Selcuk

UNESCO sites

According to your tour pickup time, meet with your guide and start your day. First, visit the House of Virgin Mary. Located 6 km to the north of the ruins of Ephesus, this church was built in 6C AD on top of the foundations of a house from 1C AD. Next check out Ephesus, an archeological treasure and the best preserved classical city in the Eastern Mediterranean. During 1C AD, Ephesus was the second largest city on the planet after Rome with more than 250.000 citizens. It was in the center of the known world and played the role of a gateway between the East and the West. With its giant harbor, it was also the center of trading in antiquity. It is also home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis. Walking on the ancient streets among the beautiful monuments such as the third largest library of the ancient world or the largest roman theatre on the Asia continent gives you the feeling of a time traveler. After lunch, continue to the Temple of Artemis. Its ancient cult dedicated to Artemis was famous in antiquity and made Ephesus a much-visited pilgrimage place. At the end of the tour, head back to your hotel or the port.

According your pick-up time, meet with your guide and transfer to the first sight in ancient Ephesus, the best preserved classic city in the eastern Mediterranean and the largest open-air museum in Turkey. Ephesus contains more then 30 buildings and structures linked together by streets that still have the marks of ancient chariot wheels. Visit the Great Theatre, where St. Paul preached against the pagans and the gladiators once engaged in battle. Originally holding 25,000 people, this theater was built in the Hellenistic period and was renovated by several Roman emperors. Designed for theatrical performances, later alterations allowed gladiatorial contests to be held here. The face of the Library of Celsus, which has been remarkably restored, is probably the most photographed place in Ephesus originally built in 115 to 125. You might also be able to see the Odeon Temple, Fountain of Trajan, Temple of Hadrian, the steam Scholastica Baths, marble road, agora and the Temple of Domitian. After visiting ancient Ephesus, continue to the Temple of Arthemis. Considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of Artemis was dedicated to the Goddess of the Hunt. Only the foundation and one column remains of this temple which once measured 425 feet by 220 feet wide. St. Paul’s successful ministry in this city was considered a threat to this temple. The city reached its Golden Age and became a good model to the ancient world in culture and art. The tour finishes at around 1:00 PM, from here you will return to cruise port.

Start with a pickup from your hotel in Izmir. Then, the discovery of Ephesus begins with the House of the Virgin Mary and a 10-minute drive to the ancient city of Ephesus. Explore the city by walking on the marble streets, accompanied by a guide.  See the Odeon, State Agora, the Pretension, the Memmius Monument, the Domitian Temple, Hercules Gate, Curetes Street, Hadrian Temple, and the Latrines. Choose to take an optional visit to the terrace houses for an additional cost.  After the terrace houses, carry on with your exploration with the Celsus Library, Marble Road, Commercial Agora, Great Theater, and Arcadian (harbor road). Enjoy a nice lunch served in a quaint local restaurant. Visit the Temple of Artemisa and take pictures of the church of St. John and the Mosque of İsa Bey. Enjoy free time in the old village of Sirince to discover the traditional houses, the fruit-flavored wine production, and enjoy some wine tasting.  End the day with a transfer back to Izmir airport or to your hotel in Izmir.

After greeting begin your 20-minute drive to Ephesus. Once there, begin touring the city, which is one of the 12 cities of the Ionian League. As a port city, this was a major departure point for trade routes into Asia Minor. Walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them discover the Baths of Scholastica and the Library of Celsus. Encounter the Temple of Hadrian and The Grand Theater, which are 2 of the most impressive buildings in Ephesus. Visit the Terrace Houses, located on the skirt of Pion Mountain. See the 6 residential units which were built on 3 man-made terraces. These houses are decorated with wall frescoes and floor mosaics, settled by the wealthy citizens of Ephesus. ( Terrace Houses is included in Private with Terrace Houses and Small group with Terrace Houses Options only. Not included in other 2 options. Attention Not recommended for people who has walking difficulties and acro-phobia (fear of heights).) See the House of Virgin Mary, located in the Aladag Mountains, 5 miles away from Ephesus, and learn about its connection to when Mary came to Ephesus in 431 A.D. and why this area became a place of pilgrimage in 1892. Stop at the Artemission Temple, where one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world used to be. This will be the final stop on your tour before your return drive to your point of origin.

