TRAVEL


World  /  Europe  /  Turkey  /  The central and southern Aegean  /  Selçuk

Turkey Guide

The central and southern Aegean

Selçuk

A laid-back farming town only two decades ago, Selçuk has been catapulted into the limelight of premier-league tourism by its proximity to the ruins of Ephesus. The flavour of tourism here, though, is markedly different from that at nearby Kuşadası; its less prestigious inland location, good-value accommodation and ecclesiastical connections (not least, the burial place of St John the Evangelist) make it a haven for a disparate mix of backpackers and Bible Belters. Some may find this characterization a bit harsh, but it's not meant as out-and-out disparagement – it means, among other things, that the numerous carpet-shop hustlers and accommodation touts here have a more realistic idea of their audience's financial limits.

Read more