Izmir

Culture & history

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Start with a pickup from your hotel in Izmir. Then, the discovery of Ephesus begins with the House of the Virgin Mary and a 10-minute drive to the ancient city of Ephesus. Explore the city by walking on the marble streets, accompanied by a guide.  See the Odeon, State Agora, the Pretension, the Memmius Monument, the Domitian Temple, Hercules Gate, Curetes Street, Hadrian Temple, and the Latrines. Choose to take an optional visit to the terrace houses for an additional cost.  After the terrace houses, carry on with your exploration with the Celsus Library, Marble Road, Commercial Agora, Great Theater, and Arcadian (harbor road). Enjoy a nice lunch served in a quaint local restaurant. Visit the Temple of Artemisa and take pictures of the church of St. John and the Mosque of İsa Bey. Enjoy free time in the old village of Sirince to discover the traditional houses, the fruit-flavored wine production, and enjoy some wine tasting.  End the day with a transfer back to Izmir airport or to your hotel in Izmir.

Discover the stunning region of Pamukkale and its hot springs on a day trip from Selcuk, Kusadasi, or Izmir. Begin by meeting your driver/guide at the reception of your hotel in the morning and a transfer to Pamukkale. Explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, built on solid limestone layers formed by mineral-rich waters that flowed for millennia over a raised level plateau. See the most significant sites of the sacred city including the Theatre, the Temple of Apollo, and the Necropolis. Admire the Necropolis (Cemetery) of Hierapolis, one of the largest ancient burial sites in Anatolia. See a Roman bath, the Gate of Domitian, the main street of the ancient city, and the Byzantium Gate. Walk to the natural warm water terraces, formed by running warm water rich in calcium and temperatures of 35 Celsius all year-round. Get the chance to see the gleaming white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, located next to the ruins of Hierapolis.  Enjoy optional free time to swim in Cleopatra’s Pool before ending the tour with a transfer back to your hotel. And during the tour you'll have the chance to have a look at the Turkish traditional handcrafts.

Pick-Up: Izmir Pamukkale Tour starts during the morning, when a comfortable vehicle picks you up from your hotel in Izmir. The bus will drive you towards Selcuk where a small break will take place. From Selcuk, you will continue with a different bus towards Pamukkale. Our Guides & Vehicles: You will be travelling with a comfortable, modern and fully air conditioned vehicle. During your excursion, you will be accompanied by a professional guide who will be there to assist you. In addition, the guide will explain important facts for the places of interest.Once you arrive at Selcuk, a small break will be made and then you will continue with a bus towards your destination. It has to be noted that the road trip from Selcuk to Pamukkale will have an approximate duration of three hours. However, several short stops will be made in order to relax and take some photos. Pamukkale Free Time: In Pamukkale, you will have 3 hours of free time to spend according to your interests. Pamukkale has a variety of options and locations where you can enjoy your time. The ancient city of Hierapolis can be ideal for those who wish to explore the culture and the history of the place. Pamukkale is also famous for its thermal springs and the Cotton Castle.Forming one of Turkey’s most famous attractions, the Cotton Castle or the Travertines will impress you with the natural beauty that the area has. The Cotton Castle is in fact a naturally shaped white washed mountain with thermal water springs that flow into white terraces. Visitors have the opportunity to swim and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of the hot springs. The location is also ideal for spectacular photos as the patios of the mountains are of unique beauty. Hierapolis Ancient City: The ancient city of Hierapolis was built during 190BC and became a famous curing centre due to its close proximity to the thermal springs. During the Roman period, the area was one of the most important spiritual and creative centres as many people were visiting the area in order to relax their body and mind. For those who are interested in sightseeing, Hierapolis is a great location to observe the ruins of the ancient settlement. Cleopatra Thermal Pool: During the 3-hour free time, you can also visit the Cleopatra Thermal Pool. The area features a big natural pool with hot springs. During the Roman period people used the pool for health and treatment purposes. You can enter the pool at an extra cost and enjoy all the associated benefits of such therapeutic experience. Return Back: Izmir Pamukkale Tour finishes during the afternoon and the bus will start on its way back. Full of great memories, relaxed and amazed by your exploration, you will arrive at your hotel in Izmir during the afternoon.

Pick-Up: The Izmir Ephesus Tour is scheduled to start during the morning. A modern and comfortable bus will pick you up from your hotel in Izmir or from İzmir Airport and drive you towards Ephesus. The road trip will be approximately one hour. Our Guides: During your excursion, you will be accompanied by a professional tour guide who will be in charge to assist you. The experienced guide will also be in charge to explain everything you need to know in every stop of your journey. Ephesus Tour: The ancient city of Ephesus forms one of the most important and popular attractions in Turkey. It hosts a number of important monuments from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. These monuments include, among others, the Hadrian Temple, the Library of Celsius, the Grand Theatre, the Roman Baths, the Agora and the Latrina. Ephesus is also home to the infamous Temple of Artemis. As you will be touring around the ancient city, the guide will provide important information for every monument. House of Virgin Mary: At a close distance from the ancient city of Ephesus, there is another place of interest which is the House of Virgin Mary. Surrounded by a quiet and beautiful landscape, this house was chosen by Virgin Mary to spend her last days there with St. John. This location has enormous interest for the Christian population. Take a chance to admire nature and observe the spectacular setting while you are there. Lunch: Izmir Ephesus Tour continues with a lunch break at a local restaurant in the area. Relax and enjoy a tasteful open buffet with a variety of choices. Temple Of Artemis: The ancient city of Ephesus is mostly known for hosting the Temple of Artemis. This temple is listed among the 7 wonders of the ancient world due to its impressive size, design and importance for the area. It was constructed during the Hellenistic period and nowadays, visitors are able to observe and tour around the ruins of the temple.

