From the Library of Celsus to the Great Theater, from the Terrace Houses to the Basilica of St. John. Discover Ephesus and its place in the Bible with an expert guide.
Paul preached here, John lived here, and the first Christian communities grew here. Once one of the largest cities of Rome's province of Asia, Ephesus is today one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world.
2nd century ADBelieved to have held some 12,000 scrolls, its two-story facade is today the symbol of Ephesus.
Acts 19The theater, seating around 25,000, was the scene of the silversmiths' riot against Paul.
About 3 yearsHe wrote his first letter to the Corinthians here. The Letter to the Ephesians speaks to the church of this city.
Revelation 2:1The Seven Churches journey begins in Ephesus and reaches inland across the Aegean region.
6th centuryBuilt under Emperor Justinian, the basilica stands on Ayasuluk Hill in Selçuk.
Three popesVisited by three popes, the house on Mount Koressos welcomes pilgrims from around the world.
AD 431The council met in the Church of Mary in Ephesus, whose remains can still be seen today.
A wonder of the worldOnce one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the temple was the heart of Ephesus in Paul's day.
Tell us when and with how many people you'd like to travel, and we'll send you a day-by-day program with a price per person.
Full day in Ephesus6 days / 5 nights
Izmir → Pergamum → Thyatira → Sardis → Philadelphia → Pamukkale → Laodicea → Ephesus → Izmir
The last two nights are spent in Kuşadası or near Ephesus. An Istanbul stay can be added before or after the tour.
Seven Churches8 days / 7 nights
Izmir → Pergamum → Sardis → Pamukkale → Laodicea → Miletus → Kuşadası → Patmos → Ephesus → Izmir
The Patmos crossing depends on vessel, border and sea conditions. If it cannot operate, a pre-agreed alternative applies.
Seven Churches7 days / 6 nights
Istanbul → Izmir → Pergamum → Thyatira → Ephesus → Smyrna → Sardis → Philadelphia → Pamukkale → Laodicea → Izmir
Starts in Istanbul and ends in Izmir. The Istanbul–Izmir domestic flight is detailed in your quote.
Seven Churches & St. Paul11 days / 10 nights
Antalya → Perge → Myra → Pisidian Antioch → Pamukkale → Philadelphia → Sardis → Pergamum → Patmos → Ephesus → Miletus → Izmir
The Patmos day involves entering Greece. Check the documents required for your nationality in advance.
Footsteps of St. Paul10 days / 9 nights
Istanbul → Antakya → Tarsus → Cappadocia → Konya → Yalvaç → Pamukkale → Ephesus → Istanbul
Some days involve long drives. A specialist biblical guide and group reflection time can be arranged.
Footsteps of St. Paul11 days / 10 nights
Thessaloniki → Philippi → Meteora → Athens → Corinth → Izmir → Pergamum → Sardis → Pamukkale → Ephesus → Miletus → Izmir
Starts in Thessaloniki and ends in Izmir. Two nights are spent in Kuşadası.
Ephesus & Cappadocia9 days / 8 nights
Izmir → Ephesus → Miletus, Didyma, Priene → Laodicea → Pamukkale → Konya → Cappadocia → Kayseri
Starts in Izmir and ends in Kayseri.
Ephesus & Turkey13 days / 12 nights
Istanbul → Çanakkale → Troy → Pergamum → Izmir → Ephesus → Pamukkale → Cappadocia → İznik → Istanbul
Starts and ends in Istanbul. Covers four of the seven churches of Revelation.
Tell us the places you'd like to see, your dates and the size of your group. We'll build a program with you, combining Ephesus with Istanbul, Cappadocia or Patmos.
Oktogon TravelOktogon is a TÜRSAB-licensed tour operator founded in Beyoğlu, Istanbul. We present Ephesus not only as an ancient city, but as the city of Paul, John and the first Christian communities. The team that plans your tour is the same team that runs it on the ground.
Friendly service is our principle. Your special needs are our priority.The Oktogon Travel way
From Ephesus to Laodicea, the seven cities of Revelation
Missionary journeys from Antioch to Ephesus
Combined programs with Istanbul, Cappadocia and Patmos
Custom programs led by a pastor or group leader
Our licensed guides present Ephesus with its history and its place in Scripture. A specialist biblical guide can be arranged on request.
TÜRSAB license A-4392. Bank and supplier references are available on request.
We can set aside time in your program for prayer, reflection and Bible study.
Ephesus is one of the most frequently mentioned cities in the New Testament. On our tours, we connect each stop with the related passages and set aside time for reading and reflection on site.
Tap a place to see the tours that cover it.
We prepare custom Ephesus programs for congregations led by a pastor or group leader, Bible study groups and families.
We don't push ready-made packages. We build the program with you around your dates, your group and the places you want to see.
Message us on WhatsApp or fill in the form. The tour you're interested in, your approximate dates and the number of travelers are all we need.
We send your program with the price per person, hotels and what's included. We can combine Ephesus with Istanbul, Cappadocia or Patmos.
We meet you at Izmir Airport and take you to your hotel in Kuşadası or near Ephesus. We're with you throughout your journey.
Your quote spells out exactly what's included, so there are no surprises along the way.
Inclusions vary by tour and are listed in your quote. International flights are not included; domestic flights are detailed in the quote.
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The nearest airport is Izmir Adnan Menderes, about an hour's drive from Ephesus. The flight from Istanbul to Izmir also takes about an hour. Our tours begin with an airport meet and greet.
On the Ephesus days, we stay in Kuşadası or at hotels near Ephesus. The hotel category is specified in your quote.
Our programs set aside a full day for Ephesus. The Library of Celsus, the Great Theater, the Terrace Houses, the Ephesus Museum and the Basilica of St. John are all visited in one unhurried day.
Yes. Mention it in your request and we'll add the House of the Virgin Mary to your program.
Our tours run year-round. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons. In summer there is little shade at the sites, so we start the day early.
The sites have slopes and uneven ground, and the Terrace Houses have stairs. Comfortable shoes are all you need. If you have limited mobility, let us know in advance and we'll adapt the program.
Patmos is reached by private boat. The crossing depends on vessel, border and weather conditions. If it cannot operate, a pre-agreed alternative applies. Please check your entry documents for Greece in advance.
Yes. We can set aside time for prayer, reflection and Bible study. Attending a local service depends on the host community's confirmation.
Our tours are guided in English. A specialist biblical guide can be arranged on request.
Tell us which tour you're interested in, your dates and the number of travelers, and we'll send you a custom program and quote.
Our team will get back to you shortly with a program tailored to you.