SKIP-THE-LINE EPHESUS and MARY'S HOUSE TOUR for Cruisers

At the exit of the cruise port, you will be welcomed by your professional licensed local tour guide who will be with you during your private tour and tell you every point of the ruins you will visit. We advise you to meet our team 30/45 minutes after your ship docked to the port.

The House of the Virgin Mary is believed to be the place where the mother of Jesus Christ spent her final years. The shrine has been visited by several Popes over the decades—Pope Paul VI in 1967, Pope John Paul II in 1979, and Pope Benedict XVI in 2006. During their visits, they offered various gifts and blessings to the site, many of which are still on display for visitors today.

Visit the UNESCO-listed Ancient City of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world. Highlights include the Odeon, where musical performances were once held; the Temple of Domitian, one of the earliest temples dedicated to a Roman emperor; and the iconic Celsus Library, the third-largest library of the ancient world. You will also explore the magnificent Great Theatre, seating 24,000 people, where St. Paul once preached to the Ephesians. Walk along the Marble Street, and discover the Roman Baths, fountains, temples, agora, public toilets, the historic Love House, and many more remarkable structures. For those interested, the Terrace Houses—renowned for their stunning mosaics and frescoes—are available as an optional visit.

The Terrace Houses complex in Ephesus consists of luxurious residential villas, located on the northern slope of Bülbüldağı Hill, next to Curetes Street and opposite the Temple of Hadrian. So far, two housing complexes - Eastern and Western - have been excavated. They were built according to the Hippodamian plan where the roads transect each other at right angles. The excavation work of the Terrace Houses started in 1960. The restoration of the houses is an ongoing process and every year there is something new to admire there.

Artemis was the Greek goddess, the virginal huntress and twin of Apollo, who replaced the Titan Selene as Goddess of the Moon. The ancient temple was built around 650 BC to the cult of Artemis, was constructed on a site already sacred to the Anatolian Mother Goddess,Cybele. The temple was financed by the wealthy king of Lydia and marshy ground was selected for the building site as a precaution against future earthquakes.

You can see Saint John Basilica from a distance when we visit to Artemis temple. It is believed that the Evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the region 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 called Pigeon Island! One of the earliest settlements of modern Kusadasi. We will pass by and have an opportunity of seeing it in a distance. It is located very close to the Port, you might be able to have time after your tour if you are interested.

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!