Explore the stunning ruins of Ephesus on this full-day sightseeing tour from Izmir or Kusadasi, also available as a half-day option from Kusadasi for those short of time. As it is a private tour you can start at any time you like. You will also visit the small House of the Virgin Mary, where it is thought she spent her final days after St. John brought her to Ephesus following the death of Jesus. Located on Mount Bulbuldagi (Koressos), it’s a popular pilgrim site for Christians and Muslims and boasts a captivating, spiritual atmosphere. Once inside the grounds of Ephesus, wander among the ruins with your guide to see sites such as the Odeon Theatre, which could seat up to 1,400 spectators in its day. Admire the beautiful Roman statues and decorations carved into marble slabs at the Pollio Fountain. Other highlights include the Celcius Library, completed by the Romans in 117AD. The building has the most awe-inspiring façade, with columns, statues, and intact windows. Finally, explore the Greek Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, and go to the Basilica of St John (Kusadasi departures only), constructed by Justinian I over the burial site of the Apostle John.

Make your trip to Turkey hassle-free with your convenient eSIM. Stay connected on your travels with high-speed coverage in Turkey and another 43 European regions (full list below). Purchase and install your eSIM anytime and anywhere, and choose from a variety of data packages, validity options, and coverage in additional countries. Simply scan the eSIM QR code to access all your essential apps on your trip. Avoid the trouble of managing multiple SIMs with this zero-waste solution. Get one eSIM per device and top up by simply buying and activating additional eSIM plans as you go. Once activated, your coverage will begin according to your selected duration. Most devices released after 2019 are compatible with eSIM (e.g. iPhone XR, XS of models beyond, Google Pixel 4, and beyond). If you are unsure, please check the compatibility guideline photos to confirm eligibility. Network coverage: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece (including Cyclades), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy (including Vatican, San Marino, Sardinia), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal (including Azores and Madeira), Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (including Canary Islands and Balearic Islands), Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan.

Arrive on the outskirts of Bulbul Mountain at the gates of the ancient city of Ephesus. Discover the daily life of Ephesians and visit the most important pagan and Christian heritage sites. Enjoy an included lunch, and take some time to shop afterward before returning back to Izmir. Enjoy pick-up from your hotel and learn the important history and mythology on your one hour drive to Selcuk. Find yourself at the gates of the city, important for its place in the Hellenic world and Roman era. Imagine yourself an Ephesian, and see the most important attractions. Begin at the Governmental Agora, see the Road of Curates, and the Gate of Magnesia. Find the Gate of Hercules, the Traianus Fountain, the Temple of Hadrianus, and checkout how ancient bathrooms worked. Wonder at the Roman Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsius, and the Grand Theatre of Ephesus. Leave the city gates and take the option to visit the House of the Virgin Mary, where she spent her final days in peace and mourning. Marvel at the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. View St. John Basilica, an architectural wonder of the Christian world. Light a candle for the Virgin Mary if you like, and experience lunch and shopping before the drive back to your hotel.

Explore the Greek and Roman ruins of Ephesus on this half-day sightseeing tour from Izmir or Kusadasi ports. As it is a private tour you can start at any time you like, depending on the arrival and departure time of your cruise ship. Transfer to Ephesus and wander among the stunning ruins with a local guide, and see sites such as the Odeon Theatre, which could seat up to 1,400 spectators in its heyday. Admire beautiful Roman statues and decorations carved into marble slabs at the Pollio Fountain. Other highlights include the Celcius Library, completed by the Romans in 117AD. Admire the building’s awe-inspiring façade of columns, statues, and intact windows. Finally, explore the Greek Temple of Artemis, to see one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World.

Discover the wonders of Ephesus on a private tour with less walking and more exploring for travelers seeking a more relaxed experience. Enjoy pickup from Izmir or Kusadasi. With a guide and skip-the-line access, bypass queues and dive straight into the heart of this UNESCO-listed site. Explore the iconic Library of Celsus, an architectural masterpiece that once housed thousands of scrolls. Marvel at the grandeur of the Grand Theatre, where gladiators once battled and audiences were captivated by theatrical performances. Stroll along the ancient streets of Ephesus, adorned with intricate columns and historic ruins. Immerse yourself in the rich history and cultural heritage of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Listen to fascinating stories and legends from your guide that will bring Ephesus to life. Enjoy the advantage of less walking and savor every moment without feeling rushed. Capture stunning photos, soak in the ambiance, and let the ancient past transport you to a bygone era.