Ephesus Tour From Izmir
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Izmir, Turkey
- 6 to 10 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Get a comprehensive tour of the ancient city of Ephesus during this 6-hour outing from Izmir. In the company of your guide, visit sights such as the Temple of Artemis, the Celsius Library, the Temple of Hadrianus, and the Heracles Gate.
- Visit the Temple of Artemis, the Celsius Library, the Temple of Hadrianus, and the Heracles Gate
- Learn about the history of Ephesus through your guide's commentary
- Buffet lunch included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What's Included
- Tour Guide
- LunchOpen buffet
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (Please indicate your hotel name and adress)
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan, minibus or midibus (depend on group size)
- Ephesus Ancient City Entrance Fee
- Drinks
- Gratuities
- Personal Expenses
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
All Izmir Hotels Izmir Cruise Port Izmir Airport Airbnb Address If your pick-up address or the area where your hotel is located is not suitable for the tour vehicle's entry, your tour guide will send you the meeting point closest to your address a day before.
Operating hours.8:00 am
Itinerary
Expect prompt pickup at 8am at your Izmir hotel. In a comfortable tour vehicle, travel to the ancient city of Ephesus, located about 37 miles (60km) away.
Once there, disembark for a tour of the city's major sights, accompanied by your guide's informative commentary about Ephesus' history and what it was like to live in the ancient Roman and Greek eras in Anatolia. You'll see excavated historical structures such as the Great Theatre, the Arcadian Way, the Scolastica Baths, the Temple of Hadrianus, and more. Visit the site where the 3rd Ecumenical Council was held, the Church of Mary.
Stop for a lunch buffet at Selcuk village, then visit the one of the oldest mosques in the area. Please note: modest dress is required to enter this site of worship. If time allows, you may visit traditional merchants in the area for some souvenir shopping.
Make the return trip to Izmir for drop-off back at your original departure point.
Once there, disembark for a tour of the city's major sights, accompanied by your guide's informative commentary about Ephesus' history and what it was like to live in the ancient Roman and Greek eras in Anatolia. You'll see excavated historical structures such as the Great Theatre, the Arcadian Way, the Scolastica Baths, the Temple of Hadrianus, and more. Visit the site where the 3rd Ecumenical Council was held, the Church of Mary.
Stop for a lunch buffet at Selcuk village, then visit the one of the oldest mosques in the area. Please note: modest dress is required to enter this site of worship. If time allows, you may visit traditional merchants in the area for some souvenir shopping.
Make the return trip to Izmir for drop-off back at your original departure point.
Izmir (Pass By)
1
Ephesus Ancient City
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
2
Selcuk
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
3
The Temple of Artemis
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
4
Izmir
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- May be operated by a multilingual guide
- At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
- The duration of transfers is one and half hour approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
- If you have an evening flight on the same day, please make sure to inform us beforehand and select a flight departing after 8:00 PM.
- Since the program you purchased is a group tour, tour end times may vary. If you have travel plans after the tour, please contact us.
- If there is not a sufficient majority in languages other than English, our tour operate in English
- You will see the Temple of Artemis panoramic.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 18 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 1,011 reviews
Karen_K, Apr 2026
Ephesus is a beautiful city still with many of the structure restored. The guide, Mr Alperen was very knowledgeable and was detailed in his explanation. It was also interesting to visit the Temple of Artemis, pottery place and Turkish delight shop where we bought their cold press olive oil! The experience of this trip was great and enjoyable! The weather was forecasted to be rainy all day but thank God, the rain didn’t last long and came only when we finished the temple of Artemis!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We are delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable experience exploring Ephesus and its surrounding sites. It is wonderful to know that the tour was informative and that everything, even the weather, worked out well for your visit. We truly appreciate your kind feedback and look forward to welcoming you again with Gezenthi Travel Agency.
Margaret_K, Mar 2026
Very knowledgeable guide. German enjoyed giving us information. Made the trip fun and he was respectful of our time. Very appreciative of the extra stops to rug and pottery locations. Overall excellent experience.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
We are delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable and informative tour experience. It is wonderful to know that Gezenthi Travel Agency provided a well-balanced program with engaging insights and thoughtfully planned stops. We truly appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you again.
