Izmir Shore Excursion: day trip to Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary

Virtual tour of Troy from home

Enjoy a hassle-free virtual visit to Troy from your home.

Izmir Shore Excursion: day trip to Ephesus and House of Virgin Mary

Discover Ephesus and all it has to offer on a day excursion from Izmir. Book today to explore the Temple of Artemis, a wonder of the ancient world.

Ancient Ephesus Tour with Pottery-making Demonstration

Ephesus is one of those places that brings history to life. Relive the glory days of the Roman Empire as you explore the monuments of this ancient city on a guided tour. The archaeological site is so well preserved that it's easy to imagine the toga-clad crowds that gathered and chattered in its streets 2,000 years ago.

Izmir City Tour & Aquarium

Thanks to its sweeping harbour, seafront eateries and palm-lined pier, Izmir Town is known as ‘the beautiful waterfront'. Explore Turkey's third-largest city with a tour that has it all. You'll tour all the top sights, take a ferry ride across the bay, explore Izmir's aquarium, and even get to indulge in that favourite Turkish pastime, shopping.

Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour

A natural masterpiece combines with ancient ruins for this full day tour. You'll head to Pamukkale – which means 'cotton castle' in Turkish – as well as the adjacent city of Hierapolis. Both are UNESCO-listed, so it's a two-for-one deal on Turkey's historical gems. Muzaffer, one of our local guides, says, ‘Pamukkale is like something out of a fairytale – a spectacle of terraces formed over thousands of years that look like a cascading snowy waterfall. Legend has it, the hot thermal springs here have healing properties'.On arrival, you'll stop by the Pam Hotel for a spot of lunch, before we make our way to the main event. A sight to behold, Pamukkale's natural springs solidified into chalk-white stalactites and cliffs long ago, resulting in a winter-like wonderland of petrified tiers and pools. People have bathed here for thousands of years, including Roman emperors. Follow in their footsteps and bathe in one of the thermal pools or simply make your way to the top and drink in the magnificent views.Next up is the ancient spa town of Hierapolis. You'll have free time to explore its well-preserved ruins, including ancient streets, a 13,000-seat theatre and the thermal baths – known as Cleopatra's pool due to her reputation of eternal youth. A dip is extra but well worth forking out for the experience of bathing in an oasis scattered with Roman artefacts. What's more, for every sale of this experience, there's a donation to CYDD, a charity that helps in the education of underprivileged children in Turkey.

Virtual tour of Ephesus from home

Enjoy a hassle-free virtual and visit Ephesus from your the safety of your home

Day Trip to Greek Island of Samos

A quick hop over the sea from Kusadasi, and you'll find yourself on the Greek Island of Samos. Spend a day at your own pace in either Vathy or Pythagoreio, with your return ferry, taxes and round trip transfers in Kusadasi covered.Depending on the day, you'll dock in either Vathy or Pythagoreio. From there, you'll have the rest of the day to spend exactly as you please. In Vathy, you can visit the famous Archaeological Museum, browse for souvenirs at the main square, amble along its cobblestone streets and relax into the island pace of life. Set around a horseshoe bay, you'll be able to stroll along the bustling quayside filled with tavernas and cafés, where you can watch the world go by.Or if you dock in Pythagoreio, you can relax on the nearby pebble beach, wander around the quaint harbour or head up to the rooftop pool at Samos Hotel – the choice is yours. After a busy day exploring, you'll head back to Kusadasi by ferry in the early evening.

Kusadasi Shopping Trip

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All Inclusive Ephesus Tour with Virgin Mary from Izmir

Discover the historic city of Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Savour traditional Turkish cuisine and shop for local goods. Book your tour now!

Selçuk & Şirince Tour

There's lots of sightseeing and little travelling in this history-steeped tour to Selçuk and Şirince. You'll visit a Byzantine basilica and castle, discover one of Turkey's prettiest villages, enjoy a wine tasting and even try your hand at pottery painting.Head inland to Selçuk and immerse yourself in its layers of history. There's a guided visit to the ruins of the sixth century Basilica of St John and the partially restored Ayasuluk Fortress, which stands on a hill overlooking the town and the remains of the Temple of Artemis, a Wonder of the Ancient World. Hop back on the coach and make the short journey to Şirince, a former Greek village barely touched by the sands of time.After an authentic Turkish breakfast, there's a guided walk through windy cobblestone streets fringed by whitewashed homes and cypress trees. Enjoy a local wine tasting and then visit a ceramic workshop, where you can observe artisans at work and paint your own souvenir pottery.