Selcuk Tours & Places to Visit Around Selcuk
- ozlmcndan005
- May 19
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 17
Ephesus Ancient City is one of the best preserved Greco-Roman Ancient Cities and one of the largest open-air museums in the world. The city has a glorious history. Some of the highlights of the city;
Hadrian Temple
Celsus Library
Grand Theatre
The Ephesus Prytaneion
The House of Mother Mary is located very near the Ephesus Ancient City. This small stone house is believed to be where the Mary Mother, lived her final days. Although not officially authenticated by the Catholic Church, the first pilgrimage by Pope Leo XIII in 1896 suggests a positive attitude towards the site.
Temple of Artemis is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The first temple was completed in 800 BC, and subsequently, 3 more were constructed after each was destroyed. According to legend, in 356 BC, a young Ephesian set fire to the temple's wooden roof, burning it to the ground.
Isa Bey Mosque, which was built in the 14th century, is the biggest mosque of Selcuk. It is built by the Seljuk Turks in honor of Aydınoğlu (Aydinid) Isa Bey. It is one of the most impressive Seljukian architectural art pieces and one of the oldest as well.
The influential details, including the plant motifs and the beautiful marble workmanship with the variety of glazed mosaics, create the marvelous atmosphere of Isabey Mosque.
The tour includes all the transportation, entrance fees, lunch, and an English-speaking professional tour guide. More information on Daily Ephesus Tour | Ephesus Guide Book
Pamukkale
Meaning ''cotton castle'' in Turkish, you will understand why when you see this magical natural masterpiece. Forming over a hundred thousand years, the travertine pools cascade down the hillside and have been visited by many famous people. Considered to possess healing qualities, visitors can enter the pools. It is now listed as a World Heritage Site.
Hierapolis Ancient City
Perched above the travertines of Pamukkale sits the ancient ruined city of Hierapolis. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there is not a lot is known about its origin. Pamukkale's hot springs gave this city life, as people had been curing their ailments in the ''spa'' since the 2nd Century BC. Situated onsite is a large Necropolis filled with Sarcophagi, including that os the great Marcus Aurelius Ammianos.
The tour includes all the transportation, entrance fees, lunch, and an English-speaking professional tour guide.
PLACES TO VISIT IN & AROUND SELCUK
Ephesus Archeological Museum
The two best finds exhibited in the museum are the marble statues of Artemis. One is from the first century AD, and the other from the second century AD. Rows of egg-shaped marble pieces on the goddess's chest have been interrupted differently as breasts, eggs, grapes, or dates.
St. John's Basilica
The Basilica of Saint John was a great church, which is located 3 km from the ancient city of Ephesus. Justinian was constructed in the 6th century by the author of the Fourth Gospel Evangelist. It is believed it stands about the burial site of St. John, making it a significant pilgrimage destination in early Christianity.
Ayasuluk Castle
Selcuk's crowning achievement is accessed on the same ticket as the Basilica of St. John, once the citadel's principal structure Earlier and extensive excavations here, concluded in 1998 after a quarter century, proved that there were castles on Ayasuluk Hill going back beyond the original Ephesian settlement to the Neolithic age. The fortress' partially restored remains, about 350m north of the church, date from Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman times and are well worth a visit.
Sirince
This quaint Greek village is located near the Aegean coastline, and just 6 kilometres east of Selcuk. It is believed it was settled in the 15th Century when the ancient city of Ephesus was abondoned, however what is seen today dates back to the 19th Century. One theory suggests the village was settled by freed Greek slaves who named the village Cirkince (meaning ''Ugly'' in Turkish) to deter others from following them. The name was changed to Sirince (meaning ''Pleasant'') in 1926. Also some of Turkey's best wines (Sirince Wines) are produced here.
The Cave of Seven Sleepers
The story says that during the persecutions by the Roman emperor Decius, around 250 AD, seven young men were accused of following Christianity. They were given some time to recant their faith, but chose instead to give their worldly goods to the poor and retire to a mountain cave to pray, where they fell asleep. The emperor, seeing that their attitude towards paganism had not improved, ordered the mouth of the cave to be sealed.
