# Private Ephesus Tour from Izmir

Canonical: https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/private-ephesus-tour-from-izmir/
Site: Tubos Travel – https://tubostravelturkey.com/
Language: en
Also described in: de, fr, es, it, pt, nl, ru, zh-CN, tr, ar, hi
Categories: İZMİR, Turkey Tours
Last updated: 2026-11-04
Summary: A private day tour from Izmir to Ephesus with the Celsus Library, the Great Theatre and the House of the Virgin Mary, plus lunch and hotel pick-up.

## Overview

This private Ephesus tour from Izmir takes one day, with pick-up at your Izmir hotel and drop-off at the same hotel. A licensed guide, a minivan with driver, lunch and entrance fees are included. You walk the ancient city from the Upper Gate to the Celsus Library, then visit the Ephesus Museum, the Temple of Artemis and the House of the Virgin Mary.

## Tour highlights

**[Ephesus](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/ephesus/):** Roman streets, the Terrace Houses and the Great Theatre make up the ancient city, which UNESCO inscribed in 2015.

**[The Celsus Library](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/the-celsus-library/):** Its two-story marble facade shows statues of wisdom, valor, intelligence and knowledge, and the building once held 12,000 scrolls.

**[The Great Theatre of Ephesus](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/the-great-theatre-of-ephesus/):** Carved into Panayir Hill, it held up to 25,000 spectators for plays, assemblies and gladiator bouts.

**[The Temple of Artemis](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/the-temple-of-artemis/):** One reconstructed column and the marshy foundations are on view at the edge of Selçuk, and the excavated statues are in the museum.

**[The House of the Virgin Mary](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/the-house-of-the-virgin-mary/):** A stone shrine on Mount Koressos above Ephesus, revered by both Christians and Muslims.

**[Izmir Clock Tower](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/izmir-clock-tower/):** The 1901 tower in Konak Square is free to view at any hour and sits beside the Konak ferry terminal.

## Itinerary

### Itinerary

Your minivan collects you from your hotel in Izmir and drives south to Selçuk, where the ancient city of [Ephesus](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/ephesus/) lies. The guide starts at the Upper Gate and walks downhill through the Roman streets. The [Celsus Library](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/the-celsus-library/) was completed around 135 AD by the Roman consul Tiberius Julius Aquila as a monument to his father, and its marble facade still shows four statues representing wisdom, valor, intelligence and knowledge. Next is the [Great Theatre](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/the-great-theatre-of-ephesus/), carved into Panayir Hill, where the guide explains the plays and assemblies that once filled its seats.

Lunch follows at a local restaurant in Selçuk with a soft drink. In the afternoon the group visits the [Ephesus Museum](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/ephesus-museum/) in the center of Selçuk, which holds the marble statues and frescoes excavated from the site, including two famous statues of the Ephesian Artemis. The [Temple of Artemis](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/the-temple-of-artemis/) stands on the edge of Selçuk, where one reconstructed column rises above the marshy foundations. The visit then continues to the [House of the Virgin Mary](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/the-house-of-the-virgin-mary/) on the pine-covered slopes of Mount Koressos. On the way back to Izmir, the minivan stops at the [Izmir Clock Tower](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/izmir-clock-tower/) in Konak Square, and the day ends with drop-off at your hotel.

## Included

Lunch at a local restaurant with a soft drink.

Comfortable minivan and experienced driver.

Professional tourist guide licensed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Entrance fees to the museums and sites.

Local taxes, parking and fuel.

Highway tolls.

## Not included

Optional tours.

Tips.

Flights or other travel to Izmir.

## Details

Tours start between 9:30 and 10:00 am and finish between 4:00 and 5:00 pm.

Hotel pick-up and drop-off in new comfortable vehicles sized for the group.

The tour is private, so the guide can change the order of stops with your group.

Price is on request for your dates and group size.

Bring sun protection, water and shoes with grip for the stone paths at Ephesus.

