Private Full Day Ephesus Tour from Bodrum

based on 7 reviews

Duration:6 hours to 8 hours (approx.)
Location: Kusadasi, Turkish Riviera

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*Experience local food and beauties of Turkey together with must-see places.
*Focus on social life in Roman history and exciting stories of Ephesus.
*Skip the line at all entrances with pre-purchased tickets. Pay for the tickets at the end of your tour.

This is a guided private tour. You will be the only one to have your guide's attention and use your valuable time wisely during your stay in the Bodrum. After meeting with your guide at the port or hotel, you will create your unique itinerary. You can choose to visit any of the places below,

*Ephesus Ancient City
*Terrace Houses of Ephesus
*Virgin Mary's House
*St. John Basilica
*Temple of Artemis
*Sirince Old Greek Village
*A delicious lunch in a local village atmosphere.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House)
House of Virgin Mary is located on the top of the "Bulbul" mountain 9 km ahead of Ephesus, the shrine of Virgin Mary enjoys a marvelous atmosphere hidden in the green. It is the place where Mary may have spent her last days. Indeed, she may have come in the area together with Saint John, who spent several years in the area to spread Christianity. Mary preferred this remote place rather than living in crowded place. The house of Virgin Mary is a typical Roman architectural example, entirely made of stones. In the 4th century AD, a church, combining her house and grave, has been built. The original two-stored house, which consisted of an anteroom (where today candles are proposed), bedroom and praying room (Christian church area) and a room with fireplace (chapel for Muslims).
2. Ancient City of Ephesus
This enclosure for archaeological remains at Ephesus elegantly reconciles historic conservation with accessibility for visitors. The site of a succession of great ancient civilizations, Ephesus, on the south-west coast of modern Turkey, embodied a peculiarly fertile synthesis of architecture and culture. In 356BC the Greeks built the Artemesium (a colossal Ionic temple dedicated to Artemis the fertility goddess) which was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. During the 2nd century BC, Ephesus was the fourth largest city in the eastern Roman Empire, famous for its Artemis Temple, the Library of Celsus and its medical school..
3. State Agora
The agora on the southern part of the Basilica is the State Agora and was built in the Roman Period in the first century B.C. This agora was used not for commerce but for business, it played an important role as a meeting place for governmental discussions. During the excavations in the northeast corner of the Agora were found a great number of graves from the 7th-6th centuries B.C and a stone-paved road, and an archaic sarcophagus of terra cotta. From this, it is understood that in the archaic period this part of the Agora was used as the necropolis of Ephesus. There is a water reservoir at the corner of the Agora, which played an important role in Ephesus. Its water was brought to the city through the Pollio Aqueduct, the remains of the Pollio Aqueduct can be seen 5 kilometers away, along the Selçuk-Aydin highway.
4. The Odeion
This building has the shape of a small theatre with the stage building, seating places, and the orchestra. It had a double function in use. First, it was used as a Bouleuterion for the meetings of the Boules or the Senate. The second function was the Odeum as a concert hall for the performances. It was constructed in the 2nd century A.D by the order of Publius Vedius Antonius and his wife Flavia Paiana, two wealthy citizens in Ephesus. It had a capacity of 1500 spectators. It had 3 doors opening from the stage to the podium. The podium was narrow and one meter higher than the orchestra section. The stage building was two-storeyed and embellished with columns. The podium in front of the stage building and some parts of the seating were restored. The Odeon used to be enclosed with a wooden roof. Two councils administrated Ephesus. These were Demos or the parliament which was open to the public was taken place in the great theatre and the Bouleia which gathered in this small theatre.
5. Temple of Hadrian
Temple of Hadrian is one of the best-preserved and most beautiful structures on Curetes Street. It was built before 138 A.D by P. Quintilius and was dedicated to Emperor Hadrian, who came to visit the city from Athens in 128 A.D The facade of the temple has four Corinthian columns supporting a curved arch, in the middle of which contains a relief of Tyche, goddess of victory. The side columns are square. The pedestal with inscriptions in front of the temple is the bases for the statues of the emperors between 293-305 CE, Diocletian, Maximian, Constantius I, and Galerius; the originals of the statues have not been found yet.
6. Temple of Domitian
