Highlights
- 2-day flight-based Istanbul package: Reach the full Ephesus heritage route with a calmer overnight rhythm instead of a compressed same-day plan.
- House of the Virgin Mary: Add one of the region's best-known Christian pilgrimage sites to the route above ancient Ephesus.
- Ephesus Ancient City: Explore marble streets, public monuments and Roman urban heritage in one of Turkiye's major archaeological sites.
- Terrace Houses: Bring mosaics, frescoes and elite Roman domestic life into the core Ephesus visit.
- Basilica of St. John: Extend the route with early Christian heritage on Ayasoluk Hill in Selcuk.
- Temple of Artemis: Complete the program with the remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Why You Will Love This Tour
- The overnight pacing gives Istanbul travelers a more balanced way to cover the full Ephesus heritage route without forcing the experience into a single long day.
- Combining Virgin Mary, Ephesus, Terrace Houses, St. John Basilica and Artemis makes the package feel deeper than a shorter highlights-only route.
- The flight-based structure keeps the focus on the Selcuk and Ephesus region instead of turning the trip into an extended road transfer.
- It suits guests who want a structured group package from Istanbul with both archaeological depth and Christian heritage context.
Overview
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Day 1
Istanbul to Kusadasi / Selcuk Region
Flight connection from Istanbul to Izmir and transfer to the overnight area.
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Start the package from Istanbul, connect by domestic flight to Izmir, and continue to the Kusadasi / Selcuk overnight area.
This Day Physical Rating: Moderate This Day Intensity: Extreme DayBeyoglu Hotel / Meeting Point Pick-upPickup from Beyoglu and transfer to Istanbul Airport for the Izmir flight connection.
The route starts with hotel or meeting point pickup in Beyoglu. From this Istanbul pickup area, the transfer continues to Istanbul Airport for the outbound flight to Izmir and the overnight Kusadasi or Selcuk connection.
Istanbul Airport (IST)Domestic flight departure point.
Continue through Istanbul Airport (IST) for the domestic flight to Izmir.
TicketsFlight ticket (Istanbul Airport (IST) to Izmir Airport (ADB)) IncludedIzmir AirportArrive at Izmir Airport and continue to the overnight area.
Arrive at Izmir Airport and continue by vehicle to the Kusadasi / Selcuk overnight area.
Hotel Check-in (Kusadasi / Selcuk Area)Check in for the overnight stay in the Kusadasi hotel area.
Check in to your hotel in the Kusadasi area and rest before the Ephesus touring day.
Accommodation & Hotel MealsOvernight accommodation IncludedHotel dinner Included -
Day 2
Ephesus / Selcuk Region and Istanbul Return
Complete the complete Ephesus route and return to Istanbul by flight.
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Different tour end?
Tour the Ephesus / Selcuk region, return to Izmir Airport, and fly back to Istanbul.
This Day Physical Rating: Moderate This Day Intensity: Extreme Day
Mary Statue on the Olive Road 
Nativity Scene Inside House of Virgin Mary 
Historic Stonework at Celsus Library 
Site View at the Library of Celsus 
Cultural View Near Celsus Library 
Urban Heritage View at Celsus Library 
Hadrian Temple Carved Detail 
Archaeological Layers of Terrace Houses 
Cultural Stonework at St. John Basilica 
Historic Detail of Temple of Artemis Hotel Check-out / DepartureCheck out and begin the Ephesus touring route.
Check out from the hotel and continue to the Ephesus / Selcuk touring route.
House of Virgin MaryVisit the pilgrimage site on Bulbul Mountain near Ephesus.
Start the sightseeing route at the House of Virgin Mary, one of the region's most important Christian heritage sites.
Entrance FeesHouse of Virgin Mary , €13.5 IncludedHouse of Virgin Mary begins the touring day with a calm and reflective atmosphere. Set above the Ephesus plain, the site is meaningful less for monumental architecture and more for the spiritual association that has drawn pilgrims and visitors here for many years.
