15 Ancient Sites Worth a Whole Port Day

1.Ephesus Ruins, Mary’s House Tour incl ENTRY TICKETS

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,670 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $59Our pick

Visit Ephesus with a licensed guide, then see Mary's House and the Temple of Artemis from Kusadasi. Private tours can adjust the pace and route, while shared groups may include up to 20 cruise passengers. Lunch and shopping stops are optional in principle, but confirm the plan before departure.

“Excellent guide. She was full of very good information. She showed us many great places on the trip and great tips for traveling.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Ancient Olympia Half-Day Tour from Katakolo Cruise Port

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 228 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $14Best value

Travel by air-conditioned coach from Katakolo Port to Ancient Olympia, with helpful staff such as George or Chrysi offering background on the ride. Explore the archaeological site and village independently for about three hours, then return to the port on schedule.

“Very convenient bus, the driver was very kind. Everything went on time. Very good experience. Well done.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Acropolis Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 131 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $136

Start with a Piraeus pickup, then walk from Syntagma Square past the Parliament, National Gardens, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Plaka before touring the Acropolis. Guides such as Apollon and Dori bring Greek myths and archaeology to life. Expect about 3.5 hours, steep paths, heat, and plenty of walking.

“Our walking tour started great with clear communication as to where to meet. Traffic while on the bus was crazy busy, but we were excited about the tour thinking Athena would be our guide. Unfortunately at the bus station we were passed off to another tour guide. Being an elementary teacher, I know from many field trips that the guide makes or breaks the trip. In our case, our guide was mediocre, disinterested and not engaging. He did make sure he stopped to talk in places with shade, but there was not adequate restroom and picture taking opportunities . We enjoyed the sights, but it was not an interesting learning…”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.From Cruise Port: The Acropolis & Athens Highlights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 105 reviews · 3h 30m · from $104

Start at Syntagma, visit the metro museum and National Gardens, then enter the Acropolis from its quieter southern side. Guides such as Andrea, Ani, Hermes, and Angelika bring Greek history to life, while free time in Plaka adds lunch and shopping. Expect steep, slippery marble and a long day from Piraeus.

“What a great tour. Our guide Andrea was very informative, funny and considerate regarding making sure the group moved efficiently. She was able to provide great information about everything we saw. pick up and drop off were efficient as well Nick was a great driver.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Athens for CRUISE SHIPS with opt. Acropolis from Piraeus Port

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 63 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $83

Meet Vexperio outside your Piraeus cruise terminal for a six-hour small-group tour in an air-conditioned minibus. See Athens highlights, choose the Acropolis or Areopagus Hill, watch the guards at Syntagma, then eat or shop in Monastiraki and Plaka. Guides may include Thanasis, Alex, Athena, or Vassilis.

“This was perfect --- they pick you up directly at the port, and take you to the main sights of the city, including Acropolis. You will also have some time for lunch. Our guide and driver were the best!!! Will definitely be coming back to Athens!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Private Shore Excursion: Ephesus,Temple of Artemis,St. Mary House

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 61 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $224

You’ll explore Ephesus with a private English-speaking guide, then visit Mary’s House and the Temple of Artemis before a Turkish lunch. Guides including Tugba, Mahmet, Ayse, and Ilgin have earned strong praise for clear storytelling, flexible pacing, and smooth port returns.

“Tour was packed with interesting sights from start to finish. Much better than visiting sights on your own. Guide was very pleasant and knowledgeable. Once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Half-Day Ancient Olympia VR Audio Tour from Katakolo Cruise Port

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 57 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $66

Meet at Greka Land near Katakolo cruise terminal, ride 30 minutes to Ancient Olympia, and explore the ruins and museum with included tickets. Chrysi or another escort helps set up the phone-based VR audio guide. You also get free time in modern Olympia before returning.

“The description of the provider made me think that we would be on an open top bus but it was an air conditioned coach. Only 6 people were on our bus. The guide, George was most helpful and made sure we got our tickets through WhatsApp during the bus ride. I had to bring up though that I’d booked online and tickets were included so be aware of that. George assisted with the set up of the audio virtual guide on our phones. It was hard to match it to the ruins in front of you, particularly because we walked in a different direction to the commentary. Directions would have…”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Ephesus Ancient City Highlight Tour For Cruisers

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 35 reviews · 4 - 4.5 hours · from $22

Meet your guide at Kusadasi Cruise Port and visit Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, Saint John’s Basilica, and the Temple of Artemis. Guides including Kaya, Memo, Tijen Oral, and Esen tailor the pace, explain the ruins clearly, and may add local shopping stops.

