Ephesus and Mary's House Tour from Kuşadası with Lunch

According to the scheduled pick-up time—carefully arranged based on your ship’s arrival—meet your guide at Kusadasi Cruise Port and begin your journey to the first stop of the tour.

Travel to the serene House of Virgin Mary, a revered site nestled on a hilltop. Located 6 km north of the ruins of Ephesus, a church was built in the 6th century AD over the foundations of a 1st-century house, which the Church has declared to be the final residence of the Virgin Mary, where she spent her last days.

Ephesus is the best-preserved classical city in the Eastern Mediterranean. In the 1st century AD, it was the second-largest city in the world after Rome, boasting a population of over 250,000. Strategically located at the heart of the known world, it served as a vital gateway between East and West.

With its expansive harbor, Ephesus was a major center of trade in antiquity. But it wasn’t just a thriving commercial hub—it was also the romantic retreat of Mark Antony and Cleopatra. The city is home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: the Temple of Artemis.

So well-preserved is Ephesus that walking along its ancient marble streets, past grand monuments like the Library of Celsus—the third largest of the ancient world—and the largest Roman theater in Asia Minor, truly feels like stepping back in time.

Lunch: A traditional Turkish meal will be served at a local handicraft village, where you’ll also have the opportunity to see a live demonstration of handmade Turkish carpet weaving by local artisans.

Finish with a visit to the Temple of Artemis ruins. Though only fragments remain, the temple’s historical significance and your guide’s engaging storytelling make it an unforgettable stop.

Following the tour, you’ll be comfortably transferred back to Kusadasi Cruise Port—with our guarantee of on-time return to your ship.