The setting matters as much as the small structure itself. Trees, silence and devotional tradition give this stop a distinct tone, helping visitors understand that the Ephesus region is remembered not only for archaeology, but also for religious memory and sacred geography.
Questions
Why does House of Virgin Mary matter on this route?
It brings the Christian pilgrimage dimension of the Ephesus region into the itinerary. Many visitors value it for its spiritual association and reflective atmosphere rather than for monumental scale.What kind of place is House of Virgin Mary?
It is best understood as a devotional and pilgrimage site. The meaning of the stop comes from tradition, atmosphere and religious memory more than from large archaeological remains.How should visitors behave at House of Virgin Mary?
Visitors should move quietly and respectfully. The site has a spiritual character, so calm behavior and a reflective pace are the best approach.
Ephesus Ancient CityGuided highlights walk through the main archaeological areas.
Continue to Ephesus Ancient City and explore the most important monuments and marble streets with your licensed guide.
Entrance FeesEphesus Ancient City , €40 IncludedEphesus Ancient City is the central historical experience of this package. The site unfolds as a complete ancient urban landscape where ceremonial routes, civic spaces, monumental facades and everyday movement still remain surprisingly easy to read.
Its real power comes from that sense of urban continuity. The theatre, streets, public buildings, inscriptions and architectural fragments together reveal how a major city once functioned in trade, politics, religion and social life across the Roman world.
Questions
Why is Ephesus Ancient City the main stop of the day?
Because it preserves the visible layout of a major ancient city. Visitors can still read streets, public spaces, monuments and civic life in a connected urban setting.What should I notice most while visiting Ephesus?
Pay attention to how the monuments connect through the city plan. Streets, public buildings, theatre areas, inscriptions and facades together explain how the city functioned.Was Ephesus important only because of its monuments?
No. Its importance also came from trade, religion, public life and its role as a connected urban center. The monuments matter because they belonged to a larger living city.Why does Ephesus still feel understandable today?
Because much of the city layout remains legible. Visitors can still follow the logic of movement, gathering and public display through the surviving ruins.
Terrace HousesVisit the Terrace Houses section of Ephesus to see Roman residences, mosaics, and wall paintings.
Continue inside the Ephesus archaeological zone to the Terrace Houses and see the preserved Roman residences, mosaics, and wall paintings. This section involves stairs and uneven surfaces.
Entrance FeesTerrace Houses of Ephesus , €15 IncludedTerrace Houses add a more intimate layer to the Ephesus visit. While the main city presents public architecture and civic life, this section brings attention to private residences, decorative taste and the domestic comfort enjoyed by wealthy urban families.
The preserved wall paintings, mosaics and interior planning make these remains especially valuable. They show how status was expressed inside the home and help transform Ephesus from a monument-filled site into a more human and lived city.
Questions
Why are the Terrace Houses so valuable inside Ephesus?
They reveal private domestic life and show how wealthy residents lived behind the grand public spaces of the city.What makes the Terrace Houses different from the rest of Ephesus?
They focus on interiors rather than public monuments. Mosaics, painted walls and room layouts make the site feel personal and domestic.What details are worth watching in the Terrace Houses?
Notice the preserved decoration, house planning and features that suggest comfort, status and refined taste in daily life.
Lunch Stop (Selcuk) LLunch break near Selcuk before the final heritage stops.
Take a planned lunch stop near Selcuk before continuing to the final heritage stops of the day.
MealsLunch meal IncludedLunch Stop in Selcuk works as a local pause within a history-filled day. Food in this Aegean part of Turkey often leans toward olive oil dishes, fresh vegetables, soups, grilled selections, salads and practical regional cooking shaped by seasonal ingredients.
The venue and exact menu may change, so it is better to expect a regional Turkish lunch rather than a fixed meal list. As part of the tour rhythm, the stop offers both rest and a small introduction to the everyday food culture of the Ephesus area.
Questions
What kind of lunch is common around Selcuk?
Lunch in this area often reflects Aegean and Turkish food culture, with olive oil dishes, vegetables, soups, salads and grilled items.Is the lunch menu fixed on the tour?
