Small-Group: Ephesus and The House of Virgin Mary Day Trip from Istanbul
Overview
Inclusions
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Round-trip flights from Istanbul to Izmir
- Lunch
- Local guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Entry/Admission - Efes Antik Kenti Tiyatrosu
- Entry/Admission - Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House)
- Entry/Admission - The Basilica of Saint John
What to expect
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House), Sultaniye Mahallesi, Selcuk 35100 Turkiye
Leave Ephesus and after lunch at a local restaurant, visit the nearby House of Virgin Mary, said to be the last home of the Virgin Mary. See inside the tiny house, whose foundations may date from Mary’s time in the 1st century AD, as your guide explains why it’s believed to sit where her last residence stood.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Efes Antik Kenti Tiyatrosu, Selcuk Turkiye
Continue to Ephesus, the eastern Mediterranean’s best-preserved classical city. An important hub of early Christianity and thriving Greco-Roman port, this spectacular place boasts streets, shops and temples that make it easy to imagine those who lived here 2, 000 years ago.
Hear the history of the city as you explore with your guide. View the remains of the nearby, immense Temple of Artemis, once an Ancient Wonder of the World, and wander the streets that formed Ephesus’s heart. Marvel at the 25, 000-seater Great Theatre, ogle the façade of the Library of Celsus, and see well-preserved shops and temples. On route, see captivating details such as the chariot wheel grooves and brothel signposts carved in the sidewalks.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: The Basilica of Saint John, Isa Bey Mahallesi, 2013. Sk. No:1, Selcuk 35920 Turkiye
During your 1-hour journey, stop at St John’s Basilica, an ornate church at the top of Ayasuluk Hill. See its tomb of St John, who is believed to have written his gospel on the hill.
Duration: 1 hour
Additional information
- Confirmation for this tour will be received at time of booking
- In the event of any museum closures, an alternative similar museum will be visited
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for children aged 4 and under
- Children 18 years and under must be accompanied by an adult
- Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 30 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
Ticket delivery
Cancellation
If you cancel within 7 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
I was picked up at my Istanbul Hotel on time and efficiently transported to the airport for the flight to Ismir, where I was met by the tour guide. The guide was knowledgeable and informative. The entire tour was well-organized and efficient. there were just 2 of us with the guide--which is...
I was picked up at my Istanbul Hotel on time and efficiently transported to the airport for the flight to Ismir, where I was met by the tour guide. The guide was knowledgeable and informative. The entire tour was well-organized and efficient. there were just 2 of us with the guide--which is not typical, according to my understanding.
This was an excellent tour in every way! We were staying privately in Istanbul and so an arrangement was made for the minibus to pick us up at a nearby hotel. This would have been easier to arrange if an email address had been provided rather than a local phone number, however, we managed emai...
This was an excellent tour in every way! We were staying privately in Istanbul and so an arrangement was made for the minibus to pick us up at a nearby hotel. This would have been easier to arrange if an email address had been provided rather than a local phone number, however, we managed email contact in the end and all went well. All the staff involved with transfers were good at their jobs, prompt, efficient and welcoming. Would be a good idea to tell/remind people to bring passports official photo ID to the airport fortunately we did have ours. Similarly for those who collect frequent flyer points advance knowledge of the airline might help ours was Turkish Air - Star Alliance. The tour itself was absolutely brilliant and our tour guide was much the same. We were very fortunate to have Mr Serhat Top as our guide he was knowledgeable, insightful and enormously helpful. This was no 'follow the orange umbrella' tour! Everything was included in the tour as per the printed information, so this may be more along the lines of a means of alternate gratuity than travel advice: we found that our 5 day Museum Passes bought in Istanbul also would have worked at a number of the sites we visited. Lunch was relaxed outdoors dining.The meal was traditional, simple and very satisfying. The restaurant staff were more than helpful and obliging, especially given my garlic allergy - advised in advance. The cooperative carpet making presentation and demonstration was very informative. We had make it clear to our tour guide beforehand that we were not in the market to buy carpets or leather goods for that matter. The journey home went smoothly and we were met and transferred by the same people who had sent us off that morning. Yes, it is a long day but worth every minute of it. We'd certainly do it again if we found ourselves back in Istanbul. Thank you Viator!
An excellent tour. My tour guide Gotca? Was amazing as were all the staff. Deeply moving to be at the House of the Blessed Virgin and St John. Highly recommend this tour!!!
An excellent tour. My tour guide Gotca? Was amazing as were all the staff. Deeply moving to be at the House of the Blessed Virgin and St John. Highly recommend this tour!!!
An amazing tour. Deeply moving to be at the House of the Blessed Virgin and the Tomb of St John. My guide ? Gotca was marvellous, as were all the staff. I highly recommend this tour.
An amazing tour. Deeply moving to be at the House of the Blessed Virgin and the Tomb of St John. My guide ? Gotca was marvellous, as were all the staff. I highly recommend this tour.
I spent a few days in Istanbul and due to logistical reasons could not stay in Izmir for a day or two. This one day alternative allowed me the opportunity to also visit the ancient city of Ephesus. It is a long day because I had to leave my room at 4:15 for the 6:30 flight and was only back at 22...
I spent a few days in Istanbul and due to logistical reasons could not stay in Izmir for a day or two. This one day alternative allowed me the opportunity to also visit the ancient city of Ephesus. It is a long day because I had to leave my room at 4:15 for the 6:30 flight and was only back at 22:30. Efesus did not disappoint. I am so glad I could do this. The Neon company can improve on their communication skills. I had a few anxious moments when I did not know where to wait for my driver and was milling around for abt 15 mins.Good place to visit. We can see so many historical of this place. In ephesus we can see the library of celcus the most famous place in ephesus where the first advertisement is come from here. We can see the grand theater before we exit. And there is also house of virgin Mary. Is very suitable f...
Good place to visit. We can see so many historical of this place. In ephesus we can see the library of celcus the most famous place in ephesus where the first advertisement is come from here. We can see the grand theater before we exit. And there is also house of virgin Mary. Is very suitable for Catholic person. You can see the pool for baptism. You can see and get in to the house of Virgin Mary. You can pray inside. And take a candle in here. And after that you can write down your wishes in tissue or paper on the wall. Before that, you can take water from waterfall. They believe the water is very good for anything. Because located house of Virgin Mary.