Private Ephesus Tour from Izmir

Discover the extraordinary ancient city of Ephesus, once a thriving Roman port city and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. My husband and I highly recommend making this private, full-day Biblical tour by Felicity Travel part of your itinerary. Our experience began with a convenient hotel pickup in a spacious, air-conditioned van, accompanied by a dedicated driver and plenty of chilled water. Entrance fees were included, as was a delicious and plentiful Turkish lunch at a wonderful family-run restaurant. But what truly made this tour exceptional was Umut, a local resident, certified guide, and scholar with comprehensive knowledgeable of the biblical history of one of Turkey’s most significant sites of early Christian history. During our tour, we asked countless questions—and not one went unanswered. Umut’s ability to connect historical events to specific biblical passages made for a fascinating and deeply meaningful experience. Two of the many highlights of this tour were the extraordinarily beautiful House of the Virgin Mary, a small, peaceful chapel and important destination for Christian pilgrims, where tradition holds that Mary lived with St. John following the death of her Son on the cross; and Ayasuluk (Ayaslur) Hill, where St. John is believed to have written his Gospel. We also explored the ruins of the once-impressive Basilica of St. John, where the Saint is traditionally believed to have been buried. This tour was much more than a simple day of sightseeing. Umut’s remarkable knowledge, enthusiasm, and ability to connect the history, archaeology, and biblical accounts of Ephesus transformed the day into an unforgettable and deeply moving experience. One last note: our sincere thanks to Maria Ecir, Founder & Lead Travel Designer at Felicity Travel. She was a delight to work with—thorough, responsive, and prompt in answering every email. We highly recommend Felicity Travel for anyone interested in delving into the many important events in Christian history that occurred in Turkey, from St. Paul’s missionary journeys and the letters to the Ephesians to The Seven Churches of Revelation, and so much more.

Wonderful day in Ephesus and surrounding sites!

We had an excellent experience from beginning to end. The entire process was handled professionally, including the easy booking process, informative WhatsApp communication and convenient payment arrangements. All of this made organising the tour so much easier. Our driver was excellent, professional and courteous. The vehicle was perfectly clean, comfortable and well maintained. Our English-speaking guide, Mehmet, was extremely knowledgeable, kind and patient. He explained the fascinating history of Ephesus in a clear and engaging way, answered all our questions and made the entire visit both interesting and enjoyable. Mehmet’s professionalism and extensive knowledge added enormous value to our tour. We truly recommend this company to anyone looking for a first-class experience in Turkey and will certainly use their services again when we return.