Kusadasi Private Shore Excursion: Ephesus and House of Mary
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Kusadasi, Turkey
- 5 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Offered in: English
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Overview
When your ship docks at Kusadasi, explore two of Turkey’s ancient highlights on a private half-day House of Mary and Ephesus shore excursion with an art historian guide. Visit Mary’s House, where a shrine marks Mary’s believed last home and then head to UNESCO-protected Ephesus. Tour this once-important Greco-Roman city to admire must-sees including the Great Theater as you uncover its history. Includes private air-conditioned transport, skip-the-line Ephesus admission, and port pickup and drop-off.
- Fully narrated tour
- Led by an art historian
- Private guide for a more personalized experience
- Private tour is operated with just your party and a guide/driver
- 3 hour Ephesus Tour, with skip-the line access
- Enjoy the scenic ride by wonderful coastal road before you reach the ancient city of Ephesus
- Visit the House of Virgin Mary. It is the place where Mary may have spent her last days
What's Included
- Professional art historian guide
- Port pickup and drop-off
- Private tour
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Operating hours.8:30 am
Itinerary
1
The House of the Virgin Mary
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
2
Ephesus Ancient City
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- At least 2 people are required for this activity to take place.
- We as KARAVAN TRAVEL, want to ensure the minds of travelers that, all the necessary safety measures and precautions will be maintained at all times; hand sanitizer will be available, masks will be given out, seats will be blocked out on coaches, reduced groups sizes and social distancing measures will be taking against COVID-19 infections. We will follow up the new regulations/restrictions permanently and update our procedures accordingly.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 15 reviews
Michael_D, Jun 2024
Erhan was waiting for us at the cruise port and guided us to the tour van quickly. During our drive he introduced himself and the driver, shared information about the country (history, geography, people, and culture) and explained the significance of Mary’s house. We have folks with mobility issues, but Erhan got us very close to minimize walking. He was very knowledgeable and shared all aspects of the religious site. He then took us to Ephesus and showed us this amazing historic site, even highlighting the hospital and pharmacy areas as we have medical folks in our group. It was a hot day and Erhan kept us moving and in shade where possible. He even took some great pictures of our group. Cold water was waiting in the van and we got back to the ship in plenty of time. Thanks Erhan for a wonderful tour into history!
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Dear Sir, greetings from Karavan Travel. Thank you very much for your kind review towards
the tour which was operated by Karavan Travel. Nice to host you in Ephesus and hoping to
serve you in the future again. Best Regards, Burak
Linda_S, Sep 2023
Loved our guide JoKahn. He was so informative and made the tour very pleasant and like family. Accomadated us and very helpful.
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Dear Madame, greetings from Karavan Travel. Thank you very much for your kind review towards
the tour which was operated by Karavan Travel. Nice to host you in Ephesus and hoping to serve you in the future again. Best Regards, Burak
Susan_P, Sep 2023
The tour was excellent. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and engaging. He provided a good overall history of the sights we visited. He made sure we saw the important spots despite the crowd.
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Dear Madame, greetings from Karavan Travel. Thank you very much for your kind review towards
the tour which was operated by Karavan Travel. Nice to host you in Ephesus and hoping to serve you in the future again. Best Regards, Burak
Jose_P, Aug 2023
This tour was definitely a really good experience, especially since it was our first time in Kusadasi with my wife. Our tour guide Gokhan and driver Ali made the tour so much better. Their hospitality, amability and knowledge enriched the whole experience. Overall, truly recommend the tour!
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Dear Sir, greetings from Karavan Travel. Thank you very much for your kind review
towards the tour which was operated by Karavan Travel. Nice to host you in Ephesus and
hoping to serve you in the future again. Best Regards, Burak
eleanor_m, May 2023
Ehran was an amazing guide and a really nice person!
Our tour was spectacular
Would recommend highly
Response from Host, May 2023
Dear Sir/Madame, greetings from Karavan Travel. Thank you very much for your kind review
towards the tour which was operated by Karavan Travel. Nice to host you in Istanbul and
hoping to serve you in the future again. Best Regards, Nathan.
