⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTICE! ⚠️ ⛔ Group tours may sound convenient, but they often mean sacrificing your freedom. You’re forced to follow a rigid schedule, rush through places you might not care about, and wait for others — all while paying entry fees upfront for sites you may not even want to visit. Why spend your valuable holiday time and money this way? ✅ With our private tours, your day is truly yours! You decide where to go, how long to stay, and what to see. Entry fees aren’t included in advance, so you only pay for the places that genuinely interest you. Each morning, we discuss your preferences and shape the tour around you. ✳️ Imagine the difference: Instead of being herded along with strangers, you explore at your own pace. Instead of paying for places you don’t care about, every stop is somewhere you actually want to see. Don’t settle for a one-size-fits-all tour. Choose a private experience tailored just for you and your family — and make your trip unforgettable!
When your cruise ship arrives, our team will be ready to welcome you just outside the Exit Gate, next to the Information Desk. You’ll easily spot us—we’ll be holding a sign with your name on it. To make the most of your time ashore and avoid the crowds, we highly recommend disembarking within 30 minutes of your ship’s arrival. This allows us to leave before the large group tours depart and ensures a more relaxed, personalized experience at each site. When booking your tour, please choose the earliest available disembarkation time. This helps us begin your tour smoothly and maximizes your time at the highlights of the region. We look forward to providing you with a seamless, crowd-free start to your private tour experience!
Ephesus, cradled in the heart of ancient Ionia, stands as a timeless symphony of marble and memory. Once a glittering jewel of the Roman Empire, its streets still echo with the footsteps of philosophers, merchants, and emperors. The Library of Celsus rises like a stone poem to wisdom; the Grand Theater still whispers the voices of long-forgotten plays. Beneath the Aegean sun, temples, colonnades, and mosaic floors reveal a city where art, faith, and power once danced in harmony. Ephesus is not merely a ruin—it is a living testament to the beauty and brilliance of a lost world, eternal in its silence.
The Temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, located in Ephesus. It was dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis and was known for its grand size and exquisite sculptures. Only remnants of the temple remain today, but it continues to attract visitors due to its historical importance.
Nestled just steps from the port, Kuşadası Bazaar is a vibrant maze of colors, scents, and local charm. From handmade carpets and leather goods to spices, ceramics, and Turkish delights, the market offers a rich variety of treasures. Your guide will lead you through the lively streets and help you discover the best shops and most authentic items, ensuring a personalized and memorable shopping experience in the heart of Kuşadası.
Kuşadası Castle, located on Pigeon Island (Güvercinada), is a small fortress built by the Ottomans in the 16th century. It was used to protect the harbor of Kuşadası. The castle offers panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and the surrounding area, and the island is accessible by a causeway from the mainland. You can see the castele from your cruise or you can visit it by your own after the tour.
At the conclusion of our tour, we ensure your timely return to Kusadasi Cruise Port in accordance with your ship’s onboard time. Please be advised: As multiple cruise ships may be in port simultaneously, each with different arrival and departure schedules, we meticulously verify all timings, confirm them individually with our guests, and coordinate our itinerary accordingly. Our tours guarantee your prompt and safe return to your vessel before departure.
Ibrahim (our tour guide) was GREAT!!! This was a perfect day! It was just the four of us in a very nice van. We learned a lot and lunch was awesome AND this was much less expensive than the cruise excursions. We highly recommend this tour!
Excellent tour with a fantastic Tour Guide. On time pick up at the Cruise Port. Would definitely recommend this Tour.
Our tour guide was completely educated and knowledgeable about Ephesus, the beginning, the changes over time. And the excavation. We could not have had a better guide. Thank you
Fabulous excursion to Ephesus with Ahmed who was very informative, courteous and friendly. A perfect guide. He listened to how we wanted to spend our day and ensured we were back in plenty of time for exploring Kusadasi town which we had requested. We enjoyed a delicious lunch in a pretty garden. I would highly recommend this tour.
We had a fabulous tour day with our private guide Ercüment Ozden in Kusadasi. He promptly met us at the port and had a very comfortable vehicle with driver for the day. We asked to go to the virgin Mary’s house and he was able to fit this into our itinerary for the day. He was very informative with the history of all sites visited and the tour of Ephesus was fantastic, also the temple of Artemis was good to see. We did a visit to Turkish rug store and watched the weaving of rugs and the jewellery and pottery stores were also interesting. Plenty of time for souvenir shopping and perfectly timed return back to the port. I can highly recommend this tour and if you are lucky to have Ercüment as your guide you will have. A great day filled with his knowledge of this amazing historical site.
Great tour with Emine. She made sure our day was great. We we able to customize our day the way we wanted added a few extra stops. It was great!
