Selçuk

Ephesus, the best-preserved Roman city on the Aegean coast, with the Library of Celsus, the site of the Temple of Artemis, the fruit-wine village of Şirince and nearby Greek cities.

Selçuk is a small town at the southern end of İzmir Province in western Turkey, about 75 km south of İzmir and 8 km inland from the Aegean coast. Right beside the town is the World Heritage Site of ancient Ephesus, making Selçuk the base for visiting Ephesus and the surrounding Greek and Roman sites. In town you can walk to the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, the Basilica of St. John and the castle on Ayasuluk Hill, the İsa Bey Mosque and the site of the Temple of Artemis; 3 km to the southwest are the ancient city of Ephesus and the Terrace Houses, on the hill to the south is the House of the Virgin Mary, and in the hills to the east is the fruit-wine village of Şirince. Farther afield you can go to Pamucak Beach, the cruise port of Kuşadası and Dilek Peninsula National Park, and farther south to the "three ancient cities" of Priene, Miletus and Didyma, as well as Heraclea by Lake Bafa. The climate is Mediterranean: April–June and September–October are the best for seeing the ruins; in July–August temperatures often exceed 35°C and the ruins have almost no shade, so you must enter early in the morning; winter is mild and rainy, with few visitors. Getting there: from İzmir Airport, the İZBAN suburban railway or train takes about 1–1.5 hours to Selçuk; the town has minibuses to Kuşadası and Şirince, and for the three ancient cities a private car or tour is recommended. Allow 2–3 days. Notes: admission prices to ancient sites are quoted in euros and change often, so check the Ministry of Culture and Tourism website, and consider the Aegean Museum Pass; the House of the Virgin Mary and mosques require modest dress. The urban area of İzmir, Çeşme–Alaçatı and Pamukkale are covered as separate destinations.

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