Michael_S, May 2022
Ephesus and House of Mary are amazing historic sites but the excursion was
significantly enhanced by the quality of our lovely guide, Betul. She was easy to understand and was a highly educated and qualified expert. She was very flexible
and allowed us to miss out on the visit to a carpet factory (we already have a
Turkish rug at home). Guides do not come any better than Betul. We had a very memorable morning.
Response from Host, May 2022
Dear Michael,
Greetings from Karavan Travel Istanbul. Thank you very much for your kind reviews to the tour which was operated by Karavan Travel. Nice to host you in Kusadasi and hope to assist you in the future Turkey trips. Best Regards, Emel Kilic.
Susan_S, Oct 2016
We were met at the cruise ship port by our guide Rose. We were very pleased to be the only ones with her and the driver.The van was a Mercedes. Rose was very knowledgeable, her formal education is in history. Kusadasi is a pretty seaside resort town. On the half hour drive to Ephesus she gave us great information on the ancient city and its former locations. The drive there was breathtakingly beautiful with the hills, valleys and seascapes. We visited Marys House first. An amazing and spiritual location high on the hilltop overlooking the entire valley. Bring a piece of paper and a pen to leave a note on the wishing wall. We drove down to the valley and into the ruins of the city. Rose filled us with so much information about the history and restoration. We had no idea about important Ephesus was until this tour. The streets are tricky to navigate as you are walking downhill on a street of uneven marble slabs and steps. Flat walking shoes are a must. It was very hot that day at 40 degree and I was glad to be wearing a loose sundress. The ruins were outstanding and to think they don't even have half of them uncovered yet! After the tour Rose took us to a rug making business. At this place they demonstrated how they made the silk yarn from the cocoons plus 2 women were hand knotting rugs. The owner took us inside and showed us some rugs. We were polite and said we wouldn't be buying any, so there was no pressure. We stopped there and were offered Turkish tea for free. We bought a couple of silk pashminas for 40 US. I would highly recommend taking this tour and if you are lucky Rose will be your escort. She was a lovely,smart lady with a real passion for her job. At the end of the tour we visited the shops at the cruise port. If you want to buy any leather or fur items the selection and pricing are outstanding. A reversible fur coat plus a leather jacket for only 2000 CDN. Many thanks to Rose for making our day there perfect.
Michelle_S, Jul 2016
Fabulous! The tour guide was amazing and knowledgeable. Perfect half day trip. However, I could have done without the stop at the rug factory - they did have beautiful things, but unless you are in the market there is no point.
ANDRE_D, Jul 2016
Our tour guide Jan was a little lazy. We'll see other guides accompany their group inside temples and ruins, but hewill just give us free time and wait by the shafe. But private tour is still better than the cruises' own tour with 50 people.
Eric_P, Jun 2016
Everything about this tour was superlative. Great guide and driver, the sites we visited awe-inspiring. We enjoyed learning about how carpets wool and silk are made and learn what to look for to judge quality. Great shopping in Kusadasi. Highly recommended.
NADIA_D, Aug 2025
Very nice place needed guided tour to understand the history. Our exceptional and expert guide
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Response from Host, Sep 2025
Siamo molto felici di leggere la sua bellissima recensione. Siamo lieti che la nostra guida le abbia fatto vivere un’esperienza piacevole e interessante. Speriamo di rivederla presto! – Karavan Travel
Fabiola_C, May 2024
El guía y la explicación fueron excelentes , todo muy organizado limpio y eficiente . Buen chofer y buena organización
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Estimado/a Señor/Señora, saludos de Karavan Travel. Muchas gracias por su amable reseña sobre el tour operado por Karavan Travel. Fue un placer recibirlo en Efeso y esperamos poder atenderlo nuevamente en el futuro. Saludos cordiales, Burak.
CLAUDIA_C, Jun 2016
Maravilloso tour altamente recomendable
El personal que se ocupo de nosotros,chofer y guia estupendos y muy serviciales
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