Naila_L, Feb 2026
This half day tour went above and beyond my expectations. Erman was a very knowledgeable guide, the pace was perfect (not too fast or slow) and the museum show was a big highlight for me. As a solo traveller in Türkiye during the low tourist season, I also appreciated that the tour went ahead even though it was only me registered.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
We’re truly delighted to hear that the half-day tour exceeded your expectations and that you enjoyed the perfectly balanced pace, the museum show, and Erman’s knowledgeable guidance. It’s especially meaningful to us to know that, as a solo traveler visiting Türkiye during the low season, you felt valued and supported. We believe every guest deserves a great experience, no matter the group size.
Your kind words will be warmly shared with Erman, and we sincerely hope to welcome you again on another memorable journey with us. Safe travels and thank you for choosing us!
Julio_C, Feb 2026
Excellent guide! In time, so professional, our guides attentive and very friendly and so knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your kind feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed the professionalism, friendliness, and knowledge of our guides.
John_C, Jan 2026
The tour guide (Alpe?) was extremely knowledgeable and rattled off dates and names but it wasn't boring. He kept everything interesting. His English was excellent, his presentation was excellent. He was patient and I would recommend this tour to anyone who wants to visit Ephesus.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you very much for sharing your experience.
We are delighted to hear that Alpi’s knowledge, engaging presentation, and excellent communication made your visit to Ephesus enjoyable and informative.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again with Gezenthi in the future trip.
Nikitas_S, Dec 2025
Very good tour and Erman Uslu really knows the history of the various places and is very friendly and eager to answer questions.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
We’re very glad to hear that you had such a positive experience and that Erman’s knowledge, friendly approach, and willingness to answer every question helped enrich your visit. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us — we hope your next travels bring you equally rewarding moments.
Giovanna_O, Nov 2025
It was wonderful, everything was perfect. Both tour guides are excellent persons. They pick me up from the meeting point on time and they give a excellent information about Efeso
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed the Ephesus tour, the buffet, and the historical sites. Our guides will be delighted to know their efforts made your experience perfect. We’d love to welcome you again on another adventure soon!
Helle_J, Nov 2025
Magnificent Ephesus speaks for itself, but if you are lucky enough to get Alperen Ugur as your guide, you are in for a treat. On the way to the sight he will bring the history of Turkiye from the pre-historic era to modern times to life. His knowledge is wide and deep, and he is a brilliant communicator. The stop at the ceramics workshop was interesting too.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're truly happy to hear you enjoyed your Ephesus tour with Alperen. His storytelling and historical knowledge make the journey even more special. We’re glad you also liked the ceramics stop — it’s a great way to connect with local craftsmanship. Hope to welcome you again on another adventure with us!
Elena_L, Oct 2025
Overall a well organized tour. Tour agency and tour guide Erman got in touch the night before, confirming pickup location and time. Communication is very efficient and Erman is knowledgable and accommodating. Note there're two shopping stops but would recommend overall.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad to hear that the organization and communication of the tour, as well as Erman’s guidance, met your expectations. It’s great that the balance between informative touring and some free time worked well for you. We appreciate your comments and look forward to welcoming you again on another adventure!
Jouhayna_S, Oct 2025
Our tour guide Ceyla was good and very knowledgeable about the area. She picked us up on time and the vehicle was clean and comfortable. However, we felt that the Ephesus part of the tour was rushed and we spent more time at ceramic and carpet factory. The tour length was supposed to be up to 8-9 hours so we did have time to spend in Ephesus if we needed to. They need to specify that we will be visiting ceramic and carpet factory. That was not mentioned in the itinerary. Although it was very interesting to see, I would have preferred spending more time in Ephesus. The carpet factory process was interesting but many didn’t appreciate the sales pitch at the end and feeling pushed to buy something. I would recommend this tour only if the advertised itinerary was followed.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your feedback. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your time with our guide Ceyla and appreciated her knowledge and professionalism.
