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In the morning you meet your private guide and driver for a full day tour of Ephesus, located just 1 hour away.

Ephesus, a UNESCO site and one of the largest and best-preserved ancient cities in the world, is a must for those who are interested in archaeology and culture. Ephesus, once the most important commercial center of the western Anatolia, is one of the top highlights of Turkey. Temple of Artemis, one of the “Seven Wonders of the World" has once been located here as well. Together with your guide you enter through the Magnesia Gate and begin a slow, downhill walk into the ruins of this Roman provincial capital. Your route takes you past the Odeon, the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater. The theater had seating for 25,000 spectators, which was the site where St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, and is used today for a local spring festival.

You stop for a traditional Turkish open-air lunch just outside of Ephesus (lunch is not included) before continuing the tour. After a break for lunch, you proceed to the Archeological Museum, where you are escorted through the nine exhibits tracing the religious and chronological history of the ancient city. Filled with attractively displayed mosaics, statuary, and other artefacts, the museum exhibits several marble statues of the Mother Goddess Artemis. The Open Air Museum and the Archeology Museum combined give you a very fulfilling idea of the city of Ephesus and its importance in the ancient times. 

Today you also visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the place where Mary may have spent her last days. Indeed, she may have come in the area together with Saint John, who spent several years in the area to spread Christianity. Although this sights has never been officially recognised by the Catholic Church as the home of Mary, a lot of gestures made by the popes authenticated its history in the eyes of the faithful and House of the Virgin Mary became a major place of Christian pilgrimage.

Another sight on your list for today is the ruins of St. John’s Basilica. It is believed that the evangelist St. John spent his last years in this region and was buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. Three hundred years after the death of St. John, a small chapel was constructed over the grave in the 4th century. The church of St John was changed into a marvellous basilica during the region of Emperor Justinian.

Please note: The site requires stair climbing at the entrance and walking over uneven ground, stones and gravel walkways. The site has some fallen ruins and some light climbing will be required. 

After the tour you are transferred to your hotel in Izmir.

Ephesus, a UNESCO site and one of the largest and best-preserved ancient cities in the world, is a must for those who are interested in archaeology and culture. During this full-day tour, you see many magnificent places, including Magnesia Gate and the ruins of this Roman provincial capital.

Ephesus Full Day Tour

Izmir Clock Tower is the prominent landmark of the city. A couple of times in a row, the tower's top was destroyed in earthquakes but renewed and brought back to life. The official tower's installation date is 1 September 1901 in the sultan's accession to the throne honor.

Izmir Clock Tower

Private Guide 2 hours 30USD/h

Konak Square is the main place of Izmir and the busiest part of the city. Here are important historical landmarks, such as City Hall of Izmir, Yalı Mosque, and  İzmir Clock Tower.

Konak Square

Asansor was built in 1907 and is the historical building in the center of Izmir. The construction has the elevator serving to carry on people and products through the hilly cliffs between parts of the city.

Asansor

Mount Kadifekale is a beautiful castle-town on top of a hill. The history of its creation dates back to the 3rd century BC. In 2007 the castle was completely renewed. A couple of years later, it became the Tentative World Heritage Site.

Mount Kadifekale

Izmir Wildlife Park is one of the best places to spend time with family and kids. Wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers also find here a lot of enjoyable. The park takes the territory in 425,000 square meters and is the biggest one in Izmir. While your time here, you see rare birds and animals and flora species. Izmir Wildlife Park is a natural resort where all animals are living in their natural conditions without cages.

Izmir Wildlife Park

Voucher 10 usd

Yassıca Ada Islands is a group of five small Islands located in the Gulf of Izmir.  One of them, the Saytanli Ada, according to the legend, is the place where the devil used to live. Because of the close location to each other, you can rich another island swimming. Yassıca Ada Islands is the inhabitant area, but the government created there a restaurant, a quay, and a 400-meter beach. Since then, then it has turned into one of the most relaxing places for all travelers.

Yassıca Ada Island

Ataturk Museum in Izmir was built between 1875-1880 and initially was a house. Later on, when its owner abandoned it, the property became governmental and was given for military needs. Today it is used as the Ataturk Museum, where you can learn a lot about his life, writings, and personal facts.

Ataturk Museum

Karagol ( Kara Lake) means "Black Lake" because of the dark blue color, which gives the lake's depth. Karagol unites a mountain chain, a high plateau, the lake, and a village on top. This region is one of the most picturesque and staying on top of the many tourist's bucket lists

Kara Lake

Mount Spil is a famous mountain mentioned in countless Turkish legends, fairytales, stories, and writings. Nearby the mountain is the famous full-faced statue, known as " Stone Figure." According to the legend, the uglyTantalus'es son, Broteas, carved it in honor of mother-goddess. Nowadays, Mount Spil is one of the most visited points in the  Spil Dağı National Park, and it also is a famous place for hiking, camping, and mountain activities.

Mount Spil

After breakfast at your hotel, meet your private guide and discover Izmir on this half-day city tour. 

Start at the iconic Clock Tower in Konak Square. Admire the architecture and soak in the bustling atmosphere of the city center. Dive into the heart of Izmir's culture at Kemeraltı Bazaar. Stroll through the narrow streets, explore local shops, and perhaps pick up some unique souvenirs. Immerse yourself in history with a quick visit to the Agora of Smyrna. Marvel at the ancient ruins and learn about the city's past.

