The 7 Best City Highlights Shore Excursions in Turkey

1.ONLY FOR CRUISE GUESTS: Best Seller Highlights of Ephesus Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 297 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39Our pick

Spend about 5.5 hours with a private English-speaking guide and driver, visiting Ephesus and Mary’s House from Kusadasi cruise port. Guides such as Ayse, Ekin, Alpha, and Marsy tailor the pace well, while optional rug, ceramic, food, and market stops may add local flavor.

“How do I give this tour more stars??!!! This was hands down the best tour we took our whole trip! Ekin quickly read our group as mom with three teens and gave us just the right amount of info and details at each site. He shared stories and local culture. He and our driver made sure we were safe and reached each destination strategically ahead of the crowds. If we could go back and take him with us to every city we would. I highly recommend this agency and Ekin!!!”

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2.Istanbul Shore Excursion: Istanbul in One Day Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 273 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $100

Start at Galataport with an English-speaking guide and cover Istanbul’s top sights in about eight hours. You’ll visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar, Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern, and more. Expect substantial walking, museum fees, and possible shopping stops.

“It was great! The only issue was that this tour contrary to its name Shore Excursion, was not meant for those in a cruise line just spending the day in Istanbul. We had to leave the tour on our own and get back to the ship in order to be onboard by the time the ship sailed away. It is the perfect tour for those staying in town for a couple of days. It manages to go to a lot of the main attractions in only one day.”

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3.Ephesus Sightseeing Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 145 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $90

Meet your guide at Kusadasi port for an eight-hour visit to Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, St John’s Basilica, and the Temple of Artemis. Expect a small group of up to 14, air-conditioned transport, a Turkish lunch, and possible carpet or leather demonstrations.

“This was my favorite tour on my cruise! Best carpet demonstration, small fashion show, huge sights, and the best tour guide, Ali!”

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4.SKIP THE LINE / Highlights of Ephesus Private Tour / FOR CRUISE GUESTS ONLY

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 141 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $170

Spend about six hours with a private guide and driver visiting Ephesus, Mary’s House, the Temple of Artemis, and the Terrace Houses. Guides such as Ayshe, Memo, Banu, and Mehmet are available by assignment, with pickup from Kusadasi port or selected hotels.

“Outstanding. Extremely knowledgeable guide. Professional. Easy going. Picked up on time. Comfortable Mercedes car. We wanted to go to Ephesus only and that’s what we did. Great lunch. No pressure at all to buy”

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5.Private Bodrum City Tour for Cruisers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 140 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $99

Start at Bodrum Cruise Port with an English-speaking guide and private air-conditioned vehicle. Visit Bodrum Castle, the Underwater Archaeology Museum, Myndos Gate, windmills, the ancient theatre, and the bazaar. Guides such as Dee, Selin, Lily, Nora, and Eylem are praised for flexible pacing and local food tips.

“Bodrum review Our guide Lily was wonderful and truly made our tour very memorable. She was very knowledgeable, flexible and patient with what we wanted to focus on seeing more of. After the tour she took us to a local restaurant where we had the best kebab we ever had. I highly recommend Otto travel and make sure to ask for Lily.”

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6.Ephesus Highlights Tour for Cruise Customers

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 90 reviews · 5 - 6 hours · from $25

Meet your guide at Kusadasi Port for a flexible 5 to 6 hour visit to Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, Selcuk, and Artemis Temple. Guides such as Umut, Ibrahim, Senem, and Abe are praised for clear storytelling and personal service. Lunch and transport are included, but entry tickets cost extra.

“The private tour was exceptional from start to finish. Prompt pick up from our hotel and Bil was quick to establish our level of knowledge and interest and what we wanted to see in particular. The timings for all aspects of the tour were spot on and every member of our group loved listening to Bil's information and historical insights. The value for money is extremely good (you could easily charge far more!) and we had a fantastic day exploring.”

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7.Ephesus Highlights Tour for Cruisers from Kuşadası Port

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 5 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $14Best value

Meet your licensed guide at Kuşadası Cruise Port for a private 5 to 7-hour tour of Ephesus and nearby sites. Expect a comfortable minibus, flexible pacing, port pickup, and guides such as Kaya, Mehmet, or Ali, with entrance fees handled separately or through an included ticket option.

“Our guide was fantastic. Ephesus was incredible and should not be missed. It far exceeded our expectations.”

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