Cruise excursion · Most requested
Private Ephesus Tour with the House of the Virgin Mary & Temple of Artemis
Our most requested Kusadasi shore excursion: the marble streets of Ephesus, the quiet of the House of the Virgin Mary, and the site of the Temple of Artemis in about four unhurried hours.
- Approx. 4 hours
- Starbucks at Kuşadası cruise plaza
Why cruise guests choose us
Why Cruise Guests Recommend Us
We are not the cheapest Ephesus tour, we are the calmest and most reliable one. Everything below is standard on every private tour, never an upsell.
- Pay after the tourNo deposit, no prepayment. You settle up at the end, in cash or by card.
- Private tour onlyJust your party, your guide, and your vehicle. Never a shared coach group.
- No compulsory shoppingNo carpet or jewellery stops. Your hours ashore stay at Ephesus.
- Licensed local guidesMinistry-licensed guides who live here, not a script read from a card.
- Easy port meeting pointMeet at the Starbucks in the port plaza, a two-minute walk from the gangway.
- Return-to-ship priorityThe day is timed to your ship, with a comfortable buffer before all aboard.
The short answer
This 4-hour private shore excursion from Kusadasi Cruise Port combines Ephesus Ancient City, the House of the Virgin Mary on Mount Koressos and the Temple of Artemis. From USD 89 per person with USD 58 of entrance fees included (2026 rates), with a licensed private guide, no pre-payment, and guaranteed on-time return to your ship.
Overview
About this tour
In about four unhurried hours you see the marble streets of Ephesus with a guide who is exclusively yours, stand in the quiet of the House of the Virgin Mary on Mount Koressos, and stop at the site of the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. A private licensed guide changes what Ephesus is: instead of following a flag through the crowds, you walk the city with someone who reads it for you, adjusts the route to the light and the crowd flow, and answers your questions rather than reciting a script. We enter through the upper gate so the walk is downhill, and your air-conditioned vehicle with its own driver is always positioned at the right gate.
Who this tour is for
Cruise guests with a standard port call, travelers who want the essential sites without a full-day commitment, and anyone visiting Ephesus for the first time. The pace is set by you, not by a group: families with children, guests who prefer slower walking, and travelers who want to linger at the Library of Celsus all get the same day, run their way.
Itinerary
Step by step
Times depend on your ship's arrival or your preferred start. Tell us in the booking form and we time everything around it.
- 01
Meet at Starbucks, Kuşadası port plaza
Your guide holds a small sign with your name, calm and easy to find even when four ships are in port.
- 02
Ephesus Ancient City, walked downhill
A 20-minute drive to the upper gate, then roughly two hours in the ancient city, walking downhill throughout.
- 03
House of the Virgin Mary
A short drive up Mount Koressos to the stone house where Mary is believed to have spent her final years.
- 04
Temple of Artemis
A brief stop at the Seven Wonders site on the way back.
- 05
Return to Kuşadası port
Back with a comfortable margin before departure.
The handoff, illustrated
How we meet you
Skip the exit-gate scramble. Walk through the shopping plaza, find your guide by name at Starbucks, then step into the private vehicle waiting outside.
The walk, illustrated
Upper Gate in, Lower Gate out
Your private vehicle drops you at the top of Ephesus Ancient City and collects you at the bottom. About 1.5 kilometres of downhill walking, no climbing back.
Guest photos
Shared with us by our guests.
Photographs our guests sent back after their tours, published with their permission. Un-staged and un-retouched: this is what the day actually looks like.
Beside Arete, virtue personified, in her niche on the library. 
With her guide beside a carved sarcophagus and its story. 
From the viewing platform above the Library of Celsus, hat in hand. 
July 2026: guests below the Celsus facade, the Gate of Mazaeus and Mithridates on the right.
What's included
- Licensed professional tour guide exclusively for your party
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with separate professional driver
- All entrance fees (USD 58 per person, pre-paid by your guide)
- Parking fees and local taxes
- Guaranteed on-time return to your ship
Not included
- Meals
- Terrace Houses entrance (can be added on the day, approx. 30 extra minutes)
- Tips for guide and driver (optional)
Price by group size
Smaller groups, lower per-person price
Every tour is private, you're not joining a bus group. Tiers below reflect the per-person cost as the private group grows.
| Group size | Per person | Private vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2–4 guests | $129 | 6-seat A/C van |
| 5–8 guests | $109 | 12-seat A/C minibus |
| 9–12 guests | $99 | 16-seat A/C minibus |
| 13–20 guests | $92 | 31-seat A/C midibus |
| 21–29 guests | $89 | 35-seat A/C coach |
| 30-44 guests | Special rate on request | |
Rates are per person and include USD 58 entrance fees, pre-paid by your guide. No hidden costs.
Pay only at the end · Cash or card · No deposit required · Rates reviewed July 2026
Common questions
About this specific tour.
Still unsure? WhatsApp +90 532 324 2489, we usually reply within 10 minutes during port hours.
Why book direct
You deal directly with the local team that runs your day: no reseller margins, no middlemen when plans change. You get a licensed guide and insured vehicle confirmed the same day, a no-deposit reservation, and a meeting system designed for cruise guests. When you write to us, the person answering is the person responsible for your tour.
You might also like
Related tours
Pay after your tour
Ready to book Ephesus + Virgin Mary + Artemis?
From $89/person · Approx. 4 hours · No deposit, pay at the end of the tour.