Turkey · IZMIR, CESME AND PERGAMON
36 reviewed
Here are the 15 best izmir, cesme & pergamon tours in Turkey, with what each one costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is there for a reason, but read past it before you commit to a date.
Izmir hotel pickup to Ephesus: guided ruins, Selcuk buffet lunch, and a short Temple of Artemis stop in an English small-group tour.
“This was such a great experience! I’m so glad I went and so glad I had Alpi as my guide! The tour was so enriched and enhanced with his extensive knowledge of Ephesus but also of the history of Turkey! The tour went very smoothly and Ephesus was 100%worth it to see! Highly recommend this tour!”
Pamukkale from Izmir in a small group with hotel pickup, travertine hot-springs at Cotton Castle, and guided Hierapolis ruins plus lunch.
“bus ride was good, food was ok, but the guide could be better.. didn’t give a lot more information than the written panels at the site. would have been much more interesting if there was more info on the general history of the place and the technical/geological aspects”
Full-day Ephesus from Izmir with Mary’s House, Artemis, Sirince, lunch, and a guide. Great value at $113 with skip-the-line entry.
“Nizam was excellent! He explained everything really well, made jokes, made sure everyone was comfortable was personable. He answered all questions, kept us up to date with info where to meet, took us to the best spots for pictures (his OMGuide spots). All his shop and lunch spots were good too (compared to other many other tours ive been on) Our driver was also great in ensuring the pick up was accurate and on time. 10/10 would recommend especially if you want to walk through Ephesus. Fyi for other travelers the house of Mary is not much to see and you walk thru no stopping but i only went because…”
Small-group Ephesus and Virgin Mary day trip from Izmir with guided ruins, 45-minute Meryemana visit, Turkish buffet lunch.
“Guide was great. Mary's house is so so. The ruins and lunch were fun. Would recommend as a day trip.”
Small-group Ephesus day trip from Izmir with Mary’s House, Temple of Artemis, Sirince, and included lunch.
“Mel (tour guide) and Haci (driver) took good care of me. They were courteous and knowledgeable. The pick up was on time and the car was comfortable, clean, and with air conditiones. Haci did not speak english but he used a Google translator which works very well! Mel explained in detail all the sites we visited. It was great also to beat the large groups! While I was not interested on purchase the beautiful leather jackets and (expensive) carpets, I enjoyed the experience. Unfortunately, there was a bad accident and we were unable to visit the last town where I was told have beautiful souvenirs. There was no other option…”
Full-day guided trip to Pamukkale and UNESCO Hierapolis from Selcuk, Kusadasi, or Izmir, with travertines and optional Cleopatra Pool.
“Strengths: - Buses were in great condition / comfortable and had usb charging points - buffet lunch with a fantastic selection of food - get to see a UNESCO world heritage site and learn about the history from the guide Weaknesses: - Cleopatras pool is closed (has been for 8 months and will continue to be for another 2 months) - No real swimming time / limited changing facilities (the thermal springs ended up being more a place to dip toes opposed to swim). - Onyx factory visit isn’t necessary (limited speech about onyx formation and then the 10-15 waiting staff pounce on you/follow you around the shop trying to…”
Tour Ephesus and St. Mary’s House from Izmir with hotel pickup, English guide, skip-the-line entry, and included lunch.
“Ephesus is wonderful history sites In Turkey Our tour guide is very knowledgeable and professional. I’m highly recommended this tour”
Hotel pickup and BBQ on a big Cesme boat, with swimming and snorkeling stops, Donkey Island, and sunset views from Izmir.
“A lovely day spent around Cesme beaches. Food was excellent and the iced coffees really hit the spot.”
Private Ephesus plus Mary’s House, Artemis Temple, and St John. Skip lines, ride in comfort, and enjoy a guide who makes it click.
“Excellent tour. Some unplanned, but inevitable retail visits (carpets and pottery) but these were interesting. The pricing could be more transparent when booking, but all was made clear before we committed to anything”
Izmir to Ephesus guided tour: skip-the-line ruins, Library of Celsus and Artemis Temple, included lunch, plus optional Virgin Mary House.
“A very interesting day! The tour guide was very informative and knew a lot of information about Ephesus. Lunch was excellent with many different options to choose from! Loved the pottery at the start and the turkish delight shop at the end :)”
Full-day guided Pamukkale from Izmir with UNESCO Hierapolis, travertines, and buffet lunch. Expect a long drive and Cleopatra Pool closure.
“Good ride to the place. Good guide. Good lunch. Overall very happy!”
Ephesus and the Virgin Mary House from Izmir, with skip-the-line entrances, UNESCO sights, and a real Turkish lunch in a small group.
“Ephesus was amazing and Mary’s house was a nice addition. The history of the area is amazing and the guide Merve was very informative and kind”
Day trip from Izmir to Pamukkale and Hierapolis with lunch, entry fees, a guided tour, and time in mineral hot pools.
“Our tour guide Alperen was fantastic. He was extremely knowledgeable and had a friendly attitude towards the whole trip. We felt like we saw and learnt a lot about the sites whike it being a very easy flowing day with nothing being rushed from the pick up by Alperen at our hotel reception, to the smooth ride by our driver. Both Alperen and our driver were very attuned to our needs and made for a wonderful experience for the day. 10/10”
Guided Ephesus day trip from Izmir with transfer, lunch, Artemis Temple, Celsus Library, and the House of the Virgin Mary.
“Fantastic day trip to Ephesus with our wonderful guide Ozzie. His knowledge was outstanding and we learnt so much. Lunch was delicious with a huge variety of different foods.”
Private Ephesus tour from Kusadasi or Izmir with less walking, skip-the-line access, and an English guide to Mary’s house.
“Cem was a very knowledgeable guide. He’s easy going and flexible. An enjoyable day. Cem managed to steer us through the day, to some extent avoiding the crowds and queues! Well done!”
