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PRIVATE TOUR FOR CRUISERS: Mary's House (Meryemana) and Ephesus

1,356 Reviews 4.97 out of 5 stars Based on 1,356 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Kusadasi, Turkey

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On average, this is booked 18 (0) days in advance.

4 to 6 hours (approx.)
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Offered in: English

Overview

Discover the very best of EPHESUS on a stress-free PRIVATE SHORE EXCURSION designed especially FOR CRUISE PASSENGERS. With your own licensed local guide and comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle, you’ll explore the UNESCO-listed RUINS OF EPHESUS, the HOUSE OF THE VIRGIN MARY, and the TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS at a pace that suits you. Skip the stress of group buses, complicated logistics, and rushed schedules—your guide handles everything, from timing around your ship’s arrival to arranging entrances, comfort breaks, and optional shopping or artisan visits upon request. All you need to do is enjoy your day and be back at the port right on time.

- Worry-free Private Tour with port pickup, drop-off, and timing planned for your ship,
- Visit Ephesus, Mary's House, and Temple of Artemis in one day,
- Licensed local guide and private, air-conditioned vehicle just for your party,
- Flexible pace and route, customised to your interests and walking level,
- You can add & taste Authentic Turkish Lunch,

What's Included

  • Cruise Port/Hotel Pick-up & Drop-Off (mentioned on the details)
  • Transportation with A/C Minivans with separate Driver
  • GUARANTEED ON-TIME RETURN FOR CRUISE PASSENGERS
  • Museum EntranceTickets (you can include or exclude the ticket according to the option)
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

IMPORTANT NOTICE: ⚠️ Entrance Tickets of House of Mary and Ephesus Ruins are included if the included option is chosen. On the day of the tour, if you would like to visit any other place, you are responsible with the entrance ticket of that place. ⚠️⛔️ GROUP TOURS force you to follow fixed schedules and visit places based on their timing, regardless of your interests! You’re stuck with fast and slow travelers alike, having to keep up with the group. Plus, you have to pay all ENTRY FEES IN ADVANCE, whether you're interested in the sites or not. Why pay for places you don't want to visit and feel obligated to go just because you paid? ⛔️⚠️ Our PRIVATE TOURS give you the flexibility you need. Entry fees are not included, so you only pay for the places that genuinely interest you. In the morning, we discuss your interests and tailor the itinerary accordingly. ⚠️✳️ With our PRIVATE TOURS, you have complete control, visiting only the places you want to see. Would you rather spend your day WAITING FOR OTHER TRAVELERS and FOLLOWING A FIXED ITINERARY, or ENJOY A PRIVATE TOUR CUSTOMIZED JUST FOR YOUR FAMILY? The choice is yours! ✳️*****CRUISE PASSENGERS WHO WILL JOIN FROM THE CRUISE PORT***** • Upon your ship's arrival at the port, WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE you to meet with our team WITHIN 30 to 45 MINUTES. By doing so, you can bypass the crowds, school busses, and hot weather, ensuring an enhanced and MORE ENJOYABLE TOUR EXPERIENCE OF EPHESUS.• WHY CHOOSE OUR PRIVATE TOURS OVER THE GROUP TOURS? Your time is valuable, don't waste it in the Group Tours by waiting for other fellow travelers!NOTE: ADDITIONAL FEES APPLY FOR PICK-UPS FROM IZMIR, BODRUM, OR OTHER PORTS THEN KUSADASI.

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Kusadasi (pass by)

IMPORTANT INFORMATIONGROUP TOURS follow a fixed schedule, and you have to pay all ENTRY FEES IN ADVANCE, whether you are interested in the sites or not. Why pay for a place you don't want to visit and feel obliged to go just because you paid for it? The reason entry fees are not included in our PRIVATE TOURS is to provide you with more flexibility. When we meet in the morning, we ask about your interests and the places you want to visit, and we tailor the itinerary accordingly. This way, you only pay entry fees for the places that genuinely interest you.With our PRIVATE TOURS, you have complete control and visit only the places you want to see.Would you prefer to spend your day WAITING FOR OTHER FELLOW TRAVELERS and STICKING TO A FIXED ITINERARY on a group tour, or ENJOY A PRIVATE TOUR CUSTOMIZED JUST FOR YOUR FAMILY? The choice is yours!
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Kusadasi (pass by)

We will meet you at the Cruise Port! Once your tour is booked, we’ll reach out promptly with your customised meeting time and precise meeting location, arranged according to your cruise ship’s arrival & departure.
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Ancient City of Ephesus

Ephesus Ruins is the largest open-air museum in Turkey, showcasing an extraordinary legacy from the Greek and Roman periods. As we explore this remarkably well-preserved ancient city, we will visit the Senate Building, the Ancient Hospital, the Temple of Domitian, the Nike Statue, Hercules Gate, Trajan Fountain, the Temple of Hadrian, the majestic Celsus Library, the Grand Theatre of Ephesus, and many other impressive structures that bring the ancient world vividly to life.
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2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House)

