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Basilica Of Saint John

Basilica Of Saint John: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Kusadasi or Izmir: Ephesus Private Tour

1. From Kusadasi or Izmir: Ephesus Private Tour

Explore the stunning ruins of Ephesus on this full-day sightseeing tour from Izmir or Kusadasi, also available as a half-day option from Kusadasi for those short of time. As it is a private tour you can start at any time you like. You will also visit the small House of the Virgin Mary, where it is thought she spent her final days after St. John brought her to Ephesus following the death of Jesus. Located on Mount Bulbuldagi (Koressos), it’s a popular pilgrim site for Christians and Muslims and boasts a captivating, spiritual atmosphere. Once inside the grounds of Ephesus, wander among the ruins with your guide to see sites such as the Odeon Theatre, which could seat up to 1,400 spectators in its day. Admire the beautiful Roman statues and decorations carved into marble slabs at the Pollio Fountain. Other highlights include the Celcius Library, completed by the Romans in 117AD. The building has the most awe-inspiring façade, with columns, statues, and intact windows. Finally, explore the Greek Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, and go to the Basilica of St John (Kusadasi departures only), constructed by Justinian I over the burial site of the Apostle John.

From Kusadasi/Izmir: Ephesus Private Tour with Less Walking

2. From Kusadasi/Izmir: Ephesus Private Tour with Less Walking

Discover the wonders of Ephesus on a private tour with less walking and more exploring for travelers seeking a more relaxed experience. Enjoy pickup from Izmir or Kusadasi. With a guide and skip-the-line access, bypass queues and dive straight into the heart of this UNESCO-listed site. Explore the iconic Library of Celsus, an architectural masterpiece that once housed thousands of scrolls. Marvel at the grandeur of the Grand Theatre, where gladiators once battled and audiences were captivated by theatrical performances. Stroll along the ancient streets of Ephesus, adorned with intricate columns and historic ruins. Immerse yourself in the rich history and cultural heritage of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Listen to fascinating stories and legends from your guide that will bring Ephesus to life. Enjoy the advantage of less walking and savor every moment without feeling rushed. Capture stunning photos, soak in the ambiance, and let the ancient past transport you to a bygone era.

Kusadasi : City Discovery Tour

3. Kusadasi : City Discovery Tour

If you bored on cruise and dont want to spend all day on Ephesus ancient city , Lets discover Kusadasi with a local by walking. No rush No Hassle , just discovering freely This activity is just for you , if you looking for ; Best places to see ( Not Touristic) Best Local Food places Local Tea Tasting in a Local place Meet with locals Discovering Turkish Culture and traditions

Private Ephesus Tour with Traditional Lunch ( skip the line)

4. Private Ephesus Tour with Traditional Lunch ( skip the line)

Private Ephesus – Artemis Temple – The House of Virgin Mary – St. John Basilica with Traditional Lunch Tour Your private guide will meet you at Kusadasi port with a sign written “ Your Name “ on it, 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 with us for pick up time. After greeting, we will have 20 mins. drive to Ephesus area. We will start visiting one of the main highlights in Turkey, Ephesus, one of the 12 cities of Ionian League (an ancient Greek district on the western coast of Asia Minor) is located near Izmir. As a port city it was a major departure point for trade routes into Asia Minor. Walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus; it was built in the beginning of the 2nd century A.D. by Gaius Julius Aquila to be a memorial to his father Gaius Julius Celsus Polemanus, the proconsul of Province of Asia. , the Temple of Hadrian and The Grand Theater are two of the most impressive buildings in Ephesus. Grand theatre was built in 3rd century B.C and it was later expanded to 24.000 spectators by the Romans in the 1st century A.D. The House of Virgin Mary is located on the Aladag Mountains 5 miles away from Ephesus. At the third Ecumenical Council on 431 AD in Ephesus, it was claimed that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. After the discovery of the house, the Archbishop of Izmir declared there as a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed there. After House of Virgin Mary, drive to St. John’s Basilica, it is believed that the evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. We will stop at Artemis Temple where used to be one of the seven wonders of the ancient world as our last stop before drive back to Kusadasi town center and port. The end of our services. Plesae note that entrance fees are not included in the rate. Our guide will have pre-paid tickest and you pay the entrance fees to our guide at the end of the tour

