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At a glance • £35 adult • £18 child (3-12) • Free under 3 • 12 hours • Departs Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun • English-speaking licensed guide • Breakfast & lunch included • Free hotel pickup
The ancient Roman city of Ephesus, the Library of Celsus and the House of the Virgin Mary in a single day from your hotel in Marmaris. UNESCO World Heritage, 1,500 years of layered history, and the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean. Twelve hours door to door, paid in cash on the day, no deposit required.
| Site | Time on site | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Ephesus Ancient City | ~2 hours | UNESCO World Heritage, founded 10th century BC |
| House of the Virgin Mary (optional) | ~1 hour | Christian pilgrimage site, Vatican-recognised |
| Selçuk town | Pass-through | Olive oil & Turkish delight factory store |
The day is built around Ephesus itself — the centrepiece is two hours walking through what was once the second-largest city in the Roman world after Rome itself. The House of the Virgin Mary or the Ephesus Archaeological Museum is the optional second stop in the afternoon (you choose one — both have separate entrance fees paid at the gate).
The honest version: Ephesus is one of three reasons most British visitors to Turkey ever leave their resort. The other two are Pamukkale and Cappadocia, and Cappadocia is too far for a Marmaris day trip. Ephesus is close enough — just.
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Status | UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015 |
| Founded | 10th century BC (Attic-Ionian colony) |
| Peak population | ~250,000 (2nd century AD) |
| Position in Roman Empire | 2nd largest city after Rome |
| Famous for | Library of Celsus, Temple of Artemis, Great Theatre |
| Annual visitors | ~2 million |
The site itself is laid out along a single marble street — Curetes Street — which runs downhill from the upper agora to the Library of Celsus. Walking it is essentially walking a Roman shopping district that hasn’t been used since the harbour silted up around 600 AD.
The single most photographed building in Turkey. Built in the 110s AD by the Roman consul Tiberius Julius Aquila as a funerary monument for his father, the proconsul Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus. The library’s reconstructed façade is what appears on almost every postcard, brochure and Instagram photograph of ancient Turkey.
| Library of Celsus | Detail |
|---|---|
| Built | 110-117 AD |
| Function | Library + mausoleum for Celsus |
| Capacity | ~12,000 scrolls |
| Rank | 3rd largest library in the Roman world (after Alexandria and Pergamon) |
| Statues on façade | Sophia (wisdom), Episteme (knowledge), Ennoia (intelligence), Arete (virtue) |
| Still contains | Marble sarcophagus of Celsus, beneath the floor |
The double-walled construction was an early form of climate control — the gap between the inner and outer walls kept humidity off the scrolls. You don’t enter the library on the tour (the interior is closed to walking visitors), but you’ll stand directly in front of the façade for as long as you want for photographs.
The largest amphitheatre in ancient Anatolia. Capacity 24,000-25,000 spectators. Used for gladiator games, theatre performances and political assemblies. According to the New Testament, this is the theatre where the silversmith Demetrius led a protest against St Paul during his stay in Ephesus.
The theatre still functions occasionally — concerts and theatre performances are held inside it during summer months, with audiences seated in the original Roman tiers carved into the hillside.
A small stone house on Mount Bülbüldağı, about 9 km from the main Ephesus site. Christian tradition holds that the Apostle John brought Mary to Ephesus after the crucifixion and that she spent her final years here.
| House of the Virgin Mary | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | 5 km from Ephesus, 7 km from Selçuk |
| Discovery | Re-identified in the 19th century (visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich) |
| Vatican recognition | Pope Paul VI (1967), Pope John Paul II (1979), Pope Benedict XVI (2006) |
| Pilgrimage day | 15 August (Assumption of Mary) |
| Significance | Catholic and Orthodox Christian pilgrimage site |
The site is treated as a place of worship rather than a tourist attraction. Photography inside the house itself is restricted. There’s a wishing wall where pilgrims tie small notes — these are collected weekly and burned in keeping with tradition.
You choose between the House of the Virgin Mary OR the Ephesus Archaeological Museum — there’s only time for one in the afternoon stop. Both are worth seeing; the choice usually comes down to whether you’re more interested in Christian heritage or in the artefacts excavated from Ephesus itself (including the statue of Artemis, the most-photographed museum piece in western Turkey).
