Best of Ephesus Tours from Izmir & Shopping

Ephesus Ancient City is one of the most important highlights of our private Ephesus tours. Ephesus was the third-largest city of the Roman Empire, with a population of approximately 250,000 in the Roman period. It was also the capital and commercial center of Asia Minor. You will have a chance to see the Library of Celsus (the third biggest library of the ancient world), the Great Theater of Ephesus (the biggest in Anatolia), latrines, the Temple of Hadrian, and more...

Terrace Houses, also known as the “houses of the rich,” is located within the ancient city of Ephesus. This complex of six luxury villas offers valuable insight into family life during the Roman period. The villas feature advanced heating systems and are decorated with stunning mosaics and frescoes. The earliest of these houses dates back to the 1st century AD.

During the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, Jesus entrusted his mother to his apostle St.John in his last words, since Jerusalem was not safe for his mother Mary anymore. John placed the Virgin Mary on the top of Bulbul Mountain near Ephesus, which he considered a safe place. It is believed that the Virgin Mary spent her last years in this house and died. The House of the Virgin Mary is now officially registered as a place of pilgrimage, with the visits of Pope Paul VI in 1967, Pope John Paul II in 1979, and Pope Benedict XVI in 2006.

After the Apostle St. John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus and built a home for her, he continued to live in the city to care for her and spread Christianity. After Christianity was officially accepted by the Roman Empire, Emperor Justinian commissioned the construction of the Basilica of St. John in the 6th century AD. Today, this sacred site is believed to house the tomb of St. John, making it one of the most significant Christian landmarks in Ephesus and a major pilgrimage destination.

The Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, was built in the 6th century BC. The temple took its final form in the 2nd century. With its size, it was the largest pagan belief center of the period. Although we can only see the basic structure and a single column, and a few ruins today, it can still be visited to experience the current atmosphere.

Selcuk is one of the best places in Turkey for traditional craftsmanship and shopping. Visit government-supported carpet workshops to see skilled artisans hand-weaving beautiful Turkish carpets. Then explore a local leather factory, famous for producing jackets for major global brands, where you can shop for high-quality leather at excellent prices and watch a mini fashion show.