The Tour Specialist will greet you at the cruise port holding a sign with your name on it!
Explore the vast Ephesus Ruins, Turkey's premier open-air museum, dating back to the Greek and Roman eras. Delve into ancient marvels like the Senate Building, Ancient Hospital, Domitian Temple, Nike Statue, Hercules Gate, Trajan Fountain, Hadrian Temple, Celsus Library, and the iconic Grand Theatre of Ephesus, among numerous others.
The Terrace Houses of Ephesus were once luxurious residences of the affluent elite, adorned with stunning mosaics, frescoes, and wall paintings. Renowned for their opulence, these houses remain one of Ephesus's best-preserved sites, where ongoing archaeological excavations unveil further insights into ancient life.
During the early A.D., Evangelist St. John resided in Ephesus, dedicated to spreading Christianity and gathering followers. After his exile in Patmos, he returned to Ephesus, where he passed away, reportedly buried on the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill by his disciples. Roman Emperor Justinian honored his legacy by erecting one of Christianity's largest basilicas in the 4th century A.D., built over St. John the Evangelist's burial site.
Visit a traditional carpet weaving village to discover the art of handmade Turkish carpets, watch local artisans at work, and learn about centuries-old weaving techniques and natural dyes. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious traditional Turkish lunch prepared with fresh local ingredients in a peaceful village setting, offering an authentic taste of Turkish hospitality and cuisine.
Experience a scenic drive through Kusadasi Town, accompanied by insightful commentary from our knowledgeable local tour guide, providing key information along the way.
At the conclusion of our tour, we ensure a prompt return to the Kusadasi Cruise Port, tailored to your onboard schedule. Please be advised: With multiple ships arriving and departing at varying times, we meticulously verify and synchronize our return time with passengers to ensure punctual arrival back to the Cruise Port. Rest assured, our tours guarantee an on-time return to the boat!
Artemis, the Greek goddess and twin of Apollo, was revered as the virginal huntress and later became associated with the moon, succeeding the Titan Selene in this aspect. The ancient temple dedicated to Artemis was erected around 650 BC on a site previously sacred to the Anatolian Mother Goddess, Cybele. Financed by the affluent king of Lydia, the temple's location on marshy ground was chosen to mitigate earthquake risks. Throughout its history, the temple suffered numerous destructions and collapses, largely attributed to natural disasters.
Lots of walking, wear comfortable shoes, bring water, hat, and umbrella if possible. It was very warm in mid September. Unbelievable site to visit, the history is incredible and fascinating. Would absolutely recommend to anyone visiting.
Had a positive experience with Onur. He met us at the exit from the cruise terminal and helped guide us to the vehicle. Traffic was crazy and we were glad to have arranged a private tour. We enjoyed the trip to the Temple of Artemis and especially the Ancient Ruins of Ephesus. They were more elaborate than we expected and were grateful for Onur’s guidance as we moved through the site - he also gave us time to wander on our own and take photographs. We did stop at a ceramic factory for a tour but while there was an option to buy stuff, it wasn’t a “hard sell”. The vehicle was modern with comfortable seats and good air conditioning which was needed on a hot day. We returned to the port via the road along the water which was an interesting mini tour. Thanks for a great day.
Our guide Taylan was super friendly, very knowledgable, very kind and patient with our family. The driver was also good. The tour company (not the guide’s fault) promised “a fully air-conditioned, brand new vehicle.” Instead we were transported in an older vehicle that was not fully air-conditioned in the back where we were sitting. It felt like a sauna. Our potatoes got roasted.
We had a great tour with our guide, Berkey Cakir. (He said we could also call him Bex.) And our driver, Efe. Our guide was wonderful. He was very considerate of our time, never rushed us but made sure we returned to our ship in plenty of time. We enjoyed all the stops.The ruins were amazing. We had a perception that the markets were going to be very pushy but that was not the case. We really enjoyed the ceramics artisans as well. Lunch was great too. Overall, very pleased with our experience.
Eda was extremely knowledgeable about everything around and about Ephesus. She was able to answer all of our questions and gave us a lot of insight into a place we have never experienced. The driver was also great, and he was ready for us right after we left our port.
Eda is amazing!!! Best tour yet!!!
Eda was the best! We loved our tour!
It was more than I could have imagined! It exceeded my expectations! Every aspect from Ephasus to the Ephesus Ceramics to the Carpet place and lunch!! The guide was friendly and knowledgeable! A must do!
Taylan our tour guide was amazing. He was very knowledgeable, friendly, funny and made to a beautiful experience for us. We would definitely recommend this tour to anyone who’s interested in getting the best of Ephesus in a short period of time.
