Our most recommended things to do in Izmir Province

From Kusadasi: Ephesus, House of Mary & Artemis Temple Tour

1. From Kusadasi: Ephesus, House of Mary & Artemis Temple Tour

According to your tour pickup time, meet with your guide and start your day. First, visit the House of Virgin Mary. Located 6 km to the north of the ruins of Ephesus, this church was built in 6C AD on top of the foundations of a house from 1C AD. Next check out Ephesus, an archeological treasure and the best preserved classical city in the Eastern Mediterranean. During 1C AD, Ephesus was the second largest city on the planet after Rome with more than 250.000 citizens. It was in the center of the known world and played the role of a gateway between the East and the West. With its giant harbor, it was also the center of trading in antiquity. It is also home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis. Walking on the ancient streets among the beautiful monuments such as the third largest library of the ancient world or the largest roman theatre on the Asia continent gives you the feeling of a time traveler. After lunch, continue to the Temple of Artemis. Its ancient cult dedicated to Artemis was famous in antiquity and made Ephesus a much-visited pilgrimage place. At the end of the tour, head back to your hotel or the port.

Kusadasi Buggy Safari Adventure

2. Kusadasi Buggy Safari Adventure

Journey off the beaten tracks in a buggy safari adventure. Enjoy driving along dirt paths, rivers, and on the beach. Follow your guide along a meandering river and spot the bright birds that nest alongside the water, then enjoy sweeping views of the Aegean Sea. Be ready to see lizards and snakes, while burning up the sandy parkour and passing through the marshes and forest. Ride the buggies through clouds of dust on the dusty roads for 1,5h. Take some perfect shots for your Instagram. Take a break at Pamucak Beach for a refreshing swim for 20min. Enjoy a stable, comfortable, and easy-to-steer vehicle.

From Izmir: Full-Day Ephesus Tour

3. From Izmir: Full-Day Ephesus Tour

Start with a pickup from your hotel in Izmir. Then, the discovery of Ephesus begins with the House of the Virgin Mary and a 10-minute drive to the ancient city of Ephesus. Explore the city by walking on the marble streets, accompanied by a guide.  See the Odeon, State Agora, the Pretension, the Memmius Monument, the Domitian Temple, Hercules Gate, Curetes Street, Hadrian Temple, and the Latrines. Choose to take an optional visit to the terrace houses for an additional cost.  After the terrace houses, carry on with your exploration with the Celsus Library, Marble Road, Commercial Agora, Great Theater, and Arcadian (harbor road). Enjoy a nice lunch served in a quaint local restaurant. Visit the Temple of Artemisa and take pictures of the church of St. John and the Mosque of İsa Bey. Enjoy free time in the old village of Sirince to discover the traditional houses, the fruit-flavored wine production, and enjoy some wine tasting.  End the day with a transfer back to Izmir airport or to your hotel in Izmir.

Kusadasi/Izmir: Ephesus & Temple of Artemis Shore Excursion

4. Kusadasi/Izmir: Ephesus & Temple of Artemis Shore Excursion

According your pick-up time, meet with your guide and transfer to the first sight in ancient Ephesus, the best preserved classic city in the eastern Mediterranean and the largest open-air museum in Turkey. Ephesus contains more then 30 buildings and structures linked together by streets that still have the marks of ancient chariot wheels. Visit the Great Theatre, where St. Paul preached against the pagans and the gladiators once engaged in battle. Originally holding 25,000 people, this theater was built in the Hellenistic period and was renovated by several Roman emperors. Designed for theatrical performances, later alterations allowed gladiatorial contests to be held here. The face of the Library of Celsus, which has been remarkably restored, is probably the most photographed place in Ephesus originally built in 115 to 125. You might also be able to see the Odeon Temple, Fountain of Trajan, Temple of Hadrian, the steam Scholastica Baths, marble road, agora and the Temple of Domitian. After visiting ancient Ephesus, continue to the Temple of Arthemis. Considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of Artemis was dedicated to the Goddess of the Hunt. Only the foundation and one column remains of this temple which once measured 425 feet by 220 feet wide. St. Paul’s successful ministry in this city was considered a threat to this temple. The city reached its Golden Age and became a good model to the ancient world in culture and art. The tour finishes at around 1:00 PM, from here you will return to cruise port.

Cappadocia: Full-Day Small Group Underground Cities Tour

5. Cappadocia: Full-Day Small Group Underground Cities Tour

Today, you will explore the most breathtaking parts of Cappadocia. At 9:30 AM, meet your guide at your hotel and drive to the first underground city at Kaymakli , once a place of refuge for 15, 000 Christians. Witness the ancient bedrooms, church, meeting hall, and food storage rooms in this 8-story city connected by 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) of corridors and passageways. Continue to Ortahisar, famous for its friendly inhabitants, picturesque stone houses, narrow streets, and lovely churches, as well as the castle-like rock formation after which the town is named. Next, make your way to Uchisar, the highest natural rock castle that provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area. Then, take a break to savor some amazing tastes of Turkish cuisine in a local restaurant. On your way back, stop at the panoramic Esentepe to take pictures of unique Cappadocia, and then at Göreme viewpoint for a breathtaking view over the village of Göreme. At the end of your tour, you will be driven back to your hotel or Göreme bus station.

