Exclusive Ancient Ephesus

Exclusive Ancient Ephesus Tour from Kusadasi (Arcadian Way, Library of Celsus)
Price: $69.00
Children (Ages 2 and under) are free.
Choose Options My Cruise Itinerary
Summary
Shore Excursion Size ? Standard
Shore Excursion Type Cultural
Shore Excursion Duration 3 Hours 30 Minutes
Activity Level ? Moderate
Shore Excursion Leaves From ? Cruise Ship Pier
Food/Beverage Provided Not Included
Recommended Dress Comfortable clothing and closed toe, sensible walking shoes are recommended. Sunglasses and sunscreen are suggested.
Restrictions Walking at Ephesus is over actual streets / sidewalks from ancient times which are uneven and worn. There are steps without handrails and packed dirt that must be navigated in some areas. The walk through Ephesus is not wheelchair accessible.

Exclusive Ancient Ephesus

Meet your professionally trained guide and drive to Ephesus, approximately 30 minutes from Kusadasi. Famous in antiquity for its Temple of Artemus during the years of the Roman Empire, the Greek port of Ephesus became the greatest city in Asia Minor. You will start your 90 minute Ephesus tour at the upper Magnesia Gate, and work your way down through the city, ending near the ancient Harbor.

Along the way you will see the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the Thermal Baths of Scolastika and the Great Theater, built in the Greek era and reconstructed in the Roman period. It has played host to programs as varied as Paul and his sermons to the Ephesians, to concerts by Sting, in part due to its remarkable acoustics.

You will walk along the Arcadian Way, where once Mark Antony and Cleopatra rode in procession. You will hear stories of Alexander the Great, the Virgin Mary, and many other famous visitors who walked the same marble streets that you are walking. As you depart the Ephesus site, you will be able to view the hilltop ruins of the Basilica of St. John in the distance, which was erected over his grave in the 6th century A.D. by Emperor Justinian.

Returning to the town of Kusadasi, guests will have the option to end their Ephesus tour in the shopping area, where they can attend a Turkish carpet explanation and explore the shops filled with jewelry, carpets, leatherware, and copper goods, or both. Turkish salespeople expect you to haggle and quite often you can get 10-15% off the listed price. Treat it as an adventure. The cruise pier is a 5-10 minute walk from the main shopping area.

Guests not wishing to attend the optional carpet shopping should stay on the bus and they will be taken directly back to the pier.

Please Note: Entrance to the Library of Celsus is included.

5 Stars4.8 / 5  |  155 ReviewsReview This Tour
A fascinating tour with Ehran our fantastic guide
July 31, 2023
We were totally enthralled by Ephesus. So interesting and so amazingly preserved. Ehran was very knowledgeable, informative and wonderfully friendly. We strongly recommend this tour.
Reviewer: Kelly Eckersley
5 Stars
amazing place
July 16, 2023
I had not heard of this place but was just blown away by the architecture and the history there. The guide was great and I wished I had more time to absorb everything.
Reviewer: Sandy Orr
5 Stars
GREAT tour!
July 07, 2023
Our guide was a local from Kusadasi. She was very interesting and gave us a good tour. We enjoyed it tremendously!
Reviewer: Varda Sauer
5 Stars
Amazing tour with an AMAZING guide!
July 06, 2023
We loved our tour of Ephesus! It was possibly the best tour we have ever taken. The bus was air conditioned and very comfortable for the ride there and back. Our guide, who teaches tourism classes during the academic year, was very knowledgable and provided so much information and history. She really was on top of her game! She was able to answer all questions and was authentic and genuine. The site itself was awe-inspiring and for me at least, life changing!
Reviewer: Lynda Vo
5 Stars
Excellent tour of Ancient Ephesus
July 05, 2023
We had a wonderful time in Kasudasi! It was very easy to locate the tour coordinator once we got off of the ship. He was located on the dock with a sign and was hard to miss. We boarded an air conditioned bus that took us to ancient Ephesus. Our tour guide, “Maverick”, was awesome. He obviously knew a lot about the history of Ephesus, and was so entertaining and informative. Afterwards, we went to visit a rug making company that sponsors and trains young women on carpet weaving in order to equip them with an employable skill. It was very interesting and intriguing learning about the processes. We did not feel pressured into buying a rug, but it certainly was an option. Finally, we made our way back to the port and said farewell to Maverick, before doing some quick shopping and walking back to our boat. My entire family thought it was a wonderful excursion and would do it again!
Reviewer: Kris
5 Stars
The Most Interesting and Learning Experience.
July 01, 2023
We were met by our wonderful guide at Ephesus, Begu. He was incredibly knowledgeable and made the experience interesting and fun. Highly recommend!! .
Reviewer: IWalker
5 Stars