Stops not included on the itinerary were sales calls for rugs and leather goods. These would have been semi interesting if not sales and more on the actual making of the products. Guide was good with the historical sights, not sure if the deviations were her call or from the tour company.
We had a great experience from end to end with Berkay! My name was on a placard right when we left the cruise ship and we were escorted to a private transport vehicle. On the way to Ephesus, Berkay pointed out many local points of interest and explained several aspects of Turkey's history and culture. We stopped at a rug school/workshop where we learned how silk is spun from cocoons and how Turkish carpets are made. We got to watch a couple of artisans working and it was just fascinating! Once we arrived at Ephesus, we bought entrance tickets and Berkay let us through the ruins, sharing amazing details that we would not have been able to gather just from reading the signs. He had so many interesting stories from the construction and use of the buildings, the function of the baths and plumbing, excavations over the years, to the care of the resident cats and dogs. We also bought entrance tickets to the terrace houses, where we saw some restorations being done and amazing mosaics. Finally, the museum with audio tour at the end was a fun experience and a welcome dose of air conditioning. Once we got back into the vehicle, Berkay offered to take us to other sites or provide a panoramic drive to see even more, but we had to get back to the ship for dinner reservations. We definitely felt like we got more than we paid for. Thank you!
Had an incredible experience with Berkay! Pickup from the cruise was quick and easy, the tour was insightful and incredible, and the experience was overall a 10/10. Would 100% recommend.
Berkay was the most amazing guide! Ask for him by name.
The van is clean and tidy, much needed for the hot summer. The guide is very knowledgeable, showing us around the ancient site and sharing lots of history and background. There are two shop visits, normally I do not like such things. However, these two shop visits are fine; the carpet and ceramics are handmade and of good quality. They also show us how to make them, which is worth the 30 minutes of visiting. You do not need to buy, and I feel little pressure to buy. Highly recommended.
We had a fantastic day on this tour! We loved visiting the pottery workshop, watching the artisans at work, and painting our own pottery tile. We also enjoyed exploring a charming Turkish town, sampling authentic Turkish tea and unique local wines, and enjoying a delicious lunch of local specialties. Watching the traditional art of rug making was another fascinating highlight. Our guide was local to the area and he was so friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating, making the entire experience enjoyable and informative. This was one of the highlights of our trip, and we highly recommend this tour!
Exceeded my expectations. Our tour guide Adam was awesome and very adaptable and knowledgeable.
We had an amazing tour with Tay. It was entirely custom designed to see and experience the things we wanted. Tay was so friendly and made us feel comfortable right from the start. My wife and I have been on many tours over the last couple of weeks traveling the Mediterranean and Aegean and without question this was our favorite. The highest recommendation possible!
Tay was an amazing tour guide. He was very kind and informative. He allowed us extra time anywhere we needed it and we felt like we left the area knowing so much history and can’t wait to come back. He is definitely the guide to get if you are touring Ephesus or Kusadasi.
Wow!!! Hugo was amazing. We loved everything, we got to make everything we wanted on time. Hugo has a lot of knowledge. Book it, you wont regret it. Family of 8, 4 adults, 1 teen, 2 7yr old, and a 6month baby.
It was a fantastic tour with Volha in Ephesus, the guide was polyglot so it was very nice for her to give us the explanations in Spanish. She gave us the most efficient route to get to know the most iconic landmarks and have a local experience with stops in art crafting spaces. They were also very helpful with my mom who uses a wheelchair. Overall, it was a fantastic experience!
This tour was amazing. Extremely informative and customizable. We were able to see so much of Ephesus in a short period of time. Taylan was a great tour guide.
Ephesus tour is a must when you visit Turkey. We are lucky to have Volha as our tour guide who went above and beyond explaining the history of the ancient city of Ephesus. She is an excellent guide and highly recommended.
Volha is an excellent guide. She personally guide us from start to finish and went above and beyond her job. She is highly recommended.
Ceyda was the best. She know her history very well, her comunication is good and she was really patience. She is really friendly and really good english. Charming personality she was the highlight of the tour. I reccommend the tour to everyone especially with Ceyda :)
The tour was perfect, our guide Ahmet was very nice and knowledgeable, he organized us a full tour in Ephesos. I recommend him and this tour highly.
The tour was great, so many places with rich history and beautiful scenery. Volkan was wonderful, very attentive to what we want to see or not to see. Highly recommended for anyone who are arriving in Kusadasi on cruise ship and only have one day to visit the city.
