Ephesus & Sirince Full-Day Shore Excursion from Kusadasi
Overview
Ephesus & Sirince Full-Day Shore Excursion from Kusadasi
Make the most of your cruise stop in Kusadasi with a private tour that combines the ancient world with authentic village life in Ephesus and Sirince.
A private guide, a comfortable vehicle and a guaranteed on-time return to the port mean you can explore without worrying about the clock.
Ancient City of Ephesus
You start with the vast and well-preserved ancient city of Ephesus, walking past the Library of Celsus, the Great Theater, the Temple of Hadrian and more.
Sirince Village and Wine
Then you continue to Sirince, a peaceful village often called a living museum of Aegean architecture. Its charm lies in its narrow cobbled lanes, stone houses, vineyards and relaxed pace, and you can taste local fruit wines and get a feel for traditional Aegean life.
If you want your port day to combine archaeology, culture and natural beauty, this private shore excursion is an excellent choice.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Ephesus & Sirince Village Tour from Kusadasi Port
When your ship docks at Kusadasi Port, your private local guide meets you at the port and walks you to the vehicle for your full-day excursion.
The tour begins at Ephesus, one of the best-preserved classical cities of the Mediterranean and one of Turkey's most important archaeological sites.
You walk along the marble paving of Curetes Street and see the Odeon, the State Agora, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan, the remarkable Library of Celsus and the impressive Great Theater. Throughout the visit your guide explains what daily life was like in Roman Ephesus.
You can also visit the Terrace Houses, whose well-preserved mosaics and frescoes show how the wealthy families of Ephesus lived.
From Ephesus you drive to Sirince, a pretty hilltop village known for its stone houses, vineyards and calm atmosphere. After wandering its narrow lanes, stop at a local wine shop to taste the regional fruit wines and admire the traditional village architecture.
After lunch you visit Isa Bey Mosque, a 14th-century monument and one of the finest examples of early Anatolian Islamic architecture.
At the end of the tour you are driven back to Kusadasi Port in good time for your ship's departure.
This is the end of our service. Thank you for travelling with us; we look forward to welcoming you on another journey.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Private Tour
- ✓Licensed Tour Guide
- ✓Transportation by Private Van
- ✕Museum Tickets & Attraction Fees
- ✕Meals & Drinks
- ✕Gratuity (Suggested)
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel free of charge up to 7 days before the tour for a full refund. Cancellations within 7 days of the tour are not refundable. All times are local time.
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Travel guides
- Ephesus Tour from Istanbul: Day Trip or 2 Days, 2027 Prices
- Kusadasi Shore Excursions: Private Ephesus Tours with On-Time Return
- Kusadasi Cruise Port to Ephesus: Distance, Taxi, Dolmuş or Private Tour
- Things to Do in Kuşadası: Ephesus, Şirince, Beaches and the Old Town
- Kusadasi Holidays 2027 with Istanbul: Splitting a Week Between City and Coast
- Ephesus Excursion from Marmaris, Bodrum and Kusadasi 2027: Price, Time, Tickets
- Ephesus Entrance Fees 2027: Ancient City, Terrace Houses and House of Virgin Mary
- Private Ephesus Tour from Kuşadası and Selçuk Hotels: Guide and Car
- Kusadasi Hotels for Ephesus: Kusadasi, Selcuk or Sirince?
- Private Ephesus Tour from Izmir: Hotels, Airport and Cruise Port
Ephesus and Sirince shore excursion from Kusadasi: what you need to know
This private full-day tour combines the ancient world with village life, from $300. Your private local guide meets you at Kusadasi (or Izmir) Port, guides you through the ruins of Ephesus, then takes you up to Sirince, a hillside village of stone houses, cobbled lanes and vineyards where you can taste local fruit wines. A private vehicle and a guaranteed on-time return to the port are included.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 9 to 10 hours |
| Price | from $300 |
| Type | Private shore excursion |
| Start and end | Kusadasi or Izmir Port |
| Included | Licensed private guide, private van, on-time return to your ship |
| Not included | Museum tickets and attraction fees, meals and drinks, tips |
What is Sirince village known for?
Sirince is a peaceful village in the hills above Selcuk, often called a living museum of Aegean architecture. Its charm lies in its narrow cobbled lanes, whitewashed stone houses with wooden balconies, vineyards and relaxed pace. It is best known for its fruit wines, made from local fruits such as cherries, peaches and melons as well as grapes, and for its small shops selling olive oil, soaps, lace and handmade crafts.
