealthy citizens. After a visit to the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), you will arrive at Sirince Village. This old Orthodox village, located five miles from Kusadasi, was once named "Cirkince" (ugly). Indeed, its inhabitants chose this name to discourage foreigner visitors because they didn't want to share the beauty of their village. Still, after several years, visitors understood that it was not ugly and it was re-named "Sirince" (pretty). Today, the village is a perfect synthesis of Turkish-Greek culture. At Sirince Village, you will experience local life and have the opportunity to purchase local souvenirs and handicrafts. After lunch, you can enjoy a cup of traditional Turkish coffee. Your last stop will be at the Isa Bey Mosque from 14th century.

​We also offer special interest tours to maximize your experience in Ephesus.
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 
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* For travelers who will be staying at hotels in Izmir Basmane district, we recommend them to take the 7.10am train from Basmane train station which will arrive to Selcuk (Ephesus) at 8.34am. 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 4.00pm and arrive at Izmir Basmane Train station at 5.30pm. For train schedules between Izmir and Ephesus (Selcuk), please visit: 
Izmir, Izmir Airport - Selcuk Town (Ephesus) Train Schedules
Cruise Ships that are scheduled call to Izmir Cruise Port in 2022:
  • MS Europa of Hapag Lloyd
  • Seven Seas Voyager of Regent Seven Seas Cruises
  • Nautica of Oceania Cruise
  • Carnival Pride of Carnival Cruises
  • Costa Diadema of Costa Cruises
  • Celestyal Crystal of Celestyal Cruises

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1) Is it possible to include Aphrodisias in the one day tour to Ephesus? 
> No, It is not possible. Aphrodisias is 2.5 hours drive from Ephesus (one way). Due to distance Aphrodisias can not be added to the tour program. Since you would like to visit Aphrodisias and Pamukkale besides Ephesus. We recommend you to stay in Kusadasi instead of Izmir. In this case in a two days tour program from Kusadasi, seeing the three sites is possible. For tour program details and cost please visit: 2 Days Western Turkey Tour

Q2) We will likely require this tour during the Hajj/ Eid holiday- will it be available and will the sites be open? 
> Yes, it is available. But on the first day of the Eid, the sites open at 1pm instead of 9am.

Q3) Please advise on the Covid restrictions in place at the moment which could affect the tour. 
> The sites are open to the tourisits. There is no restriction that can affect your tour.
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.