Cancellation terms are in our [cancellation and refund policy](https://tubostravelturkey.com/cancellation-and-refund-policy/).

## Who this tour suits

This route suits travelers who already have a base in Izmir and want Ephesus in one guided day, and those who would rather set their own pace inside the site than follow a large group. Because the tour is private, the guide can linger at the Celsus Library or move on early if your group is ready. It is less suited to travelers who plan to spend the day at the beach, since the day is built around the ancient city and the religious sites near Selçuk.

## Best time and reaching Izmir

Spring and early autumn suit the open-air ruins best, because most of the Ephesus site is exposed to the sun and midsummer heat is strong. Winter days are cooler and quieter, though some paths can be wet. Izmir Airport is the arrival point for most visitors on this route, and flights are not included in the price. If you arrive by air, send the flight time with your request so the hotel pick-up can be planned around your arrival. An early start helps at the site before the heat builds up.

## Comparison

Multi-day private tours that include Ephesus

| Tour | Duration | Group | Highlights | Best for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Private Ephesus Tour from Izmir | 1 day | Private | Ephesus, Celsus Library, Great Theatre, Temple of Artemis, House of the Virgin Mary | Travelers with one day in Izmir |
| [9 Days Private Turkey Tour: Cappadocia, Konya, Ephesus and Istanbul](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/9-days-private-turkey-tour/) | 9 days | Private | Pamukkale, Kuşadası and Ephesus | Travelers building a longer route around the Aegean |
| [10 Days Private Turkey Tour](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/10-days-private-turkey-tour/) | 10 days | Private | Antalya, Pamukkale, Kuşadası and Ephesus | Those who want Antalya and the Aegean coast together |
| [12 Days Private Turkey Tour: Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pergamon and Troy](https://tubostravelturkey.com/travel/12-days-private-turkey-tour/) | 12 days | Private | Pamukkale, Kuşadası and Ephesus inside a wider Turkey route | Visitors who want Ephesus as part of a full trip |

## Frequently asked questions

**How do I get a price for this Ephesus day tour?**

We quote on request, based on your date and group size. Message +90 544 674 42 28 on WhatsApp with your Izmir hotel and the day you have in mind, and we will send your quote in reply.

**Are entrance fees to Ephesus included?**

Yes. Entrance fees to the museums and sites are part of the price, which covers the Ephesus site and the Ephesus Museum in Selçuk. Tips, optional tours and flights to Izmir are not included.

**Can we change the order of the stops?**

Yes. The tour is private, so the guide can change the order of the stops, spend more time at the Great Theatre, or leave out the House of the Virgin Mary if your group prefers. Let the guide know your priorities when the day starts.

**Are the Terrace Houses included?**

The Terrace Houses have their own ticket, separate from the main Ephesus entry. Tell us if you want to see them, and we confirm it in your quote, along with the extra time they add to the day.

**Do we need to pay extra for lunch or the guide?**

Lunch with a soft drink and the licensed guide are included. Tips and optional tours are not, so budget for those separately on the day.

**Can you pick us up in Kuşadası or Selçuk?**

Yes, on request. Because the tour is private, the pick-up can move to Selçuk or Kuşadası, including for cruise guests, and the quote reflects the change. Send your hotel or port call time when you ask for a price.

