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Sirince Village, Ephesus

Home → Ephesus → Sirince Village, Ephesus

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Rating: 5.0/5 (8128 votes cast)

Secreted high in the inland hills among wild orchards and rolling groves, Sirince Village is a scenic little village dotted with a dollhouse collection of stone and stucco houses. The area was probably settled when Ephesus was abandoned, but what you see today mostly dates from the 19th century. The story goes that a group of freed Greek slaves moved here in the 15th century and called the village Çirkince (Ugliness) to deter others from following. The name was changed to the more honest Sirince (Pleasantness) in the 1920s during the founding of the new republic.

Before Atatürk’s republic, Sirince was a larger town inhabited by Ottoman Greeks. The current villagers, who moved here from Salonica during an exchange of populations in 1924, are ardent fruit farmers who also make and sell an interesting assortment of wines. Flavours range from raspberry and peach to the trendier black mulberry and pomegranate.

Sirince Village is by no means the ‘undiscovered gem’ as usually marketed in other guidebooks. In fact, it’s the village’s widely known reputation for authenticity that has marked the start of its demise. During the day, souvenir shops run the entire length of the main street as vendors try to lure you in using a smattering of catcalls in different languages. Visitors who ignore this and stay the night (at a stiff premium, of course) will be well rewarded with the chance to see the real village after the tour buses have gone.

Sights & Activities

If you’re trying to avoid the crowds then it’s best to visit in the evening when the droves of daytrippers have long retreated from the mountains 3pm is about the busiest time of day. Şirince’s charm lies in its subtleties, so your time is best spent simply ambling around the crooked cobbled lanes and admiring the adorable architecture.

The ruined Church of St John the Baptist ( 8am-8pm summer, 8.30am-6.30pm winter) is of limited interest. Faded frescoes adorn the walls, which date back to Byzantine times. Funds are scarce, so restorations have yet to turn the space into more than a sanctuary for cawing birds.

Sleeping

Sirince is a captive market, and room rates can be ludicrously inflated for what you get.

Shopping

These days almost every house on the village’s main street has been transformed into a storefront selling a variety of local wares, namely fruit wine. Ask to sample your wine of choice before making the purchase it’s not everyone’s cup of tea some of the flavours taste a bit too much like cough syrup. Other shops sell olive oil, soaps and leather goods, usually crafted locally (it’s best to ask). It’s worth stopping by Demetrius of Ephesus (Sirince Köyü 26) , a local artisan who crafted most of the jewellery and trinkets for the movie Troy you’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the photo of Brad Pitt hanging above the cash register.

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Rating: +11978 (from 11978 votes)
Sirince Village, Ephesus , 100% based on 11978 ratings
127 Reviews
  1. Big-Tomato.Luis
    11:20 pm on December 11, 1999

    Nestled in the mountains this small village makes you feel like you are seeing some of the real Turkey. Vine Yards a plenty and lots of wine to taste and buy, plus the usual gift shops, with small cafe's this is a great day trip for contrast against the tourist towns of Kusadasi and Bodrum.

    Reply
  2. Tulelake.J
    9:23 pm on February 2, 2000

    Located close to Selcuk and Ephesus, Sirince is a small village famous for its fruit wine. An overnight alternative to the more popular Kusadasi for travelers visiting Ephesus, Sirince offers the right mix of "country" and amenities. There are enough restaurants that diners will not get bored.

    Reply
  3. epaskaleva
    2:01 am on February 9, 2000

    If you’re staying at Selcuk town I suggest you visit this village.

    Reply
  4. Osandy
    9:56 pm on May 10, 2000

    This is a true Turkish mountain town that is full of history. While we were there, the town was preparing for a wedding later that night. There are merchants, and little places to eat, mixed in with small bed and breakfast like hotels. The streets are cobblestone, and the hills are steep. You will see tablefuls of Turkish men, enjoying…

    Reply
  5. Madison_WI
    6:04 pm on June 21, 2000

    It's quaint, but totally commercialized, with tiny shops/stands one after the other all the way up the narrow, cobbled streets to the very top. Had a lovely dinner al fresco at a restaurant on the right side of the street just a block before the bus stop as you enter town. Easy to get to on the bus from Selcuk.

    Reply
  6. Nima
    4:19 pm on July 7, 2000

    Sirince is a very beautiful village with narrow alleys & some wineries that offer you try some fruit wines made there.
    If you're staying at Selcuk town I suggest you visit this village..

    Reply
  7. Tosca.Guiciani
    6:00 am on July 15, 2000

    Sirince is a rural village in a lovely setting in hills above Selcuk. It was originally majority Greek. You still see tractors in the main street, some carrying the farmer's wife and children as well as himself. It is a charming place to visit.

    Reply
  8. Joan P
    1:39 am on July 16, 2000

    Close to Kusadasi . This picturesque village was an afternoon delight and i have heard it is even nicer towards the end of the day to enjoy sunset and fewer people . Great vistas . The food we experienced was awesome…

    Reply
  9. Colorado-Springs
    4:58 pm on January 20, 2001

    We spent a few hours wandering around this pretty rural, quiet (depite lots of tourists – get off the main street). We had a good resonably priced lunch at Demetriou's Restaurant near the entrance to to village.

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  10. michael.b-toronto
    10:17 pm on March 19, 2001

    It feels a little displaced as a town, but considering it was created for Turks who were forcibly repatriated in the 1920s, they've made a good go of it. Quaint and lovely. Quiet at night.

    Reply
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ephesus tours

The big tip is to try and go completely private. Many of the large tour companies offer private tour and they are going to charge a significant amount of money for the tour guide. However, many locations offer self-guided tours and therefore you have the ability to supply your own tour guide. Easily Book your guided private Ephesus tours, to see all the treasures of Ephesus Turkey. It's often said that Turkey has more ancient cities and classical ruins than does Greece. Well, it's true, and the Aegean coast holds a great number of sites, including Ephesus, the grandest and best-preserved of them all.

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