House of the Virgin Mary
The hillside chapel where tradition says Mary spent her last years — quiet, green and genuinely moving.
Beyond the marble city
Around Ephesus
Ephesus does not end at the ticket gate. Within half an hour lie a wonder of the ancient world, the tomb of an Evangelist, a hillside wine village and the house where Mary is believed to have lived.
Faith & pilgrimage
The Christian sites of Ephesus
Mary’s house, John’s basilica and the Seven Sleepers, plus the grotto of St Paul (closed for conservation).
Basilica of St John
The apostle’s tomb under a church that once rivaled Constantinople’s — with the best view in Selçuk.
Cave of the Seven Sleepers
The cave of the two-century sleep — a legend shared by the Bible lands and the Quran alike.
Tomb of Saint Luke
A round monument, a bull-and-cross carving, and the open question of whether Luke ever lay here.
Wonders & museums
Artemis and her scattered treasures
The temple site, the great statues in Selçuk — and the finds that ended up in Vienna.
Temple of Artemis
A Wonder of the World reduced to one column — and still worth ten minutes of awe.
Ephesus Museum (Selçuk)
The two great Artemis statues, the famous Priapus and the best finds from the ruins — ten minutes away.
Ephesus Experience Museum
A projected reconstruction of Ephesus beside the real thing — what it is, and when it is worth adding.
Ephesus Museum of Vienna
Why some of Ephesus’ greatest art lives in Vienna — the Parthian frieze, the bronze athlete, and how they got there.
The old town
Turkish Selçuk, in the lanes below the hill
The small 14th-century mosques and the old baths that the Aydınid emirs built from Ephesus’ own marble.
Kılıçarslan Mosque, Selçuk
A 14th-century neighborhood mosque in the old lanes of Selçuk, five minutes from the Basilica of St John — and the odd story behind its borrowed name.
Turkish Baths near Ephesus
Steam, marble, soap clouds and a scrub you will discuss for years — Rome’s bath, alive in Turkish.
Towns & escapes
Villages, ports and white terraces
Şirince’s wine houses, Kuşadası’s harbor, İzmir’s seafront and Pamukkale’s springs.
Şirince Village
Stone lanes, fruit wines and rooftop views — the village whose old name meant "ugly", to keep you away.
Pamukkale & Hierapolis
The white terraces, the spa city above them and Cleopatra’s pool — Ephesus’ classic road-trip partner.
Good to know
Around Ephesus — quick answers
What should I combine with Ephesus on a full day?
The classic full-day combination is Ephesus plus the House of the Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St John, with lunch in between — it is the route most of our guests choose, and the one our Private Ephesus Tour follows.
Is Pamukkale close enough to combine with Ephesus?
It is about three hours each way — possible as one very long day, better as two. Our Ephesus & Pamukkale tour page lays out both options honestly.
Not sure which day suits you? Ask a local.
Tell us who is traveling and what you love, and we will suggest the day that fits — then make it happen.
- TÜRSAB license 15746
- No prepayment to inquire
- Skip-the-line tickets at gate price
- Free cancellation up to 48 hours before