Ephesus Small Group Day Tour from Izmir
Description
Today you will be marveled by the amazing sites and ruins in and around the Selcuk area, an area which is so rich in history and important artifacts. This day tour from Izmir will take you into Selcuk to visit the sites of Ephesus Ruins, Temple of Artemis, Isabey Mosque and House of the Virgin Mary. Your professional local guide will take you through each site giving you a thorough run down of the history whilst you admire the amazing ruins right in front of you. The day will end with your return transfer back to Izmir.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The House of the Virgin Mary (or Meryem Ana Evi in Turkish) is a place where, according to the beliefs of many people Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent the last years of her life. She was supposed to arrive at Ephesus together with St. John and lived there in the years 37-45 CE until her Assumption (according to Catholic doctrine) or Dormition (according to Orthodox belief).
Of Turkey's hundreds of ancient cities and classical ruins, Ephesus is the grandest and best preserved. Indeed, it's the best place on the Mediterranean to get a feel for what life was like in ancient times. Ancient Ephesus was a great trading city and a centre for the cult of Cybele, the Anatolian fertility goddess.
Odeon. The Odeion of Ancient Ephesus is a small, semi-circular theater originally constructed in the 2nd century A.D and financed by PubliusVedius Antonius and his wife FlaviaPaiana. The building would have served as a space for political meetings, social events, concerts, and theatrical performances.
This magnificent library dating from the early 2nd century AD, the best-known monument in Ephesus, has been extensively restored. Originally built as part of a complex, the library looks bigger than it actually is: the convex facade base heightens the central elements, while the middle columns and capitals are larger than those at the ends. Facade niches hold replica statues of the Four Virtues. From left to right, they are Sophia (Wisdom), Arete (Goodness), Ennoia (Thought) and Episteme (Knowledge).
This temple dedicated to the Emperor Hadrian is considered one of the best preserved and most beautiful structures on Curetes Street. It was constructed in the beginning of the 2nd century AD by P. Quintilius to celebrate Hadrian visiting the city from Athens.
The great theater of Ephesus is a splendidly preserved and very impressive building. This structure, built of marble, has a width of 145 meters, and its audience once reached up to 30 meters. In its heyday, it could accommodate up to 24,000 spectators. The construction of the theater began in Hellenistic times.
Isabey mosque was built in a post-Seljuk/pre-Ottoman transitional style, when Selcuk was capital of the Aydin Emirate. An inscription in Arabic above the main entrance states that it was built in 1375.
Temple of Artemis (or Artemision), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In an empty field to the west of the centre, this lone reconstructed pillar is all that remains of the massive Temple of Artemis (or Artemision) At its zenith, the temple counted 127 columns.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
FROM IZMIR CITY CENTRE - From Izmir pick ups are usually from 7.00 AM to 07.30 AM. - Pick up times may vary depending on a) your pick up point b) how many other additional people/pick up points we have that day. This means the final pick up time will be decided 1 day before. - IT IS IMPORTANT that you contact our pick up operator to find out your final pick up time. FROM IZMIR AIRPORT - Flight Arrival time needs to be between 07.00 and 08.20 on the morning of the tour. - Flight Departure time needs to be between 18.30 to 21.50 after the tour - Please contact the number above with your flight details, to arrange your airport pick-up.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- Infant meals not included
Reviews(14)
On Thursday, September 24th, we toured Ephesus, Mary's House and Temple of Artemis. We had a wonderful experience! Our tour guide Josh was very knowledgeable, patient and such a joy to tour these sites with. But, what stood out the most about Josh was his PASSION for his job and his culture! He knew so much about the sites and not only that, he added information which was so interesting such as places which were closed off (ancient caves) that he had been able to tour in college as part of his education in becoming a guide. We thoroughly toured all permitted areas with Josh. I had been on the Ephesus tour three years prior and we only saw half of what Josh showed us on his tour. We had a wonderful group and such a knowledgeable and funny, interesting guide. Thank you Josh!
Great place to visit and remember with photos. You can pend the whole day and enjoy time. Ephesus is one of the most visited place in Izmir.
Kerem did an awesome job in planning the entire itinerary right from the airport pick to hotel drop off and the tour next day. All the drivers and tour guides were very punctual, friendly and knowledgeable which made the entire experience even more exciting! Guray was an awesome friendly tour guide! I would highly recommend Alaturka travels for your Turkey trip!!!
Guray, our expert tour guide, took us to the Ephesus ruins and pointed out details and information you would otherwise not learn. These are amazingly extensive and in tact ruins. Way better than Rome!
I had a great time on the Ephesus and Pamukkale tour. It was so much fun and Güray was an amazing tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and made the tour exciting. My favorite part was when we went to Ephesus all the cats recognized him and were asking him for food. It was so cute and I appreciate his good heart for feeding them. I would highly recommend Güray as a guide. I had a great time on this tour.
This was a great day tour and Guray was a fantastic guide. Given the circumstances with Covid, the company ran a very safe and clean operation. I had a little special circumstance of staying in Kusadasi, but the fine folks at Alaturka were able to accommodate me. In Ephesus and Selcuk itself, we were able to see all the primary sites (I'd been there before) as well as little time for exploration on our own. And once again, our guide Guray was able to make the tour interesting, educational, insightful and fun. Not to mention, he's a regular Dr. Doolittle with the local cats. Don't ask, just book and you will see!
I had a great time with small group The guide Oz, Güray were the best guides ever Highly recomended.
Is amazing not only to her group but to other tourists as well. Very honest and friendly. It felt like a friend is guiding you. I personally recommend her. I can also see the people around her are very pleased to work with her. I know the cats will also agree.
One of the best day tours we’ve been on. Alaturka accepted our reservation the night before and organized our drivers, flights and tour for a great rate. Our entire day trip from Istanbul to Izmir / Ephesus was smooth, stress free and very efficient. Guyan was one of the best tour guides with incredible in depth knowledge of the ruins and is also well known with the local cats who will also join the tour. Highly recommended for anyone interested in exploring Ancient Greek / Roman ruins. The drivers were all excellent as well as the company of tourists that joined us.
The most Passionate, Informative and Enthusiastic Guide I have ever come across in my Travels. 👌👌👌👌