The exact menu depends on the venue and the day's arrangement, so it is better to expect a regional Turkish lunch than a guaranteed set meal.Why is the lunch stop part of the route experience?
It creates a natural break between major visits and gives guests a chance to experience a practical side of local culture through regional food and hospitality.St. John BasilicaVisit the landmark basilica in Selcuk.
Continue to the Basilica of St. John in Selcuk and learn about its significance and the surrounding historical setting.
Entrance FeesSt. John Basilica , €6 IncludedSt. John Basilica introduces the early Christian and Byzantine dimension of the region. Positioned on Ayasuluk Hill, it helps visitors see that the importance of Selcuk and its surroundings continued well beyond the classical peak of Ephesus.
The basilica is important not only for its ruins, but for the continuity it represents. The site connects sacred tradition, historical geography and the later life of the landscape in a way that deepens the whole route.
Questions
Why visit St. John Basilica after Ephesus?
It extends the route into the Christian and Byzantine history of the region, showing that Selcuk remained significant long after the ancient city's peak.What gives St. John Basilica its importance today?
Its importance comes from historical continuity, religious association and its role in helping visitors understand the later life of the Ephesus landscape.What should I notice at St. John Basilica?
Notice the hilltop setting, the surviving remains and the way the site relates to nearby Selcuk landmarks. These details make the stop more meaningful.
Temple of ArtemisShort stop at the Temple of Artemis area for photos and context.
See the Temple of Artemis heritage zone and hear why it is remembered as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Temple of Artemis is one of the shortest stops on the route, yet historically one of the largest in meaning. Although the visible remains are limited, this sanctuary once stood among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and helped define the fame of ancient Ephesus.
Today the site is best understood through contrast. The surviving fragments encourage visitors to think about how time, reuse and destruction reshape monuments, while memory and reputation preserve their place in history.
Questions
Why is Temple of Artemis famous?
It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and one of the most important sanctuaries associated with ancient Ephesus.Why are there only limited remains at Temple of Artemis?
Over time, destruction, material reuse and landscape change reduced the sanctuary to a small number of surviving fragments.Is Temple of Artemis still worth seeing on a short stop?
Yes. Even with limited remains, it helps visitors understand the former sacred prestige and historical reputation of Ephesus.
Izmir AirportReturn to Izmir Airport for the Istanbul flight.
Transfer back to Izmir Airport and prepare for the return flight to Istanbul.
TicketsFlight ticket (Izmir Airport (ADB) to Istanbul Airport (IST)) IncludedIstanbul Airport (IST)Arrive back at the Istanbul airport.
Arrive back at the Istanbul airport and continue to the hotel drop-off.
Beyoglu Hotel / Meeting Point Drop-off Different tour end?Return transfer and final drop-off in Beyoglu after the Istanbul return flight.
After the overnight Selcuk route, the Ephesus touring day and the return flight to Istanbul, the transfer continues back to Beyoglu for final drop-off at your hotel or meeting point.
Different tour end?Accommodation & Hotel MealsHotel breakfast Included
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What's Included
- Day 1: Overnight accommodation (Hotel Check-in (Kusadasi / Selcuk Area)).
- Day 1: Hotel Dinner meal.
- Day 2: Hotel Breakfast meal, Lunch meal.
- House of Virgin Mary.
- Ephesus Ancient City.
- Terrace Houses of Ephesus.
- St. John Basilica.
- Day 1: Flight ticket (Istanbul Airport (IST) to Izmir Airport (ADB)).
- Day 2: Flight ticket (Izmir Airport (ADB) to Istanbul Airport (IST)).
- Licensed professional tour guide.
- Air-conditioned tour vehicle.
- Transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
- Parking fees.
- Pick-up from your hotel or meeting point.
- Drop-off at your hotel or meeting point.
- Local taxes.
What's Not Included
Informations
- Please wear comfortable walking shoes and casual clothing.
- Please dress according to the season and weather conditions.
- Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses are recommended in sunny weather.