Best of Ephesus Skip-The-Line Tour

5. Best of Ephesus Skip-The-Line Tour

Meet your guide in your hotel reception or pre–arranged meeting point and receive a brief introduction from your tour guide about the attractions in the Ephesus Region. Together with your guide, decide the places you would like to see such as museums, local markets, and local restaurants, and then start your full-day tour. Discover the places in Ephesus that interest you the most and learn about these spots from your own private guide (attraction admission fees not included). Take the tour at your own pace, stopping as frequently and for as long as you like without the hassle of waiting for other people. The tour is designed as a full day by private van. At the end of the tour, you will return to your original departure point.

Private Guided Eploration of Ephesus

6. Private Guided Eploration of Ephesus

According to your private tour pick-up time Meet your guide at your hotel's reception, Kusadasi port, or a pre–arranged meeting point and receive a brief introduction from your tour guide about the attractions in Ephesus Region. Together with your guide, decide the places you would like to see such as museums, local markets and local restaurants, and then start your full-day tour. Discover the places in Ephesusthat interest you most and learn about these spots from your own private guide. Take the tour at your own pace, stopping as frequently and for as long as you like without the hassle of waiting for other people. The tour is designed as a full day by private van walking tour. At the end of the tour return to the original departure point.

Biblical Ephesus Tour with Bible Oriented Tour Guide

7. Biblical Ephesus Tour with Bible Oriented Tour Guide

Private Biblical Ephesus Tour with BIBLE Oriented Tour Guide Your private guide will meet you at Kusadasi port with “Your Name“ sign 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 with us for pick up time. Drive to Ephesus area. Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7), the major port city on the Aegean, was the commercial, political, and religious center of all of Asia Minor. After a lunatic completely burned the Temple of Diana (Artemis) on the night, that Alexander the Great was born in 356 B.C. The Ephesians worked for 120 years to complete a magnificent reconstructed temple, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The city became part of the Roman Empire in the second century B.C. As a Roman capital of Asia Minor, Ephesus boasted a population approaching 250,000 people. The Apostle Paul’s first visit to Ephesus was brief—during his second missionary tour (Acts 18:19-21). His second visit lasted about three years—during his third missionary tour (Acts 19:1 to 20:31). Luke’s account of the worship of Diana appears in Acts 19:34-35. The Great Theatre (stadium) mentioned in Acts 19:29-31 could seat 25,000 people. Walk the marble-paved street with grooves made by chariot wheels. See the Fountain of Trojan, the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. Visit the Chapel of the Virgin Mary (Double Church), where the Third Ancient Council convened. House of Virgin Mary at the third Ecumenical Council on 431 AD in Ephesus, it was claimed that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. After the discovery of the house, the Archbishop of Izmir declared there as a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed there. After the House of Virgin Mary, drive to St. John’s Basilica, it is believed that the evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. We will stop at Artemis Temple where used to be one of the seven wonders of the ancient world as our last stop before drive back to Kusadasi

For Cruisers: Best of Ephesus Shore Ex (Skip-The-Line)

8. For Cruisers: Best of Ephesus Shore Ex (Skip-The-Line)

According to your tour pick-up time meet with your guide and drive to Ephesus, An Archeological treasure, The best-preserved classical city in 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. It is also home to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of Artemis. Ephesus is also well preserved that, 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. Next; the House of the Virgin Mary: it is declared by the church to be the final house where Mary spent her last days. Also, it is believed that the Assumption took place there in the 15th of August. Tour continues on to St John Basilica; 3 km away from the ruins of Ephesus a small church was built dedicated to John in 2C AD, Later in 6C AD it was replaced by a huge basilica built by Emperor Justinian, The impressive ruins are still standing today. Our last visiting place will be The Temple of Artemis or Artemision was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its ancient cult dedicated to Artemis was very famous in antiquity and made Ephesus a much-visited pilgrimage place. At the end of the tour drive you back to the departure point.