## Summaries in other languages

- de: Eine private Tagestour ab Izmir mit Abholung und Rückbringung am Hotel. Sie führt durch die antike Stadt Ephesos vom Oberen Tor bis zur Celsus Bibliothek und besucht danach das Museum von Ephesos, den Artemistempel und das Haus der Jungfrau Maria.
- fr: Un circuit privé d'une journée au départ d'Izmir, avec prise en charge et dépose à votre hôtel. Il parcourt l'ancienne cité d'Éphèse, de la porte supérieure à la bibliothèque de Celsus, puis visite le musée d'Éphèse, le temple d'Artémis et la maison de la Vierge Marie.
- es: Un tour privado de un día desde Esmirna, con recogida y regreso a su hotel. Recorre la antigua ciudad de Éfeso desde la Puerta Superior hasta la Biblioteca de Celso, y luego visita el Museo de Éfeso, el templo de Artemisa y la Casa de la Virgen María.
- it: Un tour privato di un giorno da Smirne, con prelievo e rientro al vostro hotel. Percorre l'antica città di Efeso dalla Porta Superiore alla Biblioteca di Celso, poi visita il Museo di Efeso, il tempio di Artemide e la Casa della Vergine Maria.
- pt: Um passeio privado de um dia saindo de Esmirna, com busca e retorno ao seu hotel. Percorre a antiga cidade de Éfeso, do Portão Superior até a Biblioteca de Celso, e depois visita o Museu de Éfeso, o Templo de Artemis e a Casa da Virgem Maria.
- nl: Een privétour van één dag vanuit Izmir, met ophalen en terugbrengen bij uw hotel. De route loopt door de oude stad Efeze, van de Bovenpoort naar de bibliotheek van Celsus, en bezoekt daarna het museum van Efeze, de tempel van Artemis en het huis van de Maagd Maria.
- ru: Частная экскурсия на один день из Измира с трансфером от отеля и обратно. Маршрут проходит по древнему Эфесу от Верхних ворот к библиотеке Цельса, затем музей Эфеса, храм Артемиды и Дом Девы Марии.
- zh-CN: 为期一天的私人游览，从伊兹密尔出发，包括酒店接送。行程从上门走到以弗所古城的塞尔苏斯图书馆，随后参观以弗所博物馆、阿尔忒弥斯神庙和圣母玛利亚之家。
- tr: İzmir'den başlayan, otelden alınıp bırakılmasını içeren, bir gün süren özel tur. Antik Efes kentinde Üst Kapı'dan Celsus Kütüphanesi'ne yürünür; ardından Efes Müzesi, Artemis Tapınağı ve Meryem Ana Evi gezilir.
- ar: جولة خاصة مدتها يوم واحد من إزمير، مع استقبال من فندقك وإعادتك إليه. تسير الجولة في مدينة أفسس القديمة من البوابة العليا إلى مكتبة سيلسوس، ثم تزور متحف أفسس ومعبد أرطاميس وبيت السيدة مريم.
- hi: इज़मिर से शुरू होने वाला एक दिन का निजी टूर, जिसमें होटल से लेना और वापस छोड़ना शामिल है। यह प्राचीन नगर एफ़ेसस में ऊपरी द्वार से सेल्सस पुस्तकालय तक पैदल चलता है, फिर एफ़ेसस संग्रहालय, आर्टेमिस मंदिर और वर्जिन मैरी के घर को देखता है।

## Images

- https://tubostravelturkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ephesus-ancient-cityselcuk-Izmir.webp — Ephesus – Stone arch, columns and paved courtyard at Scholastikia Baths in Ephesus. Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
- https://tubostravelturkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/da97d62b-7974-49ac-8ef7-daced72c0ee7_ephesus-guided-tour-from-izmir-with-entrance-fees-and-lunch-medium.jpg — Ephesus – Carved relief pillars of the Gate of Heracles on Curetes Street, Ephesus. Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
- https://tubostravelturkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EUKUEPHSTEART-2.jpg — EUKUEPHSTEART-2
- https://tubostravelturkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/temple-of-artemis-1200x900-1.webp — temple-of-artemis-1200×900
- https://tubostravelturkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/24022021090654590.jpg — Izmir Clock Tower – Wide view of Izmir Clock Tower in Konak Square with historic buildings behind. Photo: Koray, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
- https://tubostravelturkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Ephesus_Celsus_Library_Facade-scaled.jpg — Ephesus_Celsus_Library_Façade
- https://tubostravelturkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/189157-scaled.jpg — 189157
- https://tubostravelturkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/theatre_07.jpg — theatre_07

## Sources

- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephesus
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Celsus
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Artemis
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_the_Virgin_Mary
- https://muze.gov.tr

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