Located at the south end of Domitian Street, it is the first structure in Ephesus known to be dedicated to an emperor. It was built on a high and wide terrace set by 50x100 meters in size, on vaulted foundations. The northern side of the terrace seems to be two-stories high, reached by stairs. The stairs are still visible today. The temple, built in the pro-style plan, had eight columns on the short side and thirteen columns on the long side, and four additional columns in front of the cella. On the northern side, there was an u-shaped altar, which is now displayed in the Izmir Museum. It was in the reign of Domitian that an emperor gave permission to build an Emperor Temple; that is the permission to be the 'neocoros' for the first time, which was a great honor for a city. It was in the reign of Domitian that an emperor gave permission to build an Emperor Temple; that is the permission to be the 'neocoros' for the first time, which was a great honor for a city.
7. Hercules Gate
Hercules Gate is located towards the end of Curetes Street, it was called the Hercules gate because of the relief of Hercules on it. It was brought from another place in the fourth century AD to its current place, but the relief on it dates back to the second century AD. Only the two sides of the columns remain today and the other parts of it have not been found. The relief of the flying Nike in the Domitian Square is thought to also be a part of this gate. The Heracles Gate narrowed the access to the street, preventing the passage of vehicles. We can understand that from the Fourth Century, the street had become a pedestrian area.
8. Ephesus Terrace Houses
Ephesus terrace houses are located on the hill, opposite the Hadrian Temple. Also called "the houses of wealthy Romans", important for the reason give us information about family life during the Roman period. They were built according to the Hippodamian plan of the city in which roads transected each other at the right angles. There are six residential units on three terraces at the lower end of the slope of the Bulbul Mountain. The oldest building dates back to 1C BC and continued in use as a residence until 7C AD. Ephesus terrace houses are covered with protective roofing which resembles Roman houses. The mosaics on the floor and the frescos have been consolidated and two houses have been opened to the public as a museum.
9.
Celsus Library is one of the most beautiful structures in Ephesus. Celcius Library was built in 117 A.D. Celsus Library was a monumental tomb for Gaius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, the governor of the province of Asia; from his son Galius Julius Aquila. The grave of Celsus was beneath the ground floor, across the entrance and there was a statue of Athena over it. Because Athena was the goddess of wisdom. The scrolls of the manuscripts were kept in cupboards in niches on the walls. There were double walls behind the bookcases to prevent them from the extremes of temperature and humidity. The capacity of the library was more than 12,000 scrolls. It was the third richest library in ancient times after the Alexandra and Pergamum.
10.
Ephesus theatre is the most magnificent structure in the Ephesus ancient city. The Ephesus Great Theatre is located on the slope of Panayir Hill, opposite Harbor Street, and is easily seen when entering from the south entrance to Ephesus. It was first constructed in the Hellenistic Period, in the third century BC during the reign of Lysimachos, but then during the Roman Period, it was enlarged and formed its current style that is seen today. t is the largest in Anatolia and has a capacity of 25,000 seats. The cavea has sixty-six rows of seats, divided by two diazoma (walkway between seats) into three horizontal sections. There are three sections of seats. In the lower section, Marble pieces, used for restoration, and the Emperor's Box were found. The Ephesus theatre was used not only for concerts and plays but also for religious, political, and philosophical discussions and for gladiator and animal fights.
11. The Basilica of Saint John
It is believed that the evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and was buried on the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. Three hundred years after the death of St. John, a small chapel was constructed over the grave in the 4th century. The church of St John was changed into a marvelous basilica during the region of Emperor Justinian (527 -565 AD). The second half of the first century was full of persecution for the early Christians. Apostle James and Stephen were killed in Jerusalem. Paul was sent to Rome and executed. According to tradition John took The Mother Mary and came to Ephesus. He wrote his Gospel in Ephesus and the Revelation on Greece Island, Patmos in 96AD.
12. The Temple of Artemis
The Temple of Artemis is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. It has been built in the areas of Ephesus on a flat area which has over the centuries turned into a swamp. If you visit Ephesus today, you can only see the ruins of the foundations of this marvelous construction of the Hellenistic Age, entirely made of marble and full of sculptured columns' capitals and shafts. The most beautiful remaining of this temple are today exhibited in the London British Museum.

