Most popular
Best of Ephesus Tour
The classic trio — Ephesus Ancient City, House of Virgin Mary and Temple of Artemis — in our single most-booked itinerary.
TÜRSAB-licensed travel agency · Private tours only
Private Ephesus Tours, Guided by the Locals Who Live Here
Private, tailor-made tours of Ephesus Ancient City and the wonders around it — guided by licensed locals from Selcuk and Kusadasi, starting from your hotel, cruise port or airport.
Signature experiences
Tours travelers love most
Every tour is private — just you, your guide and your driver. Start when you like, linger where you love.
Most popular
Full experience
Full Day Ephesus Tour
Ephesus plus the Terrace Houses, House of Virgin Mary, Temple of Artemis and Isa Bey Mosque — the complete day, at your pace.
Cruise favorite
Treasures of Ephesus Tour
The crowd-beating short tour: Library of Celsus, Grand Theater and the Temple of Artemis in one perfectly timed morning.
Pilgrimage
Biblical Ephesus Tour
The theater of the silversmiths' riot, Mary's hillside home and the tomb of Saint John — scripture and stone, side by side.
Bucket list
Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour
Ephesus at dawn, then Pamukkale's Cotton Castle and the Roman spa city of Hierapolis — the two icons of Aegean Turkey in one day.
Tailor-made
Create Your Own Ephesus Tour
Pick your sites, your pace and your lunch table. Our local experts turn your wish list into a perfectly planned private day.
Why by locals
Not just guides. Neighbors of the ruins.
Anyone can show you where the Library of Celsus stands. We grew up beside it. Our guides are licensed professionals born and raised in Selcuk and Kusadasi — which means backstreet shortcuts, quiet hours at busy sites, family-run lunch tables, and stories no guidebook prints.
- Private tours only — never shared with strangers
- You set the pace: start time, stops and lunch are yours to choose
- Pickup anywhere: hotel, Kusadasi or Izmir port, Izmir or Istanbul airport
- Licensed guides in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and German
- Transparent pricing — no extra, hidden or surprise charges
Simple pricing
One private tour, three group sizes
Whatever the size of your party, the tour is yours alone. Every group gets a private professional guide and a private coach with driver.
Around Ephesus
More wonders within an hour's drive
Ephesus is only the beginning. Explore the sites we grew up visiting on school trips and Sunday picnics.
Must see
Ephesus Ancient City
The marble metropolis of 250,000 Romans: library, theater, temples and streets that still feel inhabited.
Pilgrimage
House of Virgin Mary
The hillside house where tradition holds Mary lived her last years — discovered through a nun's visions, honored by three popes.
Village charm
Sirince Village
Whitewashed houses, fruit wines and lazy lanes six kilometers above Ephesus — the Aegean's favorite village.
Guest stories
What our fantastic guests say
★★★★★
I knew I was going to enjoy my tour in Ephesus. However, Azis' knowledge and enthusiasm for Ephesus enhanced my experience and made it a special tour. I unreservedly recommend Ephesus Tours by Locals as your tour operator for Ephesus and around. Real value for money and definitely recommended.Leslie S.Montreal
★★★★★
This, by far, was the most purely fun activity on our cruise. My back was really bad so we did the short Ephesus tour, but it was still really fun. I could have done a full day and not gotten tired of the experience. The guide was really nice and the group was nice and small.Sara A.New York
★★★★★
The organization was excellent, the itinerary was full and very complete, the food was outstanding, the guide was wonderful. The worst part? Can't think of any. And I haven't even mentioned how much cheaper it was compared to the cruise's tours.Marc C.Chicago
Good to know
Ephesus 101 — quick answers
Why is Ephesus so famous?
Ephesus was the second-largest city of the Roman Empire, home to some 250,000 people — and to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today it is among the largest and best-preserved ancient cities on earth.
What will I actually see there?
The Library of Celsus, which once held around 15,000 scrolls; the Grand Theater that seated 25,000 spectators; marble streets, temples, Roman baths and the luxurious Terrace Houses. And remarkably, only about ten percent of the city has been excavated so far.
Is Ephesus important for Christians?
Deeply. Saint Paul ministered here for three years, the Third Ecumenical Council met here in AD 431, and tradition holds that the Virgin Mary spent her last years in the hills above the city. Three popes — Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI — have made the pilgrimage.
Where is Ephesus today?
The ruins stand beside the modern town of Selcuk on Turkey's Aegean coast, about 20 minutes from Kusadasi port and an hour from Izmir. That is exactly where our guides were born and raised.
How far in advance should I book?
For cruise visitors we recommend booking as soon as you know your date in port — private guides do get fully booked in high season. That said, write to us even last-minute; if we can make it happen, we will.
Your Ephesus story starts here
Send us your travel date and we will design the perfect private day among the ruins — answered personally within 24 hours.