We’re sorry to hear that you felt the visit to Ephesus was a bit rushed. Please note that the visits to the local ceramic and carpet workshops are part of the tour program and are mentioned in the description as cultural and shopping experiences designed to showcase traditional craftsmanship in the region. We understand that some guests may prefer to spend more time in Ephesus, and we truly appreciate your comments, which help us to better balance the timing of each part of the itinerary.
Your feedback is very valuable to us, and we’ll make sure to review the itinerary explanations to ensure everything is communicated even more clearly for future guests.
Thank you once again for your review and for choosing to travel with us. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again on another tour.
Warm regards,
Pinju_C, Oct 2025
Our guide Ms. Elcin is so knowledgeable and accommodated to all our needs. Happy to have seen the ancient city of Ephesus on a nice day. Note that admission to House of Virgin Mary is not included though and you’d have to wait in the parking lot for 30 minutes if you choose not to go with the group.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit to the ancient city of Ephesus and that Ms. Elçin provided such knowledgeable and attentive guidance throughout the tour. We also appreciate your helpful note regarding the House of Virgin Mary entrance — it’s valuable feedback for future travelers. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again on another memorable tour!
Sam_O, Sep 2025
An action-packed day that covers a lot of ground and a lot of history across the Aegean and Anatolian regions! Besides the historical sites, the bus stops in town for tea and Turkish delight, lunch, and to watch traditional Turkish pottery making are excellent inclusions that make this tour shine.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback.
We are delighted that you enjoyed the balance between history, culture and local experiences on your tour.
We look forward to welcoming you again for more unforgettable experiences in Türkiye.
Kind regards,
Gezenthi Travel Agency
Cate, Jun 2025
This was such a great experience! I’m so glad I went and so glad I had Alpi as my guide! The tour was so enriched and enhanced with his extensive knowledge of Ephesus but also of the history of Turkey! The tour went very smoothly and Ephesus was 100%worth it to see!
Highly recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled you had such a great experience and that Alperen’s deep knowledge made your tour even more meaningful. Ephesus truly is a must-see, and we're so happy it left a lasting impression. Your recommendation means a lot to us—thank you for choosing Gezenthi Travel Agency!
Margie_G, Jun 2025
Fantastic trip with a great guide, Alperin, who was so knowledgeable and animated and explained all the history so well. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're glad Alperin’s knowledge and enthusiasm made your trip fantastic. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
– Gezenthi Travel Agency
Charles_B, May 2025
Tour guide was good. Went out of his way to take 4 of us to the House of the Virgin Mary even though the majority did not want to go. Not unlike most other tours I’ve experienced, but there are two stops at local shops with demonstrations at each that is not included in the description of the tour if I remember correctly. My tour had two young kids with parents that were letting them run all around which took away from the tour a bit for me, but this was not the fault of the tour guide at all obviously. The pick up was timely and a nice vehicle. Would recommend if you want a more budget friendly tour.
lvis4me2, Apr 2025
Alpi was the very best guide! He knew his history so well and spoke such great English. The best part is you can tell he loves his job and he is so happy to be sharing his knowledge. We had a wonderful time!
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you very much for your wonderful comment! We are very glad that you were satisfied with Alperen's guidance. We hope to see you again soon on another amazing adventure!