The House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus is one of the most sacred Christian pilgrimage sites, believed to be the place where Mary spent her final years under the care of St. John the Apostle. Its significance grew worldwide after the detailed visions of German nun Anne Catherine Emmerich—visions that remarkably matched archaeological discoveries made in 1891, leading to the identification of the site as Mary’s final home. Over the years, the shrine has been honored by the visits of several Popes, including Pope Paul VI (1967), Pope John Paul II (1979), and Pope Benedict XVI (2006), further cementing its status as one of the most important holy sites in the Christian world.
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1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

The Temple of Artemis

Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt, the moon, and the twin sister of Apollo, was one of the most venerated deities of the ancient world. Her great temple in Ephesus—originally built around 650 BC—stood on a site already sacred to the Anatolian Mother Goddess Cybele. Financed by the wealthy Lydian king, the temple was intentionally constructed on marshy ground to help absorb the impact of future earthquakes.Despite these precautions, the Temple of Artemis was repeatedly damaged and rebuilt over the centuries due to natural disasters, yet it remained one of the most magnificent and celebrated sanctuaries of antiquity.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Basilica of St. John (pass by)

You can see Saint John Basilica from a distance when we are in the Temple of Artemis. It is believed that the Evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the in & around Ephesus and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. The tomb of St John was under the central dome of the Basilica.
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Kusadasi Shopping Center (pass by)

You will also have the chance to explore authentic local handicrafts and, if you choose, enjoy a truly genuine shopping experience. Your professional local tour guide will be by your side to offer valuable insights—highlighting the finest traditional crafts, recommending the most reputable places to visit, and providing expert tips to ensure a smooth, enjoyable, and completely hassle-free experience.
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Kusadasi Castle (pass by)

Also known as Pigeon Island, this historic landmark is one of the earliest settlements of modern Kuşadası. During the tour, we will pass by and enjoy a view of it from a distance. Conveniently located near the port, it’s an easy spot to visit on your own after the tour if you’d like to explore further.
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Kusadasi (pass by)

We will drive through the Kusadasi Town and will have a panoramic view while listening the key informations from our Local Tour Guide.
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Kusadasi (pass by)

At the end of our tour, we will return to the Cruise Port. PLEASE NOTE THAT: There are several Ships with different arrival and departure times. We carefully check all the timings, confirm with the passengers, and coordinate the return time.OUR TOURS ARE WITH GUARANTEED ON-TIME RETURN TO THE BOAT!
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Show 9 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • UPON YOUR SHIP'S ARRIVAL AT THE PORT, WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO MEET WITH OUR TEAM WITHIN 30 TO 45 MINUTES. BY DOING SO, YOU CAN BYPASS THE CROWDS, SCHOOL BUSES, AND HARSH WEATHER CONDITIONS, ENSURING AN ENHANCED AND MORE ENJOYABLE TOUR EXPERIENCE OF EPHESUS.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Q: What is the cancellation policy for the PRIVATE TOUR FOR CRUISERS: Mary’s House (Meryemana) and Ephesus?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+03). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-18736P1

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Reviews

4.97
1,356 reviews

Average 4.97 out of 5 stars based on 1,356 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
1,331
4 stars
21
3 stars
1
2 stars
1
1 star
2

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On average, this is booked 18 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Cruise Port/Hotel Pick-up & Drop-Off (mentioned on the details)
  • Transportation with A/C Minivans with separate Driver
  • GUARANTEED ON-TIME RETURN FOR CRUISE PASSENGERS
  • Museum Entrance Tickets (you can include or exclude the ticket according to the option)
  • PRIVATE TOUR that ensures more personalized service
  • Professional LICENSED LOCAL TOUR GUIDE
  • Museum EntranceTickets (you can include or exclude the ticket according to the option)

Additional Info

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  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • UPON YOUR SHIP'S ARRIVAL AT THE PORT, WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO MEET WITH OUR TEAM WITHIN 30 TO 45 MINUTES. BY DOING SO, YOU CAN BYPASS THE CROWDS, SCHOOL BUSES, AND HARSH WEATHER CONDITIONS, ENSURING AN ENHANCED AND MORE ENJOYABLE TOUR EXPERIENCE OF EPHESUS.
  • OUR PRIVATE TOURS ENSURE GUARANTEED ON-TIME RETURN TO THE CRUISE SHIP.
  • BOOK YOUR PRIVATE TOUR WITH US, VERIFIED PROVIDER OF KUSADASI/EPHESUS CRUISE PORT!
  • Operated by a business

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You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+03).

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