EPHESUS PRIVATE TOUR (Car & Guide)

9. EPHESUS PRIVATE TOUR (Car & Guide)

Ancient City of Ephesus Ephesus Ancient City ;You will be amazed by two thousand year old structures such as the Parliament House, Temple of Domitian, Memmius Monument, Heracles Gate, mosaic covered pavements, bathhouses, public toilets, the Third Largest Library of the Ancient World, the shops, the Largest Theatre of Turkey where St. Paul preached and many others. Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House) Ephesus is an important place in Christian history as it is recognized as the final residence of Mother Mary. During the second half of the first century Christians were heavily persecuted under the Roman rule. According to tradition after the crucifixion of Jesus, St John did bring Mother Mary to Ephesus with him to hide escape persecution. They did spend their last years in Ephesus which was a very prosperous trading city. The House of the Virgin Mary is located 6 kms (3.7mi) from Ephesus and surrounded by pine and olive trees. It is made of stone and looks very small and humble The Basilica of Saint John Visit the impressive ruins of the Byzantine Church of St John mark the spot where St John the Evangelist was buried. Selcuk (Pass By) Small Local town 4 The Temple of Artemis Temple of Artemis which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, although there is one single column left today, magnificient temple had been built for the goddess of fertility and hunters, Artemis, known as Diana after city passed under the rule of Romans.

All Inclusive VIP Ephesus Excursion: Customizable Ephesus

10. All Inclusive VIP Ephesus Excursion: Customizable Ephesus

Customizable Private Ephesus Tour ( Entrance fees are included ) Your private guide will meet you at Kusadasi port or hotel with a sign written “Your Name“ on it. 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 with us for pick up time. After greeted by your guide, you are going to customize your private tour with recommendations of your guide due to your cruiseship schedule. Ephesus area where all attractions are located is 20 mins. driving away from Kusadasi port. You can kindly find the list of places where you can add to your private tour. You can decide where you will visit with your guide’s recommendations and you can pay extra for the entrance and parking fees as below.

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What people are saying about Basilica Of Saint John

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 6 reviews

Was the only one on a Sunday private tour and covered the house of Mary, Ephesus, a short stop over at the temple of Artemis and the Basilica of St John. The sights were amazing as you would expect, but my guide Ali was superb. His English was flawless and his knowledge was top notch. His explanations to give historical, religious and modern context to the sites, the area and its people brought to life the places as only a local from this part does. He’s also extensively travelled and does get to know the people he’s guiding better to actively relate and also suggest how the day can be better tailored to your preferences. The lunch place he chose was a co-op with the cause for the villagers around the area and the food was amazing. I would fully recommend and my thanks to Ali for the hospitality and making this day amazing.

Ali was very knowledgeable, thorough and organized as well as flexible. I particularly appreciate the thoughtful way information and history was presented which helped with unraveling the unique history of the area. I did end up with the tour from Izmir which costs more but I still will recommend him and this tour to anyone who contemplates a visit!

I did a private tour with Özlem and visited the house of the Virgin Mary,Ephesus with a side trip to a leather factory and to see how the handcrafts (ceramic) are made. Overall an excellent tour with a fantastic and knowledgeable guide who provided more info than I could ever ask for. Highly recommended.

This was the perfect way to spend the day! Our guide Aishin was incredible! She got us ahead of the crowds and her knowledge of the history was exceptional

Ali was a wonderful guide who customized our tour to suit our interests. He was very knowledgeable and personable. We highly recommend him.