Ephesus & Virgin Mary Full-Day Shore Excursion from Bodrum
Overview
Ephesus & Virgin Mary Full-Day Shore Excursion from Bodrum
Make the most of your day ashore with a private Ephesus excursion from Bodrum Port, combining ancient history, biblical heritage and easy pickup and drop-off in one full day.
Designed for cruise guests, it is a smooth trip to one of Turkey's most important archaeological sites.
Ephesus and the Virgin Mary
You walk the marble streets of Ephesus past the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the Great Theater, then visit the House of the Virgin Mary, an important place of pilgrimage.
Back to Bodrum Port
After the tour you are driven straight back to Bodrum Port so you can rejoin your ship without stress.
Tour Info
Itinerary
From Bodrum Port: Ephesus & Virgin Mary House Full Day Tour
Bodrum, on Turkey's Aegean coast, has one of the prettiest cruise ports in the country, and a private excursion from here is a great way to see Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary in a single day.
Your private guide waits for you with a sign at the agreed time. After a pleasant two-hour drive you reach Ephesus, one of the finest and best-preserved classical cities of the Mediterranean and once a major trading centre of Asia Minor.
Walking along its marble streets, you see its most famous sites: the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Baths of Scholastica and the Great Theater, which was enlarged to seat 24,000 people. Your guide explains Roman daily life and the city's importance.
You then visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a recognised place of pilgrimage, believed by many to be where she spent her last days.
You can also visit the Terrace Houses, whose well-preserved mosaics and frescoes show how the wealthy families of Ephesus lived.
After the tour you are driven in comfort back to Bodrum Port to board your ship.
This is the end of our service. We look forward to welcoming you on another journey along the beautiful Turkish coast.
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 shore excursion from Bodrum: what you need to know
This private full-day shore excursion takes cruise passengers from Bodrum Port to Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary and straight back to the ship, from $750. Your licensed private guide waits for you at the port with a sign, and a private van makes the roughly two-hour drive each way. In Ephesus you walk the marble streets past the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Baths of Scholastica and the Great Theater.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 8 to 9 hours |
| Price | from $750 |
| Type | Private shore excursion |
| Start and end | Bodrum Port |
| Included | Licensed private guide, private van, port pick-up and drop-off |
| Not included | Museum tickets and attraction fees, meals and drinks, tips |
Can you visit Ephesus from Bodrum on a cruise?
Yes. Ephesus is about two hours' drive from Bodrum, so a private full-day tour of 8 to 9 hours fits a normal port call. The tour is designed around your ship: your guide meets you at the agreed time and you are driven straight back to Bodrum Port at the end, so you can rejoin the ship without stress.
What do you see?
| Site | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Library of Celsus | The famous two-storey facade |
| Temple of Hadrian | Fine Roman carving on the marble street |
| Baths of Scholastica | A large Roman bath complex |
| Great Theater | One of the largest theatres of the ancient world |
| Terrace Houses | Roman homes with mosaics and frescoes |
| House of the Virgin Mary | Where tradition says Mary spent her last years; a place of pilgrimage |
Ephesus was once a major trading centre of Asia Minor and is one of the best-preserved classical cities of the Mediterranean.
Bodrum shore excursions: which one should you choose?
| Bodrum shore excursion | What it covers | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| This tour | Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary | $750 |
| Didyma, Priene and Miletus from Bodrum | The Temple of Apollo at Didyma, Priene and Miletus | $750 |
| Ancient wonders of Bodrum for cruisers | Bodrum Castle, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and the ancient theatre | $550 |
| Bodrum peninsula tour from port | Windmills, Gumusluk, Turkbuku and a village lunch in Etrim | $650 |
If your ship also calls at Kusadasi, Ephesus is much closer from there: the Ephesus shore excursion from Kusadasi starts from $300. If Bodrum is your only Aegean port, this tour is the way to see Ephesus.
How much time do you get at Ephesus?
With about four hours of driving in total, the day leaves time for a guided walk of two to three hours through the ancient city and a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary. Your guide plans the order around your all-aboard time, so the most important sites always come first.
When is the best time to go?
Spring and autumn are ideal. In summer, Ephesus is hot and has little shade, and the drive from Bodrum means you arrive later in the morning, so bring a hat and plenty of water.
What should you bring?
Comfortable shoes for marble streets, a hat, sunscreen, water, modest clothing covering shoulders and knees for the House of the Virgin Mary, your ship card and ID, and cash or a card for entrance tickets.
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 in writing and you pay only after confirmation. For more ideas see our Bodrum tours, Ephesus tours and Turkey tour packages.
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