Though Selcuk sits beside the ancient city of Ephesus - one of the most popular tourist attractions in Turkey - the town is often overlooked by tour companies. However, Selcuk is a fascinating and beautiful place in itself: steeped in history, teeming with museums and restaurants, and an ancient aqueduct inhabited by storks, it is the perfect place to go for history-buffs intent on soaking themselves in the noble ruins and dust of antiquity. There's plenty to do here from visiting an ancient theatre to exploring the perfectly preserved frescoed terraced houses of the super rich of the ancient world or seeing for yourself the (alleged) house of the Virgin Mary. The best places to stay in Selcuk are small, quaint and rustic, promising sanctuary and intimacy.

What not to miss

• Visit the house where the Virgin Mary allegedly lived after the death of her son.
• Find solace in St. John's Basilica, the final resting place of the gospel writer.
• Immerse yourself in ancient history at the Ephesus Museum.
• Walk down the main street of Ephesus - Curetes.
• Check out the Cave of the Seven Sleepers. Legend has it that a group of young men, persecuted for their Christian beliefs, fled to the cave and fell asleep; on the orders of the State, the cave was sealed for 300 years, and 300 years later, they emerged, surprised to find Christianity as the state religion.
• Head to the Great Theatre, built in the Hellenistic 3rd century BCE.

Steeped in history and full of beauty, Selcuk is the quintessential destination for history lovers. Browse through our collection of the best places to stay in Selcuk to start planning your trip.

The best places to stay in Selcuk

Country house

• Markiz Konaklari is a lovely traditional Turkish country house. Rustic chic rooms have four-poster beds, stone walls and wooden beams. Gorgeous gardens, terraces, and a cosy restaurant. Total relaxation with no fuss.
• Gullu Konak is a beautiful country house in a tranquil village. Rustic chic bedrooms are all individually decorated and named after roses in the garden. Expect cosy living areas, a traditional restaurant, and stunning gardens. A lovely country escape.

Town life

• Naz Han is a small hotel with a roof terrace and leafy courtyard in the heart of Selcuk's old quarter. Traditional fabrics and artefacts bring colour to whitewashed rooms with exposed stone. Home cooked food served is in the courtyard. A well priced property to explore the local area.

For an apartment or villa

• Our partner Booking.com has a wide range of villas and apartments in the nearby area.

Travel information

• The best time to go is during September when you will miss the heaving crowds of tourists and the temperature averages at around 17 degrees.
• Fly to Adnan Menderes Airport in Izmir (55km away) and from the airport you can get a (rather packed) train to Selcuk.
• If you want to rent a car, contact our partner Rentalcars.

Still not sure?

• Expand your search to include the best places to stay on the Turkish Aegean Coast
• or browse through all our option in Turkey
• or contact one of our Gurus for advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Selcuk