Ephesus Tour from Kusadasi Port – Basilica of St. John & Turkish Bath

Ephesus, Basilica of St. John and Temple of Artemis – Shore Day Trip with a Turkish Bath

Designed for cruise guests, this Ephesus tour from Kusadasi port with the Basilica of St. John and a Turkish bath combines the great Roman city, the sacred sites of Selcuk and a chance to relax in a traditional hammam before returning to your ship. A licensed English-speaking guide meets you at the pier, and an air-conditioned vehicle carries you between the sights, making this daily excursion easy to fit into a port call and a popular daily tour for passengers with one day ashore.

Shore Excursion for Cruise Passengers in Kuşadası

Arriving in Kuşadası on a cruise ship? The Ephesus Tour is one of the shore excursions we regularly arrange for cruise guests calling at the port of Kuşadası. For cruise guests we can arrange pickup at the cruise terminal where the shared tour schedule allows; if your time in port is short, we recommend the private version of this tour, which is timed to your ship. Tell us how many hours your ship stays in port and we will confirm that the full programme fits comfortably. Send us your ship name and the date of your call in Kuşadası and we will confirm availability.

Day Trip to Kuşadası from the Greek Islands (Samos and Patmos)

Holidaying on Samos or Patmos? The Ephesus Tour is an easy day trip from the Greek islands: take the morning ferry to Kuşadası, join the tour, and sail back in the evening (from Samos the ferry takes 45 minutes; from Patmos the ferry takes about 3 hours). We meet you at the Kuşadası ferry port and time the programme to the ferry schedule. For longer itineraries we check the ferry timetable first and confirm that the full programme fits your day. Please bring your passport and check the Turkish entry requirements for your nationality before travelling.

• Ephesus Ancient City: the Odeon, Temple of Hadrian, Roman baths, Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre
• Terrace Houses: the lavish homes of wealthy Ephesians, available as an optional extra
• Basilica of St. John: the ruined church above Selcuk built over the apostle's traditional tomb
• Temple of Artemis: the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
• Traditional Turkish lunch during the day
• Optional Turkish bath: a classic hammam experience before heading back to the port

Ephesus was among the most important cultural and commercial centres of the ancient world, and its marble-paved streets still speak of great wealth. Your guide leads you past the small Odeon, the delicately carved Temple of Hadrian and the Roman baths to the two-storey facade of the Library of Celsus, ending at the Great Theatre, whose 25,000 seats are still occasionally used for concerts. Facing the Temple of Hadrian across the street, on the hillside of Bulbul Mountain, the Terrace Houses reveal mosaics and frescoes from the homes of the city's elite; entry is an optional supplement.

Above the town of Selcuk stand the remains of the Basilica of St. John, raised in the Byzantine era over the place where tradition says the apostle was buried. Nearby, a single reconstructed column marks the Temple of Artemis, once among the largest temples of the Greek world. After a little free time for shopping, you can end this day tour in a Turkish bath, an experience worth trying at least once. This Ephesus day trip from Kusadasi returns you to the port in good time; entrance fees and bath treatments are paid locally.