Heather_E, Apr 2025
We went to Ephesus with guide Alperen and it was an incredible experience that we will never forget. We received a message the night before with the pick-up details and Alperen gave us a wonderful, clear, and easy-to-follow historical introduction during the ride. We unexpectedly stopped at a beautiful ceramic store, but there was no pressure to buy anything and it was a good place for a bathroom. Then we went on to Ephesus, which was spectacular. Alperen expertly navigated us through the crowds. His tour was the perfect mix of history and time for photos. Afterwards we had a delicious lunch buffet. It was a place made for tour groups, so it was basic, but there were lots of choices and everything was really yummy. We then stopped at the Temple of Artemis and finished the day at another store, where we tried all kinds of Turkish Delight. It was a great chance to try the different varieties and there was, once again, no pressure to buy. Alperen was very kind, patient, and accommodating. He has a great talent for delivering information in a way that is easy to understand. Our day could not have been more perfect. Thank you Gezenthi Travel Agency!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review! We are very excited to hear that your experience with Alperen and Gezenthi Travel Agency was so memorable and enjoyable. It's great to know that the communication, historical information, seamless guidance in Ephesus and well-paced itinerary contributed to a perfect day. We were especially happy that you felt comfortable during your store visits and enjoyed the food and the taste of Turkish delight without any pressure. Alperen will be very pleased to hear your kind words. We really appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again in the future! At the name of Gezenthi
RogerW_S, Apr 2025
Unfortunately we were on a dual language tour so didn't really get full value from our guide as we only got half his time. Tour itself was good and interesting.
Catherine_B, Apr 2025
The tour itself was lovely - our guide was very informative, the pace of the tour was just right, and I really enjoyed my visit. However, I got food poisoning from the place where we stopped for lunch. This is not the guide's fault, and when I told him I was feeling ill on our ride back to Izmir, he was very considerate. I would actually do the tour again; I would just bring my own food.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you very much for your feedback. We’re happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour, the pace, and the guidance provided by our team. We’re also glad that our guide was attentive and considerate.
However, we would like to kindly clarify that we have not received any similar reports regarding the restaurant from other guests, and we work with licensed, regularly inspected establishments that prioritize hygiene and food safety. While we’re sorry to hear you weren’t feeling well, it’s possible that it may not be related to the lunch venue.
We truly appreciate your positive attitude towards the overall experience and would love to welcome you again on another tour!
Lewis_B, Apr 2025
Guide was outstanding, driver was also excellent. Very professional, punctual and great communication.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for your kind feedback! We're thrilled to hear that both your guide and driver delivered a professional and well-organized experience. Punctuality and clear communication are priorities for us, and we're glad it made a positive difference in your tour. We look forward to welcoming you again soon! At the name of Gezenthi Travel.
Tina_F, Mar 2025
This tour was very well-organized from start to finish. After all pickups were completed, we headed to Selçuk, where we made a brief but interesting stop at a ceramic shop before beginning our exploration of Ephesus. Our guide, Erman, was outstanding—his deep knowledge of history and engaging storytelling brought the ancient city to life. He provided as much detail as we wanted, ensuring we fully understood the events, architecture, and legends of this remarkable site. We had plenty of time to take in all the key landmarks without feeling rushed. Lunch was also quite good, adding to the overall experience. This tour was an absolute highlight of our trip to Turkey and a must-do for anyone visiting the region.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for your fantastic review! We're delighted to hear that the tour was a highlight of your trip to Turkey. It’s wonderful to know that everything—from the smooth organization and interesting stop at the ceramic shop to the in-depth exploration of Ephesus—met your expectations. Erman’s passion and knowledge truly shine through, and we’re happy he made the experience both informative and memorable. We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you on another unforgettable tour in the future! At the name of Gezenthi Travel.
Angela_P, Feb 2025
ephesus is stunning, but we all know that--we can all google the photos. the reason you should take this tour is for the tour guide alpie (not sure how to spell it, it was his nickname). we had people from other tours lowkey following us around just to get a drop of this man's ocean of knowledge. he breathed life into each carving, each pillar, each artifact of the past. truly, what a man! an absolute highlight of our trip!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you for your incredible review! We love hearing that Alperen’s knowledge and storytelling made your Ephesus experience truly special. His passion for history and ability to bring ancient ruins to life is what makes tours unforgettable. It’s amazing to know that even others wanted to catch a glimpse of his expertise! We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you on another tour in the future. At the name of Gezenthi Travel!