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 06:00 | Pickup from Turunc and Icmeler hotels |
| 06:30 | Pickup from Marmaris hotels |
| 06:45 – 08:00 | Drive to Muğla (~50 min), breakfast stop (30 min) |
| 08:00 – 10:30 | Drive to Selçuk (~2.5 hrs), brief stop at olive oil and Turkish delight factory store |
| 11:15 – 13:30 | Ephesus Ancient City — 60 min guided tour + 60 min free time |
| 14:00 – 14:30 | Lunch — open buffet at a restaurant in Selçuk |
| 14:45 – 16:00 | House of the Virgin Mary OR Ephesus Museum (choose one) |
| 16:00 – 19:30 | Return drive to Marmaris, drop-off at your hotel |
The day works because the long drives are at the start and end — you’re moving while you’d otherwise be eating or resting. The actual time on your feet at Ephesus is two hours, which is enough for the main sights without exhausting older guests or younger children.
| ✓ | Item |
|---|---|
| ✓ | Hotel pickup and return (Marmaris, Icmeler, Turunc, Hisaronu, Armutalan, Siteler) |
| ✓ | Air-conditioned coach |
| ✓ | English-speaking guide (Ministry of Tourism licensed) |
| ✓ | Turkish breakfast |
| ✓ | Open buffet lunch |
| ✓ | Full travel insurance |
| Cost | 2026 fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ephesus Ancient City entry | ~€40 / £34 per adult | Set by Turkish Ministry of Culture |
| House of the Virgin Mary entry | ~700 TL / £12 per adult | Card only, no cash |
| Ephesus Museum (alternative) | ~€6 / £5 per adult | If you choose this instead |
| Children under 8 | Free | Bring passport for age verification |
| Snacks, drinks beyond what’s included | Variable | Optional |
| Photo/video service | Variable | Optional |
Entry fees are set by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism and change each season. We quote them separately rather than building them into our price — that way you don’t get charged extra in years they drop, and you know exactly what you’ll pay at the gate. Cash is not accepted at most ticket booths in 2026 — bring a card.
| Age | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (12+) | £35 | Full programme |
| Child (3-12) | £18 | Half adult fare |
| Infant (0-2) | Free | No seat allocation |
| Children under 8 | Free site entry | Bring passport |
Group prices for 8+ people and combined-tour packages with Pamukkale, Dalyan or Cleopatra Island are available — message us on WhatsApp with your dates.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Departure days | Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday |
| Season | 1 April – 31 October |
| Pickup time (Turunc / Icmeler) | 06:00 |
| Pickup time (Marmaris / Hisaronu / Siteler) | 06:30 |
| Return time | ~19:30 |
| Total day length | 12 hours |
The driver confirms your exact pickup time by WhatsApp the evening before. If your hotel is outside the standard pickup zones, message us before booking — we can usually arrange collection, but we want to confirm.
The honest answer in table form.
| Group type | Verdict |
|---|---|
| First-time visitors to Turkey | ✅ Yes — it’s the cultural day you’ll remember |
| History and architecture enthusiasts | ✅ Yes — the best-preserved Roman city in the eastern Mediterranean |
| Christian pilgrims | ✅ Yes — House of the Virgin Mary is a major pilgrimage site |
| Couples wanting a serious cultural day | ✅ Yes |
| Families with children 8+ | ✅ Yes — old enough to follow the guide |
| Families with children 5-7 | ⚠️ Possible — long day, lots of walking, some patience needed |
| Families with children under 5 | ❌ We’d suggest waiting — 12 hours is too long for under-5s |
| Guests with mobility difficulties | ⚠️ Speak to us — Ephesus involves walking on uneven marble for ~2 hours |
| Guests on a short 3-4 night stay | ⚠️ Combine carefully — Ephesus + Pamukkale in 3 days is exhausting |
| Essential | Optional |
|---|---|
| Comfortable shoes (a lot of walking on uneven marble) | Camera or phone for photos |
| Sun hat | Light cover-up for the air-conditioned coach |
| Sunglasses (the marble is bright) | Reusable water bottle |
| Sun cream | Small snack for the long return drive |
| Card (for entry fees — no cash accepted) | Modest clothing if visiting the Virgin Mary’s House |
| Passport (for children’s free entry verification) | — |
Don’t pack heavy. Breakfast and lunch are included. Most guests bring a small day bag with the essentials and that’s enough.
