Ephesus Day Trip from Istanbul incl Domestic Flights

Our team will pick you up from your Istanbul hotel between 04:00 and 04:30 AM and transfer you comfortably to Istanbul Airport. Upon arrival, you will proceed with your self-check-in and board your flight to Izmir (Ephesus). After you land at Izmir Airport, our representative will be waiting for you at the exit gate of the domestic terminal. Following a scenic one-hour transfer to Ephesus, you will meet the rest of the group and begin your Full-Day Ephesus Tour.

Ephesus Ruins is the largest open-air museum in Turkey, reflecting the grandeur of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations at their peak. As you walk through this extraordinary archaeological site, you step back in time while discovering the Senate Building, the Ancient Hospital, the Temple of Domitian, the famous Nike Statue, Hercules Gate, the Trajan Fountain, the beautifully preserved Temple of Hadrian, the world-renowned Celsus Library, and the magnificent Grand Theatre of Ephesus—along with many other remarkable remains that bring history vividly to life.

The House of the Virgin Mary is one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites, believed to be the place where the Virgin Mary spent her final years and passed away. The shrine gained worldwide recognition after Pope Paul VI visited in 1967 and informally affirmed its authenticity. It was later visited by Pope John Paul II in 1979 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2006. During their visits, each offered special gifts to the sanctuary, many of which can still be seen today.

Artemis was the Greek goddess of the hunt, a virginal protector and the twin sister of Apollo, who eventually replaced the Titan Selene as the Goddess of the Moon. Her ancient temple, built around 650 BC in honor of the cult of Artemis, stood on a site that had long been sacred to the Anatolian Mother Goddess Cybele. The construction was funded by the wealthy King of Lydia, and the marshy ground was deliberately chosen to help cushion the structure against future earthquakes. Over the centuries, however, the temple was repeatedly damaged and destroyed by natural disasters, leading to several reconstructions and collapses throughout its history.

You will also have the opportunity to discover authentic local handicrafts, including the traditional handwoven rugs—one of the oldest and most cherished art forms of the Turkish culture—as well as renowned leather outlets. If you wish, you can enjoy a truly genuine and enjoyable shopping experience. Throughout the visit, your professional local tour guide will be right by your side, offering valuable insights, recommending the most reputable artisan centers, and providing expert tips to ensure a smooth, enjoyable, and completely hassle-free experience.

At the end of the Tour, we will make our way back to Airport with an hour's drive and you will have your flight back to Istanbul. When you land to Istanbul Airport, our team will meet you at the exit gate of the domestic terminal. Then transfer back to your Hotel in Istanbul. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR ISTANBUL HOTEL SHOULD BE IN SULTANAHMET OR TAKSIM REGIONS. You might see more details on the section of "PICK-UP & DROP-OFF"