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Enjoy a Private Tour of Selçuk and Be Amazed by Its Vibrancy and Ruins

When you take a private tour to Selçuk, you will be amazed at the vibrancy of the city and the ancient ruins there are to see here.

It would not be wrong to say most people think of the ancient ruins of Ephesus when you mention Selçuk but that is unfair on this town as it has more to offer any tourist.

One of the pretty impressive sights to see as you approach Selçuk is the ancient fortress on Ayasoluk Hill that looks down over the town. It was this fortress that was built to protect the Basilica of Saint John.

The fortified walls are mainly from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods and within the fortress there are 15 towers and grand gates to the west and east of the fortress. There is much to see here and well worth a visit.

Another interesting thing about Selcuk is that there is a Roman aqueduct running all the way through the centre of the city. It is clear that this town is built on history!

Let the activities begin!
SKIP THE LINE PRIVATE Highlights of Ephesus
Likely to Sell Out
SKIP THE LINE PRIVATE Highlights of Ephesus
3665 reviews

Get a dose of ancient history while on this 5-hour private tour of one of the wonders of the ancient world of Ephesus and House of the Virgin Mary from Kusadasi and Izmir

From USD
$29.00
Price varies by dates and group size
37571 customer recommendations
5 to 6 hours Scheduling Private Tour Lowest price guarantee
Taste of Traditional Turkish Cuisine | Small Group Kusadasi Food Tour
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Taste of Traditional Turkish Cuisine | Small Group Kusadasi Food Tour
3107 reviews

Discover Kusadasi and small villages taste a range of delectable Turkish delicacies on this half-day, small-group private tour.

From USD
$115.00
32746 customer recommendations
4 to 5 hours Scheduling Private Tour Lowest price guarantee
Ephesus and Istanbul Combined Private Shore Excursions
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Ephesus and Istanbul Combined Private Shore Excursions
2999 reviews

Full-day or Half-day Skip the Line Private Istanbul and Ephesus Combination Full Day Shore Excursions Included Entrance Fees

From USD
$289.00
Price varies by dates and group size
31276 customer recommendations
4 to 5 hours Scheduling Private Tour Lowest price guarantee
Ultra Private All-Inclusive Full Day Ephesus Tour From Istanbul
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Ultra Private All-Inclusive Full Day Ephesus Tour From Istanbul
2446 reviews

Includes return flights Istanbul to Ephesus Day Trip with private transport, guide, entrance fees and lunch. Experience an ultra-private all-inclusive Ephesus city tour

From USD
$320.00
27675 customer recommendations
12 to 14 hours Scheduling Private Tour Lowest price guarantee
SKIP-THE-LINE Private Full Day Tour to Ephesus from Kusadasi Port
SKIP-THE-LINE Private Full Day Tour to Ephesus from Kusadasi Port
1625 reviews

This is a fantastic full day private tour to see the world famous Ephesus and of course not missing out the Virgin Mary House and St Johns Basilica with a Professional guide.

From USD
$90.00
Price varies by dates and group size
16533 customer recommendations
8 to 9 hours Scheduling Private Tour Izmir
Small-Group Skip-the-Line | Half-Day Ancient Ephesus Tour With House of Virgin Mary
SOLD OUT
Small-Group Skip-the-Line | Half-Day Ancient Ephesus Tour With House of Virgin Mary
1420 reviews

4 hours Skip the Line Small-Group Half-Day Ancient Ephesus Tour With House of Virgin Mary. Get a dose of ancient history during this 4-hour tour of Ephesus.

From USD
$29.00
14843 customer recommendations
4 hours Scheduling Shared Tour Aydin
Experience More | The Keys to the Ephesus City | Customized Private Tour
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Experience More | The Keys to the Ephesus City | Customized Private Tour
1457 reviews

Our knowledge and passion for the Ephesus combined with over 25 years of experience will give you a unique perspective of the Ancient City of Ephesus.

From USD
$109.00
Price varies by group size
14864 customer recommendations
8 to 9 hours Scheduling Private Tour Lowest price guarantee
Kusadasi Shore Excursion | Skip The Line | Ephesus Sightseeing Tour
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Kusadasi Shore Excursion | Skip The Line | Ephesus Sightseeing Tour
1395 reviews

Kusadasi Shore Excursion, Skip The Line Private Ephesus Sightseeing Tour. Ancient Ephesus is a must see site with a licensed, informative guide who will bring the city to life

From USD
$20.00
Price varies by group size
14581 customer recommendations
7 to 8 hours Scheduling Private Tour Lowest price guarantee
EXPLORE EPHESUS BEST | 3-Hour Skip-the-Line Ephesus & Terrace Houses Tour
EXPLORE EPHESUS BEST | 3-Hour Skip-the-Line Ephesus & Terrace Houses Tour
1070 reviews

Step back in time to explore ancient Ephesus, including the Grand Theater, where St. Paul preached, the Celsus Library, and the Terrace Houses, which were homes of the wealthy

From USD
$28.00
Price varies by group size
325 customer recommendations
3 to 4 hours Scheduling Private Tour Lowest price guarantee
Tantalise Your tastebuds On This Turkey Real Food Adventure Tour
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Tantalise Your tastebuds On This Turkey Real Food Adventure Tour
1009 reviews

Start and end in Istanbul with this food and culinary tour on a Turkey Real Food Adventure with a 10-day tour package and tasting the delights that are on offer.