Ercument Ozden was an amazing guide! The tour was perfect, comfortable and e we got a little taste of Turkey along with seeing the incredible ancient city of Ephesus. 100% would recommend
We had an excellent journey. Our guide was wonderful and very knowledgeable. We had a fantastic local lunch and went to other local pottery and carpet weaving spaces. We thoroughly enjoyed our time and we learned a lot. Overall would highly recommend
We had a wonderful tour of Ephesus. Our tour guide provided us with a lot of history and facts…which we appreciated. We ended our day at a beautiful lunch and tour of a rug manufacturer. A bit too much pressure on buying a rug…but otherwise a perfect day. Ephesus has a lot to offer and a tour guide is definitely recommended by us.
Epheus really is a must see, however its a must see with a knowledgeable tour guide, its so big, Ekrem, our guide, brought it to life for us, we were on a cruise ship, we were contacted the night before the trip by Ekrem which certainly reassured us all would be well, he gave us precise instructions for meeting. His knowledge was fantastic, any questions we fired at him were answered well. The tour includes lunch, which was delicious, followed by a demonstration of carpet making, we have had a demonstration previously so asked to miss this part of the tour, which of course Ekrem was happy to oblige. Ekrem is also a very polite young man who is passionate and proud of his country which shows. We would highly recommend Viator tours and this particular tour guide.
This was an amazing tour! The tour guide Turgut was awesome - very nice, knowledgeable, and flexible. I was so glad I had him to show me around the ruins. We even went to a local rug making school and family owned pottery business to see the native crafts. The traditional family-style Turkish lunch was in a beautiful outdoor setting and delicious. I really had a great day and felt I was in good hands. It was money well spent for the tour, and we were back to port with plenty of time to spare.
Ismail Keser was amazing. Very knowledgeable, great guide. Would definitely recommend. Our lunch was excellent. Can’t wait to come back to Kudasi💕
Our tour guide Filiz greeted us immediately at our meeting point and made us feel welcome. She was very friendly, full of energy and had a vast knowledge of Ephesus which added a whole lot of value to our experience. We totally enjoyed the lunch included in this tour. Filiz gave us a lot of time to take memorable photos to last a lifetime! Thank you Filiz and driver (starting with a letter Y, I forgot his name) for a wonderful tour of Ephesus. We could not have enjoyed it any better without you.
Ismael was very knowledgeable and passionate about the history. He explained the significance and purposes well. He answered all our questions and gave us great insight into the culture. The tour of the ruins was fascinating. Ismael knew many of the other guides and had clearly been doing this for a while. He also let us explore and take time for pictures. The carpet shop was very impressive and very respectful.
We found our guide easy enough after leaving our cruise ship. We were then taken straight to Ephesus and got through the entry point easily. Our guide Bugra was excellent with his knowledge of this amazing place and answered all our questions. After the tour we were taken to a lovely location for a Turkish lunch which was very nice and got a chance to view some of the locally produced beautiful carpets. We were then dropped back to the port with plenty of time to explore Kusadasi. Our guide Bugra was one of the best guides we’ve ever had and is a very nice and helpful person
I walked away from our tour of Ephesus genuinely impressed. Our guide, "Al" didn’t just recite facts—he made the ancient city feel alive. Every street, building, and stone seemed to have a story, and he shared those stories with warmth, clarity, and an incredible knowledge of the history of Ephesus. "Al" set the tone from the very beginning, blending the history with the little human details that made everything come together. We never felt rushed, and it felt less like being led through a tourist attraction and more like having a knowledgeable friend show us a place he truly loves. A huge thank you to "Al" for making our visit to Ephesus such a memorable experience. If you’re considering a tour of Ephesus, I highly recommend it!
Our guide Mehmat was very knowledgeable and easy to converse with. Would definitely do another tour with Mehmat.
Dennis was an amazing guide - friendly and informative. Turkey is a beautiful country and we left with a love of the people and the culture.
We had an incredible time exploring Ephesus thanks to Atalay K.! He is knowledgeable, friendly, and deeply passionate about sharing the history of the area. He paced the tour perfectly, answered all our questions, and ensured we had a fantastic time from start to finish. Our visit to Kuşadası wouldn't have been the same without him. Highly recommended!
Hakan was an excellent tour guide! He was an engaging speaker and clearly knew his historical facts about Ephesus. We would recommend him to anyone - he was outstanding! The food was amazing and plentiful at lunch. It was in a beautiful setting.
Fantastic day, with very friendly and knowledgeable guide. Great small group tour.
Really beautiful tour and Turgut was an amazing guide! Would definitely recommend if you have just a few hours and want to see the historical site. The guide was an added value, very gentile and competent.
Tour of Ephesus was excellent. Our guide, Turgut, was very knowledgeable of all the ruins. We stopped for a delightful lunch at The Green Ranch where we saw how Turkish rugs are made. Private tour with small group was just right.
excellent experience our guide was fabulous--all the family members raved regarding his knowledge professionalism sence of humor and his ability to manage a large group excellent side information on Efes would highly recommend his tours always satisfied with any tour with viator
Selcuk was a fantastic tour guide! He shared a lot of info, educating and entertaining us. Very comfortable private tour of Ephesus
Gokhan was an amazing tour guide. Extremely knowledgeable and very kind. He gave us some free time to wander the ancient city, and was always available for questions. Gokhan was very professional and punctual! I highly recommend Gokhan if you want an amazing experience in Ephesus.
This tour was absolutely amazing! My husband and I learned so much from our guide about Turkey and all the history! We highly highly recommend! This tour alone has made us want to come back to Turkey and explore its amazing beauty!
Had an amazing time. Our guide Onur was the best. He was knowledgeable, kind and patient. Must do activity when in Kusadashi!
Had a great day in Ephesus with our tour guide Onur. He is very knowledgeable. After the tour we went for an authentic Turkish lunch and carpet making demonstration.
Deniz was amazing—extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and flexible throughout the entire experience. He made everything easy and enjoyable, and his expertise really stood out. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a professional and personable guide. The private experience was excellent, and I couldn't have asked for better service.
Exceptional tour with our guide, Turgrul. His knowledge, his enthusiasm and the love for his culture was invigorating. We were picked up in a new Mercedes upon arrival from the cruise exit. So simple and easy. His enthusiasm started when we walked out the arrival door with him shouting “Jim”. How he knew us we’ll never know. Our driver was exceptional as well. Touring along those narrow streets and harrowing turns, he was totally in control. Tugrul not only explained the history of Ephesus but of Turkey as a country. Our tour included lunch at a carpet making complex but we asked the guide if there was another option. He made a few phone calls and said we were going to a typical village for lunch. We picked up his friend Osman who had several carpet factories in the area. His business is called “Can”, the most beautiful carpets you can imagine. He had just made several carpets for Taylor Swift.After touring the making of carpets from start to finish, Osman presented us with a delicious lunch. I highly recommend this tour and the wonderful, fun, knowledgeable and funny guide Tugrul.
The day was wonderful filled with history and culture. Guide was incredible in ensuring my older mother was safe and stopped in shade to share details. The lunch at the carpet co-on was a true experience of slowing down and enjoying life. Carpet demonstration and viewing was breathtaking. Out of our price range but was treated so well. Then guide made stops to local shops based on our requests and assisted with translation if needed. Helpful tip don’t get lire, dollars or euros better. Would highly recommend this tour and our tour guide.
As a 40-year-old from NYC, I’ve been on my share of tours, and this was one of the best experiences I’ve had. Onur was an amazing guide. He spoke excellent English, was engaging, and incredibly informative. I thought I knew a lot about history, but Onur is truly an encyclopedia of knowledge. He brought every site to life with fascinating stories and context, making the experience both educational and enjoyable. I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to gain a deeper appreciation of the history and culture.
He was knowledgeable. Let travelers know that we would be taken to stores with opportunities to shop so that we come prepared with money
This was one of our many excursions on a two week Mediterranean cruise and was by far one of our favorites. Our guide was so knowledgeable and passionate. My daughter and I were able to thread a piece of a Turkish rug. The amount of work that goes into each rug is absolutely amazing. The lunch we had ok this tour was delicious as well.
The guide and the driver were both incredible. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the site and was super professional. One of the best Archaeological visits I've had because the site is beautiful and rich in history. He asked if we were interested in the carpet workshop where we were treated to coffee and a show. He was very helpful in assuring us that there is no pressure to buy, even if you feel it. It's a fun experience, have a Turkish coffee and check out the rugs!
We had an amazing tour of Ephesus with Ismail! Pickup and drop off from the cruise was easy. The archaeological site was incredible and the private tour made it even better. We also had the opportunity to check out both a pottery and carpet shop.
Excellent tour. Ercument was an excellent guide. Great pace. Very interesting history.
We had a wonderful Ephesus tour and lunch experience through Turquesa Tours. Very professionally run. Loved the WhatsApp message to remind us of the tour, person to contact when we walk out of the cruise terminal if we don’t see our names/tour guide and also allowing us to communicate with them efficiently. Our guide, Ibrahim Battal, was absolutely amazing. He was warm, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable, bringing the history of Ephesus to life with fascinating insights and engaging stories. As a person born in Selcuk, his passion for the region and attention to detail made the tour both educational and enjoyable. Our driver, Ismail Sonmez, was equally excellent. He was friendly, patient, and professional throughout the day. We always felt safe and comfortable as he drove us between sites, and his courteous manner added to the overall positive experience. The lunch was also very enjoyable and complemented a fantastic day of sightseeing. We highly recommend this tour and would like to thank both Ibrahim and Ismail for making our visit to Ephesus so memorable. Five stars!
