Ephesus Luxury Private Tour from Istanbul

Your tour begins with a morning domestic flight from Istanbul Airport to Izmir — approximately one hour in the air. Your guide and private vehicle will be waiting at arrivals to transfer you directly to the Ephesus region.

The afternoon is spent in Sirince Village, a hillside Ottoman village set among olive and fruit orchards approximately 8 kilometers above Selcuk. Once a quiet Greek settlement, Sirince is now known for its stone houses, wine cellars, and unhurried pace — a considered choice as your first impression of the Aegean hinterland. (approximately 1–1.5 hours)

Following your village walk, you transfer to your boutique hotel in Selcuk or Kusadasi, selected for location, guest rating, and comfort. Check-in and overnight stay.

Day 2 is the centrepiece of your tour. Your licensed guide meets you at the hotel and transfers you to Ephesus Ancient City — one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world. You enter through the upper gate and walk downhill along the marble-paved Curetes Street, passing the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan, and the ornate facades that once lined the city’s most prestigious avenue. The walk concludes at the Celsus Library, whose two-storey marble façade remains one of the most photographed monuments in Turkey. Alongside it stands the Great Theatre, with a capacity of 25,000 — still visually overwhelming two millennia after its construction. (approximately 2–2.5 hours)

From Ephesus, your guide transfers you uphill to the House of the Virgin Mary, the hilltop sanctuary where tradition holds that Mary spent her final years. The site is revered by Christian pilgrims and recognised by the Vatican. The approach through the pine forest and the quiet of the chapel are a marked contrast to the scale of the ancient city. (approximately 45 minutes)

The afternoon includes a visit to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. A single column marks what was once a structure four times the size of the Parthenon. The remainder of the afternoon is at your discretion — your guide can suggest local restaurants in Selcuk or arrange an early return to the hotel.

Your final morning is unhurried. Breakfast at the hotel is followed by free time — guests typically use this for a last walk through Selcuk, a visit to the Selcuk Ephesus Museum, which houses original statues and artefacts excavated from the ancient city, or simply time at the hotel before departure.

Your private transfer to Izmir Airport departs at a time coordinated around your return flight — typically a 30-minute drive from Selcuk or 45 minutes from Kusadasi. The domestic flight back to Istanbul takes approximately one hour. Your guide handles all transfer timing so there are no last-minute logistics to manage on your part.