Half Day Guided City Tour

English

Alsancak

Agora of Izmir

Ephesus

Kadifekale

Kordon

Take a trip to Izmir and explore ancient archaeological remains of lost cities and spectacular structures with Triptile! Make sure your valuable time is spent wisely on choosing which hotels to stay in, what landmarks you want to visit, and how to get around the city, while our experts at Triptile will follow your itinerary and make all of your bookings for you while keeping you up to date on all the progress. Arrive at Bergama Asklepion, an ancient medical center that honors the Greek God of healing Asklepios, come by the ancient city of Pergamon, built in 5th century BC, and inspect the remainings of tall standing columns, and for those interested in archaeology, visit the Izmir Archaeology Museum which features over 1500 artifacts some of which date back over a thousand years. Get to see a piece of history yourself by making a trip to Izmir with Triptile!

Izmir Trips 

Ancient Turkey Discovery

Ancient Turkey & Greece

Highlights of Turkey and Greece

Best of Turkey

Ancient History: Izmir is one of the oldest cities in the Mediterranean, with a history dating back to around 3,000 BC. It was an important city in the ancient times, known as Smyrna, and has been home to many different civilizations including the Lydians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. The city's rich past is evident in the many historical sites scattered around Izmir, like the ancient Agora (marketplace), Kadifekale (the Velvet Castle), and the Izmir Clock Tower.

Ephesus: Close to Izmir is the ancient city of Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most complete, still-standing Roman cities in the Mediterranean region. This archaeological site has a rich Roman history and includes structures such as the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, and the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), although only a single column remains of the temple today.

Cuisine: Izmir is also famous for its vibrant food scene. It offers a variety of Aegean dishes, with a focus on seafood, olive oil-based dishes, and mezes (small dishes). The city is also known for its street food, such as "boyoz" (a type of pastry) and "kumru" (a special sandwich with local sausage, cheese, and tomatoes).

Natural Beauty: The city is situated on a beautiful stretch of the Aegean coast, with a picturesque seafront promenade known as the Kordon. The surrounding region is also home to stunning landscapes, including beautiful beaches and the unique rock formations of the Cesme Peninsula.

Cultural Festivals: Izmir hosts a number of cultural events throughout the year. The most prominent is the Izmir International Fair, one of the oldest trade shows in Turkey. The city also hosts the Izmir European Jazz Festival and the Izmir International Festival, which features classical music and opera performances.

Alsancak: This is a vibrant neighborhood in Izmir with a lively nightlife, historical buildings, and Kordon, which is lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops. It's an important cultural hub and a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

Arrival Welcome to Izmir, located on Turkey’s Aegean coast! This city was founded by the Greeks, taken over by the Romans and rebuilt by Alexander the Great before becoming part of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century.Upon arrival, you are transferred to your hotel for check-in. After check-in, the rest of the evening is free for you to enjoy the city on your own.

Ephesus Full Day Tour In the morning after breakfast, you meet your private guide and driver for a full day tour of Ephesus, located just 1 hour away.Ephesus, a UNESCO site and one of the largest and best-preserved ancient cities in the world, is a must for those who are interested in archaeology and culture. Ephesus, once the most important commercial center of the western Anatolia, is one of the top highlights of Turkey. Temple of Artemis, one of the “Seven Wonders of the World" has once been located here as well. Together with your guide you enter through the Magnesia Gate and begin a slow, downhill walk into the ruins of this Roman provincial capital. Your route takes you past the Odeon, the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan and the Great Theater. The theater had seating for 25,000 spectators, which was the site where St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, and is used today for a local spring festival.You stop for a traditional Turkish open-air lunch just outside of Ephesus (lunch is not included) before continuing the tour. After a break for lunch, you proceed to the Archeological Museum, where you are escorted through the nine exhibits tracing the religious and chronological history of the ancient city. Filled with attractively displayed mosaics, statuary, and other artefacts, the museum exhibits several marble statues of the Mother Goddess Artemis. The Open Air Museum and the Archeology Museum combined give you a very fulfilling idea of the city of Ephesus and its importance in the ancient times.Today you also visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the place where Mary may have spent her last days. Indeed, she may have come in the area together with Saint John, who spent several years in the area to spread Christianity. Although this sights has never been officially recognised by the Catholic Church as the home of Mary, a lot of gestures made by the popes authenticated its history in the eyes of the faithful and House of the Virgin Mary became a major place of Christian pilgrimage.Another sight on your list for today is the ruins of St. John’s Basilica. It is believed that the evangelist St. John spent his last years in this region and was buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. Three hundred years after the death of St. John, a small chapel was constructed over the grave in the 4th century. The church of St John was changed into a marvellous basilica during the region of Emperor Justinian.Please note: The site requires stair climbing at the entrance and walking over uneven ground, stones and gravel walkways. The site has some fallen ruins and some light climbing will be required.After the tour you are transferred to your hotel in Izmir and have the evening at leisure.

Departure Following breakfast, you check out, meet your private driver and depart from Izmir.

Izmir

Explore experiences and landmarks and plan your next tour to Izmir