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  |  143 ReviewsReview This Tour
Outstanding!
December 31, 2022
Ephesus is SO amazing. Our guide was SO knowledgeable. We learned so much and had a wonderful time!
Reviewer: Mary Peterson
5 Stars
Ephusus
November 11, 2022
Great guide, who had stud8ed archaeology. Great understanding of Ephusus and able to answer all questions. Nice size group, not too large, highly recomend
Reviewer: Tracy J Gorb
5 Stars
Excellent tour guide
November 11, 2022
Our tour guide was informative and engaging.
Reviewer: Andrea M Price
5 Stars
Good tour
November 05, 2022
Tour guide and tour was good. It was great to see the old civilization and explore the area.
Reviewer: DJ Mistry
4 Stars
Ephesos
November 04, 2022
Wonderful guided trip with a very experienced guide. It included a stop at a rug making facility which we enjoyed very much.
Reviewer: Robert Poor
5 Stars
Ephesus guided tour
November 01, 2022
Very informative
Reviewer: Larry Simpson
4 Stars