| Channel | Speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| This website | Immediate email + WhatsApp follow-up within the hour | Standard bookings |
| WhatsApp +90 531 765 93 20 | Reply within minutes during daytime | Quick questions, multi-tour packages, custom dates |
| Walk into our office | Immediate | Planning a full week of tours in person |
Our office is on Kemal Seyfettin Elgin Bulvarı in central Marmaris — open every day through the season.
No deposit. No card details. Pay the driver in cash on the morning of the tour. Cancellation is free at any point before pickup — because nothing was paid in advance, there’s nothing to refund.
How long is the Ephesus tour from Marmaris? Twelve hours door to door. Pickup from Turunc and Icmeler at 06:00, Marmaris at 06:30. Back at your hotel by approximately 19:30. The actual drive is around three hours each way, with the rest of the day spent at the sites, meal stops and Selçuk.
How much is the Ephesus tour from Marmaris? £35 per adult, £18 per child aged 3-12, free for infants under 3. Entry fees to Ephesus (~€40 per adult) and the House of the Virgin Mary (~£12 per adult) are paid separately at the gate by card. Children under 8 enter free with a passport.
Which days does the Ephesus tour run? Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout the season — 1 April to 31 October. Four departures a week.
Is lunch included? Yes. Turkish breakfast on the way out, served at a restaurant near Muğla. Open buffet lunch on the way back, served at a restaurant in Selçuk. Vegetarian options available on request — please mention when booking.
Can I choose between the House of the Virgin Mary and the museum? Yes — you choose one of the two for the afternoon stop. Both have separate entrance fees paid at the gate. Most British guests choose the House of the Virgin Mary because it’s the more distinctive site; museum visitors are usually those with a specific interest in Roman archaeology.
What entrance fees should I budget for? For 2026, approximately €40 for Ephesus (per adult, paid by card at the gate) and either £12 for the House of the Virgin Mary or £5 for the Ephesus Museum, depending on which you choose. Children under 8 enter Ephesus free with a passport. Total extra budget: roughly £40-50 per adult, depending on choices.
Are Ephesus entrance fees included in the tour price? No — they’re set by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism and change each season. We quote them separately so you know exactly what you’ll pay rather than building them into our price. You pay the entry fees by card at the gate.
Is the Ephesus tour suitable for children? For children 8 and up, yes — they’re old enough to follow the guide and find the ruins interesting. For ages 5-7 it’s possible but a long day. Under-5s we’d suggest skipping — twelve hours is genuinely too much for very young children. Children under 8 enter the site free.
Can wheelchairs access Ephesus? Partially. The main Curetes Street is mostly cobbled marble on a slope, which is difficult but not impossible with assistance. Some sections of the site are stepped. If accessibility matters, message us before booking and we’ll discuss what’s realistic for your group.
What if I have a strict diet? Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options can be arranged at both meal stops with 48 hours’ notice. Mention when booking so the restaurant can prepare properly.
Can I combine the Ephesus tour with Pamukkale? Yes, but not back-to-back. Both are long-haul days and most guests find one such day per holiday is enough. The standard pairing is Ephesus early in the week, a recovery day, then Pamukkale later. For combined packages across two or more day trips, we offer better-than-list pricing — WhatsApp us with your dates.
What if the weather is bad? Light rain doesn’t stop the tour — Ephesus is partly under cover where it matters and you’ll have the coach for travel. Heavy storms can cause cancellation, in which case we offer to reschedule to another day of your holiday or remove the booking. We make the call by WhatsApp the evening before.
Want to combine Ephesus with Pamukkale, Dalyan or Cleopatra Island? Message us on WhatsApp with your full wish list and arrival dates. We’ll quote a combined-tour package — typically 10-15% less than booking each one separately.
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