Kusadasi Quad Safari

6. Kusadasi Quad Safari

Begin your 3-hour activity with a pick-up at your hotel and a drive to the forest camping site that’s the starting point for the quad safari. A professional guide will provide information about the tour, the quad and the course. Take your quad for a test drive before you head out. During the safari you’ll drive along paths by rivers and through woodland areas. When you arrive at Pamucak Beach, you can enjoy driving along the sand. Stop for a short break at the beach for swim. After the short rest, you’ll drive the quad back to the starting point, and then begin the ride back to your hotel. The total quad drıvıng is 1,5h. Please Note: 1 quad will be given for each adult booking (Single participant). Those who choose the children option will share the quad with adults (Double participants). Double Buggy: 2 people for 1 buggy Single Buggy: 1 Person on Buggy

Cesme: Boat Trip w/Small Group & Open Buffet Lunch

7. Cesme: Boat Trip w/Small Group & Open Buffet Lunch

When joining our Cesme Boat Trip expect to spend a wonderful day in the infamous waters of the Aegean Sea. Once you reach the port, expect to embark on a spacious and comfortable boat, that features both, shaded and outdoor areas. Find your spot on the decks, and start soaking up the sun as the boat sets sail away form the port. During the first moments, don’t miss the chance to watch the views over the coastline, and get your cameras ready to snap some cool photos. With our Cesme Boat Trip you can expect to visit some of the most charming, famous, and unspoiled bays in the area. More precisely, the boat will anchor several times, and you will have time to spend as you wish. All you have to do is jump into the water and enjoy a refreshing and fun swimming session. Alternative, you may take your time to relax, while being surrounded by a stunning scenery. During these stops, you can also walk around and explore the bay, and enjoy sun bathing at the sandy terrain. At one of the stops, the crew will prepare and serve you a delicious lunch, in order to get your energized to continue your trip. Our Cesme Boat Trip is, also, a great option for families with children. Grab your chance to spend a fun day together, and create some cool memories. In the afternoon, the boat is about to return back at the port.

From Cesme: Ferry Transfer to Chios

8. From Cesme: Ferry Transfer to Chios

Meeting at Ulusoy Cesme Port. Next, board the high-speed boat, and arrive at the port of Chios. See why it's a happy place to visit with its 300 days of sunshine a year.

Kusadasi: Ephesus Shore Excursion with Skip-the-Line Entry

9. Kusadasi: Ephesus Shore Excursion with Skip-the-Line Entry

Ephesus - Terrace Houses - The House of Virgin Mary - Artemission Temple Tour with Private Option. No Hidden Costs Visit Ephesus and its attractions on a small-group excursion. See the Terrace Houses, the House of Virgin Mary, and Artemission Temple with entrance fees covered and a licensed tour guide. Meet your tour guide at Kusadasi Cruise Port at the pre-arranged time Please note that pick up time ( usually 30 minutes after your cruise arrival ) will be emailed with in 24 hours after your reservation. If you miss this email, please do not forget to contact us for pick up time. After greeting begin your 20-minute drive to Ephesus. Once there, begin touring the city, which is one of the 12 cities of the Ionian League. As a port city, this was a major departure point for trade routes into Asia Minor. Walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them discover the Baths of Scholastica and the Library of Celsus. Encounter the Temple of Hadrian and The Grand Theater, which are 2 of the most impressive buildings in Ephesus. Visit the Terrace Houses, located on the skirt of Pion Mountain. See the 6 residential units which were built on 3 man-made terraces. These houses are decorated with wall frescoes and floor mosaics, settled by the wealthy citizens of Ephesus. See the House of Virgin Mary, located in the Aladag Mountains, 5 miles away from Ephesus, and learn about its connection to when Mary came to Ephesus in 431 A.D. and why this area became a place of pilgrimage in 1892. Stop at the Artemission Temple, where one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world used to be. This will be the final stop on your tour before your return drive to your point of origin.

Ephesus Day Tour with Return Flights From Istanbul

10. Ephesus Day Tour with Return Flights From Istanbul

Explore a historical gem of the eastern Mediterranean on a full-day tour of Ephesus from Istanbul, with round-trip flights, and walk in the footsteps of Cleopatra, Mark Antony, the Virgin Mary, and John the Apostle. The largest open-air museum in Turkey, Ephesus contains more than 30 buildings and structures linked together by streets that still bear the marks of chariot wheels. Your guide will show you the awe-inspiring Great Theater, where St. Paul preached against the pagans and gladiators once engaged in battle. Walk along Marble Street to the Library of Celsus and be dazzled by its restored façade. Visit the Temple of Hadrian, Roman baths, and other remarkable ruins. Continue to the Church of the Virgin Mary. According to Christian tradition, Mary was brought to Ephesus by the Apostle John after the Resurrection of Christ. The church was erected on the foundation of the house where she spent her final days, as authenticated by Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II. End your day at the Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. Today there are only a series of columns and scattered ruins of this marvelous Hellenistic construction, though the grandeur of the colossal structure once exceeded that of the Parthenon.

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What people are saying about Izmir Province

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 1,293 reviews

Super recommend! 10/10 Really Amazing. Everything was planned really well and coordinated perfectly. We had so much fun and learned a huge amount of knowlege of Ephesus and Pamukkale - Thanks to Emray. Our Amazing tour guide!!

Well organised tour. Lunch was included and it was very nice. Both the driver and tour guide were good. The tour guide gave a lot of information which was great

The trip was amazing and the tour was extremely well organized. Tejen may have been the best tour guide I have ever had in my life

Very good guide ! Volkan is very knowledgeable person and very pleasant to be around . Ephesus is a must see experience

Very knowledgeable guide and overall a nice experience. Ride was comfortable and the meal enjoyable.