Private and Mini Group (Max. 10 Guests) Options with / without Terrace Houses Ephesus, The House of Virgin Mary and Artemission Temple on a guided tour. ( Skip the lines tickets are paid to our guide after the tour ) Your guide will have your name sign at the Kusadasi Cruise terminal exit just after you pass customs. Please note that pick up time ( usually 30 minutes after your cruise arrival ) will be emailed with in 24 hours after your reservation. If you miss this email, please do not forget to contact with us for pick up time. After meeting your guide, drive to the House of the Virgin Mary, located in the Aladag Mountains, 5 miles away from Ephesus. Visit Ephesus, one of the 12 cities of the Ionian League, an ancient Greek district on the western coast of Asia Minor, located near Izmir. As a port city, it was a major departure point for trade routes into Asia Minor. Walk through its historic marble streets lined with historic public buildings like the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, and the Grand Theater. Visit the Terrace Houses, located on the skirt of Pion Mountain. See the 6 residential units which were built on 3 man-made terraces. These houses are decorated with wall frescoes and floor mosaics, settled by the wealthy citizens of Ephesus. ( Terrace Houses is included in Private with Terrace Houses and Mini group with Terrace Houses Options only. Not included in other 2 options. Attention Not recommended for people who has walking difficulties and acro-phobia (fear of heights).) Stop at Artemission Temple, which used to be one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, as your last stop before driving back to Kusadasi town center. Please note : This tour is for cruise ship passengers only and is not available to those staying in hotels.

Discover the stunning region of Pamukkale and its hot springs on a day trip from Selcuk, Kusadasi, or Izmir. Begin by meeting your driver/guide at the reception of your hotel in the morning and a transfer to Pamukkale. Explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, built on solid limestone layers formed by mineral-rich waters that flowed for millennia over a raised level plateau. See the most significant sites of the sacred city including the Theatre, the Temple of Apollo, and the Necropolis. Admire the Necropolis (Cemetery) of Hierapolis, one of the largest ancient burial sites in Anatolia. See a Roman bath, the Gate of Domitian, the main street of the ancient city, and the Byzantium Gate. Walk to the natural warm water terraces, formed by running warm water rich in calcium and temperatures of 35 Celsius all year-round. Get the chance to see the gleaming white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, located next to the ruins of Hierapolis.  Enjoy optional free time to swim in Cleopatra’s Pool before ending the tour with a transfer back to your hotel. And during the tour you'll have the chance to have a look at the Turkish traditional handcrafts.

Founded by the Greeks and conquered by the Romans, Ephesus was once a city of proverbial wealth. It was a bustling port which over time developed into an important center for Christianity. On this self-guided tour, benefit from skip-the-line entry then explore using your smartphone to travel back in time to the city’s former life. The tour is the perfect way to experience the site in a fun and insightful way, and gain valuable insight into one of the most popular places in Turkey. The first stop of the day is to the State Agora, which was once the political heart of the city boasting a lavish square. Continue on to Bouleuterion, and discover the meeting point of the city council which perhaps was also a space for artistic performances. As you stroll around the colonnades, stoas, and other buildings, listen to fascinating stories about what life was like here for locals. Arrive at the Temple of Domitian and find out the rather unusual architectural layout of the U-shaped altar. Next, wander down the Curetes which connected the political and commercial hearts of Ephesus. Uncover the legend of the emperor’s fountain, then explore the large complex of baths at the Scolastica including the lavish marble latrines. Head to the grave of the Egyptian princess Arsinoe, then marvel at the mesmerizing Celsus Library, which is probably the most famous landmark of Ephesus. From here the road leads you to the gate of Mazeus and Mithridates, and onto at the Grand Theatre where performances and gladiatorial games took place. Last but not least, walk through the crossroads of the Arcadiane and follow a small path that leads you to the spectacular ruins of the enormous Church of Mary.

