Practical
Ege Port Guest Information Centre
Staffed information desks at the port, for maps, taxis and trips. There are cash machines and exchange desks in the terminals.
- Ephesus is about 20 km from the port and there is no shuttle. Go on a ship's tour, with a private guide, or by taxi at a fixed return price agreed before you set off.
- Ephesus is exposed, hot in summer and paved with slippery, uneven marble: wear good shoes and bring water and a hat. It gets very busy when several ships are in.
- The Terrace Houses inside Ephesus need a separate ticket from the main site.
- The port says transit cruise passengers cannot buy a Turkish SIM card, as an entry stamp is needed, so check your roaming before you go ashore.
- Up to four large ships can berth at once, so roads to Ephesus and the site itself can be crowded on busy days.
Where ships dock
Ready-made days
4hours
Ege Port Guest Information Centre → Pigeon Island (Güvercinada) and castle → Kaleiçi old quarter → Öküz Mehmet Pasha Caravanserai
6hoursEphesus Archaeological Site → Terrace Houses → Temple of Artemis
8hoursEphesus Archaeological Site → Terrace Houses → House of the Virgin Mary → Ephesus Museum → Temple of Artemis
Add your ship's times above to see what fits in your time ashore.
Sights
Öküz Mehmet Pasha Caravanserai
A fortified 17th-century inn for merchants, just across from the port. It is being restored, so expect to see it from outside only; check locally.
Food & drink
Kaleiçi old quarter
The old walled quarter behind the harbour: narrow lanes, whitewashed houses, small mosques and plenty of places for meze, grilled fish or Turkish coffee.
Sights
Pigeon Island (Güvercinada) and castle
A small fortified island joined to the town by a causeway, with gardens, a tea garden and views back over the harbour. It is about 15 minutes' walk from the ship.
Beaches & parks
Ladies Beach (Kadınlar Denizi)
The town's best-known sandy beach, about 3 km south of the port, with loungers and cafés along the front. A short taxi or dolmuş ride.
Boat & day trips
Ephesus Archaeological Site
A huge Roman city of marble streets, temples and theatres, with the two-storey Library of Celsus as its showpiece. Most visitors walk downhill from the upper gate to the lower one, so ask your driver to meet you at the other end.
Sights
Terrace Houses, Ephesus
Roman homes of wealthy families under a protective roof inside Ephesus, with wall paintings and mosaic floors. Separate ticket, well worth it.
Sights
Ephesus Museum, Selçuk
The museum in Selçuk that holds many finds from Ephesus, including the famous statues of Artemis. Easy to combine with the temple site nearby.
Sights
Temple of Artemis
A single rebuilt column in a marshy field marks the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. A short stop on the way to or from Ephesus.
Sights
House of the Virgin Mary
A small stone chapel in the hills above Ephesus, honoured by Christians and Muslims as the Virgin Mary's last home. Quiet and shady, with a wishing wall.
Boat & day trips
Şirince village
A hillside village of old Greek houses above Selçuk, known for its fruit wines, olive oil soaps and lazy lunches. Pair it with Ephesus on a long day.
Map
Your ship's times
Type your ship's arrival and departure times at the top of this page and everything here is marked for your day. Your times are on your cruise documents or in the cruise line's app.
Kuşadası publishes its cruise calendar: see the port's schedule ↗
Sources we checked on 2026-10-21: globalportsholding.com kusadasicruiseport.com kusadasicruiseport.com kusadasicruiseport.com kusadasicruiseport.com muze.gov.tr muze.gov.tr muze.gov.tr