From EURO
€2,850.00
10434 customer recommendations
10 days Scheduling Private Tour Lowest price guarantee
4 Day Turkey Tour: Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale from Istanbul
4 Day Turkey Tour: Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale from Istanbul
932 reviews

The 4 Day Turkey Tour: Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale, giving you the chance to experience the ancient wonders of Turkey.

From USD
$249.00
Price varies by group size
9703 customer recommendations
4 days Scheduling Shared Tour Izmir
2-Day Ephesus, Aphrodisias & Pamukkale Tour from Izmir or Kusadasi
2-Day Ephesus, Aphrodisias & Pamukkale Tour from Izmir or Kusadasi
835 reviews

Our 2-Day Ephesus, Aphrodisias & Pamukkale Tour gives a chance to explore the Roman history and magnificent remains of one of the most powerful empires in history.

From USD
$117.00
Price varies by group size
8851 customer recommendations
2 days Scheduling Private Tour Izmir
Skip-the-Line Ultra Private All-Inclusive Half-day Ephesus Tour From Kusadasi Port
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Skip-the-Line Ultra Private All-Inclusive Half-day Ephesus Tour From Kusadasi Port
762 reviews

Starting from the cruise port in Kusadasi travel to Selcuk to see the Ancient world of Ephesus and visit the final resting place of the Holy Mother Mary.

From USD
$160.00
9302 customer recommendations
4 to 5 hours Scheduling Private Tour Lowest price guarantee
Exclusive Private Ephesus and Virgin Mary Tour From Kusadasi
Exclusive Private Ephesus and Virgin Mary Tour From Kusadasi
729 reviews

Explore the Magnificent Ruins of Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary on this exclusive private Ephesus and Virgin Mary tour from Kusadasi.

From USD
$97.00
Price varies by group size
7726 customer recommendations
4 to 5 hours Scheduling Private Tour Izmir
Private LGBT Ephesus Tour from Kusadasi
Private LGBT Ephesus Tour from Kusadasi
713 reviews

Our Private Gay-friendly LGBT Ephesus Tours are one of a kind in terms of its Gay-Friendliness, the flexibility in the pace of the tour and the sites you wish to visit.