Tasty lunch and great tour, Tay was informative and provided lots of knowledge! Would recommend this tour :) We chose to see Ephesus from gate to gate.
Taylan was very knowledgeable and friendly. The tour was interesting and food was delicious. We saw authentic pottery and rug weaving. Highly recommend!
Taylan was a great guide! Very knowledgeable and the tour spots were great. The meal was amazing and learning about Turkish rugs was incredible!
The trip was amazing. Yeliz was a well of information when in Ephesus and was kind enough to answer my questions. She also took us to the Rug and leather store/manufactures which really help round out the experience. It was awesome
We enjoyed a wonderful day at Ephesus with Yeliz as our guide. She was friendly, customer oriented, accommodating, intentional in knowing everyone needs and interest, we were a group of 12 different ages and everyone had an amazing day we fully recommend her.
Excellent! our tour guide Yeliz she is very knowledgeable, the bus diver also did a good job. The overall experience was a 10/10 I highly recommend this tour to anyone.
Excellent tour through Ephesus ruins and Village. Our guide Yeliz was very knowledgeable and fun. Meze lunch was amazing!! They took good care of my kids with food allergies.
Beautiful country and food was awesome. Ty was very knowledgeable and personable. Highly recommend Ty. Bought a carpet and gifts. Great experience. Wonderful people
This tour was something that is a must, the expertise & knowledge of our guide was extraordinary. Exceeded expectations!
Our guide made sure we had a very enjoyable educational experience. He custom tailored our very hot day and extended excellent Turkish hospitality.
This private Ephesus tour with The Tour Specialist was absolutely phenomenal! From the moment we disembarked our cruise ship, we were met by our friendly and informative guide. He made sure we felt comfortable and welcome, holding a sign with our names for a personalized touch. The tour itself was outstanding. Ephesus is a breathtaking ancient city, and he brought it to life with their passion and knowledge. We skipped the lines and explored highlights like the stunning Celsus Library, the Terrace Houses, and the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World!). He was a fantastic storyteller, weaving history with fascinating details that made each site come alive. The best part? The private tour allowed us to ask questions and tailor the experience to our interests. He was incredibly accommodating and ensured we had ample time to explore each location at our own pace. There were even opportunities to take stunning photos without the crowds. If you're looking for an exceptional way to explore Ephesus, look no further than this private tour!
Excellent tour with Melisa. In addition to being super kind and friendly, she demonstrates a great command and knowledge of the history of the place. She made the experience unique and very entertaining. Without a doubt, we would repeat with her!
The whole experience has been ideal. The guide told us a lot of things about our surroundings at all times and cared about our well-being, and we were able to adapt the tour to our time and taste. Having transportation included as well has been a great success.
Epheus, such a wonderful place.
Excellent tour. It was in Spanish. Our guide Melisa was very kind and friendly. She explained everything very well. The tour is at the pace of those who book it. It includes a very delicious meal at a local restaurant.
Excellent tour, Melisa is the best guide of all
A very good tour experience, the guide Melisa was very friendly and explained everything about all the places we visited very well.
Incredible experience in Spanish, we visited everything comfortably and without rushing. We saw crafts and very cool places to get to know the culture more deeply! Totally recommended
The experience was incredible and Olvga's personalized attention was very good, attentive and with a lot of information, historical data and key places. Without a doubt I recommend her for your visit to Turkey
Everything was great, punctual, friendly, and a very good explanation, we had a great time.
The experience with our guide Sergen has been incredible. A super complete, affordable tour, and on top of that, being able to experience it in the hands of a local guide is priceless. They pick you up at the port and the transportation is very comfortable. Everything is 10/10. Without a doubt, we highly recommend it.
Nasmi has been very kind and has explained everything to us with great patience. He has adapted to our needs. We loved Ephesus. It is worth paying for the full view, including the terrace houses.
Everything was super great, we must say that we were very concerned about the language since we only speak Spanish, but everything exceeded our expectations, excellent price-quality, upon disembarking from the cruise, they were waiting for us with a sign with our name, impeccable service, a very comfortable Mercedes van was waiting for us, just for the three of us, the driver was very attentive and our guide in SPANISH accompanied us at all times, indicating and telling us. The guide, Mr. Nazmican, was excellent, he took us to the places we selected with a very good attitude, excellent command of Spanish, and willingness to make our trip unbeatable. Then he returned us on time to our cruise again Thank you very much for everything!!! Until next time Worth recommending
Beautiful experience with Volga. She took care to adapt the visit for us. Her French was excellent. We had a very good time. Thank you!
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