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Ephesus is located 210 kilometres north-west of Marmaris, and it takes approximately two and a half hours to drive on the expressways (via D550). A unique Marmaris Ephesus Tour is available, which allows you to discover more about the ancient city's site of Ephesus. Our professional tour guides join you on all of our itineraries for these regular tours.
Our knowledgeable and English speaking tour guides are always ready to answer your questions on-site, with extensive information about the tour programs. Aside from visiting the ancient city location, our daily Ephesus Marmaris Tour includes a trip to the renowned Virgin Mary Shrine on the Bulbul Mountain (a distance of 9 kilometres from Ephesus).
Turkey's earliest known settlements date back to the 9th century BC. During recent excavations, over 300 ancient cities have been discovered on the Aegean coast alone! Ephesus, a town located 3 kilometres from modern-day Selcuk in Izmir Province, is Turkey's largest and most interesting ancient city of its time. The Greek colonies that established Ephesus in the 10th century BC made it famous for its magnificent temple, the Temple of Artemis.
The magnificent Temple of Artemis, known as the "Grand Ionic Propylaia," was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. After recent excavations, Ephesus, a large province city with over 250,000 inhabitants, became one of the largest open-air museums major tourist attractions in Turkey. This massive archaeological site draws approximately 2 million visitors each year.
The city has spectacular locations such as the Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus and Ancient Artemis Temple, the remains of an enormous amphitheatre that could accommodate 24,000 people at a time.
Ephesus has a good relationship with Christianity as well. St Paul, a disciple of Christ, resided in the city for almost three years (53 to 57 AD). He organized and formalized missionary activities in the hinterlands during his stay. The Corinthians were penned while he was there. It is also claimed that Virgin Mary followed St John to reside on top of the Bulbul Mountain, commonly known as the House of Virgin Mary, until her Assumption.
The Supreme Church of the Vatican has designated the site as a holy pilgrimage. John, one of the principal apostles, has written the Gospel of John in Ephesus around 90-100 AD. It's been claimed that 'the Gospel of John' was composed in Ephesus around 90-100 AD. Take our Marmaris Ephesus Tour and discover ancient Ephesus from Marmaris.
The ancient city of Ephesus is located on the Ionian coast in Anatolia, just three kilometres southwest of Selçuk in Izmir Province, Turkey. This ancient city was constructed on Arzawan's former capital site during the 10th century BC by Attic and Ionian Greek settlers. Ephesus flourished as a significant member of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek period.
Ephesus was a flourishing commercial centre and an important port during the Roman Empire. Ephesus, formerly known as Miletus, was Asia Minor's third-largest city with 250,000 people during the Roman period. Ephesus was renowned for housing the Temple of Artemis, one of the "Seven Wonders of Antiquity."
The ruins of Ephesus, which is located in modern-day Turkey, are one of the most visited historical sites in the eastern Mediterranean. The remains of Ephesus are a popular tourist destination in Turkey today. The library of Celsus, The Temple of Artemis, the Grand Theater, the Basilica of St John, the Gate of Augustus, and the Temple of Isis is Ephesus' most notable monuments. Ephesus is one of Turkey's most significant outdoor museums.
One of the seven holy churches was the Ephesus, and the Gospel of John might have been written here. Saint Paul, Saint John, and the Virgin Mary are just a few examples of Ephesus' illustrious Christians.
The Library of Celsus, which faces east and is one of Ephesus' most magnificent monuments, was constructed in 117 AD as a colossal mausoleum for Gaius Julius Celsus Polemaenus, an ancient Greek. The library held 12,000 scrolls and was the third greatest at the time.
The 2nd-century-AD Temple Artemis is one of Ephesus's most beautifully preserved and magnificent structures, and it was dedicated to Emperor Hadrian. The story of the city's foundation is represented on friezes inside the temple.
The Public Toilets, also known as the Scholastica Baths, were constructed in the first century AD and part of the Scholastica Baths. They charged a fee to use them. The marble stone toilets are aligned along the walls without barriers between them. An uncovered pool near these toilets most likely supplied water to clean and remove waste via a drainage system that ran beneath the toilets.
This is the most magnificent building in Ephesus, located on the slope of Panayir Hill near the south entrance. It was founded first during the Hellenistic Period and later enlarged to its present size in the 3rd century BC, and it is one of Anatolia's most giant buildings. The theatre could accommodate 25,000 people at once! Besides plays and concerts, it hosted religious and political events, philosophical discussions, gladiator encounters, and animal fights.
Famous, The House of Virgin Mary pilgrimage site, is located on the top of Bulbul Mountain (Koressos Mt.), 9 kilometres from Ephesus. Virgin Mary's house was discovered in the 19th century based on visions reported by a Roman Catholic, Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824), who lived in it for six months. Since its discovery, the House of Virgin Mary has attracted crowds of pilgrims and Pope John Paul II Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich in 2004.
The Church of the Annunciation is a small, medieval stone house where pilgrims believe this house is Virgin Mary's house. Virgin Mary accompanied St John to this site and resided in this stone home until her Assumption. Popes have honoured the shrine. Pope Leo XIII was first in 1896, followed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006.
The first home was a two-story structure with a front kitchen, an anteroom, bedroom, prayer room, and fireplace. This stone was ancient for construction dates back to the Apostolic Age and is characterized by Roman architecture. A church was rebuilt in the 4th century AD using the existing house and the grave of Mary. Much of the structure had crumbled away, but it was restored in the 1940s. Only the central portion of the building and a chamber immediately adjacent to the altar are open to visitors. The present home serves as a chapel for Christian pilgrims who offer prayers there.
