Itinerary
Ephesus Tour (Shore Excursion) for Cruise Ship Passengers
You will be met at the port of Kusadasi by your licensed, English-speaking tour guide and we will drive approximately 20 minutes to the magnificent ruins of Ephesus, an ancient Greek city, and later a major Roman city near present day Selcuk. It was also one of the Seven Churches of Asia, cited in the Book of Revelation. Today it is the most visited ruins site in Turkey, and the best preserved site in the Mediterranean.
Excavations of Ephesus began in the 19th Century, and some of the buildings you will see include gymnasiums, agoras, the Domitian Square, the Hadrian Temple, the Roman Bath, the Celsus Library and the biggest theatre in Anatolia with 25,000 seats. As you wander through these well-preserved ruins you will feel as if you have been transported back in time.
Next stop is a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, which is believed to be the place she was taken to by St John to spend her last days.
After lunch we visit the Isa Bey Mosque – once used as a caravanserai, and famous for its architecture. Our final stop of the day is the site of the former Temple of Artemis which is one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. Here you will learn about why Artemis was so revered by the Ephesians and although just one column remains of the temple you will be able to imagine it in its former glory.
At the end of your tour you will be transferred back to the cruise part in time for your ship’s departure.
Important notes:
- This program is a typical Ephesus tour program. Your tour guide may change the program on the day to help you maximise your day and help minimise time spent in large crowds and / or the heat.
- This is a small group tour where you will share your vehicle and tour guide with other travellers.
