Excursion Ancient ephesus with lunch tour at Kusadasi

Embrace the ancient beauty, sites and treasures of Ephesus during a full-day tour of this spectacular old city.

Home of the Virgin Mary

Depart the pier for the drive out of Kusadasi, and towards Bulbul Mountain to see the house that some claim to be the last home of the Virgin Mary. The Virgin Mary is said to have come here in the company of St. John towards the end of her life, around 40 A.D. The site remained undiscovered and unvisited for 1,800 years until being described in visions by a German nun who had not previously seen nor visited the house.  Each year, Christians and Muslims who honour 'Meryemana' as the mother of a great prophet make religious pilgrimages to the site. Beneath the house is a fountain where a sacred spring feeds three fonts, each bestowing a unique blessing upon visitors. From here, re-board your coach and continue on for the drive to Ephesus.

Ephesus

In ancient times, Ephesus hosted St. Paul, St. John and the Virgin Mary. Ephesus was an important Greek trading city of Ionia. Later, it became Rome's provincial capital and was home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The massive foundation of the Temple of Diana can still be seen here today after 3,000 years. In the 60s A.D., when the city supposedly had a population of nearly 150,000, St. Paul lived here for three years and wrote one of his most famous epistles, the Letter to the Ephesians.

Celsus Library

During your walking tour, see the exquisite Celsus Library. Built in 135 B.C. by a son in homage to his father, this magnificent library is lavishly decorated with facades, columns and sculptures. The library once housed 12,000 scrolls of papyrus manuscripts, making it one of the largest in the ancient world and second only to the library in Alexandria, Egypt.

Greek Theatre and Temple of Hadrian

Next, proceed to the spectacular Greek Theatre. Originally built in the 3rd century by the Greeks, the theatre was later expanded to its present capacity of 24,000. From this theatre, which has a row of seats 100 feet (30 metres) above the orchestra, St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, imploring them to give up their worship of Artemis and embrace the Christian faith. Your archaeological tour continues with a visit to the Temple of Hadrian, built in the 2nd century A.D. in the name of the Emperor.

Ephesus Archaeological Museum

After Ephesus, a visit is made to the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, which showcases two wonderful statues of Artemis and 25,000 artefacts unearthed in this historic ancient city.  

Basilica of St. John

Your last stop is at the nearby Basilica of St. John, one of the most significant religious monuments of its time. Built in the 6th century to replace the small basilica at the site of St. John's Tomb, the church signifies a major move from the ancient Roman cults to Christianity. Much of the basilica was constructed using materials from the famous Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Following your tour of Ephesus and surrounding area, proceed for a relaxing lunch served at one of the best 5 star hotels in Kusadasi.

At the end of the lunch, re-board your coach for the return drive to Kusadasi. Upon your arrival, you may opt to return directly to the ship or remain in town at your leisure.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion may include: Bulbul Mountain, Last Home of the Virgin Mary, Ephesus, Celsus Library, Greek Theatre, Temples of Hadrian and Diane, Ephesus Archaeological Museum, Basilica of St. John

Note

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking for approximately 2.20 miles (about 3.5 kilometres), and uneven ground at the archaeological site. This tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or guests in wheelchairs. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe and non-slip walking shoes, and bring hat and sun protection from the ship. Conservative attire is required at the House of Virgin Mary. The order of the visit may vary. Your lunch will be served at the end of your tour.  There may be some delays getting to the restaurant because of overcrowding and traffic conditions.