From USD
$58.00
Price varies by group size
7573 customer recommendations
6 to 8 hours Scheduling Private Tour Lowest price guarantee
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Ayasuluk Fortress
1 Take a guided tour to the Ayasuluk Fortress which is situated on the hill over Selçuk. This impressive fortress dates back to the Byzantine era. Within the fortified walls are 15 towers in rectangle shape which served as lookout points for invaders. Behind the walls are remnants of houses and a small mosque. It is still a work in progress in relation to excavations so at any stage more exciting artefacts can be uncovered.
Ephesus Museum
2 Once you have been to see the ruins of Ephesus take a guided tour of the Ephesus Museum located in the heart of Selçuk. The highlight for most tourists in the museum is the Gladiator Room where there are exhibits of all the items found during the gladiator cemetery excavation. The carved Artemis statue with its multi-breasted depiction of the goddess is exquisite to see along with many other amazing finds.
Isa Bey Mosque
3 On a guided tour of the Isa Bey Mosque, you will be very impressed with the beautiful architecture that dates back to the 14th century. There are very tall outer walls that surround a large arcaded courtyard. From the courtyard, there is a double domed prayer room. Visitors are allowed to enter the mosque outside of prayer time but everyone must have shoulders and knees covered and women must wear a headscarf.
Basilica of St. John
4 When you take a guided tour of the Basilica of St. John, you will learn that this basilica which resembled a citadel once spread the whole breadth of the hill it is located on. It was once ranked with the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople as being one of the largest churches of the Byzantine Empire. Legend says that St. John is buried under the church. What remains of the basilica are ruins, but you still see its original grandeur.
Roman Aqueduct
5 It is not necessary to see the Roman Aqueduct by guided tour as it runs through the centre of Selçuk. This Byzantine aqueduct stretches from St. Jean Caddesi across the main road into the town and continues to Inönü Caddesi. As interesting as the structures and history are, the best time to visit is from March to September because this is when the stork nesting season is and they have made the Roman aqueduct their nesting spot.
Sirince
6 Located just eight km from Selçuk is the beautiful picture perfect village called Sirince. On a sightseeing tour, you get to see the most spectacular scenery on the journey uphill to the village. The red-roofed stone houses are built on a slope so the image it projects from afar is amazing. This village is mainly small roads and lanes lined with shops and restaurants. A lot of products on sale are items made from the local produce.
Çamlik Railway Museum
7 Another interesting guided tour to take when you are visiting the area of Selçuk is the Çamlik Railway Museum. This open air museum is very intriguing and consists of old stream engines and railway cars that were active up to seventy to eighty years before. There are many of the steam engines and railway cars that you can climb aboard and explore. This is an especially good tour of children who love trains.
Selçuk Bird Sanctuary
8 An interesting place to go on a sightseeing tour is the Bird Sanctuary in the Selçuk Gevekirse Lake Site. It was set up for the preservation and reproduction waterfowl and spreads across thousands of hectare of marsh from Ephesus and Pamucak. There are over thirty-five different types of birds and mammal that live here such as Mew Gulls, woodcocks, red-legged partridges, boars, jackals and foxes.
Çetin Culture Village Museum
9 For something completely different to do in Selçuk, visit the Çetin Culture Village Museum. This museum is the realisation of a childhood dream for Nazmiye and Ayhan Çetin. It is a museum made up of handmade dolls and model villages that give us the opportunity to journey through the past. It is fascinating seeing the how intricate the dolls are and the model villages, no detail has been left out. It is a very good and interesting.
Kusadasi
10 Why not take a sightseeing tour to the town of Kusadasi on for a day or two. This beach resort is a major cruise ship destination and if you are lucky on the day you visit, you may see some of the largest cruise liners in the world moored here. Take a walk to Pigeon Island and view the city from afar. Take a stroll along the Kaleci area which is the old town. There are many excellent mouthwatering restaurants.
Best Time To Visit Selçuk

If you are really interested in sightseeing tours to such places like archaeological sites then from Mid March, through to early November are the best times. The intense sun is not beating down on your head as much, and this can be dangerous to some causing dehydration and sun stroke. It is also cheaper these months and the winter months. Flights and accommodation prices increase during June to August.

Typical Costs in Selçuk

During peak season, the average amount of money needed per day for 3-star food, accommodation and excursions per person is about $225.00. It is a lot less during the off season. This is just a guideline, there are cheaper or more expensive hotels and restaurants, so how much you want to spend will all depend on your budget. To get around the town or go to other nearby towns or cities, the public transport is very cheap.

Know Before Visiting Selçuk

Research your destination thoroughly. Before entering Turkey, check if you will need a visa, if you do, these are easily attained online. Turkey has two major religious holidays during the year, and many places are closed. However as tourism is crucial here, most tourist attractions including Ephesus remain open, they are just extra busy. Wear flat shoes if going on a sightseeing tour to Sirince.

Weather in Selçuk

The weeks of July and August are the hottest in Turkey with temperatures rising above 33 degrees Celsius and virtually no rain. June and September have temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius, April, May and October’s temperatures from 22-27 degrees Celsius. January, February, December are the coldest months with temperatures around 14 degrees Celsius and a good bit of rain.

Travel Tips for Selçuk

Best Time To Visit Selçuk

If you are really interested in sightseeing tours to such places like archaeological sites then from Mid March, through to early November are the best times. The intense sun is not beating down on your head as much, and this can be dangerous to some causing dehydration and sun stroke. It is also cheaper these months and the winter months. Flights and accommodation prices increase during June to August.

Typical Costs in Selçuk

During peak season, the average amount of money needed per day for 3-star food, accommodation and excursions per person is about $225.00. It is a lot less during the off season. This is just a guideline, there are cheaper or more expensive hotels and restaurants, so how much you want to spend will all depend on your budget. To get around the town or go to other nearby towns or cities, the public transport is very cheap.

Know Before Visiting Selçuk

Research your destination thoroughly. Before entering Turkey, check if you will need a visa, if you do, these are easily attained online. Turkey has two major religious holidays during the year, and many places are closed. However as tourism is crucial here, most tourist attractions including Ephesus remain open, they are just extra busy. Wear flat shoes if going on a sightseeing tour to Sirince.

Weather in Selçuk

The weeks of July and August are the hottest in Turkey with temperatures rising above 33 degrees Celsius and virtually no rain. June and September have temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius, April, May and October’s temperatures from 22-27 degrees Celsius. January, February, December are the coldest months with temperatures around 14 degrees Celsius and a good bit of rain.

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