Pick-Up: Izmir Pamukkale Tour starts during the morning, when a comfortable vehicle picks you up from your hotel in Izmir. The bus will drive you towards Selcuk where a small break will take place. From Selcuk, you will continue with a different bus towards Pamukkale. Our Guides & Vehicles: You will be travelling with a comfortable, modern and fully air conditioned vehicle. During your excursion, you will be accompanied by a professional guide who will be there to assist you. In addition, the guide will explain important facts for the places of interest.Once you arrive at Selcuk, a small break will be made and then you will continue with a bus towards your destination. It has to be noted that the road trip from Selcuk to Pamukkale will have an approximate duration of three hours. However, several short stops will be made in order to relax and take some photos. Pamukkale Free Time: In Pamukkale, you will have 3 hours of free time to spend according to your interests. Pamukkale has a variety of options and locations where you can enjoy your time. The ancient city of Hierapolis can be ideal for those who wish to explore the culture and the history of the place. Pamukkale is also famous for its thermal springs and the Cotton Castle.Forming one of Turkey’s most famous attractions, the Cotton Castle or the Travertines will impress you with the natural beauty that the area has. The Cotton Castle is in fact a naturally shaped white washed mountain with thermal water springs that flow into white terraces. Visitors have the opportunity to swim and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of the hot springs. The location is also ideal for spectacular photos as the patios of the mountains are of unique beauty. Hierapolis Ancient City: The ancient city of Hierapolis was built during 190BC and became a famous curing centre due to its close proximity to the thermal springs. During the Roman period, the area was one of the most important spiritual and creative centres as many people were visiting the area in order to relax their body and mind. For those who are interested in sightseeing, Hierapolis is a great location to observe the ruins of the ancient settlement. Cleopatra Thermal Pool: During the 3-hour free time, you can also visit the Cleopatra Thermal Pool. The area features a big natural pool with hot springs. During the Roman period people used the pool for health and treatment purposes. You can enter the pool at an extra cost and enjoy all the associated benefits of such therapeutic experience. Return Back: Izmir Pamukkale Tour finishes during the afternoon and the bus will start on its way back. Full of great memories, relaxed and amazed by your exploration, you will arrive at your hotel in Izmir during the afternoon.

Explore the stunning ruins of Ephesus on this full-day sightseeing tour from Izmir or Kusadasi, also available as a half-day option from Kusadasi for those short of time. As it is a private tour you can start at any time you like. You will also visit the small House of the Virgin Mary, where it is thought she spent her final days after St. John brought her to Ephesus following the death of Jesus. Located on Mount Bulbuldagi (Koressos), it’s a popular pilgrim site for Christians and Muslims and boasts a captivating, spiritual atmosphere. Once inside the grounds of Ephesus, wander among the ruins with your guide to see sites such as the Odeon Theatre, which could seat up to 1,400 spectators in its day. Admire the beautiful Roman statues and decorations carved into marble slabs at the Pollio Fountain. Other highlights include the Celcius Library, completed by the Romans in 117AD. The building has the most awe-inspiring façade, with columns, statues, and intact windows. Finally, explore the Greek Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, and go to the Basilica of St John (Kusadasi departures only), constructed by Justinian I over the burial site of the Apostle John.

Pick-Up: The Izmir Ephesus Tour is scheduled to start during the morning. A modern and comfortable bus will pick you up from your hotel in Izmir or from İzmir Airport and drive you towards Ephesus. The road trip will be approximately one hour. Our Guides: During your excursion, you will be accompanied by a professional tour guide who will be in charge to assist you. The experienced guide will also be in charge to explain everything you need to know in every stop of your journey. Ephesus Tour: The ancient city of Ephesus forms one of the most important and popular attractions in Turkey. It hosts a number of important monuments from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. These monuments include, among others, the Hadrian Temple, the Library of Celsius, the Grand Theatre, the Roman Baths, the Agora and the Latrina. Ephesus is also home to the infamous Temple of Artemis. As you will be touring around the ancient city, the guide will provide important information for every monument. House of Virgin Mary: At a close distance from the ancient city of Ephesus, there is another place of interest which is the House of Virgin Mary. Surrounded by a quiet and beautiful landscape, this house was chosen by Virgin Mary to spend her last days there with St. John. This location has enormous interest for the Christian population. Take a chance to admire nature and observe the spectacular setting while you are there. Lunch: Izmir Ephesus Tour continues with a lunch break at a local restaurant in the area. Relax and enjoy a tasteful open buffet with a variety of choices. Temple Of Artemis: The ancient city of Ephesus is mostly known for hosting the Temple of Artemis. This temple is listed among the 7 wonders of the ancient world due to its impressive size, design and importance for the area. It was constructed during the Hellenistic period and nowadays, visitors are able to observe and tour around the ruins of the temple.