- Bring water, especially on hot days.
- Cameras are welcome, but tripods may not be permitted in some museums and archaeological sites.
- Guests should watch their step at all times to avoid injuries.
- Please check the weather forecast before your tour.
- Respectful clothing is recommended for visits to mosques and churches.
- Please bring your passport or ID card.
- This tour involves walking on uneven and cobblestone surfaces.
- The exact pick-up time will be confirmed after booking.
- The tour route may be adjusted due to weather, traffic, or site conditions.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Please be ready at your confirmed pick-up or meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time.
- Entrance fees may be paid by credit card or Turkish Lira.
- Flight times are confirmed after booking and may affect the final pickup or meeting time.
Your Peace of Mind Options
Cancellation Policy
A transparent overview of applicable fees.
Tour Reminder!
You can create a reminder for yourself for this tour. We will send you a reminder e-mail/sms about this tour on the date you specify.
FAQs
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Is this a 2-day Ephesus tour from Istanbul by flight?
Yes. This group package is a 2-day Istanbul to Izmir flight-based route with an overnight stay in the Kusadasi / Selcuk area and the full Ephesus sightseeing program on the second day. -
Is this a shared group tour?
Yes. This version is the shared group flight package, so the sightseeing route is organized as a group program rather than a private tour. -
Which places are included in the route?
The route covers House of Virgin Mary, Ephesus Ancient City, Terrace Houses, St. John Basilica and the Temple of Artemis, with the overnight package structure built around the full Selcuk circuit. -
Does this package include an overnight stay?
Yes. This is an overnight package and the route includes hotel accommodation in the Kusadasi / Selcuk area between the Istanbul and return-flight legs. -
Are flights included in the base group package?
Yes. In the current base group structure, the Istanbul-Izmir flight connections are included as part of the package setup. -
What is included in the base group package price?
The current base group structure supports the guided sightseeing route, hotel stay, domestic flight connections, lunch on the sightseeing day and the linked entrance fees for the included sites. -
Which Istanbul pickup areas are available for this package?
Active pickup variants are available from Sultanahmet, Taksim, Besiktas, Kadikoy, Uskudar, Karakoy / Galata, Sisli / Nisantasi, Eminonu / Sirkeci, Ortakoy and Beyoglu. Pickup-area changes may affect the final route flow slightly depending on logistics. -
How long does the full package usually take?
This is a 2-day flight package. The full route spans two calendar days with flight connections, hotel stay, airport transfers and the complete Selcuk sightseeing program. -
What is the entrance fee for House of Virgin Mary on this tour?
The current entrance fee is shown with the latest linked fee data. On this group package, that entrance fee is included in the base tour structure. House of Virgin Mary entry fee is €13.5. -
What is the entrance fee for Ephesus Ancient City on this tour?
The current entrance fee is shown with the latest linked fee data. On this group package, that entrance fee is included in the base tour structure. Ephesus Ancient City entry fee is €40. -
What is the entrance fee for Terrace Houses on this tour?
The current entrance fee is shown with the latest linked fee data. On this group package, that entrance fee is included in the base tour structure. Terrace Houses of Ephesus entry fee is €15. -
What is the entrance fee for St. John Basilica on this tour?
The current entrance fee is shown with the latest linked fee data. On this group package, that entrance fee is included in the base tour structure. St. John Basilica entry fee is €6.
Good to Know
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Overnight package structure
This is an overnight flight package, so guests should be prepared for two travel days that combine flights, hotel stay and the main sightseeing route. -
Walking conditions
Ephesus, Terrace Houses and St. John Basilica involve walking on stone surfaces, slopes and uneven archaeological ground, so comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended. -
Site preparation
Open sections such as Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis can be hot and exposed, so sun protection, water and season-appropriate clothing are useful during the sightseeing day. -
Religious-site awareness
House of Virgin Mary is an active religious stop, so modest and respectful site behavior is recommended during the visit. -
Pickup and flight coordination
Guests should re-check final pickup and flight coordination details before service, because package timing depends on airport operations and route logistics.
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