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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!