PRIVATE TOUR FOR CRUISERS: Ephesus Ruins and Pottery Class

  • Duration4–5 hours
  • StartsFrom/to Kusadasi Cruise Port
  • TypePrivate, only your group
  • CancellationFree up to 24 h before
  • Payment50% deposit online, rest in cash on the day
  • ReturnBack to your ship on time, guaranteed

Tour at a glance

Duration
4–5 hours
Starts
From/to Kusadasi Cruise Port
Price
From $180 total for 2 guests (≈ $90 per person); price depends on group size
Included
Pottery and Ceramic Lesson, Professional LICENSED LOCAL TOUR GUIDE, PRIVATE TOUR that ensures more personalized service, Cruise Port/Hotel PICK-UP & DROP-OFF
Entrance fees
Not included; paid in cash (USD or EUR) on the day, only for the sites you visit. Your guide brings skip-the-line tickets
Group size
1–15 guests online; larger groups on request
Children
Ages 0–4 travel free (max. 2 per booking); from age 5 the adult price applies
Cancellation
Free up to 24 h before
Payment
50% deposit online, rest in cash on the day

About this tour

Embark on an unforgettable expedition led by our expert LOCAL & LICENSED TOUR GUIDES to uncover the wonders of EPHESUS ANCIENT CITY, a distinguished UNESCO World Heritage site. Immerse yourself in history and culture as you delve into the secrets of this ancient marvel. To enhance your experience, indulge in a hands-on lesson at HANDMADE POTTERY & CERAMIC WORKSHOP, where you’ll craft your own masterpiece and have time to see the collections!

This tour option is perfect for individuals who desire to delve into the rich tapestry of the region, exploring ANCIENT RUINS and immersing themselves in LOCAL CULTURE, all while minimizing the need for extensive walking and time commitment. With this tour, you can effortlessly and comprehensively experience the wonders of the area in one seamless excursion, ensuring a convenient and enriching adventure.

Your voyage with us begins right at the Cruise Port! As your Ship docks, our dedicated team eagerly anticipates your arrival next to the Information Desk at the Exit Gate of the Cruise Port. You’ll easily recognize us by the sign bearing your name.

Upon securing your tour booking, we invite you to get in touch with our team to coordinate the ideal meeting time. With multiple Cruise Ships featuring varying arrival and departure schedules, our experts will help you pinpoint the most convenient meeting time to suit your itinerary. Once we unite, we’ll promptly set departure from the port, embarking on a short 20-minute journey to the Ephesus Ancient City. As we traverse the scenic route, your tour guide will provide captivating insights into Turkey and the region you find yourself in at that very moment.

During our tour, we will visit the places below;

Ephesus Ancient City: One of the best well-kept Greco-Roman ancient cities in the world, also listed by UNESCO. Ephesus was an ancient Greek city on the west coast of Asia Minor, known for its well-preserved ruins of a Roman-era theater known that St. John and St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, library, and temples. A major trading center in its time. A must-see for history enthusiasts.

Pottery & Ceramic Lesson: Following your visit to the Ephesus Ruins, we will stop at Ceramic & Pottery Workshop, where your journey will commence with a warm welcome and the choice of Turkish coffee, tea, or refreshing water, all complimentary for your enjoyment. Subsequently, you’ll receive a comprehensive introduction to the workshop, where the Master Artisan will enlighten you about the fascinating history and intricacies of pottery and ceramics.

Once immersed in the world of this timeless craft, you’ll have the privilege of learning exclusive techniques from our expert master, gaining insights into the profound cultural significance of pottery and ceramics. As you embark on your creative journey, you’ll experience the joy of shaping your very own pottery, creating unforgettable memories, and capturing splendid moments through your lens.

After an exhilarating session of hands-on exploration, you’ll have the opportunity to check out the Gallery and Collections, showcasing a plethora of vibrant, handmade pottery and ceramics. This remarkable experience promises to be a blend of artistic education and immersive fun, leaving you with a tangible connection to the region’s artistic heritage and a collection of cherished memories.

At the end of the experience, you will be able to visit other local art creators such as Rug Weaving schools if you request to. At the end of our tour, we return to the Cruise Port according to your ONBOARD TIME!

PLEASE NOTE THAT: There are several Ships with different arrival and departure times. We carefully check all the timings, confirm with the passengers, and coordinate our return time to Cruise Port.

WE ASSURE YOU THAT OUR TOURS GUARANTEE AN ON-TIME RETURN TO THE SHIP!