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Posted By : Kate W
We had a wonderful guide, Tas, who was intelligent, well informed and informative as well as being, importantly for us, a caring person.
My husband had open heart surgery two years ago and Tas tailored the tour to meet our needs and interests - making sure my husband had regular breaks and somewhere in the shade to sit whilst he told us about the different areas of the sites we visited.
Guiding us on not only the history and the excavations that had taken place, but also on the safest routes over the often slippery and uneven polished marble paving.
Lunch was very good, at a cooperative where young women are taught to make beautiful carpets using traditional methods, the tour of the workshop afterwards was very interesting and we not only learned about the weaving techniques but also got to see and handle the silk cocoons used to spin the silk raw material used to produce the most expensive of the carpets.
We were treated with kindness and courtesy throughout the day and we felt as though we had made a friend. Because of this we would not hesitate to recommend Tas as a guide and the driver and air conditioned vehicle provided were first class. The driver was smart and the vehicle both new and comfortable.
A wonderful day out making very special memories of this breathtaking historic site.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-23 07:59:44

Posted By : SFCA1Native
Fantastic tour of House of Mary and Ephesus with our tour guide Tas. He’s very knowledgeable about the history of the area and took time to explain what we weee seeing and answer our questions. I recommend Tas for this unique experience in Bodrum.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-03 09:28:09

Posted By : hayleybayles
Ephesus tour guide was amazing. Personal tour with taxi
Detailed tour and fantastic information calling at House of Vigin Mary , Ephesus, St Jean Basilla. Also Turkish rug experience where my daughter got to try making a rug.
Tour guide Nur was she so friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely recommend .
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-02-14 06:24:03

Posted By : juliemL7091HL
This tour was the highlight of our trip to the Mediterranean because of Necla, our guide! Her knowledge of the site and answering all of our questions made the day very special. Lunch of Mezze with her was like being with a family friend. Thank you!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-10-31 13:09:15

Posted By : vanessahI1699CE
Surreal experience. Our guide, Hugo was very attentive and knowledgeable. It was nice to be a in a private group.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-10-05 06:44:31

Posted By : Y9375UFleslies
I was lucky to have a private tour with Ali. It was just the two of us. He was friendly and very knowledgeable. It was a great tour. Lunch which was included was delicious. It was a lovely day.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-06-10 02:10:20

Posted By : Sherene_W
Our tour guide did an excellent job and was so knowledgeable and friendly. We learned a lot on this trip and had a memorable experience. Even before we arrived we knew who our guide would be and all the important details of our trip.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-03-23 14:23:30

Retrieving available

Tickets

Private Full Day Ephesus Tour from Bodrum

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House)

2. Ancient City of Ephesus

3. State Agora

4. The Odeion

5. Temple of Hadrian

6. Temple of Domitian

7. Hercules Gate

8. Ephesus Terrace Houses

9.

10.

11. The Basilica of Saint John

12. The Temple of Artemis

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Partner Resources

How it works

Travel

Insurance

Adventure

Contact

Retrieving available

Tickets

Private Full Day Ephesus Tour from Bodrum

WHAT'S INCLUDED ⟱

WHAT TO EXPECT ⟱

1. Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House)

2. Ancient City of Ephesus

3. State Agora

4. The Odeion

5. Temple of Hadrian

6. Temple of Domitian

7. Hercules Gate

8. Ephesus Terrace Houses

9.

10.

11. The Basilica of Saint John

12. The Temple of Artemis

ADDITIONAL INFO ⟱

CANCELLATION POLICY ⟱

Partner Resources

How it works

Travel

Insurance

Adventure

Contact

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY