Ephesus was the most important Greek city in Ionian Asia Minor. The ruin of the ancient city is located near the modern town of Selƈuk in western Turkey.

Ephesus had been inhabited nearly for 9000 years throughout the Hellenistic Era, Roman Period, Byzantine Era, the Period of Principalities, and the Ottoman Era. It was a very influential harbor city and center of culture and trade.

The ancient city of Ephesus, in Turkey’s charming Aegean region, attracts 2.5 million tourists every year. Ephesus was added to UNESCO’s reputable World Heritage List in 2015.

ITINERARY OF THE TOUR

Around 06:00 am, we are going to pick you up from your hotel in Bodrum. There will be approximately a 2.5-hour transfer distance to Ephesus. On the way, you will have a chance to see small Turkish villages and Cotton and tobacco fields. Your guide will give you information about Turkey’s geography and Turkish culture on the way.

What are you going to see in Ephesus?

Ephesus Ruins: Ephesus Ancient City is one of the best well-kept Greco- Roman ancient cities in the world. Some of the important sites you will see inside the Ruins of Ephesus ;

The Odeon (Bouleuterion, small theatre), Prytaneion, Memnius Monument, Fountain of Pollio, Statute of Nike, Temple of Domitian, Hercules Gate, Curetes Street, Fountain of Trajan, Temple of Hadrian, Terrace Houses, The Baths of Scholastica, Celsus Library, The Gate of Mazeus and Mithridates, Commercial Agora and Grand Theatre…

House of the Virgin Mary: House of Virgin Mary is settled on the top of Mount Coressus 7 km from Ephesus Ruins, the shrine of the Virgin Mary enjoys a mystic atmosphere hidden in the forests. It is the place where Mary may have spent her last days. Likely, she may have come to the area together with Saint John, who spent several years in the area to spread Christianity.

Paul VI was the first pope to visit this place in the 1960s. In the 1980s, Pope John-Paul II, during his visit, declared the Shrine of Virgin Mary as a pilgrimage place for all Christians.

 

House of the Virgin Mary: House of Mary located on Mt. Koressos. Catholic pilgrims visit the house based on the belief that the Virgin Mother was brought to this place by Saint John the Apostle and lived here for 10 years until her ascension. We will explore this spiritual place approx. 1hour, after that you will have some free time to pray for Mother Mary if you are interested.

Temple of Artemis: The temple of Artemis is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. If you visit Ephesus nowadays, you can only see the ruins of the bases of this fabulous temple of the Hellenistic Age, perfectly made of marble and full of sculptured columns, capitals, and pediments.

 

At the end of the tour around 16:30, we will transfer you back to Bodrum. You will be in your hotel approximately at 19:00.

Price includes:

• Transfer fee
• Guide Services
• Lunch and admissions

 

Recommended items that customers should have:

• Hat, comfortable foot
• Camera
• Money for extra payments
• Suitable clothes