
Private Ephesus Tour & Cooking Experience with locals
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 26 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Ephesus Tour & Cooking Experience with locals worth booking?
Private Ephesus Tour & Cooking Experience with locals is a 6-hour experience in Kusadasi, Turkey, from $159 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 26 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 68 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (26)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $159 per person
Discover Ephesus with a cooking experience. Walk along the colonnaded streets in Ephesus to get the feeling of what life was like in Roman times, and then drive to a village around Ephesus to take a cooking class with
What you get
About this experience
Discover Ephesus with a cooking experience. Walk along the colonnaded streets in Ephesus to get the feeling of what life was like in Roman times, and then drive to a village around Ephesus to take a cooking class with locals! Travel back in time to explore the remarkable ancient city of Ephesus, the glory of an old civilization, and the interesting everyday life of the ancient people. Take a deep dive into Mediterranean traditional cuisine with this Turkish cooking class. Connect with a local host and learn how to prepare a number of classic Turkish dishes in the kitchen, based on recipes passed down through the generations. Roll up your sleeves! Don't miss the chance to learn the secrets of our cuisine by preparing your own meal. Learn it from a local, Cook it with a local, Enjoy it like a local.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Local and experienced tour guide with fluent English
- Lunch
- Hands-on cooking class in a restaurant or local guesthouse
- Fuel and parking fees
Not included
- Admission fees
- Admission fees
What you'll see and do
Kusadasi
Drive through the town of Kusadasi.
Pass by without stopping
Ephesus Ancient City
The Odeon Hadrian Temple Latrina Ancient Stores Avenues The impressive Library of Celcus The Grand Theater Discover the delicacy of Romans in ancient times, their diet, and wines. Learn about the daily life of a family living in Ephesus 2000 years ago. Live a unique experience, and learn about Aegean gastronomy!
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Leave the bustle of the city behind into the Ephesus countryside. Explore and learn Turkish cuisine recipes from locals, and get the chance of preparing your own Turkish meal. Then enjoy your meal under pine trees.
120 minutes here
Selcuk
Old town of Selcuk is beautiful with its cute houses and historical landmarks from Byzantine and Turkish period with storks and local art workshops.
20 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Kusadasi
Our guide will be holding a sign board with your name waiting for you at the Starbucks cafe.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Our guide will be holding a sign board with your name waiting for you at the Starbucks cafe.
Options you can book
Departs from Kusadasi
Private cooking experience Duration: 6 hours Lunch Kusadasi-Kirazli-Kusadasi Minivan: Mercedes Benz Vito minivan with air condition and 14 seats. Pickup included
Departs from Izmir
Private Duration: 7 hours You'll eat what you cook Izmir-Ephesus-Kirazli-Izmir VIP Minivan Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Phoenicia Travel
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 26 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
7 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
26 verified traveler reviews for Private Ephesus Tour & Cooking Experience with locals. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
An Unforgettable Day in Turkey with Emre!
If you are looking for a private guide in Turkey, look no further than Emre! From start to finish, he was an absolute pleasure to work with. His communication prior to and during our trip was top-notch—clear, prompt, and thoroughly organized, which made the whole experience effortless and completely stress-free. Emre is incredibly warm, friendly, and knowledgeable. He put together a flawless day for our family that balanced local culture, hands-on experiences, and wonderful hospitality. The hands-on cooking class in the countryside was a absolute highlight, allowing us to learn authentic Turkish cooking techniques and enjoy an incredible meal. Visiting the traditional rug weaving cooperative and the local pottery shop added so much rich cultural context and allowed us to see incredible artisan craftsmanship up close. Emre went above and beyond to ensure everyone had a fantastic time. We couldn't have asked for a better guide to show us the beauty and culture of Turkey. Highly, highly recommended!
via Tripadvisor
Ozlem was a great host. Brilliant!
It was so great learning about the background of all the dishes. We got to enjoy the delicious dishes we prepared together, which made it even more special. This was probably our favourite activity in Turkey, and we would definitely recommend it to friends and family, as well as to others making the trip to Turkey!
via Tripadvisor
We loved our guide. She was excellent and gave a good overview of the biblical history of this area.
We voted this our favorite tour. We had a group of 9 and visited Ephesus and then did a cooking class and had lunch at a private restaurant. Later we visited a ceramic studio and rug merchant.
via Tripadvisor
Incredible Tour - informative and fun!
Nesrin was an incredible tour guide! She brought a sweet, calm, and professional energy and had so much information and passion to share. We learned a lot about Ephesus on the tour. Her communication was timely and the van was impeccably clean. The cooking class was super fun and Nesrin was willing to cater the day to my family’s preferences. A highlight of our trip, you will not regret this experience! She shows you the true culture of Turkey.
via Tripadvisor
The Highlight of our trip!
This experience was a major highlight of my family’s trip! It was perfect from the beginning to the end. We loved the nice van that picked us up and our guide was so very friendly and informative. The experience was fun for everyone in our group from ages 25-84!! I loved the cooking experience and then eating the food together was perfect! The restaurant we were in was beautiful!! I also loved learning about Ephesus as well as the small pottery shop and the craft of rug making!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $159 to $179
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 9
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 68
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Ephesus Tour & Cooking Experience with locals: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kusadasi.
How much does Private Ephesus Tour & Cooking Experience with locals cost?
+
Prices start at $159 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Kusadasi usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Ephesus Tour & Cooking Experience with locals take?
+
Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Kusadasi is not rushed.
Is Private Ephesus Tour & Cooking Experience with locals worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 26 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Kusadasi, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Ephesus Tour & Cooking Experience with locals?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private Ephesus Tour & Cooking Experience with locals suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Ephesus Tour & Cooking Experience with locals?
+
Around 9 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Kusadasi can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Kusadasi and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Ephesus Tour & Cooking Experience with locals start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Kusadasi within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Kusadasi?
+
On Outty we rank every Kusadasi experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include FOR CRUISERS: Ephesus & Virgin Mary Tour with ENTRY TICKET+LUNCH, Ephesus Temple of Artemis and House of Mary Private Half Day Tour, Ephesus and Temple of Artemis Private Tour from Kusadasi Port. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Kusadasi?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Kusadasi?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Private Ephesus Tour & Cooking Experience with locals.
Pick your date