What do you see in Ephesus?
| Site | What it is |
|---|---|
| Curetes Street | The marble-paved main street of the city |
| Odeon | A small theatre used for council meetings and concerts |
| State Agora | The civic and political centre |
| Temple of Hadrian | A Roman temple with fine carved reliefs |
| Fountain of Trajan | A monumental fountain dedicated to the emperor |
| Library of Celsus | The famous two-storey facade |
| Terrace Houses | Roman homes with mosaics and frescoes |
| Great Theater | One of the largest theatres of the ancient world |
Throughout the visit your guide explains what daily life was like in this Roman port city, from the baths and latrines to the shops of the marble street.
Ephesus only, or Ephesus and Sirince?
| Kusadasi shore excursion | What is different | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| This tour | Ephesus and Sirince village, full day | $300 |
| Ephesus private shore excursion | Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and churches | $300 |
| Private wine tasting tour from Kusadasi | More time at local wineries | $300 |
| Private Ephesus full-day tour | For travellers staying on land | $300 |
Choose this tour if your ship has a long stay in port and you want to combine archaeology with a relaxed village afternoon. If time is short or the House of the Virgin Mary is a priority, choose the Ephesus shore excursion.
Is the return to the ship guaranteed?
Yes. The tour is private and planned around your ship's schedule, with a guaranteed on-time return to the port, so you can enjoy the day without watching the clock. Tell us your arrival and all-aboard times when you book.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring and autumn are ideal, with comfortable temperatures for Ephesus and pleasant afternoons in Sirince. In late summer and autumn the vineyards around Sirince are at their most beautiful. July and August are hot at Ephesus, so it pays to see the ruins first, before the midday heat, and keep the shaded village lanes for later.
What should you bring?
Comfortable shoes for marble streets and cobbled lanes, a hat, sunscreen, water, and cash or a card for entrance tickets, wine tasting and shopping in Sirince. If you buy wine or olive oil, remember your cruise line's rules about bringing drinks on board.
How do you book?
Choose your port date on this page and send the form, or message us on WhatsApp with your ship's name, arrival time and all-aboard time. We confirm the plan in writing and you pay only after confirmation. For more ideas see our Ephesus tours and our Turkey tour packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Sirince from Ephesus and Kusadasi port?
Ephesus is about 19 km from the Kusadasi cruise port, a 20 to 30 minute drive. Sirince sits on a hill about 8 km above Selcuk, so from the Ephesus gates it is only a 15 to 20 minute drive up a winding road. From Sirince back to the pier takes around 40 minutes, which is why the two places fit comfortably into one port day with a private van.
Is Sirince worth visiting after Ephesus?
Yes, if you want more than ruins. After two or three hours on the marble streets of Ephesus, Sirince is a complete change: stone and whitewashed Ottoman-era houses, the old Church of St John the Baptist, olive groves and small wine houses. Most visitors spend one to two hours there for lunch, a fruit wine tasting and the village lanes. If you only care about archaeology, add the Terrace Houses instead.
How long does the Ephesus and Sirince tour take, and will I be back at my ship on time?
As a full day it takes 9 to 10 hours. On a shorter port call your guide trims the time in Sirince, never the core of Ephesus, and plans the day backwards from your all-aboard time. Because the tour is private, nobody else holds up the van, and we return you to the pier in time for your ship. Send your ship name and port times when you book.
Are Ephesus entrance fees and lunch included?
No. The price covers your private licensed guide and the private van with driver; tickets and meals are paid on the day. Ephesus costs €40 per foreign adult until 31 March 2027 and €45 from 1 April 2027, and the Terrace Houses are a separate ticket of about €15. Sirince has no entrance fee. Lunch in the village usually costs about $15 to $25 per person.
What is Sirince known for?
Sirince is best known for its fruit wines, made from blackberry, mulberry, peach, pomegranate, apple and other fruit, which you can taste in the village wine houses. It is also known for its preserved 19th-century Greek-style houses, olive oil and soap shops, handmade lace and views over the valley towards Ephesus. The lanes are steep and cobbled, so wear comfortable shoes.
Can I take this tour from Izmir port instead of Kusadasi?
Yes. The tour starts and ends at either Kusadasi or Izmir cruise port. From Izmir the drive to Ephesus is about 80 km, roughly 1 hour 10 minutes each way, so on a short Izmir call we may suggest less time in Sirince. Tell us your port and ship times and we build the day around them, with the same private guide and van.
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