Jie_L, Feb 2025
We had Alperen as our tour guide. If you’re looking for an exceptional tour guide, he is the one to choose! He made our experience in Izmir and Ephesus unforgettable. His English is impeccable, and his deep knowledge of the history of the region truly brought the sites to life. Alperen provided us with detailed explanations throughout the entire trip, making sure we understood the historical significance of each location. He was attentive to all our questions and made the experience engaging and educational. I highly recommend Alperen to anyone visiting the area—his passion and expertise are unmatched!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you for your review! We're happy to hear that Alperen made your experience in Izmir and Ephesus unforgettable with his impeccable English, deep historical knowledge, and engaging explanations. His attentiveness and passion for sharing history truly make a difference. We appreciate your high recommendation and hope to welcome you on another tour in the future!At the name of Gezenthi Travel.
narang1, Jan 2025
One of our best tour experiences in Turkey. Definitely recommended! Ephesus is one of our most favorite restored ancient city.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that this was one of your best tour experiences in Turkey and that Ephesus became one of your favorite ancient cities. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you on another tour soon! At the name of Gezenthi Travel.
Dina_W, Jan 2025
The main highlight of the tour was our knowledgeable guide, Alperen, who brought the ancient city's history and culture to life with his engaging stories and insights. Alperen's expertise and passion for Ephesus were evident throughout the tour, and he ensured that we made the most of our time exploring the ruins. His guidance was invaluable, and I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to explore Ephesus with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide like Alperen. He truly made the tour exceptional!
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you for your wonderful comment! We are so glad to hear that Alperen made your Ephesus tour truly special with his passion and expertise. Your recommendation means a lot to us and we are so glad you had such an extraordinary experience! We hope to welcome you on another adventure soon. At the name of Gezenthi Travel
Paden_H, Dec 2024
A great site and a really fantastic tour! Alperen, our guide was such a charmer and knew his history inside and out - he really amd the place few alive, and gave a lot of great and interesting detail. Would absolutely recommend!
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Thank you for your wonderful comment! We are so glad to hear that you had a great time and that Alperen brings the site to life with his knowledge and engaging personality. We really appreciate your advice and hope to welcome you on another tour soon! At the name of Gezenthi Travel
Chelsea_V, Nov 2024
Absolutely lovely tour with lovely people. Our guide is super knowledgeable and answered so many questions!
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Thank you very much for taking the time to write a comment and for your 5-star rating. It was our pleasure to host you. We will be happy to host you again. At the name of Gezenthi Travel
elm2905, Nov 2024
Crowds were intense/Chaotic & Lost our guide/Walkways were slippery & uneven, & difficult for some. We did not see Mary’s house, which was supposed to be an option if we wanted. Lunch was great, however we wished that we had time to see Mary’s home. Initially there was some trouble with our bus, however they got it sorted & all was well. They picked us up at the cruise ship in Izmir, & waited for everyone.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about the crowdedness and condition of Ephesus. Actually, we have options for our tours with the Virgin Mary. You can choose to visit the Virgin Mary. I would like to express our regrets about the condition of the bus. Thank you again for your valuable comment and we would love to see you again in our other tours. At the name of Gezenti Travel.
Yoshiko_O, Oct 2024
The visit of ceramic factory and oil store are not mentioned on the Viator site. I did not like it. I wanted to stay more longer in the archeological site instead of visiting stores.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you for your comment. We are spending enough time in archaeological sites. As we stated in our itinerary, we need to do shopping. We recommend that you read carefully. We would like to see you again among us in our next tours. At the name of Gezenthi Travel.
Alana_B, Oct 2024
3.5/5 ⭐️
Our guide was great and the best part of our tour. Ezgi did a wonderful job and had a ton of information to share.
Unfortunately, Ephesus was SO crowded with 4 cruise ships having tours. Also the library and theater were closed, so you could only look from afar.
The lunch was pretty awful though. Also if you don’t buy the Virgin Mary house, you have a lot of free time at the restaurant or some souvenir shops, which was a little lackluster(and felt like time not well spent).
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you for your review, Alana. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Ezgi. CruiseShip sitiuation was bad experience for you but we can not do anything about crowd. Also, this is group tour. So if you do not enter Virgin Mary, you can have free time to see around Virgin Mary. Fpr next time, I can offer you private tour for your wishes. Hope to see you at our next trips. At the name of Gezenthi Travel.
From $116.36
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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