7 hours
Daily Tour
20 people
English
Ephesus stands as the most renowned ancient site in Turkey, with its origins dating back to 1040 BC when it was established by refugees from the Aegean Islands. Evolving into a crucial port city, Ephesus transitioned from being a Greek city to a prominent Roman one. As a member of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek Era, its population reached around 250,000 in the 1st century BC, making it a significant commercial and religious center. The presence of the Artemis Temple and Virgin Mary’s Church, the first dedicated to the Mother of Jesus, added to its cultural and spiritual importance for both pagans and Christians.
The Temple of Artemis, completed in 550 BC and listed among the Seven Wonders of the World, lies on the outskirts of Ephesus. Despite being destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, the temple eventually fell into abandonment when Christians took control of the area.
Virgin Mary’s House, situated at the foot of Bulbul Mountain in Selcuk, became a pilgrimage site for Catholics after being discovered based on visions described by a Catholic nun in Germany.
The Ephesus Tour Program starts with a visit to the Temple of Artemis, standing beside Ephesus Antique City. Moving on to Ephesus, explore its significance as a crucial harbor city and its mention in the book of Revelations as one of the seven churches. Highlights include the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan, and the Theater. After a local Turkish restaurant lunch, proceed to Virgin Mary’s House, a site discovered by Lazarist priests based on visions described by a German nun. Still actively cared for by Lazarist Fathers, the house serves as a pilgrimage destination for both Muslims and Catholics.
The tour concludes at 16:30, and you’ll be driven back to your hotel, having experienced the rich history and religious significance of Ephesus and its surroundings.
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.