“This private Ephesus tour delivered everything promised and more. Our guide, Kaya, met us at the port and immediately made us feel like honored guests rather than tourists. The visit to the House of the Virgin Mary was peaceful and deeply moving — the kind of place that stays with you. From there, we explored the ancient city of Ephesus with stops at the Celsus Library, Hadrian’s Temple, and the theater. Kaya’s insights and easy storytelling turned the ruins into a living museum. We ended at the Temple of Artemis, humbled by its place in world history. Timing was perfect, pacing was comfortable, and the hospitality exceptional. If you’re arriving…”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Private Tour to Ephesus including Basilica of St John and Temple of Artemis

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 32 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $438

Travel from Kusadasi port in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a guide to Ephesus, Mary’s House, St John’s Basilica, the Temple of Artemis, and the Ephesus Museum. Guides such as Emre and Alex are praised for strong local knowledge, though optional rug stops can bring firm sales pressure.

“Our guide Emre was phenomenal. We had our two small children with us and he took his time and was extremely patient with them. His knowledge of the history of the area was excellent. I had been to Ephesus before on other tours, but Emre was leaps and bounds better than pervious guides.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Shore Excursion: Acropolis, Athens City tour and The New Acropolis Museum

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 30 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $130

From Piraeus Port, you’ll see the changing of the guard, stroll through the National Gardens, climb the Acropolis with a licensed guide, and visit the Acropolis Museum. Expect about five and a half hours, small-group guiding, firm entry times, and a demanding walk in the sun.

“This was a very informative and well run tour! Our guide was wonderful and so knowledgeable! The Acropolis is incredible but an extremely strenuous climb. I would recommend this tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.From Cruise Port: Athens City, Acropolis & Acropolis Museum

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 27 reviews · 5.5 hours · from $128

From Piraeus, follow a licensed English-speaking guide through Syntagma Square, the National Gardens, Temple of Zeus, Acropolis, and Acropolis Museum. You get round-trip transport, skip-the-ticket-line access, and sweeping Athens views, but expect several hours of walking.

“Our tour guide was excellent! We had a wonderful time. The tour needed a lunch break… say half an hour. Would suggest half an hour less time in the Archeological Museum.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Private Shore Excursion Giza Pyramids and Sakkara with Lunch from Alexandria

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21 reviews · from $175

Leave Alexandria at 6:00 am for a private, full-day Cairo excursion with an Egyptologist guide. See all three Giza pyramids, the Sphinx, Memphis, and Saqqara’s Step Pyramid, with lunch, bottled water, entrance fees, and private air-conditioned transport included.

“Excellent tour. Picked up outside port. Driver Mohammad was very good as was our guide Ahmed. Never felt unsafe going on our own and far better than being part of the 37 tour buaes lvg on Ship tour. Saw everything we wanted at our own pace and at a cost half the cruise ship price. Highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Shore Excursion Kelaniya Temple & Colombo City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21 reviews · from $45

Start at Colombo’s cruise terminal with a private vehicle and guide, then visit Kelaniya Temple, Pettah, Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square, Lotus Tower, Galle Face Green, and more. Guides such as Pradeep, Calli, Kapila, and Chindhaka have earned praise, though vehicle comfort and shopping stops can vary.

“Our driver Calli was brilliant, very knowledgeable and good sense of humour. He took us around all the sites, and was our guide also. While we were visiting one of the temples, there had been a wedding and Calli took us through to where the fRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Egypt Shore tours to Giza Pyramids & Museum& bazaar from Alexandria or Port said

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · from $550

Leave your ship for a long Cairo day with a private Egyptologist guide, round-trip transport, lunch, the Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, and Khan Al-Khalili. Abduo, also called Abdou or Abdullah in guest feedback, is praised for clear history talks, flexible pacing, and helpful photos.

“The tour was absolutely amazing! Our tour guide Abduo was so nice and patient and took great care of us all day. Our driver Mohamed was very kind.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Private Danang City & Bana Hills & Hoi An Ancient Town from any Cruise Port

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $179

Travel privately from your Da Nang cruise port with a local guide such as Bao, Jerome, Rin, or Minh. Ride the cable car to Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge, visit Hoi An and Da Nang Cathedral, and enjoy Vietnamese lunch, bottled water, and port transfers. The schedule can be adjusted.

“I really like that Maximus Tours uses local guides, rather than bringing guides from Saigon. This allows great local expertise and how to quickly navigate or provide short cuts when the crowds get large. Minh did an excellent job of naviRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review