At some later time - usually given as during the reign of Theodosius II (408-450) - the landowner decided to open up the sealed mouth of the cave, thinking to use it as a cattle pen. He opened it and found the sleepers inside. They awoke, imagining that they had slept but one day, and sent one of their number to Ephesus to buy food, with instructions to be careful lest the pagans recognize, and seize him.
Upon arriving in the city, this person was astounded to find buildings with crosses attached; the townspeople for their part were astounded to find a man trying to spend old coins from the reign of Decius. The bishop was summoned to interview the sleepers; they told him their miracle story, and died praising God.
Byzantine Aqueducts
In Byzantine Period, it was built in order to transport spring water of slopes in the eastern part of Selcuk province to St. Jean Basilica (50m. above sea level) and to surrounding settlements. Aqueduct feet, where marble blocks brought from Ephesus and Artemision are used for the second time as structural material, have 15 meters of height.
Pamucak Beach
Pamucak Beach of Selcuk is located just 8km west of city center. You can take a minibus to go there which takes no more than 10 minutes. The beach is 12km long. The biggest waterpark of Europe is located here and it's called Aqua Fantasy.
Yoncakoy Beach
Yoncakoy village is 20 minutes away by bus from Selcuk. The tiny village is where locals go to spend their summers and it has a very nice, clean beach.
Camlik Open-Air Train Museum
(Turkish: Çamlık Açık Hava Buharlı Lokomotif Müzesi)
It is the largest railway museum in Turkey and contains one of the largest steam locomotive collections in Europe.
In the museum, there are 33 steam locomotives displayed outside, half of them arrayed around an 18-road turntable. The manufacturing years of the locomotives range from 1891 to 1951. The oldest one is built by British Stephenson.
Çetin Culture Village Museum
(Turkish: Çetin Maket Köy)
Nazmiye and Ayhan Çetin realized their childhood means of the village museum Project, which was established in Selçuk, with handmade dolls and model villages. The Çetin couple describes their statuettes and models with all their rituals in their village Akviran in 1950's when they lived. It gives and opportunity of a nice journey in the past to its visitors.
Selçuk Ephesus City Memory Museum
(Turkish: Selçuk Efes Kent Belleği Müzesi)
In this building, which was the city's industrial heritage, is an exhibition on Selçuk's historical fabric and the people's cultural heritage. Aside from the up to date andd timed exhibitions it also serves as a center for education, research and culture. Oral history studies are also exhibited.
Kusadasi
Kuşadası takes its name from the Turkish ''kus'' (bird) and ''ada'' (island) - literally ''Bird Island'', a reference to Guvercin Adası (Pigeon Island), which is connected to the mainland of Kusadasi by a short causeway. Kuşadası is located 18km south of Selcuk and can be reached by minibus (dolmuş) from the bus station.
Kusadasi National Park
Dilek Peninsula National Park in Kusadasi (Dilek Peninsula - Great Menderes Delta National Park) is among the most important natural heritages of Turkey, with an area of 27,598 hectares. Dilek Peninsula, declared in 1966 as a national park, covers 10,985 hectares.
Kusadasi Daily Boat Tours
Daily Boat tours from Kuşadası departs from near the Pigeon Island (Guvercin Ada) and visits the most beautiful bays around Kuşadası costs. It goes to the bays of Dilek Peninsula National Park, Özdere Beaches and Claros Bay, Maydanoz Koy and others. Contact us for booking a daily boat tour from Kusadasi.
Aqua Fantasy Aquapark
Aqua fantasy aquapark is located in Pamucak beach. It is Turkey's number one aquapark. It has long sliders and many fun activities and pools.
Adaland Aquapark & Dolphinpark
Adaland Aquapark which is located on the road to Kusadasi is also full of water slides and fun activities.
Selcuk and its surroundings offer a unique blend of ancient history and natural beauty. From the magnificent ruins of Ephesus to the cotton-white terraces of Pamukkale, the charming village of Sirince, and the rich cultural heritage of Selcuk, every step is a new discovery. Our expert-guided Selcuk tours are designed to help you experience the best of this incredible region. Choose Selcuk tours for an unforgettable journey and create lasting memories in one of Turkey’s most treasured destinations.
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