Included

  • Pottery and Ceramic Lesson
  • Professional LICENSED LOCAL TOUR GUIDE
  • PRIVATE TOUR that ensures more personalized service
  • Cruise Port/Hotel PICK-UP & DROP-OFF
  • GUARANTEED ON-TIME RETURN FOR CRUISE PASSENGERS
  • Transportation with A/C Minivans with separate Driver

Not included

  • Gratuities recommended
  • Museum Entrance Tickets (your guide brings them; paid in cash, USD or EUR, on the day of your tour)

Meeting point

Port exit gate, Kusadasi cruise terminal

Your guide waits with a sign showing your name, 30–45 minutes after your ship docks. We confirm the exact meeting time and spot by email before your tour.

Good to know

  • Private means private: the guide and the vehicle are for your group alone.
  • Prices are for the whole group, not per person.
  • Look for your name on a sign at the cruise terminal exit, 30–45 minutes after docking.
  • Entrance fees are extra and paid in cash (USD or EUR) on the day, only for the sites you enter. Your guide has the skip-the-line tickets ready.
  • Half the price is paid online by card when you book; the other half in cash on the tour day.
  • Kids up to 4 years old are free (max. 2 per booking); from 5 years the adult price applies.
  • Ancient marble streets can be uneven: comfortable shoes help. In summer, bring a hat, sunscreen and water.
  • We keep track of your ship’s all-aboard time and make sure you are back at the port in time.

Price for your whole group

One price per private group, not per person. Children 0–4 travel free (max. 2 per booking).

GuestsGroup total
1–2 guests$180
3 guests$220
4–6 guests$250
7–9 guests$280
10–12 guests$300
13–15 guests$350
16+ guestsAsk for a quote

What our guests say

5.0/5 · 2,950+ reviews · Kusadasi Port Tours

Excerpts from real reviews on our Tripadvisor page.

“I brought my elderly parents. He made sure that they were able to see everything with minimal walking. We were able to tailor our tour to the needs of my parents while still seeing the highlights that I wanted to see.”

Dana F
October 2026 · Read on Tripadvisor

“Fatima had great communication with us before hand and was waiting for us at the dock. The private tour she gave was tailored to our interests and schedule.”

Katrina L
May 2023 · Read on Tripadvisor

“Arif was an excellent guide who really made our day so enjoyable. He was very knowledgeable but shared the info in a way that was interesting and friendly.”

Kristine D
October 2026 · Read on Tripadvisor

Questions

Do you charge per person or per group?

Per group. The price you see is the total for everyone in your party, as long as you stay within the group size you selected.

What does the tour price cover?

Your own licensed guide, transport during the tour (a private air-conditioned vehicle with a driver around Kusadasi and Ephesus; tram and public transport on the Istanbul tour) and our promise to get you back to your ship on time. Each tour page lists what is included and what is not.

Are entrance tickets included?

No. Ticket prices change during the season, so we keep them out of the tour price. Your guide brings skip-the-line tickets and you pay for them in cash (USD or EUR) on the day, only for the sites you actually visit.

Can I pay for the tickets with a card?

No. Your guide buys the tickets on your behalf, so they are paid in cash (USD or EUR) on the tour day.

How does booking and payment work?

Book online until 24 hours before your tour. You pay 50% by card online (in USD) and the remaining 50% in cash to your guide on the tour day.

What if I need to cancel?

Cancel up to 24 hours before the tour and you get your deposit back in full. If your ship cannot dock at the port, we refund your deposit in full as well.

How do we find our guide?

Walk out of the cruise terminal 30–45 minutes after your ship docks; your guide will be waiting with a sign showing your name. We email you the exact time and meeting spot before the tour.

Could we start a bit later?

We meet 30–45 minutes after docking for a reason: when several ships are in port, a late start means queues at every site. An early start gives you a calmer, fuller day.

Will we really be back before all-aboard?

Yes. We build the day around your ship’s schedule and guarantee your return to the port in time.

Can guests with limited mobility join?

Yes, at an easy pace. In Ephesus the route runs mostly downhill over old marble that is uneven in places, and your guide adapts the pace and breaks to your group. The Terrace Houses have many steps. Let us know about any mobility needs when you book.

Do children pay?

Children up to 4 years old are free (max. 2 per booking). From the age of 5 the adult price applies.

Is lunch part of the tour?

Only when the tour page says so. Otherwise your guide can suggest a local restaurant on the way, and you pay the restaurant directly.

Who runs Kusadasi Port Tours?

Kusadasi Port Tours is run by Iglesias Tour Turkey, a travel agency licensed by TÜRSAB (licence no. 10772), based in Kusadasi since 2010. All our guides are licensed professional guides.

Photos: Tahirceylan, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Daderot, CC0 · Mericaktar, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Carole Raddato from FRANKFURT, Germany, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped)

More tours from Kusadasi

From$180 total for 2 guests
Check dates