Private Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting & Turkish Lunch

Ancient ruins, local wines, and a farm lunch in one afternoon

A private tour of Ephesus from Kusadasi or Izmir that combines the archaeological site with wine tasting at a boutique winery and an authentic Turkish lunch. You walk the Library of Celsus, the Grand Theater, and the terrace houses with a local guide, then taste three premium dry wines paired with appetizers and homemade bread, and finish with grilled dishes and Turkish coffee at a farm near the ruins.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ephesus and wine tasting

• Visit Ephesus ancient ruins
• Tour terrace houses
• Enjoy authentic Turkish lunch
• Meet locals weaving rugs
• Have Turkish coffee and baklava
• Taste awarded local wines
• Learn about Roman diet and Aegean gastronomy

The experience

The tour starts at Ephesus itself, where skip-the-line tickets let you move past the crowds at the gate. Your guide leads you through the Library of Celsus, the Grand Theater, the Odeon, Hadrian's Temple, and the ancient shops and avenues: walking the same routes merchants and residents used two thousand years ago. You'll also visit the terrace houses, where you can see how wealthy families lived. The pace is unhurried. There's no rush, just time to absorb the scale and detail of what you're standing in.

After Ephesus, you head to a boutique winery in the region to taste three kinds of premium dry wines. The sommelier guides you through each one: wines named after the ancient sages Thales, Bias, Solon, and others who lived in nearby settlements. You'll pair them with delectable appetizers: homemade bread, a cheese plate, and extra virgin olive oil. The tasting happens on a terrace overlooking vineyards and olive orchards, so you're tasting while you're looking at the land that made the wine.

Lunch is at a farm property, where you'll eat authentic Turkish grilled dishes and appetizers from a set menu, with a complimentary drink included. You'll also have a chance to meet locals at the looms weaving traditional Turkish rugs, and afterward there's Turkish coffee and baklava. The whole day runs five to six hours, and your guide and driver will time the return to get you back to the port or your hotel on schedule.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Kusadasi or Izmir.
• skip-the-line entry to Ephesus.
• an English-speaking local guide.
• three kinds of premium dry wines with a sommelier tasting.
• authentic Turkish lunch with grilled dishes and appetizers, plus a complimentary drink.
• delectable appetizers including homemade bread, cheese, and extra virgin olive oil.
• Turkish coffee and baklava after lunch.

Options for this experience

2 options

Departure is from the port of Kusadasi.Guide in English · No fixed timeVisit to the terrace houses is available if you are interested, with a personal guide. Private tour by minivan, with a personal tour guide. Duration: 6 hours. Appetizers and 3 kinds of wine: three premium wines served with extra virgin olive oil, wine bread and a cheese plate. Kusadasi-Ephesus-Kusadasi travel in a Mercedes-Benz minivan with air conditioning, seating 4 or 14, and equipped with a fridge. Pickup is included.

Departs from IzmirGuide in English · No fixed timePrivate tour. Duration: 7 hours. Lunch and wine are included. Izmir-Ephesus-Izmir travel in a VIP minivan. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 85 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Phoenicia Travel

Is this one for you?Book the Kusadasi departure if you're staying at or near the port. Book from Izmir if that's where you're based. Tips for your guide and driver are optional at checkout, so you choose whether to add them when you book.

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Top questions

What exactly will I see at Ephesus on this tour?

You'll walk through the Library of Celsus, the Grand Theater, the Odeon, Hadrian's Temple, ancient shops and avenues, and the terrace houses where wealthy residents lived. The skip-the-line tickets mean you enter without waiting at the gate, and your guide takes you through the site on less-crowded routes so you avoid the main crowds.

How does the wine tasting work at the winery?

A sommelier at the boutique winery walks you through three premium dry wines, each named after an ancient sage from the region. You taste them on a terrace overlooking vineyards and olive orchards, paired with homemade bread, cheese, and extra virgin olive oil.

What's included in the lunch, and where does it happen?

Lunch is at a farm property near Ephesus and includes a set menu of grilled Turkish dishes and appetizers, plus a complimentary drink. After eating, you'll meet locals weaving traditional Turkish rugs at the looms, and finish with Turkish coffee and baklava.

Can I book this tour if I'm staying in Kusadasi or Izmir?

Yes, you can choose a departure from Kusadasi port or from Izmir, whichever suits your location. Private transportation is included, and your guide will time the return to get you back on schedule.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not in great physical shape?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You'll walk through the Ephesus site, but the pace is relaxed and there's no pressure to rush through any part of it.