12 hours
Daily Tour
30 people
English
Ephesus is the most famous ancient site in Turkey. Built after 1040 BC by refugees coming from the Aegean Islands, it became one of the most important port cities of the ancient world. Later on, it became a Greek city more than a major Roman city in time. It was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League in the Classical Greek Era. In the 1st century BC population of Ephesus was approximately 250,000. It was an important commercial center as a port city and religious center with Artemis Temple nearby and Virgin Mary’s Church as the first temple dedicated to the Mother of Jesus. It was also sacred for Christians because of its connections with the Virgin Mary, Saint Paul, and Saint John The Evangelist.
The Temple of Artemis is one of the Seven Wonders of the World completed in 550 BC is on the outskirts of Ephesus. It is a sanctuary built in a sacred place. The temple itself dates back to the 8th century BC but the sacred place dates way back. It has been destroyed three times and rebuilt. But it has been abandoned after Christians started to rule the area.
Virgin Mary’s House is a Muslim and Catholic shrine located at the skirt of Bulbul Mountain in Selcuk. It was discovered after a Catholic nun in Germany described the place in her visions about a house Mother Mary lived in before she died. It has become an important pilgrimage spot for Catholics since then.
– First, we will visit Artemis Temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, standing today next to Ephesus Antique City. Then we will drive to Ephesus. Ephesus was one of the most important harbor cities in the antique world and also it is mentioned in the book of Revelations as one of the seven churches. Also, Celsus Library and theater in Ephesus are the other highlights. In Ephesus, we will see, the Celcus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the fountain of Trajan, and the Theater.
– We will have lunch in a local Turkish restaurant and drive to Virgin Mary’s House. This place was discovered by Lazarist priests after a German nun described the house and the mountain as the last residence of the Virgin Mary after she had some visions about the place. Today this place is a Muslim and Catholic, being cared for by Lazarist Fathers. Lazarist Fathers still celebrating the mass every day.
– 19:00 End of the tour and back to your hotel.
The primary language for group tour guidance is English or multilingual available. Tours in languages other than English are available exclusively as private tours. Please note that there might be a price variation for different languages. Kindly specify your preferred language for the tour if it's not English!
Tour fees include professional English guide service or assistant service. In half-day tours, meals are not included, but in full-day tours, a set menu or open buffet meal is generally included. Kindly refer to the tour description for a detailed breakdown of included and excluded services.
In group tours, hotel pick-up and drop-off are generally included. Rarely, some tours do not include hotel pick-up and drop-off or just drop-off. All private tours include hotel pickup and drop-off. Please read the description carefully to find out.