The Church of the Virgin Mary has been visited several times by Popes. Pope Leo XIII was the first pope to see the house in 1896. Pope Paul VI came here in 1967, and Pope John Paul II visited this site in 1979. Benedict XVI paid his latest visit to it on December 13th, 2006. Pope John Paul II designated the site as the Shrine of Virgin Mary for Christians and a Christian pilgrimage centre during his stay. Muslims also come to see Mary, revered as their prophet's mother, on August 15th every year. On August 15th, Mary's Assumption is honoured at this location.
The "Water of Mary" is a fascinating location, and this is where some holy water has curative properties and originates. Pilgrims come to this site to pay their respects and drink the water for its miraculous effects. The "Wishing Wall," just outside the sanctuary, is another popular stop where pilgrims write down their wishes on paper or fabric.
Ephesus Museum, also known as The Temple of Artemis, is among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple to Goddess Artemis, known as the Ephesus' "Mother Goddess of Fertility," was rebuilt throughout its lengthy story. The flat space on which the temple was initially built became a marsh, and its foundations remain today.
The 8th century BC is first known for the Temple of Artemis on the marshy ground near the River Cayster in Anatolia, Turkey. Artemis, the Ephesus goddess of fertility, later known as Diana, is different from Artemis, the Greek goddess of hunting. According to legend, this temple's sacred stone was a meteorite that had fallen from Jupiter.
In 600 BC, Ephesian Helice was destroyed, and it was rebuilt once again. The city was an important seaport, and you did not spare the endeavour in terms of cost. The temple's primary feature was its massive stone columns, which are said to have been over 20 feet tall. However, King Croesus' campaign to take Ephesus in 550 BC damaged even this structure. A significant flood likely destroyed the temple at around that time.
Between 1831 - 1832, during the reign of King Croesus, who had previously funded the restoration, a new limestone church was built beside it. The subsequent rebuilding was 300 feet long and 150 feet broad, with over 100 stone columns to support the enormous roof. This vast sanctuary was Ephesus' glory until 356 BC. Even this magnificent structure was destroyed by a young Ephesian mischief-maker who set fire to the temple with it.
The new temple was erected shortly after, and Pliny the Elder, the Roman historian, celebrated at this site as "Wonderful monument of Grecian magnificence, and one that deserves genuine admiration," followed. With 127 massive columns, the temple housed numerous artworks and was 425 feet long by 225 feet wide. The Goths' raids eventually destroyed the magnificent structure, leaving only its memory behind.
The Christians' rise, recurring earthquakes, floods, and siltation of the region may have eventually deterred any future attempts at restoration. Residents utilized the temple stones to construct their homes, resulting in the magnificent temple's ultimate destruction.
The Temple of Artemis is located near Ephesus, in the Izmir District of Kusadasi. This historic city in western Turkey is a treasure trove of history and a significant tourist destination. From many of Turkey's major cities, you can easily reach Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis.
Guided Tours are highly beneficial for learning more about the areas you'll visit throughout Marmaris. Our qualified guides are holders of bachelor's and master's degrees from some of Turkey's respected institutions, and they have the most understanding of the region, history, culture, and society. They are well-trained in delivering their expertise to you in a pleasant way. Apart from conveying the particular knowledge of any site, our tour guides recommend things to do as well as those not to do.
We provide the best possible transportation services during your stay with us, thanks to our meticulously maintained and pleasant buses. All of our air-conditioned shuttles are driven by experienced and qualified drivers; furthermore, all of them are fully insured.
While you book our travel services online, we'll provide free hotel transportation! We provide free hotel transfers in the most comfortable and well-maintained vehicles. We are ready with our car to pick you up at the main entrance of your accommodation as any of the prearranged tours begins. After the trip, we ensure that you get back to your home safely and comfortably.
The all-inclusive transfer services cover only hotels in Marmaris and Icmeler. Don't hesitate to contact us if you are staying outside of Marmaris or Icmeler, as there will be an additional charge for the transfer.
On the road to Marmaris, we'll serve you breakfast on board. We provide a typical Turkish breakfast, including cheese, tomatoes, different kinds of olives, butter, honey, various types of jams and fresh Turkish bread. Remember that your breakfast is included in the rate you paid; there is no need to pay anything extra.
After breakfast, the bus trip begins. During this 2-hour journey, we utilize comfortable and air-conditioned buses. We pause for 30 minutes in the town of Selçuk to provide you with a rest stop, and you may use the restrooms and get something to drink during this time.
The tour takes you to Ephesus for two hours. With your guide, you may explore the ruins of Ephesus during your Marmaris Ephesus Tour. This site is well-known among locals and tourists alike, and the guides are highly knowledgeable about it. They will tell you some fascinating stories from the past and essential historical, cultural, daily life, ancient architecture, and mythological information about Ephesus. Don't assume that you'll have to walk continuously for two hours in the scorching heat; you will stop in shaded areas occasionally. From your tour guide, you may learn about Ephesus' history. You'll also have opportunities to explore on your own and snap photographs throughout the journey.
After a tour of Ephesus, you'll enjoy an excellent and fresh open buffet lunch. We provide ten different cold starters and a wide range of main course alternatives in our elegant restaurant, and vegetarian cuisine is also available on the menu. Sweets, fruits, and fresh Turkish bread are all included in the meal. This delicious lunch is free with the trip; pay for your beverages here.
You may use the one hour of free time that you will have after seeing Ephesus' ancient city and lunch in Selcuk to do what you choose. You can relax at a local cafeteria or explore the other historical sites in town during that one-hour free period. The archaeological museum, Temple of Artemis, or House of Virgin Mary are some attractions available for your visit. Your guide will provide you with comprehensive information about these locations and alternatives during the tour.
We should return to Marmaris at around 19:00 in the late afternoon. We safely drop you off at your hotels from where we had picked you up in the morning as we arrive back in Marmaris.
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