Ocujan and Kadesh were friendly. They were patient and answered questions. They were very flexible on locations to visit and assisted whenever we needed. Definitely appreciate there knowledge on the ancient city of Ephesus. Lunch was amazing and fresh. Definitely appreciated the process of making carpets. Highly recommended tour.
Our tour of Ephesus was truly one of the highlights of our trip. Our guide, Ercument, was exceptional. As a former teacher, he brought an incredible depth of knowledge about the culture and history of the region. His explanations made the ancient city come alive, and we found ourselves completely captivated by every story he shared. Walking through the ruins of Ephesus was nothing short of awe‑inspiring. The scale, the detail, the sense of history — we were amazed at every turn. It’s one thing to see photos, but standing among the remains of such an advanced ancient civilization is an experience we’ll never forget. After exploring the city, we visited a school of carpet making, which was surprisingly fascinating. Watching the artisans work showed us just how much detail, patience, and skill goes into each handmade carpet. The craftsmanship is unbelievable. Lunch was delicious — a comforting plate of chicken and beef meatballs that hit the spot after a morning of exploring. We also had the chance to see pottery being made, which added another layer of appreciation for Turkish artistry. And of course, we enjoyed several opportunities to shop, which made the day even more fun. Overall, this tour was outstanding from start to finish. Between the history, the hands‑on cultural experiences, and Ercument’s expertise, we couldn’t have asked for a better day.
Great service and knowledgeable tour guide. Well worth doing this instead of booking via cruise operator.
The value in this tour exceeded our expectations. The tour of Ephesus was followed by a beautiful lunch and a tour of a Turkish handmade rug co-op. Ismail was very knowledgeable, sharing his expertise of the site, answering all of our questions, and helping us navigate the crowds to ensure our tour felt private amongst the others. I’m thankful we opted for the private tour. Before heading back to the cruise port, Ismail offered to take us into the city center to allow us to do a little shopping. Everyone Ismail introduced us to was very kind and hospitable. We were able to sample many authentic Turkish foods and drinks between the lunch stop and shopping.
Very nice experience! Comfortable premium ride and friendly guidance. The ruins were lovely, very hot (I recommend a parasol). Ismael did a great job keeping us ahead of the crowds and pointing out good photo spots. The tickets being prepared ahead of time helped us skip a large portion of the crowd. The included meal is at a Turkish Rug facility where they walk you through the handcrafting process. Be warned; they will attempt to sell to you at the end, but they aren't too aggressive, and seeing the facility is enjoyable nonetheless. The meal was wonderful, great food, great atmosphere. At our request Ismael also drove us to a local shop where we got to sample a few local delicacies and pick up some souvenirs. Overall, a great way to experience a bit of the area and culture, and an excellent 4-6 hour excursion!
We enjoy this tour. Deniz is knowledgeable. He is kind and considerate. We take our time to explore Ephesus. My husband have troubled walking , I appreciate Deniz patience, we stopped so many times so my husband can seatdown. I recommend this tour.
Great tour guide! The vehicle we were picked up in (group of 7) was outstanding, and we had our own chauffeur! The tour guide was very knowledgeable and patient with all the questions. Highly recommend!
Our guide, Hakan, took such good care of us. We started with a very detailed and informative tour of Ephesus followed by lunch at the Green Farm Restaurant and a tour of a Turkish Rug Factory. The van was very comfortable and our driver took good care of us. I would highly recommend this tour company.
This was an incredible experience! We had the best tour guide Emine who was very well versed in Ephesus history. We had a delicious Turkish lunch and was able to relax and learn about culture and food. I would highly recommend!!
The day was perfect and exceeded our expectations. We discussed our interests with our guide and she checked all the boxes plus! Turkish culture is very hospitable. Take time and enjoy everything. The culture, the food the history. Emine is an amazing guide. Ela is an amazing driver. Dynamic duo! Loved that there was a drive and a guide! And don't miss out in the Turkish delights! Ancient Ephesus is unbelievable. Lunch was yummy! And I was even able to help make a Turkish rug!
Our tour guide Selçuk and driver Volkan We’re the absolute best! Virgin Mary house and ancient Ephesus were explained in great detail and he made the history come alive. Thank you for an awesome experience!
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
Reach us by phone
Reach us by email