Ephesus & House of the Virgin Mary Day Tour from Istanbul

Flights Included | Small Group Experience

Tour Style: Small Group Tour
Duration: 1 Full Day
Departures: All Year Round
Highlights: Ephesus Ancient City, Great Theatre of Ephesus, Temple of Artemis, House of the Virgin Mary, Isa Bey Mosque

Experience one of Turkey’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this full-day Ephesus tour from Istanbul by plane. Travel comfortably with round-trip flights, expert local guides, and seamless transfers, and discover the ancient wonders of Ephesus along with sacred and cultural landmarks around Selçuk.

Tour Overview

Your journey begins early in the morning with a flight from Istanbul to Izmir. Upon arrival at Izmir Airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to Selçuk, where you will meet your professional, licensed tour guide and join your small group Ephesus tour.

Highlights of the Tour

🏛️ Ephesus Ancient City (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Enter Ephesus through the Magnesia Gate and enjoy a leisurely downhill walk through one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world. Once a major Roman provincial capital, Ephesus offers a remarkable glimpse into ancient urban life.

Key sights include:

• Odeon – The ancient council chamber

• Temple of Hadrian – Elegant reliefs honoring the Roman emperor

• Fountain of Trajan – A monumental Roman fountain

• Library of Celsus – The iconic façade and symbol of Ephesus

• Great Theatre of Ephesus – Seating up to 25,000 spectators, where St. Paul preached and where performances still take place today

Your guide will bring history to life with stories of emperors, philosophers, merchants, and early Christianity.

🏺 Temple of Artemis (Artemision)

Visit the site of the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Although only foundations remain today, the site offers fascinating insight into the scale and importance of this legendary temple, originally built on a flat plain that later became marshland.

✝️ House of the Virgin Mary

A deeply spiritual stop and important pilgrimage site, the House of the Virgin Mary is believed to be where Mary spent her final years, brought to the region by Saint John. Surrounded by peaceful nature, this sacred place welcomes visitors of all faiths.

🕌 Isa Bey Mosque

Discover one of the finest examples of Seljuk architecture in Anatolia. Built between 1374–1375 by the Syrian architect Ali ibn Mushimish al-Damishki, the Isa Bey Mosque stands near the Basilica of Saint John and reflects a unique blend of Islamic and classical design elements.

Return to Istanbul

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for your evening flight back to Istanbul, marking the end of our services.

What’s Included

✔️ All airport and land transfers in Istanbul & Izmir (as specified)
✔️ Round-trip domestic flights (Istanbul ⇄ Izmir)
✔️ Full-day guided Ephesus tour
✔️ Licensed professional English-speaking guide
✔️ Lunch during the tour

Not Included

❌ Drinks
❌ Tips for guide and driver
❌ Personal expenses
❌ Optional tours